December 2019 Community News

December 2019

Lincoln Public Schools staff, students honor Veterans Day

SECTION A: A3 TeamMates of the Month A4 Teacher’s TED Talk goes viral

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n Monday, Nov. 11, Lincoln Public Schools celebrated our veterans and honored the anniversary of Armistice Day. Staff and students celebrated with a variety of events and activities – everything from hallway parades and guest speakers, to patriotic musical performances and guest veterans at lunch. See more photos on Page A6.

A6 Veterans Day A7 Learning Lunch schedule TCA hosts culinary conference Students use history to plan city A8 ConnectLPS A11 LPS teachers, staff win awards A12 Goodrich celebrates 50 years SECTION B: B1 Hour in the life at Meadow Lane B2 Superintendent’s blog: Proud to be public school B3 Guest conductor visits North Star Suicide prevention B4 Meadow Lane cont.

B6 Irving students, staff put ‘i’ in kind B9 Bubba’s Closet clothes hundreds B10 Wellness Column B11 Menus B12 CLCs ring in 20th year of operation

Community News is a publication of Lincoln Public Schools. If you have any questions about this publication please contact Jason Keese, 436-1619; or Mindy Burbach, 436-1609; Lincoln Public Schools P.O. Box 82889 Lincoln, NE 68501-2889

December 2019 | Community News | Section A

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December TeamMates of the Month

Caden and Ben: Fuel for the Future The first thing to notice about TeamMates Caden and Ben is not the differences in their size or age or the fact that Caden is a child of the digital age and his mentor, Ben, is analog. What you notice is they share a quiet energy. Asked if that was a fair assessment, Caden, a fifth-grader at Irving Middle School, replies with a solidly confident, “Yes.” Ben, his mentor of three years, agrees.

“I think that’s a good way to put it. Our energy is very similar. Our personality styles are very similar and laid back.”

Laid back until it comes to playing board games, an activity that is often the lynchpin of their meetings, which began at Beattie Elementary School when Caden was in third grade. Now a seasoned match, they were asked if there might a theme song for their meetings. Caden quickly suggests “Fuel,” by Metallica.

“Our games get pretty intense. We have some pretty good battles,” Ben says. Caden hunkers down so his eyes graze the table top, like a crocodile submerged in water.

“I would be looking at the game very intensely, like this.”

The intense competition is all in good fun.

What’s more important to the match are the intangible benefits.

“I like a challenge. A lot of things are easy and he pushes me,” Caden says.

“For me,” Ben says, “playing games is fun, a part of what we do. But hearing about his week and having a conversation is a part

I enjoy equally. He’s super good at listening listening and being intrigued.”

Caden also has a dry sense of humor that Ben clearly appreciates. When asked to describe what their match might look like when he enters high school, Caden says, “I think I’m taller.”

“Do you think we’ll still be playing board games?” Ben asks.

“Maybe,” Caden jokes. “We might start playing video games.”

December 2019 | Community News | Section A

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Lincoln High teacher’s TED Talk goes viral A Lincoln High School teacher’s powerful TED Talk about the trauma faced by students outside school and the ripple effect that has on teachers has been viewed more than 700,000 times since it was posted online Nov. 13.

Sydney Jensen, a ninth-grade English teacher, delivered the 11-minute talk Oct. 6 at TED headquarters in New York City. Since then, Jensen has heard from people in Lincoln and across the country who were moved by her message.

“It has been an absolutely humbling experience and I am overwhelmed by the positive response it has received,” said Jensen, who has taught at Lincoln High for six years and last year was named the Nebraska Teacher of the Year.

Jensen’s journey to the TED Talk stage - and the online attention that ensued - began in February. She and the nation’s other state teacher honorees were guests at Google headquarters and participated in a storytelling workshop.

TED representatives were in the audience and encouraged her to submit a proposal to participate in TED Masterclass, a program designed to help educators identify, develop and present their ideas.

Jensen submitted her proposal in May and it was selected in August. After that, she put in 200 hours of preparation, including five revisions of her talk and numerous coaching sessions, before traveling to New York City in October.

A few highlights from her talk: • On the challenges students face outside school: “I also have students who go to the homeless shelter or the group home. They go to the car their family is sleeping in right now.”

• On how that impacts her and other teachers: “They come to school with trauma. And when I go home every day that goes with me...The tough part about teaching is all the things you can’t control for your kids. All the things you can’t change for them once they walk out your door.”

• On the strain felt by teachers: “Our emotional piggy banks are constantly being drawn upon.”

• On the need for mental health support, not only for students but for teachers: “I work in an amazing school, with great leadership. I serve a large district, with so many healthy partnerships with so many community agencies. They have provided steadily increasing numbers of school counselors, and therapists, and support staff to help our students. They even provide staff members with access to free counseling as part of our employment plan. But many small districts, and even some large ones, simply cannot foot the bill without aid.”

• On the paper chains that hang in her classroom, which consist of individual links - a nod to the school mascot, the Links - for each student to write a positive message about themselves on the first day of ninth grade: “The chain that hangs in my classroom is more than just a decoration. Those links hang over our heads for the entire four years our students walk our halls. Seniors come back and can point out their chain. They remember what they wrote. They feel connected and supported and they have hope. Isn’t that what we all need?”

Reflecting on her whirlwind experience, Jensen is thankful her talk resonated with her most cherished audience: her students.

“It is a real-life example of the importance of writing, revising, citing sources, and commitment to the things that you truly believe in and value. They joined me on this journey all semester, and it has been the icing on the cake to have them excitedly tell me that they watched the talk, that it mattered, and that they were proud to be a Link.”

December 2019 | Community News | Section A

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Lincoln Public Schools staff, students honor Veterans Day O

n Monday, Nov. 11, America celebrated our veterans and honored the anniversary of Armistice Day. Lincoln Public Schools staff and students celebrated Veterans Day with a variety of events and activities – everything from hallway parades and guest speakers, to patriotic musical performances and guest veterans at lunch. All six high schools’ marching bands also performed at the Veterans Day Parade on Nov. 9. See more photos and videos online at https://photos.lps.org/Veterans-Day-2019.

December 2019 | Community News | Section A

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Upcoming Learning Lunches: Tuesday, Dec. 17: “SROs: Understanding this Important Job”

School Resource Officers wear many hats during their shift: mentor, teacher, investigator, guardian. Come hear how Lincoln Public Schools and the Lincoln Police Department have partnered to ensure our SROs successfully serve our students and staff. Presenters: Joe Wright, director of Security at LPS, and a representative from Lincoln Police Department.

Tuesday, Jan. 14: “Ensuring Students Have Adequate Learning Environments”

Update on the 10-year LPS Facility and Infrastructure Plan. Presenter: Liz Standish, associate superintendent for Business Affairs

Tuesday, Feb. 18: “We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution”

LPS Government students have the opportunity to showcase their civic and Constitutional knowledge through the “We the People” program and competition. Presenter: Jaci Kellison, K-12 curriculum specialist, social studies

Tuesday, March 17: “The Importance of Our Guest Teachers in LPS”

The job of being a substitute teacher can be challenging, yet rewarding. This session will provide information about being a substitute teacher in Lincoln Public Schools and the opportunities that are available for professional growth and development. Presenters: Vann Price, LPS Human Resources Department supervisor for secondary personnel, and Kren Shellhase, administrative assistant.

Tuesday, April 21: “Take Charge, Career Readiness and Financial Responsibility: Lessons in Career and Personal Finance” Lessons from the classroom in teaching young people responsibility in career and personal finance. Presenters: Julie Hippen, assistant curriculum specialist for career and technical education, along with teachers and students.

Tuesday, May 12: “Creating Music on a Blank Canvas”

The final Learning Lunch of the school year will focus on the creative aspect of music. All six LPS high schools offer various music courses that empower and foster students to learn the creative process of music composition and improvisation. Some of our talented high school students will share their experiences, inspiration and performances of creating their own original music. Presenter: Lance Nielsen, LPS supervisor of Music.

LPS Learning Lunches are open to LPS staff and the Lincoln community. Learning Lunches are held in the boardroom at LPS District Office, 5905 O St. Doors open at 11:45 a.m., the program begins at noon, followed by questions-and-answers at 12:30 p.m.

Please bring your own lunch – we’ll provide dessert

Lincoln Public Schools hosts annual Culinary Conference Lincoln Public Schools hosted its annual Culinary Conference Nov. 13 at The Career Academy (TCA), with more than 150 LPS students competing in various categories both as teams and individually. Competitors were from all six high schools and TCA. The day’s winners: Knife skills - Trinity Wilson, Lincoln Northeast High School.

Appetizers - Ester Costa, Lincoln North Star High School Garnishes - Mellisha Lambert, Lincoln East High School Dessert plating - Lisa Fiedrich, Lincoln Southwest High School Salads - Sara Pa, Lincoln Southeast High School Entrees, high school division - “Maxadamias,” from Southeast High School Entrees, The Career Academy division - “Rockefellas” There also were breakout sessions about various culinary skills throughout the day, led by staff from Southeast Community College.

Students learn history of Rome, plan future of Lincoln Trevor Shalon’s seventh-grade world history students at Moore Middle School have been studying how cities in ancient Rome were structured and organized. To better understand the past, Shalon had them think about the future of Lincoln.

Their assignment: to design a future use for a currently undeveloped plot of land near 93rd Street and Old Cheney Road. They had to consider the many factors that could impact Lincoln’s future growth. Similarly, when studying how Rome developed, they considered topics such as geography, wealth, status and population density.

Shalon’s students worked with David Cary, director of city planning for Lincoln and Lancaster County, who visited their class. The students’ ideas ranged from a library to a skate park to restaurants. They used a 3D digital design program, Tinkercad, to bring their ideas to life.

Cary and others from the City of Lincoln then chose their three favorite student ideas: • Elaine Yu - a library and cafe • Emily Schmersal - a park dedicated to American soldiers • Tyler Thimmesch - a park dedicated to Nebraska history Last year for this assignment, students designed their own Roman buildings - which naturally led to a lot of temples and colosseums, Shalon said.

“This year they could use a bit more creativity with what they did,” he said.

His students gave the assignment rave reviews: "What I liked most about this project was that I got to research Nebraska history and was able to put that information into the Tinkercad program. I also was able to learn more about Nebraska history that I didn't already know."

“I liked that we were able to think outside of the box, but we still had an idea that we had to follow for some guidance.”

“What I liked about this project is we got to turn this piece of land into practically anything. I also enjoyed learning how to use Tinkercad. Now I’m very good at it.”

December 2019 | Community News | Section A

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ConnectLPS

Here’s some of our favorite photos from LPS schools in the past month. Want to see more? Connect with your school’s social media at lps.org/connect.

Humann Elementary School

First grade field trip to Chet Ager Nature Center

Eastridge Elementary School

Donald D. Sherrill Education Center

“Our second grade musicians!”

“Students decorated pumpkins after reading the book ‘A New Norm’ to represent how they felt before they used strategies to cope with their emotions and after they used strategies to cope with their emotions! They had great conversations while creating these! #anewnorm”

Culler Middle School

Culler Middle School presents “The Stinky Cheese Man (And Other Fairly Stupid Tales)”

December 2019 | Community News | Section A

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Adams Elementary School

“Third grade enjoyed the beautiful weather reading in the outdoor classroom which they had earned as a reward for meeting their quarter math fluency goal!”

Norwood Park Elementary School

“Thanks for making our Annual Family Thanksgiving Holiday a success! It’s so much fun to have our parents, grandparents and other family members join us.”

Brownell Elementary School

“Second grade students practiced ‘programming’ their friends in an Unplugged Activity called ‘My Loopy, Robotic Friends.’ Fourth grade students used the Dash robots to learn about and program ‘functions!’”

December 2019 | Community News | Section A

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Two from LPS honored with national teaching award Two Lincoln Public Schools teachers have been awarded the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government for K-12 science, technology, engineering, mathematics and computer science teaching.

Rochelle Settles, a science teacher at Fredstrom Elementary School, and Alicia Davis, a math teacher at Scott Middle School, recently traveled to Washington, D.C., to receive the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. While there, they attended an awards ceremony at the Yates Auditorium at the U.S. Department of Interior and an awards dinner at the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts; toured the White House; and participated in multiple professional development events.

Settles, now in her 25th year with LPS, said winning the award brings a “deeply personal sense of accomplishment.”

“The thought of being recognized for doing what you do every day to promote learning is an honor. I have spent my career teaching and learning simultaneously, always seeking new

opportunities to better myself in the classroom,” Settles said. “This award is a validation of the time and effort put into educating students. It reminds me of the tremendous responsibility I must uphold - the standards of excellence for which I've been honored.”

Davis, who has taught with LPS for seven years and 18 years overall, credited her mentors for fostering her passion for teaching.

“This award reflects their investment in me and my commitment to pass along their legacy to the next generation of teachers and students,” Davis said. “This recognition is also a testament to my students, who inspire me to pursue excellence every day. It is an honor to be included in this community of distinguished educators.”

The awards were established by Congress in 1983. The president may recognize up to 108 exemplary teachers each year. Since 1983, 19 LPS teachers have been honored. >> Rochelle Settles, top, and Alicia Davis, bottom, were awarded the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.

Schoo librarian awarded national fellowship Schoo Middle School librarian April Jorgensen has been awarded a prestigious fellowship that brings together educators from across the country and develops their ability to offer students a more global learning experience.

Every year, the NEA Foundation awards NEA Foundation Global Learning Fellowships to one K-12 educator from each state. Through the fellowship, according to the foundation’s website, “public school educators develop the knowledge and skills to integrate global competency into their daily classroom instruction, advocate for global competency in their schools and districts, and help students to thrive in our increasingly interconnected world.”

The fellowship offers public school educators 12 months of professional development. The NEA Foundation staff, partners and field experts support Global Learning Fellows as they participate in online coursework, webinars and peer learning communities, including a two-day professional development workshop held recently in Washington, D.C. “I have a passion for connecting students to people and issues in the larger world and I look forward to the year of professional learning and coursework,” said Jorgensen, who has been with Lincoln Public Schools for 15 years, the last eight at Schoo. “After meeting the other fellows, I am humbled to be included with them and grateful to be able to work with so many like-minded educators focused on how we prepare students for a global world.”

“I hope it helps me find and create new ways to have students explore global issues and the role they can play in improving and helping our world come together to solve complex problems.”

Fellows also have the opportunity to apply their training during a trip to Peru in July 2020. They’ll interact with local educators, students, administrators and policymakers; visit schools; and hear from many of the country’s business and nonprofit leaders.

Jorgensen hopes her experience ultimately benefits the students at Schoo.

“I am really looking forward to learning from other educators from all over the country, who have the same passion I do for ensuring that our students have a global mindset and the skills to improve our world and our interconnected problems,” she said. “I hope it helps me find and create new ways to have students explore global issues and the role they can play in improving and helping our world come together to solve complex problems.”

Elliott’s Lewis named paraeducator of the year Katie Lewis from Elliott Elementary School has been named the 2019 Nebraska Paraeducator of the Year.

Lewis learned of the honor during a surprise staff meeting after school on Oct. 25. Alisha Bollinger, a special education supervisor for Lincoln Public Schools, presented Lewis with the award and read a portion of her nomination letter.

“Katie’s dedication and commitment to our students is visible, authentic and genuine each and every day with the work that she does. Katie emphasizes with Elliott students and families while maintaining high, developmentally appropriate expectations.”

“Her care and compassion for students and their unique needs is evident in her ability to listen, engage and support them despite the severity of needs, behaviors or challenging circumstances. Katie sticks with students and families through the highs and lows, celebrating the smallest of accomplishments and growth, while maintaining focus on next steps.”

A paraeducator, typically referred to as a para, is a teaching-related position generally responsible for specialized or concentrated assistance with students.

Lewis said afterwards she was humbled to have been selected and spoke of the team of “amazing” paraeducators she works with at Elliott.

“Helping our kids is a team effort and I wouldn't be able to do my job successfully without them,” she said. “I am also incredibly thankful to have a job I love to go to every day.

Although it can be challenging at times, I am grateful to work with the kids I do. They have taught me the value of patience and flexibility. All children have great value and are worth the time and sacrifice it sometimes takes.”

December 2019 | Community News | Section A

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From Olympians to Dragons, Goodrich Middle School celebrates 50th anniversary Goodrich Middle School is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year and to commemorate the milestone, the school’s theme is “Success always leaves footprints,” a quote from Booker T. Washington.

Plenty of people who left their mark on Goodrich turned out on Sunday, Oct. 27, for a two-hour open house at the school. The event attracted alumni from the school’s early years, former teachers and administrators, as well as current students and families. The Goodrich band, choir and step team performed. Current students led former students on tours of the school - much of which wasn’t there when they attended.

“It was wonderful. I was very pleased with the turnout,” said Principal Kelly Schrad. “I think a lot of people still live in the neighborhood, so it was a nice neighborhood event, as well.”

History teacher Kent Swanson has been at Goodrich for 45 years. He was hired by the school’s original principal, Lyle Bargman. On Oct. 27, Swanson sported a hat that read, “From Olympians to Dragons,” in reference to the school’s former and current mascots.

Swanson, whose granddaughter attends Goodrich, said it was special to see so many former students return to the school to celebrate the anniversary.

“It’s great because they have good memories,” he said, “and they always appreciate some of the things I did, which makes you feel good.”

December 2019

An hour at Meadow Lane, a lifetime of lessons A recent visit to Meadow Lane Elementary School, located just east of 70th and Vine streets, offered a glimpse into how much can be accomplished in one hour within Lincoln Public Schools.

There were engaging and thoughtful reading and math lessons that will lay the foundation for future success inside the classroom. There were lessons about trust and teamwork that will prepare students for a lifetime of success within school walls and beyond.

1:15 - Room 124 As Patti Hall’s second-grade students settled in for the day’s math lesson, she reviewed their objectives and strategies for the day, which were written on the whiteboard. In unison, they read them aloud: “Today I will...use strategies!...so that I can...represent numbers!...and...explain my thinking!”

She asked the students to discuss with their neighbors the various strategies they’ve learned to represent numbers. After 20 seconds or so of small-group chatter, Hall wrote a problem on the whiteboard for them to represent: How many tens and ones are in 24?

“I’d like you to think, think, think before we turn and talk again,” she said.

Hall and her students went on to discuss and practice three strategies they could use to represent the number 24: they could use math drawings; they could write math equations; and they could use their words. Students offered examples of those strategies. Some went to the front of the class and wrote on the whiteboard. There was a hiccup or two along the way, but classmates offered feedback in a way that could be a model for people of all ages, filled with phrases such as “I have a question” and “thank you, that makes sense.”

At one point, students returned to their desks to draw a picture that showed 20 groups of ten. Hall and the class then reviewed one of the student’s drawings projected on the whiteboard. They counted the 20 groups of ten and reached a total of 200. They discussed that two tens equals 20 and that 20 tens equals 200. They talked about the importance of using a math drawing - one of their strategies - to explain their thinking. In the case of representing the number 24, they could use the image of two groups of ten and four ones.

“In my classroom, especially during math, we focus on exploration of math and having a growth mindset where mistakes help our brains grow,” Hall said afterwards. Story continues on Page B4.

December 2019 | Community News | Section B

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Proud to be a part of American public education

F

ollowing graduation from MacArthur High School in Levittown, N.Y., I accepted an athletic scholarship to Doane College in Crete. (Actually, my father accepted to get me out of New York post-Vietnam.) It was an interesting venture, as my family had never been west of New Jersey. It was an incredibly long drive, with nary a skyscraper or taxicab to be seen after we crossed the George Washington Bridge. I had no idea what life would be like 1,400 miles from home and the pizza joint down my block.

My worst fears were soon realized when my parents dropped me off at midnight with a couple bucks and a pat on the back. (My mom did cry if anyone is wondering, but dad was a New York cop.) The next day a couple more guys from New Jersey arrived under similar circumstances and we immediately bonded over how soon we could get back to civilization.

The coaches talked frequently to us about the opportunity we had in front of us. I felt like a fish out of water and struggled understanding why everyone was so friendly. My worst day came during freshman orientation, in which we had to demonstrate our academic and social skills. I found the experience to be easy, as I took all the college prep classes at MacArthur. Imagine my surprise when I was placed into a remedial speech seminar because, as they explained to me, my enunciation and pronunciation of words and phrases were not articulated clearly. Apparently saying “wata,” “dolla” and “quata” (water, dollar and quarter) had too much accent and the course or seminar would help with that. I was determined to leave even sooner than the end of the semester. Fortunately, I didn’t.

My experience is mild compared to what our immigrant families face when they arrive in Lincoln. Recently I visited Everett Elementary School and had an opportunity to speak with a number of immigrant moms from five different countries who had enrolled in the Family Literacy Program. Their motivation to be there was simply to learn to speak English so they could help their children with homework. We can’t possibly imagine the challenges they face on a daily basis to navigate our systems but they are undaunted, as they see great reward in learning alongside their children.

Many of these parents have faced unconscionable peril during their lives with little access to high-quality education. For them to be able to assemble with others experiencing similar circumstances and with teachers who care deeply for their success makes me proud to be part of the greatest enterprise in America – public education.

Oh, and now when I visit family in New York, they make fun of my Nebraska accent. Go figure.

Read more posts from Joel’s blog at: https://wp.lps.org/sjoel.

December 2019 | Community News | Section B

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Special guest conductor visits North Star orchestras Ed Polochick, the Lincoln's Symphony Orchestra conductor and music director, visited Lincoln North Star High School Nov. 8 and worked with the school’s varsity and chamber orchestras.

Polochick has paid similar visits to North Star for the past six years. On Friday, he conducted Symphony No. 6 March by Tchaikovsky with the varsity orchestra and Haydn’s Symphony No. 1 with the chamber orchestra.

“He gives incredible insight into the music we are playing,” said Rob Salistean, North Star’s orchestra and jazz band director. “He is always complimentary of the orchestra programs, both at North Star and in Lincoln Public Schools as a whole.”

Means Matter in Suicide Prevention This article is brought you by the Lincoln/Lancaster County Suicide Prevention Coalition and written by Dr. Dave Miers, PhD, LIPC from Bryan Medical Center Mental Health Services.

Suicide is a public health problem. Over 40,000 Americans die each year and hundreds of thousands attempt suicide each year.

It is important that we work together as a community to take action to help prevent suicide.

An effective way to increase the chances that a suicidal person will receive the help they need and avoid tragic results is to reduce lethal means.

A powerful risk factor for suicide deaths is the ready availability of highly lethal methods. Research indicates that firearms are the method most commonly used in suicides. Poisoning is also one of the top methods of death by suicide. The Lincoln Lancaster Suicide Prevention Coalition (www.hopelnk.org) has been active in the area of means restriction in the community.

By working with family members and care providers to reduce a suicidal person’s access to guns and medications, we will help ensure that more people get another chance at life.

You can help prevent suicide by taking the following actions: 1. Remove or lock all firearms • Store firearms outside of the home, especially if you think someone in your home is impulsive or suicidal.

• Big Shots Indoor Range at 399 Sun Valley Blvd. in Lincoln has a “Gun Hold” program. Call 402-904-4791 or stop into the range for more information.

• Another option is to store firearms with a trusted friend or relative.

• If storing them elsewhere isn’t an option, store all firearms unloaded and locked, and lock the ammunition in a separate location or remove it.

• Make sure the person you are concerned about doesn’t have access to the keys/combination until the situation

has improved.

• Remember, family members (especially teens) often know each other’s hiding places.

• Firearms that must be carried as part of a job should be stored at work if possible.

1. “Suicide-proof” your medicine cabinet For medicines your family needs: • Keep only non-lethal quantities on hand. (Your doctor or pharmacist can provide guidance.)

• Lock up the rest.

For medicines your family doesn’t need or have expired: • See if your pharmacy has a drug take-back program.

• If not, empty the medicines into a sealable plastic bag, crush them or dissolve with water, add yucky stuff like coffee grounds or kitty litter, seal the bag and toss into the trash.

• Do not flush or pour down the drain unless the label says to.

If someone you know is in crisis now, seek help immediately: • Call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) to reach a 24-hour crisis center or dial 911 for immediate assistance or go to the nearest emergency department.

• Call CenterPointe Crisis Response Line at 402-475-6695.

The Bryan mental health emergency department provides emergency mental health care/crisis assessments to determine if hospitalization is needed: • Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week • Go to Bryan West Campus emergency department, 2300 S. 16th St, Lincoln, Nebraska.

• Bryan offers inpatient, partial care, and outpatient services serving youth, adults and seniors. Free online, confidential screenings for depression, anxiety and alcohol are available at bryanhealth.org/onlinescreenings More information: Other resource information and details on how to get involved: https://hopelnk.org.

December 2019 | Community News | Section B

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An hour at Meadow Lane, a lifetime of lessons 1:45 - Room 103 Down the hall, Chantelle Schroeder was leading a guided reading lesson with five of her kindergarten students.

Guided reading is an integral part of elementary instruction in LPS. In grades kindergarten through second, for example, each teacher has three to four guided reading groups and meets with each one daily. The students in each group have similar instructional needs, allowing for the teacher to plan a lesson that specifically targets the needs of the group. The groups are flexible, allowing for students at any time to move to a group that better matches their needs.

On this day, Schroeder and her students were starting a new book, “Animals Can,” about the different ways that animals move.

“But first let’s look up here at our learning targets,” Schroeder said, pointing to a small whiteboard behind her. “It’s the same one we had yesterday.

Can you read it?”

Schroeder and the students read them aloud, “We will be able to use the first sound and check the picture to decode those words that we don’t know.”

On the book’s first page, she asked what they saw in the picture. One student said frogs were jumping. Another student said frogs were hopping.

“Now what can we do if we don’t know that word?” Schroeder said, referring to “hopping.”

“That’s right, we can say the first sound and look at the picture.”

They sounded out the first letter of hop. They sounded out the first letter of jump. They looked for those letters in the words on the page. They checked the picture. That’s it! “Frogs are hopping!”

“Look, that’s our learning target! Say the first sound and check the picture!” Schroeder said.

“Ok, now let’s turn the page.”

2:05 - Room 144 Down another hallway, sitting in one corner of Angela Burkey’s fourth-grade classroom, is a three-legged stool. On the top of the stool it reads “Trust” in large letters, along with the following three principles: Job competence, kept promises, and concern for others.

Burkey uses the stool as a tangible metaphor for how important trust is within a team. The stool represents her class. The stool legs are the three principles of trust. If one of those legs are weakened, the entire stool can collapse. If one of those three principles of trust are weakened, the class can’t function as a team and students can’t reach their full potential.

Burkey thought of the stool idea four years ago after attending a conference prior to her first year of teaching. She had someone build her a stool with detachable legs.

“It’s more tangible for students to understand. I use it at the beginning of the year to help establish our team culture,” Burkey said. “We do activities every year that help each person keep the trust stool standing tall. It’s a goal for each class to not break it. If it’s broken, it’s a big deal in our room.”

On this day, Burkey asked her students to discuss in small groups what the word trust means to them. Afterwards, they shared their thoughts.

• “Team means trust. It means we’re all equal.”

• “It means keeping promises.”

• “I think it means we’re all one big family and we’re all in this together.”

• “It means helping others.”

One boy related it back to the stool, standing as a sturdy reminder in the corner.

“If we don’t have concern for others, if we don’t keep promises and if we don’t do our job, the trust stool can’t stay balanced.”

December 2019 | Community News | Section B

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Irving Middle School staff, students put the ‘i’ in kind Staff and students at Irving Middle School celebrated World Kindness Day on Nov. 13 by literally putting the “i” in kind.

December 2019 | Community News | Section B

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Bubba’s Closet bundles 400 students in warm clothing Bubba's Closet, the annual warm clothing donation drive, held its culminating event on Nov. 2 at McPhee Elementary School. Roughly 400 students received winter coats and other warm clothing. LPS elementary school principals have organized the event for more than 20 years.

December 2019 | Community News | Section B

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The guide to gifts others truly want

by Michelle Welch, RD, LMNT LPS District Wellness Facilitator Give the Gift of Kindness. Nothing feels quite as good as doing something kind for someone without an expected return - except maybe teaching your child to make that choice and seeing that joy on their face, feeling purpose.

The holiday season is full of opportunities for these little kindness teaching moments. It costs nothing and pays dividends. A couple examples are clearing snowy walks for neighbors or clearing the windshield of a co-worker on a snowy day.

Give the Gift of Fitness. If you have kids on your list, consider low-cost items that may be used to make indoor/outdoor obstacle courses, active games or passes to active play/adventure places. Nature fans? Consider park passes, outdoor equipment or resources to fund fun-run registrations. Even better if you do these activities with them. No funds? Give the gift of becoming their outdoor walking buddy or build outdoor adventure outings you can do together on milder days. Put your intent in a note with some really great socks.

Give the Gift of Sleep. Dollar sections or stores can help you build some fun sleeping kits. For kids, it might be a book you can read together and a snuggle blanket or stuffy. A few more dollars may allow for cozy pajamas. Adults might like eye masks, ear plugs, sound machines, caffeine-free teas or sleepthemed scented bath or moisturizing products. Sleep structure for your own kids including bedtimes for their electronics is a gift that will keep on giving.

Give the Gift of Skills. Do you have talents that make friends or family members rave? Are they always asking you for your secrets? Consider sharing that gift with them by rather providing a training session and some small supplies or lend your skills to a project just for them. Cook? Artist? Photographer? Bargain shopper? Organizer? Decorator? You may find a family prodigy to carry on your skills to the next generation - and have some fun with them.

Give the Gift of Time. Those with whom you exchange gifts might be special people to you and would likely love to have more time with you. Consider what gifts you have and how you might give others the gift of time. Committing to a regular coffee date with a small gift card or even helping them with folding laundry with some joint private time may be truly the gift they need.

More so, it may be the gift you need from others. Start the conversation.

Wishing you and your family a meaningful holiday season and a bright and joy-filled New Year.

December 2019 | Community News | Section B

11/18/2019

B11

MealViewer Schools

DECEMBER 2019

Breakfast / Beattie Elementary

December Breakfast MONDAY No Elementary School

Mini Confetti Pancake Bites Frosted Flakes Cereal Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Bar Yogurt Apple Juice Mixed Berry Cup

Cocoa Puffs Filled Pastry Frosted Flakes Cereal Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Bar Yogurt Apple Juice Mixed Berry Cup

No School

11/18/2019

No School

2

9

16

23 30

TUESDAY

3

Breakfast Beef Sausage Sandwich Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cereal Super Stik Hard Boiled Egg Grape Juice Applesauce Cup

Egg & Cheese on English Muf�n Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cereal Super Stik Hard Boiled Egg Grape Juice Applesauce Cup

Rolled Egg, Potato & Turkey Sausage Taco Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cereal Super Stik Hard Boiled Egg Grape Juice Applesauce Cup

No School

No School

10

17

24

WEDNESDAY Cinnamon Bun Stick Froot Loops Cereal Mini Chocolate Chip Loaf Yogurt Orange Juice Strawberry Cup

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Breakfast Bar Froot Loops Cereal Mini Chocolate Chip Loaf Yogurt Orange Juice Strawberry Cup

Apple Stick Froot Loops Cereal Mini Chocolate Chip Loaf Yogurt Orange Juice Strawberry Cup

11

18

25

No School

31

4

THURSDAY

Breakfast Pizza Cocoa Flakes Cereal Mini Breakfast Bar Hard Boiled Egg Fruit Blend Juice Peach Cup

Maple Waf�e Chicken Sausage Sandwich Cocoa Flakes Cereal Hard Boiled Egg Mini Breakfast Bar Fruit Blend Juice Peach Cup

No Elementary School

Chicken Fingers Personal Hamburger Pizza Chef Salad Veggie Burger Meatless Chef Salad Crinkle Fries Romaine Lettuce Salad Apple Wedges Pineapple Tidbits Biscuit

2

9

3

Muchos Nachos Country Beef Sandwich Chef Salad Black Bean Salsa Burger Meatless Chef Salad Refried Beans Shredded Lettuce & Tomato Sweet Blueberries with Whipped Topping Diced Peaches Roll

16

11/18/2019

No School

23

10

WEDNESDAY Tangerine Chicken on Brown Rice Chef Salad Stuffed Crust Cheese Pizza Meatless Chef Salad Green Beans Romaine Lettuce Salad Fresh Pear Applesauce Roll

Lemon Chicken on Brown Rice Stuffed Crust Pepperoni Pizza Chef Salad Black Bean & Rice Bowl Meatless Chef Salad Sweet Peas Romaine Lettuce Salad Banana Applesauce Roll

17

30

No School

No School

4

11

18

24

25

No School

31

THURSDAY

Popcorn Chicken Cheeseburger on Bun Chef Salad Garlic French Bread Pizza with Marinara Sauce Meatless Chef Salad Crinkle Fries Romaine Lettuce Salad Apple Wedges Pineapple Tidbits Croissant

Chicken Fingers Personal Hamburger Pizza Sloppy Joe on Bun Chef Salad Veggie Burger Meatless Chef Salad Crinkle Fries Romaine Lettuce Salad Apple Wedges Pineapple Tidbits Biscuit

2

9

TUESDAY Muchos Nachos Country Beef Sandwich Philly Chicken Sub Chef Salad Black Bean Salsa Burger Meatless Chef Salad Refried Beans Shredded Lettuce & Tomato Sweet Blueberries with Whipped Topping Diced Peaches Jalapeno Cornbread Roll

No School

No School

16

23 30

Taco Chalupa Cherry Chicken on Brown Rice Honey Sriracha Boneless Wings Chef Salad Bean & Cheese Chalupa Meatless Chef Salad Golden Corn Shredded Lettuce & Tomato Orange Wedges Diced Peaches Jalapeno Cornbread Roll

No School

No School

Mini Strawberry Bagels Apple Jacks Cereal Super Star Donut Hole Yogurt Apple Cherry Juice Raisins

No School

13

20

27

12

Spaghetti and Meat Sauce Hot Dog on Bun Chef Salad Spaghetti with Marinara Sauce and Cheese Sticks Meatless Chef Salad Baby Carrots Romaine Lettuce Salad Sweet Blueberries with Whipped Topping Diced Pears Garlic Bread

19

Nebraska Thursdays BBQ Chicken Chef Salad Mozzarella Cheese Sticks with Marinara Sauce Meatless Chef Salad Green Beans Romaine Lettuce Salad Strawberry Cup Diced Pears Cinnamon Roll

No School

26

FRIDAY Corn Puppies Grilled Cheese Sandwich Chef Salad Bean Burrito Meatless Chef Salad Savory Carrots Romaine Lettuce Salad Mixed Fruit Assorted Fruit Roll

Breaded Chicken Sandwich Personal 3 Meat Pizza Chef Salad Chik'n Sandwich Meatless Chef Salad Green Beans Romaine Lettuce Salad Mixed Fruit Assorted Fruit Roll Frosted Chocolate Cake

French Toast Sticks with Sausage Links Personal BBQ Chicken Pizza Chef Salad French Toast Sticks with Cheese Sticks Meatless Chef Salad Sweet Peas Romaine Lettuce Salad Mixed Fruit Assorted Fruit Roll

No School

6

13

20

1/1

27

MealViewer Schools

DECEMBER 2019 3

WEDNESDAY Tangerine Chicken on Brown Rice Lasagna Chef Salad Stuffed Crust Cheese Pizza Meatless Chef Salad Green Beans Romaine Lettuce Salad Fresh Pear Applesauce Garlic Breadstick Roll

10

4

11

Lemon Chicken on Brown Rice Stuffed Crust Pepperoni Pizza Nebraska Bun Chef Salad Black Bean & Rice Bowl Meatless Chef Salad Sweet Peas Romaine Lettuce Salad Banana Applesauce Roll https://schools.mealviewer.com/school/BeattleElementary/print?month=11&year=2019&blockId=1156 Chicken Nuggets Breaded Pork Sandwich Pizza Flavored Breadsticks with Marinara Sauce Chef Salad Chik'n Nuggets Meatless Chef Salad Baked Beans Romaine Lettuce Salad Warm Cinnamon Apple Slices Pineapple Tidbits Roll

Soft Shell Taco Sub Sandwich Chef Salad Cheese Ravioli Meatless Chef Salad Refried Beans Shredded Lettuce & Tomato Orange Wedges Diced Peaches Garlic Breadstick Roll

5

Creamed Turkey on Whipped Potatoes Salisbury Steak Chef Salad Chik'n Veggie Wrap Meatless Chef Salad Whipped Potatoes with Gravy Romaine Lettuce Salad Strawberry Cup Diced Pears Roll Fat Free Strawberry Milk Gingerbread Cookie

Lunch / East High December Secondary Lunch MONDAY

Mini Cinnis Apple Jacks Cereal Super Star Donut Hole Yogurt Apple Cherry Juice Raisins

MealViewer Schools

Chicken Nuggets Taco Chalupa Mac & Cheese Breaded Pork Sandwich Cherry Chicken on Mexi Pizza Brown Rice Chef Salad Chef Salad Chef Salad Chik'n Nuggets Black Bean Salsa Stuffed Bean & Cheese Chalupa Wrap Meatless Chef Salad Meatless Chef Salad Meatless Chef Salad Baked Beans Golden Corn Baby Carrots Romaine Lettuce Salad Shredded Lettuce & Romaine Lettuce Salad Warm Cinnamon Apple Tomato Grapes Slices Orange Wedges Pineapple Tidbits Applesauce Diced Peaches Roll Roll https://schools.mealviewer.com/school/BeattleElementary/print?month=11&year=2019&blockId=1156 Roll Dessert Item

No School

19

6

Chocolate Crescent Apple Jacks Cereal Super Star Donut Hole Yogurt Apple Cherry Juice Raisins

DECEMBER 2019

TUESDAY

Soft Shell Taco Chef Salad Cheese Ravioli Meatless Chef Salad Refried Beans Shredded Lettuce & Tomato Orange Wedges Diced Peaches Roll

12

26

No School

Lunch / Beattie Elementary December Elementary Lunch MONDAY

5

Pancake Sausage on a Stick Cocoa Flakes Cereal Mini Breakfast Bar Hard Boiled Egg Fruit Blend Juice Peach Cup

FRIDAY

17

24 31

Mac & Cheese Mexi Pizza Hot Turkey Ham & Cheese Sandwich Chef Salad Black Bean Salsa Stuffed Wrap Meatless Chef Salad Baby Carrots Romaine Lettuce Salad Grapes Applesauce Roll

No School

18

25

THURSDAY Creamed Turkey on Whipped Potatoes Salisbury Steak Meat Loaf Chef Salad Chik'n Veggie Wrap Meatless Chef Salad Whipped Potatoes with Gravy Romaine Lettuce Salad Strawberry Cup Diced Pears Roll Fat Free Strawberry Milk Gingerbread Cookie

Spaghetti and Meat Sauce Hot Dog on Bun Personal Hawaiian Pizza Chef Salad Spaghetti with Marinara Sauce and Cheese Sticks Meatless Chef Salad Baby Carrots Romaine Lettuce Salad Sweet Blueberries with Whipped Topping Diced Pears Garlic Bread

Nebraska Thursdays BBQ Chicken Homemade Chili Chef Salad Mozzarella Cheese Sticks with Marinara Sauce Meatless Chef Salad Green Beans Romaine Lettuce Salad Strawberry Cup Diced Pears Frosted Cinnamon Roll

No School

5

12

19

26

FRIDAY Corn Puppies Grilled Cheese Sandwich Fish & Cheese Sandwich Chef Salad Bean Burrito Meatless Chef Salad Savory Carrots Romaine Lettuce Salad Tomato Soup Mixed Fruit Assorted Fruit Roll

Breaded Chicken Sandwich Personal 3 Meat Pizza Baja Chicken, Cheese & Rice Burrito Chef Salad Chik'n Sandwich Meatless Chef Salad Green Beans Romaine Lettuce Salad Mixed Fruit Assorted Fruit Roll

French Toast Sticks with Sausage Links Personal BBQ Chicken Pizza Hot & Spicy Chicken Sandwich Chef Salad French Toast Sticks with Cheese Sticks Meatless Chef Salad Sweet Peas Romaine Lettuce Salad Mixed Fruit Assorted Fruit Roll

No School

6

13

1/1

20

27

December 2019 | Community News | Section B

B12

Community Learning Centers celebrate 20 years with family-focused event Lincoln Community Learning Centers (CLCs) celebrated 20 years of serving children, families and neighborhoods with an event Thursday night at the Lincoln Children’s Zoo. The CLCs invited its families and community partners to the zoo for the free two-hour event that also recognized 20 years of “Lights On Afterschool,” a nationwide event celebrating afterschool programs and their important role in the lives of children, families and communities.

Families on Thursday were treated to dinner and full access to the zoo, including the train and the always popular giraffe enclosure. Just like CLCs, the event focused on families.

“This is an annual opportunity for us to celebrate all of our CLC sites that provide high-quality enrichment and academic extended learning opportunities for students,” said Nola Derby-Bennett, director of the Lincoln CLCs. “This year we took the opportunity, as we recognize our 20th anniversary, to really highlight our families and give them an opportunity to enjoy a meal and some quality time together.”

Attendees on Thursday could write notes of gratitude and stick them to a whiteboard located in the zoo’s new multi-purpose room, where dinner was served. One person wrote they were thankful for the wonderful teachers at CLCs. One child wrote, “I am thankful for being able to stay after school so dad can work longer.”

And another person left perhaps the ultimate thank you note to the Lincoln CLCs: “I am grateful that there are people working hard every day to make the world a better place!”

“This year we took the opportunity, as we recognize our 20th anniversary, to really highlight our families and give them an opportunity to enjoy a meal and some quality time together.”