February 2023 Community News

Walk Together: 2023 MLK Youth Rally

Several Lincoln Public Schools students gathered with the Lincoln community to further Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s vision of equity at the 28th annual MLK Youth Rally on Jan. 16.

Rally participants shared poems, songs and speeches to encourage action in our community to carry on Dr. King’s legacy. This year’s event was the first time it was held in person and virtually since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

A path to independence Heba, an Independence Academy student, shares her story as a deaf-blind person learning important life skills. Page A11

Bringing science to life Southwest students created biology lesson plans for elementary classes focused on plant or animal visits. Page A16

LPS Equity Cadre partners with Omaha Westside students

Lincoln Public Schools’ Equity Cadre teamed up with Omaha Westside to help further diversity, equity and inclusion across the two school districts.

“It’s been really awesome to see how similar and different the two school districts are. I feel like there is a lot of stuff we can connect on and work on for both of our schools just to make it a better place for students, so they can feel like they belong,” Lincoln Southeast High School junior Catrice said.

The scholars discussed issues in their schools, like representation in honor courses and extracurriculars, and learned how to advocate for change earlier this month at the LPS Don Clifton Professional Learning Center.

“It’s been really nice to be able to talk to each other, share ideas and throw stuff back and forth,” Omaha Westside High School junior Mason said.

“Belonging and equity are something that affects us all and there isn’t one right answer for how it can look. By collaborating, students are given a chance to brainstorm and present ideas amongst one another which can be implemented in their respective schools,” Westside High Dean of Students and District Projects Coordinator Brittney Hodges-Bolkovac said.

Students also spent the day interacting with professionals and educational leaders such as Howard University softball coach Tori Tyson and Nebraska Department of Education Commissioner Matthew L. Blomstedt.

“This engagement provides awareness and access and

confirms their acknowledgment they are not alone in their district investment,” said Pete Ferguson, coordinator of Culture, Inclusion, and Scholar Development at LPS.

“One thing I think is really important is the scholar voice in the district. I feel like it’s really important that Westside gets their voice in too, so that the decision makers of our education know what it is really like to be in our shoes,” Catrice added.

The scholars hope this is the first of several collaborative events to help boost equity in their schools.

“I hope we have more of these because it’s really important that we share these ideas more than once,” Mason said.

LINCOLN TEAMMATES

Celebrating National Mentoring Month

January marked National Mentoring Month.

It was also a special month for Lincoln TeamMates because it marks the half-way point of the school year.

We continuously review our wait list and strive to welcome as many adult volunteers as possible into the TeamMates family.

The most common things we hear from our 1000+ mentors about their volunteer experience are, “I get more out of it than my student does,” and “Why didn’t I start sooner?”.

We’ve trained 160 mentors already this school year and we’d like to add at least 100 more in the next two months! Is 2023 the year you set aside time for one visit a week to help a young person notice and develop their strengths? We’re experts at matching adults and children based on lived experience and interests.

Currently, Lincoln students have to wait an average 266 days to get matched with a caring adult.

If you are considering becoming a mentor, here’s what you can do:

• If you want to learn more about making a mentor’s difference in a young person’s life, please visit our website: https://lincolnteammates.org/.

• Tune in through February to “The TeamMates Mentoring Hour” on 93.7 “The Ticket,” Wednesday nights from 6-7 p.m. to hear from Lincoln TeamMates mentors themselves.

• If you know you are ready to begin, please apply on our website: https://lincolnteammates.org/become-mentor/.

• The informative and lively training leaves mentors feeling relieved and ready to start their mentoring adventure. To register, go to our website: https://lincolnteammates.org/become-mentor/training/new-mentor-training-sign-up/.

Aven Green Sleuthing Machine

by Dusti Bowling

Aven Green is a super spunky eight-year old who doesn’t have arms. She doesn’t let this slow her down and has all kinds of adventures, solving mysteries around her, such as her grandma’s missing dog and the missing food around school. She even has a “ninja chop” contest with her best friends during a sleepover. Aven’s (adoptive) parents celebrate her “can do anything” attitude and Aven celebrates the uniqueness of her friends. For example, she just loves her friend’s unibrow. This is a fun-loving and inclusive story; young readers will enjoy the ride.

Finding Junie Kim by Ellen Oh

This novel tells the contemporary tale of 7th grade Korean American Junie Kim finding the courage to confront racism in her middle school, as well as Junie learning of her grandparents’ experiences in Korea during the Korean War. The story is based on author Ellen Oh’s mother’s story of being separated from her parents with her siblings, and their struggle to survive during the Korean War. When Junie Kim hears of the extreme hardships her grandparents suffered, and the bravery they needed to survive, she is emboldened to speak out with other students of color about the racism and microaggressions they experience in their middle school. The accessible novel provides an age-appropriate glimpse of the horrors of war, and inspiration for standing up to racism in contemporary American society. A glossary helps define Korean terms.

On the Hook by Francisco X. Stork

On the Hook is a painful but powerful story of Hector, a promising chess player who is Mexican American, and the terrible turn of events that lands him in a reformatory school alongside his worst enemy. Hector struggles with the internal conflict of what it means to have courage, and whether revenge or self-preservation are more important. This book also forces the reader to consider whether those who commit violent acts deserve compassion. Highly recommended.

at Lincoln Public Schools Sustainability Sustainability

Celebrating Custodial Sustainability Champions

Lincoln Public Schools strives to bring sustainability efforts to each of our buildings. We do that through activities like waste initiatives, growing gardens, or environmental clubs. Our custodians play a huge role in managing those waste efforts at schools like recycling and composting. We wanted to recognize a few of those outstanding custodians who help LPS be more sustainable.

Robinson Elementary School

Robinson Elementary opened with school-wide composting in August 2022. This program allows students and staff to compost in classrooms, restrooms and offices in addition to the cafeteria. Buildings with school-wide composting are able to divert more waste from landfill and strive for a 75% diversion rate or higher due to the compost and recycling programs.

Steve Humann has been with LPS for 12 years, but this was his first time opening a brand-new building as the custodial supervisor. In this role, Humann coordinates all waste collection in the building. He mentions that success with the school-wide compost program starts in the cafeteria.

“Having the cafeteria compost program is a big help for composting in the classroom. In the cafeteria, we are able to be hands-on with the kids and help them sort, so hopefully they think about that when they sort compost in the classrooms too,” Humann said.

Although the school is only partially occupied now, Humann stays optimistic about waste goals for the building going forward. “A goal would be better sorting so contamination [in the compost] is not as big of an issue,” he added. “Every little bit of one on one contact helps the students make an effort.”

Many LPS staff members go above and beyond to help our waste initiatives thrive within our schools. Thank you to all of these hard-working individuals and our custodial champions!

Humann Elementary School

Humann has enthusiastic staff and students participating in the cafeteria compost program. Assistant Custodial Supervisor Andre Bond helped Humann begin the cafeteria compost program in 2017. Bond said the program is successful because there is a lot of teamwork and support that goes on in the cafeteria.

“It’s important to communicate with staff and students as best as possible because nothing will change if you don’t have a good attitude about it and help each other out,” Bond said.

He also mentioned that it’s important to collaborate between schools. “I communicate with a lot of other custodians around the school district who ask about the compost program and how it works. A lot of us collaborate and work together to come up with solutions for challenges we might come across,” he added.

It was evident that Bond does his best always to have a good attitude with the compost program and everything else. In the cafeteria, third graders sang Bond’s praise about his contagious positivity.

“He is very kind and gives a lot of high fives. I like how happy he always is,” Humann third grade student Marlow said.

Beyond composting in the cafeteria, Bond has been looking ahead to more waste diversion efforts in the future.

“I have been hearing a lot about composting in the classrooms, so our team is trying to be flexible and open-minded for that change when it comes,” he said.

Meadow Lane Elementary School

Joe Smith was hired as the Assistant Custodial Supervisor at Meadow Lane Elementary School this past summer. Meadow Lane students have participated in the cafeteria compost program since 2018, so Smith jumped right in to practice sorting lunch waste with them.

“So far, I have been loving being on the daytime crew and being able to interact with the kids,” Smith said.

As he has become more familiar with LPS waste programs, he found that if the students knew why they had to sort their cafeteria waste, the program was more successful.

“Helping students understand why we compost is important to get them to care and take this seriously so we can all limit any plastic going in the compost,” he added.

Having students understand the program early has also been a key to success.

“Once the younger students feel confident about how to sort their compost, they will carry that with them as they get older,” he said.

Many new employees to the school district have shown personal interest and support for environmental action. Smith is one of those employees who has adopted a sustainable lifestyle at home and is glad he is able to support those same interests in his work.

Lincoln Public Schools and Lincoln City Libraries cordially invite you to “Walk Together” and explore the literature and art contributions of African Americans at the annual African American Read-In.

This year’s event will be held Tuesday, Feb. 7, from noon to 1:00 p.m. at 5905 “O” St. in the Boardroom of the Steve Joel District Leadership Center (LPS District Office).

The Read-In is an annual collaboration between Lincoln City Libraries and Lincoln Public Schools. The experience will feature a diverse collection of readers, presenters and performers who will illustrate African Americans’ rich history and contributions to literature, arts and music and the role it has and continues to play in shaping the world we live in.

You can also view the event live at LPS.org, the Lincoln Public Schools Facebook page and City of Lincoln LNK TV.

ConnectLPS

At Morrill Hall we learned about the Salt Creek Tiger Beetle, the importance of preserving land, and enjoyed many fun and interesting exhibits.”

Northeast High School

“The Strutters had such an amazing time at the Heartland Championships! Congratulations on all the hard work.”

Maxey Elementary School “First grade students in Miss Meyer’s class show their spirit!”

Clinton Elementary School

Cavett Elementary School

Lincoln Northwest High School

Irving Middle School

“The Northwest concert choir performed at the 28th Annual Reverend Dr. MLK Youth Rally.”

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.

The Learn to Dream Scholarship is generously funded by the Acklie Charitable Foundation, Nelnet and Union Bank & Trust in partnership between Lincoln Public Schools and Southeast Community College.

Navigating a path to independence

Ihde says Heba’s success is a testament to her willingness to try new things.

Heba, an Independence Academy student, applies that attitude to everything she does.

Heba currently works at the Selleck Dining Hall on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus as part of her work experience with the Independence Academy. She is also deaf-blind, and works with her teacher, Jill Ihde, on skills that help her navigate her everyday life.

“Jill and I, we work on cane travel, Braille skills, and technology,” Heba said. “These skills help me. So, like with cane travel, if I’m going somewhere I know how to use the cane. If I’m using technology it helps me email people and do my own work assignments on the iPad by connecting the BrailleSense to it by Bluetooth.”

BrailleSense is a Braille keyboard that can connect to devices like laptops and iPads.

Ihde is a teacher of the visually impaired on the LPS deaf-blind team, and says Heba has never met a stranger. Her infectious personality makes working together easy.

“I just love her attitude,” Ihde said. “She’s always smiling, loves to tell jokes and joke around. So even if it’s not your best day, she’s going to make sure it is your best day because she’s a joy to be around.”

Originally born in Syria, Heba moved to the United States six years ago. This fall, she achieved a major milestone - she became an official U.S. citizen.

“It was great, it was awesome,” Heba said. “I [am] so happy that I’m an official U.S. citizen. I can vote now, I can go to visit other countries.”

Heba studied for her citizenship test by listening to civics questions, practicing her reading and writing, and going over all the forms necessary to apply for citizenship. When they told her she had passed the test, Heba was elated.

“I felt great, I was so happy.”

“One of the greatest things about Heba is she always wants to learn more,” Ihde said.

“You can not give her enough information. She is a very hard worker and there is no task that she won’t try.”

“Oh, that’s so true,” Heba agreed. “I always ask for more work whenever I get done with my work in the classroom.”

Ihde says Heba is also a master problem solver, never allowing herself to be held back from a new task or challenge.

“When something is difficult, she doesn’t say ‘I can’t do it’,” Ihde said. “She wants to try it and then she wants to work toward a solution so that she can do what everybody else is doing.”

“I want to try everything that I can,” Heba added.

Heba participates in activities for individuals who are deaf-blind outside of school, as well. It was during one of these summer programs that she got her job at the Lincoln Children’s Museum where she helps take out trash, wipe down benches, and assists with other custodial tasks. According to Heba, work is her idea of fun.

“That’s an interesting fact [about me],” she said.

Over the past few years, both Heba and Ihde say Heba has grown in her ability to advocate for herself, whether it be at work, at school, or in everyday life.

When asked what she would like others to know about people who are deaf-blind, Heba said it’s important to remember that people who are deafblind can do things on their own.

“They’re able to walk, make friends, talk to people, go out on their own, listen to music, read books and do fun activities,” Heba said. “They can even advocate for themselves.”

“I can do a lot of things!”

Good Health is a

Community Awareness Series Youth Mental Wellness

Lincoln Public Schools is proud to partner with School Community Intervention and Prevention (SCIP) and Region V Systems to bring you the next Community Awareness Event. Everyone is invited to attend this free presentation.

Digital Citizenship: Cyberbullying, Sexting and Internet Safety

February 9, 2023

Lincoln East High School (Cafeteria, Enter through Door #1) 1000 S. 70th Street, Lincoln 6:30 – 7:45 p.m.

Karen Haase is an attorney at KSB School Law. Prior to attending law school, Karen taught at both the high school and post-secondary level. She is an expert in relating Nebraska law and social media/online issues. Ms. Haase will discuss cyberbullying, sexting, and internet safety. This presentation is open to students, parents/guardians, educators and other youth-serving advocates. Karen uses humor, statistics, summaries of real-life cases and discusses criminal consequences attached to the inappropriate use of social media. She also presents frightening results that students who ignore internet safety have faced.

Please contact Abbe Edgecombe, SCIP Coordinator for Lincoln-Lancaster County for questions or additional information: (402) 327-6841 or aedgecombe@lmep.com.

What’s love got to do with it?

By Michelle Welch, RD, LMNT LPS District Wellness

We tend to promote magical thinking in our world. Enjoyment of a learning subject for students isn’t always love at first sight or instantly easy. It’s okay not to be the first-round draft pick of math or English, but to still love it and have a passion for it.

Will kids find some subjects just come more naturally to them? Sure. We need to be careful not to let “natural” talents limit our students from trying something new. Kids can tend to disengage on a topic if they are less skilled at it the first few times they try something new. Don’t let them fall into that trap.

History is filled with stories of becoming the best at an area of expertise, only because someone worked relentlessly. Those experts didn’t wake up and were magically a pro. It’s because they loved what they were doing and had that curiosity for learning and getting better.

We have largely discovered the power of mindset and how it can help someone persevere through a tough situation, especially over these past few years.

How much better are you at doing an activity you love versus an activity you hate? Even if you identify as an athlete, artist, or musician, we are rarely at the level of pros, but we do our best.

Sometimes we are talented and receive praise for certain skills. Other times it may just fill a need we have to express ourselves, be included, learn more or continue to hone our skills.

Often, our kids mirror our feelings about activities. Here’s where I caution you. They are not you. So, they don’t have to hate or fear learning subjects for no reason. Instead, help them build a passion for those subjects. Encourage their passion for learning.

How exactly? It’s all about helping them create a positive mindset. Here are some tips:

• Train them to think about learning subjects as challenges to conquer. If you have a child who games, getting them into the gaming mindset about subjects can be very powerful. Having them approach learning, just as they learn problem-solving hacks for games. Competing against the test can be an excellent mindset.

• For more creative minds, help them think of learning from an innovative mind space. Much of learning is story-telling, including in math and science. If they are a big reader, they might find the stories of scientists discovering cures or inventors fascinating, growing their love of the topics.

• Keep sharing little ways you use what they are learning each day. There are many activities you can share especially with younger students. From how much you read or write, to how you use math to get the best deal or know that you are getting back the right change.

Helping our kids create and maintain a love of learning often comes from them reflecting how we approach life ourselves. Keep modeling curiosity by learning yourself.

What’s love got to do with learning? Everything.

Together we can build a brighter future for our students and our community.

Meat on Flour Tor tilla with Shredded American Cheese Chef Salad Bean & Cheese Burrito Cheese Chef Salad Shredded Lettuce & Diced Tomatoes Refried Beans Strawberries Pineapple Tidbits Flour Tor tilla Pita

Hamburger Bun Dinner Roll

Chicken Tenders Chef Salad Grilled Cheese Sandwich Sunbutter & Jelly Sandwich Cheese Stick Cheese Chef Salad Romaine Tossed Salad Steamed Broccoli Orange Wedges Applesauce Dinner Roll Pita

BBQ Chicken Hamburger Pizza Chef Salad Sunbutter & Jelly Sandwich Cheese Stick Cheese Chef Salad Romaine Tossed Salad Corn Blueberries with Whipped Topping Mandarin Oranges Dinner Roll

Countr y Beef Patty on a Bun Chef Salad

Cheese Stuffed Bread Stick with Marinara Sauce Cheese Chef Salad Romaine Tossed Salad Green Beans Blueberries with Whipped Topping Mandarin Oranges Hamburger Bun Pita

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Breaded Chicken Nuggets Chef Salad Mac & Cheese Cheese Chef Salad Romaine Tossed Salad Peas Mixed Fruit Assor ted Fruit Bread Stick

Meat Sauce on Rotini Noodles Mexi Pizza Chef Salad Rotini with Vegetarian Meatballs & Marinara Sauce Cheese Chef Salad Romaine Tossed Salad Baby Carrots Mixed Fruit Assor ted Fruit Rotini Noodles Garlic Bread

February Secondary Lunch

Corn Puppies

Turkey Sub Sandwich

Spicy Chicken Patty on a Bun Chef Salad

Breaded Chicken Patty on a Bun Cheeseburger on a Bun Domino s Pepperoni Pizza Domino's Sausage Pizza Black Bean Burger Cheese Chef Salad Domino's Cheese Pizza Romaine Tossed Salad Cooked Carrots Seasoned Fries Green Grapes Applesauce Hamburger Bun Dinner Roll

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Chicken & Cheese Rolled Taco

Cheeseburger on a Bun

Chef Salad

Breaded Chicken Patty on a Bun

Spicy Chicken Patty on a Bun

Domino's Pepperoni Pizza Domino's Sausage Pizza

Veggie Pizza Cheese Chef Salad Domino's Cheese Pizza

Romaine Tossed Salad Crinkle Fries Baby Carrots Apple Slices Diced Pears Hamburger Bun Pita

Sausage Pizza Taco Meat on Flour Tor tilla with Shredded American Cheese

Chef Salad

Breaded Chicken Patty on a Bun Spicy Chicken Patty on a Bun Cheeseburger on a Bun Domino's Pepperoni Pizza Domino s Sausage Pizza

Bean & Cheese Burrito

Cheese Chef Salad Domino's Cheese Pizza Shredded Lettuce & Diced Tomatoes Refried Beans Whipped Potatoes Poultr y Grav y Shoestring Fries Baby Carrots Strawberries Pineapple Tidbits Flour Tor tilla Pita Hamburger Bun

Chicken & Vegetable Dumplings with Teriyaki Sauce

Beef Chili Chef Salad

Breaded Chicken Patty on a Bun

Spicy Chicken Patty on a Bun Cheeseburger on a Bun

Domino's Pepperoni Pizza

Domino's Sausage Pizza

Stuffed Crust Cheese Pizza Cheese Chef Salad Domino s Cheese Pizza Romaine Tossed Salad

Corn Crinkle Fries Baby Carrots Apple Slices Diced Pears Gold�sh Crackers Cinnamon Roll Hamburger Bun

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BBQ Chicken Hamburger Pizza

Chef Salad Breaded Chicken Patty on a Bun

Spicy Chicken Patty on a Bun Cheeseburger on a Bun Domino s Pepperoni Pizza Domino's Sausage Pizza Sunbutter & Jelly Sandwich Cheese Chef Salad Domino's Cheese Pizza Romaine Tossed Salad

Corn Scalloped Potatoes Shoestring Fries Baby Carrots Blueberries with Whipped Topping Mandarin Oranges Dinner Roll Hamburger Bun

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Chicken Tenders Buffalo Chicken Tenders

Chef Salad

Breaded Chicken Patty on a Bun Spicy Chicken Patty on a Bun Cheeseburger on a Bun Domino's Pepperoni Pizza Domino's Sausage Pizza Grilled Cheese Sandwich Sunbutter & Jelly Sandwich

Cheese Chef Salad Domino's Cheese Pizza Romaine Tossed Salad Steamed Broccoli Tomato Soup

Countr y Beef Patty on a Bun

Chef Salad

Breaded Chicken Patty on a Bun

Spicy Chicken Patty on a Bun

Cheeseburger on a Bun Domino's Pepperoni Pizza Domino's Sausage Pizza Cheese Stuffed Bread Stick with Marinara Sauce Cheese Chef Salad

Domino s Cheese Pizza Romaine Tossed Salad Green Beans

Potato Rounds Baby Carrots

Breaded Chicken Nuggets

Chef Salad

Breaded Chicken Patty on a Bun

Spicy Chicken Patty on a Bun

Cheeseburger on a Bun

Domino's Pepperoni Pizza

Domino s Sausage Pizza Mac & Cheese

Cheese Chef Salad

Domino's Cheese Pizza Romaine Tossed Salad

Peas Potato Rounds Baby Carrots

Mixed Fruit Assor ted Fruit Bread stick Dinner Roll Hamburger Bun

Meat Sauce on Rotini Noodles

Mexi Pizza Chef Salad

Breaded Chicken Patty on a Bun

Spicy Chicken Patty on a Bun

Cheeseburger on a Bun Domino's Pepperoni Pizza Domino's Sausage Pizza

Rotini with Vegetarian Meatballs & Marinara Sauce

Cheese Chef Salad Domino's Cheese Pizza Romaine Tossed Salad

Baby Carrots

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Seasoned Fries Orange Wedges Applesauce Dinner Roll Pita Hamburger Bun

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French Toast Sticks with Sausage Links

Beef & Bean Burrito Chef Salad

Breaded Chicken Patty on a Bun Spicy Chicken Patty on a Bun Cheeseburger on a Bun

Domino's Pepperoni Pizza Domino's Sausage Pizza

French Toast Sticks with Cheese Sticks Cheese Chef Salad Domino's Cheese Pizza Romaine Tossed Salad

Baby Carrots Hash Brown Potatoes Shoestring Fries Strawberries Pineapple Tidbits Pita Hamburger Bun

Breaded Chicken Patty on a Bun Fish Sticks

Chicken Wings Chef Salad Spicy Chicken Patty on a Bun Cheeseburger on a Bun Domino s Pepperoni Pizza Domino's Sausage Pizza Chik'n Patty on a Bun Cheese Chef Salad Domino's Cheese Pizza Romaine Tossed Salad Green Beans

Baked Potato Shoestring Fries Orange Wedges Applesauce Hamburger Bun Bread stick Biscuit Pita

Corn Puppies

Stuffed Crust Turkey Pepperoni Pizza

Chef Salad Breaded Chicken Patty on a Bun Spicy Chicken Patty on a Bun Cheeseburger on a Bun Domino s Pepperoni Pizza Domino's Sausage Pizza Bean & Cheese Burrito Cheese Chef Salad

Domino's Cheese Pizza Romaine Tossed Salad Seasoned Black Beans

Crinkle Fries Baby Carrots

Strawberries

Pineapple Tidbits Dinner Roll Hamburger Bun

Sausage

Blueberries with Whipped Topping Mandarin Oranges Hamburger Bun Pita

Shoestring Fries Mixed Fruit Assor ted Fruit Rotini Noodles Garlic Bread Hamburger Bun 13

Salisbur y Steak Breaded Pork Patty on a Bun

Chef Salad Breaded Chicken Patty on a Bun Spicy Chicken Patty on a Bun Cheeseburger on a Bun Domino s Pepperoni Pizza

Domino's Sausage Pizza Vegetarian Burger Cheese Chef Salad Domino's Cheese Pizza Romaine Tossed Salad Whipped Potatoes Beef Grav y Shoestring Fries Baby Carrots Banana Mandarin Oranges Dinner Roll Hamburger Bun Pita

BBQ Chicken Hamburger Pizza Chef Salad

Breaded Chicken Patty on a Bun

Spicy Chicken Patty on a Bun Cheeseburger on a Bun Domino's Pepperoni Pizza Domino s Sausage Pizza Sunbutter & Jelly Sandwich Cheese Chef Salad Domino's Cheese Pizza Romaine Tossed Salad Corn Scalloped Potatoes Shoestring Fries Baby Carrots

Blueberries with Whipped Topping Mandarin Oranges Dinner Roll Hamburger Bun

Popcorn Chicken BBQ Beef Rib Sandwich Lasagna Chef Salad

Breaded Chicken Patty on a Bun Spicy Chicken Patty on a Bun Cheeseburger on a Bun Domino's Pepperoni Pizza Domino's Sausage Pizza Chik'n Nuggets Cheese Chef Salad Domino s Cheese Pizza Romaine Tossed Salad Baked Beans Seasoned Fries Baby Carrots Mixed Fruit Assor ted Fruit Biscuit Hamburger Bun Garlic Bread

Breaded Chicken Nuggets Chef Salad

Breaded Chicken Patty on a Bun Spicy Chicken Patty on a Bun Cheeseburger on a Bun Domino's Pepperoni Pizza Domino's Sausage Pizza Mac & Cheese Cheese Chef Salad

Domino s Cheese Pizza Romaine Tossed Salad Peas

Southwest students bring science to life for elementary classes

Southwest High School students stepped into the role of teachers for nearby elementary schools.

The students developed biology lessons for Hill, Cavett, Pyrtle and Wysong elementary classes through the organism visitation program. It’s all part of Southwest Science Department Chair Charley Bittle’s class. The Silverhawks designed education packets for the elementary students including facts, writing prompts and anatomy sheets based on their learning level.

“It’s fun. It was a lot of responsibility,” Southwest sophomore Sophie said. “I felt like a leader in some sorts.”

“Elementary students go through the notice and wonder process within their own science curricula. What my students prepare for the visitation program reverses that notice and wonder, meaning my students have a grasp of the content and break it down so elementary students can ‘notice and wonder,’” Bittle said.

This year, Southwest students dropped off a plant or animal at nearby elementary schools for the children to explore for a week. A pair of geckos visited Jenna Tederman’s fourth-grade classroom at Hill.

“They’re really nice because they can let us do fun stuff with creatures that some of us might not know about,” Hill fourth grade student Brecken said.

“It’s really cool to see what the high schoolers have planned for us,” Hill fourth grade student Chloe added.

In addition to the lessons, the fourth graders also got to care for the geckos like feeding them and watering their cage. Some even held the reptiles and saw in real time how they adapted to their new habitat.

“Seeing the kids work with and learn from the geckos has been very powerful. I learned so much about the students and how fearless, gentle, excited, and knowledgeable they are with animals,” Hill fourth grade teacher Jenna Tederman said.

The project serves a dual purpose. It not only furthers the knowledge of the elementary students but the Southwest Biology students as well.

“It allowed me better to learn how to format research projects I’d say and it helped me learn more about the anatomy of the organism,” Southwest ninth grade student Dean said.

The program is a continuation of the Alive and Satisified Project created by Lincoln Public Schools educators Tim Golden and Jerry Saunders.