Superior schools review American Civics

A public meeting inviting the public to provide input regarding the activities of the American Civics committee open 15 minutes prior to the regular Superior November Board of Education Monday evening in the senior high library.

Supt. John Whetzal invited Melissa Schuster to talk the school's approach to teaching Americanism. A U.S. flag is displayed in all classrooms. Each school day opens with the flag salute. Fifth grade students have learned about the history of the U.S. Flag and beginning this week are raising and lowering the flag at the southwest corner of the the elementary building. Randy Rhoads, a veteran, worked with fifth grade students last week, teaching them flag etiquette.

Eight grade students are required to take American history. Among the things learned in the class are the branches of government, levels of government, citizens rights and responsibilities, why they should vote, the 46 presidents and information about the flag.

Eleventh grade students complete a government class and must susses fully pass the immigration test.

The Veterans Day program hosted by the school this week helps meet the American Civics requirements. Elementary children learned and sang patriotic songs for the event. Students hosted veterans throughout the morning and participated a school wide program conducted by the honor society.

The public hearing lasted less than 10 minutes and there were no comments from the public.

All members of the Superior Board of Education were present for the November regular meeting Monday evening. Seth Going, agriculture education instructor reviewed the land usage directly north of the school. This summer it was planted to soybeans. Cayce Barry was the lead crop scout, Student activities included taking soil samples, recording planting and harvest data, conducted death loss calculations to estimate harvest data, investigated pests and drought stress, tracked weather patterns, learned about Palmer (a weed), identified growth soybean growth stages, and calculated profit loss.

Going had developed a five week, 25 units instructional packaged for sixth through eight grade students as part of his masters final project. The instructional material is based on the plot and will be available for use through extension upon the completion of his masters degree.

Going thanked the board and generous donors and said, "The plot is massivley beneficial for our program. Thank you for letting us use it."

Board members unanimously approved the expenditure of $639,183.16 from the general fund for October claims. Included was the purchase of 10 Ipads for kindergarten students at $294 each.

A motion to pay construction fees of $39,654.65 failed for lack of a second. If the work is completed to board satisfaction, outstanding fees in addition to the $39,654 will be $107,478. Shoddy work, lack of completions and in fighting between the architecht and construction company were discussed.

The school nutrition fund was discussed. Student participation is good. However, the cost of food and increased and Supt. Whetzal expects the fund will need supplemented from the general fund.

Supt. Whetzal reviewed auditor costs over the past three years. It too continues to increase. In 2021-22 it was $8,700. Last year the school paid approximately $13,000. Total cost is not available year this year.

The board agreed to dispose of a large projector screen, a double oven and a 2005 Impala car. The screen will be donated to Brodstone Healthcare who regularly borrows it. Logan Christiancy, tech coordinator said, the school has two screens which are seldom used and the one being donated to Brodstone is scuffed up.

The double ovens are not being used by kitchen staff and have been removed from the kitchen to free up room. Supt. Whetzal asked to market them either on Purple Wave or Big Iron.

The vehicle needs a complete brake job estimated to cost $3,500. Supt. Whetzal said the car has 185,000 miles, is ate up with rust and is not worth the repair.

Jodi Fierstein, elementary principal, reviewed standards reference grading cards. She said, "we have a better understanding of what students know and do not know. The teachers are seeing the benefits of their hard work." To date she has not had parental complaints related to the grading system.

Peggy Meyer, a board member and parent, said, "The grade cards provide good information to see where they are struggling."

Fierstien reported that 36 elementary students are involved in the WORDS tutoring program. It involves 10 - 45 minute session over a 5 week period. There are 19 tutors assisting the 36 students.

Jennifer Cady, middle school and secondary principal, said, "My key focus is the instructional process and curriculum: visiting classrooms to ensure we are applying the rigor we want and teaching from bell to bell."

She briefly reviewed ongoing curriculum development with a school wide goal of aligning the curriculum from kindergarten through twelfth grade. Teachers in each major area have worked for at least two days during the first quarter on curriculum. Assessment has been a big part of their focus.

She also reported the following:

• Special education teachers and para professionals participated in crisis prevention intervention training with Jessica Shepard from ESU 9 .

• Thirty-three student received first quarter letters for five or more absences. That represents 33 percent of the students which is lower that state average. However, she will be meeting with each of the families represented.

• High honor roll represents an accumulative average in percentage grade of 90 percent or above, with no course lower than 86 percent, and not in-completes for the quarter.

• Honor roll represents an accumulative average in percent grade of 80 percent or above, with no course grade lower than 80 percent and no in-completes for the quarter.

• There are student internships at Superior Industries School psychologist; Brodstone HeathCare radiology, physical therapy, public relations and doctor; Pet Apothecary and Lost Creek Welding

• There are 13 students involved in the one act play and 9 planning to be involved in speech competition which will start in December.

• Bowling started this week with eight boys and six girls.

Supt. John Whetzal he had met with Reinke Manufacturing management personnel. He expects them to visit the school and hopes plans can be developed for a fully certified welding program. He also would like to develop a CDL program. It would be the first offered at a high school in Nebraska.

He expects to meet with city and hospital official to establish plans for day care facilities in Superior.

He asked board members to consider storage options. There are table and chair carts kept both in the cafeteria and hallways. He would like the to be stored out of sight.

After reports board members adjourned into executive session. Two staff members were invited the the first portion of the session. The final session was a routine evaluation of the superintendent.