School starts today

For Superior students, school starts today (Thursday).

“We are ready!” said Supt. John Whetzal at the Superior Public School board of education meeting Monday evening.” The staff have worked their tails off this summer.”

Elementary students will be greeted with farm and garden theme decorations throughout the hallways. This year’s theme is “Cultivate a growth mindset.” The focus is on helping students develop a stronger growth mindset and use of positive self-talk.”

Many remember, a year ago, school started a week late while the secondary front entrance was completed. This year, the cafeteria and hallway floors shine. The dining hall floor has been stripped and re-waxed and all the hallways re-waxed. All three gymnasium floors have been refinished. New faucets and garbage disposals have been installed in the family and consumer classroom. Tuesday, a new piece of playground equipment was put together for elementary students. The secondary parking lot north of the school has been asphalt coated and stripped and a general clean-up of the grounds completed which included getting rid of trash and recycling some metal. The cafeteria kitchen has a new oven.

As of last week, school enrollment numbers appear to be up slightly. Pre-kindergarten through fifth grade numbers stood at 208 this year compared to 204 last: with 32 Pre-kindergarten students, 34 in kindergarten, 26 first grade students, 26 second grade students, 31 in third grade, 30 in fourth and 28 in fifth.

Secondary numbers increased from 200 last year to 221 at the same time this year with 32 in sixth grade, 29 in seventh grade, 30 in eighth grade, 24 in ninth grade, 37 in 10th grade, 28 in 11th grade and 20 seniors. As of Monday, there are 17 new middle school and secondary students and six have left since last year. The remainder of the increase is accounted for by a larger sixth grade class than the 2024 graduating class.

Tuesday, Aug. 6, middle school and secondary students were invited to a back-to-school bash from 2 to 7 p.m. They had the opportunity to get their schedules, sign a form on JMC, drop or add classes, pay for fees, yearbooks and activity passes, grab their Chromebooks and Yondr pouches. The event was announced only on the schools social media. Approximately 50 percent of the student body took advantage of the open house.

This week, a grade school open house was held Tuesday evening from 6 to 7 p.m.

All board members were present for the meeting Monday evening. Dusty Stevens, food service director reported on the summer food program and several grants which have opened new opportunities. During the six week summer meal program, 15,855 meals were served. The count includes breakfast and lunch.

“The program really took off the second week,” Stevens said.

Stevens secured a $12,500 grant in March. Because of it, a new oven has been purchased and portable insulated carts. The money will also help fund a second chance breakfast she plans to implement this school year and a fresh fruit and vegetable afternoon snack for lower grade children this semester. Cold pans were also purchased which will keep food cold for up to six hours. Also there are new beverage carts which are used to store silverware and paper goods.

Reimbursement for the summer meals was $93,000 while actual costs was $84,000. “That helps us start the year in good shape,” Stevens said.

A local grant for $5,000 has also been secured. “There is a big push from farm to school right now,” Stevens said. “This grant can be used to purchase local fresh fruits and vegetables. Local is defined as up to 400 miles.” Stevens hopes to apply for a third grant in October and use the money to upgrade the serving line equipment and purchase a preparation sink for fresh fruits and vegetables. “They do not like us watching fruits and vegetables in the same sinks we do dishes in,” she said.

Business actions included approving expenditures of $729,310.53 from the general fund. An expenditure to Heartland Roofing for an extended contract was questioned. Cody Fierstien, head of maintenance, explained the roof warranty required the roof to be inspected every year. “That is the main reason for the contract,” he said. “If we should have a leak, the contract states they will be here within 24 hours to address the problem to prevent further damage.”

The schools emergency operating plan was approved as presented without discussion nor questions. A mock run of the plan has been made this week and the plan tweaked slightly. Later, during the safety committee report, Luke Meyers, vice-president, indicated the safety committee had reviewed the plan. “It is the guideline for what to do when the really serious stuff happens,” he said.

Morgan Kroeger was authorized to write checks on various accounts. She is the newest staff member of the business office.

Supt. Whetzal announced that Seth Going, an ag instructor, will be teaching plant science for dual credit this year. He expects the class to include sophomore students. By consensus the board agreed to pay the dual credit fees for sophomores if they pass the class. Dual credit means a student receives both high school and college credit for a class.

Jodi Fierstein, elementary principal, announced the primary focus of this year’s elementary curriculum team would be writing ELA (English Language Arts) assessments this year.

The Multi Tiered System of Support (MTSS) team has been working with Kris Kampovitz, a specialist from the Nebraska Department of Education, on how to incorporate a reteaching, reassessment and intervention system for sixth through 12th grade students. Time within the PAWS program will be used to implement the new system. Students who are not achieving content standards will be retaught and given the opportunity to be reassessed. Middle school students below the benchmark standards in reading will be receiving intervention time two to three days a week to help improve their reading skills.

This month several board of education committees had met including the safety committee, building and grounds committee and the budget committee.

Members of the board of education and administrators will be finalizing the budget this month and plan to work on long-range facility plans. One of the items of significant concerns is the football field stadium. Matt Sullivan, board member, said, “I would like to go on record of recommending the football field be moved. When we looked at cost. It will cost about the same amount to renovate the current facility as it does to move it to the track. At least we would get extended use of the bleachers.”

The board entered into executive session to protect the identity of a student.