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DAV Farm: Caiden carefully places the egg he picked into the basket held by Mrs. Muhle.
CHICKENS AND GEESE AND GOATS….OH MY!
It probably was the first time they picked eggs. Forget that they were hardboiled…just in case one of them got dropped…the idea was the same. Stick your hand in the nest and carefully pick out the egg, gently laying it in the basket. The children, so intent on their task, even ignored the irate hen in the nest box close by who was clucking loudly at them.
About 60 children from Davenport’s Early Childhood Center went on a field trip to the Krings acreage just outside of Fremont. Charlene Krings has lived on the family homestead almost all of her life. She and her husband enjoy having the animals, chickens, geese, ducks, goats, a turkey, a donkey and a three-month old burro, around.
The children sat and posed for photos on a tractor, picked eggs, fed the chickens and ducks and were greeted loudly by the four geese. They even had the opportunity to pet the little goat and the three-month old burro before it was time to head back to Davenport.
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New Executive Director of Curriculum Darin Kelberlau and Staff
Welcome New Curriculum Director Darin Kelberlau
As the first quarter draws to a close new Executive Director of Curriculum Darin Kelberlau shares some thoughts concerning learning at the Fremont Public Schools.
What are the challenges for the department and your position?
There are challenges for a curriculum department across the state and country. States have their own standards which are periodically updated. School districts use these as a framework but will supplement local goals to create a comprehensive set of skills for their teachers to focus upon as they develop and enhance their instruction. The current national initiative is the development of the Common Core State Standards. Districts across the nation are working to be proactive so that their students are adequately exposed to such skills.
Locally within our state, we have standards revision occurring and our accountability system has changed. This marks the first year of a statewide test in writing, reading, mathematics, and science. Districts are developing a well balanced assessment system to meet many needs. There needs to be tests that fulfills state and national mandates but also brief checks throughout the school year. These checkpoints are ways that teachers monitor student growth and inform instructional decisions.
For me in a new role, I feel that the biggest challenge I face is to meet the various staff members but learn of each person's strengths. We have a lot of great staff members and the curriculum department depends upon many people. We want to unitize and grow local expertise.
What are you encouraged by from what you have seen so far?
As I stated above, there is a wealth of talent here at FPS. Everyone is very dedicated to doing what is best for Fremont students. I am excited to work with these determined, student focused professionals. I also want to note that those that I am in direct contact with (daily) -- members of the curriculum department -- are so very efficient, supportive of teachers and principals, forward thinking, etc. They are a great team and we will work hard for our students.
What is the vision for the department / district?
I believe in putting student learning first. We must maintain a laser-like focus on student achievement. The curriculum department's main role is to make sure the teachers have what they need in order to do their job -- teach students. This might include textbooks, instructional technology, professional growth opportunities, conferences, data to measure student learning, data to measure teacher / curricular effectiveness. Our department must also provide that same level of support for our principals. Principals are instructional "coaches" for the teachers in their buildings. They to need resources and trainings so that they can in turn assist teachers. All of this translates into increased student learning.
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Fremont High Drama students join State Patrol, Local Police, Fire and Rescue to drive point home.
FHS STUDENTS WITNESS MOCK CAR ACCIDENT
Juniors and seniors from Fremont High School were eye-witnesses to a to a mock car accident involving five of their own fellow-students, the Nebraska State Patrol, Fremont Police and Fire Departments, Ludvigsen Mortuary and the Life Flight helicopter. The accident took place at the intersection of Bramblewood and Clarmar Avenues directly east of the high school. Clarmar Avenue was closed for a short time during the simulation.
The event was enacted as close as possible to a real-life scenario. Injured passengers were transported by ambulance and Life Flight helicopter. The jaws of life were used to cut one passenger from the front seat of a car. The driver of that car tested positive for alcohol and was taken away in handcuffs by the State Patrol. Ludvigsen Mortuary was on hand to transport the one fatality.
A member of the State Patrol then emphasized the need to wear seat-belts through a demonstration with a roll-over vehicle. Loose items or bodies can and will fly out of the vehicle’s window if not secured. He asked the students to pledge not to drink and drive, not to get into a vehicle with someone who has been drinking and to always wear their seatbelt.
Students returned to the Conference Advisement classes after the simulation to discuss what they saw with their peers and Conference Advisement teacher, giving them an opportunity to debrief in a small group setting.
FHS administrators hope the demonstration made an impact on the students and showed the possible consequences of making errors in judgment while driving. Dodge County is the first in the state for people not using seat belts and distracted drivers.
Every year the high school incorporates a safety message during their homecoming week activities.
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Grant Elementary 4th and 5th Grade students "Skype" with Senator Ben Nelson in Washington about writing .
Nebraska First Lady Sally Ganem listens to young author.
Connecting with Washington
This past week 4th and 5th grade students were able converse with Senator Ben Nelson through the magic of Skype. The students also read aloud their writing projects to different reading teachers and leaders in the community. First Lady of Nebraska and former Howard Elementary Principal Sally Ganem was also in attendance.
Grant teacher Jane Tracy shared, "I had no idea how huge a response we would get by having community leaders invited, it really upped the ante for all the students. They really got into their writing pieces and “bought in” to the whole writing process. It was magical to see their eyes light up. Before the celebration we discussed manners and proper behavior. And I feel they did an excellent job with their manners. They read their writing pieces to several of the visitors that came to the celebration and discussed their different writing strategies. I had several people tell me what a wonderful time they had listening to the students, they were very impressed with the students' writing ability. I feel this shows us what a great writing program and what a wonderful writing coach we have here at Grant Elementary."
Mrs. Tracy believed that the students would be motivated to write about government by having a real connection to those in government. A big thanks to Senator Ben Nelson for taking the time to encourage the next generation of leaders in Nebraska.
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Coach Cathy Bremer and the Fremont Girls Volleyball Teams ready for 2011-2012 season
Tigers Scrimmage Prepare for Season
The Fremont High School girls volleyball team started their season on August 15th with about 45 girls participating in the two-a-day sessions the first week. The team is now preparing for their water/sports drink scrimmage tonight August 30th, starting at 5:30. The scrimmage will, in turn, get the JV and Varsity squads ready for their first matches against Grand Island and Lincoln High on Thursday, September 1st. The Tigers also travel to Lincoln North Star and Southwest for the Silver Star Tournament on Saturday, September 3rd.
Coach Cathy Bremer responded when asked about the team, “We have some juniors and seniors with a lot of varsity experience coming into this season. Our freshman class is not only a large one, but also one that is well versed in the game. The freshmen, as a whole, have a passion for the game and we have a variety of talent and leadership at all classes.”
Coach Bremer has also challenged the team, “The very first day we spoke of how winners EXCEED EXPECTATIONS. All athletes have a mindset of what they want to accomplish individually. Coaches also have benchmarks they'd like a team to reach. The challenge lies in pushing everybody, athletes, managers, and coaches alike, to go above and beyond what the expectation is. Things change dramatically when expectations are exceeded.”
Coach Bremer is looking forward to the 2011-2012 season. “We have 7 home games this season, so getting to play at home a lot is definitely something we look forward to, despite construction that will change the entrances for our fans. We have been hosting Saturday sessions for kindergarten through 8th grade. All of our high school athletes have been working alongside our coaching staff to help, coach and encourage the next generation of Fremont volleyball players. It is great to see those high school girls teach the game they love in a fun and positive manner. We will also host a "Dig Pink" rally on October 13. Mrs. Kristen Strickler and the Key Club here at FHS have said yes to help the volleyball team with this nationally recognized event.” Proceeds from the “Dig Pink” rally will go towards breast cancer research. Watch for upcoming details.
Go get em Tigers!!!