The most active form of communication between the school and the community is School Messenger, our automated phone calling system. We placed a test call on the morning of November 2, 2015. If you did not receive this call, please contact the district office at 402-446-7265 and inform us of the proper phone number to use. NDE Report The State of Schools Report from the Nebraska Department of Education can be found at the following website: http://www.education.ne.gov/. This site allows everyone to compare our district’s information and academic results to other districts across the state. If you have any questions about this, please feel free to contact either Mr. Kort or Mr. Scott. Winter Sports Students are beginning practice for the winter sports season, which will begin with a Jamboree basketball game at Meridian vs Superior on November 24. The girls’ game begins at 5:00 followed by the boys’ game. The Wrestlers will travel to High Plains on December 3rd, for a triangular. Please support our student athletes with positive remarks and actions. Reminder of Rule Changes On a free throw attempt, players along the lane spaces now may enter the lane on the release of the ball by the free throw shooter. The free throw shooter and the players outside of the 3-point line must wait for the ball to hit the ring or backboard, or the free throw to end, before moving into the lane area. The definition of an intentional foul was expanded to include excessive contact with an opponent while the ball is live or until the airborne shooter returns to the floor. I want to wish everyone a Happy Holiday. It is amazing how fast the year is moving along. As you read this, we are at Thanksgiving and have 3 weeks left until Holiday Break. Please help your kids stay aware of their grades and assignments as the 1 st semester comes to an end. Last Wednesday’s snow covered the ground to let us know a winter storm can move in at anytime. Here are some reminders as we enter the cold weather season in Nebraska: 1. If possible have a cell phone fully charged and with you 2. Use the cell phone – call when you leave and expect to arrive home 3. Have a blanket or extra clothing in your vehicle 4. Keep your vehicle in working condition 5. Be careful and leave yourself extra time to arrive at your destination The media outlets Meridian Public Schools will use for late starts and school closings: KLKN – TV: Lincoln KHAS – TV: Hastings KOLN/KGIN TV: Lincoln/Grand Island KUTT/KGMT 99.5 FM / 1310 AM Radio: Fairbury The following acts constitute a foul when committed against a handler/ dribbler: Placing two hands on the player Placing an extended arm bar on the player Placing and keeping a hand on the player Contacting the player more than once with the same hand or alternating hands Board of Education Meridian Public Schools District 48-0303 Daykin, Nebraska 68338 Monday, November 16, 2015 Regular November 16, 2015 Meeting - 7:30 P.M. Meridian Public School Board of Education met on November 16, 2015, as per notice in the Fairbury Journal-News. President VanWesten called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. The open meeting law information was presented. Members present were Sobotka, Bartels, Miller, Scheer, Vorderstrasse, and VanWesten. Also present were Superintendent Kort, Principal Scott, and Mrs. Houchin. Vorderstrasse moved and Bartels seconded to approve the consent agenda as follows: 1. Minutes of the Monday, October 14, 2015 Regular Meeting 2. District Financial Report 3. Activity Fund Report 4. Hot Lunch Report 5. Bills Vote taken: Vorderstrasse-aye, Miller- aye, Bartels-aye, Scheer-aye, Sobotka- aye, and VanWesten-aye. Motion carried 6-0. Scheer moved and Bartels seconded to approve the Annual Audit Report for the Newsletter www.meridianmustangs.org December, 2015 Newsletter-December, 2015 Superintendent Randy Kort Mission Statement: Meridian Public Schools will educate all students in a safe, nurturing environment while challenging them to develop their integrity, knowledge, and unique talents to become responsible, productive citizens.
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Mission Statement · The media outlets Meridian Public Schools will use for late starts and school closings: KLKN – TV: Lincoln KHAS – TV: Hastings KOLN/KGIN TV: Lincoln/Grand
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Mission Statement: Meridian Public Schools will educate all students in a safe, nurturing environment while challenging them to develop their integrity, knowledge, and unique talents to become responsible, productive citizens.
Page 2 Meridian Public School, District 48-0303 December, 2015
Hail to the varsity… Cheer them along the way…
In connection with Red Ribbon Week,
our secondary students travelled to
Davenport on November 3rd, for a
presentation. Our elementary students
will be attending the Rock – n –
prevention program on November 24th.
Junior high wrestling began competing
on Monday, November 9th. Junior high
basketball begins competition on
Wednesday, December 2nd.
High School wrestling and basketball
practices begin on Monday, November
16, 2015.
On November 5, the sheriff’s
department brought the drug dog to the
school at 1:00pm. They did a sweep of
the secondary lockers and locker
rooms. The sheriff spoke with the
secondary students afterwards, talking
with them about the dog and
importance of staying drug free.
On November 6th, teachers from
Meridian attended the ESU5 in-service
in Fairbury. The day was spent
attending technology breakout sessions,
along with job-alike sessions where
teachers met with other teachers in their
curricular area from different schools
Some great discussions came about
from these meetings, and staff will
continue to follow up.
Charlotte Endorf was guest speaker at
the school on Monday, November 9th.
She is a graduate of Meridian Public
School. Her program was “A Salute to
Veterans: A Canteen to Remember.”
This presentation was brought through
the Nebraska Humanities. Thanks to
Craig’s Auto for sponsoring the
program. The program was attended by
students in 4th through 12th grades.
Several patrons from the district were
also in attendance.
We celebrated Veteran’s Day on
November 11th with a program in the
gym. Members of the community that
have served or are serving in the armed
5. K-9 Drug Inspection
6. Teacher In-Service
7. A Salute to Veterans: A Canteen to
Remember Program - Charlotte
Endorf
8. Veteran's Day Program
9. Play Production – Isaiah Ellis,
Andi Kort, Brianna Miller, and
Seth Noel
Superintendent Kort reported:
1. NASB Conference
2. Projected 2016-2017 Football
Numbers
3. Staff Room Beverages
4. Buildings and Grounds Committee
- track supplies and projects
5. CRC Honor Vocal
6. CRC School Members
6. NSAA Proposals and Updates
7. NSIAAA Meetings – Athletic
Directors’ liabilities and
classification
8. Junior High Basketball
9. Winter Calendar
10. Superintendent In-Service
Vorderstrasse moved and Bartels
seconded to go into executive session
at 8:35 p.m. to discuss the 2016-2017
Negotiations. Vote taken:
Vorderstrasse-aye, Miller-aye, Frank-
aye, Scheer-aye, Sobotka-aye, and
VanWesten-aye. Motion carried 6-0.
President VanWesten stated that it has
been voted to go to executive session to
discuss the 2016-2017 Negotiations.
The Board reentered open session at
9:22 p.m.
The next Regular Meeting is set for
Wednesday, December 16, 2015-7:30
p.m.
Miller moved and Vorderstrasse
seconded to adjourn at 9:31 p.m. Vote
taken: Vorderstrasse-aye, Miller-aye,
Scheer-aye, Sobotka-aye, Bartels-aye,
and VanWesten-aye. Motion carried 6-0.
J. Scott Sobotka, Secretary Meridian District # 48-0303
2014–2015 school year. Vote taken:
Miller-aye, Sobotka-aye, Vorderstrasse-
aye, Bartels-aye, Scheer-aye, and
VanWesten-aye. Motion carried 6-0.
Sobotka moved and Miller seconded to
approve the 2015 Multi-Cultural Report.
Vote taken: Vorderstrasse-aye, Miller-
aye, Bartels-aye, Scheer-aye, Sobotka-
aye, and VanWesten-aye. Motion
carried 6-0.
The Board reviewed and discussed
Handbook Policy 7000 series. The two
areas of recommended change include
removing the deadline for the date to
have Board approval from item 1 of
Policy 7021 and updating policy 7050 to
meet the state legislative change.
Review and updating of the handbook
will continue throughout the year.
Sobotka moved and Miller seconded to
approve the Meridian Education
Association as the bargaining agent for
the district’s nonsupervisory certificated
staff for the 2017-2018 contract school
year. Vote taken: Miller-aye, Sobotka-
aye, Vorderstrasse-aye, Bartels-aye,
Scheer-aye, and VanWesten-aye.
Motion carried 6-0.
Principal Scott updated the Board on the
use of social media by Meridian Public
School.
Superintendent Kort stated a letter was
sent home to parents as required by
NDE. The letter discusses the fact that
Meridian Public School is on the PLAS
list. There was discussion about the
process and what Meridian Public School
is doing to improve performance.
Superintendent Kort provided the Board
with a summary of his evaluation which
was completed in November.
Superintendent Kort continues to meet or
exceed expectations with the budget,
communication, positive school culture,
and instructional leadership.
Principal Scott reported:
1. Red Ribbon Week and Rock-n-
Prevention Program
2. Junior High Wrestling
3. Junior High Basketball
4. High School Wrestling and
Basketball
Mustang MEMO Mr. Harold Scott
Principal
Juniors and seniors…it’s time to start
preparing for the FAFSA (Free
Application for Federal Student Aid)!
Seniors, you’ll need to complete the
form after January 1 but before the
college’s priority date (typically March
1 or April 1) to apply for federal, state
and college-based financial aid. Senior
parents: plan to prepare your taxes as
soon as you can in 2016. You should
receive your tax documents by
February 1, 2016. There are some
scholarships that need the FAFSA
information and you cannot accurately
complete your FAFSA without your
taxes. Juniors, you’ll want to start
learning about the FAFSA now as
changes are happening with the form
next year. New to the FAFSA? Go to
http:// www.fafsa.ed.gov/.
To learn about the FAFSA, take
advantage of these free EducationQuest
programs and resources:
Financial Aid Programs:
Attend a Financial Aid Program with a
parent or guardian to learn about the
financial aid process and the FAFSA.
The programs are free and open to the
public. Talk to Mrs. Kroon to find the
program nearest you. If you attend, you
will be eligible to register for a $500
Financial Aid Program Scholarship!
Financial Aid Program Webinars:
EducationQuest will conduct free
Financial Aid Program Webinars on
the following dates:
Tuesday, December 8 – 7:00 pm (CT)
Webinar link: http://eqf.org/1MOIiXW
Wednesday, December 16 – 7:00 pm (CT)
Webinar link: http://eqf.org/1P9LFv4
Monday, January 11 – 7:00 pm (CT)
Webinar link: http://eqf.org/1LYxtnE
Wednesday, January 13 – 7:00 pm (CT)
Webinar link: http://eqf.org/1LYyjRj
To join the Webinar, click on the link
under your desired date. The password
is college.
College Funding Estimator
forces were recognized. The high school
band played a medley of armed forces
themes, and the high school choir sang a
song about heroes. Cassie (Sabatka)
Balzer, former Meridian teacher, was the
guest speaker. She spoke about her work
in the Air Force Reserve. A meal was
served to the veterans.
Play production season is in full swing.
The team competed at the Osceola
Festival on November 12th. They
performed Monday, November 16th, at
Friend. They will compete in the
Crossroads Conference meet on
Wednesday, November 18th at Cross
County. We will be attending the D1-1
play production district on Wednesday,
December 2nd at Johnson-Brock.
2nd Semester Schedule Changes
All 7-12 students interested in making
changes to their 2nd semester schedule
should do so before the holiday break.
Meridian offers different electives each
semester, and dual-credit classes are
available for juniors and seniors. Parents:
If you have questions on your child’s
schedule, please call or email Mrs. Kroon
at school.
Seniors…have you submitted your
college applications?
If you haven’t submitted your college
admission applications yet, it’s time to
get serious! Contact your top college
choices for application deadlines and
procedures. Ask if the admission
application is also the application for
college-based scholarships. If not, ask
about the scholarship application
process. By now, you should have
applied to your top three colleges, and
you should also be working on upcoming
scholarships. The counseling webpage is
updated with scholarships weekly! Please
make sure you know deadlines for
scholarships offered by the college(s) of
your choice.
To estimate your FAFSA results now,
use the College Funding Estimator at
EducationQuest.org.
“Paying for College” section at
EducationQuest.org: Visit the website for
information about the financial aid
process and the FAFSA.
ACT Registration
This is a reminder that to register for the
ACT, an account needs to be created at
www.actstudent.org. From here, you will
fill in specific information and also select
your testing date and site. Each ACT
costs $39.50, but if you qualify for free
or reduced lunches, you may request a
fee waiver. Our school code is 282-345.
Please feel free to contact Mrs. Kroon
with any questions or concerns. Juniors,
earn the best possible ACT/SAT scores
by taking the exam in the spring of your
junior year and again in the fall of your
senior year. You must register by
January 8th for the February 6th ACT, by
March 4th for the April 9th ACT, and/or
by May 6th for the June 11th ACT.
Seniors December TO DO LIST:
· Submit College Applications
· Estimate FAFSA results using the
College Funding Estimator at
www.educationquest.org
· If you have not already attended a
financial aid program, attend one in
your area
· Continue to Apply for Scholarships
· Make a FAFSA Appointment at
EducationQuest if you need help:
Omaha – 888-357-6300
Lincoln – 800-303-3745
Kearney – 800-666-3721
Juniors December TO DO LIST:
· If you have not already attended a
financial aid program, attend one in
your area
· Research College Choices
· Search for Scholarships
· Register by January 8th for the February
6th ACT
Onward to victory… May they win again today…
Page 3 Meridian Public School, District 48-0303 December, 2015