Dec 10

Written by: ngreditor
12/10/2008 9:52 AM 

Writing emphasis sees results at school

Kenneth Purscell

“I want to commend you for your work on writing skills,” said Roger Lyon. “It is paying off with our students.”

The School Board chair was responding to several faculty members at the December 8 board meeting. Teachers Rhonda Rother, Vivian Eucker, Laura Nelson, and Rob Rose presented reports on Language Arts, Foreign Language, Social Studies and Art. Together the reports showed the strong emphasis at Newman Grove Schools on writing and communication skills.

7-12 Principal Beth Nelson also noted that while the final testing reports are not yet ready for publication, the first indications show improvements in student writing skills.

Ms. Rother lifted up the progression of writing assignments in literature and composition classes. Even the Spanish class works on writing skills. “The Spanish I class has a project called ‘My Crazy Family,’” she said. “Students choose some random pictures and then write descriptions of these imaginary relatives.”

“We have several students who contribute poetry to competitions,” said Ms. Eucker. “Derek Wallin was recognized for a poem on art at the Sheldon Gallery, and eight other students received certificates for their work.” She said that some enthusiasm is spreading. “At the first of the year, three students came and wanted to show me their writing.”

Laura Nelson offered that in Social Studies, “It was an interesting year with a political election. The mock election among the high school students was a tie between McCain and Obama.

Several of the teachers commented on the groundwork laid by the elementary “Step Up to Writing” program. “The emphasis has really helped our kids,” said Mr. Rose. His Nebraska history class has to make presentations, and this has led to working with other teachers. “Ms. Eucker shows how physically to do presentations, and Mr. Rossow helps them with typing and style,” he said. “This shows the kids we’re all doing this together.”

Laura Nelson also lifted up her arts program, and mentioned the after school program she had set up for elementary students. “We worked on Christmas ornaments, cutting clay with cookie cutters and then glazing and firing the decorations. I had eleven students, and they were all asking, ‘How many can we make?’”

Ms. Eucker mentioned that the Drama program needs a little more community support. “We took 5th place at conference and 4th at district,” she said, “but no one came from Newman Grove to see it.” Despite this, she felt the students had done quite will with a challenging play.

The board also approved Mark Finkrol as part time custodian, and adjusted Julie Krause’s contract so that she can help with updating the school’s website.

A bid has been received to upgrade lighting and sound in both gyms, a large project. Another estimate is expected, and priorities may need to be set. The original project had been to put new lights in the old gym.

Superintendent Herb Pokorny said that there were favorable reports on the co-op arrangement with Lindsay Holy Family, and this will likely be extended for all junior high sports next year. He also reported on talk of “gloom and doom” in the state legislature about revenue shortfalls next year. Because of this concern, the superintendent at Humphrey has been asking about possibilities for cooperation in some areas, including academics. The board reached a consensus that these talks should continue.