Winter 2010 Volume 24, Issue 2

HIGHLIGHTSLOOK INSIDE!Enrollment Report .........................2NeSA Test Results .........................4Parent Teacher Conferences Scheduled ........................................5District Notices ............................6

West Dodge Station Elementary second-grader Logan EHS math teacher Kevin Gross works with Senior Christina Woodward during an AP

EHS AP CALCULUS CLASS TOPS NATIONAL AVERAGESIt didn’t take long for EHS math teacher Kevin Gross to solve for x in the equation his AP calculus students presented. Of the 19 students that took the exam last spring, 18 of them scored the highest possible score with one student scoring the second highest score. “94.7 percent of the students that took the test got a ,” Gross said. “Nationally, only 48.8 percent of students earned a on the test,” he continued.

score possible. There are two sections of AP calculus offered at the high school level. AB calculus is equivalent to college calculus l; BC calculus is equivalent to two semesters of college calculus. While both EHS sections scored well on the test, the BC students far surpassed national averages. Associate Superintendent and Curriculum Director Dr. Cindy Gray knows Gross’ dedication to students played a role in their success. “Kevin cares deeply about student learning, he goes the extra mile, he’s known for providing thoughtful and timely feedback to students and the Elkhorn School District is honored to have him as a teacher,” she said.

Nhis students’ success as a true testament to the rigor and dedication seen in the EPS math curriculum. “Calculus is the culmination of mathematics at EHS and it takes a very solid foundation to succeed,” he said. “Without the dedication of students and teachers early

for their solutions. He credits the EPS language arts teachers for their work in preparing students for challenging curriculum that encompasses several different subjects.

EPS stakeholders also play an important role in the quest for educational excellence. It takes the efforts of parents, teachers, students and administrators all making a commitment to education. “Without all four pieces of the puzzle, I don’t think results like this would occur,” Gross said.

ECRWSSELKHORN, NE 68022

The Elkhorn Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, marital status, age or disability in admission or access to, or treatment of employment, in its programs and activities.

NONPROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGE

PA I DPERMIT NO. 8ELKHORN, NE

NOTICES C O N TAC T SEnrollment Information/Facility Use Contact Building Principal

Elkhorn High School Dan Radicia ................................................................. 402-289-4239 Elkhorn South High School Mark Kalvoda .............................................................. 402-289-0616 Elkhorn Middle School Mike Tomjack ...............................................................402-289-2428 Elkhorn Ridge Middle School Kevin Riggert .............................................................. 402-334-9302 Fire Ridge Elementary School Anne Doerr................................................................. 402-289-0735 Hillrise Elementary School Deb Gernandt ............................................................ 402-289-2602 Manchester Elementary School Amy Christ .................................................................. 402-289-2590 Skyline Elementary School Jan Peterson ................................................................ 402-289-3433 Spring Ridge Elementary School Don Pechous...............................................................402-637-0204 West Dodge Station Elementary School Ryan Lindquist ............................................................ 402-289-2773 Westridge Elementary School Troy Sidders .................................................................402-289-2559Elkhorn Public Schools Foundation Executive Director ................................... 402-289-1727, ext. 202Before/After School Kids Campus Club Director ............................................ 402-289-1727, ext. 205Early Education Center Traci Gratopp ............................................................. 402-289-3790Activities/Athletics Contact Activities Director

Tom Ramsbottom (ESHS) .................................. 402-289-0616 Mike Zeplin (EHS) ................................................. 402-289-1688Special Education/Gifted Programs Contact Director of Special Services

Lee Frye ................................................................... 402-289-2579Human Resources - Teacher Vacancies Contact Assistant Superintendent

Bary Habrock ......................................................... 402-289-2579 or Director of Human Resources

Nancy Whitney ..................................................... 402-289-2579Transportation and Facility Use Information Contact Assistant Superintendent

Bary Habrock ......................................................... 402-289-2579Curriculum/Assessment Questions Contact Associate Superintendent

Dr. Cindy Gray ...................................................... 402-289-2579District/Board of Education/Enrollment Option Contact Superintendent

Steve Baker ............................................................. 402-289-2579General District Information - Contact Elkhorn Public Schools 20650 Glenn Street, Elkhorn, NE 68022 Ph. 402-289-2579, FAX 402-289-2585 TDD/Voice All Schools

Web Site: www.elkhornweb.org

The Elkhorn Public Schools publishes the HIGHLIGHTS for the sole purpose of informing district residents of the programs, procedures, and progress of

the school district. Questions or comments should be addressed to: Superintendent Steve Baker, 20650 Glenn Street, Elkhorn, NE 68022, (402) 289-2579

Winter 2010 Volume 24, Issue 2

TEACHER QUALIFICATION INFORMATIONThe Elkhorn Public School District continues to attract and retain

No

about D Nebraska D Education Web site: http://www.education.ne.gov

Nebraska State Report Card. SNancy

Whitney, D St., Elkhorn, NE 68022.

ASBESTOS HAZARD EMERGENCY RESPONSE ACT (AHERA)

Environmental Assessment has been contracted by the Elkhorn Public Schools to review and prepare an asbestos

District implemented its original management plan July 9, 1989, and has conducted periodic

surveillance has been conducted to provide continuous assessment

District, as well

Superintendent Steve Baker, 289-2579.

ASTHMA PROTOCOL WAIVERIn 2004, the Elkhorn Public Schools implemented the Emergency

Systemic Allergic Reactions (Anaphylaxis) Protocol mandated by the Nebraska State Board

Education in NDE Rule 59. Trained responders in each school building are available to provide an EpiPen injection and Albuterol nebulizer treatments to ANshould an emergency arise in the school building while school is

or allergy control and management. Also, parents may sign a waiver requesting that their student not receive emergency treatment

any E

DISTR ICT NEWS

5

ATTENTION BUSINESSES, GROUPS AND ORGANIZATIONS

Elkhorn school district publishes The Elkhorn

Express

K Elkhorn Express features

EO

Superintendent at 289-2579 or Mike O Douglas

County Post-Gazette

PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES SCHEDULED

All parents are encouraged to attend fall parent-teacher O O

E

D

STUDENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM SERVICE

The Elkhorn Public Schools provides a student assistance

Counseling to provide assess-

and alcohol abuse and other

about the Elkhorn student

ELKHORN COACH CELEBRATES

300TH WINThe Elkhorn South S

the second coach in the state to reach the

BACK-TO-SCHOOL 2010

Elkhorn Middle School Eighth-graders enjoy

warm weather for their back-to-school

tailgate party.

Stephanie Morales and

Emily Garcia-Pena show

off their backpacks on

Westridge Elementary.

Zach, Gabe and Max Jordan

take a picture with the

Spring Ridge Eagle before

of classes.

Akshat Magesh and Madelyn Atwood

of pre-school at West Dodge Station

Elementary.Elkhorn Middle School

students stop at their lockers

in between classes.

Fifth-graders Jocelyn

Shackelford and Ethan

Christensen line up outside

Westridge Elementary

before heading inside with

their teacher, Ben Kreifels.

EHS students pose in front of

their school’s main entry, which

got a new look for the 2010-2011

school year.

Vocal music teacher Adam Lambert reviews music with

ESHS students.

ELKHORN TEACHERS RECOGNIZED FOR AN INNOVATIVE APPROACH TO LANGUAGE ARTS

Elkhorn teachers are opening up possibilities for their students while closing the achievement gap.

In January, Elkhorn English teachers Melissa Simons, Lindsey Newton and Pat McCoy were published in a quarterly review by the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE). The article entitled “The Other Ten Percent,” which detailed Elkhorn’s Essential Skills in Language Arts program (ESLA), was cited for honorable mention for the best article of the year by the NCTE.

During the 2006-2007 school year the ESLA program was piloted for English 9 students at EHS. Simons, Newton and McCoy teamed up with special educator Heather Beekman to create a class that would allow students who needed extra support in Language Arts an additional 50 minute class period of support and instruction. In years prior, 10 percent of students generally were placed into a basic English course designed for students

English. ESLA essentially eliminated the “basic track” and rather than changing curriculum for students who were struggling, Elkhorn teachers decided to dedicate more time to teaching all English 9 students the same

information. “ESLA is not a re-do of English 9, its curriculum or its homework. ESLA is, however, skill building,” Simons said. ESLA classes are designed to open the door to college for all students.

After their second semester offering ESLA, the team saw major improvements in student performance. On average, students reading level improved by 1.7 grade equivalencies on the Gates MacGinitie scale and 80 percent of ESLA students received an A, B or C grade in English 9. Each year Simons and her team get closer to closing the achievement gap for their English students. “Our excitement and hope for the future lie in the fact that we are just getting started,” she said.

The model has proven to be effective in other core subjects as well; Elkhorn high schools are already using a similar model in the Math department.

DISTR ICT NEWS

3

Elkhorn Language Arts teachers traveled to New York City in 2008 to

present their new model to the NCTE (from left: Lindsey Newton, Pat

McCoy and Melissa Simons).

NESA–R RESULTS SHOW ELKHORN STUDENTS AMONG TOP SCORERS Last Spring, Elkhorn students in grades 3 through 8, as well as eleventh-graders took the NeSA–R (Nebraska State Accountability—Reading) test. Results released this fall showed Elkhorn students scoring among the top in the state, with the most notably strong

the system,” said Associate Superintendent and Curriculum Director, Dr. Cindy Gray. While teachers and administrators are pleased with District students’ performance, they note that there is always room for growth and improvement.

The Nebraska Department of Education set ‘cut’ scores for this test to determine if students showed mastery. Depending on their score students fell into one of three categories: exceeds standards, meets standards or below standards. Cut scores for mastery were set very high, as more than 30 percent of students in the state fell into the “below standards” category.

It should be noted that the NeSA test scores cannot be adequately compared to test scores of past years. The NeSA–R test replaced the STARS (the School-based, Teacher-led Assessment Reporting System) assessments of the past. The STARS assessments allowed for small assessments at the point of instruction as well as the opportunity to re-teach and re-test students, whereas the NeSA–R assessment was given as a one time opportunity test. Students across the state did not show the same kind of mastery displayed in the past because the purpose of the NeSA–R assessment is to provide comparison across buildings, not necessarily to provide timely feedback and allow for re-teaching.

In the Spring of 2011 students in grades 3 through 8 and eleventh-graders will take the NeSA–M (Mathematics) test, followed by the NeSA–S (Science) test in the Spring of 2012.

DISTR ICT NEWS

4

ELKHORN PUBLIC SCHOOLS WANTS YOU—

BE A MENTOR!

Elkhorn Public Schools “Partners in Education” mentoring program is seeking adult volunteers to mentor students in grades K-12. Mentors are asked to volunteer for at least one hour each week, and may indicate preferred grade levels and times. Orientation will be provided, and a building facilitator will be available to answer questions. To volunteer, or for more information, please contact mentoring coordinator, Kevin Kraus, at Westridge Elementary School, 289-2559.

BACK-TO-SCHOOL 2010

Elkhorn Middle School Eighth-graders enjoy

warm weather for their back-to-school

tailgate party.

Stephanie Morales and

Emily Garcia-Pena show

off their backpacks on

Westridge Elementary.

Zach, Gabe and Max Jordan

take a picture with the

Spring Ridge Eagle before

of classes.

Akshat Magesh and Madelyn Atwood

of pre-school at West Dodge Station

Elementary.Elkhorn Middle School

students stop at their lockers

in between classes.

Fifth-graders Jocelyn

Shackelford and Ethan

Christensen line up outside

Westridge Elementary

before heading inside with

their teacher, Ben Kreifels.

EHS students pose in front of

their school’s main entry, which

got a new look for the 2010-2011

school year.

Vocal music teacher Adam Lambert reviews music with

ESHS students.

Welcome Back!

BACK-TO-SCHOOL 2010

Elkhorn Middle School Eighth-graders enjoy

warm weather for their back-to-school

tailgate party.

Stephanie Morales and

Emily Garcia-Pena show

off their backpacks on

Westridge Elementary.

Zach, Gabe and Max Jordan

take a picture with the

Spring Ridge Eagle before

of classes.

Akshat Magesh and Madelyn Atwood

of pre-school at West Dodge Station

Elementary.Elkhorn Middle School

students stop at their lockers

in between classes.

Fifth-graders Jocelyn

Shackelford and Ethan

Christensen line up outside

Westridge Elementary

before heading inside with

their teacher, Ben Kreifels.

EHS students pose in front of

their school’s main entry, which

got a new look for the 2010-2011

school year.

Vocal music teacher Adam Lambert reviews music with

ESHS students.

Sending a child to Kindergarten for the

E

leaving their children

E

S

S D

S

DISTR ICT NEWS

2

ANNUAL “BOOHOO, WHOHOO” BREAKFAST BRINGS KINDERGARTEN PARENTS TOGETHER

DISTRICT CALENDARS NOW AVAILABLED

MISSION STATEMENTE

S

ELKHORN ENROLLMENT CONTINUES TO CLIMB

E Sthe D

in the D

S SK D

Parents Blake and David Wageman

enjoy rolls and juice with younger

daughter Ari after sending

CHECK OUT OUR WEB SITE

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