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SUPERINTENDENT’S NOTES

by Mike Davis

Starting September 9th the school is going to

help parents know when their student(s)

lunch balance gets low. School Reach will be

used to make calls to alert you when the bal-

ance is down to $10 or less in a student ac-

count. Contact Karla to find out how you can

get set up to receive an email or text if you

would rather not get a call from School

Reach. This friendly reminder will continue

until the account goes above $10. School

Reach will do this automatically through the

Power School Lunch Program and this replaces sending home a bill once

a month with your student(s).

I am teaching four classes of Introduction to Agriculture and have 28 stu-

dents in my classes. There are 23 of the high school students who would

like to join FFA if approved by the Board at their next meeting!

The starting of a TeamMates Mentoring Program has been approved by

the Board of Education! We will be holding an informational meeting

soon for parents of students in the 4th and in the 5th grades to explain the

program. Potential mentors will be invited to attend this meeting as well

as parents.

Missoula Children’s Theatre is coming to Sterling the week of March 17th

and students in grades K-8 will be able to become actors in the musical

BLACKBEARD THE PIRATE! Some of you may have watched one of

these Missoula Children’s Theatre productions in Adams.

The Administration and Board of Education are exploring the possibility

of expanding the Pre-School to five days a week and the possibility of

adding daycare in the afternoons. Let me know if you are interested in

this as a parent.

Welcome to Audrey Keebler, who replaced Kelly Holthus who took a job

at HyVee in Lincoln. Audrey has been a substitute cook.

2012-13 Yearbooks are in and for Sale $40.

Very few left.

by Ryun Theobald, Principal

The 2013-14 school year is now in full swing. The students and staff are

back into a routine and school is running smoothly. Our PK-12 first day

enrollment was 209. This number is down by a couple of students from

last year, but we are holding pretty much steady the past few years. After

looking at some initial census data, we should stay around this number

for quite some time. With that being said, here are a few items that I

would like to focus on for this month.

1. NeSA Scores. The Nebraska Department of Education recently made

public the NeSA results from the 2012-13 school year. Each spring,

students are assessed in Reading, Mathematics and Science. Below is a

comparison of how our students scored in comparison to the state

average. The number shown is the percentage of students who are who are either meeting or exceeding

the expected standard.

NeSA-M (Mathematics)

NeSA-R (Reading)

NeSA-S (Science)

Overall our students scored well on this one-shot assessment. but we also know there is room for growth.

As a district we have high expectations for our students and we are continually looking at ways to ensure

that our students are achieving their full potential. If you would like to dig a little deeper into our scores,

that information can be found on the NDE website, www.education.ne.gov.

C o n t i n u e d o n t h e n e x t p a g e

From The Principal’s Desk

Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5 Grade 6 Grade 7 Grade 8 Grade 11

Ste NE Ste NE Ste NE Ste

60 75 69 72 100 75 75

NE Ste NE Ste NE Ste NE

67 69 70 82 66 71 58

Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5 Grade 6 Grade 7 Grade 8 Grade 11

Ste NE Ste NE Ste NE Ste

67 77 77 79 85 78 81

NE Ste NE Ste NE Ste NE

77 92 79 95 78 71 67

Grade 5 Grade 8 Grade11

Sterling NE Sterling NE Sterling NE

92 68 100 70 94 73

2. ACT Scores for 2013. The Class of 2013 has since graduated, but they still need to be

commended for their outstanding accomplishment on the ACT. Sterling students traditionally do

very well, but last year was a banner year. Our students scored on average more than two points

higher than their peers across the state of Nebraska. Here is a quick snapshot for comparison:

3. Student Drop-Off Time. The school building will not be open to students until 7:30 a.m. on a

daily basis as there is no one on duty to supervise until this time. Breakfast will begin being served

around 7:40 a.m. Thank you for your cooperation with this schedule.

4. Sign and Score Table. We have had many upgrades and improvements, but two of these in

particular seem to stand out. The first is the brick sign in front of the elementary building. The

brick sign incorporates the “Sterling High School 1917” centerpiece that was above the front door in

the old building. The bricks are also from the original building. We are still awaiting the placement

of the capstones, but it really does look nice, and it also pays tribute to the old building. Michelle

Salberg and the Sterling Women of Today are to be thanked for the project, along with Chris

Salberg and several SkillsUSA volunteers. Jim Brickner of Wilber was the mason for this project.

You should also notice another new item the next time you attend an athletic event in the gym. We

have added a new scorers table. This was made possible by a generous donation from the Cobb

VanGroningen family and the Sterling Booster Club. Please thank these patrons when you see

them.

As always, if you have any concerns or comments, please do not hesitate to give me a call.

GO JETS!!!

ENGLISH MATH READING SCIENCE COMPOSITE

From Th e Pr in c ipa l ’s D esk co nt in u ed …

JETS NE JETS NE JETS NE JETS NE JETS NE

22.6 21.1 24.8 21.1 22.5 21.8 24.3 21.5 23.8 21.5

Sterling Marching Band will be performing at

Halftime of Homecoming on Sept. 27 and

marching in the AppleJack Parade on

Sept. 21 In Nebraska City.

Jet News September 2013

THANKTHANK YOUSYOUS

Thanks to Luella Phillipi for her

donation of school supplies in

memory of her loved ones.

Thank you to the Erickson family

for the use of their enclosed trail-

er for the Marching Band State

Fair Trip.

Thanks to the Mrs. Cobb VanGro-

ningen and Family for the dona-

tion to replace the scorer’s table

in the gym.

Thanks to the Booster Club for

their support of the scorer’s table.

Post Prom

Hamburger Feed

Friday, Sept. 27 beginning at 5:30 p.m.

at the football field

Free Will Donation

Welcome to Our Newest Students Kayleigh Serr

Kindergarten:

Dakota Andrews

Tessa Cockerill

Sean Estle

Brody Horstman

Alexis Meyer

Zoey Vermeer

Dane Vollman

Preschool:

Makenlee Cox

Kelly Estle

Jovie Holmquist

Joie Janssen

Bo McCoy

Mason Parde

Trevor Pella

Renee` Perry

We would like to welcome our new students and their families.

2013/2014 ACT Test Dates & Registration Deadlines TEST DATE REGULAR DEADLINE LATE FEE REQUIRED

October 26, 2013 September 27, 2013 September 28-Oct. 11, 2013

December 14, 2013 November 8, 2013 November 9-22, 2013

February 8, 2014 January 10, 2014 January 11-24, 2014

April 12, 2014 March 7, 2014 March 8-21, 2014

June 14, 2014 May 9, 2014 May 10-23, 2014

Two Dates To Mark on the Calendar

2013 Lincoln Area College Fair Sunday , October 27th 1 to 3 p.m.

Southeast Community College; Lincoln

Go to www.NebraskaCollegeFairs.org for more information

PLAN AHEAD

for the Education Quest Jr./Sr. Parent

Financial Aid Night on Wednesday,

October 30th 6:30 p.m.

at Sterling High School Music Room

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN...

Buying an ad for this upcoming

Yearbook 2013-14?

Help Support the school Yearbook by purchasing your ad now.

Contact Makenzie Koncaba at

mkoncaba@sterlingpublicschools.com

or call the school at 402-866-4761

Fourth Grade

Zeke Topp

Fifth Grade

Macie Whalen

Freshman

Tessa Nelson

Exchange Students

Josina Breitzke

Yida Chen

A Brief Lesson in Financial Aid/Understanding Grants and Loans:

Federal PELL Grant: This is a grant, which means it does not need to be paid back. Grants are

based on financial need and are available to undergraduate students. To be considered for the

PELL grant, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Awards

range from $555 to $4,860 per year.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG): This is a grant, but has lim-

ited funds available. Eligibility is based on financial need and is available to undergraduate stu-

dents. To be considered, the FAFSA must be completed. Average awards vary by institution. No

repayment.

Nebraska Opportunity Grant (NOG): A grant, but funds are limited. Eligibility based on finan-

cial need. Available to undergraduate students. To be considered, the FAFSA must be completed.

Average awards vary by institution and there is no repayment.

Federal Work-Study Program: Allows students to work part-time on campus to earn money for

college expenses. Funds are limited. Eligibility is based on financial need. Must complete the FAF-

SA. Awards vary and there is no repayment.

Federal Stafford Loan: On a subsidized loan, the government pays the interest while the stu-

dent is in school, and during grace and/or deferment periods. On an unsubsidized loan, the stu-

dent is responsible for paying ALL interest charges. Eligibility for subsidized loans is based on

financial need; however, unsubsidized loans are not need based. Subsidized interest rate for fall

2014 will be 6.8%. Unsubsidized interest rate is currently 6.8%, but that rate may change. Must

complete the FAFSA, along with additional paperwork from the college.

Amounts to borrow by grade level:

Freshmen: $3,500/year

Sophomores: $4,500/year

Juniors/Seniors: $12,570/year

Repayment begins 6 months after the student exits school or drops below half-time enrollment.

Federal PLUS Loan: Loan for parents. Eligibility is not need-based. Interest rate is currently

7.9%. Completion of the FAFSA and the PLUS loan application, along with additional paperwork

from the college is required. Award cannot exceed cost of attendance minus other financial aid. Re-

payment begins 60 days after the loan is fully disbursed. Minimum monthly payment is $50.

From the Guidance Counselor’s Desk By Jill Shea, Guidance Counselor

Newsletter

Information

J U N I O R C L A S S M A G A Z I N E F U N D R A I S E R Our sale began: 8/23/2013

The Junior Class will be out contacting peo-

ple. If you need to have one stop to see you, con-

tact the school at 866-4761.

Thank you in advance for your support! We

are looking forward to your participation.

IF YOU WANT TO ORDER NOW, GO TO

gaschoolstore.com and order by Sept. 20. Use

the account number below to assure credit for

Sterling:

Online store ID# for Sterling is 2513208

Yes You Can Help. How Can You Help?

If you have subscriptions that need to be re-

newed, or you would like to subscribe to a new

magazine, Please SAVE your orders for our

fundraiser. Plan to give magazine subscriptions

as gifts this year.

Renewal orders will simply extend current sub-

scriptions, redirecting money from publishers to

our school.

Let your friends and relatives know about our

fundraiser and ask them to save their subscrip-

tions for our program as well.

This is our first month of going paper-

less. We appreciate the your responses

to either mailing or e-mailing out of the

newsletter. If you are aware of anyone

not receiving the newsletter that would

like to, please contact the school and we

will get them on the mailing list or e-

mailing list. If someone needs to be re-

moved contact the school also.

There will be extra newsletters at the

school and the Sterling post office if you

missed getting one.

If you have an item for the upcoming

newsletter (October 2013) then please

contact the school by Sept. 15th and we

will take the information and get the

administration’s approval.

Technology Tidbits

by Allison Zwygart

We have had a very busy first few weeks in the

technology department! One of the big projects

was the deployment of a new laptop cart in the

high school. This will allow us to have another

computer lab available for teachers to use with

classes when the computer lab is full. We have

also been utilizing this to give our fall MAPS

testing. This has allowed us to test more stu-

dents at one time and will help us to get testing

completed much more efficiently.

The teachers have been busy learning with their

iPads. Last spring each teacher was given a

iPad. Gregg Robke from ESU4 spent a day meet-

ing with staff members helping them learn new

tips and tricks with the iPad and ways to incor-

porate them into their classrooms. We are hop-

ing to purchase more iPads so that more stu-

dents will have the opportunities to expand on

their learning with these educational devices.

SEPTEMBER 2013

MENUS

2 NO SCHOOL

Labor Day

3 B-Breakfast Bar or

Cereal/WG Muffin, fruit, milk L-Pork Chop Patty on WG Bun, mixed vegetable, romaine lettuce salad, applesauce

4 B-Cereal, WG

Toast, juice, milk L-Chicken & Noodles, peas, wg bread & butter, strawberries & bananas

5 B-Garlic Cheese

Toast or Cereal/WG Muffin, juice, milk L-Nachos w/cheese sauce or bean dip, corn, celery w/peanut butter, pineapple tidbits

6 B-WG Pancakes,

Sausage or Cereal/Sausage, juice, milk L-Sloppy Joes, green beans, ff and/or swt. ff, mixed fruit

9 B-Breakfast Pizza

or Cereal/WG Muffin, juice, milk L-BBQ Rib on WG Bun, broccoli w/cheese, romaine lettuce salad, peaches

10 B-Cereal, Toast,

Fruit, juice, milk L-Mini Corn Dogs, baked beans, chocolate cake, pears

11 B-Waffles, Sausage

or Cereal/Waffle, juice, milk L-Tacos, peas, celery w/peanut butter, peaches

12

B-Cereal, WG Toast, Fruit, milk L –Ham Patty on WG Bun, corn, tator gems and/or swt tator gems

13 B-Bagel, cream

cheese or Cereal/WG Muffin, juice, milk L-Salisbury Steak, mashed potatoes, w/gravy, breadsticks, mixed fruit

16

B-Garlic Cheese Toast or Cereal/WG Muffin, juice, milk L-Burrito, peas, chips w/salsa, pears

17

B-Scrambled Eggs, WG Toast or Cereal/WG Toast, milk L-Chicken Nuggets, mashed pota-toes w/gravy, corn, mandarin oranges

18 B-Breakfast Bar or Cere-al/WG Muffin, juice, milk L-Spaghetti, wg garlic bread, romaine lettuce salad, applesauce

19

B-Cereal, Toast, Fruit, milk L-Submarines, ff and/or swt. ff, gelatin, peaches

20 NO SCHOOL

Fall Break

23

B-Cereal, WG Toast, juice, milk L-Hot Dog on WG Bun, corn, baked beans, peaches

24 B-Waffles, Sausage or Cereal/Waffle, milk L-Chicken Fajita, peas, rice, pineapple tidbits

25 B-Donuts, Yogurt or Cereal/Yogurt, juice, milk L-Hamburger, ff and/or swt. ff, toma-toes, applesauce

26 B - Sausage Gravy

Over WG Biscuits or Cereal/WG Biscuit, fruit, milk L-Potato Bake, ham sal-ad or tuna salad sand-wich, string cheese, pears

27 B-Garlic Cheese Toast or Cereal/WG Muffin, juice, milk L-Goulash, romaine lettuce salad, tea roll w/jelly, mixed fruit

30 B-Toaster Pastry or Cereal/WG Muffin, juice, milk L-Chicken Patty on WG Bun, mashed potatoes w/gravy, corn, applesauce

USDA is an equal opportunity provider

and employer

Menus subject to change

without notice.

All meals include half pint of milk and two kinds of

vegetables.

WG - whole grain

swt ff - sweet potato ff

Extra Whole Sandwich cost .90 or half a sandwich .45

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250 Main St.

P.O. Box 39

Sterling, NE 68443

Tel: 402-866-4761

Fax: 402-866-4771

Website: sterlingjets.org

Sterling

Public

School

Continuing a

Tradition of Excellence

Non-Profit

U.S. Postage

PAID

Sterling, NE

Permit No. 2

Superintendent

Mike Davis

K-12 Principal

Activities Director

Ryun Theobald

Athletic Director

Brent Heusman

Guidance Counselor

Jill Shea

Beginning the Week of Sept. 23 through 27.

Watch for Homecoming events to be held!

Celebrate the Sterling Jet Spirit!

HOMECOMING PEP RALLY

Friday, Sept. 27 - 2 p.m.