Congratulations to Joshua Robertson & Jadyn Rasmussen! Today these two eighth graders were honored as a “Big Red Star” in an event at the University of Nebraska Student Union with Amy Williams, UNL Head Women’s basketball coach, as the keynote speaker. This award is sponsored by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Education Quest.
Thirteen Fairbury sixth grade band students participated in the second annual Beginning Band Honor Band held at Lincoln Christian High School on Saturday, April 29. Students participating were: Auggie Judd, Eliana Livingston, TaLeia Cervantes, Allison Davis, Hannah Robertson, Cora Tatro, Xavier Johnson, Ashton McCown, Megan Mees, Brittany Kroeker, Casidy Sipek, Emily Huss, and Jayden Tracy.
On May 3rd, Jefferson Intermediate students competed in the annual Kiwanis Track Meet. Students have been practicing for the track meet in Mr. Schweitzer’s physical education classes for the last 3-4 weeks. The 5th and 6th grade competed in the morning, while the 3rd and 4th grade students competed in the afternoon. I am very pleased with the effort of our students. They competed to the best of their ability and had fun– most important thing! I want to thank all the staff members, parents, and volunteers that helped run events and worked to make this possible.
The 4th Quarter Elementary Family Night was held on April 27, 2017. The elementary staff and Fairbury FFA partnered together to have a Petting Zoo at Orschelns. A meal was provided, and kids got to experience stations such as a Chemical Look-A-Like, Reaction Time for a Power Take Off Shaft and Animal Safety. The biggest hit were the animals that the FFA organization provided. Kids were able to see and touch a horse, cow, sheep, goats, pigs, chicks and rabbits. Thanks to Thomas Dux and all the FFA kids for their hard work on this event. The 4th Quarter family night was a big hit!!
Students in several classes recently participated in Breakout EDU games. Breakout EDU creates ultra-engaging learning games for students. Games (Breakouts) teach teamwork, problem solving, critical thinking, and troubleshooting by presenting students with challenges that ignite their natural drive to problem-solve. Even though some students did not break out, they had a great time working through the puzzles. Ask your child about Breakout EDU.
Click on the link below to learn about summer camp opportunities at the University of Nebraska Kearney.
Nicholas Kroon was the recipient of 2016-2017 Region I Outstanding New Principal award on April 19, 2017, by the Nebraska State Association of Secondary School Principals (NSASSP). Nicholas Kroon is the Jr./Sr. High School Principal at Fairbury Public Schools. Region I consist of the following counties in the state of Nebraska: Butler, Clay, Fillmore, Gage, Hamilton, Jefferson, Johnson, Lancaster, Nemaha, Nuckolls, Pawnee, Polk, Richardson, Saline, Saunders, Seward, Thayer, and York.
Nicholas Kroon has been working hard to improve the climate in his district. At the beginning of the school year, he implemented a new program to decrease failure rates and boost the amount of positive comments that staff members make to students throughout the school day. This has had a positive impact on the school and it has fostered growth in many relationships with the student body. Along with decreasing the failure rates in their district, Nicholas has also worked with his colleagues to decrease the amount of suspensions this year. To date, they have slashed the number of behavior related suspensions by 75%!
In addition, Nicholas has also helped with the reVision process. In this process, Fairbury Public Schools is looking at their Career Technical Education (CTE) course offerings and trying to maximize their programs for students in their district. Nicholas has a lot of positive energy that he uses to focus on making things better for all students. Nicholas Kroon does all of these things while balancing his family’s home life and the “old man basketball league.”
Congratulations Mr. Nicholas Kroon!
The Fairbury FFA Chapter members attended the 2017 Nebraska FFA State Convention, April 6-8 in Lincoln, Nebraska. Events were held at the Pinnacle Bank Arena, hotels in Lincoln’s Haymarket, and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln East Campus. It was the 89th year for the Nebraska State FFA Convention and a memorable one for the Fairbury FFA Chapter as the Agricultural Biotechnology Team were named State Champions. FFA members, advisors and guests supported chapters and award recipients. Attendees had the opportunity to listen to motivational speakers and retiring state officer addresses during convention sessions. Students were engaged in leadership workshops, competed in Leadership Skills Events and attended the annual Career Fair. Students also participated in the State Career Development Events on UNL’s East Campus.
Individual award winners for the Fairbury FFA Chapter include the Agricultural Biotechnology team that received a Purple Ribbon as a team and were Named State Champions. The team consisted of Ashley Griffee who received a purple ribbon and was named the Individual State Champion, Taylor Runge who placed 5th and received a Purple Ribbon, Jordan Ruhnke who placed 6th received a Purple Ribbon, and Jared Engelman who received a Blue Ribbon.
Agriscience team that received a Blue Ribbon as a team and consisted of Sara Huss who received a Blue Ribbon, Taylor Runge who received, a Red Ribbon, Devin Wanamaker, and Bret Cole.
The Agronomy team received a Purple Ribbon as a team and consisted of Ashley Griffee who received a Purple Ribbon, Michaela Buchli who received a Blue Ribbon, Kaylee Sipek who received a Red Ribbon, and Delaney Miller.
The Farm Management Team Received a Blue Ribbon as a team and consisted of Patrick Ondrak who received a Blue Ribbon, Bailey Taylor who received a Blue Ribbon, Madison Black, and Brent Hirsch.
The Senior Livestock Evaluation Team consisted of Sara McCown who received a Blue Ribbon, Blake Bauer, Jordan Ruhnke, and Althea Esteller.
The Meat Judging team consisted of Garret Ragland who received a Blue Ribbon, Zach Holes, Althea Esteller, and Jon Engelman.
The Natural Resources Team received a Red Ribbon and consisted of Jake Maschmann who received a blue ribbon, Brock Barton, and Trevin Arnold.
The Welding team consisted of Brock Barton who competed in the Gas Metal Arc Welding event and received a white ribbon and Brandon Hinrichs who competed in the OxyAcetylene welding event.
Michaela Buchli competed in the Junior Public Speaking Leadership Skills Event and received a Gold rating. Come forward and receive your medal.
Carson Bohlmeyer, Patrick Ondrak, Blake Bauer, and Althea Esteller also received their State FFA Degrees. This is the highest honor an FFA Member can receive at the state level.
Fairbury Public Schools Superintendent Mr. Stephen Grizzle also received the Cornerstone Award. This is awarded to school leaders who have a vision and support Career Education Programs within their school.
The Fairbury FFA Chapter had a great time at state convention and will be looking to keep building in their experiences and contest results for next year. Congratulations to all of the Fairbury FFA members who received ribbons at the state convention.
The Fairbury FBLA Chapter competed at the State Leadership Conference on April 6-April 8th in Omaha, NE. FBLA Chapters throughout the entire state of Nebraska came and participated in this competition. 16 Fairbury FBLA members met the requirements to attend and compete at SLC. Each of these members chose 5 different business related competitions to compete in. In order to make it on the awards stage at SLC, students had to place in the top 8% in their respective competition, with the Top 3 in each competition making it to the National Leadership Conference. Fairbury FBLA had a great showing this year at SLC with the following students making it on stage:
