Category: Jr. Sr. High School

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The Dangers of Smoking and Vaping

by FPS Superintendent, Stephen Grizzle –

Happy Summer Parents!!
As you might be aware, we have chosen to include nicotine with our Random Drug Testing protocol, beginning in August 2019, when we return to school.  I have attached a good resource for you to look at and I encourage you to talk with your student about the dangers of smoking and vaping.  It is extensive.  
Unfortunately, vaping has been marketed as being a “safe alternative to smoking.”  Agreed, the impression is more favorable.  It doesn’t “stink up the place” when someone is vaping.  It does not make their clothes smell.  In fact, you can be in the same room with them and if you are not physically looking at them, you may never know they are vaping.  Someone could literally vape next to you and you may not ever know it.  It is that discrete.
With that being said, we are just starting to see information that highlights the dangers of vaping.  The “pods” that contain the liquid you vape can include many different “add-ins” to the liquid.  CBD oils can be added, others drugs/chemicals can be added, etc.  But typically, the dosage of nicotine in a “pod” can be much greater than a cigarette or even a pack of cigarettes.  Kids “get buzzed” when they vape because the concentration of nicotine is so much greater.  Since concentrations are much greater, the likelihood of addiction is greater as well.  Addiction leads to more at-risk behaviors.  It is a cycle of events that we want to try and help our students to avoid.
Vaping is a huge health concern for all.  It is the next “big thing” for all of us to worry about.  
As a district, it is our goal to help to give our students a way to say, “No!” to the peer pressure of vaping.  We are not looking for retribution or punishment, we really hope to give our kids a “way out.”  We do plan to incorporate more educational programming throughout this year on the dangers of vaping.  We need your help as well.  Please take this opportunity to read the attached article and Tweet below, and talk with your student about the dangers of vaping.  Thank you and have a great rest of the summer!!

Talk with Your Teen About E-cigarettes: A Tip Sheet for ParentsDownload
Link to Tweet
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Matsiko Orphan Children’s Choir Coming to Fairbury

ABOUT MATSIKO CHOIR

Born from a heart for every forgotten child in the unreached corners of the world, the International Children’s Network (ICN) began it’s choir program in 2008 with the first US tour of the Matsiko Children’s Choir.  This choir was the first step toward bringing children together from the various countries in which ICN provides sponsorship.  After the choir’s resounding success, the Matsiko World Orphan Choir was created with children from Peru and Liberia, who shared their lives and culture through song and dance, and connected their hearts with audiences across the United States.  This year, children from India were also granted permission to travel with Matsiko, and the choir continues annually with new children auditioning and performing every year. 

Matsiko is a Ugandan word for “hope”.  This word embodies both the children and the songs that they sing.  Through the Matsiko World Orphan Choir, thousands of children will be reached with the hope of a brighter future.  Proceeds generated by the choir tour and merchandise sales go directly to support ICN’s worldwide programs, including life-changing educational sponsorship that affords orphaned children a chance at a university degree. The Matsiko children absolutely love to share the gift of life, love and hope that they’ve received through the support of sponsors — people just like you!

Click here to meet this year’s amazing choir!

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FHS Students Selected for NCDA Honor Choirs

Ashley Sanchez, Kodey Swartz, and Brook Tatro were 3 of 70 students selected statewide to be a part of the 2019 NCDA Middle Level Honor Choir (grades 7-9) this summer. The clinician this year is Ryan Beeken, who proudly serves as director of Choral Studies at Indiana University of Pennsylvania where he conducts the University Chorale, Chorus, and Chamber Singers. In addition, he teaches graduate and undergraduate choral conducting and supervises student teachers. Beeken also serves as artistic director for the Blair Concert Chorale, whose mission includes fostering a growing appreciation of quality choral music for the population of south central Pennsylvania.
Sophomore Hailie Nicholson was selected for the first-ever NCDA All-State Honor Choir. The inaugural clinician is Nebraska native, and NCDA veteran, Dr. Matt Hill. Dr. Hill is the Director of Choral Activities at Peru State, and is the founder of Sing Omaha. Matt is well known in our state, and brings energy, excitement, and expertise to the podium. Students will enjoy the repertoire and will be engaged through the rehearsal experience as they sing with this auditioned 60-voice concert ensemble; the first of its kind in NCDA history.
The NCDA Conference will take place at Doane University from July 7-10. Please congratulate these students on this awesome achievement!

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Students Selected for Awards

Several students received American Legion Awards during the Fairbury Junior High School Awards Ceremony: Pictured are Guy Shalla, Trenton Ruhnke (1st Place Boy), Cora Tatro (1st Place Girl), Ellie Livingston (2nd Place Girl) and Trayce Blass (2nd Place Boy), Doug Kapke.

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Jr. High State Track

The following students were invited to participate in the Junior High State Track Meet last weekend at Gothenburg: Alex Lutz, James Olds, Devon Carel,  Emily Huss, & Mikya Lierman.  Devon Carel earned 5th place medals in the 800 and the high jump.

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Students Learn While Racing

Mr. Scott’s Trades class built and raced their CO2 cars.  The goal for the students is to learn about the design process.  They also get to study Orthographic Projection and working drawings. 

Students came up with at least five thumbnail drawings, a more detailed design sketch and a full scale final drawing of the top and right side of their cars. They then had to drill the axle holes and cut them out on the bandsaw, all while following the state SkillsUSA rules for building the dragsters. 

This year we built an above ground race track, and this helped out tremendously.  The kids didn’t have to lay down on the dirty dusty floor in the woodshop and they had less misfires or re-races. 

The cars are propelled down a track on 30 Lb fishing string.  The string keeps them in line and guides them down the track.  It’s a lot of fun for the kids and they all got involved, some being pretty competitive.  I have seen cars that come in all shapes, sizes and colors. 

I encourage anyone to stop by and watch them race.  We will be racing close to the last day of school.  The kids also make a double elimination race bracket on the Internet and this keeps things organized.  I encourage all trades classes to think about joining SkillsUSA next year.  SkillsUSA is a national organization that is geared to supplying the USA with a skilled labor force.  STS, or Skilled Technical Sciences, is a growing field right now.  We still need workers that can fix, build, and problem solve.  Learning is fun and so is SkillsUSA.

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Six Lady Jeffs Headed to State Track Meet

The Fairbury Girls track team competed in the B-3 District at Beatrice High School on May 9, 2019.  The girls competed very well in one of the most difficult Class B districts in the state and came home with a third place finish as a team.  The team had 7 personal records for the year and came back with four sixth place medals, two fifth place medals , two fourth place medals, one third place medal, two second place medals, and two first place medals.  Fairbury will be represented by six girls at the State Meet in Omaha: Mikasa Lierman, Sara Huss, Josephine Blatny, Cora DeBoer, Mikwena Lierman and Ellie Ohlde.

The day started with Ellie Ohlde setting a new school record vaulting 9’4”, earning a second place finish and punching her ticket to Omaha.  Ohlde also competing in the 3200 Meter Relay with Josephine Blatny, Mikasa Lierman and Mikwena Lierman. They ran a time of 10:31 and place third.  After a long wait on other districts around the state, we found out that they were the top additional time and qualified for the State Meet.

Then Sara Huss threw 139’  in her preliminary throws in discus hitting the automatic qualifying mark.  She went on to become the B-3 District Champion. She also ran a blazing time of 1:00.94 in the open 400 Meter Dash claiming another District gold medal.  Huss went on to compete in the 200 meter dash and came in fourth in a very tough contest. She was a top additional qualifier with the time of 27.04.

The Lady Jeffs ended the day with a strong performance in the 1600 meter relay.  Sara Huss, Cora Deboer, Mikwena Lierman and Mikasa Lierman ran a season best of 4:19.74 and came home with a runner up finish to qualify for state.

These six individuals will be competing at Burke Stadium in Omaha on May 17th and 18th.  

May 17th:

3:00:  3200 Meter Relay and Girls Discus

3:30:  GIrls Pole Vault

5:15:  400 Meter Dash Preliminary

7:35:  200 Meter Dash Preliminary

May 18th

12:55:  400 Meter Dash FInals

3:25:  200 Meter Dash Finals

3:55:  1600 Meter Rela

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