Nebraska Public School Advantage News

Nebraska Public School Advantage News

Learning in a Winter Wonderland: O'Neill Elementary decks the halls with holiday spirit

Learning in a Winter Wonderland: O'Neill Elementary decks the halls with holiday spirit

December 20, 2021
By Tyler Dahlgren When a simple door decorating contest turned O’Neill Elementary into a winter wonderland, with snowmen, bright lights, colorful trees and cheery music, principal Jim York wasn’t surprised. When it comes to kids, his staff doesn’t tend to go about things halfheartedly. They certainly weren’t going to underdo Christmas. “Let’s go big or go home,” fifth-grade teacher Crystal...Read More

The OWLS on Campus: ESU 16 program built on partnerships helps prepare students for bright futures

The OWLS on Campus: ESU 16 program built on partnerships helps prepare students for bright futures

December 13, 2021
By Tyler Dahlgren The weight room overlooking McDonald-Belton Gymnasium is a busy place on the campus of Mid Plains Community College in North Platte, a hub where iron is tossed and sweat is spilled. Renovated into a state-of-the-art facility in 2014, it’s also a place where relationships are formed. Lifting instructor Camden Grasmick, known to the Knights he trains and everyone else around...Read More

Future Educators' Day draws more than 50 high school students to ESU 6

Future Educators' Day draws more than 50 high school students to ESU 6

November 15, 2021
By Tyler Dahlgren The first ever Future Educators’ Day attracted more than 50 area sophomores, juniors and seniors to ESU 6 in Milford last Monday for a fast-moving event that gave the students an inside-look at life as a teacher. The line-up of presenters, including ESU 6 staff (April Kelley, Michelle Rayburn, Nichole Hall and Vicki Taylor) and representatives from three post-secondary...Read More

One Day with the Commissioner: Venturing to northeast Nebraska with Dr. Matt Blomstedt

One Day with the Commissioner: Venturing to northeast Nebraska with Dr. Matt Blomstedt

November 3, 2021
(Publisher's Note: This article was first published for the Nebraska Council of School Administrators) By Tyler Dahlgren Last Thursday, NCSA communications specialist Tyler Dahlgren joined Nebraska Commissioner of Education on a tour of schools in northeast Nebraska, and the rolling highways lined with fall foliage provided the perfect setting for an interview. There’s a lot of ground to cover...Read More

Fridays for the Future: Work-based learning puts seniors in northeast Nebraska a step ahead

Fridays for the Future: Work-based learning puts seniors in northeast Nebraska a step ahead

November 2, 2021
By Tyler Dahlgren Part One: “I can’t believe what I just saw” The baby had just been delivered, a successful C-section on a Friday morning at MidWest Health Partners in Norfolk, and midwife Jen Weinandt glanced at Meghan McCracken and smiled. “The stars in her eyes were amazing,” said Weinandt. “I think she’s in the right field.” McCracken had just witnessed a magical moment, the first of many...Read More

Back in Class: Keya Paha County principal pulls double duty during math teacher search

Back in Class: Keya Paha County principal pulls double duty during math teacher search

October 25, 2021
By Tyler Dahlgren The near and far search for a math teacher was starting to wear on the administrative team at Keya Paha County Schools. They’d made all the calls and exhausted every option. There wasn’t a qualified candidate out there who wanted to come to the rolling Sandhills. At each dead end sat more frustration. Unfortunately, rural school districts are no strangers to this song and dance...Read More

2021 Disability Employment and Inclusion Awards held in Lincoln

2021 Disability Employment and Inclusion Awards held in Lincoln

October 13, 2021
Five Nebraska VR partners received awards for their role in creating inclusive workplaces and advocacy for disability employment. The 2021 Disability Employment and Inclusion Awards highlight the successful partnership between Nebraska VR and the businesses and communities they serve. Nebraska VR offers individualized services to help people with disabilities find employment consistent with their...Read More

ESU #13 Special Education Department Opens Little Free Library

ESU #13 Special Education Department Opens Little Free Library

October 11, 2021
SCOTTSBLUFF, NE, (October 7, 2021) – Little Free Libraries are a global phenomenon. The small, front-yard book exchanges number more than 100,000 around the world in over 100 countries-from Italy to Brazil to Japan. Now, a new Little Free Library located in the circle drive at Educational Service Unit #13 will join the movement to share books, bring people together, and create communities of...Read More

The Kings of Summer: With vacation dwindling, Hastings Little League just kept winning...all the way to Williamsport

The Kings of Summer: With vacation dwindling, Hastings Little League just kept winning...all the way to Williamsport

October 5, 2021
By Tyler Dahlgren It’s late September, a month since 10 ballplayers from Hastings saw their wild ride to the Little League World Series come to an end, and Hunter Nepple can still close his eyes and feel the dirt beneath his cleats. “You’ve never played on an infield that perfectly smooth or grass that perfectly trimmed and green,” said Nepple, a shortstop and one of Hastings’ ace pitchers. “You...Read More

School tours of the State Capitol are a rich tradition that fill Nebraska's most iconic building with life, wonder and awe

School tours of the State Capitol are a rich tradition that fill Nebraska's most iconic building with life, wonder and awe

September 29, 2021
By Tyler Dahlgren The steps on the State Capitol building’s north-side seem to go on forever. Nebraskans, young and old, have stomped, climbed and trudged that flight since construction of the Capitol, a remarkable feat in its own right, finished in 1932. Once at the top, they all do the same thing, no matter their business in the state’s most iconic structure. They look up. Four-hundred feet up...Read More

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