Nebraska Public School Advantage News

Nebraska Public School Advantage News

ESU 16's Listening Tour a "refreshing" experience for Central NE school districts

ESU 16's Listening Tour a "refreshing" experience for Central NE school districts

September 15, 2021
By Tyler Dahlgren The question from the team at ESU 16 nearly caught Brady Public Schools superintendent James McGown off guard. “What can we do for you?” School districts, McGown explained, are a service industry. They’re often the ones posing such questions, prying for specific needs and searching for supports specialized to every single one of their students. When the ESU 16 Listening Tour...Read More

Louisville's nationally-recognized SkillsUSA chapter sets students on the pursuit of a passion

Louisville's nationally-recognized SkillsUSA chapter sets students on the pursuit of a passion

September 14, 2021
By Tyler Dahlgren Jesse Zweep stands in the doorway of his classroom at Louisville High School, underneath a string of state championship banners, and waves me in. I’m here in this rock quarry town of just over a thousand people to tell the story of a SkillsUSA chapter that has enjoyed an eye-opening string of success in recent years, and Zweep, who started the program in 2007, is my point of...Read More

Friday Night Lights Return to Clarkson: Town rich with football tradition hosts first game in 10 years

Friday Night Lights Return to Clarkson: Town rich with football tradition hosts first game in 10 years

September 9, 2021
By Tyler Dahlgren It was about half an hour before kick-off when Mitch Beeson heard the familiar sounds of a pick-up football game breaking out between a rowdy pack of grade-school kids. The Clarkson-Leigh senior, a standout on both sides of the ball for the Patriots, paused mid-stretch and, for a moment, just listened. Friendly banter turned to laughter, football in its purest form...Read More

After 50 years downtown, NDE is moving east to a spacious "one-stop shop for services and programs"

After 50 years downtown, NDE is moving east to a spacious "one-stop shop for services and programs"

September 7, 2021
By Tyler Dahlgren After half a century operating from its downtown home on the sixth floor of the Nebraska State Office Building, NDE is heading east to wide open spaces and an abundance of possibilities. The department’s new headquarters at 500 S 84th St, just south of O Street, will be a one-stop shop for services and programs, said State Board Relations and Rules and Regulations Officer Dr...Read More

"Back to School" is a blast in St. Paul, where Wildcats are welcomed back in style

"Back to School" is a blast in St. Paul, where Wildcats are welcomed back in style

August 18, 2021
By Tyler Dahlgren Even with all the magic moments to come, snapshots of memories that will weave together over the next nine months to tell the story of a school year, Tuesday night is going to be tough to top for the Wildcats in St. Paul. On the night before the last night of summer, First Day of School Eve’s Eve, if you will, the district’s PTO put on a bash that was equal parts celebration and...Read More

Sailors Stick Together: If it takes a village to raise a child, Sutherland is that and "so much more"

Sailors Stick Together: If it takes a village to raise a child, Sutherland is that and "so much more"

August 4, 2021
By Tyler Dahlgren At the end of each school year, Sutherland Elementary parents receive a carefully crafted note from the school intended to identify any possible student needs for the fall. School supplies, backpacks, clothing, etc. Things that can easily be taken for granted. Things that a student cannot succeed without. Usually, eight to 10 families will respond yes, and just as many or more...Read More

A Day in the Tent with the Elkhorn, Elkhorn North Bands

A Day in the Tent with the Elkhorn, Elkhorn North Bands

July 7, 2021
By Tyler Dahlgren Very much like the product being sold out of stands across Nebraska- the spinners, fountains and especially the grand finales- there’s a science to working a tent filled with fireworks. First and foremost, you have to know what you’re selling. Pick an area of expertise and, well, do what you have to do to become an expert. For the Elkhorn and Elkhorn North band members working...Read More

The First Five Years: Small school in the Panhandle doing big things in Early Childhood education

The First Five Years: Small school in the Panhandle doing big things in Early Childhood education

June 29, 2021
By Tyler Dahlgren There’s a growing list of concrete evidence supporting the fundamental effectiveness of early childhood education, and it contains all of the usual suspects. Cognitive development, cooperation, socialization, teamwork and confidence are all near the top, and for good reason. Acclimating a child to education before dropping them into kindergarten is a mutually beneficial endeavor...Read More

From the Storytelling Trail: Five memorable second semester stories and a Q&A with the NCSA Ambassadors

From the Storytelling Trail: Five memorable second semester stories and a Q&A with the NCSA Ambassadors

June 11, 2021
By Tyler Dahlgren Though nobody was quite sure what the 2020-2021 school year was going to look like, I knew one thing for certain back in August. I needed to have my computer ready. Because no matter the circumstances, I’ve learned over the last five years, Nebraska’s public schools were not only going to persevere, they were going to shine while doing so. From an undeniably memorable school...Read More

Silver Linings Series: Remembering a historic school year with Westridge Middle School

Silver Linings Series: Remembering a historic school year with Westridge Middle School

June 2, 2021
By Tyler Dahlgren The 2020-2021 school year is in the books, and given its complexities will likely hold its own chapter for a very long time. Historic, challenging, unprecedented. You’ve heard those before. It was all that, and now, it’s complete. It’s June, time for a deep breath. Educators and students alike have earned a moment to reset, and sometimes the best way to recharge the batteries is...Read More

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