Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Autism Leadership Team

An Autism Leadership Team has been established at York Public Schools during the 2010-2011 school year consisting of a team of 13 teachers, paraprofessionals, and administrators. This team was made possible through a grant funded by the Nebraska Autism Spectrum Disorders Network. This grant made it possible for this team of educators to attend four days of training/project planning throughout the course of the school year to develop an action plan of how YPS can better support those children on the Autism Spectrum as well as teachers, paraprofessionals, and administrators of children on the Autism Spectrum.

The grant funding also allowed the district to receive several resources to assist teachers in learning about strategies to help children on the spectrum, and funding to send three ALT members to one day of the Nebraska Autism Conference.

The next steps for this team will be to give information to teachers on how to refer students who are suspected of having a disorder on the autism spectrum, as well as being contacts for people who may have questions about how to serve this growing population of students.

Friday, April 15, 2011

Curriculum Additions and Adjustments for 2011-12

York Public Schools continues to work towards the end of the 2010-11 school year while also preparing for the 2011-12 school year. April and May are definitely busy and exciting times!

At York Middle School we will be able to add several elective courses to include Jazz Band, Strength and Conditioning, Current Events, and a Digital Technology course. We will also be adding a Reading course as we continue to emphasize the importance of reading throughout our entire curriculum.

York High School is moving to an 8-period day so they will see a new 11th grade English course, as well as a new "Teenage Law" course to go along with a more drawn out version of Algebra II and a History Course that will focus on WWII - modern day.

The greenhouse made available by the Mike Terpstra Foundation will also help to enhance our agriculture education and science offerings.

Go Dukes!

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Big GRANT for York Public Schools!

York Public Schools received some excellent news this week when we found out our grant application for after-school programming at YES and YMS was approved! These programs will provide extra help for students in reading, math, and other areas.

The State Board of Education approved grants for the following new programs:
• Collective for Youth (Middle School Learning Center Initiative-Omaha) received a $190,700 federal grant for programs at Lewis & Clark Middle School and King Science and Technology Magnet Middle School.
• Crete Public Schools received a $196,875 federal grant for a program at Crete Middle School.
• Nebraska City Public Schools received a $225,000 federal grant for a program at Nebraska City Middle School.
• Papillion-La Vista Public Schools received a $258,000 federal grant for programs at Golden Hills Elementary School and La Vista West Elementary School.
York Public Schools received a $140,250 federal grant for programs at York Elementary School and York Middle School.

The primary goals of 21st Century Community Learning Centers are improved student learning, increased social benefits and positive behavioral changes as well as increased family and community engagement in Nebraska schools.

Over the past eight years the Nebraska Department of Education has awarded federal grants for students at 108 different sites in 30 Nebraska communities.