Monday, June 29, 2015

Happy Birthday, America!

July 4th is something I look forward to each summer. I enjoy grilling out with the family and playing in the yard. We shoot off more than our share of fireworks too! There are lots of things to celebrate as an American. We have freedom and support and services that many other countries can only dream about. We have a proud tradition and hopefully an even brighter future.

As I spend this weekend in Omaha, I will pause to reflect on how thankful I am to be an American and that so many brave men and women have fought, and continue to fight, for our freedom. Our country isn't perfect but it's still amazing in many ways.

Have a wonderful and SAFE 4th of July week and weekend.

Monday, June 22, 2015

Just Thankful....Nothing More....

I enjoy blogging three to four times a month but sometimes struggle with content ideas. It is especially difficult in June and July to come up with things I want to share. So today, my message is simple. I'm THANKFUL for what I have. My family means the world to me and I'm thankful that my wife and children are my best friends. I'm thankful for their health and happiness and pray for continued opportunities for them. I'm thankful for my parents and siblings and extended family members as well.

I'm thankful for the students, staff, parents, and board of education of YPS. This is a special place and it is extremely gratifying to be a part of the York Duke Family. I'm thankful to live in a great place like York. We're safe. We have outstanding services and recreation opportunities. We have great businesses. We have an awesome location.

I'm thankful to be an American. Yes, our country has some problems but there's no better place in the universe than the United States of America. I'm thankful for our freedom and the brave men and women that have, and continue, to protect it.

Yes, some days stink. Yes, some people get on your nerves. Yes, this job provides a lot of stress. Yes, I get tired of "drama" and "rumors." However, when you look at the big picture, there's a lot more to be thankful about than upset about.

I choose to be thankful.

Go Dukes!

Thursday, June 11, 2015

The Importance of Support Staff

YPS is fortunate to have an outstanding teaching faculty. We employ highly dedicated and skilled teachers across the PreK-12 curriculum. An important group of school district employees that often get overlooked are our "support staff." These secretaries, drivers, cooks, paras, custodians, nurses, and "other" are critical to the success of your organization.

Our custodians create and maintain a safe and clean learning environment. Our secretaries help set the tone in each building with their efficiency, friendliness, and organizational skills. Drivers are the first and last YPS face our students see every day and they often drive very cautiously and skillfully through tough weather conditions. Our cooks often prepare the best and most nutritious meals that many of our students will have on a daily basis. Our paras are on the front lines with our students helping them improve their academic performance. They often work with high needs children and excel in what they do. Our nurses become more and more important each year with records, wellness checks, and day-to-day work with students that have special needs.

Here's a BIG TIME salute to our support staff!

Thursday, June 4, 2015

Career Academies for the York Dukes

York Public Schools is thrilled to be a statewide leader in school-to-career preparation. We are excited about the numerous opportunities and partnerships we have that provide our high school students with a wide array of excellent experiences. We have more to come too! Stay tuned!

CAREER ACADEMIES

The Southeast Nebraska SENCAP Partnerships are between Southeast Community College, ESU 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, area school districts, health care providers, and business and industry in 15 counties in southeast Nebraska. SENCAP provides opportunities for all high school juniors and seniors to be college- and career-ready for 21st century high-wage, high-skill, and high-growth occupational areas.

For the 2015-2016 school year, York High School is proud to offer the following:

AGRIBUSINESS MANAGEMENT … Introduction to management principles in agribusiness. Management simulation and computer systems illustrate the decision-making process.

CROP AND FOOD SCIENCE … Principles and practices of production of the major agronomic crops of the high plains.

INTRODUCTION TO BUSINESS … An introductory study and overview of the role of business in society as well as a discussion of the various disciplines of business, including an overview of business organization, management, marketing, human resource management, and finance. Also a study and discussion of various strategies for success of specific public and private firms as well as small businesses. Business vocabulary used to understand and interpret business news and information.

PRINCIPLES IN MARKETING … A study of the development of an effective marketing program, including consumer behavior, product, pricing, distribution, and promotional strategies.

PRESCHOOL CHILD DEVELOPMENT …This course focuses on typical/atypical development of the child ages 3 through 5 years, in the domains of physical growth and motor skills, cognition and language, and social/emotional development.

WEB PAGE FUNDAMENTALS … Overview of basic Web page design. Create and edit Web pages including text, images, Hyperlinks, tables, forms, cascading style sheets.

CONCEPTS IN HEALTH SCIENCES … Experience health careers at a personal level. Explore the essential skills necessary for success in a health career. Includes a review of the science courses needed, the healthcare industry, diseases and disorders, healthcare technology, health rules and regulations, and employability.

COMPREHENSIVE MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY … An in-depth study of word parts, medical terms, and abbreviations relating to all body systems. Includes anatomy, physiology, pathology, pharmacology, diagnostic procedures, therapeutic procedures, and surgical procedures.

NURSING ASSISTANT …This course teaches basic nursing skills such as bathing, feeding, ambulation, transferring, and toileting. It is approved by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services Regulation and Licensure. Successful completion of this course allows the student to be placed on the Nebraska Nursing Assistant Registry. Nursing assistants may work in long-term care facilities, hospitals, home health care, hospice or mental health facilities.

INTERPERSONAL RELATIONS … Personal development and adjustment, self-esteem building, values clarification and decision-making, interpersonal communication skill, appreciation of diversity, development of healthy personal and professional relationships.

SMAW WELDING THEORY & LAB … Study of Shielded Metal Arc Welding theory, safety, applications, procedures, and welding practices. Study and selection of power sources and electrodes. Beginning welding of carbon steel with the Shielded Metal Arc Welding process on various joint configurations and with various electrodes.

OXY WELDING THEORY & CUTTING … Study of the theory, safety, equipment and applications of the Oxyacetylene Welding process. Laboratory exercises with the Oxyacetylene Welding, Braze Welding, Oxyacetylene Cutting and related processes.

INDIVIDUAL, ON-LINE CLASSES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE THROUGH SCC:

INTRODUCTION TO PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION … An overview of education in the U.S. viewed in terms of history, philosophy, finance, and governance. Encourages critical thought regarding the role of education in our multicultural society, the role of the teacher, and the educational practices in schools. The course is designed to help students explore education as a prospective career.

INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNOLOGY … This course is an introduction to a variety of technologies and strategies for use in the instructional process to accommodate all learners. The focus will also be on the social, ethical, legal and human issues surrounding the use of technology.

BASIC NUTRITION … The study of nutrients, digestion, absorption, metabolism, fitness, consumer concerns, food safety, nutrition throughout the life cycle, including cultural influences on food selection. The relation of nutrition to disease is explored.

LIFE-SPAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT … Integration of the basic concepts and principles of physical, cognitive and psychosocial development at each major stage of life. Provides an essential background for students in psychology, nursing, education, social welfare, and home economics; for workers in community service; and for parents and prospective parents.

INTRODUCTION TO ENERGY GENERATION AND DISTRIBUTION … Introduction to the history of electric and fluid power in the U.S., including deregulation. Private and public utilities are discussed. Methods of commercial power generation, including fossil fuels, nuclear power and renewable energy generation are covered. This also includes an overview of electrical transmission and distribution systems. System reliability and governance are covered.

TRULY UNIQUE:

AP – Environmental Science … York High School and Seward High School partnered up again to offer a progressive, Advanced Placement Environmental Science course that launched in January 2015. This course focuses on higher order thinking skills, current events, and scientific issues that face us in the 21st century.

We have a tremendous partnership with Express Truck Center that provides job shadow and scholarship opportunities for our students. We've had several students go through and truly learn to love the truck care business!

York High School also partners with Centennial High School and Seward High School to offer an AGRONOMY ACADEMY. This academy meets off-site at Monsanto along Highway 34. This academy is paid for by Pioneer/DuPont, Syngenta, Mycogen/Dow, and Monsanto to show how business/industry and high schools can work together! Students get hands-on exposure to agronomy careers and concepts in a unique fashion.