Thursday, March 26, 2015

HOPE

"Hope" is something we talk about from time to time within York Public Schools. It can be defined as, "a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen." There are several studies that have shown that not enough of our young people have enough "hope" that their lives can be successful and fulfilling. When you think about it, HOPE is at the center of many successes. Hope is confidence in yourself. Hope is belief in those around you. Hope is knowing that if you don't succeed the first time or two, you should keep going.

As adults, whether we're educators or not, we need to help all young people by instilling hope in them. I often worry about our young people that don't truly believe they can be successful. Too many kids don't know that they can be great at something. Failure is all around us. Laziness is all around us. Complacency is too common as well.

Great educators, parents, and adults instill hope in their young ones. They help them believe that anything is possible. They help them see that adversity can be overcome. They help them see that the "journey" is almost always more worthwhile than the "destination." I often hear top-notch coaches like Jimbo Fisher, Tom Izzo, and Nick Saban talk about "the process" of success. The "process" has to begin with hope. You then add relentlessness, consistency, high expectations, hard work, a little luck, confidence, desire, humility, and preparation and you're on the way!

Talk to the children in your life. Believe in them. Build them up. Support their efforts and their dreams. We need more HOPE in the world. It can be improved one person at a time so do your part.

GO DUKES!

Friday, March 20, 2015

As You Travel Through Life...

I am going to copy/paste a great poem I found recently that comes from an "unknown author." The words share an important story, in my opinion. Enjoy.

As You Travel Through Life
Poet Unknown

As you travel through life there are always those times
When decisions just have to be made,
When the choices are hard, and solutions seem scarce,
And the rain seems to soak your parade.

There are some situations where all you can do
Is simply let go and move on,
Gather your courage and choose a direction
That carries you toward a new dawn.

So pack up your troubles and take a step forward -
The process of change can be tough,
But think about all the excitement ahead

There might be adventures you never imagined
Just waiting around the next bend,
And wishes and dreams just about to come true
In ways you can't yet comprehend!

Perhaps you'll find friendships
that spring from new things
As you challenge your status quo,
And learn there are so many options in life,

Perhaps you'll go places you never expected
And see things that you've never seen,
Or travel to fabulous, faraway worlds
And wonderful spots in between!

Perhaps you'll find warmth and affection and caring
And somebody special who's there
To help you stay cantered and listen with interest
To stories and feelings you share.

Perhaps you'll find comfort in knowing your friends
Are supportive of all that you do,
And believe that whatever decisions you make,
They'll be the right choices for you.

So keep putting one foot in front of the other,
And taking your life day by day...
There's a brighter tomorrow that's just down the road -
Don't look back! You're not going that way!

Thursday, March 12, 2015

An "Entrepreneurship Academy" is Coming to York in July

An Entrepreneurship Investigation Academy is coming to York July 14th-18th. This is a cooperative project between York Public Schools, the York Chamber of Commerce, YCDC, and the UNL Extension Office. We also have corporate sponsorship from Henderson State Bank, York State Bank, and Cornerstone Bank; with more to come in the next month or so.

YPS is excited to offer this academy that will serve 15 students that are currently in 5th-8th grades. We are reserving a few slots for our parochial school partners as well.

Students will learn what an entrepreneur is, interact with local entrepreneurs, devise their own business plan, create marketing materials, work on a production budget to include bank loans, create their products, and sell them at the July 18th Sidewalk Sales.

This academy fits our mission as we continue to search for meaningful and enriching activities for our students to participate in each summer. Stay tuned for more info to come in the next few months!





Thursday, March 5, 2015

The Nebraska Pollinator Habitat Program Comes to York on May 15th

YES 4th graders are excited to partner up with the Nebraska Pollinator Habitat Program on May 15th. This will be an outstanding hands-on learning experience for us!

What is the Nebraska Pollinator Habitat Program?

The Nebraska Pollinator Habitat Program is a joint effort between Pheasants Forever, Quail Forever, Nebraska Environmental Trust Fund, Nebraska Game & Parks Commission,Prairie Plains Resource Institute, and the University of Nebraska - Lincoln. The Nebraska Pollinator Habitat Program aims to provide support to PF/QF chapters across Nebraska to engage youth groups, families and communities in establishing pollinator habitat projects.

The objectives of this program are to increase awareness about decreasing pollinator populations, educate the general public on the importance of habitat for pollinators, and to establish quality pollinator habitat across the state. The program will provide tools for chapters to work with local community partners to create habitat projects that involve youth groups, schools and community groups.

Program support includes training on how to plan and conduct a pollinator project from start to finish, conservation/pollinator curriculum for classrooms, hands-on educational activities, and monitoring activities that can be conducted after the project is established. In addition, grants up to $1,000 are available to help with the cost of pollinator seed mixes and plants.

The results of this program will not only benefit pollinators by providing quality foraging and nesting habitat, but it will provide opportunities for youth to get outside and gain an appreciation for wildlife and conservation.

Need for the Program?

Pollinating insects are an essential component in global food production. Approximately one-third of all food and beverages is delivered by pollinators and many species of native pollinators and domesticated honey bees are in decline. Pollinator habitat also provides excellent brood rearing habitat for pheasants and quail as flowering plants attracts soft-bodied insects that pheasants and quail chicks rely on for survival during the first 6-8 weeks of life. Lastly, today’s
youth spend the majority of their time fixated on electronic devices and less than half of the time outdoors than their parents did.

One in four children are obese, and as a result, diseases like type 2 diabetes are showing up at an alarming rate. Research has shown that children who spend time outdoors are healthier, receive better grades, have longer attention spans, and are less prone to depression than children who spend most of their time indoors. If this trend continues, children today will not develop healthy lifestyles or an attachment to the outdoors with-out experiences that are fun and involve them personally.

To learn more about the Nebraska Pollinator Habitat Program, visit Pheasants Forever’s Habitat Education Blog at: http://pfqfhabitated.blogspot.com