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.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
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!
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.
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.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Importance of a Positive Attitude
25 Benefits Of A Positive Attitude as found on www.positive-attitude.com
Here is a list of 25 benefits of a positive attitude. Pass it on. We need energetic, enthusiastic people that are determined to make a positive difference for students and anyone else they come in contact with each day.
1. You are more motivated to get things done and achieve your goals when you have a positive attitude.
2. You expect positive outcomes and results, and you usually get them.
3. Problems are no longer problems, but become opportunities to learn and grow.
4. You have higher self-esteem. You believe in yourself and what you are capable of.
5. You see opportunities where other people see problems.
6. Your thinking is more creative.
7. You have more inspiration and you rely less on others to help motivate you.
8. You are generally much happier.
9. You have much less stress.
10. Your health is better because you are less stressed.
11. Your immune system is stronger.
12. You will live a longer life.
13. You have more friends. Who wants to hang out with somebody who is negative?
14. You are more influential.
15. People will respect you more.
16. You make a better leader or manager.
17. Your significant other will like being around you more.
18. Achieving success is easier and more fun.
19. You have more perseverance since you expect things will turn out well in the end
20. You have more energy. Negativity can really drain you!
21. You will affect others have a more positive attitude. Attitudes are contagious.
22. You bounce back from setbacks much faster.
23. You enjoy your work more.
24. Your kids will like being around you more.
25. You enjoy more success in all areas of life.
Here is a list of 25 benefits of a positive attitude. Pass it on. We need energetic, enthusiastic people that are determined to make a positive difference for students and anyone else they come in contact with each day.
1. You are more motivated to get things done and achieve your goals when you have a positive attitude.
2. You expect positive outcomes and results, and you usually get them.
3. Problems are no longer problems, but become opportunities to learn and grow.
4. You have higher self-esteem. You believe in yourself and what you are capable of.
5. You see opportunities where other people see problems.
6. Your thinking is more creative.
7. You have more inspiration and you rely less on others to help motivate you.
8. You are generally much happier.
9. You have much less stress.
10. Your health is better because you are less stressed.
11. Your immune system is stronger.
12. You will live a longer life.
13. You have more friends. Who wants to hang out with somebody who is negative?
14. You are more influential.
15. People will respect you more.
16. You make a better leader or manager.
17. Your significant other will like being around you more.
18. Achieving success is easier and more fun.
19. You have more perseverance since you expect things will turn out well in the end
20. You have more energy. Negativity can really drain you!
21. You will affect others have a more positive attitude. Attitudes are contagious.
22. You bounce back from setbacks much faster.
23. You enjoy your work more.
24. Your kids will like being around you more.
25. You enjoy more success in all areas of life.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Miscellaneous thoughts, reminders, and observations.........
1) It's hard to believe we only have 40 days of school left as of March 21st. It is highly doubtful, but if we would have another snow day this spring we would add it on to the end of the school year and dismiss our students on Friday, May 20th instead of Thursday, May 19th. Beginning in 2011-12, we will only be granted two "free" snow days before we begin to make up lost time.
2) Mark your calendars for Wednesday, April 13th at 4:00 as we will have a "ribbon cutting ceremony" for our new state-of-the-art greenhouse on the east side of the York High School campus. This facility was graciously donated by Mike Terpstra. It includes unbelievable technology, along with fishery and hatchery components.
3) Congratulations to the YHS Boys' Soccer team for winning the York Invite on March 19th. All Spring activities are off to solid starts.
4) Good luck to our State Speech participants this week. We've had a very strong speech season!
5) We hope to see some new faces at our "YHS Facility Committee" meeting on March 29th at 7 PM in the high school library. Our architects will be showing off some potential facility projects and estimated pricing.
6) Have a great finish to the month of March. We've got a lot of work to do!
GO DUKES!
2) Mark your calendars for Wednesday, April 13th at 4:00 as we will have a "ribbon cutting ceremony" for our new state-of-the-art greenhouse on the east side of the York High School campus. This facility was graciously donated by Mike Terpstra. It includes unbelievable technology, along with fishery and hatchery components.
3) Congratulations to the YHS Boys' Soccer team for winning the York Invite on March 19th. All Spring activities are off to solid starts.
4) Good luck to our State Speech participants this week. We've had a very strong speech season!
5) We hope to see some new faces at our "YHS Facility Committee" meeting on March 29th at 7 PM in the high school library. Our architects will be showing off some potential facility projects and estimated pricing.
6) Have a great finish to the month of March. We've got a lot of work to do!
GO DUKES!
Monday, March 14, 2011
Testing, Testing, Testing.......
The 4th quarter of school has officially started within York Public Schools. The "Ides of March" indeed. Over the next 10 weeks, our students will participate in multiple local, state, and national assessments that are all very important.
We will take the statewide reading test (NeSA-R) and the statewide math test (NeSA-M). We'll also take our NWEA-MAPS assessment. All of this data is analyzed to measure individual student growth, as well as that of our class and grade levels. Giving an excellent effort is one way to show our "Duke Pride."
It is exciting to be part of a data-driven district. We look forward to our students eclipsing the statewide average on all assessments.
Go Dukes!
We will take the statewide reading test (NeSA-R) and the statewide math test (NeSA-M). We'll also take our NWEA-MAPS assessment. All of this data is analyzed to measure individual student growth, as well as that of our class and grade levels. Giving an excellent effort is one way to show our "Duke Pride."
It is exciting to be part of a data-driven district. We look forward to our students eclipsing the statewide average on all assessments.
Go Dukes!
Monday, March 7, 2011
4th Quarter
Our 3rd quarter ends on Friday, March 11th. With that comes the challenge of dealing with numerous school activities, banquets, etc. during the last 25% of our school year. We need all staff and students to stay focused until the end. You don't want your heart surgeon losing focus during the last part of your open-heart surgery. You don't want your bank to lose 25% of your deposits.
Let's work to make great things happen in the 4th quarter.
Go Dukes!
Let's work to make great things happen in the 4th quarter.
Go Dukes!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)