Wakefield School News
Volume 23 Issue 1 August/September 2015
from the superintendent classes begin august 13
Welcome to the
2015-16 school year!
►Annual flag raising Thursday, Aug. 13 at 8:15 a.m. ◄
Welcome back to the 2015-2016 school year at Wakefield Community School.I hope each of you have had a fun-filled summer break vacationing, swimming, barbecuing delicious foods on the grill, playing baseball/softball, reading a book, working or just relaxing. Summer is a unique time for students and staff to get away and recharge as they prepare for another year of learning.
When you come to “Meat and Greet” on August 11th, you will immediately notice a fresh coat of paint in the elementary hallways and new lockers in both elementary hallways. These are awesome looking and will provide storage of student items for many years to come. The main gym also has a new screen and projector which will provide greatly improved learning activities for the district. Thank you to the Gardner Foundation for these improvements.
The summer maintenance crew has been cleaning classrooms and the buildings while you were away. The boys shower room off the main gym has a new shower floor and modified bench area. Both high school math rooms, business classroom, band instrument storage area, and Mrs. Dorcey’s classroom have new ceiling tiles. The restrooms at the high school have new sinks, and two new drinking fountains were installed so that all of you can fill your water bottles with cold
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New staff join educational team
Wakefield Community School welcomes Mrs. Veronica Schmidt as our new 4-6th grade writing instructor. Mrs. Schmidt performed her student teaching last year at Wakefield and her family lives in Homer. Welcome to our team Mrs. Schmidt! Mrs. Annie Ronhovde is our new speech therapist for the upcoming school year. She has moved to Wayne with her family and her husband is a new optometrist in Wayne. Ms. Jennifer Waterman is our new school psychologist replacing Mrs. Wall.
Please take a moment and welcome each of them to their new positions at Wakefield Community School during “Meat and Greet” on August 11.
water (Activities Center Gym and Multi-purpose room). The kitchen is sporting a fresh coat of paint and refurbished mixers. We hope you will take pride in the new upgrades and make the most out of your learning opportunities throughout 2015-16!
Our motto is “Educate, Empower, Aspire” at Wakefield Community School. As your Superintendent, I am committed to ensure that each of you will fulfill our motto during the upcoming academic year. Becoming “educated” is crucial for your future employment opportunities as well as preparing you to enjoy a “quality life.” Being educated requires that you master not only essential core academic skills but also essential life skills for success in your future life as well being adequately prepared to be competitive in our ever changing global society.Providing you a high quality education is the key to “Empowering” you to take advantage of life’s experiences and opportunities, which we hope will “Aspire” you to make a difference in our community, country and world.
I am looking forward to observing in your classrooms and I expect to see you busy learning whether in the classroom, athletic events or various school activities. My office door is always open to students, staff, parents and district patrons if you have suggestions and ideas to improve our school.
I am looking forward to growing and learning together with you in 2015 – 2016!
Mark Bejot, Superintendent
Don’t forget to attend “Meat & Greet” on Tuesday, Aug. 11 – 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Members of the board of education will be serving hot dogs and hamburgers in the school lunchroom to everyone who attends the event.
During this time students are encouraged to bring their school supplies to their classroom and meet their teachers. It is also a time for parents to fill out paperwork and deposit money into student lunch accounts.
In the high school, students and adults will be available to assist with new lockers as well as give tours and hand out class schedules.
Bring your whole family to school and show them where you will be learning and growing for the next nine months. See you there!
Drop off, pick up and school safety
School Entrances
Student safety is a priority issue given the unfortunate times we all live. Two door entrances to school will be accessible to the public during the school day. The main entrance is accessible to the public through the door security system as well as the elementary southeast doors.
The doors in the morning will remain unlocked until school begins at 8:20 a.m. daily. Staff will monitor the doors before and after school. The doors will reopen for parents to pick up students at 3:30 p.m. each day. When you have business at school simply go to the door buzz in system, identify yourself and the nature of your business and one of our receptionists will grant you access. We want you to feel welcome to come to school while maintaining a safe and secure learning environment for all students.
School Parking
Providing accessible safe parking for patrons, staff and students is a concern for everyone. We would ask that you not park along the side of the curb in the circle drive or in the elementary parking lot. These areas are reserved for school buses and school vehicles loading and unloading. If you are planning to pick up your son/daughter from school, please park in the angled parking along the north side of the elementary building on 8th street. Remember that when you visit school, please check into the office and pick up a visitors pass. Keeping students and staff safe is everyone’s business. Thank you for your cooperation.
School lunch prices increase for 2015-16
The Wakefield Board of Education increased school lunch prices by five cents for elementary students for the upcoming 2015–16 school year.
Breakfast meals will remain unchanged at $1.15 for all students and adults. Lunch prices will be $2.95 for adults, $2.40 for students in grades 7–12, and $1.95 for students in grades Pre K–6. If you wish to purchase extra milk the cost will be 30 cents. High school students have the option again this year to purchase “seconds” of one or all of the offered entries for an additional 50 cents each day.
The school lunch program is self-supporting and complies with all state and federal school lunch guidelines. Students qualifying for free or reduced meals last year (2014–15) will begin the year receiving free or reduced lunches. Students qualifying for free or reduced meals must reapply each
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year during the month of August, if you wish to continue receiving lunch at the free or reduced prices. Failure to complete and submit the forms will result in being charged lunches at the full price rate.
PLEASE REMEMBER TO FILL OUT YOUR APPLICATION FOR FREE AND REDUCED LUNCH. Only one form per family is required. Families may pick up lunch application forms at either the high school or elementary offices. Forms will also be available during “Meat and Greet” on Aug. 11. Please send the completed form with your student on the first day of school or feel free to drop the form off at either office. Mrs. Lubberstedt at the high school or Mrs. Anderson at the elementary will input your application information and make the qualifying determination.
Year-long activity
passes available
Wakefield Community Schools offers families and students the opportunity to purchase annual passes for sporting events.
The cost for a family pass (two parents and PK - 12 students) is $150. An adult single pass is $50 and a student pass is $30 for the 2015 – 2016 school year. College students will have to purchase a single adult pass. The goal of these three types of year long passes is to make home events at Wakefield more affordable for students, parents and adults.
The passes will be sold at the high school office and at select home volleyball games. The regular cost of admission to 2015 – 2016 Lewis and Clark Conference games is $5.00 for adults and $4.00 for students.
Family Education
and Privacy Act
The Family Education and Privacy Act generally provides that student records are confidential and not available for public release. However, an educational institution may release directory information after notice has been given of the
categories of information that are designated for release.
Wakefield Community School will not release the names of students to any person or organization for solicitation purposes. Any person or group requesting directory information must state the purpose for which the directory will be used. Wakefield Community School will release the names and information of students for school related events and activities (activity programs, honor roll lists, school news releases, etc.).
If parents or students do not wish to have their name and information released for these purposes, they should bring a written request to the high school principal.
The above statement will serve as official notice to our parents and students.
Notice of non-discrimination
Wakefield Community Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, age, disability, marital status, or based on such protected classes, in admission or access to, or treatment of employment or educational programs and activities.
Any person having information or inquiries regarding any such discrimination is directed to contact Superintendent Mark Bejot, in writing at PO Box 330, Wakefield, NE 68784 or by telephone at (402) 287-2012.
Any person may also contact the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education: by email at ; by telephone at (816)268-0550; or by fax at (816)268-0599, regarding complaints of discrimination based on race, color, national origin, gender, age, disability as well as complaints concerning the denial of access or other discrimination
Principal’s Notes
Jason Heitz, Secondary Principal
School year opens with traditional flag raising
The 2015-2016 school year is upon us! I hope everyone has had an enjoyable summer and I hope you have plans to enjoy your last few days before getting into the swing of the school year.
The first day of school is August 13, beginning with our annual flag raising ceremony at 8:15 a.m. Students in grades 7-12 will go to the main gym for a brief assembly (after the flag-raising) followed by meetings with their class sponsors to review the student handbooks. Students will go to each class on a shortened schedule that day.
Students to receive iPads first week of school
Students in grades 7-12 will be given their iPads during the first days of school. Mr. Heitz and Mrs. Rusk will be going over the iPad handbook with students as well. Students in grades 8-12 will be allowed to take their devices home and must pay the $50 fee. Students in 7th grade are not allowed to take their iPads home. (Parents of 7th graders: you may pay the $50 fee if you wish to have the “insurance” policy with the school. This fee is used to cover the cost of repair on the first damage to the iPad).
PARENTS: The iPad signature forms will now be found at the back of the PARENT-STUDENT HANDBOOK. Please return all necessary forms to the office. If forms are not complete, students will not be given their iPads.
Parents, students reminded of the importance of good attendance
It is a well-known fact that poor attendance at school can lead to poor performance. Students are encouraged to take PRIDE in your school by BEING HERE! Your teachers have exciting and engaging things planned for you this year…but we can’t engage you if you’re not here!
A reminder to parents: please let the office know if/when your child is absent.Notes from the doctor/dentist are always strongly encouraged, and please try to limit your children’s absences if possible.
Band, choir to look
different in 2015-16
High school band and choir will now be offered during the same period this year. The classes will still meet each day, but this means that students can take BOTH band and choir if they wish. For example: if your son/daughter is in choir only (or band only), they will still have class each day. If they are in BOTH classes, they will have those classes on an alternating schedule. This will allow students to take both band and choir, while still being able to take other electives that interest them.
Dress code reminder
A reminder to students and parents that the Dress Code will again be enforced this year.
Some basic dress code rules include: undergarments should not be visible; tank-top straps should be at least one inch wide; shorts should be at least the length of the location of the fingertips when arms are to the sides.
One addition to the dress code: Yoga Pants; Leggings; Tights: the area around the buttocks must be covered.
The Dress Code will be published in the Parent-Student Handbook
IMPORTANT REMINDERS FOR THE START OF THE SCHOOL YEAR
1. Each 8-12 grade student participating in sports, as well as ALL 7th grade students must get a physical and get their immunizations up-to-date
2. Parents, don’t forget to sign all the necessary forms at the back of the Parent-Student handbook. Forms that MUST be signed by all 7-12 parents include:
Student Information form (helps us maintain up-to-date contact info)
iPad forms (“Protection Plan” form for 8-12, “Student Pledge for iPad Use” for 7-12)
Parent-School Learning Compact
Receipt of Student Handbook form
3. Sports passes (family or individual) can be purchased at the main office
4. Students in grades 6-12 who are in a PE class must have PE uniforms (shorts and shirt). If your student needs a new one (or a new size), uniforms can be purchased in the main office.
How to contact us
High School Office Elementary Office
402-287-2012 402-287-9892
Bus BarnOn the Web
402-287-2943
From the Principal’s Pen
Jerad Wulf, K-6 Principal
It is hard to believe that soon we will once again hear the hallways full of laughter and chatter as students are back. I hope you had time to enjoy summer and were able to enjoy time with family and friends. As you walk through the hallways of Wakefield Elementary School you will see a few changes in the building. Classroom teachers have been diligently working in their classrooms to prepare for the upcoming year and the custodial staff have been painting, cleaning and waxing floors to make sure that our facilities look top notch. In addition, you will notice that we had lockers installed, which were funded by the Gardner Foundation.
Pre-school start date Aug. 18
Pre-schoolers will begin school on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2015. This date is a few days later than our K-12 students.
Pre-school staff members will be completing required home visits during those first few days of school. Parents will be asked to sign up for the home visits during the evening of “Meat & Greet” on Tuesday, Aug. 11.
As a reminder, no student will be admitted without the required immunizations and documents. At this time, we are unable to ensure an opening without these items due to the number of children who have been placed on our waiting list.
When your child begins school, please bring them to the main gym no earlier than 7:45 where staff will be available to supervise children.
Elementary to continue
on-line IXL initiative
Wakefield Elementary School will continue our IXL initiative. IXL, an online mathematics and language arts program, will allow all students to participate both during school and at home with a simple login.
School staff will design practice/enrichment activities for students to complete online. If you have internet access, students will simply have to put in their information and complete activities. Teachers will then have the ability to access progress reports to see how students are performing on various skills.
Health run great start to school day!
The Health Run is a daily activity that all students are encouraged to participate in. Students, teachers and community members are invited to run each morning beginning at 7:50 in the main gymnasium. Students are encouraged to wear appropriate shoes to ensure safety and to protect the gym flooring. Those who participate and reach significant milestones will receive some sort of reinforcement over the course of the school year. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to contact the school.
Messaging system helps
keep parents informed
Please notify school of changes
Wakefield Community Schools uses a mass messaging system to notify parents of changes in school schedules or upcoming activities.
Be sure that Mrs. Anderson in the elementary and Mrs. Lubberstedt in the high school have current contact information in order to ensure that you get these messages from the school. Any time you have a change in information, be sure to notify the school so we can keep accurate records.