DATES TO REMEMBER:

5th - K-6 Christmas Concert

9th - FFA Alumni Spaghetti

Feed

12th - Board of Ed Meeting

13th - FFA Christmas Party

and Caroling

15th - 7-12 Christmas Concert

21st - 12:50 pm Dismissal

22nd-31st - NO SCHOOL

Inside this issue:

Music Notes 4

Board Minutes 8

Messenger 10

Principal 2

FFA 7

FCCLA 5

Book Fair 6

Counselor 3

Raider News

Mead Public Schools

From the Superintendents Desk

SCHOOL CLOSINGS AND RAIDER ALERTS/SCHOOL BEACON:

As winter weather approaches, parents are reminded of the various media loca-

tions used for announcing school closing decisions. This information will be re-

printed monthly during the inclement weather season. As a matter of practicali-

ty, the first media source notified with be the district website followed by the

Bank of Mead number followed by the School Beacon/Raider Alerts. Remaining

media sources will be contacted as soon as possible. There have been several

changes to the Raider Alerts program which is now called the School Beacon

and is sponsored by the Bank of Mead. The program is a notification system the

school uses to notify patrons of school closings, early dismissals, cancellations

and other needed alerts.

You may receive notification from School Beacon asking you to verify and/or

update your contact information if you have previously subscribed to the ser-

vice. You can sign up for notification by clicking the School Beacon link at the

school district website at http://www.meadpublicschools.org/

If you were previously signed up last year, you should log onto the site

above and review your information to verify its accuracy and select

which notifications you wish to receive. Your user name is your email ad-

dress and whatever password you used to sign up for the original service. If you

forgot your password, click on the Forgot Password link and they will send you

a temporary password that you can change when you log onto the site.

In addition to advertising school closings through the School Beacon, cancella-

tion notices will also be disseminated through the following media sources:

Bank of Mead – 624-2203. The automated answering service at the bank will be

updated to provide weather related cancelations and closings.

KMTV – Channel 3

WOWT – Channel 6

KETV – Channel 7

KOLN/KGIN – Channel 10

KFAB AM - 1110

FIRST SEMESTER TO END:

The first semester of the 2016-17 school year will end on Wednesday Decem-

ber 21. As of that date, students will have attended 85 days of classes. All build-

ings will be closed for the Nebraska School Activities required break from De-

cember 23-27. Classes for students will resume on Wednesday January 4.

Dr. Dale V. Rawson, Superintendent

Page 2 Raider News

Principal’s Point of View

NeSA Data and ACT Test

Last month I shared quite a bit of data about Mead’s performance on the Nebraska State Accountability

(NeSA) tests. At that time, I did not have access to the overall averages for the district in math, reading,

science, and writing, which gives a good overall picture of how our students are doing. The following table

shows the percent of Mead students that met or exceeded the standard in each subject over the past five

years. To provide some context, the 2015-2016 data for the state’s percentages in included below Mead’s da-

ta. The data indicates that Mead exceeded the state scores in every subject.

Mead Public Schools: Percentage of Students Meeting or Exceeding the State Standard

Nebraska: Percentage of Students Meeting or Exceeding the State Standard

If you have a child in 11th grade, you may have heard that the NeSA tests for that grade have been replaced by

the ACT test. The switch from NeSA to the ACT for 11th grade was mandated by the Nebraska Legislature.

Basically, the ACT is a test to predict college readiness and is used as an admissions guideline by most colleges.

High school juniors and seniors planning to attend four-year colleges and universities typically take the ACT at

least once, and most students take it at least twice. Students are required to pay each time, which brings up

perhaps the best news about this situation: Every 11th grade student in Nebraska will now take the ACT once

without cost! Better yet, Mead students will be able to take the ACT in our building during a regular school

day. In the past, our students had to travel to a nearby school to take the test on a Saturday. Administering

the test in our building should put them in a more familiar environment with people they know, but will still

provide a score that colleges will accept.

Each school has the option of providing the test in the traditional paper-pencil format or on the computer.

Based on feedback from students, we are leaning toward the paper-pencil format. Test dates are April 19 and

May 3. Since the overwhelming majority of students already take the ACT, this will indeed be a great oppor-

tunity to take the test once with no charge!

Data Years Mathematics Reading Science Writing

2011-2012 47 % 66 % 60 %

2012-2013 84 % 80 % 83 % 89 %

2013-2014 73 % 81 % 81 %

2014-2015 82 % 82 % 74 % 65 %

2015-2016 86 % 93 % 77 % 76 %

Data Years Mathematics Reading Science Writing

2015-2016 73 % 82 % 72 % 71 %

Page 3 Raider News

From the Counselor’s Desk

Juniors and Seniors Federal law requires that all men living in the United States register with the Selec-

tive Service within 30 days of their 18th birthday. Now, at 17 years and 3 months, males can submit their

registration information early at www.sss.gov or by filling out a form at the post office. The form takes just

a few minutes. For seniors, there is also a question on the FAFSA form that will allow you to register.

Selective service registration is required to be eligible for student aid, job training, and federal jobs.

Seniors Have you sent in your college applications yet? If not, you need to get them completed by the

semester break! To have a better chance at scholarships for new freshmen, you need to meet each

school’s scholarship deadline. For some schools, that deadline is right around the corner!

Students in grades 10-12 who are planning on applying to the National Honor Society second semester

need to make sure you have 20 hours of community service as well as a cumulative GPA of at least a 92%.

If you need community service ideas or are looking for some opportunities, see Miss Moser. The holiday

season is a great time to give your time and earn some of those community service hours.

Students Do you have a current resume built? If not, go to www.educationquest.org and click on

“Activities Resume.” It is a good idea to keep a running resume as early as ninth grade so you can update

it as you are involved in more activities or as you earn more awards. Many of the scholarships that are due

after January of senior year will require you to have a resume listing activities, awards, community service,

employment, etc. and this is a great resource to help you! Just enter your email address and a password

and it will save your resume for you and allow you to update it; you just need to login or update your re-

sume once every nine months. If you don’t want to use EducationQuest, you may use any MS Word tem-

plate as well.

Seniors: What to expect after you submit your FAFSA

The Early FAFSA opened October 1 so many of you have already completed and submitted your form.

Here’s what happens next:

1. Expect a Student Aid Report (SAR). You’ll receive it via an email link if you provided an

email address on your FAFSA. The SAR acknowledges that your FAFSA was received, and if you need to

take further action to process your FAFSA. This is also what some scholarships agencies need as part of

your application. 2. Make sure you applied for admission to colleges you listed on your FAFSA.

Colleges who receive your FAFSA results typically won’t send you a financial aid package until you’ve applied and have been

accepted to the school.

3. Watch for verification requests. The college(s) you listed on your FAFSA might request

verification of your FAFSA information. If so, send the required documents to the colleges’ financial aid

office. They will either email you or you may need to check your online account “to-do lists” with the

college. 4. Watch for financial aid award notifications. The colleges you applied to – and listed on your FAFSA – will

send you a financial aid award notification detailing the types and amounts of aid they’re offering based on your financial need.

Haven’t completed your FAFSA yet?

No problem! You and a parent can complete the form at FAFSA.gov. Before you start, create an FSA ID

for you and one for a parent at fsaid.ed.gov. You’ll need them to access and sign the FAFSA.

For free help with the FAFSA, watch the FAFSA Demo video on www.educationquest.org, use their free

FAFSA tools, or call EducationQuest to make an appointment:

Omaha office– 888.357.6300 Lincoln office – 800.303.3745

Page 4 Raider News

2016 Midland University Gospel Honors Choir Maylie Brestel, Bailey Davis, Rachel Slobodnik, and Mary Linscomb will be participating in the Midland Uni-versity Gospel Honors Choir Sunday, Nov 6th. The students will each receive a minimum of a $10,000 scholar-ship upon their acceptance to Midland University for participating in the choir. They will be performing with special guest Carol Dennis at the Holland Performing Arts Center in Omaha. This event brings together local youth and community members through gospel music. The performance features Midland University performers and hundreds of hand-selected high school singers from around Nebraska and Iowa. Headlining the event is Carol Dennis, a Broadway performer with appearances in “The Color Purple,” “Big River,” and “The Wiz.” She has also been a backup performer for the Carpenters, Bob Dylan, Kenny Loggins, Bruce Springsteen, and Michael Jackson. IN OTHER MUSIC NEWS: Mary Linscomb, Rachel Slobodnik, and Maylie Brestel have been selected to perform the National An-them at the NSAA State Football D-2 Final Playoff Game at Memorial Stadium on Nov. 21. Mary Linscomb has been selected for the NMEA All-State Choir held in Lincoln Nov 16-18. The final concert will be held at the Lied Center. The Choir director will be Richard Bjella, Director of Choral Stud-ies at Texas Tech University; Conductor.

Page 5 Raider News

The freshman Life skills class planned a leadership event for our FCCLA chapter.

They decided to make Thanksgiving cards for the residents of Saunders Medical

Care Center. Members of the class are Cloe Huckeby, Maylie Brestel, Nathaniel Degerness, and Cali Carritt. Stu-

dents designed the cards, colored them (along with other members of FCCLA) and delivered them to the Care Cen-

ter.

Their second project was to organize a clothing drive for needy people. They are collecting gently used clothing,

coats, and shoes are giving them the Open Door Mission. This drive runs until November 30th. Collected items will

be donated to the Open Door Mission. All items can be dropped off in Mrs. Weiss’ room or either school

office

Annual Mead FFA Alumni Spaghetti Feed

December 9th, 2016

5:00pm-7:30pm

Enjoy Spaghetti,

Salad, Breadsticks,

and Dessert.

Cost: $7 for 13-Adult

$5 for 12-5

4 yrs and Under Free

Page 6 Raider News

Elementary Citizenship The students in the elementary building are being recognized for random acts of good citizenship. Citizenship is based on the characteristics of scholarship, responsibility, leadership and respect of peers and staff. At the end of each month, stu-dents who most consistently display good citizenship are given a certificate.

The recipients of the citizenship award for the month of November are Alina Novak, Jersey Siske, Cooper Greise, Alex Ellison, Alicia Hernandez, Elaine Steinbach, Eva Georgoulopoulus, and Trevor Ellison.

Scholastic Book Fair Coming in December!

The Book Fair will be held December 5 - 8 in the Elementary School Li-

brary.

We will hold our special Family Night event on Wednesday from 5:00 –

7:00. Students are invited to bring their parents, grandparents, and

younger siblings to this event. We will have our special guessing jar

that night and the student with the closest guess will win a free book

from the fair!

If you are interested in volunteering, please call Anne Swanson at 624-

6465 or e-mail astotts@esu2.org. We still need volunteers for the Book

Fair during the week of December 5 – 8. The only day we have volun-

teers is Wednesday, December 7. If you can volunteer on Monday, De-

cember 5, or Tuesday, December 6, or Thursday, December 8. Volunteer

shifts run from 8:30 – 11:30 and 12:30 to 4:00. Shifts can be split if

needed.

We are looking forward to seeing you at our Book Fair!

Page 7 Raider News

Page 8 Raider News

Board of Education Meeting Minutes A Regular Meeting of the Board of Education, District 72, Mead Nebraska, was held Monday November 14, 2016 in the Jr.-Sr. High IMC. President Kuhr called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The following board members were present: Brenda Halbmaier, Rich Kuhr, Janeen Felty and Stephanie Langemeier. Absent Kevin Hough and Nate Mongan.

The Board of Education makes available at least one current copy of the Open Meetings Act posted on the Northwest wall of the meeting room.

The following is a condensed version of the minutes. A complete copy is available for inspection in the Mead Elementary Office.

Principal Quinn reported on Parent Conference, laptops, Fall and Winter sports, Standard Response Protocol and Instructional report.

Superintendent Rawson reported on American Education Week, grant money, radar speed sign, NASB confer-ence, board retreat, windbreak replacement, audit report and board policies.

The following action was taken by unanimous vote: approval of the minutes, bills, and financial reports, con-sent agenda, contract with Kaspar Tree Farms for the Phase 2 replacement of the windbreak north of the foot-ball field with such replacement occurring in 2017, create golf cooperative with Cedar Bluffs, recess into closed session for the prevention of needless injury to the reputation of the superintendent with recognition that such person has not requested a public meeting for the purpose of job performance review at 7:59 pm out at 8:34. Recess into closed session to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining at 8:35 out at 8:44.

President Kuhr declared a recent graduate linkage meeting on January 5, 2016 at 6:00 pm in the High School Library. President Kuhr declared the meeting adjourned at 8:45 pm.

Christmas Concerts K-6 Monday, December 5th

7-12 Thursday, December 15th

Both concerts begin at 7:00 pm in

the High School Auditorium

Page 9 Raider News

School children across the country anxiously anticipate winter break, but sometimes parents don't feel the same way.

Cold weather, cabin fever, and the post-holiday hangover can make those few short weeks seem as if they're dragging

on forever, but with these ideas, you can actually keep everyone entertained — without losing your mind.

Break Out the Holiday Gifts Now is the time to put those Christmas and Hanukkah presents to good use. Break in the new gaming system — even if it means

extra screen time for a few days. Or put those pottery wheels and easy bake ovens to good use before they get tossed to the

back of the closet forever.

Head to the local Fitness Center The frigid temperatures of late December and early January might make you want to stay home where it's warm, but sometimes

you've got to get out. Burn off energy by visiting your local fitness center and letting the kids swim, play basketball, or simply run

in circles as fast as they can.

Plan a Movie Marathon Yes, it's more screen time, but sometimes everyone just needs to veg out and "lay like broccoli" (as Julia Roberts puts it in Pretty

Woman). Choose a movie theme, pop some popcorn, and spend the day on the couch in your pajamas.

Conduct Winter Science Experiments Kids love to play around with science, so try some together. Check out

http://lifestyle.howstuffworks.com/crafts/seasonal/winter/winter-experiments.htm for some great ideas! The Frozen Bubbles are

particularly cool.

Spend Quality Time with Family If you can get vacation time, winter break is a nice time to visit with family that lives out of state. If you can't, make plans to have

your kids spend some extra time with family members who live nearby.

Volunteer Teach your children to value giving back and helping others by volunteering in your community. Deliver meals to the elderly, or-

ganize a food drive for your local food bank, or encourage your kids to come up with some creative ideas of their own.

Feed the Birds Food for the birds is scarce in the winter, so spend an afternoon making a variety of bird feeders and bird seed cookies to set out

in your backyard — and then spend another afternoon admiring and identifying all the birds you attract.

Visit the Library Whether you attend story hour, play educational computer games, or just choose a comfy chair and read, the local library offers

many ways to keep kids entertained over winter vacation.

Play in the Snow Obviously, this depends on the weather, but if you're lucky enough to see snowfall, bundle the kids up and send them out the

door. Even better? Bundle yourself up and show them how a snowball fight is really done.

Ways to Entertain Kids Over Winter Break

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Mead Public Schools

PO Box 158

115 No Elm St

Mead, NE 68041

Phone: 402-624-3435

Fax: 402-624-2069

www.meadpublicschools.org

Mead High School Held on the Red Cross Bus

For an appointment, please contact Dawn Moser at

402-624-3435 or at dmoser@esu2.org

Sponsor Code Mead

Be rewarded for leading efforts that help save lives. Learn more about the High School

Leadership Program today at leader.redcrossblood.org