sign in sign up
<<
Home , Eleventh grade

The Crete Public Schools Foundations for Learning Trust Fund has been in Staff in the Crete Public Schools actively pursue and are existence for the past 16 successful in receiving grants for innovative projects or instruc- years. During this time, tional improvement from outside sources. This summer the alumni, parents and friends of the Crete Public Schools was awarded the Foundations for Learn- Crete Public Schools have donated ing grant. The $248,000 grant money provides family services generously to this fund. Over the past to and children. Currently the school is several years the Trust Fund has received some very generous serving 144 preschool children and 119 kindergarten students. donations from individual estates totaling over $325,823.00. The This grant will help provide many needed services for families money that is collected is used for scholarships, special school with young children. projects and general support of the Crete Public Schools. This past year the Trust Fund distributed $38,550 in 53 scholarships to gradating seniors. These scholarships help graduates at colleges, universities, technical schools and other advanced educational venues. The Trust Board consists of 12 volunteer members of the Crete community and Crete High School alumni. This board TeamMates, a youth mentoring program created by meets three times annually to manage Trust dollars. The Trust former Representative Tom Osborne and his wife, Board could not exist without the generous donations of Crete Nancy, has successfully completed its eighth year in Schools’ friends. If citizens are interested in donating to this Crete Middle and High School. We finished the year fund, contributions can be sent to: The Crete Trust Fund, 920 with 72 mentor/mentee matches. Volunteer adults rete Public Schools Linden, Crete, Nebraska 68333. Further information about are paired with students to foster positive character develop- the Crete Public Schools Trust Fund can be gained by calling ment. Students (mentees) are matched with adults (mentors) 2006-2007 Annual Report 826-5855 or 474-1005. Brochures and information about the who have similar interests or life experiences. In one-hour time Trust Fund will be mailed on request to interested patrons. segments, mentors and mentees spend one-on-one time dur- Preschool Programs ing the school day. Ideally, the mentor/mentee pair will stay together through graduation. They focus on good decision- Educational services for children ages birth to five are very OUR MISSION making skills, goal setting and positive social interaction. valuable. Crete has been a leader in the State for providing This is the third year Crete TeamMates had graduating se- The mission of the Crete Public early childhood programs. Families have benefited greatly niors. Three of the eight graduates applied for and received a Schools is to achieve excellence from several grant funded preschool programs. As the State of $500 TeamMate Scholarship. in education, to provide an Nebraska increases funding opportunities, Crete will continue Sunday, April 22, Doane College Fuhrer Fieldhouse was the to investigate additional experiences for these young children. opportunity to develop each site for the statewide Walk-A-Thon. Crete was one of 54 com- The 2006-07 school year included programming for munities across the state that participated. Over 225 people student’s maximum potential, approximately 126 children. The majority of the students walked one hour in support of the time mentors spend with to develop the unique attended one of six available center-based held at their mentees. Over $2,350 was raised through donations by capabilities of all students, and either the Blue River Family Center or within the elementary local business people and by walkers who paid a participa- building. Children had to have qualified for the free service to instill knowledge and skills tion fee. Lunch and other materials were provided by Pamida, by meeting one or more of the following criteria: identified Crete True Value Hardware, Time Warner Cable, Farmland, necessary for each student to handicapping condition, limited English speaking, financial Coca-Cola, Crete FoodMart and Sun Mart Foods. be productive and adaptive in need or another risk factor. our changing world. All of the early childhood services strive to engage children and are developmentally appropriate. Parents are strongly It’s Never Too Early encouraged to be active partners and home visits are common If parents suspect that their child isn’t developing, as he/she should, it’s impor- place in order to promote communication. Please feel encouraged tant to get another opinion as soon as possible to see if a problem really does exist. to contact the school if you are interested in learning more about Parents can turn to a variety of places for help: doctors, health clinics, school districts, Beliefs and Values the available programs. and community agencies. H Education is the cornerstone research and technologies, and While some professionals may believe that the child will outgrow a problem, it’s of society and is the combined the development of critical better to provide help early to make sure that the child has a better chance of success. responsibility of the family, thinking skills necessary for a Many children do not “outgrow” the problem--they may need extra help through early school, and the community. changing world. intervention. H Effective schools have effective H A positive learning climate The Crete School District and the Educational Service Unit #6 Preschool Interagen- leadership. enhances learning. cy Coordinating Council have a service called Child Find designed to identify children H The educational process should (birth to age 3) who may be at risk for learning and could benefit from special services. H A school should provide for the allow for the preservation of the Children who display trouble with learning, moving, playing, hearing, seeing, and talking unique needs of students by unique heritage of each student. may qualify to receive free assistance. All children develop at different rates. allowing each student equal If a child is found eligible for services, an Individual Education Program (IEP) will opportunities to achieve his/her H The Crete Public Schools holds Inside be developed to help meet the child’s special needs. The program will build on the fullest potential. an uncompromising commitment Board of Education/District Data...... 2 child’s strengths and improve areas of weakness. The program will provide support, H A student should be well-rounded to excellence. State Standards and Assessments...... 3 encouragement, and assistance for parents in working with their child. scholastically, socially, and H The school is accountable to District Data...... 3 physically, and have a desire to Notice of Nondiscrimination ensure that each student achieves Year of the Cardinal...... 4, 5 Crete Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, learn as a lifelong vocation with a at a level commensurate with ability. marital status, or age in admission or access to, or treatment of employment in, its programs or activities. commitment to excellence. Class of 2007/Rigorous ...... 6 It is the intent of Crete Public Schools to comply with both the letter and the spirit of the law in making H Credits Competent and caring teachers are Budget Briefs...... 7 certain discrimination does not exist in its policies, regulations, and operations. Grievance procedures have The 2006-2007 Crete Public Schools Annual Report was developed by CPS staff members and printed H A school’s curriculum and the primary catalysts of learning. been established for anyone who feels discrimination has been shown by Crete Public Schools. by the Crete News, Crete, Nebraska, for distribution to the entire Crete School District patronage. instruction should reflect current Crete Public Schools Trust...... 8 Inquires regarding grievance procedures or the application of these policies of nondiscrimination can be Photos by: CPS Staff, Crete News Design & Writing: Kyle McGowan, CPS Staff, Jo-Jayne Wielage obtained by contacting Sandra Rosenboom, 920 Linden Ave., Crete NE 68333 or call 826-5855 for Title IX, Title Layout & Graphic Arts: Jo-Jayne Wielage, Joan Allen VI, Section 504. 8 Crete School Board Budget Briefs The school board consists of six members who are elected to serve for a four-year term. The election Where the money comes from… Where the money goes… and therefore terms are staggered so as to ensure the smooth transition of new members. Meetings are advertised in Local sources including property taxes which ac- The General Fund expenditures for the 2006-2007 were $14,099,224. advanced and follow all established open meeting laws required counted for 43.9% of the revenue for the 2006-2007 Instructional costs, including books, teacher salaries, and classroom by Nebraska legislative statute. Regular board meetings are school year. Total revenue was $14,743,290. About equipment, accounted for the largest portion of the budget. Special edu- located at 920 Linden Ave. and held the second Monday of each 44.9% of the income was from state sources, mainly cation costs are also for direct instruction of students. Salaries and ben- month beginning at 6:30 p.m. State Aid to Education. efits for counselors, media specialists, nurses and extra-duty sponsors Establishing school policy to promote the mission and goals of the Title I programs, adult education, vocational educa- district are the primary purposes of a school board. The six members Board Members (front) Kim Buser, Dr. Laura Ebke-Secretary, and coaches, as well as library supplies and guidance supplies make up tion, grants, U.S. Department of Education, and private are each involved in multiple committees which review and prioritize Matt Hanson-President, Dr. Tom King, Dennis Isernhagen; (back) the pupil and staff services section of the budget. District services in- Bill Lorenz-Vice President, Superintendent Kyle McGowan. such needs as curriculum, school finance, personnel and buildings foundations, and preschool programs make up the fed- clude salaries and benefits for all office secretaries and administrators at and grounds. The public is always welcome to provide input during eral/grant portion. the district, elementary and high school sites as well as office supplies, meetings and may request an issue to be placed upon the agenda one Message from the Superintendent furniture, equipment and reference materials. Utilities, building up- week prior to a regularly scheduled meeting. keep and custodial costs are included as maintenance/operations costs. January 7, 2008 Legal expenses, audits, insurance, accounting and financial salaries are Demographics The purpose of this report is to provide a snapshot of Crete Public included in general business. Crete schools offers the majority of student programming at Schools during the 2006-2007 school year. It is important for the three sites. The elementary building serves children in grades kin- community to have a good understanding of what is taking place dergarten through 5th and had an enrollment of 623 students. The within the schools. Nebraska schools are becoming much more middle school consists of approximately 350 6th, 7th and 8th grad- adept at collecting relevant data and using such information to ers. Students in grades 9 through 12 attend the high school. The assure continual improvement. 2006-07 enrollment at the high school was 506 Additional services The release of the Annual Report at this time allows us to include for students will sometimes take place in off-site areas and include: final statistical information from the previous school year. This Adult Basic Education, General Eqivalency Diploma, English as a pamphlet will never be as comprehensive as a visit or conversations Second Language, Even Start and preschool programs. with district personnel and we invite all of our patrons to do both The Nebraska Schools Activities Association (NSAA) classifies whenever possible. Please feel free to contact me personally if you Crete as a “Class B” high school in their six classification system. have any questions. Currently 32 schools make up Class “B” and Crete is within the Sincerely, median range in terms of student enrollment. The district offers a Kyle McGowan wide variety of activities and clubs well beyond the supervision of the NSAA. In addition to athletics and fine arts many clubs such as World Language, Future Scientists, Robotics, Mock Trial, etc. are Cost of Educating Students Enrolled enjoyed by high school students. The elementary and middle school also promotes positive activities which encourage academic and Crete’s Students K-12 physical development. 1995-96 $4,839.27 1996-97 1,402 1996-97 $4,830.50 1997-98 1,396 1997-98 $4,823.83 Asian/Pacific American Indian/ 1998-99 1,411 Islanders, 53 1998-99 $5,146.61 Alaskan Native, 3 1999-00 1,360 1999-00 $5,535.22 2000-01 1,436 2000-01 $5,660.92 Learning about our CPS Students by the Numbers 2001-02 1,424 Hispanic, 2001-02 $6,190.10 • The school conducts 5 preschools which serve over 128 • 86% of the 2007 graduating seniors plan to attend post- 554 2002-03 1,439 children. secondary schools. 2002-03 $6,532.36 • 132 children were enrolled in the CCLC before and after • 95% of the students are proficient on the math 2003-04 1,459 2003-04 $6,857.12 school program. state standards. White, not 2004-05 1,455 • Over 200 students in grade PreK -12 participated in summer • The girls’ basketball team are the state runners up with a 2004-05 $7,322.09 school activities. Hispanic, 25-1 record; a new school record for wins in a single season. 961 2005-06 $7,983.96 2005-06 1,453 • CHS students collected 1,500 canned food items for the Food Bank. • 98% of the students are proficient in the social The state average cost 2006-07 K-12 1,479 studies state standards. Black, not Hispanic, 20 per pupil for 2005-06 was • Over 100 students were served in our English Language • 95% of our students’ parents attended elementary parent- $8,509.86 Preschool 126 Learners programs. • Eight languages were spoken at Crete Elementary. teacher conferences. • Our students ate 176,897 hot lunches. • An average of 85 students attended the Cardinal Zone after- • Six students traveled to Georgia to compete in the National school program each day. 2006-2007 District Profile Robotics competition. • The Booster Club provided over $12,000 of athletic District Characteristics • Special education services were provided for 227 students contributions. District Data State district Statistics from age 0-21. • Over 200 grandparents and senior citizens visited the Poverty Percentage 36.42% 33.88% • Crete Elementary students read 11,000 books during the English Langauage Learners Percentage 6.49% 33.11% elementary. second semester. Special Education Percentage 14.95% 11.89% • TeamMates finished the year with 72 mentor/mentee Mobility Percentage 12.64% 30.61% • 68 students have graduated from the Alternative Education program since it started in 1999. matches. Graduation Rate Percentage 88.76% 90.48% • 374 students in grades 9-12 participated in activities. Attendance Percentage 94.77% 95.89% • Fourteen adult students graduated from the GED program in May 2007.

2 7 Class of 2007 Rigorous Curriculum State Standards and Assessments No Child Left Behind/ State standards tests are given in math, reading, , and Adequate Yearly Progress On May 12, 2007, 114 students graduated from Crete The advent of No Child Left Behind (NCLB) legislation placed great emphasis upon assuring all students met minimum social studies throughout each student’s educational career and High School. Fifty-nine (59) students were female and 55 were reported to the Nebraska Department of Education. The system No Child Left Behind serves as a federal accountability sys- proficiency standards. This is certainly a valid mission and is male. Thirteen (13) students completed their requirements at is called STARS, which stands for School-based, Teacher-led, As- tem used to evaluate student academic performance nation- mid-term and two students finished their graduation require- a goal which has been addressed since the beginning of the sessment and Recording System. The tests are benchmarked at wide. Crete Public Schools has earned ratings of “met,” the ment through the Alterative Education Program. We are an- teaching profession and will continue throughout time. grades 1, 4, 8, and 11 for math and reading and at grades 5, 8, and highest rating possible, in all categories of evaluation, which ticipating that four (4) additional students will finish their Educational statements referring to “all students” must 11 for science and social studies. include: graduation requirements during summer school and will re- respond to the importance of challenging proficient and • Student achievement in math, reading, and writing at the ceive their diploma sometime in July. advanced learners as well. Crete Public Schools strives to Crete Students elementary school and middle school At the time of graduation, seniors indicated plans for their assure opportunities for the many students who require Reading, Math, Science & Social Studies skills • Student achievement in math and reading at the high school • Student participation rate in assessments at the elemen- immediate future. The chart indicates students’ choices with rigorous curriculum and challenging experiences. The regard to future plans and post- selection. 2006-07 Percent of tary school, middle school, and high school. following list describes the existing classes qualifying for Students Proficient Math reading science social In comparing this year’s post-secondary selection to the 2006 • Quality of the assessments used to measure student achieve- on State Standards S studies graduating class, there was a decline of 3% in students electing college credit. Crete does require a world language curriculum ment at the elementary, middle school, and high school to go a 2-year college and a 4% increase of our students who in the K-8 classrooms. The district offers four years of high 85% 76% NA NA • Graduation rate at Crete High School school Spanish and German. plan to attend a four-year college. This is the first time in the Fourth Grade 95% 96% NA NA The No Child Left Behind goals for student proficiency last four years that we have seen a shift in students’ choice of Rigorous Academic Opportunities NA NA 94% 92% in each category and the percent of students at Crete Pub- post-.  Approved Advanced Placement Courses: Eighth Grade 89% 93% 91% 98% lic Schools who met proficiency are listed in the table below. • Statistics Eleventh Grade 86% 88% 88% 79% Also listed is the high school graduation rate, an additional • factor used to determine high school level ratings. • Soc Voc Tech Norm-Referenced Test NCLB Percent NCLB Percent NCLB Percent 28% Doane • Spanish Math of CPs reading of CPS Additional of CPS 16% Students take part in norm-referenced testing in grades 3-8, Goals students Goals students Goals students Doane  Academic Competitions: Many additional clubs and where they take the Stanford test. High school students take Proficient Proficient Meeting UNL organizations exist within the school; however, these in Math in Reading Goal 12% UNL part in the PLAN test their sophomore year. The elementary and Other 4 year school activities participate in competitions throughout the year. middle school tests include math, language arts, social studies Elem. 74% 86% 72% 91% Writing 88% Other 2 year school • Mock Trial and science while the PLAN at the includes math, School Proficiency SCC Transfer SCC transfer • Robotics language arts, and science, but not social studies. Thousands of 62% 6% Sec Voc Tech • Club schools all over the administer the PLAN and the Middle 69% 86% 71% 93% Writing 89% Other 2 year Other 4 year • Math Counts Stanford tests. Benchmark years are set at grades 4, 8, and 10. School Proficiency school 4% school 34% • History Day 62% Average National Percentiles for Crete Public Schools High 72% 92% 75% 92% Graduation 90% • Quiz Bowl School Rate 84% • Speech test Math reading science social High School Graduation Rate  Dual Credit Classes: 100 level/freshman courses can be studies Years State District ______taken at Doane College in order to receive college credit; The federal legislation mandates that by 2014, 100% of all stu- Fourth Grade Stanford 53% 55% 61% 60% 2001-02 85.30% 89.52% however, certain criteria must be met in order to additionally dents will pass the reading, math, and writing assessments 2002-03 85.80% 89.47% receive high school credit. Eighth Grade Stanford 56% 48% 57% 54% at grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8, and pass the math and reading assessments at grade 11. Schools that miss the required goals 2003-04 87.48% 94.55% Additionally, college credit can be obtained by taking the Tenth Grade PLAN 58% 55% 59% NA face federal sanctions. 2004-05 88.04% 92.39% following courses offered: 2005-06 88.76% 90.48% ______College Writing Advanced Literature Advanced Biology Statewide Writing Test Valedictorians Trig & Pre Calculus In late January each school year, fourth, eighth, and eleventh grade Comparison: Percent of Students proficient on Calculus Probability & Statistics students at CPS participate in the Nebraska Department of Education Statewide Writing Test Accounting I Computer A+ Certified Technician Statewide Writing Test. Crete students show strong results year after year 2006-2007 Accounting II Computer Trends & Technology on the writing assessment at all three grade levels and have improved Welding I Win 2000/03 Systems Engineer 100% scores considerably since the test was begun statewide in 03-04. Welding II The assessment is a two-day writing exercise with forty minutes The district has reported the addition of several academic 80% allotted each day. On the first day students are given a topic to address, activities to balance the current athletic offerings. Extra- such as the following 2007 fourth grade prompt: “Helping others is curricular activities such as Mock Trial, Robotics, Quiz Bowl, important. Think about a time when you helped someone. It could be a time 60% 86% 88% 90% 89% 91% 90% Math Counts, etc. continue to grow in student participation and when you helped a friend, a teacher, a neighbor, someone in your family, or even success. The activities promote additional academic challenges. someone you didn’t know very well. What happened? Write a story using details The future for Crete includes providing students with 40% so that anyone who reads it will understand what happened when you helped this supervised on-line classes which will allow for greatly expanded person.” offerings and flexible scheduling. The 2008-09 school year will Fourth grade students write narrative essays, eighth grade students 20% include Career Academies. The short description of these off- descriptive essays, and eleventh grade students persuasive essays. site focus classes allows students to enroll in a program directed Students write rough drafts on day 1 of the test. On day 2 students’ toward a particular profession. For example; the Crete Area 0% rough drafts are returned to them for editing and revision, and they Medical Clinic may be hosting a Career Academy regarding the 4th Grade 8th Grade 11th Grade produce their final copies. medical profession. Students from surrounding areas would The tests are submitted to the Nebraska Department of Education, where be able to attend as our students may attend other neighboring State of Nebraska Crete they are graded by Nebraska educators. Results are reported back to districts districts hosting an academy. who release scores to individual students and their parents. 6 3 Look What’s Happening in Crete Public Schools Athletics

YEAR OF THE CARDINAL School and community members often referred to the 2006-2007 school year as “Year of the Cardinal”. Crete teams enjoyed many successes. Activities are an opportunity to extend the lessons taught in the classroom. Whether or not it is athletics, fine arts or academic competitions, participants must combine their intelligence, coordination and teamwork in order to perform at the highest level. The list below is not complete; however, several highlights are noted. • Football: State Class B Champions for 2006. • Wrestling: Conference Champions - District Champions - The team’s 4th place finish at State was a record best in the history of the school. • Speech: The Speech team garnered their third Conference Championship in the past five years. Two State Champions in Will Drevo and Jennifer Ebke. • Honor Choir: A high school student auditioned with hundreds of vocalists from Nebraska and Colorado to win one of eighty covenanted positions on the Nebraska Wesleyan Honor Choir. • Basketball: Both the boys and girls teams won their Conference and District Championships and competed in the State tournament. • County Spelling Bee: The elementary and middle school continued their streak of 15+ years of producing champion spellers in Saline County. • Math Counts: A team of 7th and 8th graders finished 6th in a state math competition, winning a trophy for the best finish by a new school. • History Day: Two high school students placed 2nd and 3rd in the Senior Exhibit category of this regional competition hosted by Doane College. • Robotics Team: The high school team competed for the first time and won their first two preliminary trials. The team qualified in Regional competition to compete in National competition which was held in Atlanta, Georgia. School is about learning. A great deal of learning and application is taking place when students are involved in these events.

4 5