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 preschool and kindergarten 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 preschools 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 Notice of Nondiscrimination physically, and have a desire to ensure that each student achieves Crete Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, Year of the Cardinal .................................................. 4, 5 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 Curriculum .............................. 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