-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Warrior
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Weeping Water, NE — March -May 2017
____________________________________________________________________________
From the Superintendent’s Desk
By. Ken Heinz
__________________________
Wow, I know that I think this every year and
remark how it seems like this year passed faster
than the last, but goodness, this is crazy. Here
we are again, the final newsletter of the year and
I’m emphatically asking myself once again
“Where has the year gone?” Holy heck, this
must be what my elders meant when they said to
just wait, time really flies the older you get. I
never quite bought into it but, I’m kind of
getting in now. And for those younger than me
out there laughing, just wait! That
notwithstanding, our seniors will depart these
hallowed halls of WWHS for the last time in less
than a week, taking with them memories and
experiences to cherish for a lifetime. It truly has
been an enjoyable and pleasurable experience
for me to have watched these seniors grow and
mature even over these past five years. I am
very proud of them and their many
accomplishments and am very grateful to be able
to say that I was able to be a small part of their
lives.
While our thoughts and hopes certainly go
with our graduating seniors as they embark upon
their futures, we remain focused on the
immediate and long-term future needs of our
remaining student body. Educational research
tells us that students lose ground educationally
during the months of summer vacation. There
are some things that we as parents can do to
reduce some of the regression that typically
occurs over the summer months. I have shared
some of these thoughts with you in the past but
think they are worth sharing again.
*** Have your child (ren) continue to read
during summer vacation. At least once a week
make a visit to the public library and allow your
student to pick out reading material. If they
have plenty to read at home it should provide
some of the incentive necessary to keep them
reading.
*** Family vacations with an
educational theme are helpful ways to keep
students learning and stretching their minds. A
trip to the Henry Doorly Zoo or the Strategic Air
Command Museum would be examples of
family opportunities to keep students engaged
academically.
*** Watching the news with your child
(ren) and discussing what is going on in the
world and our community gets them thinking
about current events and local civic issues.
Challenge your child (ren) to solve community
problems.
*** A possible summer excursion could
be having your child (ren) visit your place of
employment. Some of our students are quite
limited in what they know regarding careers and
future employment. The more places they are
able to visit and learn about, the better they
become at mapping out the direction they want
to go in their lives.
I am also pleased to share with you that
Happy Hearts Weeping Water Daycare will
open before this school year ends and will be in
full operation this summer and next fall. Pam
Hart, who owns and has done an outstanding job
of running the daycares in Plattsmouth and
Conestoga for many years, is doing the same for
us here. We appreciate her willingness to work
with us and are very excited about the assistance
and support that this will provide for our
families and students here in Weeping Water
Public Schools. If you have any questions about
this opportunity, please contact us here at school
and we will get you the necessary information.
Finally, I would like to congratulate our
graduating seniors and their parents. It has been
a long and sometimes arduous journey, filled
with much success, joy, and happiness, as well
as trials, tribulations, and disappointments.
Seniors, you have persevered. Parents, you have
“survived.” But everyone, in some way, has
grown from his or her experiences. You are
truly very deserving of the many congratulations
and accolades bestowed upon you. I am very
proud of and happy for all of you.
CONGRATULATIONS!
In closing, I would like to share with all
parents of our future graduates the following
poem, one of several I had hanging on my
refrigerator for many years while my children
were still in school that helped me keep my time
and priorities in a proper perspective. Please
read it over and keep the theme of this poem in
mind. I openly express my firm belief that
children are our most precious gift. The wise
person also understands that they are our future
and time devoted to the cause now will pay great
dividends in the long run.
I hope everyone has a great summer that
proves to be rewarding, refreshing, and
invigorating – and remember, everyone keep
reading. ENJOY!
- Ken Heinz
TO MY GROWN UP SON
My hands were busy through the day,
I didn’t have much time to play
The little games you asked me to.
I didn’t have much time for you.
I’d wash your clothes, I’d sew and cook,
But when you’d bring your picture book
And ask me please to share your fun,
I’d say: “A little later, son.”
I’d tuck you in all safe at night
And hear your prayers, turn out the lights,
Then tiptoe softly to the door –
I wish I’d stayed a minute more.
For life is short, the years rush past,
A little boy grows up so fast.
No longer is he at your side,
His precious secrets to confide.
The picture book is put away;
There are no longer games to play,
No good-night kiss, no prayers to hear –
That all belongs to yesteryear.
My hands once busy now are still –
The days are long and hard to fill.
I wish I could go back and do
The little things you asked me to.
(Author Unknown)
Respect=Yourself,
Others, Property,
Learning
From Principal Wockenfuss’s Desk
2016-2017
By. Gary Wockenfuss
__________________________
The end of school is in sight on May 18 with
students, staff and parents making a sprint to the
finish with all the year-end activities that are
planned. All of the emotions that go with the end
of the school year are mounting and to be
perfectly honest, this feeling happens each year.
Working in a school is a very dynamic and
rewarding experience. There are so many great
things that happen each day in our building and
our students constantly amaze me. Our students
see the world with fresh eyes, set goals, work to
achieve their dreams. While the life of an
educator is fun, there are also challenges that we
all face on a daily basis. We know about the
significant struggles students face both on and
off campus. This knowledge pushes me to do
whatever I can to make their experience at
Weeping Water Public Schools as great as it can
be. I do this because I care about our students
and their potential for success.
Life in a school is representative of life
outside of school. It is never perfect and it is
filled with bumps in the road that we must learn
to navigate. WWPS staff and I continue to help
meet the needs of students, parents, and our
community. We work to provide a safe and
healthy environment with the resources we have
and we care about the safety and emotional wellbeing of every student in our building.
Passing classes and graduation what counts?
I want to remind you that it is important that
students and parents stay on top of the semester
grades, which counts for moving from one grade
to another towards that step graduation.
If you are unpleasantly surprised by your
child’s grades, don’t flip out. Here are some
Do’s and Don’ts when your child fails to meet
the grade:
Do’s:
a. Be calm and talk to your child about the
problem.
b. Emphasize the positive no matter how
small it is.
c. Talk about how things can be better for
their future.
d. Make a plan with them, suggestions,
homework, and check over work.
e. Look behind the grade. Could it be an
eye problem, attention issue, learning
disability, hearing etc.?
f. Encourage your child always to try their
best, regardless of the grade earned.
Don’t:
a. Lose your cool.
b. Focus only on the bad things.
c. Use the report card to judge your child’s
future “You will never amount to
anything”.
d. Leave it totally up to your child to figure
out how to do better.
e. Forget to look at all the reason why your
child isn’t doing well.
f. Assume A’s reflect students best.
g. Think a poor report card means you’re a
poor parent.
Lost and Found clothing articles
We continue to gather clothing articles, book
bags, shoes, etc. that many students are leaving
behind before they go home each day. Please
check your child’s closet to see if they missing
any clothing, as we have a lost and found box
both in the elementary and high school hallways.
Summer Things:
What to do this summer with your child? Go
to the school website;
www.weepingwaterps.org, *click District tab,
*click administration, *click on Gary
Wockenfuss, *click parent corner for summer
things to do.
As we are finishing our school year, I want to
encourage all parents/guardians who may be
concerned about their student’s academic
progress to contact their respective teachers. Our
teachers can be reached via phone or email.
Teacher contact information is listed on their
respective web pages, which can be located
under district page then click on “Staff Pages”
on the WWPS Home Page
(http://www.weepingwaterps.org) for this
information.
DO remember all of us can create a good
home where children can learn and grow. The
rest is up to them.
“It is a Great Day to Be A Weeping Water
Indian!”
-Mr. Wockenfuss
We Are Proud
By. Dawn DeTurk, Administrator
__________________________
The students at Weeping Water Public
Schools have probably been talking a lot about
the tests that they are taking at school. Recently,
our students have been taking the state tests
(NeSA), the ACT and the majority are also
taking the Measurement of Academic Progress
(MAP) assessment. Some of these tests are
required by the state and others we give to show
growth. We are very proud to report that our
students are making gains. Below are the graphs
the school improvement team shared when we
had our external visit in March. We have
surpassed the state average in the areas of
reading and science on the state test.
You can find more great information on the
school website under the District tab labeled
School Improvement Site or on the state website
at: http://nep.education.ne.gov
Records requested, in writing only, will be
available for review beginning June 15, 2017 at
Weeping Water Public Schools for 10 days.
Destruction of these records will begin on July
15, 2017.
Upon review, a copy of any information
contained in the record will be provided to the
parent/guardian. If no parent or guardian
responds to this public notice, the school district
will assume consent to destroy the entire record
specific to the student.
If you do not understand this notice or are in
need of interpretation, please contact the District
Office at 402-267-2445.
Weeping Water Pre-K Program
From the Special Education Department:
Notice is hereby given that Weeping Water
Public School intends to destroy the records of
all students who exited its special education
program either during or prior to the 2011-2012
school year. Pursuant to section 009.03M1 of
Nebraska Rule 51, all special education records
dated for students who graduated or received a
certificate of completion from Weeping Water
Public School District in May of 2012 or earlier
will be destroyed as of August 1, 2017.
The purpose of destruction is to protect the
student from improper and unauthorized
disclosure of the confidential information
contained within the file. Please note that the
student, parent or guardian for social security
benefits or other purposes may need certain
records.
By: Rebecca Burch
__________________________
The Pre-K celebrated week of the young
child the week of April 24th. Here are some of
the fun things we did to celebrate throughout the
week:
*Tuesday morning we had a presenter from
the Rose Theater come and read "One Fish, Two
Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish" by Dr.
Seuss. Students then put their acting skills to the
test and pretended to be a sad or mad fish, old or
new fish and they took a pretend tour (in our
rooms) of an aquarium that had some of the fish
that Dr. Seuss included in his book. Our Pre-K
students really enjoyed the presentation!
*We had our Open House on Tuesday night
where families were invited to come and visit
the Pre-K rooms and get their children registered
for next year's Pre-K Program.
*On Thursday we visited the Miss Endorf's
Family Consumer Science students and they
planned a healthy snack that we put together and
made it look like a butterfly. Then they got to
eat their snack. We also visited Mrs. Cejka's
room where we made cherry blossom branches
and wrapped up in the band room where Mr.
White had his high school students show us how
they play their different instruments.
Kindergarten
By: Mrs. Schafer and Mrs. Wilson
__________________________
Kindergartners have been striving to finish
this school year STRONG! We have finished
our reading as well as math series and are
working on additional skills to prepare them for
First Grade. Our kindergartners have learned to
make good choices, follow school rules, and be
a good friend. Kindergarten Celebration will be
held on Tuesday, May 9th. You are welcome to
join us to help us celebrate our young learners.
Mrs. Schafer and Mrs. Wilson
First Grade
By: Mrs. Meeske
__________________________
The First Graders have been very busy
working hard to prepare for Second Grade. We
have been learning how to add and subtract with
regrouping and enhanced our reading skills. We
are finishing up our end of the year tests and
“rocking” them.
We were able to have a person come from
The Rose Theater and do a workshop with us
using the Dr. Seuss book And to Think That I
Saw It On Mulberry Street. We learned all what
parts of their bodies that actors need to use and
we practiced using these parts. We then listened
to the story. When the story was over we were
able to choose what we would see on Mulberry
Street and we each became the character that we
chose. Thank you to the PTO for sponsoring this
event for us.
Thank you to all of the parents for sharing
your child with me this year and for your
support. You have great kids and I am looking
forward to watching them grow and excel in the
future years. Together we do make a difference!
Second Grade
Mrs. Stacy Bickford
__________________________
The second grade has had a very busy winter!
We also gained another student, Annibel this
semester! We are excited to have her at WWPS!
Our school improvement goals continue to
focus on math and writing. We are getting more
comfortable with our new math & science
programs as well. We, as teachers, are excited to
be reviewing new Social Studies materials to
select for our school too! We have been busy
writing every day as well! It’s great to have
goals to work towards & it’s awesome to see the
scores going up! I am extremely happy to see all
the hard work paying off!
Second grade would like to thank all of the
parents for the support we have received for
parties, activities and any other donations we
have asked for this year. We had a wonderful
(although cold and rainy) day for our field trip at
the end of April when we went to the Omaha
Henry Doorly Zoo! The students worked hard to
sell calendars and their efforts were rewarded!
Fifth Grade
By. Shelly Meghini
__________________________
WOW! Here we are already, with our 4th
quarter almost over! Although it has been
sporadic weather, having 4” of rain one day and
an 80-degree day the next, we still have
continued diligently with our journey in
learning.
In Language Arts, we just finished writing
pieces of poetry for The American Library of
Poetry contest! We LOVED doing this, and
hopefully in September we will possibly have
good news of a winner or two! We also continue
to do journaling, and our creative writing
pieces. We just finished our Basil readers and
have now started reading a novel entitled,
George’s Marvelous Medicine. The kids are
thoroughly enjoying this crazy twist of a book
from author Roald Dahl.
In Math, we just finished adding and
subtracting fractions. We have now moved into
multiplying and dividing them, along with
conquering mixed numbers and improper
fractions. The kids have decided that fractions
aren’t NEAR as tough as they thought they
would be!!  We continue to talk daily about
how very important it is to have our basic math
facts MEMORIZED! Please continue to study
them! Again, it’s NEVER too late to learn
them!
The kids have shown a great deal of
perseverance in continuing to master a number
of different concepts. Keep working hard! Also,
I continue to encourage all of our Math kids to
practice skills on their IXL accounts to reinforce
what we do daily in the classroom. It is a
terrific tool to practice a variety of skills and
enhance their learning of many of these Math
concepts. This is ALSO available for them to do
over the summer! Don’t lose ground on how
FAR you’ve come!
In Science, our fifth graders current unit of
study is "Earth and Space." Ask a fifth grader to
explain the difference between a meteoroid and
a meteorite.  The kids are very excited to be
learning about SPACE right now! We took and
AMAZING field trip to SAC Museum and did
cool activities, and visited the planetarium.
HAPPY SPRING from all the Fifth Grade!!
Sixth/eighth Grade Math
By. Mrs. Mozena
__________________________
Wow, another year is about to come to a
close. It is so hard to believe how fast the time
seems to go. We just finished up the last of our
NeSA tests, which happened to be the Math
sessions. Both classes have worked hard all year
in hopes of being successful on this test. I am
super proud of the effort the majority of the
students have put in, I would encourage all of
them to continue working on math
skills/problem solving over the next several
months off. Practicing math fact fluency is
always a good thing. I want to wish good luck
to all my 8th graders as they continue on into
their high school career. It has been a pleasure
working with you and look forward to seeing
your successes in the future.
Eighth Grade
By. Lori Lindau
__________________________
Weeping Water eighth graders recently
finished the G.R.E.A.T. program. Their
instructor was Deputy Wes Tuttle of the Cass
County Sheriff’s Department. Respecting and
having empathy for others, making good
choices, and setting positive goals are just some
of the skills and attitudes the students were
taught. The program’s components are designed
to produce specific attitude and behavioral
changes through a unique combination of skills
training, cooperative learning, group
discussions, and role playing. The goal of
G.R.E.A.T. is to help youth avoid gang
membership, prevent violence and criminal
activity, and develop a positive relationship with
law enforcement.
In addition to classroom instruction, every
student was involved in a community service
project ranging from spending time encouraging
reading in the primary grades to trash pick-up,
and raising money for the Hearts United animal
shelter at Auburn, Nebraska. As the culminating
activity, the recent G.R.E.A.T. graduates will
take a tour of the Cass County correctional
facility in Plattsmouth.
ACT ADVENTURES
By. Josh Schliefert
__________________________
This was the first year the ACT was used
as the standardized test across the state of
Nebraska. Our junior class took the ACT on
April 19, 2017. The students were able to
take the test for free and use it as a college
readiness exam. Marshall Garner, when
asked about the ACT test said, “When
compared to the NeSA, the ACT is far more
beneficial and applicable to our lives.” Jon
Hansen added, “The ACT is an efficient test
for a wide group of students nationwide.”
Hopefully the ACT helps motivate all
Nebraskan juniors, ours included.
We took three teams to the Greater
Southeast Nebraska Math Challenge at Peru
State College on March 17, 2017. These
teams were geometry, algebra 2, and precalculus. The students represented the
school well. The teams took an individual
test, a team test, and competed in a quiz
bowl.
The results were:
Geometry Team (Ryan Smith, Cory
Groleau, Slater Mozena):
·
2nd place quiz bowl
·
2nd place team test
Algebra 2 Team (Michael Stackpole,
Courtney Stanley, Marshall Garner):
·
2nd place team test
·
Michael Stackpole – 1st place
individual test
Pre-Calculus Team (Jake Meyer, Brianna
Buffington, Mason Heath):
·
1st place team test
·
Brianna Buffington – 1st place
individual test
·
Jake Meyer – 3rd place individual test
Band News
By. Mr. White
__________________________
The Weeping Water Band competed at
Nebraska District Music Contest on April 21st at
Nebraska City. The Band played with a great
deal of Excellence. Overall the band received a
Excellent rating, or a 2 for their efforts. We also
took a number of solos to competition. Brianna
Buffington received a the only Superior Rating
for Weeping Water on her Tenor Sax solo. The
rest of the students received excellent
ratings: Hannah Williams - Alto Saxophone,
Bailey Lawson - Flute, Brianna Buffington Baritone Saxophone, Michael Stackpole Trombone, Ryan Smith - Trombone, Tyge
Thomas - Baritone, Allanna Lacklore - Flute.
Music
By. Kim Hammer
__________________________
The end of the year is a very busy time in the
music department. In mid-March we had had
two successful performances of the all-school
musical “Cinderella”. The Middle School Music
Contest was held in Louisville this year and the
Weeping Water students represented their
school very well. There are 2 judges who judge
all large group entries and 1 for solos and small
groups. Vivace choir had a perfect score
receiving a Superior Rating, the 6th grade choir
and the 7/8 choir also received Superior ratings.
Ms. Laurelin Berkley who has been student
teaching in the vocal music department was a
big help preparing the students this year. She
directed the 6th grade choir, directed one of the
Vivace songs and also accompanied when she
wasn’t directing. The following students also
received Superior ratings on solos or small
groups: Superior: Perfect scores: Kayden
Tummons, solo; Ella Aaberg, solo; 6th Grade
Boys quartet: Austin Patton, Hayden Nash,
Ethan Essary, Berenger Leonard ; Duet by Matt
Cover, Samantha Burch; Superior Plus: Lily
Stanley, solo; Riley Hohn, solo; Duet –
Samantha Burch, Ella Aaberg; Superior Ratings:
Solos: Stevie Hanson, Erin Rineer, Taylor Miller,
Ciera Dieter, Natania French; 7th girls ensemble;
Middle School Boys barbershop ensemble; 6th
grade girls ensemble #1; 6thgrade girls ensemble
#2; 7/8 girls ensemble; Duets: Riley Hohn,
Samantha Hammons; Erin Rineer, Becca Adams;
Taylor Miller, LillyAnn Stanley; Ciera Dieter,
Natania French. What a great day we had!
The High School Choir participated in the
District Music Contest in Nebraska City, on
Friday, April 21. The large groups at contest
have 3 judges, their scores are combined Choir
received a Superior (10) Excellent (11) Excellent
(11) from the judges giving the group an overall
rating of Excellent. The following events also
participated and received the following ratings:
Superior: Mixed Triple Trio (Sydney Keckler,
Katrina Thomassen, Kaylee Tighe, Mason Heath,
Robert Brill, Tyge Thomas, Michaela Lawrence,
Samantha Thomas, Courtney Bockman) Mixed
Duet (Robert Brill, Kaylee Tighe); Solos: Sydney
Keckler, Mason Heath, Robert Brill; Excellent
Ratings: Mixed Quartet (Sydney Keckler,
Samantha Thomas, Robert Brill, Mason Heath)
Solos: Chevanna Lackore, Kaylee Tighe, Chrystal
Meyer.
The final concert for the Middle School will
be on Tuesday May 9 following Kindergarten
Celebration. Vivace Choir will end their year
with the Spring Tour to be held on Wednesday,
May 15 beginning at 11:00 a.m. We will
perform for area care centers and senior
citizens in Syracuse, Nebraska City and
Louisville.
Summer activities include: Vivace singing at
Memorial Day service; vocal lessons days; Allstate camp; Children’s music camp at Nebraska
Wesleyan University.
Zoology
By. Mrs. Robinett
__________________________
As we approach the end of the year it is time
to reflect on how the year went; it seems like
school just started and now it is closing. We
have been busy in the science classroom this
spring. The middle school science students all
completed a science fair project and competed in
the science fair. Most of the students will tell
you that they learned from and enjoyed the
process of doing the science fair. Zoology
students were able to go the Omaha Zoo and
were given a tour of the aquarium by Mr. Jorn,
who dives to feed and clean the tanks as a
volunteer. The students all were able to see how
the tanks are supplied with water and how the
water is processed before it goes in the various
tanks. They also were able to see some of the
research tanks that had various experiments
running. They also did ethograms on the zoo
animals as part of our animal behavior unit.
Biology students have been busy learning about
genetics and writing their first of many APA
papers. They will finish the year learning about
animal behavior and using crickets as a model to
explain the function of different behaviors.
Lady Indians
Volleyball
By. Mr. Haveman
__________________________
The Lady Indians will be under new direction
for the 2017-2018 season. The new head coach
will be Beth Schram. Beth comes to the program
with a lot of experience with playing volleyball
and coaching. She has a lot of great plans for the
girls this summer including a couple of team
camps and skills.
On August 1st and 2nd the high school
team will host a camp for players in grades 4th –
8th grade (2017-2018). If anyone is interested
and did not receive a form, please contact
assistant coach Chris Meeske
([email protected]) and she will
direct you in the right direction.
We are looking forward to an exciting
year and hope that many will come out and
support these girls this Fall.
“A
Snapchat lasts a
minute. A
Yearbook lasts a
lifetime.”
Notice of Nondiscrimination
The Weeping Water Public School District
does not discriminate on the basis of race,
color, national origin, sex, disability,
religion, age or other protected status in its
programs and activities and provides equal
access to the Boy Scouts and other
designated youth groups. The following
persons have been designated to handle
inquiries regarding the non-discrimination
policies: High school students: Gary
Wockenfuss, 6-12 Principal, 204 West O St.,
Weeping Water, NE 68463 (402) 267-4265
(gwockenfuss@ weepingwaterps.org).
Elementary students: Dawn DeTurk,
Elementary Principal, 204 West O St.,
Weeping Water, NE 68463 (402) 267-2445
(ddeturk@ weepingwaterps.org).
Employees and Others: Ken Heinz,
Superintendent, 204 West O St., Weeping
Water, NE 68463 (402) 267-2445
([email protected]). Complaints
or concerns involving discrimination or
needs for accommodation or access should
be addressed to the appropriate
Coordinator. For further information about
anti-discrimination laws and regulations,
or to file a complaint of discrimination with
the Office for Civil Rights in the U.S.
Department of Education (OCR), please
contact the OCR at 8930 Ward Parkway,
Suite 2037, Kansas City, Missouri 64114,
(816) 268-0550
Order a 2016-2017 Yearbook today!
$48 now- May 20th
See Mrs. VanderVeen or order online at:
https://yearbookforever.com/#school/
23315
Weeping Water Public Schools P.O. Box 206 Weeping
Water, NE 68463