BOE/District Highlights - November

Our 2nd graders had the opportunity to participate in a safety day with Officer Jonas, Deputy Warning, and the Crete Fire Department in October. During the presentation, students learned how officers keep us safe and demonstrated the equipment they use on a daily basis. The Crete Fire and Rescue Department brought 4 trucks for the students to observe. They also showed students the equipment they use for fire and rescue. At 2:30, the whole school participated in a mock evacuation fire drill. The fire department came and evacuated Mrs. Rocio Lopez's 2nd grade class from their classroom, through the window!

The preschool classrooms took part in "Forest Friday's" this fall on the Doane University campus at the outdoor classroom. Forset Friday's give Doane education students an opportunity to interact with students in an outdoor setting. We love this collaboration with Doane!

2nd grade recently completed their unit in CKLA Knowledge learning about Greek Gods and Goddesses. To celebrate, they had a Greek party were students made toga's, ivy crowns and ate Greek yogurt! The students enjoyed watching their learning come to life!

We look forward to collaborating with CCLC to host a Winter Wonderland Family Engagement Night on Tuesday, December 12th from 4:00 - 5:30 p.m.! There will be a Glow Dance Party, Lego Igloo building and snowflake making! We hope to see everyone there!

Crete Intermediate Cardinal Ambassadors in 5th grade enjoyed participating in the NAESP Region 1 Student Leadership Conference at Doane University.

Crete Intermediate hosted a family engagement event for the students in grades K-5. The event, "Building Brain Power Through Healthy Habits" was designed so students and their families could participate in 30 STEM or physical fitness stations in the intermediate parking lot. Some of the stations included a Dino Dig, Heart Rate Math, Apple Jenga and also Space Docking. Students and their families also enjoyed a free dinner. Thank you to Doane University Track and Field athletes, Officer Dawn Jonas, Mr. Coffey, Smithfield, Cardinal Community Learning Centers and Crete Public Library for helping with the event. Also, a special thank you to Ms. Holling, Mrs. Shepherd and Ms. Sidel for organizing the event.

Thank you to the Doane Tiger Football Team for starting our Friday with positivity!

Several Crete High School students have completed classroom observations for their education class. These students are getting experience and learning more about the rewarding career of teaching. This is a step in the right direction in preparing some of our very own students to become teachers!

The 3rd teachers planned a special day for their students on October 27th. The day included making pumpkin pie in a cup, carving pumpkins and incorporating math and reading skills while completing fun activities.

Teachers have implemented a new science resource, PhD Science, for approximately 12 weeks. Each grade level has almost completed one unit of study and taken a variety of assessments over the newly learned content. During this implementation, students have been exposed to higher order thinking, writing to explain their thinking, and applying their knowledge to real world problems.

Crete Middle School held the 2nd annual Crete Choral Clinic. There were over 170 guests in attendance from neighboring towns. The clinic ended with a performance that families could attend. Thank you Mr. Wooten and Mrs. Bond for your hard work!

Our Student Council is collecting canned items for local families in need. The bins were decorated by our own CMS Students.

Students have been enjoying the warmer weather. They have the option of going outside daily for at least minutes during their lunch time.

Meet Carolina, a standout participant in our Family Literacy program and recent 'Student of the Quarter.' In this video, she shares what she loves about our classes and why she chooses to be part of our learning community. Discover the impact of our program through Carolina's firsthand insights and celebrate her exceptional participation.

One of our students recently passed their citizenship tests and completed the naturalization process. Maria is a student in our Family Literacy program and attended our citizenship class in the spring of 2023. We are very proud of Maria and the work she put into becoming one of Crete's newest citizens!

This October, our morning adult education students enjoyed a day at Doane University, guided by Dr. Josh Pope's freshman orientation students. Themed "A Day in the Life of a College Student," the small group tours showcased the campus, giving our students a glimpse into the routine of a Doane student.

Dr. Pope's students served as friendly guides, offering insights into classrooms, dorms, recreational areas, libraries, and more. The personalized interactions allowed for meaningful discussions and a warm introduction to university life.

We're thrilled to continue our partnership with Doane University and Dr. Josh Pope, fostering a commitment to lifelong learning. Thanks to all who made this enriching experience possible. Click on the photos below to see additional photos from the visit.

• 237 people served since July 1, 2023
• 130 active participants as of Nov. 16
• 38 people are waiting to start classes in January
• Over 5,700 instructional hours attended through Nov. 16
• Over 1/3 of participants have made at least one level gain in their reading, speaking, and/or math skills

Classes will end December 21 and resume January 8.

The MEP team recently distributed book packets to children in our program, bringing joy evident in the delightful photos captured during this surprise event. Beyond fostering a love for reading, the MEP program extends support to families in various ways. In addition to providing books and educational materials, we ensure our neediest families receive weekly food boxes. Our commitment goes further—connecting families with community resources, coordinating transportation, and offering translation and interpretation services when required.

Moreover, MEP acts as a crucial link between parents and the school, serving as a liaison and point of contact as well as encouraging them to get involved. To bolster the success of our middle and high school students, we closely monitor their academic progress. We work to create lasting connections and provide assistance by checking in with students whenever possible. The MEP team remains dedicated to creating a supportive environment, ensuring the holistic well-being and success of every child in our program.

Click on the photo to view more photos from our recent book delivery!

On behalf of the McKinney-Vento program, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Crete Methodist Church for their generosity in donating winter coats to students in our program. Thanks to their generosity, I was able to buy winter coats for McKinney-Vento High Schoolers in the EL program from Walmart and immediately distribute them directly to students. I am very honored to be the recipient of this donation. Your kindness is greatly appreciated from all our students who will now be able to stay warm in their new winter coats.

--Michelle Lopez, MVP Liaison

The first two community cafes for this school year was held on October 18th at the middle school and November 12th at the elementary school. We had several parents and community partners attend each.

The goals for cafe remain the same: build bridges, be a space for all voices, unite around common goals with community partners, and raise up leaders from within the community. See the photo for a visual of the questions and the themes that emerged in the answers from the first cafe. Photos from the second cafe are below. Click on any of them to see more photos.

Our next cafe will be on Tuesday, December 12 from 8:15 to 10:15 AM. The parent leaders want to explore the idea of a kind community, one that feels safe for all people. We hope you'll join us.

The new Federal Programs section on the CPS website marks a significant enhancement in transparency and compliance. This section includes detailed webpages about Title I initiatives and provides easy access to Education Profiles, offering a clearer understanding of our efforts and programs.

The mission of Unified Sports is to promote inclusive school communities where students with and without disabilities can participate together in all aspects of school life. Six athletes and seventeen partners are participating in the Crete High Unified Bowling team this season! Crete hosted 2 meets at Wil-Bol Lanes, a dual and triangular meet. Our new bowling jerseys were the coolest at all the meets! The Crete High Unified Bowling Team participates in districts on Wednesday November 29!

November 6–10 was National School Psychology Week (NSPW) which highlights the critical work school psychologists do to help students thrive. This is a time to recognize school psychologists, who support students' learning and mental and behavioral health, promote positive and inclusive school climates, serve on school safety and crisis teams, and collaborate with families, teachers, and administrators to improve student outcomes.

At Crete Public Schools, we are lucky to have two awesome school psychologists! Dr. Regina Oliver serves Crete Elementary and Intermediate. Dr. Tessa Petereit serves Crete Middle and High Schools. We are grateful for all they do for our students and families!

Sixpence family educators Lorena Mendez, Yecenia Luna Rodriguez, and Danielle Drevo attended the Parents as Teachers International Conference in New Orleans, LA October 16-19. The mission of Parents as Teachers is to promote the optimal early development, learning, and health of young children by supporting and engaging their parents and caregivers. Our family educators expanded their knowledge and skills for supporting Crete parents as their children's first teachers.

Dr. Keith Miller, cardiologist with Bryan Heart, presented Crete High School with a donation of an additional AED on October 23. The new AED will be available during athletic practices and events to increase safety for student athletes and spectators. Crete Schools is grateful to Bryan Heart for this generous donation!

2023-2024 Crete High School High Ability Learners hosted the CPS Spelling Bee on Thursday, October 26, 2023, at Crete Middle School. Their roles were developed from the Scripps National Spelling Bee suggestions and Crete Public Schools traditions.

Spellers that finished first, second, or third will compete in the County Spelling Bee in February. The fourth-place finisher is the alternate for the bee.The following spellers competed in the district bee:

Audrey Rockwell, Tony Huynh (1st place), Carson Henderson (2nd place), Alison Miranda Orozco (3rd place), Angel Munoz Argueta, Braxton Skillett (not pictured)

Joseph Erpelding (1st place), Alex Hajek (2nd place), Will Sebade (3rd place), Lena Gropp (4th place), Evelynn Rohrer, Naomi Marroquin Villalta

Sam Hesser, Daniel Johnson (1st place), Karman Widick (2nd place), Ike Svitak (3rd place), Zeke Spence (4th place), Daisy Lopez Mejia

Greyson Cain (1st place), Joyce Fortin (2nd place)