I can’t believe that we are already in October and that the end of the first quarter is October 13th.

Parent Teacher Conferences

Parent/Teacher Conferences will be happening on October 18th from 2p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The Middle School and the High School Parent/Teacher Conferences will take place at the High School. The Elementary will be holding conferences at the Elementary School and child care will be available in the elementary gym. That day, the Elementary School will be dismissed at 1:05pm, the Middle School at 1:20pm, and the High School at 1:35pm. Please know that you can always reach out to your child’s teacher at school when you have a question or concern. The ability to check on grades and assignments using Power School and to be able to communicate with your child’s teachers through email hopefully helps you keep up to date on how your student is doing more easily. You will be receiving more information from your child’s school with regards to times and where teachers will be located the night of conferences.

Students that Drive

Remind your students that drive to be especially careful at corners in the country. Sometimes our young drivers forget how much traffic we have this time of year. I know many of you will be working long hours with harvest – stay safe.

Severe Weather

The decision to have a late start or to cancel classes is difficult and often there are people that have differing opinions on the severity of the weather or road conditions. Please remember that you ALWAYS have the ability as parents to decide to send your child to school late or even to keep them at home due to road or weather conditions. We are in a large school district that covers many square miles. Weather and roads can vary a lot from one side of the district to the other. Our families that live on gravel roads often have different conditions than our families that live in town. Please make the best decision for your family on these days.

We will alert you to late-starts/closings through our social media – website, Facebook, automated calls, and our text alerts. We will also call 10/11 news and have it on their closing alerts.

Sometimes we may have a late-start to give us more time to make a final determination on canceling classes for the entire day. If we announce a late start, it is still possible that we could announce a closing prior to the late-start time.

Lunch Bills and Accounts – new change – Please Read

There was a Board Policy Change affecting student lunch accounts. The new policy states that:

If a student has no funds available to pay for a meal, the student will be permitted to charge up to five meals. Thereafter, if a student has no funds available, a limited “courtesy meal” option, such as a plain sandwich will be provided.

Students who qualify for free meals will not be denied a reimbursable meal, even if they have accrued a negative balance from other food purchases. School staff may prohibit any students from charging a la carte or extra items if they do not have cash in hand or their account has a negative balance.

Online Lunch Account Pay

We still have this on our things to accomplish this year. I am sorry that it isn’t in place yet. We will make sure that we send out information ahead of time once we have it ready.

New Law –Firearm Carry still doesn’t allow for Carry on a School Campus or Property

This past session of the Nebraska State legislature passed many new laws. One of the changes no longer requires adults to have a concealed carry permit. Although this allows for more people to be in possession of a firearm in public, there wasn’t any change to the law concerning firearms on school grounds. Firearms are still NOT allowed on a school campus, in a school building, in a school vehicle, or on school property. I want to make sure that with the new law change, you understand that it doesn’t change anything about having a firearm at school or a school event.

As for students that enjoy hunting or trap shooting, as always, you may NOT have a firearm at school or even in a locked vehicle on school property.

Busing

We continue to need help driving school buses. We have nearly had to cancel/postpone field trips due to our lack of drivers. If you know of someone that might be willing to be trained and possibly drive a morning route, afternoon route, or both – please let them know we are hiring. Bus drivers start at $23.92 an hour.

• Wednesday, October 4th, 1:05 Dismissal for Teacher Development

• Oct. 12th, 13th, 16th, 4th Grade to Stuhr Museum

• Friday, October 13th, End of the 1st Quarter

• Wednesday, October 18th, 1:05 Dismissal for PT Conferences

• Wednesday, October 18th, 2:00 - 9:00 p.m. Parent / Teacher Conferences

• Thursday and Friday, October 19th and 20th, NO SCHOOL - FALL BREAK

• Wednesday, October 25th, Public Health Flu Shots for Students

• Thursday, Oct. 26th, Student Health Screenings

• Thursday, October 26th, Picture Retakes

• Tuesday, October 31st, Fall Parties

SCHOOL APP, WEBSITE, AND FACEBOOK

Get the most up to date information by adding the Fillmore Central app to your mobile device. Also, the Fillmore Central Public Schools website remains: www.fillmorecentral.org. The website and app contain information such as the lunch menu, activity calendar, and newsletter. Also, like Fillmore Central on Facebook to see photos and updates from the elementary school.

PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES

Fall elementary parent teacher conferences are scheduled for October 18th from 2:00-8:30pm in-person at the elementary. Each parent/caregiver will have a scheduled conference time with their child's classroom teacher to discuss their individual child's performance during the first quarter of the school year. Individual scheduling details will be shared in the coming weeks. Childcare will be provided to ensure the opportunity to have an uninterrupted conference with your child’s teacher. Childcare will take place in the elementary gym.

Tips and Suggestions

1. Visit with your child. Is there anything your child wants you to discuss?

2. Emphasize the positive areas of the grade report.

2 In areas of needed improvement, make a detailed plan with your child and the classroom teacher. Agree on the role of each person (child, parent, teacher) to support the improvement plan.

3. Please call the school (402-759-3184) any time you have concerns, suggestions or insight that might improve your child’s educational outcomes.

4. If you feel that you will need more than the 15 minutes allotted to discuss your child, please call your child’s teacher to plan a separate time.

ABSENCES

If your child will be absent from school, please notify the school by 8:45 a.m. If the school has not been notified of an absence by 8:45, we will make contact with the home to determine the whereabouts of your child. If we are unable to make contact, we will notify the sheriff’s office to do a “wellness check.” These procedures are in place for the safety of all of our students.

MEDICATION FOR STUDENTS

Please do not send medications to school with your child. An adult must turn in medications to the elementary office. These procedures are in place for the safety of all of our students.

BOX TOPS

Thank you parents, students, grandparents, community members, and friends of the elementary school for your support of our school by scanning your receipt containing box tops with the box tops for education app. Your efforts have provided additional funds to purchase materials and provide learning opportunities at the elementary.

STUDENT CONDUCT AT SCHOOL SPONSORED ACTIVITIES

To ensure the safety of all, and reduce distraction from the game; running, playing with balls, and climbing under the bleachers are not allowed at outdoor events. During indoor events, please try to limit trips to the concession stand so they occur during intermissions, timeouts, or other breaks in the game. Your help in communicating and supporting these expectations are appreciated.

ESTABLISH ROUTINES AND POSITIVE HABITS FOR THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR

It's the beginning of a new school year--the perfect time to set the stage for learning success. To make sure your child shows up at school ready to learn:

• Get a head start. Many families find that organizing at night prevents morning "rush hour." You can review school papers, pack and refrigerate lunches, set backpacks by the door and agree on outfits.

• Establish sleep routines. Choose reasonable bedtimes so everyone is rested when the alarm clock goes off. Do your best to stick with them.

• Develop morning habits. If your child does the same things, in the same order, each morning, it's less likely that she will forget a step. For example, make bed, get dressed, eat breakfast, brush teeth and put on shoes.

• Choose a homework time. With your child, pick a time when she will have the most energy and motivation to do assignments. Create a quiet study spot, complete with necessary supplies, where she can work at the same time each day.

• Use organizational tools. What will help your child stay organized? She might use calendars, to-do lists or a folder system.

• Set priorities. Schedule things like schoolwork, family meals and even free time on a calendar. Treat them like appointments. If there are openings, your child can add activities.

Reprinted with permission from the September 2013 issue of Parents make the difference!® (Elementary School Edition) newsletter. Copyright © 2013 The Parent Institute®, a division of NIS, Inc.

What is Early Development Network Services Coordination?

Services Coordination helps families of children with special needs below age three:

• Find services to meet developmental, educational, financial, health care, child care, respite care and other needs

• Work with multiple providers to make sure services are provided as needed

Why is Service Coordination Needed?

Nebraska families of children with special needs have found it difficult to locate needed services for infants and toddlers with disabilities and then to coordinate the services with the providers.

Who is Eligible for Services Coordination?

Eligible families are those with an infant or toddler below age 3 who has a disability or developmental delay and qualifies for special education through the public schools.

Year round services coordination is provided.

There is no cost to families.

How Can Families Apply?

To request Early Development services for your child or to refer a child, call the local number below. With prior parental permission, referrals may be made by anyone who suspects a developmental delay in an infant or toddler.

CONTACT: Beth Lightwine at ESU6-Geneva office (225 North 17th, Geneva, 402-759-3143).

UPCOMING EVENTS:

• Wednesday, October 4th: 1:20p.m. Dismissal for Teacher Professional Development

• Wednesday, October 18th: 1:20p.m. Dismissal for PT Conferences

• Wednesday, October 18th: 2:00 - 9:00 p.m. Parent / Teacher Conferences

• Thursday, October 19th: NO SCHOOL - FALL BREAK

• Friday, October 20th: NO SCHOOL - FALL BREAK

• Monday, October 23rd– Friday, October 27th: Red Ribbon Week

• Thursday, October 26th: Picture Retakes

Dismissal For Professional Development

We would like to remind you that we will have 2-hour early dismissals on the first Wednesday of every month during the school year. There will be a 2-hour early dismissal on Wednesday, October 4th. These early-dismissals are designed for our staff to regularly engage in professional development opportunities to increase student performance and meet our school improvement goals. For middle school students, the 2-hour early dismissal time is 1:20 PM. No middle school practices will be held on the days that we have scheduled early dismissals. The normal bus and supervision routines will take place at the end of the day except that everything will happen 2-hours earlier than normal.

Parent-Teacher Conferences

Fillmore Central Middle School Parent-Teacher Conferences will once again be held at Fillmore Central High School. Conferences will be held on Wednesday, October 18 from 2 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. A progress report will be printed for each parent. This report will show the student’s academic performance up to that date. Teachers will be able to discuss each student’s academic performance in the same manner that has been done in past years. Please contact your child’s building principal if you have any questions or concerns.

• Progress reports can be picked up at the high school during conferences and you will be directed to the locations of your student’s teachers.

• Progress reports that are not picked up at conferences will be mailed home.

No School – October 19-20. We would like to take the opportunity to remind parents and students that there will be no school on Thursday, October 19 and Friday, October 20.

PowerSchool (Online Grades Portal)

We are committed to having strong communication with students and parents in regards to every aspect of student performance and development. One of the tools that we use to communicate with parents and students regarding academic performance is PowerSchool, our online grades portal. To use PowerSchool parent access features, go to our district homepage and click on “PowerSchool” button. You will need a username and a password to access this information. You have previously received this information in your student’s packet that was given to all students at the beginning of the school year. If you have forgotten or misplaced your password and username please contact the office for your PowerSchool login information.

Red Ribbon Week

Fillmore Central Middle School will participate in Red Ribbon Week, a nationally promoted program, during the week of October 23 – 27. The objective of the program is to bring awareness to students and school communities on drug prevention. Activities will be planned throughout the week to educate our students on the importance of being drug and bully free.

Congratulations Luke & Kaili!

Parent-Teacher Conferences

Parent-Teacher Conferences will take place on Wednesday, October 18th from 2:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. All high school teachers will be located in the gymnasium. FCCLA sponsored child care will not be available at the high school, so please plan accordingly. As has been the norm, our teachers see the most parents between the hours of 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. If you are able to come in outside of those times it would be greatly appreciated, however, you have the option to come in anytime between the hours of 2:00 p.m and 8:30 p.m.

Activity Updates

We are in the back half of the fall sports season and our kids and coaches have been working hard and competing at a high level. We have a few more opportunities for everyone to see our kids compete, so I invite you to come out and support the Panthers and continue to pack the stands! Just as a reminder, for the most up to date schedule of events, you can either check out our website or the FC app.

Class Competition Points

In the past we have had some friendly competition points between our home room groups, but moving into this year, we have switched this to competitions between classes. This decision was made based on the recommendation of our teachers, in hopes that we will get more participation from our student body. These competitions will include things like: percentage of students dressing up for Homecoming week, percentage of students passing their classes, percentage of students being to school on time, etc… The winning class will receive some type of reward, either at the end of each semester or the end of the year.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact me.

GO FC!

Ryun Theobald

FCEMF will play at Ashland-Greenwood on Friday, October 6th. This will be a best 2 out of 3 game series with the winner advancing to the NSAA state tournament.

Game schedule will be 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m and 2:30 p.m (if necessary).

GOOD LUCK FCEMF!

October 4th

1:05/1:20/1:35 Dismissal

October 16th

School Board Meeting - 7:30p.m.

October 18th

Parent Teacher Conferences 2:00-8:30p.m.

October 19th - 20th

FALL BREAK NO SCHOOL