Fall 2017

NCSA TODAY A PUBLICATION OF THE NEBRASKA COUNCIL OF SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS

Nebraska Council of School Administrators

Fall 2017

www.NCSA.org

CONTENTS

2 “Seeds of Hope” is a Moving Exploration

into the Education of Nebraska’s Refugee, Immigrant Students

BY TYLER DAHLGREN

3 A Safety and Security Game Plan for Nebraska Schools

BY JOLENE PALMER

4 Buckton Examines Third-grade Reading

Retention, Reflects on Iowa’s Experience

BY TYLER DAHLGREN

5 Administrators’ Days – 2017

6 Efforts in Funding, Continued Communication on ESUCC Docket Heading into New Year

BY TYLER DAHLGREN

8 40 Years of Excellence – ESU 11’s Nationally Recognized Summer Honors Celebrates Milestone

BY TYLER DAHLGREN

11 Easy & Proven Pathways to a Healthier School: Strategies for Success

BY DR. JOHN SKRETTA

13 UNL Department of Educational Administration Welcomes New Chair

14 EHA Wellness Works

BY LINDA KENEDY

15 Do You Know a Courageous Teacher?

BY GREGG WRIGHT & BETH DOLL

NCSA EXECUTIVE BOARD 2017-2018 Chair. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dr. Mike Sieh Vice Chair . . . . . . . . . . Jim Widdifield Immed. Past Chair. . . . . Jeff Schneider NASA Representatives President. . . . . . . . . Dr. John Skretta President Elect. . . . . . . . . . Greg Sjuts Past President . . . . . . . Dr. Mike Sieh NASBO Representatives President. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brad Dahl President Elect. . . . Jason Buckingham Past President . . . . . . . . John Brazell NAESP Representatives President. . . . . . . . . . . Jason Calahan President Elect. . . . . . . . Casey Slama Past President . . . . . . . Jim Widdifield NASES Representatives President. . . . . . . . . . . . Jason Harris President Elect. . . . . . . Terry Houlton Past President . . . . . . . . Missy Dobish NSASSP Representatives President. . . . . . . . Brandon Mowinkel President Elect. . . . . . . Dr. Jay Dostal Past President . . . . . . Steve Adkisson NARSA Representative President. . . . . . . . . . . . Dave Kaslon NCSA STAFF Dr. Michael S. Dulaney Executive Director/Lobbyist Dr. Dan E. Ernst Associate Executive Director/Lobbyist Megan Hillabrand Professional Development Manager Amy Poggenklass Finance and Membership Director Tyler Dahlgren Communications Specialist

16

Calendar of Events and National Convention Dates

NCSA Mission

The mission of the Nebraska Council of School Administrators (NCSA) is to be an effective leader for quality education and to enhance the professionalism of its members.

NCSA Today is a benefit of membership in the Nebraska Council of School Administrators, 455 South 11th Street, Suite A, Lincoln, NE 68508. Telephone 402.476.8055 or 800.793.6272. Fax 402.476.7740.

Annual membership dues are $335 (active members), $125 (associate members), or $50 (student members). NCSA Today is published quarterly. Send address changes to NCSA, Membership, 455 South 11th Street, Suite A, Lincoln, NE 68508. Copyright ©2016 by NCSA. All rights reserved.

Carol Young Executive Administrative Assistant Michelle Lopez Administrative Assistant

The opinions expressed in NCSA Today or by its authors do not necessarily reflect the positions of the Nebraska Council of School Administrators.

FALL 2017 NCSA TODAY 1

FEATU RE

“Seeds of Hope” is a Moving Exploration into the Education of Nebraska’s Refugee, Immigrant Students

BY TYLER DAHLGREN, NCSA Communications Specialist

“I

f you can wish for anything, you can do it.”

Those words, from 2017 Omaha Northwest graduate Kalpana Gurung, come near the end of “Seeds of Hope,” the latest documentary from Nebraska Loves Public Schools.

That message, one of hope, reverberates throughout the entirety of the moving, 35-minute exploration into the education of immigrant and refugee students and the adaptation to life in America that those students, and their families, face.

The film is elegant, its subjects direct, genuine, endearing, and most importantly, real. “Seeds of Hope” is powerful, but because of its message, which isn’t built on persuasion or an overly-aggressive tug at the heart strings, but rather simple reality.

Nebraska leads the nation in refugee resettlement, and since 2000 its public schools have seen a 113 percent increase in English Language Learner (ELL) students.

For a student to participate socially, it takes a year and a half to three years of English language study. For a student to acquire language to survive in the classroom academically, it may take seven to 10 years of English language study, as stated in the film.

Nebraska’s ELL teachers don’t have that kind of time, but they have an unmovable devotion to their students. You can almost feel it through the screen at times during “Seeds of Hope.” The plight to teach English through ELL programs to immigrant and refugee students that often have zero previous experience with the language is shouldered by Nebraska’s public schools.

“It doesn’t matter where our students were born, where they came from, or what they have been through, if they live in our school district and within our boundaries, we will welcome that,” said NCSA Ambassador Cinde Wendell, who spent her career in public education, retiring as Superintendent of Holdrege Public Schools in 2011. “Our schools will serve them the best we can.”

“Seeds of Hope” doesn’t go out of its way to place the viewer in the shoes of the students featured. For someone that has never been displaced from their home country, that perspective is impossible to acquire. What it does do is provide other perspectives, ones that previously likely stood unconsidered.

“If you are a person, like many of us are, who has never experienced a change to a new culture and a new language, it’s difficult to understand the challenges that exist for these young people,” said Keith Rohwer, another NCSA Ambassador and retired Superintendent. “It is obvious that Nebraska’s public schools have accepted the challenges of serving these refugee and immigrant students to assist them with bettering their lives 2 NCSA TODAY FALL 2017

and creating futures which will be very productive and fulfilling.”

Kyle McGowan, NCSA Ambassador and former Superintendent of Crete Public Schools, said the film serves as proof that “The American Dream” is alive and well. Education, he added, is the ticket to that success.

“Seeds of Hope displays our nation’s greatest value,” McGowan said. “Work hard, get an education, and the American Dream is yours for the taking.”

McGowan, who, as a former teacher and administrator worked with hundreds of children and families with limited English speaking skills, said he never met an immigrant or refugee student that didn’t have the desire to be a proficient English speaker.

That process is difficult for a variety of reasons. Hurdles are stacked in front of Nebraska’s ELL teachers, but their commitment to their students, as you’ll see in “Seeds of Hope,” far outweighs those obstacles.

“Seeds of Hope” premiered September 13 and 14. ■

Nebraska loves Public Schools is excited to provide all NCSA members a DVD copy of “Seeds of Hope” to view and share. Be sure to check your mailbox!

Watch the film now at www.seedsofhopefilm.org

S CHOOL SAFETY & SECU RI TY

A Safety and Security Game Plan for Nebraska Schools

BY JOLENE PALMER, Nebraska Department of Education School Safety & Security Director

C Palmer

oaches know the importance of an entire team playing from the same game plan to have a winning team. All team members need to have a common language and common plan to be successful in achieving their team goals.

When thinking about safety and security in Nebraska schools the same approach applies. It is important for the same plan to be applied among all schools to have the safest and most secure settings possible. According to the I Love U Guys Foundation, “You don’t choose tragedy, but you can choose your response.” Being prepared for any incident in any setting is the response for success in achieving safety and security in Nebraska schools. A statewide game plan is necessary to enhance the preparation of all students, staff, and parents to respond immediately as protocol to any incident.

• For students, a common plan provides continuity of expectations and actions in any school and community setting throughout the state.

• For school staff, a common plan clarifies procedures and lends to simplified training and practice.

• The common language and protocols assist first responders with greater predictability throughout the duration of any incident.

• The expected procedures afford parents greater understanding of risk and can reduce the level of their stress.

Created in response to tragedy which struck Platte Canyon High School near Bailey, Colorado, the I Love U Guys Foundation was created to restore and protect the joy of youth through education and positive actions bringing schools, students, staff, parents, and communities together. After extensive research into school safety practices by experts in education, law enforcement, emergency management, and psychologists, real world solutions applicable in most any situation formed.

Described as simple, but eloquent, the I Love U Guys Foundation Standard Response Protocol (SRP) was designed to create common language, common protocol, and common signage for quick response in the event of an incident at any location. While originally created for classrooms, the applicability of the SRP expands throughout K-12 schools and their activities, PK-2, Beyond K-12 (post-secondary), businesses, and communities (SRP BIZ). Four basic actions, each

followed by a directive, indicate the common action procedure to be followed.

• Lockout: Secure the Perimeter, • Lockdown: Locks, Lights, Out of Sight; • Evacuate: To the announced location, • Shelter: Stating the hazard and strategy.

These actions can prepare students, staff, parents, and others to safely and quickly respond to weather events, fires, accidents, intruders, and other threats to school safety.

The Nebraska Department of Education is leading the charge to develop a statewide plan for safety and security using the I Love U Guys SRP throughout all activities in Nebraska schools. Jolene Palmer, Director of School Safety and Security with NDE, emphasizes that to best prepare students, staff, parents, and others everyone needs to play off the same game plan statewide.

This is a bigger picture than just your building. It will develop a response statewide so that no matter where your students are, they will have a better idea of how to react in any emergency incident because they have been taught and have practiced. The common language, common protocol, and common signage will allow for quick and safe response by everyone in any school building or activity building throughout the state. When all schools are using the same language, protocol, and signage, students, staff, and parents can better react to stay safe. If just one school uses something different, they are putting their own students, staff, and parents at risk when they go to other school buildings in the state, as well as putting all other schools’ students, staff, and parents in harm’s way because the language, protocol, and signage differ at your school from what they have been taught and practiced.

SRP Training provided by NDE has begun across the state coordinated and hosted by the ESUs. This approach trains multiple school safety teams at one time. Once trained, the safety team is equipped to implement the SRP at their school and is capable of reaching the SRP students, staff, parents, and others in their district.

The goal is to train all school districts in Nebraska in the SRP for use during the school day and at school activities beyond the school day.

If all schools work off the same game plan, we can achieve success in keeping our students safe in all buildings and activities throughout the state. ■

FALL 2017 NCSA TODAY 3

LEG I SLATI VE

Buckton Examines Third-grade Reading Retention, Reflects on Iowa’s Experience

BY TYLER DAHLGREN, NCSA Communications Specialist

A

t Administrators’ Days on July 27, 2017 keynote speaker Margaret Buckton brought over 20 years of legislative and lobbying experience in Iowa to Kearney’s Younes Conference Center’s main stage.

Buckton has worked in private, public and non-profit sectors, and is a partner for Iowa School Finance Information Services, a consulting firm which provides financial training to Iowa school districts. In her position, Buckton lobbies, consults in public policy development, and provides analysis for the Urban Education Network of Iowa and the Rural School Advocates of Iowa.

Buckton was in the Cornhusker State to speak about thirdgrade reading retention, a policy that was recently repealed in Iowa and an initiative that came to Nebraska last session in the form of LB 651, which states that a student’s advancement to the next grade would be based, at least in part, upon that student’s ability to read at a proficiency level. The bill requires schools to develop individual reading improvement plans after third-grade and provides that retained students must receive intensive reading retention programs. The proposed legislation would represent a potentially unfunded mandate, since it would require schools to be staffed with “highly effective reading teachers.”

Experience is said to be the best teacher, and Buckton brought with her a recent, and, according to Iowa Senator Joe Bolkcom in an April article in The Des Moines Register, “disastrous” experience with reading retention. Given the two neighboring states’ demographic, geographic and sociological parallels, retention could have similar results in Nebraska, Buckton heeded.

Since 2001, Iowa has seen a 133 percent increase in minority students and a 149 percent increase in English Language Learners (ELL). Des Moines Public Schools (DMPS), according to 2016 statistical data, has 6,567 Limited English Proficient (LEP) students. If the LEP program in DMPS were its own district, it would be the 15th largest in the state.

And yet, contrary to common public assumption, the state has gone up in National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) math and reading scores over the last 15 years. By comparison, Nebraska assessment results compare favorably with Iowa results.

“We are proud of the fact that, even with a massive change in population and demographics, Iowa is doing a little better than before,” said Buckton, adding that it’s only been in the last decade that states have opted into requirements around retention, which previously stood as a parent, teacher, school

or district-based policy decision.

“Since the advent of the No Child Left Behind Act and now the Every Student Succeeds Act, there is political pressure that legislators feel from their public to do something about it. “ What exactly is “it”? Perhaps a false narrative.

“Think about the headlines in the newspapers,” Buckton said. “I’m so glad you have Nebraska Loves Buckton Public Schools here and I love those videos. We are behind you and we are looking at what you’re doing and figuring out ways to tell our stories.”

Why, Buckton asks, do Midwestern states feel the need to emulate and adopt the same retention policies that southeastern states such as Mississippi have as opposed to policies in the northeast, where states have done amazing things for students for a long time?

“In the Midwest, it seems to me that we are going in the wrong direction when it comes to copying states that aren’t doing very well,” Buckton warned.

Nebraska’s LB 651, Buckton said, lacks a delivery of intensive services, skipping too quickly to automatic retention.

In Buckton’s state, the Iowa Reading Research Center was created, which she said has been an “amazing tool to study the interventions and intensive services in order to figure out which worked best with which populations.”

LB 651 also provides intensive services, but only after a student has been retained.

“In Nebraska, it looks like the presumption is retention, unless there is [a] process to make a change recommended by the teacher,” Buckton said. “The other clear difference in Iowa was the charge to consider something different rather than just that reading score.”

That examination included a closer look at the student’s progress in other subjects and their emotional and social development. In LB 651, Buckton said, legislation essentially advises the use of scientific research and proven methods when determining a policy on reading retention. It can be difficult to find scientific-based research regarding the effectiveness of retention, but there are other states, including Iowa, that have adopted an ill-fated retention policy.

For example, in 2003-04, 23,000 Florida third-graders were retained under the state’s A+ Plan. Recently, researchers Jasper, Continued on page 5

4 NCSA TODAY FALL 2017

CONF E RENCE SPOTLI GH T

Administrators’ Days – 2017

A

dministrators’ Days 2017 in Kearney welcomed 1162 Nebraska school administrators and recharged them to enter another school year inspired to do great work for students and communities!

Wednesday’s NDE Day kicked off with a presentation by Commissioner Matt Blomstedt and the day’s sessions provided updates on state assessment, requirements, and future changes. It also offered attendees the opportunity to connect with department staff and provide their own input and personal experiences.

Thursday and Friday featured keynotes from Margaret Buckton, who spoke to the failed Iowa legislation on third-grade retention and summer school mandates (see article on pages 3-4); Eric Sheninger, a Senior Fellow and Thought Leader on Digital Leadership, who provided ideas on how to harness the power of digital tools to improve our schools in the changing landscape of education; and Jon Gordon, who closed out the conference by energizing attendees to harness their power as a positive leader.

Breakout sessions offered information from field experts to school attorneys and more. Networking activities provided something for everyone with the Administrators in Action charity walk for Team Jack Foundation and NCSA Trivia continuing to be favorites.

Nebraska Loves Public Schools again played a visible role throughout the conference and encouraged administrators to “Feel the Love Friday” throughout the school year by wearing public

school gear and watching for an email to participate in the monthly theme the first Friday of every month.

NELPS was also awarded NCSA’s highest honor to a non-member, the NCSA Friends of Education Award. In her acceptance Sally Nellson/Barrett stressed the importance of their connection with NCSA members, “It’s such a gift that we get to do this every single day. You’re always happy to see us. You’re always supportive. Thank you for doing what you do so we can do what we do.”

Another award presented at the 2017 Administrators’ Days, NCSA Distinguished Service Award, was bestowed upon a very surprised Kelli Ackerman, Business Manager at Holdrege Public Schools. “To be a part of this group is just amazing. We look forward to getting together each year to help each other survive and fight for our public schools in everything we do,” she said overcome with emotion. ■

Buckton Examines Third-grade…(continued from page 4) Carter, Triscari and Valesky (in 2016) evaluated the A+ Plan’s effectiveness by looking at student success down the road by breaking down that class into two groups; those who had been retained and those with similar scores on the Grade 3 Reading FCAT who had not been retained.

Researchers found that 93 percent of the retained group in the study remained below a level 3 on the Grade 10 Reading FCAT, while 67 percent of those students remained at a level one through the 10th-grade. Additionally, 41 percent of the retained students did not graduate with a standard high school diploma, and the non-retained group was 14.7 percent more likely to graduate with a standard diploma than the retained group.

“New studies do not prove that there are any positive benefits for students,” Buckton said. “If there are not positive benefits, and it costs more, then why would you do it?”

There are alternatives to retention, Buckton said. They’re not cheap and they do take extended effort, but the latter is what Nebraska’s educators are known for. It starts with having great instructional strategies, she said.

“Systems of early detection, and not just detecting that a student isn’t reading efficiently, but implementing the training and support teachers need to know once you’ve found that out,” Buckton suggested among alternative routes to retention, before continuing. “Effective preschool is about half the cost of

retention and saves more. Developing and encouraging parental engagement along the way. Extended year programs, before and after school. Community support, working with United Way and others.”

Buckton closed her presentation by encouraging Nebraskans to reach out to policymakers. Every American has four inherent core values, she said, and they’re held by both citizens and legislators. Liberty, community, equality, and prosperity.

Americans want all four of them, she said.

“Every one of your legislators, if you get back to this level of talking about what it is that they are trying to achieve, you will find common ground on this level of core values before you start talking about the policy choices they are making,” Buckton said before quoting famed anthropologist Margaret Mead. “Never doubt that a small group of committed and thoughtful citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”

Buckton ended her hour-long address by praising the public education system in Nebraska and warning, one last time, of the negative ramifications that could come along down the road of retention.

“Many times, we are going to depend on Nebraska for good examples,” Buckton said. “In this case, please learn from Iowa’s experience and do not do the wrong thing.” ■

FALL 2017 NCSA TODAY 5

ESU CC

Efforts in Funding, Continued Communication on ESUCC Docket Heading into New Year

BY TYLER DAHLGREN, NCSA Communications Specialist

E

ducational Service Units were instated 44 years ago to serve and assist schools in the state of Nebraska, a unique resource that has proved beneficial to the public education system and the myriad of ever-evolving challenges that arise within it.

Nine years ago, the ESU Coordinating Council was developed through state statute as a way to provide support to the state’s 17 individual ESUs. The ESUCC brought to the education landscape a new governance structure, complete with an ESU Board of Directors similar to the school boards that serve each school district in Nebraska.

Each board member is a part of the ESUCC, which meets on a monthly basis. The coordinating council is split into seven separate committees (Executive, Technology, Coop, Professional Development, Student Services, Legislative, and Finance, Auditing and Budgeting), and when it comes to the 17 ESUs, each also contains its own board of directors, determined by election districts.

Just as schools respond to school boards, ESUs respond to a board of directors, and a superintendent advisory committee, comprised of the superintendents within their respective school districts. They carry the responsibility of listening to concerns and providing services to schools in their districts.

Dave Ludwig is the Executive Director of ESUCC, and his council shares those same responsibilities. His job is to lead each individual ESU, assessing the best way to meet their needs while guiding them through avenues and into areas that may be entirely unfamiliar.

ESUs saw a five-percent reduction in funding in 2010-11, and, because of the recent budget shortfall, saw another 3-4 percent decrease last year after seeing zero growth in the budget from 2011-2016. Decreased funding makes it difficult for ESUs to adequately provide services that school districts throughout the state require.

There are four components of an ESU budget.

Core funding, the sustainable part of a budget, is heavily relied on. Six ESUs currently sit non-equalized, devoid of all corefunds, a substantial hindrance to providing the school support they were implemented to provide over four decades ago.

There are levy funds, the other unrestricted funding component in an ESU budget. ESUs are only able to levy up to a cent and a half, however. There are contracted services and grant opportunities, too, but it would be risky, given the uncertainty of their availability, to depend solely on those.

6 NCSA TODAY FALL 2017

“The sustainable part of a budget, obviously, would be through the restricted funds, so total dependence on grant Ludwig opportunities or contracted services is not reliable,” Ludwig said. “As core funds and levy funds become more restricted, there is going to be more reliance on contracted services and grant opportunities, which does not enhance long-term sustainability.”

If the restricted funds aren’t provided, offering services in areas such as special education, behavioral health, technology, professional development, all areas that ultimately benefit Nebraska’s public school students, becomes a difficult task for ESUs to fulfill.

Another portion of funding, Ludwig adds, comes from cash reserves, similar to the ones school districts use. ESUs, however, have just a general fund and a cash reserve to rely on, increasing the importance those cash reserves play in keeping the cash flow going. ESUs depend on cash reserves to support services they are designed to pay for.

“As funds keep getting reduced, the cash reserves tend to garner more reliance as well,” Ludwig said. “We need to make sure we maintain a balance with what we are doing.”

When NCSA Today last talked with Ludwig, the conversation centered around an increase in communication among the state’s stakeholders, a level of concern for Ludwig throughout the entirety of his career. Strengthening transparency and opening wider lines of communication continues to be a focal point for Ludwig and the ESUCC. Developing effective and productive discussions with 244 districts and 17 ESUs, with all the projects, services and initiatives going on through Nebraska, is crucial.

“This is coming up more and more from superintendents wanting to know what is going on with the strategic plan,” Ludwig explained. “They’re not being negative, they just want to know.

I meet with a group of Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) staff on a weekly basis, and we are developing a communication model, a collaborative effort between ESUCC and NDE, that I will share with the rest of the coordinating council next month.”

The model is designed to take talking points regarding the strategic plan, ESSA, behavioral health, and other essential topics at the time, and put them into written form. The model will then be sent to ESU administrators, who will be counted on to share those talking points with their leadership teams and superintendents. There will be an active text box where input and (continued on page 7)

ESU CC Efforts in Funding…(continued from page 6) feedback will be entered and sent right back to NDE. “That is the model we are starting, but there is always going to be room for improvement and there are always going to be enhancements to be made,” Ludwig, whose position was previously held by current Department of Education Commissioner Matt Blomstedt, said. “It is a formalized process that we will have in place that doesn’t exist right now.”

There is tangible evidence of the collective strides ESUCC has made to meet the needs of school districts, despite a decrease in core funding. When Ludwig started as Executive Director, he began to hear, from ESU 3 in LaVista and ESU 13 in Scottsbluff, of the need for an implementation of behavioral health services.

“After hearing that quite consistently, I put together a statewide committee comprised of ESU and NDE staff, and we started to collaboratively formalize what a system of support for behavioral health services, and that process of implementation, could look like,” Ludwig said.

That committee met with state senator Kathy Campbell in December of 2015 and heeded her guidance. They put together a chart for each ESU and which region claimed each school district. They made contacts and surveyed school districts

throughout the state.

Over 2,000 responses came back.

“Once we got to that level, we realized that behavioral health isn’t in our background and wasn’t our area of expertise,” Ludwig said. “Dan Schnoes of ESU 3 made some connections with MOEC (Metropolitan Omaha Educational Consortium) and BHECN (Behavioral Health Education Center of Omaha), and through those connections we were able to hand everything over to them, because that’s their level of expertise, and our charge was to help facilitate things in whichever direction they felt we needed to go.”

That direction, coupled with a separate survey conducted by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, resulted in a June “Behavioral Summit” that drew over 150 participants, from ESU staff to special education administrators to school administrators to NDE staff and so on.

“What came out of the Behavioral Summit was some direction to put together an action plan as far as what we needed to do next in regards to addressing behavioral health needs throughout the state.” ■

Nebraska Fall Ed Tech Conference hosted by NCSA and NETA

November 2-3 2017 Younes Conference Center Kearney, NE

2017 Conference Highlights 4 Thursday Pre-Conference Workshops Keynote Speaker: Jimmy Casas Over 50 Breakout Sessions Over 20 Exhibitors Registration is now open!

Visit fall.netasite.org for more information and to register.

FALL 2017 NCSA TODAY 7

P R OMOTI NG PU B LI C SCH OOLS

40 Years of Excellence – ESU 11’s Nationally-recognized Summer Honors Celebrates Milestone

BY TYLER DAHLGREN, NCSA Communications Specialist

T

he brightest high school minds in South Central Nebraska, ESU 11’s 129 Summer Honors Program students radiate with potential.

They’re smart, some sensationally so. Their brilliance is somewhat untapped, the full spectrum of a high school curriculum comfortably mastered. They’re pleasant, covered in smiles as they shuffle down the hallways of Holdrege High School on a Friday morning.

And while they will go on to accomplish wonderful things, sugar-ridden breakfast pastries and refreshments are their next salvation.

The Holdrege Chamber of Commerce hosted “Coffee A.M.” at the high school, the site of the 40th consecutive Summer Honors Program, one of the best-kept secrets in Nebraska education.

Members from the community, some of which serve as hosts for out-of-town students, mingle with the most gifted learners from ESU 11’s 13 school districts.

“It is neat to see the kids mingling with the community,” said Janelle Jack, an ESU 11 board member for four years and a parent of two former Summer Honors alums. “That’s what keeps a small town going, everyone working together.”

Out of the 129 participants, 89 will stay with host families throughout the Holdrege community, which has embraced the nationally-recognized program.

“We can’t thank the community enough for all the housing opportunities, but also how they support the program in so many other ways,” said Dr. Paul Tedesco, serving his final day as ESU 11 Administrator after six years in the position. “If we’ve ever needed anything, all we’ve needed to do is ask, and they’ll find out who has some abilities to bring that to the forefront and to help out.”

A career in school administration preceded Tedesco’s move to ESU 11 in 2011, so when he talks about the Summer Honors Program, about the gifted students and brilliant instructors, some who have been coming for a long, long time, his words carry weight.

Sometimes, gifted learners can unfortunately fall by the wayside. It’s not a slight to the area’s public schools. These kids are just that smart. Their capabilities extend to the far reaches of science and creativity, far beyond curriculum.

“Some of these kids are super, super exceptional,” said David Fleischmann, ESU 11 President and a board member for the better part of the last decade. “This particular function allows them to be them, and they are able to find out who they really because they are around other individuals that are just like them.”

Fleischmann, like Tedesco, came to ESU 11 after working several years at ground level. He taught business and computer tech at Alma High School, says there is no competition between the students, no matter if they’re from Bertrand, Elwood or Eustis-Farnam.

“They compete to better themselves, or their small group, as they go on,” Fleischmann points out. “It is definitely unique.”

The selection process is a grueling one. Teachers from the 13 schools nominated nearly 600 students this year, for example.

Grant Alberts graduated from Minden in May, and a month later started his fifth consecutive Summer Honors Program. He will head to Morningside in the fall and has his sights set on a career in computer science. Unfortunately, his high school doesn’t offer a wide array of courses in that subject, making those five Junes spent in Holdrege that much more beneficial.

Alberts considers his instructor a friend, as well as all of the Summer Honors organizers.

“They know me well and we joke around together,” Alberts, who genuinely appreciates the opportunity he’s been granted, said. “Our ESU really seems to want to take care of its students, and you can really feel that with programs like Summer Honors.”

Sure, the service unit is constantly working on ways to keep the Summer Honors train chugging along. Planning is a yearround process, as is finding volunteer host families. Nobody knows that better than Tim Burke, who directed this decorated program for 27 years.

“This program, it just runs,” said Burke, four years removed from Summer Honors but still a friendly and recognizable face at events like “Coffee A.M.” “It is so popular and the kids support it so well, that it can’t help but to continue to run. And there are great instructors that come back year after year after year.”

The instructors build the same kinds of bonds that the students do. Summer Honors become a part of their lives. They don’t have to be teachers necessarily, just experts in their field with gifted minds of their own.

“I think the instructors look forward to it because they have such a comradery among themselves,” said Susan Perry, an ESU 11 board member since 2003. “They really look forward to being around each other. They usually go out to eat and do different activities like that.”

Continued on page 9

8 NCSA TODAY FALL 2017

P R OMOTI NG PU B LI C SCH OOLS 40 Years of Excellence…(continued from page 8) Burke remembers his first program in 1987, when the creative writing class rented two typewriters from Eakes in Kearney and the Apple’s looked more like Igloo coolers than computers. He’s interrupted from his short trip down memory lane by a hug from a former student. He keeps tabs on the program, and how it’s doing. Not that he has any say anymore, he jokes. The same way he keeps tabs on former students. Like the one who just hugged him, now a program instructor.

“You don’t hear all of the stories out there, but I get goosebumps thinking about some of the students that now have big stories to tell,” Burke said. “This program is a wellkept secret. I tried not to make it a secret. I went out and talked about it, but it’s just one of those programs that is hard to replicate.”

The program started in 1977 with a federal grant, which ended two years later. ESU 11 picked up a majority of the expenses 38 years ago. The fee is still manageable at $175 per student. A small price to pay considering the high-level coursework offered.

In Doug Walters’ classroom, for example, students spent Friday morning interviewing author Anthony J. Marchese about his book, “Design,” through a live video stream. Walters, by the way, has been an instructor in Summer Honors since the

start, a remarkable run of involvement that will end with the 2017 program.

It’s a worthwhile investment. All of ESU 11’s members on hand are quick to attest to that.

“It’s phenomenally important for the board to make these types of investments in our students,” Jack said. “For an individual school, they wouldn’t have the money or the manpower to support a program like this on their own. But by working together, we are able to bring this wonderful program to these kids.”

“Every single one of these kids are touched by this program,” Fleischmann said. “They want to give back, and they will. It will go on and on. It’s like they’ve built a community amongst themselves. You can see it as you just open your eyes and watch them grow. It’s just remarkable.”

They are the leaders of tomorrow. Their stories, while sure to be fascinating, have yet to be written. Wherever they go, they’ll have a group at ESU 11 cheering them on.

For now, they are the 40th chapter of another story.

The timeless tale of ESU 11’s Summer Honors Program. *The second installment of a three-part “Summer Spotlight” series, this story originally ran on the Nebraska Public School Advantage website in June. ■

Save the Date!

Emerging Superintendents Workshop November 8, 2017 NCSA Offices - Lincoln, NE 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Topics Include

*Leadership Perspectives of the Superintendent *Marketing Yourself on Paper *Being Your Best Self *Advocacy *Internal and External Prep *Preparing to be the Lead Communicator *The Superintendent Transition Plan

State Principals Conference November 30-December 1, 2017 Cornhusker Marriot - Lincoln, NE

NSASSP

Legislative Preview Conference December 6, 2017 Cornhusker Marriott - Lincoln, NE 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

FALL 2017 NCSA TODAY 9

We’re showcasing the transformational power of Nebraska’s public education.

Let us tell YOUR story. #OurSchoolsOurStories Contact NPSA: news@NCSA.org

www.nebraska-advantage.org www.facebook.com/nebraskaadvantage

@NEadvantage

AF F ILI ATE LEADERSH I P

Easy & Proven Pathways to a Healthier School: Strategies for Success

BY DR. JOHN SKRETTA, NASA President & Norris Supertintendent

T Skretta

he correlation between health and achievement has been well documented in the research literature around education. At its most basic level, it is intuitively and observationally evident to us that students who are healthy are likely to attend consistently and thereby benefit from instruction, which in turn leads to higher achievement. In more recent years, further evidence has emerged that indicates a strong positive correlation between routine physical activity and cognition. In the simplest terms, if you’re active more, your brain zips along a bit better (the neuron pathways aka pistons fire a bit better). Again, this is intuitively correct for those of us who have observed that we tend to feel better, sleep better, and are more productive when we are are active and nutritionally mindful.

Both Gen Youth (https://www.genyouthnow.org/) and the American School Health Association have documented that just 20 minutes of physical activity improves brain activity. Unfortunately, the same researchers have found that only about 25% of high school students are active for the recommended 60 minutes daily.

Added to the findings in student health for the kids are the realizations about the importance of staff wellness for the adults. In the corporate world, it is now generally regarded as a truism that staff wellness initiatives equate to a better bottom line. As the National Institute of Health Care Management (https:// www.nihcm.org/) has stated, “Considerable evidence exists demonstrating that employee wellness programs can achieve cost savings and produce significant returns on investment.” Further evidence suggests that organizations which offer and emphasize staff wellness initiatives have higher levels of employee engagement.

In both the arenas of student health and staff wellness, schools have a clear opportunity to close the gap between our knowledge of what works and how we actually function within our buildings and throughout our campuses. What are some quick things that schools can do to promote an environment that encourages physical activity and the health for students and staff? Here are some ideas that are growing in popularity in school districts, and which are some things that Norris and other partner ESU 6 schools (Dorchester, Exeter-Milligan, Friend, McCool Junction and Milford) have learned during a federal PEP

(Physical Education Program) Grant implementation: 1. Recognize that the state has a long-standing (2010) Coordinated School Health Policy. This should provide the impetus for school districts to examine practices in this area. You can access this at the Nebraska Department of Education website at https://www.education.ne.gov/CSH/CSHPolicy/CSH%20Policy%20G21_2017%20USE.pdf 2. Recognize that you don’t have to go it alone, because there is lots of expertise in school health initiatives including free resources and technical support from organizations like the Alliance For a Healthier Generation or Let’s Move Active Schools (http://www.letsmoveschools.org/).

3. Tap into the support of registered dietitians Caryn Kusleika and Beth Bruck Upton with Midwest Dairy and jump into a Fuel Up To Play 60 initiative that will galvanize students and staff enthusiasm while providing resources – grant money folks! – to your school to promote nutrition and PA. You can learn more and reach out to Beth at https://www.nationaldairycouncil. org/our-story/local-dairy-council/nebraska 4. Consider a tower garden initiative and deploy some of these at the classroom level. You can learn more at http://www.towergarden.com/grow/ school-gardens). At Norris, we have incorporated these in science, FCS and Ag classrooms because they allow students to understand farm to table initiatives and participate in exciting STEM lessons.

5. Stop the sedentary! Consider making changes to your classroom office and office environments by incorporating standup desks, ortho-balls (stability ball chairs), or Hoki movement stools as chairs. Instead of the archaic row and chair approach, centers that include some of these provide students the opportunity to improve posture, core strength and stability, as well as have more movement consistently throughout small group time / or at their table groups.

6. Model what you message! Identify a personally meaningful health goal for yourself, something you’re wanting to do. As organizational leaders, when we take the time to make personal health a priority and share a health goal with others, it tends to have a positive contagion effect! My next training target is the Des Moines marathon in October.

Continued on page 12

FALL 2017 NCSA TODAY 11

AF F ILI ATE LEADERSH I P Easy & Proven Pathways…(continued from page 11) 7. Recess rocks! Remember there is not just one right way to play, so don’t be afraid to be a bit unconventional to engage more students in being physically active. Several years ago, our middle school integrated skateboarding as an allowable activity for recess. Middle school administrators and teacher supervisors took appropriate precautions and liability reduction measures to incorporate this.

8. Make it easy! Host annual health screenings, flu shots for your staff by partnering with local healthcare providers.

We have also connected with local gyms and exercise centers, like Good Life and Titan Fitness, who have routinely offered discounted or incentivized membership promotions exclusively for educational staff.

9. Free money! The Elevate incentive program (https:// www.ehawellness.org/elevate/indexS.shtml) through EHA Well-

12 NCSA TODAY FALL 2017

ness offers a $150 cash incentive via a Visa gift card to all EHA members who complete the basic participation requirements including a personal health assessment over the course of a year.

10. Actively encourage and promote your staff members to participate in the EHA Wellness Program by ensuring monthly updates on the health promotions from EHA are communicated to your staff. Don’t know where to start? Then contact Linda Kenedy at linda@ehawellnessprogram.org and she will support your efforts!

It is my hope that some of the above provide useful and practical support for school leaders to encourage our students and staff to have a healthy, happy, and high-achieving 2017-18 school year! ■

PARTNERSH I P

UNL Department of Educational Administration Welcomes New Chair

D

r. Nick Pace began duties as the new chair of the Department of Educational Administration at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in mid-July. We recently sat down with Dr. Pace to learn about his background and welcome him to Nebraska.

Tell us about your career and path through education.

I’m a native Iowan, having grown up in a small town near Des Moines. I attended the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) on a basketball scholarship and majored in sociology with a history minor. My first real job was as a mental health social worker in Kansas City—an intense learning experience that was a tremendous influence on me.

After a year in KC, I realized that I wanted to teach and coach, and subsequently moved back to Iowa and taught social studies in a couple of districts in southern Iowa, while earning a master’s degree in Educational Administration from Drake University. I accepted a 7-12 principalship in northeast Iowa. After my time in K-12, I spent seventeen years back at UNI in student field experience, coordinating the principalship program, and as department head of Educational Leadership and Postsecondary Education.

What attracted you to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln?

Well, I wasn’t looking for a job. We were tremendously happy at UNI. Some members of the search committee at Nebraska reached out and we began talking about the department, college, and university. The more we learned about the amazing faculty in the educational administration department, the powerful history of the college, and of course the flagship of the University of Nebraska system, the more interested we became. It has been an awesome transition. We’re thrilled to be here!

What stands out in your mind about Nebraska, PK-12 schools and the work of your department?

Lots of things. I was immediately struck by the way students described their experiences and what faculty have meant to them.

Our faculty are talented, passionate and authentic and students see it. Our blend of professors of practice, who have years of service as principals and superintendents, combined with other faculty members with deep expertise as researchers and scholars is just unbeatable. That puts us in a unique position to blend theory and real-world practice. It’s a perfect way to fulfill Nebraska’s research and extension mission.

I’m convinced this is the most challenging time in the history

of public education, whether we’re talking Iowa, Nebraska or anywhere else. We have rapidly changing demographics, economic pressures and all sorts of challenges. But I’m continually inspired by the quality of people who step forward to lead schools. They’re tenacious, committed leaders who are intent on serving others. They’re inspiring. What a gift to be able to contribute something to their growth and success!

Pace What’s your vision for your department’s role with Nebraska schools?

This is a relationship business. I want to build on our department’s culture of excellence—in the way we empower school leaders and conduct and share research that helps educators improve outcomes for kids. I’m anxious to build on our connections to Nebraska schools and the people who lead them.

I met dozens of school leaders at Administrators’ Days in Kearney, and I’m anxious to get out into the state and spend time in Nebraska schools, so if people call me, I’m going to try to get there.

What else should we know about you?

As we were transitioning to Lincoln a lot of people asked about becoming Huskers. That’s been easy. As a UNI Panther, I’ve been bagging on the Cyclones and Hawkeyes for a good 40 years! GBR! I’m married to my high school sweetheart, Roxanne (also a UNI grad). Our son, Adison, will be a freshman at Nebraska this fall, and our daughter, Sienna, is in her final semester at Truman State University. We love college basketball, history, art, politics, good music and food. We can’t wait to explore and build relationships at our new home in Nebraska! ■ Nicholas J. (Nick) Pace, Ed.D. 141C Teachers College Hall University of Nebraska–Lincoln Lincoln, NE 68588-0360 402.472.3910 Nick.Pace@unl.edu @NJPace40

FALL 2017 NCSA TODAY 13

E H A WELLNESS

EHA Wellness Works

BY LINDA KENEDY, EHA Wellness Program

F

all is here and with the change of seasons comes Indy 500 (April) – Participants will earn “laps” as a new year with EHA Wellness. The Educators they eat healthy, sleep regularly, stay hydrated and exHealth Alliance Wellness Program is a voluntary ercise to race to the finish line. program offered to all groups under the EHA plan umOrganize & Rejuvenate (June) – Participants will brella. The program provides each participating group learn tips and tricks to organizing spaces in their lives with the tools and assistance needed to improve the to help them be more productive and happy. health of their employees through fun challenges, a personal health assessment and incen“ EHA Wellness is a most helpful tool for me to be tives. Now in its sixth year, the data from the HEALTHY. It has shown me how to eat healthy and I am EHA Wellness Program is showing improvement nearing my 100 pound lost, so I still need you all. And in health not only in individuals, but also posifrom the bottom of my heart thank you thank you thank tive changes within the culture of participating you. “ – EHA Wellness Program Participant groups. When wellness is a part of the way the school or group functions on a daily basis, everyone benefits.

Here is a lineup of the challenges for the year: Color Yourself Calm (August) – Participants will be Healthy Lunch Club (October) – Participants will encouraged to take time to color for a few minutes of learn how to make healthy choices for lunch. destressing during the day.

Project Zero (December) - Participants will get help Whether you’re looking forward to another great staying on track with their nutrition and exercise goals year with EHA Wellness, or you if haven’t yet joined the during the holiday season.

260 groups participating, make 2017 your year to get Mind, Body, Spirit (February) – Participants will your staff involved. Contact us today at 402-614-0491 learn to manage their stress and find ways to stay balor email contact@ehawellness.org. ■ anced during the last of the winter months

Kenedy

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P R OGRAM SPOTLI GH T

Do You Know a Courageous Teacher?

BY GREGG F. WRIGHT, MD, Acting Dean, UNL Emeritus Professor BETH DOLL, PHD, Acting Dean, UNL CEHS Co-Chairs, Nebraska Christa McAuliffe Committee

C

hrista McAuliffe was a courageous teacher from New Hampshire who was selected to be our first “Teacher in Space.” Her goals were to remind the entire nation of the importance of education and take students all over the country on the “ultimate field trip.” Christa McAuliffe died in 1986 in the explosion of the Challenger Space Shuttle. Her courage was evident in being willing to board that space shuttle, and also when she stood up to NASA about what and how she should teach in space. She wanted her presence in space to be more than a publicity stunt.

To honor her courage and her memory, the Nebraska McAuliffe Prize for Courage and Excellence in Education was established soon after the shuttle explosion. This annual prize honors a courageous Nebraska K-12 teacher each year with a $1,000 prize and a beautiful plaque. The winning teacher’s school also receives $500 to help support their mission.

This year for the first time, the Nebraska McAuliffe Prize teacher will be recognized as part of Administrators’ Days in Kearney in July 2018. Is our next winner teaching in your school? Please help us find this courageous teacher.

We are used to thinking about and honoring excellent teachers. But it is less common to pay tribute to courageous teachers. Courage brings to mind soldiers or fire fighters. However, the 31 teachers who have been awarded the Nebraska McAuliffe Prize have defined courage in education; they show how much we need courageous teachers in our schools.

Courage is sometimes defined as “doing the right thing, even when it is difficult”—persisting through adversity because it is the right thing to do. Many of our Nebraska McAuliffe Prize teachers fit that definition. Some have been special educators, working with children who have difficult disabilities or helping to define best practices when those practices are not yet clear. Some have persisted in working with children whose ability to learn is challenged by disadvantage, behavioral issues or adversity in their home lives. Helping children to learn is often challenging and we rely on courageous teachers to show us the way.

Another definition of courage is “doing what is right, even if it is risky.” It is always easier to stay with the status quo—not to make waves. Some Nebraska McAuliffe Prize teachers began new programs where success was not guaranteed and where staying with the old way might have been more comfortable. Some pioneered new technology, showing us the way when no one knew the way. Some championed an educational cause or a group of students that “business as usual” was not addressing. It requires courage to stand up for what is right even when others remain seated. But our education system is better because of these courageous teachers.

This map shows that our winners have come from 16 communities all over Nebraska, from our smallest county to our largest cities. Is your community represented? Please go to http://courage.unl.edu to learn more about the Nebraska McAuliffe Prize and to nominate a courageous teacher. Nominations are due by January 27, 2018 and all materials must be submitted electronically by March 31, 2018.

FALL 2017 NCSA TODAY 15

NCSA REPORT

Dr. Ron Hanson, Superintendent, and Stuart Simpson, Director of Finance.

For North Platte school administrators, when the weather permits, this is how they roll.

CAL E NDAR OF EVENTS OCTOBER

October 7

NOVEMBER

November 2-3 November 8 November 15-17 November 30-December 1

DECEMBER December 6

JANUARY

January 27

FEBRUARY February 1-2 February 3 February 21-22

NCSA Tailgate

NCSA

Lincoln (NU vs. Wisconsin)

NE Fall Ed Tech Conference Emerging Superintendents Workshop State Education Conference State Principals Conference

Younes Conf Center NCSA Embassy Suites Cornhusker Marriott

Kearney Lincoln LaVista Lincoln

Legislative Preview

Cornhusker Marriott

Lincoln

Emerging Administrators, Day 1 of 2

NCSA

Lincoln

NASES Legislative Conference Emerging Administrators, Day 2 of 2 Education Forum

Graduate NCSA Younes Conf. Center

Lincoln Lincoln Kearney

* Region Meeting dates can be found on the NCSA website.

National Convention Dates

ASBO—September 22-25, 2017—Denver, CO CASE—November 1-3, 2017—Nugget Reno, NV AASA—February 15-17, 2018—Nashville, TN ASCD­—March 24-26, 2018 —Boston, MA

16 NCSA TODAY FALL 2017

Gold Sponsorships Ameritas Investment Corp.

Dallas Watkins dallas.watkins@ameritas.com 5900 O Street, 1st Floor Lincoln, NE 68510 800-700-2362 ameritas.com

Boyd Jones Construction Lissa Marshall LMarshall@boydjones.biz 333 So. 9th Street Lincoln, NE 68508 402-318-4794 boydjones.biz

Compass Fiancial Resources Brian Luther brian@compassfr.us 500 Central Park Drive, Ste. 204 Lincoln, NE 68504 402-467-0531 www.compassnebr.com

D.A. Davidson & Co.

Paul Grieger pgrieger@dadco.com 1111 No. 102nd Court, Ste. 300 Omaha, NE 68114 800-942-7557 davidsoncompanies.com/ficm

Curtis Johnson cjohnson@dlrgroup.com 6457 Frances Street, Ste 200 Omaha, NE 68106 402-393-4100 dlrgroup.com

ESUCC

First National Capital Markets Craig Jones craigjones@fnni.com 1620 Dodge Street, Ste. 1104 Omaha, NE 68197 402-598-1218 fncapitalmarkets.com

Johnson Controls

Software Unlimited, Inc.

Becky Ferguson P.O. Box 82529 Lincoln, NE 68501 402-323-1334 Becky.Ferguson@ubt.com www.ubt.com

Insuring Success

Ty Christensen tchristensen@insuringsuccess.com 19016 Costanzo Circle Elkhorn, NE 68022 402-960-5387 insuringsuccess.com

John Baylor Prep

John Baylor john@johnbaylorprep.com P.O. Box 30792 Lincoln, NE 68503 402-475-7737 johnbaylorprep.com

Barry Ballou balloub@pfm.com 455 So. 11th Street Lincoln, NE 68508 402-705-0350 nlafpool.org

Nebraska Safety Center Mick Anderson andersonmd@unk.edu West Center, 220E Kearney, NE 68849 308-865-9393 www.unk.edu/offices/ safety_center

TRANE

Dave Raymond dave.raymond@trane.com 5720 So. 77th Street Ralston, NE 68127 402-452-7762 trane.com/omaha

Unanimous

Will Hays will@unanimousagency.com 8600 Executive Woods, Ste. 300 Lincoln, NE 68512 402-423-5447 unanimousagency.com

Heather Mills 2911 Peach Street Wisconsin Rapids, WI 55494 800-338-4204 ext. 4712 heather.mills@renaissance.com www.renaissance.com Corey Atkinson caa@su-inc.com 5015 S. Broadband Lane Sioux Falls, SD 57108 605-361-2073 su.inc.com

Nebraska Liquid Asset Fund

Katie Lechner katie.lechner@humanexventures.com 2900 So. 70th Street, Ste. 100 Lincoln, NE 68506 402-486-1102 humanexventures.com

Dave Ludwig dludwig@esucc.org 6949 So. 110th Street Omaha, NE 68128 402-597-4866 esucc.org

Renaissance

NE Public Agency Investment Trust

Humanex Ventures

Bradley Cooper brad@champshots.com 13436 So. 217th Street Gretna, NE 68028 402-991-7786 misportsphotography.com Steve Ott sott@nisbenefits.com 9202 W. Dodge Road, Ste. 302 Omaha, NE 68114 800-627-3660 nisbenefits.com

Cindy Dornbush cindy.dornbush@horacemann.com 10612 Monroe Street, No. 4 Omaha, NE 68127 402-680-9382 horacemann.com

Howie Halperin howie@ehawellnessprogram.org 256 No. 115 Street, Ste. 7 Omaha, NE 68154 402-614-0491 ehawellness.org

Modern Images

National Insurance

Horace Mann

EHA Wellness

Awards Unlimited

Jason Peck 14238 Hillsdale Circle Omaha, NE 68137 308-708-9479 Jason.peck@jci.com www.johnsoncontrols.com

Mick Anderson andersonmd@unk.edu Rm 220E WSTC—UNK Campus 1917 W. 24th Street Kearney, NE 68849 308-865-8258 www.greatplainssafety.com

DLR Group

Silver Sponsorships Tim Moravec tmoravec@awardsunlimited.com 360 SW 27th Street Lincoln, NE 68522 800-950-3553 www.awardsunlimited.com

Great Plains Safety and Health Organization

Bronze Sponsorships K12itc., Inc.

Fred Helmink Fred.Helmink@k12itc.com 63rd Terrace Kansas City, MO 64151 816-533-5998 | www.k12it.com

Kearney Visitors Bureau

Sarah Focke sfocke@visitkearney.org PO Box 607 Kearney, NE 68848 800-652-9435 | visitkearney.org

University of Nebraska High School Charlotte Seewald cseewald@nebraska.edu 206 South 13th Street, Suite 800 P.O. Box 880226 Lincoln, NE 68588 402-472-1922 highschool.nebraska.edu

Nebraska Council of School Administrators

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