The second week of August means it’s time for students to head back to school and for fall sports athletes to begin practice for the 2010-2011 school year.
Johnson-Brock Public Schools students will begin classes Monday, Aug. 16, at 8:15 a.m. The first day will be a 1 p.m. student dismissal. Teachers will work until 4 p.m. Teachers will attend pre-service Wednesday-Friday, Aug. 11-13.
The normal school day is 8:05 a.m.-3:25 p.m. for kindergarten through sixth grade; and 8:15 a.m.-3:36 p.m. for grades seven through 12.
There are two new faculty members and a few coaching changes for 2010-2011.
Dee Ann Richardson is the new guidance counselor. She will continue to be varsity girls’ basketball head coach. Her husband, Harold, teaches and coaches at Sterling Public Schools.
Scott Versch is the new industrial technology teacher. He will also be the sponsor of the electric vehicle program.
No major summer projects, enrollment similar to 2009-2010
Superintendent Arlen Andreesen said that there were no major summer projects in preparation for the new school year. He said that things are going smoothly in preparing for the new school year. Most preparation consisted of regular maintenance, Andreesen said. A lot of teachers have attended in-services. Andreesen and Jacquelyn Kelsay, principal and activities director, have attended several workshops.
Andreesen said enrollment is expected to be in the range of 282-290 students, similar to 2009-2010. Johnson-Brock High School graduated a large senior class. However, the superintendent said the district gained a lot of elementary students in the past year.
Breakfast and lunch prices were raised 10 cents over 2009-2010. In kindergarten through sixth grades, breakfast is $1.55 and lunch is $2.30. For grades seven through 12, breakfast is $1.85 and lunch is $2.55.
Unlike recent years, Andreesen said that there will be no “meet and greet” night. Three years ago, there was such an event when a lot of students from the former Nemaha Valley Public Schools came to Johnson-Brock after Nemaha Valley merged with Tecumseh to create Johnson County Central Public Schools. Last year, there were new students to the district after Southeast Consolidated closed at the end of the 2008-09 school year and merged with Humboldt/Table Rock-Steinauer Public Schools.
Minor Conference Change
The Nebraska Pioneer Conference, which Johnson-Brock is a charter member, was reduced from 12 to 11 schools for 2010-2011. Omaha Brownell-Talbot dropped out of the conference. Andreesen said that the Nebraska Pioneer Conference is competitive. He said officials are actively seeking out more schools to join the conference, but have not been successful.
Besides Johnson-Brock Public Schools, other conference members are: Diller-Odell Public Schools, Falls City Sacred Heart School, Freeman Public Schools, Friend Public Schools, Humboldt/Table Rock-Steinauer Schools, Lewiston Consolidated Schools, Nebraska City Lourdes Central Catholic, Pawnee City Public Schools, Wymore Southern School District 1 and Sterling Public Schools.
Special Education Services
In cooperation with Educational Service Unit No. 4, Auburn, Johnson-Brock officials provide special education services to all identified students within the boundaries of the district. The school district provides psychological testing services, a speech clinician and resource room personnel to meet the needs of students with special learning requirements.
Secondary Staff
Brett Davis, junior high math and social studies; Lori Broady, social studies and psychology; Jan Gerdes, media specialist; Megan Howe, math; Karen Johns, seventh grade science; Rhonda Johnson, art; Tim Newman, physical education; Jaime Apperson, resource; Dana Overfield, instrumental and vocal music; Sylvia Smith, business; Tera Stutheit, English; Scott Versch, industrial technology; Tammy Blobaum, science and Karen Wolken, English, speech and journalism.
Elementary Staff
Sandra Behrends, first grade; Mary Findeis, resource and Title I; Jan Gerdes, media specialist and Title I; Holly Hawley and Kerri Moerer, special instructional aides; Karen Johns, fifth grade; Cindy Kreifels, fourth grade; Tim Newman, physical education; Dana Overfield, vocal and instrumental music; Irene Seeba, kindergarten; Mary Stewart, third grade; Ryan Walker, sixth grade and Jane Wenzl, second grade.
Coaches
Football: Brett Davis, head coach, and Tim Newman and Nick Krenk, assistant coaches.
Volleyball: Sondra Westenburg, head coach, assistant coach to be named.
Girls’ basketball: DeeAnn Richardson, head coach and Randy Speckmann, assistant coach.
Boys’ basketball: Nick Krenk, head coach and Ryan Walker, assistant coach.
Track and field: Sandy Behrends, head coach, and Tim Newman and Ryan Walker, assistant coaches.
Weightlifting: Brett Davis, head coach.
Junior high football, boys’ and girls’ basketball, and track and field: Tim Newman.
Junior high volleyball: To be named.
Other activity sponsors
Instrumental and vocal music: Dana Overfield.
Play production: Tera Stutheit.
Speech and yearbook: Karen Wolken.
Future Business Leaders of America: Sylvia Smith.
National Honor Society: Jan Gerdes.
Quiz Bowl: Tammy Blobaum.
Student Council: Lori Broady.
Electric Vehicle: Scott Versch.
Magazine sales: Rhonda Johnson.
Class Sponsors
Class of 2011: Rhonda Johnson.
Class of 2012: Rhonda Johnson.
Class of 2013: Megan Howe.
Class of 2014: Lori Broady.
Class of 2015: Mary Findeis.
Class of 2016: Jaime Apperson.
Bus Drivers
Cecilia Antholz, Ray Beasterfield, Mark Boellstorff, Nick Rinne and Gary Volker.
Support and Clerical Staff
April Holthus, technology coordinator; Karen Bohling, secondary secretary; Joetta Sims, secretary to superintendent; Diana Stahl, distance learning and clerical assistant and Kelly Stahl, elementary secretary.
Custodial Staff
Mike Neemann, day; Gene Remmers, evening and Susan Remmers, part-time evening.
Food Service Staff
Penny Neddenriep, head cook; and Susan Bowen and Barb Caspers, assistant cooks.
Other 2010-2011 School Calendar Highlights:
Monday, Sept. 6: No school, Labor Day.
Friday, Oct. 15: End of first quarter.
Thursday, Oct. 28: Parent-teacher conferences, 2:30-8 p.m.; 1 p.m. dismissal.
Friday, Oct. 29: No school, fall break.
Wednesday-Friday, Nov. 24-26: No school, Thanksgiving break.
Wednesday, Dec. 22: End of first semester.
Thursday, Dec. 23-Friday, Dec. 31: Winter break.
Monday, Jan. 3: Start of second semester.
Thursday, March 3: End of third quarter.
Friday, March 4 and Friday, March 11: No school, spring break.
Thursday, April 21: No school, inservice.
Friday, April 22: No school, Good Friday.
Monday, April 25: No school, Easter break.
Friday, May 6: Last day for seniors.
Saturday, May 14: Graduation.
Tuesday, May 17: Last day of classes.
Wednesday, May 18: Teacher inservice.