2006-2007 Annual Report

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Students continue with Success 

"If you can read this, thank a teacher." I love this bumper sticker and smile every time I see it. For the Grand Island Public Schools, I believe this has even greater meaning, because more of our students than ever before are reading at or above their grade level. When I look back at where we were eight years ago and where we are today, I marvel at the progress. Our schools are focused on teaching and learning, and the investment is paying great dividends.

The 2007-08 school year has begun on a high note. We are quite pleased with our academic accomplishments at all levels and in all content areas, based on the state and federal benchmarks. This success is due to the tremendous commitment and professional expertise of approximately 1,200 members of our GIPS team. We are very proud of what is happening in our classrooms as we strive to ensure that EVERY student is successful.

As we approach the midpoint of this school year, I want to share some highlights:

1. 17 of 18 GIPS schools made "Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP)" as designated by No Child Left Behind (NCLB), and collectively we met 459 out of 461 federal indicators.
2. The number of students receiving the "Standard of Excellence" designation for scoring at the "advanced" level on district assessment in language arts and math continues to increase.
3. Our major facility projects are taking shape. The new Westridge is scheduled to open in January. Please consider attending the Dedication Ceremony at 2:30 p.m. Jan. 16 and the Cornerstone Ceremony at 2:30 p.m. Jan. 20. They will be gala events.
4. The remodeling of the "old" Westridge to become the "new" Engleman has begun and will intensify after the existing Westridge building is vacated.

Future Planning: A couple of times each year, the Board of Education meets to develop and modify district goals. The importance of this process is to help us maintain clear focus on our targets without having to worry about fads or political developments that may impact education. For this year, our goals include:

• Improve student learning across the board for ALL students. Included in this goal is the expansion of opportunities for High Ability Learners based upon a comprehensive program review. In addition, we are seeking an increase of 1% in average daily attendance.
• Strengthen the teaching and learning opportunities for students at Grand Island Senior High School. This will include developing more effective communication regarding the tremendous opportunities for students to advance themselves through challenging courses and pathways and developing a student advocacy program for at-risk students.
• Develop a comprehensive plan to improve the public's perceptions of the Grand Island Public Schools. Education is a competitive endeavor, and students have many choices. We believe parents should know what opportunities are available in GIPS.
• Pursuing any and all available sources for additional funds for our educational mission. GIPS ranks seventh lowest in the state in spending per pupil despite having a relatively higher student needs index than most Nebraska districts.

Robbins excels in academics, theater, and music groups

"It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but ourselves." - William Shakespeare

Ben Robbins follows the words of his favorite playwright, William Shakespeare, in preparing himself for life after graduation from Grand Island Senior High School.

Robbins is an outstanding example of what a student can attain through opportunities available at the high school. He is among 15 seniors ranked No. 1 in the senior Class of 2008. But his success extends far beyond classrooms.

He participates in band (mallet percussion instruments), orchestra (viola), a string quartet, Chamber Singers, Madrigals, drama productions, musicals, Student Council, and National Honor Society. Also, he is the student representative on the Grand Island Public Schools Board of Education, a representative on the Community Youth Council, a member of the Governor's Youth Advisory Council, and a mentor for Big Brothers Big Sisters.

"Ben is one of the top students in my 16 years in education," said Greg Ulmer, director of theater at the high school. "He is a stable force and is someone you can always count on when you need something done. He is hard-working and dedicated to whatever he happens to be working on. He makes everyone else around him better."

Robbins stands out because of his work ethic, dedication, great personality, commitment, and innovations, Ulmer said. Although Robbins participates in all theater productions, he hasn't taken any drama classes since ninth grade because his schedule was full. He is preparing for his role as Ebenezer Scrooge in the school's December performance of "A Christmas Carol."

The Theater Department presents seven shows a year.

"I'm involved in all of them, usually on stage," Robbins said. "I really have a passion for Shakespeare." Two summers ago, Robbins directed a summer theater program that presented "A Midsummer Night's Dream" at Sothman Park. He received a $500 grant from the Grand Island Community Foundation to fund the project and was excited to expose other students to Shakespeare.
He credits his parents, Kay and Vern Robbins, for getting him involved in theater productions and public performances.

"From when I was very young, my parents have been very good about getting me out there," Robbins said. "I had a lot of stage time as a child. I enjoyed the fact that I could entertain people."
This summer, Robbins was one of two high school students who received the Travis B. Lewis Scholar Award at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), which enabled him to spend 10 weeks participating in research at UNMC. Robbins was involved in research concerning direct delivery of nano-particle medicines to treat brain tumors and HIV-E. He also was involved in a presentation concerning the different proteins that cause Alzheimer's disease.

"I've almost always known I wanted to go into medicine," Robbins said. His summer experience exposed him to a possible career as a researcher, another option for him other than becoming a practicing physician.
Robbins thought he would spend more time at UNMC observing researchers than participating. That wasn't the case.

"I was a lab worker. I helped perform experiments that were part of major research projects," he said. He also volunteered in the emergency room at UNMC during the summer.

Robbins explained what he likes about Grand Island Senior High School.

"The thing about Senior High that has been most beneficial is the size. When you have an enrollment of 2,000 students, there are a lot more groups and activities available. It's really easy to find your niche here," he said. "The faculty is amazing. You couldn't ask for better teachers than what I've had."
Robbins is a semi-finalist for a National Merit Scholarship and has spent time this fall touring college campuses. His family has a long-standing legacy at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, but he is also exploring other locations, including Harvard, Dartmouth, Washington University, and Stanford. Robbins will decide what college he will attend after college acceptance letters are sent in April.

"It would take a lot to get me out of Nebraska," Robbins said. "I know I'll be happy wherever I go, and I know I'll make the most of wherever I go." 

Mirza reaches semifinals in National Spelling Bee 

Sarah Mirza did what all competitors strive to do - reaching the highest level possible during her last year of eligibility.

As an eighth-grader at Barr Middle School, Mirza won the 78th annual Omaha World-Herald Midwest Spelling Bee in Omaha in March and advanced to the semifinals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C., in late May.

Mirza is nonchalant about her success as a speller.

"I made it through more rounds than I expected," she said about her experience at the National Spelling Bee. "I got 16th place."

Mirza did not spend every available moment cramming for spelling bees.

"I never forgot I had a life outside of spelling bees," she said. Talking to other spelling competitors, going shopping, and sightseeing were among the highlights of her trip to Washington, D.C.

Mirza credits Cindy Sandell, who was an integration specialist when Mirza attended Wasmer Elementary School, for encouraging her to begin competing in spelling bees.

"The rest is history," she said.

She worked very hard in fourth and fifth grades to become a better speller. Mirza won the fifth-grade division in the Hall County Spelling Bee, then finished first in the overall Hall County competition for the next three years. She advanced to the top 20 in the state competition as a sixth-grader and was third in the state as a seventh-grader.

She said she was more nervous about reaching the stage without tripping at the televised National Spelling Bee than she was about spelling words correctly.

Mirza said Barr seventh-grade teacher Linda Plummer and eighth-grade teacher Nicole Gengenbach helped her improve.

"Sarah Mirza is a talented writer who infuses her passion for words into her work," Gengenbach said in March after Mirza won the Midwest Spelling Bee.

Mirza has other interests outside of spelling. She describes herself as a "band geek" who plays the trumpet in the high school's marching band and stage band. She's also involved in speech and theater.

Although Mirza enjoys writing, which is linked to her spelling talent, she has other plans for her career.
"I want to do something in the medical field. You help people," she said.

Her father, Ghulam Mirza, is a physician. She credits her father and mother, Rishia Brown, for their support.
Mirza, an avid reader, likes author J.K. Rowling's work.

"I don't read ‘chick lit(erature),'" she said. "I'm not a fan of stories that end happily ever after." 

Students boost self-esteem through poster contests 

Knickrehm Elementary School fifth-grade teacher Diane Meyer says she struggles to draw stick figures. But that doesn't stop her from helping her students succeed in poster contests, which are about more than winning. Preparing for poster contests teaches students to start and finish projects and also boosts their self-esteem. And when her students complete fifth grade, Meyer expects this result.

"They're going to leave my room knowing what they're good at," she said. "They're a lot more confident in other areas."

Meyer's first experience with students in a poster contest came in the 2000-2001 school year, when her second-graders entered the Grand Island Heritage Zoo poster contest.

Student success through guidance from the Grand Island Public Schools' "poster queen" has meant that dignitaries such as Gov. Dave Heineman have visited Knickrehm, the school has received gifts such as trees, students' posters have appeared on billboards, and students have visited the Governor's Mansion in Lincoln.
During the 2006-2007 school year, Meyer's students had these accomplishments:

• Dutton Hughes won the 2007 Nebraska Arbor Day Poster Contest and advanced to national competition.
• Meyer's students swept the fifth- and sixth-grade division of the Nebraska Department of Agriculture's Poster Contest. Kathie Nguyen finished first, Hughes was second, and Kathryn Christensen was third. Another classmate, Jake Mayer, won the Governor's Choice Award.
• Jake Mayer won first place in the State Poison Prevention Week Poster Contest.
• Jake Mayer finished second in the National Poison Prevention Week Poster Contest, and Mariah Galvan was third.
• Kathie Nguyen and Eric Shriner won the State Environmental Calendar Art Contest.
• Kathryn Christensen won the Grand Island Independent's Design an Ad Contest.
• Kathie Nguyen won the Tobacco Free Hall County Art Contest. Jake Mayer, Dutton Hughes, and Kristopher Einspahr tied for second.

Gov. Heineman's visit to Knickrehm last spring to recognize the Ag Poster Contest winners is the pinnacle of the poster contest success. Heineman addressed all Knickrehm students and staff in the school's gym, then visited Meyer's classroom and ate pizza with the students.

The Ag Poster Contest provides a way for Meyer to share her farm experiences with students. Meyer and her husband live on a farm by Cairo. She shows students photos of their farm and discusses Nebraska's ag products such as beef, milk, and corn with them. The Meyers also raise chinchillas. Meyer's classroom pet is a chinchilla, and students learn the responsibility of caring for an animal.

Students in Meyer's class this year are already off to a good start in poster contest competitions. Robbie Van Heufeln won the Nebraska Art Poster Contest for "Kids Safe Online," open to all fourth- and fifth-graders in the state. Gov. Heineman presented the award to Van Heufeln at the State Capitol, and Meyer also attended.

Meyer has taught at Knickrehm since 2000. She previously worked as a substitute teacher in the Grand Island Public Schools and also taught at other schools in Hall and Buffalo Counties.

Meyer's students work on their projects at 7:30 a.m. before school starts or after school. They can also check out packets to work on projects at home.

"I have high expectations for my students in every aspect of my classroom, but this is only half of my task. I also want each of my students to have high expectations for themselves. As my students go through the process of creating their posters or completing any other classroom activity, they are always encouraged to do their best. As a class, we discuss what a quality poster looks like, emphasizing that each one should exhibit neatness, convey unique ideas, and express creativity," Meyer said.

"The school district's art instruction program, ‘Art Works,' stresses the components and principles of design that students need to incorporate to create quality artwork," Meyer said.

"I believe that we, as teachers, see more talent in our students than they actually see in themselves. As students express their ideas in a poster contest or in any other classroom work, they have the opportunity to discover their own potential - potential that they may not see in themselves," Meyer said.

Knickrehm has also benefited from students' success. Nebraska Arbor Day officials have visited the school to recognize its state contest winners and to assist the students in planting a tree at Knickrehm during the week of Arbor Day. Meyer's students have planted five trees at Knickrehm. Meyer has purchased two guided reading tables, numerous books, a large bulletin boar, and other educational materials for her classroom with money provided by the Arbor Day Foundation.

Grand Island Public Schools Student Learning Results 

2000-2007 ITBS & ITED Results by Percentile Scores

The Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS) and Iowa Test of Educational Development (ITED) were administered in February 2007 to all GIPS students in grades 3-9 and 11. These national norm-referenced achievement tests have been given for the past nine years. The ITBS/ITED results are reported by grade level in four areas: Reading, Language, Mathematics, and Core (the composite of the three subtests). The 2006-07 group results include 4,406 GIPS students within the eight grade levels (3-9 and 11).

 

Summary Analysis

• GIPS students scored better than 62% of all U.S. students taking the same test.
• The core score - the composite score for reading, language, and math - has improved districtwide for each of the past five years.
• The core score for all GIPS students improved 1.7 percentiles from the prior year and 6.7 percentiles from four years ago.
• Elementary school (3-5) students' core total of 67.1 percentile improved 2.8 percentiles from the prior year and improved 6.4 percentiles from four years ago.
• Middle school (6-8) students' core total of 57.0 percentile remained the same from the prior year and improved 6.4 percentiles from four years ago.
• High school (9 and 11) students' core total of 56.6 percentile improved 1.8 percentiles from the prior year and improved 6.7 percentiles from four years ago.
• Over the past four years, subtest scores for all students improved as follows (in percentiles): 10.4 in mathematics, 4.0 in language, and 3.3 in reading.
• Over the past four years, the math subtest scores improved by 10.4 percentiles, the language subtest scores improved by 4.0 percentiles, and the reading subtest scores improved by 3.3 percentiles.

2006-07 District Assessment Results by Percent of Students Proficient

Our district administers Districtwide Assessments each spring to measure all students' reading, writing, speaking, and mathematics achievement (over 40,000 individual assessments in grades 1-12). All District Assessments are designed by GIPS staff to measure how well students have learned the district's curriculum standards, and so they represent our best summative measures of what students should know/understand and be able to apply at a proficient level. These language arts and math assessments include a combination of 1) traditional structured response items (e.g., calculate the correct answer, fill in the blank), which measure knowledge and understanding, and 2) performance assessments, which measure how well students can use their knowledge.

Summary Analysis 

• 80% of all GIPS students scored "proficient" or "advanced" on the six District Language Arts Assessments (79% on reading only), compared to 77% the previous year.
• 80% of all GIPS students scored "proficient" or "advanced" on the District Mathematics Assessment, compared to 78% the previous year.
• GIPS students again performed best on the District Reading Fluency and Speaking Assessments, and lowest on the District Instructional Reading Assessment.
• For the third consecutive year, GIPS students again showed the greatest improvement on the District Mathematics Assessment.

G.I. Public Schools at a Glance

Student Enrollment (As of the 4th Friday in September)
Fiscal Year	Secondary	Preschool & Elementary	Total	Growth
1999-2000	3278	3717	6995	-1.51%
2000-2001	3302	3795	7097	1.46%
2001-2002	3497	3847	7344	3.48%
2002-2003	3585	4007	7592	3.38%
2003-2004	3693	4026	7719	1.67%
2004-2005	3764	4063	7827	1.40%
2005-2006	3773	4095	7868	1.72%
2006-2007	3750	4133	7883	0.19%
2007-2008	3819	4142	7961	1.18%
2008-2009	3850	4150	8000	1.48%
(Projected)

 

Cost Per Pupil Based Upon Average Daily Membership for the Fiscal Years 2001-2002 through 2005-2006 Grand Island vs. State Average
Fiscal Year	G.I.	Nebraska	Variance
2001-2002	$5986	$7127	$1141
2002-2003	$6142	$7476	$1334
2003-2004	$7361	$7798	$437
2004-2005	$6849	$8013	$1164
2005-2006	$7425	$8510	$1085

 

Principal Vikki Deuel engineers Walnut's success 

 When Principal Vikki Deuel raises her hand in front of 850 chattering Walnut Middle School students at an assembly in the school's gym, and students raise their hands, the room becomes quiet in a few seconds.
That positive atmosphere is present at Walnut Middle School, in part, because of Deuel's leadership.
Deuel promotes character education at Walnut, including the Purple Hands Project, where students pledge, "I will not use my hands or words for hurting myself or others."

Walnut used to have a reputation as the "toughest school in town" and "the school on the wrong side of the (railroad) tracks," she said. She and other Walnut staff members decided it was time to change Walnut's reputation, and their voyage in character education began. She is quick to credit Walnut's staff as the leaders in the transformation.

She regrets that "there are still people in Grand Island who believe we are the way we used to be" and welcomes opportunities for residents to visit Walnut.

Although Deuel's work days are long and never predictable, she's known for her sense of humor, laugh, and smile. If you want to see Walnut's students excel, attend the school's annual Purple Hands Assembly or Christmas assembly, which Deuel promotes because some students will receive few or no Christmas presents.

Counselor Mary Ann Richards has worked with Deuel in developing and leading the school's character education efforts. The two have given presentations at conferences and schools throughout the country about Walnut's success, which culminated in 2003 when it was named a National School of Character and in 2005 as an Operation Respect National Model School.

"She has created a climate in our building that makes it clear that kids always come first and that families will be welcomed and supported here. She is a master at ‘loving the unlovable.' Many of the toughest characters in Grand Island count Mrs. Deuel as a friend," Richards said. "Students who come to her office ‘in trouble' will leave knowing that their disrespectful or irresponsible behavior will not be tolerated, but that they are still respected and loved."

"She's an effective, confident leader who inspires confidence in her staff. We know we can go to her with any creative idea and be encouraged to ‘go for it.' She cares about each of us who work for her as individuals and always has time for us. She knows about our families and encourages our hopes and dreams. If we're in a conflict with a student or a parent, we know we can count on her support," Richards said.
Deuel has spent her entire career at Walnut, dating back to 1971 when she joined the staff as a special education teacher. She became Walnut's principal in 1990. She has received numerous awards, including the George E. Melton Award for Distinguished Service to Middle Level Education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the Leaders in Education and Service Award from the University of Nebraska-Kearney.
The principal described some of the steps that occurred in the development of the school's character education program. First, a school resource officer (Grand Island Police Officer Rick Ressel) was assigned to Walnut. A school resource officer helps enforce that behaviors that aren't acceptable for adults also aren't acceptable for young adults. Second, teachers discuss character education topics with students during daily 20-minute "Prime Time" periods.

The Purple Hands Program came to Walnut after Richards attended a character education conference in St. Louis. Deuel said Richards returned and said, "I found the icing for our character education cake."
The Character Ambassadors group was started at Walnut to help implement the Purple Hands Project by modeling appropriate behavior.

Another key to Walnut's success is its staff.

"I hire good people. Whatever you want in a climate, you better have adults who can model that," she said. "We have teachers who do amazing things."

Ressel and Walnut counselors began teaching anti-bullying classes at the school. Deuel said 5 percent of a school's students are bullies, 5 percent of students are targets, and the remaining 90% of students can take power away from bullies.

One of the most recent illustrations of students' positive behavior occurred in November, when students placed personal thank you notes and flags at the 1,400 graves at the Nebraska Veterans Home Cemetery.
Walnut's recognition as a National School of Character, invitations to speak throughout the country about Walnut's success, people met during those visits, and relocating Walnut to a new building at its current site are among highlights of Deuel's career.

Superintendent Steve Joel has kidded her about staying at the same school for her entire career.
"One year leads to another and another. There's always another project. Walnut is like family. You have kids of kids you've taught," Deuel said.

She explained why she likes working with middle school students.

"I love it because it's never boring. They're old enough that they've developed a pretty good sense of humor. They're trying on all kinds of hats to determine what kind of adult they want to be," she said. "They're game for anything. They love to know they can make a difference."
She described some of the challenges her students face.

"Kids shouldn't have to worry about whether there's money to pay the rent. Kids shouldn't have to tell me it's their birthday, but they aren't going to get a present because their family doesn't have money," she said. "At this age, kids still ought to have some magic in their lives. If they don't, I feel sad."

Deuel said Walnut continues to progress because staff members are "willing to take risks to do things for kids."

GIPS students, staff members achieve recognition 

Grand Island Public Schools' students and staff attained many accomplishments during the 2006-2007. Below are some examples of their success:

Students

Fifth-grade students at Engleman Elementary School made tied fleece blankets for local homeless children in December 2006, fifth-grade teacher Donna Ellis said.

Third-grade students in Shoemaker Elementary School teacher Colette Sorensen's class participated in a pizza party in November 2006 because they donated the most eyeglasses for LensCrafters' Sight Night.

Westridge Middle School seventh-grader Morgan Smith won a regional competition in an essay contest sponsored by the VFW in December 2006.

Barr Middle School students participated in a coin contest to raise money for Relay for Life after Linda Sanders, a seventh-grade language arts teacher at Barr, informed students about her experiences with breast cancer.

Dodge Elementary School students won an Allianz Award in April 2007 in a national competition concerning what it takes to live longer, healthier lives, Integration Specialist Jan Tell said.

Starr Elementary School fifth-graders in an after-school Knitting Club delivered 60 hand-made knitted coasters to Equitable Bank employees in May 2007. Starr counselor Sherry Jones leads the Knitting Club.

Devin Lally, a fourth-grade student at Shoemaker Elementary School, won first place in the Nebraska Spirit Art Contest sponsored by the Nebraska Secretary of State's office in May 2007.

Gov. Dave Heineman and his wife, Sally Ganem, visited Howard Elementary School in December 2006 to present books for the school's media center as part of the Scholastic Read for 2007 program. Howard Elementary School was one of three schools in the state that received books through this program.

A team of Stolley Park Elementary School students placed second at the Destination Imagination state competition and qualified for Global Finals in Tennessee.

Barr Middle School seventh-graders Autumn Kunze, Elizabeth Brott, and Alexis Delvaux were recognized in April 2007 for their high ACT scores in the 2007 Duke Talent Search tests.

Julia Kaup, a senior at Grand Island Senior High School, was nominated in October 2006 to compete in the National Principal's Leadership Award scholarship program.

Grand Island Senior High School students donated more than $1,100 to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Pennies for Patients program, a community service project where students donate their spare change to fund blood cancer research and patient aid programs.

Grand Island Senior High School seniors Jake Gdowski and Ann Armes were nominated in September 2006 for the prestigious Wendy's High School Heisman Award.

In May 2007, Grand Island Senior High School girls track team won the school's first state championship in the sport since 1975. Team members were Alex Armes, Ann Armes, Angela Broers, Jami Evans, Katie Harvey, Suzanne Higgins, Sarah Hinman, Laken Hommann, Allison Jorgensen, Michaela Knuth, Ariel Krolikowski, Amber Kunze, Jessica Ostermeier, Tana O'Boyle and Jeri Walkowiak. Jeff Stern is the team's head coach.

Grand Island Senior High School's volleyball team and girls golf team finished second in the state in the fall of 2006.

Staff

Grand Island Senior High School special education teacher Kathy Hunter and her family received an Angels in Adoption award from U.S. Rep. Tom Osborne at the school in October 2006.

The National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve recognized Sue Burch, director of technology for the Grand Island Public Schools, as a "patriotic employer" in February 2007. Burch was honored for her efforts to assist her secretary, Jaime Wattier, while Wattier's husband Jeff was deployed, including a year in Iraq.

Wasmer Elementary School third-grade teacher Michelle Thorne, Knickrehm Elementary School third-grade teacher Vanessa Bartels, and Jefferson Elementary School fourth-grade teacher Chris Wykoff received Grand Island Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year awards in May 2007 at their schools.

Lincoln Elementary School Integration Specialist Maura Hendrickson was a finalist for the NSEA Award for Teaching Excellence in 2007.