Bellevue Public Schools’ “Making a Difference” award was presented to Elizabeth Lambert, an English, Math and Reading teacher at Lewis and Clark Middle School. The parents of a current student nominated Lambert. “We made the decision to place our son in an advanced math class, knowing it would be a challenge for him,” said Kyle and Sarah Armstrong. “Mrs. Lambert is part of his core teaching staff and has worked tirelessly on helping our son. She answers emails well into the night, provides before and after school help, and even gives up her lunch time to help students.” Lambert has taught at Lewis and Clark Middle School since 2012 and was previously a substitute teacher for Bellevue Public Schools. She also serves as an academic coach, providing opportunities for students to extend learning in a variety of ways through competitive learning activities and extended classroom experiences. Armstrong added, “She is always very encouraging and my son is succeeding because of her hard work and support!” In recognition of Lambert’s outstanding efforts going above and beyond to make a difference in the lives of students and staff, Frank Harwood, Superintendent of Bellevue Public Schools, in partnership with Great Western Bank, surprised her with a check for $250. All “Making a Difference” award nominees for January received a copy of their nominations.

March 7, 2014

InsIdeThIsIssue

Nebraska First Lego League Robotics

ChampionshipPage 2

Celebrating Dr. Seuss’ Birthday & Read Across America Week

Page 3

www.BellevuePublicSchools.org

Bellevue Public Schools v Bellevue, Nebraska

Education NewsElizabeth Lambert Recognized for “Making a Difference”

Musical “Vortex” Draws in Elementary Students Students at Peter Sarpy Elementary School welcomed the United States Air Force Heartland of America Band “Vortex” on February 24th for an annual musical performance showcasing the band’s broad range of musical styles and instruments. Spanning several eras and themes, the USAF singers and musicians showcased Disney and Beatles tunes to celebrate “March is Music in Our Schools” month. Michele Taken, a music teacher at Peter Sarpy, said that the performance helped students build an appreciation for music. “It shows them that if they keep working hard they might be able to participate in some kind of musical performance group in the future,” she said. The USAF band welcomes audience participation, and during the performance “it was very fun to see all of the students and staff getting into the music and appreciating every moment,” she added. “I think it was beneficial for both students and staff, and helped the students understand that you can enjoy music at any age.” The USAF Heartland of America Band is a group of professional musicians whose backgrounds include advanced degrees in music performance and a broad mastery of musical styles and who regularly perform for students throughout Nebraska and surrounding states.

Nebraska First Lego League Robotics Championship Fairview’s Robotics team, The Fighting Firebirds, and the Bellevue Elementary Robotics Team competed February 22nd at the Nebraska First Lego League Robotics Championship. It was held during the annual Nebraska Robotics Expo at the Strategic Air and Space Museum in Ashland, NE. The Fighting Firebirds earned a 268, their best score of the season, in the Robot Game Missions. This score nearly doubled their previous best. As part of the project portion of the tournament, the team created a water purification system called The Sondu Saver. It is designed to get clean drinking water to flood victims in Sondu, Kenya, during the long flood season. Each member of the team partnered with a peer at The School of Hope in Sondu to learn how flooding affects their lives every year. The Sondu Saver won the Project Award earlier this season at the Bellevue Robotics Qualifier. The Bellevue Elementary Robotics Team enjoyed their day at state sharing their project, learning from other teams, and competing in the robot game. They were presented with the Rising Star Award. This award is given to a team that the judges notice and expect great things from in the future. One of the highlights of their season was researching their innovative solution to check and maintain levees during a flood using a drone and remote sensory technologies. They spoke with Bellevue city officials and professionals from the Army Corps of Engineers to learn more about their project. The team was awarded the Champion’s Award at the Bellevue Robotics Qualifier earlier in the season.

Fighting Firebirds Team Bellevue Robotics Team

Celebrating Dr. Seuss’ Birthday & Read Across America Week

District CalendarMar. 7 & 8 West Musical, “Once Upon A

Mattress,” 7:00 p.m.

Mar. 14 End of Third Quarter (early dismissal)

Mar. 17-20 Parent/Student/Teacher Conference Week

Mar. 21 No School

Mar. 28 East Musical, “Honk!,” senior citizens performance, 4:00 p.m.

Apr. 3 & 4 East Musical, “Honk!,” 7:00 p.m.

Apr. 5 East Musical, “Honk!,” 2:00 p.m.

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BPS Recognition Program The “Making A Difference” program has returned for the 2013-2014 school year and nominations are now being accepted. Each month students, staff, parents, and community members are invited to nominate a staff member for the “Making A Difference” program. The program recognizes the outstanding efforts of BPS staff members that have gone above and beyond to make a difference in the lives of students and/or staff members. Each month during the school year one recipient is selected and will receive $250 through a partnership with Bellevue Public Schools and Great Western Bank. To nominate a staff member e-mail the following information tobps@bpsne.net:• Person being nominated• Building where nominee works• Nominee’s contribution• Person making the nomination’s name, phone

number, and e-mail address.

ZOO MEMBERSHIP2014 REMINDER

Memberships to the Henry Doorly Zoo are available through BPS until Friday, March 28, 2014. For ease of use you can join or renew your membership on-line at www.omahazoo.com. Click on the “Join Today” banner or “Visit / Calendar” then “Membership,” review your membership level options, then follow the steps to purchase a membership. On the next page select Join or Renew, and complete your purchase. Be sure to enter our Bellevue Public Schools’ seller number (5001) during the purchase process. Once you have completed the purchase process, members renewing can continue using your existing membership card and new members will receive a temporary membership pass via email that may be redeemed for your membership card at the Zoo Guest Services, or have your membership card mailed within two weeks of ordering. If you do not wish to order/renew online, you can pay by check, please make checks payable to Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo, fill out the order form, and send through the school interoffice mail to Donna Rumley at the BPS Welcome Center before Friday, March 28. BPS will send you a receipt. If you need an order form, go to www.bellevuepublicschools.org, under the District tab select Education News, click on the 2013-2014 category and select the February 27, 2014 edition.