Jason Alexander – Superintendent Mark J. Hagge – High School Principal Doug Smith – Elementary Principal

Ord Public Schools

Character

Community

Committed to the pursuit of excellence in:

320 North 19th Street, Ord, NE 68862, (308)728-5013, www.ordps.org

Academics

Ord Jr.-Sr. High Advances through NDE/CTE reVision Process by Jason Alexander

Community and business leaders joined educators to provide

input on ways Ord Public Schools might better prepare its

students for their future career.

The meetings held Wednesday, January 7th, and Tuesday,

January 27th, at the Ord Jr.-Sr. High Media Center were step

three in a career readiness initiative. This initiative is part of

the reVISION process in which the district is partnering with

the Nebraska Department of Education.

Superintendent Jason Alexander said this part of the process is

designed to listen to the needs of local business leaders and

identify ways the school district can partner with the

community and other educational partners to meet those needs.

“It’s our intent that being involved in this process will provide

better and more varied opportunities for our students and their

careers,” Alexander said. “We view it as an opportunity to

create a dialogue with our local businesses, and find out what

needs might exist in their trades.”

The process allows school districts the opportunity to analyze their career education course offerings and

see how closely those offerings align with local workforce and economic development priorities. Districts

can then take steps to implement course offerings to meet the needs of the community where appropriate.

“Your involvement is important to help give guidance and structure as to what possibilities exist in the

courses and career opportunities for students at Ord High School, and how they can be responsive to local

workforce and economic development,” Alexander told those in attendance.

“Today’s jobs are changing so fast, and the needs are so vast, it takes a “think tank” of great minds and

business people to brainstorm practical strategies that will prepare our students for the workforce.”

Gregg Christensen, from the office of Entrepreneurship and Career Studies, explained that the reVISION

process is important because it can help solve the problem of the “forgotten half.”

A study published in 2011 by Harvard’s Graduate School of Education said nearly half of students miss out

on opportunities that could better prepare them for the workforce.

“We spend a great deal of time in education on the top 10 to 20 percent of students and the bottom 10 to 20

percent of students,” Christensen explained. “And there’s that middle 50 percent of students who are

employable and they need guidance to pinpoint their interests and skills.”

Participants at an Ord Jr.-Sr. High reVision

Community Engagement Meeting included Jason

Moudry, Trevor Lee, Dahn Hagge, Kristina Foth,

Crystal Ramm, David Barnes, Gaylord Boilesen,

Lana Kruml, Josh Zangger, Bill Ziegler, Mark

Hagge, Tom Thompson, Heather Sikyta, Danielle

Proskocil, and Jason Alexander.

Ord High School Hall of Fame Seeks Nominations

Nominations are now being accepted for inductees into the Ord

High School Athletic Hall of Fame.

The purpose of the Hall of Fame is to honor former athletes,

teams, and coaches who have distinguished themselves by

making substantial contributions to Ord High athletics.

Emphasis will be placed on the

candidate’s career while attending or serving Ord High School;

accomplishments after leaving Ord High School will be

considered.

Materials required for each nominee should include a completed

nomination form and a photograph of the nominee. Newspaper

clippings, yearbook information, magazine articles, and other support materials are

strongly encouraged.

HALL OF FAME CATEGORIES:

ATHLETE: Individuals are eligible for consideration ten years after they have

completed their eligibility at Ord High School. They must have graduated in good

academic standing.

TEAMS: Teams must have an outstanding record or accomplishments such as

Conference championships, State participation, and regional/state newspaper

recognition.

Coach: Coaches must have displayed outstanding leadership and contributions to Ord

High School athletes. Former coaches must have been employed (recommended) by

Ord High School for at least ten years, had outstanding achievements, and attained

significant recognition in their field, such as District, Conference and State

Championships. The coach’s win/loss record should be included.

Nomination forms are available by contacting the Superintendent’s office at

308-728-5013.

NOMINATION FORMS ARE DUE BY APRIL 1, 2015

Ord High School

Home of the “Chanticleers”

Mark J. Hagge Principal

Lana J. Kruml Counselor

1800 K Street Ord, NE 68862

308-728-3241 Fax 308-728-7079

www.ordps.org

Principal’s Message March 20, 2015

Dear School Community Members,

The Ord Public Schools school board, administration, faculty, and staff firmly believes it is our calling to

deliver a high quality, academically rigorous program of instruction to our students daily. We have also

been charged with the incredible duty of helping meet our students’ emotional and social needs. In order

to accomplish our goals and more fully engage all of our students in their secondary school experience,

we have committed ourselves to the successful implementation of Chromebooks (computers) for each

individual student and to a curriculum reVision process.

Quick, easy access to the information superhighway is an essential component

of today’s educational programs. Therefore, it is of great importance for our

parents, students, and teachers not to buy into the limited vision that the

computer itself is the focus of our one-to-one computer initiative. To seize upon

this awesome opportunity, our vision must go well beyond using the computer

to merely enhance traditional teaching methods. Our vision must include

having our students shoulder greater responsibility for their own learning. We

can accomplish this worthwhile endeavor by providing opportunities for content

application through project-based learning. Our educational team is committed to continued professional

development that will enable us to design curricular units and lessons that fully engage and empower our

students to take part appropriately in the global learning community.

As the skill set necessary for America’s workforce evolves so must Ord Jr.-Sr. High

School’s curricular offerings. Ord Jr.-Sr. High School faculty and staff members

are currently partnering with local businessmen, agricultural producers, and

healthcare providers, as well as Central Community College and the Nebraska

Department of Education in a process known as reVision. Our hope is that at the

end of this process we will be able to say definitively that our curriculum,

specifically our career education offerings, are strategically aligned with our

students and with our regional needs and interests in mind. Our students must

recognize that approaching their schooling purposefully during their secondary

education experience will enable them to achieve at much higher levels. The power

of purpose cannot be overstated.

Parents/Caregivers, we must continue to strengthen our partnership to help your

children chart a course destined for successful living. If you ever have questions,

please do not hesitate to call me or our staff members. Our shared goal to help your

child develop tremendous work ethic, an ability to work as a team, and a burning

desire to learn and grow, remains unchanged.

Sincerely,

Mark J. Hagge

EXCELLENCE IN: CHARACTER ACADEMICS COMMUNITY

Ord Public Schools Ord & Vinton Elementary

Doug Smith, Principal dougsmith@ordps.org

BE KIND – WORK HARD

NEVER GIVE UP

8 KEYS OF EXCELLENCE @ Early Morning Assemblies INTEGRITY – SPEAK WITH GOOD PURPOSE – FAILURE LEADS TO SUCCESS – THIS IS IT!!!

OWNERSHIP – COMMITMENT – FLEXIBILITY – BALANCE

1. Integrity (I will do the right thing even when nobody is watching.)

2. Failure Leads to Success (Mistakes are good when I learn from them.)

3. Speak with Good Purpose (Everything Speaks, I send a message 100% of the time.)

4. This is It (I will put 100% of my effort into what I am doing right now.)

5. Commitment (Work Hard, Never Give Up)

6. Ownership (I am responsible for my choices.)

7. Flexibility (I may not always get my way.)

8. Balance (Strong Body (Activities), Growing Brain (Academics), Happy Heart (Social)).

ELEMENTARY SPRING CONCERT CANNED FOOD DRIVE

Ord Elementary students want to give back to their

community and are asking for your support of the

Ord Food Pantry by please bringing a canned food

item to their Spring Concert on Tuesday, March

31st. All cash donations and all canned food items

will be delivered to the Ord Food Pantry.

The BIG Give – VOLUNTEERISM ASSEMBLY

Monday, March 9th @ 1:30 PM – Ord Elementary School is having an assembly to honor community members that have volunteered at Ord Elementary School throughout the years. A guest speaker will address the assembly on caring, giving, and volunteering. School volunteers and their families will be honored guests. All community members are invited to attend to celebrate volunteerism and the powerful impact volunteers have in our community.

IMPORTANT MARCH DATES

Sunday, March 8th – Daylight Savings Time Begins

Friday, March 8th – 3rd Quarter Ends

Monday, March 9th – Volunteerism Assembly @ Ord Elementary 1:30 PM

Monday, March 9th – School Board Meeting – 7:30 PM

Tuesday, March 10th – 6th Grade Musical @ Old Gym 7:00 PM

Wednesday, March 11th – 1:00 EARLY DISMISSAL – END OF 3RD Quarter

Thursday, March 12th - NO SCHOOL – SPRING BREAK

Friday, March 13th – NO SCHOOL – SPRING BREAK

Saturday, March 14th – ORD YOUTH WRESTLING MEET @ ORD HIGH

Tuesday, March 17th – The BIG GIVE – Give with Volunteerism

Wednesday, March 18th – The BIG GIVE – Give with Volunteerism

Thursday, March 19th – 6th Grade Wax Museum – 7:00 PM

Saturday, March 28th – Kids Fair @ High School – Old Gym – 10:00 AM

Tuesday, March 31st – Elementary Spring Music Concert – 7:00 PM

Friday, April 3rd – NO SCHOOL – EASTER BREAK

Saturday, April 4th – OVFD Easter Egg Hunt @ Ord Elementary 1:00 PM

Monday, April 6th – NO SCHOOL – EASTER BREAK

Tuesday, April 7th – SCHOOL RESUMES

BE KIND

WORK

HARD

NEVER

GIVE UP

COATS – HATS - GLOVES

We have had several stocking hats, scarves, ear warmers, and knit gloves donated to the school. These articles of clothing are all brand new and never been worn. If you and or your student are interested in having any of these winter accessories please contact Mr. Smith or Mary Lou at the elementary office.

District Music Contest in Ord

Every spring, music departments across the state participate in District Music Contest (DMC). In 2015 and

2016 DMC will be hosted by Ord Music Department. This year’s contest will be held on Friday, April 24th.

For those of you not familiar with DMC, solos, small groups, and large ensembles are judged and rated on

a scale of one to five. One is a Superior, two is an Excellent, etc. Both vocal and instrumental musicians

are encouraged to participate, and the large ensembles include band, stage bands, choirs, and swing choirs.

The following 18 schools will be traveling to Ord to compete at this spring’s District Music Contest:

Amherst, Anselmo-Merna, Ansley, Arcadia, Arnold, Broken Bow, Burwell, Callaway, Elba, Central

Valley, Litchfield, Loup City, Loup Co./Sargent, Pleasanton, Sandhills, SEM, Spalding/Spalding Academy,

and Wheeler Central.

Performances will be taking place all day in all different entry categories, so feel free to come watch some

excellent musicians. Admission is free.

Music Boosters will be in charge of

concessions for the District Music Contest

April 24th. We will be asking each music

student to bring a dozen individually wrapped

homemade treats. Parents will receive a letter

requesting treat donations and help at

concessions.

If you are interested in purchasing a DVD of

any elementary or Jr.-Sr. High School concerts,

please contact Karen Fischer

(kfischer@ordps.org) or Mindy Smith

(msmith@ordps.org).

Thank you for your support of Music Boosters

this year. We were able to purchase a new

snare drum for the Ord Marching Band, and we

are helping to defray the cost for Kyler Peetz to

take part in the Wayne State Honor Band. We

will also be helping with upcoming music

performances and with the annual scholarships

given to selected

senior musicians.

The music department involves many students: 30 members in 18th St.

Singers, 65 in Varsity Chorus, 56 in Jr. High Chorus, 23 in Jr. High Band, and

48 in Varsity Band. That is a total of 222 students involved in the Ord Jr.-Sr.

High School Music Program.

In order for Music Boosters to help these fine young musicians, we must

continue to support the fundraising activities. We encourage anyone that is

a fan of music to purchase a t-shirt for $15.00 each.

2nd SEMESTER MUSIC ACTIVITIES

Jan. 21 World’s Finest Chocolate fundraiser

Jan. 31 Wayne State Honor Band—only Kyler Peetz

Feb. 7 LP Conf. Honor Band auditions in a.m.

Feb. 9 Music Boosters meeting, 5:30

Mar. 3 Band Concert, grades 7-12, 7:00 p.m. (moved

from March 10th)

Mar. 10 6th Grade Concert, Vintage Gym, 7:00 p.m.

(moved from May 5th)

Mar. 20 District Music entries due

Mar. 21 LP Band Clinic and concert at Wood River

Mar. 27 Vocal Concert, grades 7-12, 7:00 p.m. (moved

from March 3)

Mar. 31 Elem. Concert, Vintage Gym, 7:00 p.m. (moved

from March 27)

April 11 Wayne State Show Choir Competition (18th St.

Singers)

April 13 Music Boosters meeting, 5:30

April 24 District Music Contest at ORD

May 4 Awards Band/Vocal Concert (moved from April

28)

The Ord Junior-Senior High

Music Boosters t-shirts feature

this logo.

WSC Festival of Honor Bands Selects Ord Band Percussionist

Congratulations to Ord High School freshman Kyler Peetz, son of Don and Jodie

Peetz, for being accepted into the Wayne State Honor Wind Ensemble.

Admittance into the honor bands is by audition only. Kyler auditioned on both

snare drum and timpani. Mindy Smith, Ord Band Director, is very happy Kyler

is able to take part in this great experience.

The festival, which took place on Saturday, January 31, hosted three honor bands:

a junior high band, a symphonic band, and a wind ensemble. The bands were

comprised of high school and junior high school students from Nebraska, Iowa,

and South Dakota.

After the day-long clinic, a concert was presented at 4:30 p.m. with the following

clinicians: Junior High Band - Mrs. Pat Sedivy, Cedar Catholic Schools;

Symphonic Band – Mr. Brad Weber, Wayne State College; and Wind Ensemble

– Dr. David Bohnert, Wayne State College.

Psychology by Ben Lansman, Social Studies

Instead of attending a Psychology Fair at UNK or Hastings College, Mr. Lansman and the students in his

Psychology class decided to take on the challenge of hosting a Psych Fair this year. “It seemed like a fun

idea, and although challenging, the students were all about it and excited – so I figured, hey, why not?!”

The juniors and seniors planned out their projects over the last few weeks of the semester and then put their

work on display the final day of school – December 19 – during fourth block. “The students had some great

interaction with other students and staff as they showcased their talents. I felt they were able to not only

learn about concepts in psychology, but also stepped up to the challenge of public speaking and

presentation. I was proud of all of them and their efforts. Thanks to the staff at OHS for helping make the

inaugural Psych Fair a success – we are looking forward to making it a tradition!

100th Day of School Celebration

The first grade celebrated the 100th day of school

on January 23. A variety of 100th day activity

stations were set up. The stations including

building a 100-cup sculpture, counting groups of

100 items, drawing a 100-year-old self-portrait,

and eating a “100” snack, plus many more. The

students have accomplished a lot of learning in 100

days! We are proud of their hard work.

Bridget Sheets & Janet Boettcher

7th Social Studies by Ben Lansman, Social Studies

The seventh grade Social Studies class celebrated the culmination of their Culture Unit by hosting their

annual Ethnic Food Week during January 12-16. After researching their ethnic backgrounds, the students

all brought a favorite family recipe item to class to share. “We have had everything from Czech kolaches

to Italian stromboli, Polish pierogis, and Welsh cakes and tea,” stated Mr. Lansman. “All of the students

did wonderful with their projects and they always seem to have fun with this assignment. I can also say that

I am a healthy five pounds heavier thanks to them.”

Cooper Sheets: Welsh Apple Fritters

T.J. Kittle: Czech Hoska

Rosie Beran: Italian Fettucine Alfredo

Dana Goodrich: Pickled Veggies

Ethan Gabriel: Polish Pierogis

August Bellinger: Smoked Ham

Katie Fischer: Welsh Cakes and Tea

Melissa Deaver: German Potato Salad

Lexi Haglan: Irish Soda Flars

Reilly Peetz: Peanut Butter Cookies

Brett Hinrichs: Bohemian Houska

Scott Behnk: Greek Keftethes

Hannah Herron: Irish Soda Bread

Addie Sich: Danish Pecan Rolls

Lizzie Wamsley: German Black Forest Cake

Halle Jacobs: Scottish Applesauce Cake

Syd DeBoer: California Salad

Alexis Claypool: German Coconut Cookies

Deja Timmerman: German Goulash

Kaylee Klanecky: German Chocolate Cake

Aaron White: German Honey Cookies

C.J. Hoevet: Italian Stromboli

Gage Smith: French Quarter Beignets

Reese Davenport: French Crème Puffs

Katie Magiera: Danish Frikadeller

Riley Warner: Irish Blarney Stone Cookies

Maddie Bengston: German Potato Salad

Maddie Griffith: Scottish Rasberry Turnovers

Colton Rowse: Scotcheroos

Trevor Vancura: German Pfeffernese Cookies

Sam Lech: Irish Potato Soup

Jèsus Loya: Spanish Beef Shank Soup

Jon Zubizareta: Spanish Rice

Kailey Bruha: Czech Kolaches

Jèsus Martinez: Mexican Ceviche

Ariana Moser: German Chocolate Cake

One-Act by Ben Lansman, Director

The two casts of Ord’s one-act plays finally finished their season of competition in December, which was

followed by an awards banquet on January 4th. Students and their parents attended a potluck dinner at the

Ord High School commons area and reflected on the 2014 season. “With so many students involved this

year, I feel extremely confident in saying we had complete success,” said Coach Lansman.

“Our competition play Genesis ended up fourth at districts behind Gothenburg, Cozad, and Kearney

Catholic in Class B. It was terrific competition and our district winner (Kearney Catholic) went on to win

Class B State Runner-Up, which always makes you proud knowing the team that beat you went on to be

successful. I know it was not the finish that we all were hoping for, especially for our seniors, but in the

end I felt we accomplished quite a lot. There were several emails and phone calls from community members

and judges who watched our play throughout the year that wanted to convey their appreciation and support

for our play. That is not typical in one-act. Usually the only calls you get are to complain about your play

choice or why one student was picked for a part over another. This year was different – we received zero

complaints and had nothing but absolute support from the community, which is very encouraging!”

The drama team also put on a second play, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, which was a comedy and the

JV play of sorts. “I knew we needed another opportunity to get kids involved and see what talents they

have. Though we are losing fifteen seniors this year, I am very confident in our students, who have a very

bright future ahead of them.”

All of the acting awards of the year were distributed at the banquet to students who received them at each

contest this past fall. Also, Kirby Sheets and Molli Hagge were both awarded the NCPA Academic All-

State Certificate for their leadership and contributions to the team’s success over the season.

Cast of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

One-Act (continued) “Though there probably were many more students who were also qualified to be awarded this honor, we

felt that Kirby and Molli both stood out on the team as leaders who were not afraid to challenge other team

members or take on extra responsibilities without being asked. We will miss both of these young ladies and

the rest of our experienced seniors next year! I would like to thank my assistant Kristina Foth for her tireless

efforts and support this year, as well as our costume ladies – Anne Clausen, Carol Keyser, Kathy Knapp,

and Barb Johnson – who hand-designed and made our costumes for Genesis, which were spectacular.”

2014 Season Summary for Genesis

Kearney Festival Best Tech Award; LouPlatte Conference, 5th place; Class B-5 District, 4th place

Recognized for Outstanding Acting: Zoe Dabney, Johnathan Kant, Brooks Bechtold, Britan Blair, Ariana

Camacho, Adrienne Meckel, Darci O’Neel, Kate Grint, Alexis Hagstrom, Jordan Kuck, Isabelle Ritz, Allie

Welniak, Jackson Barnes, Trevor Hruza, Molli Hagge, Katherine Lansman, Kirby Sheets, Estrella Vera

Cast of Genesis