Greetings, Bear families!

September has given me a lot of reasons to be encouraged. I have spent a great deal of time in Bryan classrooms, and the instructional work we named at the start of the year is becoming visible in concrete ways.

After visiting every classroom in September, I have heard students talking about the content, not simply waiting for the teacher to do the thinking. I have seen teachers protect real reading time and put grade-level texts and tasks in front of students. I have watched students write, solve, explain, compare ideas, work with classmates, and return to class materials to support what they think.

That is exactly what our Classroom Commitments are designed to create: students doing the thinking.

Those commitments grew from Bryan teachers studying our own classrooms and asking a simple question: What were students doing when learning was strongest? The answer was students reading, thinking, talking, writing, solving, explaining, collaborating, and using evidence.

Your student should be able to tell you more than what assignment they completed. They should be able to tell you what they read, what they had to figure out, how they explained their thinking, or how their ideas changed after working with someone else.

That is what being on track should look like…not just earning credits but becoming a stronger thinker and learner.

Many Bears, One Bryan.

Principal CK

On Track: Quarter One Matters

The first quarter ends October 16. This is an important checkpoint, and a few minutes now can make a real difference later.

Open the Infinite Campus portal with your student. Look beyond the overall grade. Are assignments missing? Is attendance becoming a pattern? Is one class beginning to slide? Is there a course where your student is improving and should recognize that progress?

Then talk, not just inspect.

Ask your Bear: “What are you learning right now that is making you think?”

If your student can explain what they are learning, where they feel confident, and where they are stuck, you have a much better picture than a percentage alone can provide.

If something is off, act now. Reach out to the teacher, administrator, or counselor. Ask what needs attention and what support is available. A missing assignment, a difficult unit, or a rough week is much easier to address in October than after it becomes a semester-long pattern.

Being on track is not accidental. It is built through attendance, completed work, honest conversations, asking for help, and making adjustments early.

Use the end of Quarter One as a checkpoint, not a verdict. There is still plenty of road ahead, and this is exactly the time to make sure your Bear is headed in the right direction.

Important Calendar Dates

October 16: Quarter 1 Ends

October 19: Quarter 2 Begins

October 22: Parent/Teacher Conferences, No School for All Students

October 23: No School for All Students

October 23-24: Fall Play, Holes, Bryan High Auditorium 7PM

October 25: Fall Play, Holes, Bryan High Auditorium, 2PM

October 27: Two Hour Late start for students

October 29: Boo Bash, 5:30pm-7:30pm

November 4: CAFE/Latino Parent Night: 5:15PM/6:15PM, Bryan High Library

November 5: White Card Check-out, Cafeteria 3:30 PM

November 10: 9-10 Pre-ACT, No School for Grades 11-12

November 16: First Day of Winter Sports Practices

November 23-27: Thanksgiving Recess, No School for All Students

Please click here to access our District Calendar for other upcoming dates and events!

Academies in Action: Urban Agriculture Academy

Growing Skills Through Forestry Competition

The Urban Agriculture Academy gave students an opportunity to put their knowledge and skills to the test through Bryan’s first-ever dedicated forestry competition! After preparing through practices, students competed in events that challenged their knowledge, problem-solving, and hands-on skills related to forestry and natural resources. We are especially grateful to Fontenelle Forest for partnering with our students and helping make practices engaging, authentic, and meaningful. Experiences like this allow students to apply classroom learning in real-world settings while building confidence and exploring careers connected to agriculture, natural resources, and the environment. We are proud of the dedication our students showed throughout their preparation and competition!

Academies in Action: Urban Agriculture Academy

Learning Through a Hands-On Farm Internship

Our senior Animal Science students are gaining authentic, hands-on experience through a new internship class with Gifford Farms this semester! Students are learning the foundations of farm life, completing basic chores, and developing an understanding of the daily responsibilities involved in caring for animals and maintaining a farm. The class recently launched its first animal unit, focusing on rabbits. Students are learning terminology, breeds, digestive systems, and practical skills such as proper holding, restraint, grooming, and nail trimming. This experience is helping students build confidence, develop valuable career skills, and make meaningful connections between their classroom learning and the world of work. We look forward to following their journey as they continue learning from one animal to the next!

Academies in Action: Urban Agriculture Academy

Exploring College Opportunities at Iowa Western

Our Urban Agriculture students recently took their first college visit of the year to Iowa Western Community College! Students explored campus life while touring the wellness center, dormitories, and student center, giving them a firsthand look at what life after high school could look like. They also learned more about college opportunities from Iowa Western’s STEM program specialist. Experiences like these help students connect their academy experiences and career interests to possible postsecondary pathways while building confidence about their next steps after Bryan. We loved seeing our students explore campus, ask questions, and soak up the positive energy at Iowa Western! We can't wait to see what you do next on your journey. Thank you for always representing us with Pride, Resilience, Inclusiveness, and Compassion.

How Nebraska SMART Works:

Parents must register their children for tutoring through the Nebraska SMART website.
Once registered, students (or parents) can schedule sessions or connect instantly using our on-demand feature.
Tutoring is available in 15-, 30-, 45-, or 60-minute increments; on-demand sessions are available in 10-minute blocks.
All sessions take place on Pearl, a secure online tutoring platform that records and manages communication.
Tutors are education majors who have been admitted to their programs, completed background checks, and are mentored by College Program Coordinators.

We’d appreciate your help in sharing this resource with students and families in your district. The Nebraska SMART flyer (available in English and Spanish) can be distributed electronically or printed for your schools.

I’d also welcome the opportunity to visit with you to share more about the program and how it can support your students’ success.

Thank you for your continued partnership in helping Nebraska students thrive.

The Top 7 Ways You Can Support Bryan High Student Media This Year!

1. Share Your Photos

Take photos at classes, clubs, activities, and sporting events where we don’t have a student photographer and email them to kirsten.gilliland@ops.org. Your photos can help us capture more of the amazing things happening around Bryan!

2. Buy a Yearbook

Make sure your student has a copy of the 2027 Bryan High Yearbook! Yearbooks are $55 and include free cover icons. You can order online or purchase at this price one in Room 101 before October 17.

Order a Bryan High Yearbook

3. Donate a Yearbook

Consider donating a yearbook to a specific student who may not otherwise have the opportunity to purchase one. Help make sure more of our Bears have a yearbook to remember their Bryan experience!

Donate a Yearbook

4. Celebrate a Senior

If your child is a senior, celebrate them with a personalized yearbook tribute! Share photos and a special message to help make their senior yearbook extra meaningful. Tributes due February 11.

Order a Senior Yearbook Tribute

5. Support Us with a Business Ad

Own a business or know someone who does? Consider purchasing a business advertisement in the Bryan High Yearbook. Business ads help support our student media programs and give local businesses an opportunity to connect with our Bryan community. Ads due February 11.

Purchase a Yearbook Business Ad

6. Support the Orator

Support our student newspaper, The Orator, by purchasing a business ad on the Orator site or making a donation at bhsorator.com. Your support helps students continue producing meaningful journalism and telling the stories of our Bryan community.

7. Follow Us on Instagram

Stay connected with Bryan High Student Media and see what our students are creating! Follow us on Instagram at @bhs_journalism_team for stories, photos, updates, and behind-the-scenes looks at student media.

Follow @bhs_journalism_team on Instagram

Thank You for Supporting Student Voices!

Apply for Educational Benefits Today!

This summer, our district notified families that students at Bryan High will continue to receive lunch at no cost, regardless of income, through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision (CEP).

We encourage our families to complete an Educational Benefits to see if they qualify for additional benefits including:

Discounted home internet services
Discounted or waived fees for SAT, PSAT, ACT, AP and other academic tests
Waived or reduced college and post-secondary application and course fees
Scholarship options
Access to career, internship and other community programs

Log in to SchoolCafe and click “Apply for Benefits” to complete the form. It only takes a few minutes to complete if you have your household income details.

One form covers all students in your household. If you have already completed an Educational Benefits Form or Free and Reduced Meal Application through SchoolCafe, you can check your eligibility status on your account dashboard.

Please reach out to our office if you need help completing your application. 531-299-2540.