🎉Our Journalism students are excited to present the latest edition of The Cardinal Soar—a web series that shines a spotlight on ⭐ exceptional students, 🎓 inspiring programs, and 💬 the unforgettable stories that make DT truly special. Created by DT Journalism students, this series celebrates the 💕 and spirit of our community.

🎥 This week, we’re thrilled to introduce one of DT’s standout veteran dancers: junior Gracelyn Anderson Jones! 💃✨

👉Don't miss the full article for a deeper dive into this episode’s feature!

📖https://www.dtcardinals.org/article/1961753

🎬https://youtu.be/vCITIMqsi_g

Join us as we celebrate what makes DT soar! #CardinalsSoar #DTjournalism

1. Elementary
   
2. Preschool Happenings
3. Special Education Update
4. Secondary News
5. Activities Celebrations

NED Show Success!

Our recent NED Show proved to be an unforgettable experience for our elementary students! The show's message of "Never give up, Encourage others, & Do your best" clearly resonated with our young learners. One parent shared a heartwarming story: before purchasing yo-yos for their children, they asked them to explain what NED stands for. Without hesitation, both children recited the meaning perfectly, earning their new yo-yos!

The enthusiasm for the show's message translated into remarkable yo-yo sales, with $1,534 worth of yo-yos and holsters sold on the first day alone. We're excited to announce that TEAM is purchasing $300 worth of yo-yos for DT I CARE drawings, and an additional $200 worth will be purchased using funds raised from the speech meet concession stand.

Elementary Quiz Bowl Achievement

Our elementary quiz bowl teams represented us well at the ESU 9 Quiz Bowl competitions in Hastings. While one team's journey ended after two competitive rounds, our other team showed exceptional perseverance, advancing to round 10 and finishing among the top 10-12 teams (unofficial results). We're proud of all our students' participation and display of knowledge!

We are proud to announce our students of the month! These students were recognized for being safe, respectful, and responsible at DT. We are very proud of them.

Keep up the great work!

Our January teacher of the month is Mrs. Dyer! Mrs. Dyer taught our preschoolers last year, but moved up to teach 2nd this year! Mrs. Dyer has a great sense of humor and builds great relationships with her students. Mrs. Dyer has worked hard to learn all about 2nd grade and has worked well with her teaching partner to prepare fun engaging lessons for all students. Congrats Mrs. Dyer! We are so happy to have you here at DT.

Our preschool program has been bustling with activity! On February 7th, our teaching staff completed CLASS (Classroom Assessment Scoring System) training in preparation for March's Nebraska Department of Education observation.

Families joined us for our special "Donuts with Dudes" event, creating memorable moments between our students and their loved ones. Our preschoolers also embarked on enriching field trips to the Hastings Museum and Cardinal Construction, where they explored exhibits and learned about building processes firsthand.

These experiences reflect our commitment to providing engaging learning opportunities that support our youngest students' growth and development.

Important Timeline Updates

We recently received our Indicator 13 Transition Plan Corrective Action notification and are actively working to meet all requirements. Here's our action timeline:

• By February 14: Individual IEP amendments and corrections
• By March 21: Complete policy/procedure review and required training
• By April 25: Submit documentation of all transition plan meetings held between March 22-April 25
• By May 7: Selected files will be uploaded to NDE Office of Special Education
• By May 1: Receive final closeout letter or additional findings

Student Transition Activities in Progress

We're excited to share several hands-on learning opportunities for our students:

Culinary Skills Development

• Students completed cottage food safety training at the Hall County Extension Office
• February 12: Culinary workshop at the Leadership Center in Aurora
  • Students will learn to make pizza, pasta, and cake pops under professional guidance

Career Exploration

• Project Search open houses and registration are currently underway for interested students

These activities reflect our commitment to providing practical, real-world experiences that prepare our students for successful transitions.

This award will recognize a staff member(s) who has personified our mission, vision, and core values throughout the 2024-25 school year. We are asking that you nominate staff members who have gone above and beyond in their dedication to providing every student with a quality education in a safe and positive learning environment. They should demonstrate a commitment to our vision of innovation, service, and achievement in their role at Doniphan-Trumbull Public Schools. Additionally, they should embody the core values of integrity, growth, and respect in all their interactions with students, fellow staff members, and the community.

I encourage all staff members and/or families to take the time to consider who they believe best personifies The Cardinal Way and submit a nomination. This award is open to all staff members, regardless of their role in our organization. Nominations can be submitted using the nomination form below. The selection of the award will be done via committee.

I look forward to celebrating the outstanding achievements of our staff members and recognizing the winner of The Cardinal Way Award at our annual Years of Service celebration

Exciting New Dual Credit Opportunity Coming Soon!

We're pleased to announce that Mr. Kerr will soon be offering American Government as a dual credit course through Wayne State College. This new offering expands our dual credit options, giving students more opportunities to earn college credits while still in high school.

Career Pathways Expand with New Apprenticeship Programs

We're strengthening our partnership with Central Community College (CCC) to create additional apprenticeship pathways for our students. We are seeking connections to established programs for Diesel Mechanics and Welding. New pathways in Hospitality Management, Construction, and Information Technology are currently in development. These state-registered apprenticeships will allow students to earn hours that count toward a two-year degree or certificate through CCC while gaining valuable hands-on experience.

Graduation Preparations Underway

Plans for this year's graduation ceremony are coming together nicely. We've ordered the diplomas and binders, and both the flower and closing songs have been selected. The graduating class has also chosen and received approval for their class motto.

New Course: Digital Media Management

Starting next year, Ms. Atkinson will be teaching an exciting new Digital Media Management course. Students will develop skills in digital communication and journalism, creating weekly video updates for MAP time announcements and DT news. The class will also manage school social media accounts and participate in the digital content contest portion of State Journalism competitions.

Let's celebrate Mylie, Tregan, Emma, Brogan, and Charlee for their fantastic achievements in the Scholastic Art Awards! Your hard work and creativity have truly paid off, and we couldn’t be prouder. Keep shining and inspiring us all!

Wesley Martin, Rory Callahan, Claire Schultz were honored as January Students of the Month.

The girls wrestling season has concluded and there were many successes throughout the year, not the least of which was the growth of the team from 1 student-athlete to 7 student-athletes. The performances of the students continues to impress with the entire team medaling 3rd or higher at the conference meet and a four wrestlers advancing to day 2 of the district tournament.

As a double feature of the Cardinal Soar, check out the story below from our journalism class!

🎉Our Journalism students are back with the latest edition of The Cardinal Soar—a web series that highlights 🌟 exceptional students, 💪 inspiring programs, and the 💭 stories that make DT truly one of a kind. Created by DT Journalism students, this series celebrates the strength and 🖤 heart of our community.

🎥 This week, we’re proud to shine the spotlight on DT’s growing girls' wrestling team 🤼 ! These fierce and determined athletes are making waves and breaking barriers on the mat. Stay tuned to learn more about their journey, dedication, and rising success!🚀

Don’t miss the full article for a deeper dive into this episode’s feature!

📖 https://www.dtcardinals.org/article/2014375

🎬 https://youtu.be/UiEJUi034bU

🚀Join us as we celebrate what makes DT soar! #CardinalsSoar #DTjournalism

The NSAA has compiled all of the streaming sources for every school in Nebraska in a link below. If you want to view activities when D-T is on the road, or if you just want to watch a relative in another part of the state, check out the link below to find out how to watch the action.

1. 2025-26 Academic Calendar
2. Community Coffee
3. Winter Weather Reminders
4. Projects at D-T
5. Main Gym Update

The Board of Education approved the 2025-2026 Academic Calendar at their most recent board meeting. Dates of note are included below:

🚨Aug 14 - First Day of School

⛄Dec 22-Jan 5 - Winter Break

🎓May 9 - Senior Graduation

😎May 19 - Last Day of School

The full calendar is linked here: https://www.dtcardinals.org/page/calendar-year-at-a-glance

Community Coffee Dates:

We love connecting with our Cardinal community and families! Our first community coffee on August 9th was a great start. Come and grab a cup of coffee or a cookie from 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM in the high school commons. It is an open house as well. If it has been awhile since you have been in the building, feel free to look around and take a tour. Here are the upcoming dates:

• March 7th
• April 18th
• May 21st

These informal gatherings are perfect for chatting with district leaders, asking questions, and sharing your thoughts. We hope to see you there!

Your engagement helps make our district stronger. Go Cardinals!

With winter weather continuing to impact our campus, please remember to use extra caution when entering and exiting our buildings. Take your time, watch your step, and encourage students to walk carefully on potentially slippery surfaces.

A special thank you to our dedicated operations team who work tirelessly to keep our walkways cleared and treated. Their early morning efforts and ongoing attention to safety help keep our entire school community protected during these winter conditions.

From the University of Nebraska Medical Center, here are some tips to walk safely in the winter months:

• Wear boots and overshoes with grip soles made with rubber and neoprene composite for traction. Avoid shoes with heels or leather and plastic on the soles as these will increase the risk of slipping.
• Look down when exiting your vehicle, and if you see ice, park in a different place.
• Be careful when getting into or out of a vehicle. Use the car for support.
• Consider using removable ice cleats to improve traction, but make sure to remove them before walking indoors on smooth surfaces.
• Test the surface to see if it is slick.
• Keep your hands out of your pockets so you can use them for balance.
• Walk like a penguin. Take short or shuffling steps and point your feet outwards.
• Bend slightly forward and walk flat-footed, centering yourself over your feet.
• Be prepared to fall, and if you do, avoid using your arms to brace or ease the fall.
• Don’t carry heavy loads, such as boxes or purses, that may swing and cause you to lose your balance while walking.
• Use handrails if available.
• Don’t step on uneven surfaces such as curbs or slopes.
• When you enter a building, be sure to knock the snow, water and ice off your shoes. Dry the bottom of your shoes, and be careful as water and other items on the bottom of shoes can cause falls inside.
• Finally, focus on walking – avoid looking at your phone, texting or searching for items in your backpack or purse.

During the next few months, D-T will be replacing their exterior doors funded from a School Safety & Security Infrastructure Grant. This will impact the entry procedures at D-T. The first two doors will be Door #1 & Door #11. Thank you for your patience.

One major summer project may impact those community members that frequent the track for exercise over the summer. While the specific dates are to be determined, the Board of Education did approve to have Fisher Track make significant repairs and apply a new structural spray, with new lines painted over the top. This will be done over the summer. As this occurs, we ask members of the community to stay off the track. When the work is complete, we also ask to walk on the outside 4 lanes to limit wear and tear.

Main Gym Update: The board of education is continuing to gain input and make improvements on the main gym. It has be refinished in a manner to continue the season in a safe manner for the student-athletes but more work is needed over the summer. D-T appreciates the flexibility and patience of our community and patrons.

Feb 19 / 20 - 1:30 PM Early Dismissal - PT Conferences (2pm-8pm)

Feb 20 - No Preschool

Feb 21 - No School PK-12

March 7 - No School - Girls State BB

March 13-1-4 - No School - Boys State BB

March 21 - No School for students - staff professional development - LPC Art Show Set Up