Husky Headlines

• October 4th - Picture Retake Day!

• October 8th - Ag Fest - 4th Grade

• October 9th - 10:10 Late Start Professional Development for Teachers

• October 10th - 5th Grade Field Trip to Lincoln

• October 16th - BoE Meeting (open to the public) 7:30 pm

• October 18th - End of 1st Quarter!!

• October 21st - Fall Break - NO SCHOOL!!

• October 26th - Trunk or Treat

• October 30th - 10:10 Late Start Professional Development for Teachers

• October 31st - K-2 Performance at Shelby Senior Center (1:15 - open to the public)

• November 5th - Student Council Blood Drive

Fourth & Fifth grade parents:

You will be getting your child's NSCAS results within the next couple of days. These were the tests that were taken at the end of last school year (yes, I know it stinks that we do not get the results back sooner - but NDE looks over questions and determines whether certain questions should be taken out of the test. THEN they give final scores. This is why we do not get scores until now!!) There is a letter from Mr. Donner attached to your child's individual student report. If, after reading his letter, you still have questions about your child's score - please feel free to reach out to Mr. Donner or me. We would be happy to help you understand your child's NSCAS results.

In the Second Grade Social Studies classroom, the students have been learning why it is important to learn about the past. The students have discovered that they can learn about the past through exploring artifacts, photographs, and books. They also learned that they can learn about the past by giving interviews, looking at primary and secondary sources, and by going to local or virtual museums. The students are currently learning about how their families are part of a community by researching their own family traditions and cultures.

We had a special guest, Mrs. Georges, come into our classroom to share with us her Swedish Heritage. We will also have Mrs. Velasco come into the classroom and share with us facts about her Hispanic Heritage. If you are knowledgeable about your own family culture and would like to share any of your family traditions, food, music, or family heirlooms, with the second grade students, please reach out to Kelsey Gabel.

Line, one of the simplest of all the Elements of Design, and yet, it is oh so fundamental. Easy to

overlook, and even more easy to underestimate its importance. Line, is what makes up the shapes around us, implies the contour of forms and keeps things in perspective. It can separate subject matter from the background, and it is what lies between the ground and the sky (Horizon). Students of all classes are using line to communicate these very things.

First grade is exploring how a scribble opens many possibilities to creating abstract shapes.

The third grade is generating an inventory of line varieties to express a bad-hair day.

The fifth graders are taking line in a more technical direction with their realistic house drawings.

Book-It has begun! Students attended our Book-It Kick-off assembly on Friday, September 27th. The theme for this year is “Every Hero Has a Story!” The guidelines for our family at-home reading program were explained to K-5 students. Parents/Guardians who attended Parent-Teacher Conferences on Monday, September 30th were given the family letter (see image to the right) as a reference to keep at home. The K-2 October reading record sheets (also shown in the image) were also given out by classroom teachers. If you have any questions regarding the Book-It program please feel free to email me at kmwillis@shelby.esu7.org or reach out to your child’s classroom teacher via email or the Remind app.

During September, each elementary music class focused on the S-RC School Song. Every class sang their hearts out with school pride! Each class also submitted a video to Ms. Thompson who chose two all around winners! Drum roll please....and the winners are....

Mrs. Luettel Second Grade Class and Mrs. Rathman's Third Grade Class.

🎶❤️🎶❤️🎶❤️🎶❤️🎶❤️🎶❤️🎶❤️🎶❤️🎶❤️🎶❤️🎶❤️🎶❤️🎶❤️🎶❤️🎶❤️🎶❤️🎶❤️🎶❤️🎶❤️🎶❤️🎶❤️🎶❤️

Kindergarten, First and Second Grade will be going to the Shelby Senior Center to sing songs on Halloween, October 31st @ 1:15pm. Family and Friends are encouraged to come and support the young musicians.

❤️🎶❤️🎶❤️🎶❤️🎶❤️🎶❤️🎶❤️🎶❤️🎶❤️🎶❤️🎶❤️🎶❤️🎶❤️🎶❤️🎶❤️🎶❤️🎶❤️🎶❤️🎶❤️🎶❤️🎶❤️🎶❤️🎶

The month's music spotlight is 2nd Grade. They created new lyrics to the song "Down By the Bay". Lyrics consisted of "Have you ever seen fish sitting in a dish" or "Have you ever seen a whale with a polka tail"? Check out the pictures below.

In 4th grade, we have been so busy! In math, we took our Unit 1 assessment and have moved into our multiplication unit. In reading, we dove head first into our new reading curriculum and have been loving the new stories. In science we have been studying sound waves and in social studies we are learning about different Native American tribes that used to live in Nebraska. We had a great time in the homecoming parade as the military and enjoyed all of the festivities. We also took a trip to Osceola to the Polk County Historical Society and were able to tour Mickey Mansion, a log cabin, church and a school building all from the 1880s. The 4th graders had a great time!

For parents or guardians of children with disabilities (some of these tips could even work for you if your child is overly shy, has a hard time in public, or has a hard time with over-stimulation. Halloween can be a very difficult night for some - planning ahead can be a game changer!):

• Help familiarize the child with what trick-or-treating may be like by practicing with a neighbor. Rehearse going up to a door, knocking or ringing the doorbell, and asking for candy however the child can.

• Set a trick-or-treating route and walk it in advance.

• Encourage the child to try their costume on before Halloween, in case modifications need to be made for comfort.

• Before trick-or-treating, discuss and set rules on how much candy the child can eat and when.

• Let the child stop or go home when they want to.

• Make sure the child has identifying information on them, such as a tag, glow necklace, card or bracelet in case of accidental separation.

Consider these accommodations for different disabilities:

• Visual impairments: Provide options and describe the treats you're offering. You can also put treats on a lighted table with a high contrast tablecloth.

• Food allergies: Provide non-edible treats like stickers, bubbles, or glow sticks. You can also offer fruit snacks, popcorn, or pretzel snack packs depending on the allergy.

• Sensory sensitivities: Minimize or turn off spooky decorations.

• Motor skill challenges: Consider meeting kids at the bottom of stairs or steep driveways if possible.

• Speech delays: Some children may not be able to say "trick-or-treat" or "thank you", so do not expect speech from all trick-or-treaters that come to your door or that you encounter on the streets.

STEAM: Engineering Masterminds
In STEAM, students have been honing their problem-solving skills using the engineering design process. They recently tackled the challenge of designing and building LEGO bridges strong enough to cross a pond. Like true engineers, they collaborated and thought critically to build sturdy structures—putting their skills to the test!

HAL: Research and Creativity
In the 5th grade HAL group, students have been investigating Patriot Day and Constitution Day. Using AI tools and online research, they uncovered key historical insights, then brought their findings to life by creating patriotic symbols with 3D pens.

Meanwhile, our 4th-grade heroes have been on an adventure through the Amazon Jungle! They’re researching the animals, plants, and dangers of the jungle while mapping out how they would survive for a week. Through research and teamwork, they’re preparing for their imaginary journey into the wild.

Our 2nd graders have taken on the challenge of understanding steps in a sequence. They’ve learned about scarecrows and will be using their newfound knowledge to write detailed instructions on how to make one. These future authors are learning the power of clear communication.

Technology: Building Digital Super Skills

In technology, our youngest students are learning to harness the power of iPads. Kindergarteners are getting comfortable with apps like IXL and Epic, developing foundational skills. First and second graders have been practicing their photography skills during an outdoor scavenger hunt and learning how to edit their pictures afterward. In 4th grade, students are mastering Google Classroom, formatting documents in Google Docs, and sharpening their keyboarding skills—essential tools for their future success.

From STEAM challenges to digital exploration, our students are developing the super skills they’ll need to excel, both in the classroom and beyond. We’re proud to see them using their powers for good as they learn and grow!

In Guidance, we are learning all about KINDNESS. We will be focusing on this character trait throughout the month of October. Each month, we’ll send PurposeFull Pursuits to provide fun challenges you can pursue together! These are simple ways to intentionally reinforce the skills we are working on at school, while providing fun strategies to grow together as a family. We invite you to make some memories and join in the fun!

Pursuit #1

Review Kindness as a family! Remember that Kindness is acting with understanding, generosity, and care. Schedule a family movie night so that you can specifically watch for different ways people show Kindness. Let everybody know that you’d like them to point out examples of how the characters show Kindness as you watch the movie. Be sure to pause periodically to discuss the examples of Kindness you see. You could also talk about missed opportunities for Kindness and what you might have done differently!

Pursuit #2

Find a time to sit in a circle together and celebrate a Kind beginning of the school year! If you want, gather some favorite snacks and play some celebratory music for the occasion. Take turns sharing responses to the following prompts or make up your own! Remember to practice Kindness as you listen to each other.

Celebration Prompts:

👍🏼 What is 1 way a family member has shown you Kindness this week?

👍🏼 What is 1 way you want to grow in Kindness toward others this school year?

Congratulations kindergarteners for winning the PK-2 portion of the homecoming parade! We had 29 kindergarteners dressed up as bakers!

Throughout the beginning of the school year, we have been learning expectations and rules at school. We are making friends. We have been learning different apps to use on our iPads (which we love, but the way). In math, we are working on counting and writing the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. We are learning to read and write words. We are excited to start Book-it this month and continue our reading adventure!

This year’s Homecoming festivities began with our S-RC Student Council Members selecting our Occupations theme (Future Leaders of Tomorrow!). Student Council kicked off spirit week by decorating downtown businesses in both Shelby & Rising City as well as S-RC Schools to show our Husky Pride! The members then came up with fun dress up days for our students to show their school spirit!

On Homecoming Day the parade route had our students finish at the South Gym for the HoCo Pep Rally! The Student Council Juniors planned and MC’d the event; special shoutouts to Jess, Deagen, Loralie, Nevaeh, Kendall, Braxton, Elva, Danica, Alexis & Kreyten. These StuCo members met daily in the weeks leading up to Homecoming to help with planning and organizing. Our band/dance team kicked us off with our school fight song. Elementary students joined in knowing all of the lyrics thanks to the PK-5 Music teacher, Mrs. Hyde! The dance team also performed a special routine with our senior football candidates, the candidates played several games including a t-shirt game where the girls had to put as many t-shirts on the boys in 2 minutes, and there was a competitive football throw by our girl candidates. Our elementary students then played a mean game of rock, paper, scissors AND our mascot, Hercules joined in the fun!

Coronation was held following the football game. Alex Larmon, the 2023 Homecoming Queen, and Jorge Chavez, the 2023 Homecoming King, crowned this year’s Homecoming Royalty. Crown Bearers were Jaxon Speelman and Hazel Wildasin. Congratulations to the 2024 Shelby-Rising City Homecoming King and Queen: Dalton Pokorney & Jordyn Donner.

Special thanks to the Administration, the Athletic Director, our staff members and the Maintenance Staff! The S-RC Student Council would like to recognize everyone who helped make this week a success and we loved the amazing walking classes, floats, and occupations this year!

Special Education Director

Shelby-Rising City Public Schools

Email: hthompson@shelby.esu7.org
Website: https://www.shelby.esu7.org/
Location: 650 North Walnut Street, Shelby, NE, USA
Phone: 402-527-5946 5718
Twitter: @ms_thompson007