The Rampage

The Middle School and High School libraries are now combined. The card catalogs for all three buildings were also merged so now patrons can search for a book district wide from one place. We are also setting up self-checkout stations at Olsburg and at the high school to facilitate the circulation process.

The change from AR to Reading Counts will take some time to get used to. The programs accomplish the same thing but the interface is different. Books that have Reading Counts quizzes have florescent green and yellow labels on them - green at Olsburg, yellow in Randolph. All quizzes are available for all students K-12. This gives us a great deal more flexibility with our reading program.

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Here is a little library and reading information to keep you informed.

Combining middle school and high school libraries necessitates combining the reading program.

Renaissance Learning (AR) will do this for a price.

We have also been looking at other reading programs that use lexiles since we get lexile scores for students from the MAP tests. Scholastic’s Reading Counts is one such program. If you would like to know more about that program I have some information. They will allow us to combine our reading programs and will give us quizzes - one for every AR quiz we own.

In the library
- I am leaning toward separate sections for middle school and high school fiction books. All books will be available to everyone, this will just help steer younger readers to appropriate books.
- Most of the encyclopedias and other reference works that never get used will be removed from the library. These will be offered to classroom teachers.
- We plan to make it possible for students to check books out themselves.

Searching for book bargains for the library at Hastings I came across The Bee-Man of Orn by Frank Stockton delightfully illustrated by J.P. Lynch AND it came with a DVD of the artist at work. It looked like a picture book but I was hooked by the illustrations and could see possibilities for using the book and DVD.

The music on the DVD was composed and performed by Aidan Mulholland and was a perfect backdrop for the artwork.

Wanting to know more, I did an internet search… I found another version of The Bee-Man illustrated by Maurice Sendak which conveyed a very different feeling.

Also, I found a blog entry comparing these two books.

What do you think? How important is presentation? Can you judge a book by its cover?

EXCERPTS of USD #384 Special Board of Education Meeting

A regular Board of Education meeting for USD #384 Blue Valley was held on March 12, 2007, at 7:00 p.m. at the District Office. Members present were Ivan Jones, Jan Dreith, Curt Friedrich, Larry Anderson, Steve Pralle, Marla Webster, and Deb Williams.

The Agenda was approved with the following amendments: 10B. Warrants and Transfers moved to New Business 12E. – Executive Session and 10D. Senior Trip moved to New Business 12 A2. – Discussion and Action.

Curt Friedrich addressed the Board during Open Forum, expressing his concern over the actions of some of our students who abused the privilege of receiving a school day off to attend the State Basketball Tournament. He also expressed his concern over the upcoming School Board Member election with four positions to fill and only two individuals who filed to run for the Board of Education. He complemented those board members who have filed for re-election and also those who have opted not to run again for their service to Blue Valley.

The Board expressed the following Positive Comments: 1. Blue Valley traveled very well to Hays – the crowd was very impressive. 2. We were very proud of and commend the coaches and girls basketball team on their performance at the State Tournament. 3. We want to commend Lauren Henry for being chosen the KMAN Athlete of the Week. 4. There were many complements to Mrs. Cindy Pfaff and the Blue Valley Band for attending the State Basketball games. 5. Congratulations to the seven BPA students traveling to the Nationals in New York. 6. The students and staff members showed a lot of class at the State Basketball Tournament. 7. Appreciated the sponsors of the radio shows who brought the State Tournament to those who could not attend the tournament in person.

The Girls Basketball Team was in attendance and the Board shared with them their appreciation for their accomplishments this year. Also recognized were the seven BPA members who will be traveling to New York in May to compete in the National Competition.

The Principal’s Reports were reviewed. Tim Winter added to his report the list of All League Team members: Lauren Henry – First Team, Kendle Henry – Second Team, Jude Hagenmaier and Jordan Brenner – First Team, and Brandon Nelson – Second Team. Jim McCormick added to his report that the Olsburg Elementary Building is being used on Thursday, March 15 for a fundraiser for the track program.

The Consent Agenda was approved as follows: A. Approved Minutes of the February 12, 2007 Regular Board Meeting and the February 28, 2007 Special Board Meeting and approved the Activity, Revenue and Expenditure Reports.

The Board discussed the issue of School Board Member Positions #1 and #2 in which no one has filed to run for the office of School Board Member.

After a reading of the LOB Resolution, the Board adopted the resolution to increase the Local Option Budget.

The Board approved the BPA Request to attend the national competition in New York in May, and to pay the sponsor’s travel expenses and registration fees up to a maximum of $2000.00 as per board policy.

The Board approved the Senior Class’request for an out of state trip and to uphold the Rules for the Senior Sneak, including the No Smoking Policy.

The Board went into executive session to discuss teacher evaluations.

The Board went into executive session to discuss non-elected personnel.

The Board went into executive session to discuss negotiations.

The Board went into executive session to discuss a student matter.

The Board approved the warrants and transfers as presented with the exception of one, which will be voided.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:34 p.m.

Vicki Studer,
Board Clerk