1

Hershey Publ ic Schools, P.O. Box 369, Hershey, NE 69143

www.hpspanthers.org (308) 368-5572

The first semester is about over and I am very pleased with how the school year has gone. It has

been a great semester with students having many opportunities for learning. Thanks to everyone who

attended the parent-teacher conferences. It is always great to have communication between parents

and teachers.

The Nebraska Department of Education released the NePAS rankings for math, science, writing and

reading. This is the first year that the state has ranked schools from top to bottom no matter what

size of school. They will rank schools in thirty-three areas. The state will rank them by grades 3-5, 6-

8 and 9-12 and then for the total of grades 3-12. They also list growth and improvement as a group at

certain grade levels. Hershey schools’ strongest area was in reading and the lowest area was math.

We have been aware that we need to improve in math and we hired an additional math teacher this

past summer to teach in grades 7-12. You can rest assured that the staff, administration and school

board are continually working to increase student knowledge in all areas.

I want to encourage all parents to listen to their phone messages in regard to weather related school

closings. We try to make the decision the night before whether to have a late start or close school,

but sometimes that is not possible as weather can change really fast. We always keep in mind the

safety of students in making all of our weather related school decisions. It is up to you as to whether

you want to have your child attend school on a snowy day when we are still having school.

Our winter sports season has started. We have twenty-three boys and twenty-seven girls out for

basketball and twelve boys out for wrestling. Good luck to all of the students as they prepare for the

busy winter activities.

The semester will be over on December 21st at 1:30 p.m. and resume again on January 3rd.

Congratulations to all of our students for a fine first semester both in academics and extracurricular

activities. Let me know if I can be of assistance to you.

Educationally,

Dr. Michael J. Cunning

Superintendent

2

News from the High School

“When we go fishing, it is not really fish we are after. It is a philosophic meditation.”

Personally, I will use any excuse to go fishing and have used similar reasons to convince Mrs. Troxel

the importance of this hobby (habit, passion).

Fall is nearly over and the long winter months will come and go bringing spring with it. Christmas will

soon be here and I would like to use this newsletter to advertise the STUCO food drive. In the past,

we were able to take another day of vacation during Christmas break, but we are not able to do so

this year. We missed a day and a half during the fall for football playoffs and State Volleyball, which

will have to be made up some time this year. This has been a motivating factor the past few years and

we have been able to collect a great deal of food for the local pantry. The food pantry really depends

on our efforts each year, so we still want to have this drive. The motivation for this should be to live

3

the Christmas spirit and help the needy. There are a lot of people in our area who benefit from the

food pantry, so we would like to challenge everyone to be generous and help with this cause. Our

annual food drive will begin December 1st and continue to December 21st. Items may be brought to

either office at Hershey Public Schools.

The following is a list of items which are really needed:

A. Soups, especially Cream of Chicken and Cream of Mushroom.

B. Manwich

C. Spaghetti O’s

D. Toilet Paper

Canned vegetables, canned fruit, pasta, canned beans, tomato sauce or paste, pasta sauce, tuna,

jell-o, peanut butter, powdered milk, syrup, pancake mix, cake mixes, cornbread mix, muffin mix,

Cereal. Personal care items are also needed such as shampoo, deodorant, tooth brushes, tooth

paste, and bar soap.

“If you haven’t got any charity in your heart, you have the worst kind of heart trouble.”

Bob Hope

I would like to take this time to wish everyone a merry Christmas. Remember! Christmas is not a time

nor a season, but a state of mind.

Mike Troxel, High School Principal

News from the Activities Director

When I took on this opportunity to become the Activities Director at Hershey Public Schools I already knew I was going to be overseeing a wonderful activities program. I also knew that I was surrounded by amazing coaches and student-athletes. This past month our coaches and student-athletes not only represented our school and community very well but put the school on the map and proving that we do have some of the best coaches and student-athletes in the state. From watching our programs perform on the stage to competing at the State Tournament I am more proud than ever of our activities program.

If you have never had the opportunity to come and watch one of our fine arts programs at Hershey then you are really missing out. Teresa Rotert and the junior and senior high choir program put on an amazing concert this past month. The theme was country music and many students took on the challenge of singing a solo and they all were great. We have some of best singers in our school and they blew the roof off.

4

Our Hershey Football team not only won the first ever playoff game in school history but we also hosted our first ever playoff game and knocked off another team to advance to again the first ever quarter-final football game ever! Coach Ryan Smith and his staff worked long hours and rallied these boys to rebound and bound together to create a force to be reckoned with. To be in the final 8 of 48 teams in the state is amazing. This Hershey football team will go down in history as one of the best teams ever at Hershey. I am so proud of our coaches and football players.

The wildcard system in Nebraska is one that I have been so excited about which gives teams an opportunity to let their body of work pay off in the event that a team is unsuccessful with winning the District Championship and get them into the State Tournament. Our volleyball team qualified for the C-2 State Tournament and even though we were the 8th seed and had to play rival North Platte St. Patrick’s in the 1st round, these girls came ready to fight and compete. They gave everything they had on that court and had the #1 team on the ropes. Coach Amy Beyer and her staff had these girls playing well all season and had them at their best at the right time. Awesome job girls!

We received 2nd place in Sportsmanship from our crowd at the C-2 State Volleyball Tournament. They were pleased to see all the positive signs, student-section, and overall positive fans that came and supported our girls. The one area that they really appreciated and I was very proud of was our band. Lori Evans directs one of the best bands in the state and the Nebraska Schools Activities Association agreed.

Congratulations to Daynlee Miller for signing to Drury University to play basketball. Drury is a NCAA Division II school where former Hershey basketball player Marla Munsen is currently playing this season. It is always exciting to see one of our student-athletes move on to play at the next level.

Winter sports have begun and the excitement after all three sports were represented at the state level last season is high. Erik Sokol and Jeff Linden are new coaches in the wrestling program and they are working very hard with our wrestlers to be very competitive this season and work to sending more wrestlers to Omaha at the end of the season. Coach Dustin Jorgenson and I have had some great practices so far and feel that both the boys and girls basketball players are ready to compete.

Jeremy Thomas Activities Director/7-12 Assistant Principal

Congratulations to the C2-9 All-District Football Team

1st Team

Tyler Brown

Logan Brown

Dylan Johnson

Colton Marshall

Landan Maassen

Adam Steffes

Gaige Marshall

Josh Margritz

Honorable Mention

Josh Connell

Jacob Thompson

Terence Whiting

Congratulations to SPVA All-Conference Volleyball Selections:

Daynlee Miller – first team

5

Maegan Hiatt – second team

Jenna Young and Brooke Munsen – Honorable Mention

NP Bulletin Select Volleyball Team 2012:

Maegan Hiatt – First Team OH

NP Bulletin Volleyball Team of the Decade:

Erica Brown – MH

Marla Munsen - OH

Congratulations ONE ACT

This year’s one act play “Us and Them” was well received at the three One

Act Play Festivals the cast attended this year. Students who won

outstanding performer recognition at the various competitions are, Josh

Connell, Britnee Fear, Andie Huebner, and Tanner Kosmicki. In addition to

Josh, Britnee, Andie, and Tanner the cast included Sarah Erickson, Krista

Schufeldt, Landan Maassen, Courtney Laubner, Kalon Czarnick, Victor

Grandy, Jennelle Worick, Hanna Barner, and Emily Dethlefs. Travis Beck

was the stage manager and in charge of lighting. The play was directed by

Lori Evans.

The cast learned a lot this year and is looking forward to next year’s competition!

NEWS FROM THE ELEMENTARY PRINCIPAL

The most wonderful time of the year is upon us - Christmas! It's easy to get caught up in the hustle

and bustle of the season, but our wish for you is that you are able to slow down and spend quality

time with your family and reflect upon the beauty that is Christmas. However, before we send

students home for Christmas vacation to relax, we have a lot yet to do!

December brings about the beginning of the winter sports season and the end to the first semester of

school. Students and staff are working hard to assure the first half of the school year is a successful

one. We ask parents to continue to communicate often with your child and his/her teachers as well

as check on-line with PowerSchool to make sure daily assignments and homework are completed

and handed in on time. Your involvement remains one of the most important factors in determining

your child’s success in school.

In the past, there have been some issues with unattended children both outside the building and in

the commons area during home basketball games. Please understand that when your young child

comes to school events, he or she is expected to stay in the gym under your supervision. As always,

there will be at least one administrator on duty at every home event and we will be directing kids to

stay seated in the gym for their safety and enjoyment of the event. Please assist us in this effort by

keeping your child with you at all times.

6

The elementary Christmas programs are can't-miss events. The PK-3 concert begins at 7:00pm on

Dec. 4th and the 4-6 concerts begin at 7:00pm on Dec. 11th. Bring the whole family and enjoy the

sweet sounds of the children all decked out in their finest Christmas outfits.

Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and blessed

New Year. I hope you keep the true meaning of Christmas in your mind and heart and have an

enjoyable and relaxed holiday with family and friends.

Educationally Yours,

Jason Calahan

Elementary Principal

REMINDER

The school building is not open to students until 7:35am for breakfast and 7:40am for general access.

The bus doors are automatically unlocked at 7:35am and all other doors at 7:40am. We ask that you

do not bring your child before the designated times as we do not have adequate supervision staff in

the building. Your arrival time will become increasingly important as the weather gets colder; we

certainly don’t want students waiting outside in the morning.

With the cold weather upon us, parents are reminded to make sure their child comes to school with a

warm coat, gloves or mittens, boots (when it snows) and a stocking cap to keep warm while playing

outside. Students will be going out for recess everyday unless it is physically impossible, so they

need to be dressed properly.

Also, parents are asked to label their child’s clothing in the event it may end up in the lost and found

box. If there is a name on the article of clothing, it can be returned to the rightful owner. Without a

name, it will end up at Goodwill since we do not have the space to store clothing for a long period of

time.

The elementary school offers a big THANK YOU to the following:

To the Hershey American Legion for allowing the K-6 students to be part of their Veteran’s Day Program. It was a very meaningful experience.

To Mrs. Rotert and Ms. Evans for preparing the students with vocal and instrumental pieces that were performed at the Veteran’s Day program

7

To the H.E.L.P Club, Hershey Education Association and the Hershey Public Schools for all the “goodies” they supplied to staff during American Education Week. The gestures were much appreciated!

To the H.E.L.P. Club for bringing the Raptor Recovery assembly to our students. Raptor Recovery is a non-profit organization based in Grand Island that cares for orphaned or injured raptors. They brought several live birds to Hershey on Nov. 16th for three different presentations encompassing all K-6 students. The day was both enjoyable and educational!

To all who save and send to school box top labels, Campbell labels, coke rewards and ink cartridges which help raise funds for the H.E.L.P. Club. Also, thanks to Mrs. Kristi Eller for coordinating and organizing all these areas.

DECEMBER CHARACTER COUNTS PILLAR – RESPONSIBILITY

The Character Counts trait for the month of December is Responsibility.

To begin the month and promote the pillar of responsibility, students are asked to wear green on

Thursday, December 4th, 2012.

Individuals who are responsible do what they are supposed to do. Responsible people think ahead,

set reasonable goals, control their temper and always do their best. They don’t give up easily and

they are accountable for the consequences of their choices; they don’t blame others for their

mistakes.

Students who earned AR (Accelerated Reader) rewards on Nov. 20th include:

10 Points: o Emma Elliot – KM o Landon Farmer – 1W o Kristyn Wooley – 1J o Wendy Trevizo – 4K

20 Points: o Kandice Thompson – 1W o Reagan Sokol – 1J

30 Points: o Dusty Brown – 1W o Emma Hall – 1W

8

o Peyton Fisher – 1J o Madison Guernsey – 2T o Lucus Venzor – 3R

40 Points: o Maci Cox – 1W o John Sexson – 2H

50 Points: o Eva McCreery – 1J o Josie Coffman – 2T o Jaron Worick – 5K o Lanie Allen – 6H o Haven Rawles – 6H

100 Points: o Cooper Leibhart – 1J o Gabriel Becher – 5G o Avery Fischer – 5G o McKenna Marshall – 6H o Jeremy Parker – 6H o Clayton Glos – 6K o Kyle Jackson – 6K

150 Points: o Halley Falkena – 5G o Brendyn Woolley – 5G o Tyra Otzel – 6H o Dawson Seamann – 6H

200 Points: o Mekenna Fisher – 3R o Anna Bernston – 4S o Koby Miller – 6K

250 Points: o Kacey Dethlefs – 4S

350 Points: o Chase Leibhart – 4K

400 Points: o Braden Dominguez -4K

500 Points: o Brittney Richardson – 6K

900 Points: o Brooke Bode – 4S

950 Points: o Brooke Bode – 4S o Dalton Ebmeier – 6K o

Congratulations to the students for their effort and dedication to reading.

9

The 6th graders have had a busy 1st semester of many activities and much learning.

One disappointment though along the way came with the postponement of the DARE

program due to a shortage in staffing in the County Sheriff’s office. Hopefully with the

start of the New Year, Hershey 6th graders will again welcome back Corporal Meyer

and the revival of the DARE program!

The 6th graders have been incorporating computer applications like Microsoft Word to

create essays and reports, SMART Note technology and clickers to take English,

Science and Social Studies quizzes, and Inspiration. Inspiration is a computer

graphic organizing tool to help students in linking information. Both 6th grade

classrooms are able to use the new document cameras, which project images on the

SmartBoard, in essence replacing the overhead projectors.

The final endeavor the 6th grade class is undertaking for the semester is to do a fund

raising drive during the month of December. The Character Counts trait for

December is Responsibility. To reinforce this trait, the 6th graders will be doing an

activity called “Change for Charity” in which all elementary classes will collect

change throughout the month of December, ending during our last week of school

before Christmas break. The class that collects the most change will receive a treat

during their Christmas party. All the proceeds will go to a local charity in the name of

the Hershey Public Schools. So save your change to donate and have a great

Christmas Season!

Order Forms

***REMINDER**

All T-shirt order forms are located on our web site at:

http://www.hpspanthers.org/vnews/display.v/SEC/Forms

10

EducationQuest Foundation

College Planning Bulletin A monthly college planning guide for Nebraska high school students

December 2012

Prepare for the FAFSA with free programs and resources If you are a senior, you should complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) after January 1. Colleges will use your FAFSA results to determine how much they will award you in federal, state and college-

11

based financial aid. To prepare for the FAFSA, take advantage of the following free EducationQuest programs and resources:

Financial Aid Programs EducationQuest is conducting statewide Financial Aid Programs that explain the types of financial aid, how to

complete the FAFSA, how colleges award financial aid, and the student loan process. The programs are free

and open to the public. Click here to find the program nearest you. Juniors and seniors and their parents or

guardians are encouraged to attend.

FAFSA Webinars

EducationQuest will conduct free webinars on “How to Complete the FAFSA” that will cover financial aid basics

and how to complete the FAFSA. Webinars are scheduled for:

Wednesday, December 5 - 7:00 pm (CT)

Webinar link: http://eqf.org/TS7r5Q

Wednesday, December 19 - 7:00 pm (CT)

Webinar link: http://eqf.org/QSr92Q

Monday, January 14 - 7:00 pm (CT)

Webinar link: http://eqf.org/SsgDSz

Wednesday, January 16 - 7:00 pm (CT)

Webinar link: http://eqf.org/XToPN4

To join the Webinar, click on the link under your desired date. The password is Presentation.

If you have questions, call EducationQuest at 800.666.3721 or email info@educationquest.org.

College Funding Estimator

To estimate your FAFSA results now, use the College Funding Estimator at EducationQuest.org. This program will ask for 2012 income tax information. You may estimate your tax information to complete the Estimator but should use your completed 2012 tax returns when you submit the actual FAFSA.

Seniors…have you submitted your college applications? If you haven’t submitted your admission applications yet, it’s time to get serious! Contact your top college choices to determine application deadlines and procedures. Ask if the admission application is also the application for college-based scholarships. If not, ask about the scholarship application process.

Winning the scholarship game Follow these tips to increase your chances of earning scholarships:

Don’t pay for scholarship searches. Use free resources such as ScholarshipQuest at EducationQuest.org with

over 2,000 Nebraska-based scholarships. Free national sites include Fastaid, Scholarship Monkey,

ScholarshipExperts.com, School Soup, and Scholarships.com.

Visit your guidance counselor often for information about local scholarships.

Place scholarship applications in deadline order. Local awards and college-specific applications deserve top

priority because you're more likely to earn them.

Update your activities, honors, community service or paid jobs using the Activities Resume at

EducationQuest.org.

Earn the best possible ACT/SAT scores by taking the exam in the spring of your junior year and again in the fall

of your senior year.

Use quality references such as a teacher, coach or counselor. Encourage them to write specific examples of

your leadership skills. Give them advance notice and a specific deadline.

12

Tailor your essay to the scholarship. Ask an English teacher to read your essay and offer advice on making a

big impact. Your essay will need to stand out from other applications.

Pay close attention to grammar, spelling and neatness. Ask at least two people to proofread your entire

application.

December “To Do” List

Complete these tasks during December to stay on the right college planning track.

Seniors:

__ Submit college applications.

__ Estimate your FAFSA results using the College Funding Estimator at EducationQuest.org.

__ Attend the Financial Aid Program in your area.

__ Continue to apply for scholarships.

Juniors

__ Attend the Financial Aid Program in your area.

__ Search for scholarships.

__ Register by December 28 for the January 26 SAT.

__ Register by January 11 for the February 9 ACT.

For free help with college planning, contact EducationQuest Foundation:

Kearney Lincoln Omaha

308-234-6310 402-475-5222 402-391-4033

800-666-3721 800-303-3745 888-357-6300

EducationQuest.org Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

EducationQuest Foundation is a nonprofit organization with a mission to improve access to higher education in Nebraska.

We need the alumni to keep us informed of their name, CURRENT mailing address, and the

year they graduated. Send the information to Loren Johnson, 304 Nansue Rd, Hershey NE

69143 or ljohns@hersheytel.net. Our phone # is 306-368-5440.

Newsletter information? Email Diana Connell at dconnell@hpspanthers.org

Help save our planet! Go paperless our website is www.hpspanthers.org It is the policy of the Hershey Public School District not to discriminate on the basis of gender, disability, race, color, religion, marital status, age or national origin in its education programs, administration, policies,

employment or other agency programs.