Bellevue Education Association President Stephanie Cain shared a few words with the Bellevue Board of Education, “We thank you for your work and we are proud to work with you.” The BEA then presented each board member with a new book titled “What Teaching Means - Stories from America’s Classrooms.” Alison Scott was officially releasedfrom her contract effective December 21, 2012. Stephanie Cain and Ralph Tosti will be released from their contracts effective May 23, 2013. The Board approved a Request for Proposal (RFP) for auditing services for Bellevue Public Schools and the Bellevue Foundation. By Policy, the BPS Board selects the auditor. Board members Frank Kumor, Doug Cook, and Cindy Copich will serve on the Auditing Committee to review the RFP, collect proposals, and attend interviews. The Board approved the School Resource Officers (SRO) agreementwith the City of Bellevue and authorized the payment of $25,000 for the 2012-2013 school year. In the recommended agreement, BPS would pay for one-half of the cost of two SROs. Bellevue Police will perform security audits on all BPS school buildings. Other City-School Partnerships will be considered to credit BPS for part of the cost of the SROs. For the 2013-2014, actual costs of all partnerships will be used to determine

any payments. The Board did not approve the Proposed Calendar for the 2014-2015 school year which was very similar to recent calendars. Staff will explore more alternatives, collect additional input, and will then bring back to the Board at the April meeting. The Board accepted the finalizedcontract with Digital Visions as the copier provider for the District. Kindergarten orientation will be held the week of February 25 for those children who are eligible to enter kindergarten in the fall of 2013. Advanced registration gives families a better chance to explore the classrooms and visit with staff. Avery Elementary School Principal Dr. Lori Thomas and staff presented some of the structures, strategies, and activities they are implementing as part of their building’s ongoing school improvement plan. The board received a report on the wide variety of summer programs, highlighting some changes. The Board is required to evaluate the Superintendent twice during the 2012-2013 school year. The evaluation materials were presented as well as a time line for the process. The Learning Community update included comments about facilities for Subcouncil 5 and the needs of families in regards to English as a second language.

February 22, 2013

InsIde

ThIs

Issue

State Aid WatchContinues at BPS

Page 2

February Board MeetingReports and Actions

BPS Recognition Program

Each month students, s t a f f , p a r e n t s , a n d community members are invited to nominate a staff member for the “Making A Difference” program. The program recognizes the outstanding efforts of BPS staff members that have gone above and beyond to make a difference in the lives of students and/or staff members. Each month (October-May) one recipient is selected and will receive $250 through a partnership with Bellevue Public Schools and Great Western Bank. To nominate a staff member e-mail thefollowing information to bps@bpsne.net:• Person being nominated• Building where nominee

works• Nominee’s contribution• Person making the

nominat ion’s name, phone number, and e-mail address.

Bellevue West Athletic Hall of

Fame Inductions

Page 3

State Aid Watch Continues at BPS Walt Radcliffe of Radcliffe and Associates briefed the BPS Board on 650+ bills, constitutional amendment, etc. that were introduced into the 90-day part of the two-year legislative session. He highlighted bills dealing with or impacting State Aid which is important to BPS. While discussing LB 407 and LB 640, Radcliffe emphasized two “How Questions.” How many dollars are in a state aid bill for distribution to school districts? “How will those dollars be distributed to school districts? A minor change to the state aid law formula can produce a major loss of funds to a school district. Other bills, including the Governor’s tax bills, could impact the major state aid bill voted out of committee near the end of the legislative session. BPS will follow the “How Questions” as the important state aid debate goes forward.

Bellevue East and West Musicals Hit the StageBellevue East Presents: Thoroughly Modern MillieSenior Citizens performance: Sunday, March 10, at 4:00 p.m.Faculty & Staff performance: Wednesday, March 13, at 7:00 p.m. Public performances: Thursday, March 14 – Saturday, March 16, at 7:00 p.m. each night

Bellevue West Presents: Guys and DollsSenior Citizens, Staff & Students performance: Wednesday, March 6, at 3:45 p.m.Public performances: Tuesday, March 5; Friday, March 8 & Saturday, March 9, at 7:00 p.m. each night

Tickets prices:Adults - $7Bellevue Students – free admission with student IDStudents - $3Under 12 - free with adult

For additional information:Bellevue East (402) 293-4150Bellevue West (402) 293-4040

“Black History”....A Cultural Slice of American History The students and staff of Bellevue East High School gathered on Tuesday, February 19, 2013, in their school auditorium for a Black History program. The theme for the program, “Black History”....A Cultural Slice of American History. The United States of America is made up of many cultural slices, all equally important and this program paid tribute to the Black American slice. There were special performances by students from Omaha Westside and Omaha South High School, as well as creative performances from the students of Bellevue East.

Bellevue West Athletic Hall of Fame recipients pictured from left to right: members of the 1978 State Baseball Championship Team, Meredy Porter, Kim Storey, and Clester Johnson.

Bellevue West High School Athletic Hall of Fame

Bellevue West High School recently inducted several outstanding graduates into the Athletic Hall of Fame for 2013. Meredy Porter (Class of 1987), Clester Johnson (Class of 1991), Kim Storey (Class of 1995) and the 1978 State Baseball Championship Team. A brief ceremony took place during halftime of the West varsity boys basketball game on February 8 and a reception, sponsored by the Bellevue West Athletic Booster Club, was held in the cafeteria following the game.

Bravo, Bellevue!Bellevue East & West AFJROTC Competed at Papillion-La Vista South Titan Invitational Bellevue East and West High Schools’ AFJROTC units competed at the Papillion-La Vista South Titan Invitational Drill Event on January 26, 2013. Both units represented Bellevue proudly.Bellevue East Results Overall Runner-Up; 1st Place Overall Unarmed; 1st Place Unarmed Regulation; 2nd Place Unarmed Exhibition; 1st Place Unarmed Color Guard; 2nd Place Unarmed Color Guard; 3rd Place Overall Armed; and 3rd Place Armed Exhibition.Bellevue West Results Men’s Drill Team 2nd place Unarmed Regulation; 1st place Armed Regulation; 3rd place Unarmed Exhibition; 2nd place Armed Exhibition; 3rd place Unarmed Color Guard; 3rd place Armed Color Guard; 2nd place Overall Armed; and 3rd place Overall Unarmed.

Nebraska Middle School Science Bowl Competition Mission Middle School was the runner-up at the 10th annual Nebraska Middle School Science Bowl held Saturday, January 26, 2013, at Wayne State College. The Science Bowl is a fun, fast-paced academic competition that tests students’ knowledge in math and science. A total of 32 teams from across the state participated. Members of the Mission Middle School team are Kelly Speltz, Paige Haskins, Logan Wood, Samantha Seaman, and teacher/coach Brent Myers. Mission Middle School also won the “Team Civility Award,” which recognizes a team for showing “grace under pressure” to exemplify good sportsman-like conduct. Wayne State College (WSC) coordinates the Nebraska Middle School Science Bowl. Over 90 volunteers were recruited to help run the Nebraska Middle School Science Bowl.

District CalendarFeb. 25 Board of Education Work Session @

Welcome Center, 5:30 p.m.

Mar. 1 State Day

Mar. 5 Tribute to Teacher Day

Mar. 11 Board Meeting @ Welcome Center, 6:30 p.m.

Mar. 15 End of Third Quarter (early dismissal)

Mar. 18-22 Parent/Student/Teacher Conference Week

www.BellevuePublicSchools.org

Scan the QR Code with your mobile device and learn more

about Bellevue Public Schools.

Education Newswww.bellevuepublicschools.org

A publication of Bellevue Public Schools.Please send contributions to Phil Kaldahl, Editor, at the Welcome Center

or email bps@bpsne.net“The best way to predict the future is to create it.” ~ Peter F. Drucker

© BPS 2007

Follow us: Facebook Twitter

Omaha Children’s Museum - Teacher Appreciation Night

Omaha Children’s Museum and Oriental Trading Company invite Bellevue Public Schools’ teachers to Teacher Appreciation Night this Saturday, February 23, from 5:30 - 9:00 p.m. at the Omaha Children’s Museum. Enjoy a night out with your family where you can play and learn. Oriental Trading Company will be there to show you ways to make your classroom fun and educational, and the museum will be providing special demonstrations of their most popular shows. Discounts for outreach programs and other information will be available, in addition to tons of Oriental Trading Company prizes. One lucky teacher will win a $1000 classroom package. Free admission for teachers and their families, a school ID is required.