Category Archives: Academics

Newsweek Magazine recently recognized the top 500 high schools in the Nation. Hay Springs High School was named one of Newsweek’s “Americas Top High Schools” in 2014.  There were only three high schools in Nebraska that were selected for this honor.

Hay Springs High School was ranked 133 out of the 500 top high schools. The other two schools were Burwell, Nebraska, which ranked 479 and Chadron, Nebraska, ranked 433. It’s nice to see two Panhandle schools on this list.

While we are proud of this recognition and have a right to brag, most importantly this recognition is another indicator that shows that we continue to provide a high quality education for our children.  If you factor in this National recognition ranking with the Nebraska State Assessment rankings, our ACT test scores, high school graduation rate (100%) and a host of other indicators, it’s clear that Hay Springs Public Schools is not only one of the best schools in Nebraska but now recognized as one of the best schools in the Nation. This is quite an accomplishment for a small, rural, Western Nebraska, school.

I’ve been asked over the last few years how have we accomplished such academic success. Our response is simple; our students work hard, we have a quality professional staff, parents are engaged with their children, our school board is supportive, and we have a community that supports education and its school. This is a winning combination!

The link to the Newsweek article is listed below.

http://www.newsweek.com/high-schools/americas-top-schools-2014

Tallon Regier, a 13 year old seventh grader, has moved back to Hay Springs to live with his dad. He is joining the Jr. High class of seven. His favorite color is gray. He likes farming and ice cream. His older brother, Brett, just graduated from Hay Springs High School. He also has two sisters, one in ninth grade and one in eleventh grade, neither go to school here with him.

Seth Elsea has transferred to Hay Springs High school from Gordon because “this is supposed to be the better school.” He enjoys playing baseball and will play football next year. Seth can play the drums and enjoys country, rap and some metal/ rock music. Next year will be his senior year.

Jacob Greenough is from California and has lived in Oregon, Utah, Alaska and Iowa before coming to Nebraska. He is a 17 year old senior who enjoys DJ-ing , which he did for dances at some of his last schools. He moved to Hay Springs because his dad, who’s in the military, wanted them to be closer to family. Jacob thinks that “Hay Springs is small but it’s cool because you can get to know everyone more than you would in a bigger school.” He has seven siblings, three brothers and four sisters.

As the new school year begins, Hay Springs High School has acquired some new kids, and I got the chance to interview one of them. The person I interviewed was Hailey Summers. Hailey has two sibling’s one older sister, who is a senior named Emily, and a younger sister who is in preschool named Cora. They moved here from Rapid City and were from Washington before that.

Hailey likes how Hay Springs High School is so small. She also likes the four day school week, and how easily it is to join a team or do extracurricular things. Hailey’s favorite class is geography, because she likes the teacher.

She is planning on doing volleyball, basketball, and also track. When not in school, Hailey likes to hang out with friends. Hailey should be a good add-on too both our school, and also our sports teams.

With the resignation of Mr. “Murph” Planansky, Hay Springs High School had to find a new math teacher. They hit the jackpot with April Stangle, former HSHS student teacher. She spent the last year teaching in South Dakota, and when asked if she will miss it up there, she said “only the people.”
Ms. Stangle teaches several subjects including Statistics, College Algebra, and Careers/Technology. She previously assisted Coach Jason Badje and Jana Binger in coaching basketball and volleyball. This year she will be assisting Coach Kyli Heiting in volleyball, and taking on the role of head coach for the girls’ basketball team. When asked what her expectations for coaching this year were she said “I want the girls to have fun, learn the fundamentals, and be successful.”
She will also be helping with FCA. A few fun facts about the new HSH teacher: her favorite color is blue, she enjoys drawing and running in her downtime, her favorite food is steak and her alma maters are Sioux County High School and Chadron State College.

Each student grades K-12 will receive a check-out slip. Outstanding obligations will be added to the students check-out slip by the corresponding sponsor, librarian, teacher, etc; therefore the office will not be able to tell you what your child owes.

• Each classroom teacher will collect book fines for damaged books.
• The Librarian will collect payment for lost or damaged library books.
• Mrs. Houser will collect payment for missing uniforms, sports equipment, etc.
• Adriene will collect Hot Lunch money.
• Mrs. Shimek will collect Yearbook money.

Each fee must be paid separately to the appropriate person/department!

K-11 students’ last day is May 22, 2014—ML/HS dismissed at regular time. ELEM dismissed after their awards assembly.