New Team Sport “eSports”

Gamers! Check out the newest team sport to hit Nebraska High Schools! Competitive eSports teams are alive in the Kearney area and on the east end of the state. Hay Springs would be the second school on the west end of the state to join along with Gering.
Games for the first semester competition are Starcraft II, Overwatch, and Rocket League. Two games are free to use, only Overwatch requires a purchase. Games are played online with no travel necessary. Mrs. Matthews and Mr. Reimann have volunteered to coach the players. (Who probably could beat us with one hand.)
If curious about what a college eSports setup looks like just ask the Robotics team who visited South Dakota School of Mines last springs. Yes, there is competitive eSports in college and you can get scholarships to play eSports at Concordia, Midland, and Bellevue Universities here in Nebraska.
Watch the announcements for information about an organizational meeting!

Flexible Seating Coming to English Classroom

DonorsChoose, the most trusted crowdfunding platform for teachers, donors, and district administrators, awarded Hay Springs High School English teacher Heidi Beguin, almost $2000 in a flexible seating campaign she created in early August. “I wanted to try to find funds for flexible seating, in my classroom, without putting a financial strain on the school. I created a project a few years ago, through DonorsChoose, that was fully funded and my hope was that this one would be too.” After she publicized the project on her personal Facebook page, and received a couple local donations (big thank you to Lisa Merritt and Malinda Smith), one other anonymous donor came forward to fully fund the project. “My classroom will soon be outfitted with six tall tables, each with two stools, giving twelve students the option to stand or at least sit in something other than the desks they sit in during most every class. Our kids sit a lot of the day, so I’m excited to be able to offer some other options for them.” Before and after photos will be posted to our school’s Facebook soon.

HS Music Notes

It is SO GOOD to get to be back to making music with your students! In an effort to keep students safe, the music room has made a few adjustments. All classes meet in the auditorium where we have plenty of space to socially distance from each other. All band students have covers for their instruments in an attempt to limit the amount of aerosols put into the room. We are also limiting our rehearsal time.

As of the time this article was due, we are not certain how to proceed with concert planning. As soon as a decision is made and a concert schedule is set, information will go out! Stay tuned…

INSTRUMENT DONATION: If you have an instrument that is just collecting dust, I would encourage you to consider donating it to the school for someone to use! Thank you in advance for considering it!!

High School Band will be again selling Little Caesars Pizza Kits from 9/7-9/24! If you are interested and no one has stopped by to see you give the school a call and we will make sure to get someone to you!

Upcoming dates:
Keep an eye out for dates in the near future!

PBIS News

Hay Springs Public School has entered its third year of NPBIS (Nebraska Positive Behavior and Intervention Supports). PBIS is a universal school plan to establish a POSITIVE culture in our school community for students and staff. Research has shown that positive interactions with students directly impact positive school culture. PBIS also gives us continuity! Every staff member is using the same language in regards to behavior, building unity within our school community!

In June the entire HSPS staff attended PBIS Classroom training via zoom. This was an amazing opportunity to get all staff trained in best classroom practices. One of the mornings during our August staff training days was spent on restorative circles within the classroom.

PBIS is always adding and changing the way we are doing things. Keep an eye out in September for our newest addition “Student of the Month!”

We are again doing Super Passes for High School & Middle Level students. Here are the requirements for the Super Pass for 2020-2021 Quarter 1:

  • 0 Ineligibility
  • 1 or fewer Tardies
  • 2 or fewer absences
  • 0 office referrals
  • 5 Hours of Community Service

Community Service forms can be picked up from Adiene in the office or Mrs. Heiting in the 1st grade classroom. Ms. Adriene is also compiling a list of businesses or individuals who have requested some assistance. If you’re not sure HOW to serve, stop by and ask her how you can get involved! Once a form is completed, make sure to turn it into Mrs. Heiting in the 1st grade classroom!

Students who meet these requirements will receive:

Middle Level:

  1. 1 Free Tardy
  2. Drop lowest grade on a daily assignment
  3. Front of the Line for Lunch
  4. 1 free supervised period on campus (preapproved)

High School:

  1. 1 Free Tardy
  2. Drop lowest grade on a daily assignment
  3. 2 Open Campus Lunches
  4. Free Half Day Off of School (pre-approved; responsible for all work missed)

Parents Make The Difference Sep. 2020 Newsletter

Parents make the difference! is a four-page, evidence-based newsletter that provides practical, proven information for parents, on a comprehensive array of school success topics, in a format that is best for you and your school.

Please click the link below to check out this month’s newsletter:

Parents make the difference! September 2020 newsletter

Parents make the difference! September 2020 calendar

Building Readers Sep. 2020 Newsletter

Building Readers provides the guidance, steps to take, specific direction and concrete recommendations that parents need to help their kids learn to read, and to read more proficiently. Click the links below to read the newsletter and extras!

Building Readers Elementary Newsletter(09/2020)
Building Readers Elementary Booklist
Building Readers Extras

Covid-19 Guidance/Information

Public Health Recommendations for the Screening, Exclusion, and Re-Admittance of Ill Students and Staff for COVID-19 in Schools

Parent Communication for Ill Students during COVID-19

Mask Chart(WITH NO DOCUMENTED TRANSMISSION IN A CLASSROOM SETTING)

Screening,_Exclusion,_and_Re-Admittance_of_Ill_Students_and_Staff_for_COVID-19_in_Schools_08042020 Parent_Communication_for_Ill_Students_during_COVID-19 Case_Investigation_Schools_Aug18
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