Jakob Lee Gray was named the November Youth Rotarian of the Month by the Seward Rotary Club at their noon luncheon meeting on Wednesday, November 3^rd at the Jones Bank auditorium.  He is the son of Rick and Jocelyn Gray of Seward.

Scholarship is very important to Jakob and he is often on the SHS Honor Roll, was honored in 2020 in Cross Country with the Lincoln Journal “Academic All-State” award.  He is a recent graduate of the Rotary International RYLA program (Rotary Youth Leadership Award) and has taken numerous Advanced Placement/Dual Credit programs through Concordia University, Nebraska Wesleyan and Southeast Community College.  His skills include Microsoft User specialist and certified in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, and 3D Animation. 

His student activities include STRIVE TV and Multimedia programs and served as a Seward High Student Ambassador.  Jakob is a member of the 2021/2022 Academic Decathlon team, competing at the Regional level in January.

His memberships include SHS FFA, SHS Skills USA, SHS FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) and is a very loyal, active member and volunteer in all three of the volunteer groups.

Jakob is a member of the Rock Lutheran Church-serving as a voice of youth for their congregation and a faithful member of the church’s youth program-the Godparent Program.

Jakob’s athletic involvement includes participating in the SHS Basketball program in 2018-2019.  He is a member and longtime leader of the SHS Baseball Program for his entire high school career to date. He plays in the position of Out Field and also is one of the team Pitchers.  Jakob is a member and leader of the SHS Cross Country Team since 2020.

He has been employed since 2017, as a Detassler and Roguer for The Sloup Thorell Detassling.

His “Service Above Self” volunteer efforts include the St. John Summer Horizon’s Program, was an Outdoor Ed Counselor, volunteered as a counselor at the Elementary Cross Country Camp, volunteered with the Seward Youth and Community Club projects.  He has worked the STRIVE TV/Multimedia programs during his high school career as a loyal announcer for many of the various sporting events..  He generated over 300+ hours of volunteer hours with the SHS Multimedia program alone and has generated hundreds of hours as a community volunteer involving the many community service projects of his service club memberships.

He plans to attend the University of Nebraska in Lincoln in teacher education and has a goal to eventually become a Middle School Teacher in either Science and/or History and also be a coach.   

In his free time he enjoys his friends and plays recreational golf.  He is heavily involved with many Multimedia Projects-working with graphic programs and serving as an announcer for the Seward High “STRIVE TV” program.”

He will be honored again at the SHS Honors Night in May.  He will receive a Rotary Club Book Scholarship” and is a finalist for the Youth Rotarian of the Year and the Rotary Scholarship.  

The Seward Rotary Club selects one Youth Rotarian a month and applications can be found with the SHS Counselors page under scholarships.  

The Nebraska Mothers Association of the American Mothers, INC (NAMI) hosted their Eleventh Annual Quiz Bowl for Nebraska middle school students, competing in a general knowledge quiz bowl event at the Seward Civic Center on Wednesday, November 10, 2021 from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm in Seward, Nebraska.  The event featured a series of round robin contests between school’s teams in the morning, concluding with the teams all entered in a single elimination tourney in the afternoon.  Awards were presented in the three divided tournaments-Large, Medium and Small Middle Schools.  Trophies and medals were awarded the first place teams and trophies were also presented to each of the runner-up teams as well.  It as a general knowledge quiz bowl on math, history, science, music, language arts and literature-middle school level.

The Seward Middle School joined in the tourney with two teams, both coached by SMS teacher Laura Trautman.  The members included Addilyn Sugden, Ethan Boggs, Evelyn Theobald, Maddelyn Larson, Kayla Albright, Avery Rodocker, Emma Matulka, Ava Slechta,  Isaac VanBeek, Tylan Wohlford, Cardin Goracke, Lucian Gunn.

There were 48 teams in the Middle School Tourney.  The MS Tourney was held at the Seward Civic Center at 616 Bradford Avenue, Seward, Nebraska.  

In the Middle School AMI State Tourney, the Large Middle School was won by Gretna Team A MS-Coach Jill Frederick, followed by Gretna Aspen Creek MS Team B-coached by Jill Grant with Third Place to Columbus Scoitus A Team –coached by Annie Sokol, and Fourth to Central City Team  A MS –coached by Anna Detlefsen. 

In the Medium Middle School Division; First Place went to Thayer Central-Coached by Lrostome Lulert, Second to St. Joseph MS Coached by Marie Minchow, with Third to Oakland Craig Team B-Coached by Michael Menish and Fourth to Cross County-coached by Joanna Neilsen. 

The Small School Division winner was Osceola Team A-coached by Kim Baloun, with  Exeter Milligan Team B-Coach Jordan Marr in Second Place, and  Exeter Milligan Team B in Third Place and McCool Junction Team A MS coached by Jabe Wurtz with Fourth Place.  

There were a total of 48 teams in the tourney-one of the largest middle school tourney in the history of the contest!  Schools represented in the Middle School Division included Columbus Scotus, Gretna, Gretna Aspen, Kearney Catholic, Norris, Seward, Centennial, Central City, Cross County, Howells Dodge, , McCool Junction, Shelby Rising City, St. John-Seward, Thayer Central, Dorchester, Exeter-Milligan, Friend, Fullerton, Hampton, Our Redeemer Staplehurst, Milford MS, Nebraska Christian, Wilber-Clatonia MS, Osceola, Hampton MS, St. Joseph Catholic MS-Lincoln and Oakland-Craig.

The tourney was an all-volunteer event! Volunteer readers/judges include NAMI volunteers Lanae Tryon, Sue Venteicher, Vicki Dryden-Omaha, Sheila Monke of Fremont/Arlington, Ginger McGurk-Bennington, Sue Imig, Pat Ohlmann, Dr. Louis Reith, Clark Kolterman of Seward, Jenni Erhart of Osceola, Kathy Wilcox of Crete.  Riley Nuttleman, Sue Venteicher and Jean Kolterman coordinated the day’s schedule and team postings.  Jean Kolterman served as the project chair for the Nebraska Mother’s Association-American Mother’s INC.  Sue Venteicher hosted the luncheon for the Nebraska Mothers Association for American Mothers, Inc  for the coaches, judges, readers and those volunteers involved in helping with the Quiz Bowl.

Timers and scorekeepers were all volunteer students and coaches from the various schools. Riley Nuttleman of Southeast Community College served as the Quiz Bowl Master and set up the tourneys schedules.  He was assisted by Clark Kolterman. 

Teams each pay an entry fee to cover the expenses and any excess funds are directed to the Nebraska Mothers Association- AMI general fund to assist with the various projects of the Nebraska Mother’s Association AMI, INC.  Another Middle School Quiz Bowl is tentatively scheduled for the fall of 2022!

The Nebraska Mothers Association is an affiliate of the American Mothers, Inc.  Since 1931 the American Mothers has built a strong, ever-growing network of mothers working to improve the lives of their families.  For more information on The Nebraska Mothers Association contact Sue Venteicher –State President of Nebraska Mothers Association at sueventeicher@hotmail.com.

“Give Us the Shirt Off You Back! Goal-271` Tee Shirts –Last Year 271 Individuals Died from Suicide In Nebraska

Julya Metschke, SHS Sophomore member of the Family Community Career Leaders of America (FCCLA) Seward Chapter, volunteered to serve as the chair for the local SHS Suicide Awareness and Prevention Week and decided to collect 271 new and “like new” tee shirts for those in need or homeless-hoping to recycle the many shirts “just laying around.”  Last year 271 individuals died in Nebraska as a result of suicide.   The local collection sites were at the Seward Civic Center-616 Bradford Avenue, by the front door, at St. John Lutheran School in Seward and in the SHS lobby, 532 Northern Hgts.  

The FCCLA Committee is focusing on the issue of Teen Suicide and this as way to assist the homeless as well.   “We felt that most young adults have a drawer full of tee shirts that they may have collected through the years and never wear” said Julya Metschke-FCCLA Project Chair.  “I wanted the students to actually see the impact of what 271 lives looked like, so I decided to reserve 271 seats with donated tees, to create the image.  The 271 tee shirts will be donated to the Living Word Mission in York.”

“We always are given tee shirts at the many events and activities we attend and yet often find ourselves wearing our favorite tee shirts over and over,” commented Julya Metschke.  “This is a visual image of 271 lives lost to suicide and it really is a great way to help other lives at the same time, as we are recycling these tees for those who need them!”  

Julya placed posters throughout the school promoting suicide awareness and prevention, set up a display with free informational materials and placed announcements in the bulletin on suicide awareness and prevention.  She also distributed materials to each teacher on prevention and awareness of suicide.  She also coordinated a special “Teen Suicide Awareness and Prevention” Panel in the Community at the Seward Civic Center.  The FCCLA members collected new and like new tees in all sizes.  

Our suicide awareness and prevention materials were donated by Boys Town and Bryn Hospital with the help of Dr. David Miers-Bryan Hospital, an SHS Graduate. She plans to have a booth at the spring Seward Memorial Hospital annual Heath and Wellness Fair at the Ag Pavilion promoting Suicide Awareness and Prevention.  

 Julya plans to personally deliver the tees before the start of the next school term on behalf of Seward High, the SHS FCCLA Chapter, St. John Lutheran School and the Seward Community.  “We have been given so much in our lives, it is nice to be able to share some things with others, and a good way to start the new year.” Stated Julya Metschke. “The community has been very supportive of this project and we appreciate all the cooperation and support of the many who have helped with this awareness and prevention project.”

Photo:  SHS FCCLA Sophmore, Julya Metschke collected 271 new and “like new” tee shirts for those in need to recycle and be used by the homeless.  She combined this recycling project- helping the homeless project, with her suicide awareness and prevention effort.    Last year, 271 people died from suicide in Nebraska and she created a visual message, showing the impact and loss of these lives, placing a tee shirt in each theater chair in the SHS new theater. The shirts will be donated to the Living Word City Mission in York.    

Owen Krahulik, Seward High Senior was named the winner in the American Legion –NE District 12 Oratorical Contest.  He is the son of Justin and Stephanie Krahulik of Seward.  Owen presented a nine minute-30 second memorized speech on the Fifth Amendment of the US Constitution.  His speech was “The US Constitution and Change” and he was asked to speak extemporaneously on the Amendment VIII for three to five minutes and spoke 4:30 on the topic.

 The American Legion Oratorical Contest was held on Sunday, November 7, 2021 at 2:00 pm at the Seward Civic Center in Seward. William “Mac” Lawrence of Nehawka, NE the District 12 Commander, welcomed the group to the American Legion Oratorical District 12 Contest and Ken Meyer of the Seward American Legion Post #33, the host for the contest, welcomed the visitors to the contest and to the Seward Civic Center and Seward. The gathering opened with the Pledge of Allegiance to the US Flag.

Each contestant was asked to prepare and write an eight to ten minute oration on some aspect of the US Constitution, then draw one of four US Constitution Amendments and then was asked to speak extemporaneously for three to five minutes on the selected Amendment.  The Amendments selected for the contest were Amendments III, VIII, XIV-Section 3 or Amendment XXV-Section 4. 

Owen was awarded a special “Thomas Bosmenial” Memorial trophy, a gold medal and will receive a $100 cash scholarship from their District Contest, after he attends and participates in the Area contest, which is a requirement of the scholarship award. 

Judges for the event were educators-Cliff Lowell, Dr. Louis Reith and Anna Downing.  Riley Nuttleman served as the timer for the contest.  American Legion member Ken Meyer of Seward served as the Sergeant of Arms and William Lawrence served as the Tally Master.  Refreshments followed the contest. Clark Kolterman served as the program emcee.  

Owen will represent the District 12 at the American Legion Oratorical Area contest on December 4 at the Seward Civic Center in Seward at 2:00 in the East Basement Room and compete against three other District winners for the opportunity to represent the area at the Nebraska State American Legion Oratorical State Contest in January.  

Photo L-R District 12 Comander William Mac Lawrence of Nehawka, SHS Senior Owen Krahulik, Anna Downing-Presentation of the Thomas Bosmenial Memorial Trophy-awarded to the winner of the American Legion District 12 Oratorical Speech Contest. Anna is the mother of the late Thomas Bosmenial.

Photo-L-R  Ken Meyer-Representing Seward American Legion Post 33, Judge Dr. Louis Reith, District 12 Commander William Mac Lawrence, Oratorical Winner Owen Krahulik, Judge Anna Downing, Judge Cliff Lowell and Timer Riley Nuttleman.  

https://sites.google.com/sewardschools.org/sps-covid-19-data-dashboard/home

Below you will find more information about ESSER III funds provided to school districts across the nation. The list below is the allowable expenditure categories. The categories highlighted below are the areas that Seward Public Schools intend on using the funds allotted.  Seward Public Schools has been allocated $860,890 and has until fall of 2024 to expend these funds.  The goal of these funds is to help support students without having recurring costs to the district after the ESSER III funds are gone. If you have any suggestions regarding the use of these funds, please contact Dr. Josh Fields, Superintendent, at Josh.Fields@sewardschools.org

ESSER, passed as Section 18003 of the CARES Act in March 2020; ESSER II, passed as Section 313 of the CRRSA Act in December 2020; and ARP ESSER (ESSER III), included in Section 2001 of the American Rescue Plan Act, H.R. 1319, provides billions in funding for state and local educational agencies to spend on allowable activities to respond to COVID-19. ESSER is its own, separate, flexible program intended to assist with the COVID-19 response. ESSER I, II, & III funds must be tracked separately.

The ESSER III funding has the same allowable activities as the ESSER I and ESSER II funds; however an LEA must reserve not less than 20 percent of its total ARP ESSER allocation to address learning loss through the implementation of evidence-based interventions, such as summer learning or summer enrichment, extended day, comprehensive afterschool programs, or an extended school year programs, and ensure that such interventions respond to students’ academic, social, and emotional needs and address the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on underrepresented student subgroups.

LEAs may use their ARP ESSER funding on the following allowable activities under the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act:

1. Administration – 10% administrative cap, includes indirect cost rate charged against direct costs. Reference.

2. Any activity authorized by the ESEA of 1965, IDEA, AEFLA, and Perkins. Note: McKinney-Vento was not included as an allowable use under ESSER III ARP Act.

3. Coordination of preparedness and response efforts.

4. Providing principals and other school leaders with resources necessary to address the needs of their individual schools. Note: Not included in ESSER III/ARP Act.

5. Activities to address the unique needs of low-income students, children with disabilities, English learners, racial and ethnic minorities.

6. Developing and implementing procedures and systems to improve the preparedness and response efforts of LEAs.

7. Training and professional development for LEA staff on sanitation and minimizing the spread of infectious diseases.

8. Purchasing supplies to sanitize and clean the facilities of a LEA, including buildings operated by such agencies.

9. Planning, coordinating, and implementing activities during long-term closures.

10. Purchasing educational technology (including hardware, software, and connectivity) for students who are served by the LEA that aids in regular and substantive educational interaction between students and their classroom instructors, including low-income students and children with disabilities, which may include assistive technology or adaptive equipment.

11.  Providing mental health services and supports.

12. Planning and implementing activities related to summer learning and supplemental after-school programs.

13. New ESSER II Addressing learning loss among students, including low-income students, children with disabilities, English learners, racial and ethnic minorities, students experiencing homelessness, and children and youth in foster care, of the local educational agency, including: 1. Administering and using high-quality assessments that are valid and reliable, to accurately assess academic progress and assist educators in meeting students’ academic needs, including differentiating instruction.

    1. Implementing evidence-based activities to meet the comprehensive needs of students.

    2. Providing information and assistance to parents and families on how they can effectively support students, including in a distance learning environment.

    3. Tracking student attendance and improving student engagement in distance education.

14. New ESSER II School facility repairs and improvements to enable operation of schools to reduce the risk of virus transmission and exposure to environmental health hazards, and to support student health needs.

15. New ESSER II Inspection, testing, maintenance, repair, replacement, and upgrade projects to improve the indoor air quality in school facilities.

16. New ESSER III Development of strategies and implementation of public health protocols that align with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance on reopening and operating school facilities to maintain the health and safety of students, educators, and other staff. CDC Guidance can be found at: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Operational Strategy for K-12 Schools

17. Other activities that are necessary to maintain the operation and continuity of services in LEAs and continuing to employ existing staff of the LEA. Any entity that receives funds under the Education Stabilization Fund shall, to the greatest extent practicable, continue to pay its employees and contractors during the period of any disruptions or closures related to COVID-19.