Chalkboard

QUITE AN HONOR: Benson High School recently was awarded a Lemelson-MIT InvenTeam grant of $10,000 to create an automated solar powered hydroponic system. Benson is one of 15 high schools in the country to be selected as an InvenTeam this year. The teams receive grants to invent technological solutions to real-world problems. The project Benson is working on is an outdoor, self-sustaining, solar powered hydroponic system for growing tomato plants. Called Eden 2.0., it can be suspended from a standard 6-foot privacy fence — thus minimizing the need for the owner to bend or lift after its initial assembly. It will include a monitoring system that will add the appropriate chemicals when necessary and adjust water flow levels according to environmental conditions. Benson teacher Matt Wichman initiated the InvenTeam application process last spring and attended training at MIT in June to help prepare the final proposal. During the next nine months, the Benson InvenTeam will complete Eden 2.0. In June, the students will showcase a prototype at EurekaFest at MIT in Cambridge, Mass.

JOURNALISTS HONORED: The Nebraska High School Press Association has announced the winners of the 2009 Cornhusker Awards, the association's highest honor for high school yearbooks and newspapers. Winners of the newspaper awards are Omaha Westside and Papillion-La Vista South in Class A1; Gering in Class A2; Fairbury and Omaha Gross in Class B; David City in Class C; and Clay Center in Class D. Winners of the yearbook awards are Millard West and Papillion-La Vista South in Class A1; Elkhorn, Scottsbluff and Gretna in Class A2; Omaha Gross in Class B; Centennial and Wayne in Class C; and Bertrand and Dorchester in Class D.

THE PLAY'S THE THING: A one-act play festival will be staged from 8 a.m. to noon Thursday in the main auditorium at Bellevue West High School. The festival also will be staged from 8 a.m. to noon Nov. 7 at the school. The Bellevue West Speech Invitational also will be held Nov. 7, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

LOOKING AT THE FUTURE: More than 1,000 sixth-graders from Catholic middle schools in the Omaha area converged at Omaha Skutt High School recently for the fourth annual Vocation Awareness Day. The day was a celebration and an attempt to increase awareness of vocations for religious life. Activities included games, break-out sessions and opportunities for the young people to interact with clergy from different religious orders in a setting outside the classroom or church.

ARTIST ON CAMPUS: Art classes of Papillion-La Vista South High School are being inspired by artist-in-residence Leslie Iwai. The local artist will work out of the art classrooms until Nov. 16. She will assist students on individual and group activities to help them to think of sculpture in new ways.

FOOD AND FUN: Concordia Junior-Senior High School will offer a 6:30 p.m. Nov. 15 Italian buffet before performing its first “One-Act” production. Tickets, $10 a person, include the buffet plus coffee and dessert after the short drama presentation. Tickets must be purchased by Nov. 9 and are available at the school office, 445-4000.

FILMS FOR FREE: Film Streams, the nonprofit organization that operates the Ruth Sokolof Theater at 14th and Webster Streets, offers various student-related events that are free for students and often free for teachers. The events usually are the first Monday of every month. The theater's High School Film Club also has afternoon showtimes that are free for high school students (and teachers who bring five or more students), with guided post-show discussions after the films. For this Monday's Student Night, “A Serious Man” (directed by Joel and Ethan Coen, 2009) and “The Exorcist” (directed by William Friedkin, 1973) will be shown.

GAINING SKILLS: Students in the health professions and JROTC classes at Benson High organized a recent medical evacuation exercise called “Project Saving Grace.” The drill allowed students to work with emergency medical technicians, Army National Guard, Omaha Fire Department, Omaha Police Department and health care professionals. The students prepared by practicing first aid techniques and acquiring CPR certification. The evacuation exercise helped students improve their emergency skills.

FROM AN EXPERT: Ahman Green, an alumnus of Omaha Public Schools and a former Husker and NFL athlete, spoke at schoolwide assemblies at three middle schools: Beveridge, Norris and Nathan Hale. Green talked about the importance of eating nutrient-rich foods and being physically active to perform at your best, both on and off the field. Green's appearance helped kick off each school's participation in Fuel Up to Play 60, a program designed to combat childhood obesity by asking students to make changes that will help them “fuel up” with healthy foods and get active and play for 60 minutes each day.

LOOK AT THIS: Westside Community Schools will have the grand opening of its high school performing arts area — front entryway, auditorium and music areas — from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

SENIORS, STAY HOME: Area high school juniors and their parents are invited to the Just Juniors Day at Wayne State College on Nov. 7 and March 20. Activities include a free ACT preparation workshop plus information sessions for both parents and students. There will be a walking tour of campus, a chance to meet with faculty from academic departments and an academic and student services fair. Free lunch will be served in the cafeteria at the Student Center. To register, call the admissions office toll-free at 866-972-2287 or go online to www.wsc.edu and click on prospective students.

WESTWARD, HO: Omaha Skutt High School juniors had their annual Rendezvous Day this week. It is a day in which students re-create the life and times of the Western prairie. Students built structures for the day, dressed in clothing from the time period and performed skits to demonstrate their knowledge of the westward migration.

I'LL TAKE SCIENCE: The Creighton Prep Science Club had its 31st Afternoon of Science on Sunday for eighth-graders in the metro area. A total of 69 (32 boys and 37 girls) eighth-graders competed. Events included egg drop and water balloon launch competitions. Entrants also participated in two other science activities and watched demonstrations performed by Science Club members. Participating schools were Brownell-Talbot, Jesuit Middle School, Mary Our Queen, St. Cecilia, St. Margaret Mary, St. Matthew, St. Robert Bellarmine and St. Vincent de Paul.

FAMILY IDEAS: These suggestions are from Westside's Paddock Road Elementary School's newsletter, but they apply to the living situations for many families. If you and your child are living apart and you see him only a couple of times a week, you still can be involved in his education. Give the teacher some stamped, self-addressed envelopes. The school can mail progress reports, conference schedules and notices about school activities. Attend parent-teacher conferences to show your child that both parents are behind him — acting as a team. Provide your child with a special folder to save school papers for you. That way, you'll see his finished work as well as the teacher's comments.

BOO! “A Haunting We Will Go,” the fall play at Abraham Lincoln High in the Council Bluffs Community School District, will be presented at 2 p.m. Sunday in the school auditorium.

I VANT TO SEE YOUR PLAY: The Omaha Gross High School drama department will present “Dracula, Baby” at 7 p.m. Thursday through Nov. 8. There also will be a matinee Nov. 8 at 2 p.m. The musical tells the comic story of Dracula, who lives forever, looking for his 93rd wife. Tickets, available at the door, are $6 for adults, $5 for students and $3 for kids.

SMILE AND WAVE: Bellevue Public Schools and the Bellevue-Offutt Air Force Base community will pay tribute to men and women in uniform with a Nov. 7 Veterans Day parade through downtown Bellevue. The parade will begin at 10 a.m. at Jackson Street and move down Mission Avenue. The Bellevue East and West High marching bands, JROTC, students from all grade levels and the district's transportation department will be part of the parade. After it, stop by Mission Middle School for a chili feed put on by the schools' food service. Bands from all three Bellevue middle schools will play. The meal will be $3 at the door.

A REASON TO CELEBRATE: Chemistry students from Omaha Central High celebrated Mole Day with a 6:02 a.m. breakfast Oct. 23. According to the National Mole Day Foundation, the day is celebrated annually on Oct. 23 from 6:02 a.m. to 6:02 p.m. Mole Day commemorates Avogadro's number (6.02 times 10 to the 23rd power), which is a basic measuring unit in chemistry. Mole Day was created as a way to foster interest in chemistry.

DESSERT AND A FLOOR SHOW: The Millard South High School Drama Department presents “Cake and Comedy,” six individual student-directed short plays. During intermission, cake will be served. Remaining performances will be at 7 tonight and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $8 for adults and $6 for students.

TEST HELP: eKnowledge Corp. has extended the National SAT/ACT sponsorship program to all local high school students for the fall of 2009. The national program initially was created for students who were affected by military deployments. To learn more about the SAT/ACT PowerPrep Program and to obtain a free program, go to www.eknowledge.com/nfl and enter code 12219CCA95. The programs retail for $200 to $300, but the code listed here eliminates the retail cost. There is a processing fee of $13.84.

IN EUROPE: Over the summer, as part of the German government's support of the German language program at Millard North High School, juniors James Heitmann, Jeff Story and Margaret Williams took a three-week, expenses-paid German language and culture course in Bielefeld, Germany. Only 27 German students were selected nationwide for the trip. In addition, Millard North's German program received a set of 20 German dictionaries, and the Goethe-Institute Chicago organized a free German workshop for the school's AP/IB German students.

LONG WAY FROM HOME: Alex Hodson, a Millard North senior, is spending this year as a foreign exchange student in Omaha's sister city of Shizuoka, Japan. He attends Tachibana High School and is studying Japanese language and culture. He is a member of the school's Judo Club and also teaches English. Alex is the first Millard North student to study in Shizuoka. His trip is under the direction of Sister Cities International and Bill Cunningham, Millard North world languages department head and teacher.

MAKE HER DAY: Tam Korshoj, a first-grade teacher at Blumfield Elementary in Ralston; Heather Nano, a first-grade teacher at Kreft Primary Center in the Lewis Central Community Schools; and kindergarten teacher Lori Busch of Tara Heights Elementary in the Papillion-La Vista Public Schools were surprised this month by OfficeMax. It was all part of the national program sponsored by OfficeMax called “A Day Made Better.” Nominated by their school, teacher recipients receive this honor for exceptional contributions as educators. The award comes with free office supplies.

NORTHWEST METRO

SLEEPING IN: Students in the Douglas County West Community Schools will not have class Monday due to staff in-service.

AUTHOR VISIT: Author Keiko Kasza will visit Picotte Elementary in OPS on Wednesday.

CENTRAL METRO

TWO EVENTS, ONE WEEK: Sunday will be open house at Brownell-Talbot School. Students won't have class on Friday due to teacher in-service.

BEING DRUG-FREE: Miller Park Elementary students celebrated Red Ribbon week with local athletic speakers, a student performance and a silent march around the school promoting a drug-free lifestyle. The school is part of OPS.

COME VISIT: Druid Hill Elementary in OPS will have parent night from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday. Parents will get a guided tour through the building and hear a presentation of the new grading and attendance systems. Refreshments will be served.

SAY CHEESEBURGER: Thursday will be picture day at Lothrop Magnet Center in OPS.

ALL THOSE VOICES: Fifth- and sixth-graders at Swanson Elementary in District 66 will present a vocal music concert at 7 p.m. Thursday. The school's Community Club will meet at 6:30 p.m., right before the concert.

MUSIC PROGRAMS: Thursday will bring two music programs to Westbrook Elementary in District 66. Fourth-graders will present concerts at 2:30 p.m. and at 7 p.m.

ON THE GO: Eighth-graders at the Omaha Christian Academy on Wednesday visited Fort Atkinson State Historical Park near Fort Calhoun and the Washington County Historical Museum.

WEST METRO

MUSIC, PERHAPS? Fifth-graders at Holling Heights Elementary in Millard will present a program at 7 p.m. Thursday.

WRITING, READING, WRITING: Monday will be fifth-grade writing night from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Cather Elementary in Millard. Thursday will be all-school reading night from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the school. And Nov. 7 will bring third-grade writing morning from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.

IT ALL ADDS UP: Students at Disney Elementary in Millard collected $312.13 in a penny drive for the United Way.

GOBBLE, GOBBLE: The PTO at Rohwer Elementary in Millard will have Turkey Bingo from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday. The parents will play for turkeys, while the kids play for prizes. Soft drinks and popcorn will be provided.

BREAKING A RECORD: Students and staff at Wheeler Elementary in Millard set a record in September. They checked out a total of 5,375 books that month.

SOUTH CENTRAL METRO

LONG WEEKEND: Students in the Ralston Public Schools will not have class Monday. Students in preschool through sixth-grade will not have class Tuesday, either.

NOW HONORING: Westside Middle School will present its seventh-grade bloc awards from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday. Eighth-grade bloc awards will be presented at the same time Tuesday night. Both evenings are by invitation to students and their parents or guardians.

WICKED PERFORMERS: Fourth-, fifth- and sixth-graders at Sunset Hills Elementary in District 66 will perform the musical “Wicked” twice Thursday. The first show will be at 2:30 p.m. and second that evening at 7.

ABC AND MORE: Beals Elementary in the Omaha Public Schools will have Reading-Academic Parent Night from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday. A 5 p.m. PTA meeting will precede this event.

PASS THE SYRUP: Thursday will be a busy day at Highland Elementary School in OPS. School pictures will be taken that day. Then, at 5 p.m., the Pancake Man will be there for the start of Family Night.

SOUTH METRO

CHECKUP FOR CHILDREN: The Papillion-La Vista School District will offer free developmental screenings for children ages newborn to 3 years on Nov. 10 from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The screenings will cover areas ranging from speech development to physical skills, vision and behavior. Screenings are by appointment. For more information, contact Jo Ryan at 537-6222.

START TO THE WEEKEND: Friday will be Lied Activity Center night for families of Birchcrest Elementary School in Bellevue.

SING IT OUT: Fourth-graders at Bell Elementary in Papillion will present a music program from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday in the school multipurpose room.

THANK THE COOKS: Thursday is Food Service Day in the Bellevue Public Schools.

BEAUTIFUL MUSIC: Fifth- and sixth-graders at Bellevue's Fairview Elementary will give a musical concert at 7 p.m. Thursday at Bellevue East.

TIME TO READ: The book fair at Two Springs Elementary in Bellevue will start Thursday and run through Nov. 10.

READY, SET, PLAY: Purple Jazz and the seventh-grade bands at Logan Fontenelle Middle School in Bellevue will present a concert at 7 p.m. Monday in the school gym.

SING IT: The grades seven-through-12 fall vocal concert at Platteview Central Junior High will begin at 7 p.m. Monday. The school is in South Sarpy School District 46.

BEAUTIFUL MUSIC: Third- and fourth-graders at Springfield Elementary in South Sarpy School District 46 will give a vocal concert at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Platteview High School.

B-DRUG FREE: The students of Trumble Park Elementary's drug-free group, Blue Crew, meet monthly to focus on activities that give back to the school and the community. At their October meeting, they walked to Papillion Manor to play Halloween bingo with the residents.

EATING RIGHT: Pyramid Man and Dr. Nutrition have been visiting classrooms in the Papillion-La Vista School District. The guests present “The Super Adventures of Pyramid Man & Dr. Nutrition,” an interactive play that teaches students the importance of good nutrition and healthy eating. The play already has been presented at Bell, Tara Heights, Rumsey Station and Carriage Hill Elementaries. Students at G. Stanley Hall Elementary will have the program Nov. 13.

WHAT WE LEARNED: Second-graders at Portal Elementary in the Papillion-La Vista schools recently put on a special health fair. They had studied health topics that included heart and lung health, bike safety and fire safety. To recap the unit, the students did afternoon presentations for their parents.

IMPRESSIVE LESSON: Rumsey Station Elementary second-graders in Papillion learned about the human body and safety in an unusual way. They worked together to design helmets out of various materials to protect an egg from a 30-inch fall. Then the students dropped their helmeted egg onto newspaper to find out if their egg was protected. This experiment helped students learn how fragile their brains are and why wearing a helmet for bicycling and other sports is a good idea.

MUSICAL APPEAL: Rumsey Station Elementary fifth- and sixth-graders will have a music program from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Papillion-La Vista High School Auditorium.

SINGING: Fourth-graders at Tara Heights Elementary will present a music program at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Papillion-La Vista High School Auditorium.

PARENTS, BE THERE: Hickory Hill Elementary in Papillion will have Parent Night for kindergarten through third grade at 6 p.m. Friday.

SAYING THANKS: On Nov. 8, the Papillion-La Vista School District will have a free Military Family Appreciation Festival and Lunch. The festival will feature lunch, a magic show, face painting, clowns, karaoke and other carnival activities. It will be held from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Papillion-La Vista South High School, 10799 Nebraska Highway 370, in Papillion. There will be a short program at 11:30 a.m. This event is open to all members of the military and their families.

ALL SMILES: Cole Bidrowsky and Erika McColley are Platteview High School's homecoming king and queen. The school is in Springfield, in South Sarpy District 46.

WESTERN IOWA

THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED: Girls at Abraham Lincoln High in Council Bluffs attended Iowa State University's “Taking the Road Less Traveled” Conference in Ames this month with teachers Lorraine Duitsman, Amanda Jens and Ryan Higgins. The conference provided sessions to encourage girls to pursue careers in STEM fields (science, technology, engineering and math).

NEBRASKA

ONE STEP AT A TIME: Students at Holmes Elementary School in Lincoln recently had a Walk-a-Thon around their school to raise money for creation of a walking trail at Holmes.

ROBOTICS: The information technology department at Northeast Community College in Norfolk, Neb., and Wayne State College are sponsoring today's Robotics Competition. The event is at the Lifelong Learning Center on the Northeast campus. The public is invited to watch Nebraska high school teams from Columbus Lakeview, Stanton, Pierce and O'Neill public schools compete. The second competition will be Jan. 23 at Wayne State College. A final competition will be April 17 at the Sunset Plaza in Norfolk.

GETTING IN SHAPE: Former Husker Grant Wistrom spoke recently to students at Goodrich and Dawes Middle Schools in Lincoln about the importance of eating right and staying physically active. His appearance kicked off “Fuel Up to Play 60,” a program designed to combat childhood obesity.

COMING SOON: Lincoln Southeast High School will present “Our Town” at 7:30 p.m Thursday through Nov. 7. Tickets are $8 for adults, $7 for students and seniors, and $6 for age 12 and younger. For ticket information, call 402-436-1304.

AUDITION, PLEASE: The Chadron State College music department invites high school students to try out for next semester's High Plains Band and Choir Music Festival. Audition tapes for the festival must be postmarked by Nov. 16 to be considered. The festival will be Feb. 1-2 and will include selections for the Honor Band, Honor Choir, Women's Choir and Festival Band. Selection of students for the festival is made strictly from the auditions. For audition information, visit www.csc.edu/music/highplains.csc. For further information, contact Judy Rutter at 308-432-6375 or jrutter@csc.edu. — Compiled by Sue Story Truax

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