DATES TO REMEMBER:

8th - Basketball Parents Night

12 - Board of Education Meeting

12-16 - FCCLA Week

19-23 - FFA Week

19 - NO SCHOOL

26 - Soup & Song Concert

Inside this issue:

Messenger 11

Elementary Citizenship 4

Community Service 6

Influenza 2

BOE Meeting Minutes 10

Valentine Order 7

Music Honors 6

Calendar 15

Mead Public Schools

FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT’S DESK SCHOOL CLOSINGS AND RAIDER ALERTS/SCHOOL BEACON:

Since we have the potential of more winter weather, the following reminder is provid-ed. Please note that we have updated some of our contact information.

School closing announcements will be advertised on the following locations:

School Beacon (access for notification protocol on district website)

www.meadpublicschools.org (Front banner will post closing information)

KOLN (Channel 10)

KETV (Channel 7)

WOWT (Channel 6)

KMTV (Channel 3)

Since we now have such good coverage with School Beacon, the district website and the four television stations in our area, we will no longer post announcements on the Bank of Mead Information Line (402) 624-2203 or KFAB Radio (1110 AM).

OPTION ENROLLMENT ATHLETIC ELIGIBILITY:

The district recently received notification that for students that transfer to our district under the Nebraska Option Enrollment program in 2018-19 must have their option enrollment paperwork on file with the district before March 15, 2018 if they are to be immediately eligible to participate in athletic programs. Students whose option pa-pers are filed after that date will be subject to a waiting period and/or appeal process. If you know of anyone considering the Mead School District for 2018-19, please in-form them of this requirement. Thank you.

Dr. Dale V. Rawson, Superintendent

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Principal’s Point of View

Preventing the Spread of Influenza

If you’ve paid much attention to the news of late, you are likely aware of the intensity of this year’s flu season, which appears to be the worst in several years. The flu doesn’t seem to have hit Mead Public Schools hard at this time, nor do any of us want it to. As a preventative measure, I thought I’d share some recommendations the Center for Disease Control (CDC) makes for schools.

Sick Students and Staff Should Stay Home until Fever-Free for 24 Hours

The CDC’s first recommendation is for students and staff to stay home when sick. Students and staff with influenza should stay home until they have been fever-free for 24 hours. This practice is supported by language in the Mead Student Handbook that also indicates students should be fever-free without the aid of fever-reducing drugs such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

I know it can be difficult for parents to stay home from work or find child care for sick kids, but keeping students and staff with influenza at home is perhaps the most effective way to prevent others from getting the virus. Some students and parents might be concerned with school attendance policies that limit the number of absences a stu-dent can have. Most students, even if they stay home for several days with the flu, would still be below the limit of eight absences per semester. When a student does exceed the absence limit, the school considers such factors as documented doctor’s visits, the causes of the absences, and past attendance patterns. Therefore, those attendance limits shout not be considered a reason to send sick students to school.

“Respiratory Etiquette” Will Be Reviewed with Students

Another recommendation from the CDC is to encourage “respiratory etiquette” at school. This means teaching students to cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or their bent arm. Covering coughs and sneezes with our hands is problematic because we then touch so many other objects and surfaces. When it does happen, hands should be washed immediately, as handwashing is considered a highly effective measure in flu prevention. When handwash-ing is impossible, hand sanitizer is a good option. It is also important to keep hands away from the face as much as possible to reduce the possibility that the virus is transmitted to the eyes, nose, or mouth. By the time this article is published, teachers will have reviewed these procedures with all classes.

Common Surfaces Will Receive Extra Cleaning

As a school, we will also be increasing the cleaning of frequently touched surfaces. Students will be assisting in wiping down their desks and chairs with disinfectant wipes. Student participation in such cleaning and disinfect-ing procedures serves to heighten their awareness of prevention measures and also allows cleaning staff to focus on other commonly touched surfaces and areas.

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Seniors….What happens after you submit the FAFSA?

1. Expect your SAR and Award Notification

You will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) after you submit the FAFSA. This acknowledges that your form was pro-cessed and can be used to make corrections to your FAFSA. You’ll need the FSA id you used to file the FAFSA to make electronic corrections.

Check your online college accounts (ex. MyRed, MavLink, etc) to see if you have additional forms you need to com-plete.) Most colleges use this account to let you know of forms you need to complete instead of contacting you via postal mail. Check your email and these college accounts at least every week!

The colleges you listed on the FAFSA will send you a financial aid award notification (most likely electronically) de-tailing the assistance they’re offering. They may offer a combination of scholarships, grants, work-study and student loans.

2. Compare award notifications

Compare award notifications from the colleges. Calculate your out-of-pocket expenses for each school to get the whole financial picture. Use the Award Letter Comparison Calculator at EducationQuest.org to determine which school offers the best financial aid package. Respond to each notification keeping in mind that most students accept all award pack-ages until they make their final college selection.

3. Keep looking for scholarships

Many local, state and national scholarships have deadlines in March, April and May. Check the school website, par-ents’ employers, www.educationquest.org, etc. for scholarships you may qualify for.

4. Complete housing forms and any medical forms needed for colleges.

Juniors: It’s time to start your campus visits!

Start looking at colleges your junior year so you can narrow your choices by the time you’re a senior. Follow these tips for successful campus visits:

1. Explore your career interests. Before you determine which colleges you want to visit, think about your career in-terests and then research colleges that fit your interests. See Miss Moser for some career assessment tools or for help exploring colleges.

2. Visit your top college choices while the schools are in session. You won’t get the true flavor of the school during breaks or finals week.

3. Schedule your visits at least two weeks in advance. Ask for appointments with an admissions representative, fi-nancial aid counselor, and a faculty member in your area of interest.

4. Check out college web sites. You’ll find admission requirements, academic and social information, and campus photos or a virtual tour.

5. Job Shadow. Juniors will have the opportunity to job shadow a professional in their area of interest in March. However, you can also job shadow during school breaks or during the summer to explore other career areas.

6. Summer Employment/Volunteer Start looking for that summer job that relates to your interest area. If you are interested in health care, check out the area long term care centers or hospitals. If you are interested in animals, check out local veterinarian clinics, Nebraska Game and Parks, etc. If you are interested in education, check out the local li-braries and volunteer with their summer reading program. There are also many camps that are looking for camp coun-selors….some are volunteer positions but others may be paid positions.

COLLEGE NOW

Interested in taking college credit classes during the summer and getting a jumpstart on college? You can take college courses on Metro Community College's campus or take their online classes for half price tuition. Seniors may even take their courses the summer after high school graduation for half price. To enroll in courses, students must have current ACT scores or take the ACCUPLACER test. The ACCUPLACER is a free placement test students can take right on campus. To register for classes, students and a parent must meet with an academic advisor. To schedule an appoint-ment, call 402-457-2400.

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DECEMBER CITIZENSHIP RECIPIENTS

The students in the Elementary are being recognized for random acts of good citizenship. Citizenship is based on the characteristics of scholarship, responsibility, leadership, and respect of peers and staff. At the end of each month, students who most consistently display good citizenship are given the award. The recipi-ents of the citizenship award for December are:

Kindergarten: Avery Divoll, Zoey Christenham, 1st Grade: Abby Schultz, 2nd grade: Ansley DeGroff, 3rd Grade: Holden DeGroff, 4th Grade: Mason Reed, 5th Grade: Sam Springbett, 6th Grade: Reagan Ethering-ton, Libby Ferguson.

Page 5 Raider News

On Saturday, January 20th, 10 Mead High School students traveled to Midland University to compete in the Academic Decathlon Regionals.

The students were individually competing against students in the Very Small School Division across the state for the right to compete at the state tournament to be held at Bellevue University February 16th and 17th.

Ethan Dyas and Mary Linscomb competed in the Honors Division. Ethan took 3rd Place in the Art, Econom-ics, Music and Science tests. Ethan was also Mead's High Scorer for the day of competition.

Kelly Richards and Cole Zima competed in the Scholastic Division. Cole earned 3rd Place in Science and 1st Place in Economics. Cole also had the 3rd Place total score for all Scholastic students at the Very Small School level.

Cali Carritt and Jackson Munter competed in the Varsity Division. Cali earned 1st Place in Language and Lit-erature. Jack took 1st Place in Economics, 2nd Place in Language and Literature, and 2nd Place in Art.

Results for the Alternate Students--Alexis Cruz, Emily Hanson, Lauren Holloway, and Grace Popken--were not immediately available.

In the Super Quiz, the team showed very well. Cali and Jack started out strong, answer 6 of 10 questions cor-rectly, putting Mead in 2nd place after the first round. Kelly and Cole maintained in the second round, an-swering 4 of 10 correctly and keeping Mead in a tie for 2nd place after with one round to go. Ethan and Mary answered 5 of 10 correctly in the final round to break the tie and finish second overall in the Super Quiz.

Results of the Super Quiz:

Mount Michael: 23, Mead: 15, Tekamah Herman: 14, Wahoo: 14, East Butler: 13, Roncal-li Catholic: 11, Duchense Academy: 4

Academic Decathlon Competes at Regionals

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Community Service Project

Thirty one members of Mead’s FCCLA and NHS organizations went to the Open Door Mission on January 12th for a community service day. While there, they packed sack lunches that would be taken to the streets. We also did various tasks at their Community Outreach Center, such as, sorting through donated clothes and putting them on racks. We ate with the guests of the Open Door Mission and had a tour of their facilities. We ended the day with sorting through toys that will be used in next Christmas’ toy give-a-way!

CONGRATULATIONS TO:

Jack Munter:

Jack auditioned and was selected for the Class D All-State Band to be held in March in Kearney. Way to go Jack!

Ethan Dyas, Emily Hanson, Maylie Brestel, Mary Linscomb, and John Popken:

were ALL selected to perform in the band and choir in Omaha at the 10th annual UNO Boch Festival.

Congratulations to Mary Linscomb:

Mary was accepted to Wesleyan Honor Choir! Way to go Mary!

Mary has also been asked to sing at the State Girls Basketball Tournament at Pinnacle Bank Arena in March!

Music Honors Announced

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Senior June Johnson will be attending the College of Saint Mary (Omaha) in the fall of 2018 and will playing Volleyball on the Flames Team.

Mead FFA Celebrates 2018 National FFA Week,

Feb. 17-24 

FFA Chapters na onwide will celebrate Na onal FFA Week Feb. 17‐24, 2018. Na onal FFA Week embrac‐es more than 90 years of FFA tradi ons while looking forward to the organiza on’s future. More than 653,000 members with a passion for agriculture will par cipate in ac vi es at local, state and na onal levels.  

Designated a na onal week in 1947, the week of George Washington’s birthday, Na onal FFA Week runs from Saturday to Saturday and gives FFA members an opportunity to educate the public about agriculture. During the week, chapters conduct a variety of ac vi es to help others in their schools and communi es learn about FFA and agricultural educa on. Our will celebrate Na onal FFA Week by sponsoring a Teacher Apprecia on Breakfast and a Pe ng Zoo for elementary students. 

Today’s FFA members are the innovators and leaders of tomorrow. Through agricultural education and hands-on learn-ing, they are preparing for 255 unique career opportunities in the food, fiber and natural resources industries. National FFA Week is sponsored by Tractor Supply Company. The National FFA Organization provides leadership, personal growth and career success training through agricultural edu-cation to 653,359 student members who belong to one of 8,568 local FFA chapters throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The organization is also supported by 344,239 alumni members in 2,051 alumni chapters through-out the U.S.

Page 10 Raider News

A Regular Meeting of the Board of Education, District 72, Mead Nebraska, was held Monday January 08, 2018 in the Jr.-Sr. High IMC. President Kuhr called the concluding meeting of the 2017 board to order at 7:00 p.m. The follow-ing board members were present: Stephanie Langemeier, Kevin Hough, Rich Kuhr, Brenda Halbmaier, Janeen Felty and Nate Mongan. The Board of Education makes available at least one current copy of the Open Meetings Act posted in the meeting room at a location accessible to members of the public. The Act is posted on the Northwest wall of the meeting room. The following is a condensed version of the minutes. A complete copy is available for inspection in the Mead Ele-mentary Office. Following review of the minutes, the 2017 board adjourned and the 2018 board convened at 7:01 PM. The following board members were present: Stephanie Langemeier, Kevin Hough, Rich Kuhr, Brenda Halbmaier, Janeen Felty and Nate Mongan. The board elected officers as follows: Richard Kuhr - President, Stephanie Langemeier - Vice President, Nate Mongan- Treasurer. Principal PJ Quinn reported on Jr. High basketball, standard response protocol drills, use of student laptops, upcom-ing schedules and instructional report. Dr. Rawson reported on the upcoming retreat, recent Graduate Linkage meeting, ESU- substitute teachers, tech bond and NSCA emails. The following other action was taken by unanimous vote: approval of the minutes, bills and financial reports, con-sent agenda, to accept the offer of $17,000 from Scott Selko to purchase three lots west of the high school, approve $132,000 salary for the superintendent for the 2018-19 contract year. President Kuhr declared the meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m.

Board of Education Meeting Minutes

FCCLA is the Ultimate Leadership Experience.

The Mead Chapter of the FCCLA will be celebrating National FCCLA Week February 12-17. The Chapter will be sponsoring various activities throughout the week, including delivering Valentines.

Family, Career and Community Leaders of America is a national Career and Technical Student Organization that provides personal growth, leadership development, and career preparation opportunities for students in Family and Consumer Sciences education.

Our Mission is to promote personal growth and leadership development through Family and Consumer Sci-ences education. Focusing on the multiple roles of family member, wage earner and community leader, mem-bers develop skills for life through: character development, creative and critical thinking, interpersonal com-munication, practical knowledge, and career preparation.

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Special points of interest:

Church Schedules

Wild Game Feed - Febr. 17

January 10 Village Board Meeting Minutes

Library News

Volume 13, Issue 2

FEBRUARY 2018

MEAD MESSENGER Village of Mead

DOG AND CAT VACCINATION CLINIC AND LICENSE DAY

Saturday, April 7, 2018 Mead Community Building

1:30 - 3:00 p.m. Dr. Dobesh of Green Acre Animal Clinic, Wahoo, will be present to administer pet vaccinations and the Village Clerk will be available to issue dog and cat licenses with proof of current rabies vaccination. Cost to license your pet is $4.00 altered, $6.00 intact. All dogs and cats within the village limits are required to be licensed by MAY 1. Vaccinations available are: DOGS - rabies, distemper, parvo and kennel cough. CATS - rabies and distemper. Blood tests for heartworm can also be completed on-site. Products available to purchase will be Heartgard and Frontline. Questions can be directed to the Village Clerk at 402-624-2495 or mead-clerk1@hotmail.com.

FOUND in Mead. Ring, please contact the Village Office to identify and claim

with the person who has found it.

MEAD VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPT. WILD GAME FEED

Saturday, February 17, 2018 Mead Community Building Begin serving at 6:00 P.M.

Good Food, Prizes and Music

FREE WILL DONATION - CASH BAR

All proceeds to Mead Volunteer Fire Department

Experience Pietra Fitness®… A fitness class thcat stretches and tones the body while refreshing the soul with prayer. In only one hour you will feel calmer, stronger, refreshed and renewed! Gentle Class for Women is currently on Tuesday mornings 6-7 a.m. at the elementary school. Contact Mary Miller, Certified Pietra Fit-nes Instructor at 402-432-4731.

CHURCH SCHEDULES

MEAD COVENANT 1540 Co Rd 10 www.covmead.org / 402-624-6125

10:00a.m. - Sunday Encounter Service Wednesday’s 6:00p.m. - We’d like to treat you to a FREE meal! 7:00p.m. - Adult Groups, Jr & Sr High Youth Group 7:15p.m. - Kids in Action (elementary age children)

ST JAMES CATHOLIC 213 E. Eighth St. www.sjamescatholicchurch.com / 402-624-3555

5:30p.m. - Saturday Vigil 9:00a.m. - Sunday Mass Weekly Schedule 7:00a.m. - Daily Mass - Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 8:00a.m. - Daily Mass - Saturday, when scheduled

ALMA LUTHERAN 219 W. Fifth St. www.almalutheran.com / 402-624-3015

8:30a.m. - Sunday Worship - First Sunday of the month 9:15a.m. - Sunday School for all ages 10:30a.m. - Sunday Worship - All other Sundays PANERA BREAD AVAILABLE FREE TO THE PUBLIC - FEBRUARY 10 (the Saturday following the second Friday of the month).

SM’s

SUNDAY NIGHT FEBRUARY 11TH, 6:00 PM @ Mead Covenant Church Sunday Night Variety Show

brought to you by Student Ministries’ Players

Our students will entertain you while you dine on fine Italian cuisine (Spaghetti, Breadsticks, Salad and Desserts)

Talent is given by God, our Gift to Him is fulfilling it!

Reserve your seats online at www.mccdinnertheater.eventbrite.com

FreeWill Offering taken for Saunders County teens for retreats, conferences and mission trips.

VILLAGE OF MEAD BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEET JANUARY 9 The Village of Mead Board of Trustees met January 9 at the Village Office at 6:00 p.m. Answering roll call were Chairman Havelka; Trustees Felty, Wielage and Wimer. Absent was Trustee Guyle. Also present were Clerk Mo-line and Utility/Maintenance Superintendent Raver. Guests were Ron and Angie Sladek. REPORTS: Police Chief/Zoning Administrator/Nuisance Enforcement Officer - Carlson presented updates on nuisance abatements. The board closed abatements on properties located at 25 N. Oak St., 204 W. Eighth St., Lot 7, and 620 S. Elm St. UNSCHEDULED GUESTS: Ron and Angie Sladek sought an extension on a nuisance abatement on property a 307 S. Cedar St. Havelka presented a verbal request from Jeff Barris seeking an extension on a nuisance abate-ment on 410 S Oak St. The board approved extensions on the properties until April 10, 2018. REPORTS: Utility/Maintenance Superintendent - Raver reported a well concern and requested amendment to the water code. Delinquent water / sewer accounts were presented. The color coded map and projected water project timeline for the water project were reviewed. The board approved the color coded map showing rights-of-way on village property. Clerk - Moline reported process of the website design, recent release of lien on a property, and upcoming meetings. NEW BUSINESS: No action was taken on a request to amend Code 6-202, Animals banned from the community. Review of the One and Six Year Street Plan for Improvement Project took place. Action was taken to approve first reading of Ordinance No. 703, amend water minimum rates and Ordinance No. 702, 2.9% wage increase to the Clerk/Treasurer. The meeting adjourned at 7:10 p.m.

What can you do to prevent cross connec ons and keep your drinking water safe. 1.  Check your faucets to be sure that all faucet endpoints are above the flood level of the sink, tub, basin or other 

apparatus they supply. 2.  Protect faucet extensions by installing proper backflow preven on devices (i.e. hose bib vacuum breakers) on 

all faucets capable of having a hose or other extension a ached. 3.  Check drain lines (refrigerator drink dispensers, water so eners, heat exchangers, etc.) to be sure there is an 

adequate air gap between the drain line and the floor drain or sewer line into which they discharge. 4.  Never use unprotected faucets to fill non‐drinking water containers (i.e. water beds, wading pools, stock 

tanks, hot tubs, etc.)  Following these guidelines and using common sense will help to eliminate the possibility of you contamina ng your drinking water, your neighbor’s drinking water and your community’s drinking water.  This not only affects the residents of your community, but their visitors and those people who are passing through.  

VILLAGE OF MEAD WATER/SEWER RATES ~ Water rates will increase March 29 following three readings of Ordinance No. 703 per requirements by the USDA. Rates will increase by $15.00 per month flat fee. The increase will show on your April 23 statement. Your annual sewer usage will also be adjusted on the April 23 statement based on average gallons of water used during the months of January, February and March. Water rates will be amended to $50.00 per month for residents with 5/8” - 1” meters; $60.00 to non-residents with 5/8”-1” meters; $60.00 for 1” meter multiple family residents; $75.00 for 1” multiple family dwellings of non-residents; 1 1/2” or larger meters $80.00 resident; 1 1/2” or larger meter $105.00 non-residents; and $60.00 + $20.00 thousand gallons for bulk sales. All customers other than bulk sales are billed $1.75 per thousand gallons usage. Sewer rates are 5/8” - 3/4” $40.00 resident; 5/8” - 3/4” $50.00 non-resident; 1” $50.00 resident; 1” $65.00 non-resident; 1 1/2” or larger $70.00 resident; and 1 1/2” or larger $95.00 non-resident. All customers are billed $1.10 per 1,000 gallons usage.

VILLAGE OF MEAD 312 S. Vine St., P.O. Box 46

Mead, NE 68041 Phone: 402-624-2495

Fax: 402-624-2024 www.meadnebraska.net

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Shawn Havelka, Chairman Gary Guyle, Trustee Jason Felty, Trustee

Richard Wielage, Trustee Rod Wimer, Trustee

June Moline, Clerk/Treasurer 402-624-2495 Nick Raver, Utility/Maint. Supt.402-443-9688

Jerry Carlson, Police Chief 402-443-6846 Laurie VanAckeren, Library Director 402-624-6605

Lori Moseman, Ass’t Library Director Joel Konecky, Fire Chief 402-443-9659

UPCOMING MEETINGS Village Board: Tuesday, February 13, 6:00 pm Planning Commission: Monday, February 26, 7:30 pm Library Board: Monday, February 19, 5:30 pm Fire & Rescue: Monday, February 12, 7:30 pm The Village Board & Planning Commission meet at the Village Office, Library Board at the Library and Fire/Rescue at the Fire Station.

MEAD PUBLIC LIBRARY NEWS Library Hours

Tuesday 10am-1pm and 4pm-7pm Friday 9am-1pm Wednesday 5pm-8pm Saturday 9am-12noon

Thursday 9am-6pm Closed: Sunday and Monday NOTICE: Beginning in January 2018, regular meetings of the Mead Public Library Board of Trus-tees will be the third Monday of each month at 5:30pm at the library. Monthly Schedule Coffee Hour is scheduled every Tuesday at 10am. Story Time for young children is offered every Tuesday at 4pm. We read a book or two, make a craft and receive a take home snack. Join us! The Mead Public Library Board of Trustees will meet Monday, February 19, at 530pm in the Li-brary. Please consider joining our Board. See Library staff or a current Board member for information. The Lunch Bunch Book Club will meet Friday, February 16, 2018, from 1130am-1230pm. Special Events Mardi Gras Party! Join us on Tuesday, February 13 from 4p-5p! We’ll make a fun craft and deco-rate your own King’s Cake to take home! All ages welcome! Starting at 4pm. Thank You Thanks to everyone who attended the Annual Spaghetti Feed on January 20. Special Thank You to all the volunteers and Friends of the Mead Library for hosting this fundraiser.

Mead Public Schools PO Box 158

115 No Elm St Mead, NE 68041

Phone: 402-624-3435 Fax: 402-624-2069

www.meadpublicschools.org

2017-2018 Yearbooks Are on sale

Now to march 15th: book-$35; book w/name-$37

March 16-April 30: book-$45; book w/name-$47

May 1 -August 31: book-$45

Make the moments last forever with your own yearbook!

Purchase online through the link on the school website , with your e~Funds account, or bring cash or checks to

Mrs. Pedersen or jayden haag