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Request Hearing has been scheduled
for 6:45 p.m. on Monday, September
18, 2017, in Conference Room 113.
The regular monthly meeting will
follow. If you have any questions
about the school or school budget
please feel free to contact Mr. Kort at
the school 402-446-7265.
Bus Routes
Our bus routes are continuing to
change and adapt to best serve our
students. Please be flexible over the
next two weeks as those changes are
made.
Throughout the school year, please
notify your bus driver by 6:30 a.m. if
your child will not be riding the bus
that morning. When you have
advanced knowledge your child will
NOT be riding the bus home in the
evening, contact the school and leave a
message for the driver.
Alexandria Area Route
Janelle Heiserman
402-749-4450 or 402-300-1704
Fairbury Area Route
Tonya Griffin
402-300-0252 or 402-300-1722
Ohiowa/Tobias Area Route
Elizabeth Noel
402-243-2292 or 402-300-1705
Western/Daykin Area Route
Charles Houser
402-446-7407 or 402-300-1707
Substitute Driver: Allen Lintz
Activity Passes Activity passes are available this year
at the folling prices: Adults = $40; K-
12 = $30; Golden Passes (over 65) =
Free. Please contact Trish Endorf at
the school for your pass, 402-446-
7265.
** Gate prices will be $5 for adults and
$4 for students.
Welcome Back
The Meridian staff is excited to start the
2016-2017 school year. Meridian
welcomes Mrs. Shaner, our new
elementary music teacher; Ms. Williams,
our new English teacher; Ms.
Hermsmeier, our new guidance
counselor; and Mrs. Davis, our new 4th
grade teacher.
The school year has started with an
unusual event. Our students were able to
attend the Beatrice Homestead Total
Eclipse Event. It was a remarkable
experience for our students. For most it
was a once in a lifetime event and
students were fine school representatives.
Athletics have started and the Meridian
Volleyball team began their season with
a Nebraska Hall of Fame game against
Thayer Central and Deshler at Hebron.
Then followed that with their first
“official” game against Blue Hill on
Friday the 25th. After the volleyball
game the football team played Blue Hill
as well.
The football sidelines have changed this
year. “Home side” will now be on the
west – Meridian patrons please use the
south entrance.
It has been great to see all the students
back in the building. It is a wonderful
experience to see how our students have
grown over the summer. It is a fun and
exciting time.
Board
The Board of Education has scheduled
the Annual Budget Hearing on Monday
September 18, 2017, at 6:30 p.m. in
Conference Room 113. The Annual Tax
Board of Education
Meridian Public Schools
District 48-0303
Daykin, Nebraska 68338
Monday, August 21, 2017
Regular August 21, 2017 Meeting
7:00 P.M. Meridian Public School Board of
Education met on August 21, 2017, as
per notice in the Fairbury Journal-News.
President VanWesten called the meeting
to order at 7:00 p.m. The open meeting
law information was presented. Members
present were Scheer, Sobotka, Bartels,
Vorderstrasse, and VanWesten. Also
present were Superintendent Kort,
Principal Scott, and Natalie Meyer.
Bartels moved and Scheer seconded to
excuse Miller from the August 21, 2017
Board Meeting. Vote taken: Scheer-aye,
Bartels-aye, Sobotka-aye, Vorderstrasse-
aye, and VanWesten-aye. Motion
carried 5-0.
No comments from the public.
Sobotka moved and Vorderstrasse
seconded to approve the consent agenda
as follows:
1. Minutes of the Monday, July 17, 2017
Regular Meeting with correction of
Approved Lunch Prices: Should
Read PreK-6 = $2.60; 7-12=$2.70
2. District Financial Report
3. Activity Fund Report
4. Hot Lunch Report
5. Bills
Vote taken: Scheer-aye, Bartels-aye,
Sobotka-aye, Vorderstrasse-aye, and
VanWesten-aye. Motion carried 5-0.
Superintendent Kort asked the Board if
we would like to have a former FFA
advisor come to a Board Meeting to
discuss needed steps to start at program
here at Meridian. The Board advised
him to move forward with this.
Newsletter www.meridianmustangs.org September, 2017
Newsletter-September, 2017 Superintendent
Randy Kort
Mission Statement: Meridian Public Schools will educate all
students in a safe, nurturing environment while challenging them to
develop their integrity, knowledge, and unique talents to become
responsible, productive citizens.
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Page 2 Meridian Public School, District 48-0303 September,
2017
Hail to the varsity… Cheer them along the way…
Various other trainings included suicide
prevention, blood borne pathogen
training, school safety and crisis
updates, and school improvement
discussion. Goals include improving
student math and reading performance.
We are starting year 4 of 5 on our
accreditation cycle. We will be working
with ESU5 professional development
staff on the process.
WOW ... just, WOW! Great experience
taking Meridian student body to
Homestead to experience the total
eclipse. Leading up to totality, the
clouds would thin out enough to see the
sun at 1/4, 1/2, 3/4. It sounded like a
Nebraska football game... you'd hear a
cheer as the clouds thinned, then a
cloud would go over about 15 seconds
later and there was an audible, awww.
Then right before totality clouds got
thicker, but just as it went totality, the
clouds cleared for the full length of
totality! The day started hot, then a
light breeze, then a sprinkle, a stronger
breeze, another sprinkle with bigger
drops, then it stopped for the totality!
The JH/HS kids were great! They
paired up with their younger elementary
buddy. The elementary teachers greatly
appreciated the additional help. All the
teachers helped make it a great day!
Thank you to Mr. Kort for making
today possible. Thanks to Mrs.
Hofstetter for organizing and re-re-re-
organizing the buddies! Thank you to
Elaine Bartels and her crew for
preparing a delicious sack lunch.
Thanks to our bus drivers for making 4
trips to and from school today, in
addition to their regular routes. Thanks
to the Meridian School Board for their
support. If I left anyone out, thank you,
too! This was truly a once in a lifetime
experience!
next week.
2. Student involvement in fall
sports: Football 16 and Volleyball
22.
3. Initial discussion of football
projections for 18 and 19 rotations.
4. Projection of 2017-2018 Budget.
Hearings and next meeting set
for Monday, September 18, 2017–
Annual Budget Hearing-6:30 p.m.;
Annual Tax Request Hearing-6:45
p.m.; Regular Meeting to follow.
Vorderstrasse moved and Sobotka
seconded to adjourn at 7:49 p.m. Vote
taken: Vote taken: Scheer-aye, Bartels-
aye, Sobotka-aye, Vorderstrasse-aye,
and VanWesten-aye. Motion carried 5-
0.
Jason Bartels, Secretary Meridian District # 48-0303
The school year is off and running!
Our first day with students was Friday,
August 18th. We would like to
welcome our new staff members Echoe
Davis, 4th grade and 4th-5th-6th math,
Lisa Hermsmeier, counselor, Emma
Shaner, PreK-8th general music, and
Brenda Williams, English.
Our current student count: As of 8-22-17:
Pre-Kind 12
Kindergarten 16
1st Grade 9 7th Grade 16
2nd Grade 17 8th Grade 19
3rd Grade 13 9th Grade 17
4th Grade 17 10th Grade 19
5th Grade 15 11th Grade 24
6th Grade 12 12th Grade 23
Total 111 Total 118
Grand Total 229
NSAA 9th-11th count –(currently 60)
(last year 67)(2 years ago 59) (3 years
46)
Teachers were involved in four days of
in-service August 14-17th. The first
three days included APL training,
which provides for instructional
organization and student engagement.
Bartels moved and Scheer seconded to
approve ALICAP as the insurance
provider for the 2017-2018 school
year. Vote taken: Scheer-aye, Bartels-
aye, Sobotka-aye, Vorderstrasse-aye, and
VanWesten-aye. Motion carried 5-0.
Superintendent Kort stated that the
Nebraska Association of School Board’s
meeting is November 15th- 17th, in
Omaha and the Regional meeting will be
in York on September 13th.
Discussion was held on Head Cook
Benefits Negotiation. Item was tabled
until member Miller was present and
Superintendent Kort can gather
additional info.
Scheer moved and Vorderstrasse seconded
to transfer $150,000 of the 2017 budget
funds into the Depreciation Fund. Vote
taken: Scheer-aye, Bartels-aye, Sobotka-
aye, Vorderstrasse-aye, and VanWesten-
aye. Motion carried 5-0.
Miller moved and Vorderstrasse
seconded to transfer $80,000 of the 2017
budget funds into the Activity
Fund. Vote taken: Scheer-aye, Bartels-
aye, Sobotka-aye, Vorderstrasse-aye, and
VanWesten-aye. Motion carried 5-0.
Principal Scott reported:
1. First Day of School was Friday,
August 18th.
2. New teachers for the 2017 – 2018
school year are Emma Shaner, PK-8
General Music; Echoe Davis, 4th
Grade and 4th, 5th and 6th Grade
Math; Lisa Hermsmeier,
Counselor; and Brenda Williams, 8-
12 English.
3. 2017-2018 school year student
enrollment: Elementary enrollment is
111 students, and 7-12 has 118
students for a total of 229.
4. Teachers were involved in four
days of in-service and training from
August 14th- 17th. APL training and
other various topics were
presented. School Improvement
goals for this school year are
improving student math and reading
performance.
Superintendent Kort reported:
1. Update on summer projects: ADA
restrooms should be complete in the
Mustang MEMO Mr. Harold Scott
Principal
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Apply2College campaign in October,
you’ll get help with your college
applications during a school-day
event.
2. Create an FSA ID. You and a
parent must each create a username
and password at fsaid.ed.gov that
will serve as your Federal Student
Aid (FSA) IDs for the Free
Application for Federal Student Aid
(FAFSA). You will each need your
own email address to create an FSA
ID.
3. Complete the FAFSA at fafsa.gov
on or after October 1. The FAFSA
is your application for federal, state,
and college-based financial aid. The
colleges you list on the application
will use that information to
determine the types and amounts of
financial aid they will award you.
4. Attend the EducationQuest Financial
Aid Program on September 28 to
learn about types of financial aid and
the FAFSA. By attending, you can
register to win a $500 scholarship!
5. Find free FAFSA Tools at
EducationQuest.org to help you
prepare for and complete the
FAFSA.
MUSICAL NOTES Meridian Families and Community
Members…..I hope you have found
this summer to be fun and relaxing. I,
myself, am ready to get back in the
classroom. This year is going to be an
exciting one for the music department!
There has been a new staff member
added to take over the Preschool
through eighth grade general music
classes. Her name is Emma Shaner and
she is very excited to get to work with
our students this school year.
Here are the following concert dates:
October 19th, 2017 @ 7:00 p.m. Junior High and High School
Fall Concert
December 4th, 2017 @ 7:00 p.m.
Elementary Holiday Concert
December 14th, 2017 @ 7:00 p.m.
Junior High and High School
Holiday Concert
March 20th, 2018 @ TBA
MUDECAS music contest
(Meridian is hosting)
April 5th, 2018 @ 7:00 p.m.
Hello Meridian Students and Parents!
My name is Lisa Hermsmeier, and I am
the new PK-12 guidance counselor this
year. I wanted to start by introducing
myself. I grew up in Jansen, Nebraska,
and graduated high school from Fairbury.
I received my Secondary Mathematics
Teaching degree from Peru State College
in 2004 and continued on to receive my
Masters in Curriculum and Instruction
from Peru State College in 2007 and my
Masters in PK-12 School Counseling in
2015.
I am very excited to be so close to where
I grew up (to which I still consider home)
and at Meridian this year as the school
guidance counselor. Previously, I was
the guidance counselor/teacher at
Lewiston Consolidated for 7 years, and
am looking forward to this new journey
as I start at Meridian. My son is a 4th
grader at Meridian, and so far he has
really felt welcome and enjoys it here. In
addition, I have met many students and
parents already, and am looking forward
to a great school year. Please feel free to
contact me with any questions
throughout the year. I look forward to
working with your child/student in
making this year a success.
Important Upcoming Dates:
September 20 – ASVAB (Juniors) @
8:30 a.m.
September 22 – ACT registration
deadline for October 28th Test
September 26 – SCC EXPLORE IT!
Career Fair (Juniors/Seniors)
September 28 – Apply2College Event
(Seniors) @ 1 p.m. (Parents are
welcome): An expert from
EducationQuest will be conducting the
presentation –note this is a date change
from the red calendar
Month of September – NWEA MAP
testing in grades 3-11
October 4 – SCC College Fair (Junior/
Seniors)
Seniors…5 must-do tasks for this fall!
1. Apply to your top college choices. If
your school participates in Nebraska’s
Elementary Spring Concert
April 6th, 2018 @ 7:00 p.m.
Meridian JH Honor Clinic
April 10th, 2018 @ 7:00 p.m.
Junior High and High School
Spring Concert
May 7th, 2018 @ 7:00 p.m.
Coffeehouse Concert
We look forward to seeing you at an
event! As always, thank you for
supporting the music department and the
students who work so hard to put on
stellar performances.
Meridian Alumni in the
Armed Forces As Meridian celebrates 50 years, we
would like to honor all Meridian alumni
who have served in the military by
placing their pictures on our
website. Please email Kathy Houser a
picture of you in military dress, the
branch of military, and time you
served. If you were active in war, sent
overseas, or would like to add a bit about
your time served, please include that in
your email. The faster you send your
information, the earlier your material will
appear on the school website at
www.meridianmustangs.org. Please send
your picture and other information you
wish to share
to [email protected].
STUDENT COUNCIL Say goodbye to sleeping in, say adieu to
days full of adventures, and get ready to
be greeted by homework and early
mornings. Yes, that’s right, it’s that time
of year again - the beginning of the
school year. With school starting on
August 18th, everyone is very anxious
and excited to get back into the swing of
things. This year it is going to be
especially fun and active because of all
of the new activities your Student
Council has planned for you. So here we
go, another school year full of fun for all.
As we begin the school year, we want to
kick everything off with a bit of fun. Just
get those last summer “lazies” out. So we
are going to have our annual Back-to-
School-Bash on the evening of the first
day of school. This is a dance which we
celebrate returning to our old friends and
greeting any new students that may be
arriving. These new students should be
Onward to victory… May they win again today…
Page 3 Meridian Public School, District 48-0303 September,
2017
COUNSELOR’S CORNER by
Lisa Hermsmeier
https://fsaid.ed.gov/npas/index.htmhttps://www.fafsa.govmailto:[email protected]
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Another aspect of this dance that will
be different from every other year, will
be that the sophomores will not be
providing a meal. Don’t worry about
dancing on an empty stomach, because
the Student Council will be providing a
small portion of refreshments during
the dance. Spirit week is such a lively
time because the cheerleaders have
themes for everyday of the week. This
is a time during which the Meridian
students and faculty really show their
school spirit by dressing up in different
costumes and colors. At the beginning
of this week we will also be voting for
our Homecoming court consisting of
three girls and three boys from the
senior class. While all of these fun
things are going on, the Homecoming
prepared for some wicked dance moves.
We all love to have a fun time so be
ready to boogie all night long...well until
we have to leave the school. Before the
dance there will also be a small meal
served by the Student Council. I hope to
see everyone at this dance and I hope I
get to see all of your craziest dance
moves.
Another fun activity that also has to do
with dancing is Homecoming. This year
our Homecoming is going to be here in
the blink of an eye. The date has been set
for September 1st, and this dance will be
right after the football game. Since the
dance is after a football game, it has been
decided this will not be a formal affair.
Instead, we will be having a winter
formal at a date yet to be decided.
court does some fun activities of their
own for the amusement of the entire high
school. This will be one of the most
enjoyable and entertaining
Homecomings at Meridian.
Get ready because school is here and we,
the Meridian Student Council, will
constantly be at work making Meridian a
safe and fun learning environment for
everyone. The Back-to-School-Bash and
Homecoming are surely the best events
to prepare for a brand new school year.
Dancing the night away to say a final
farewell to summer and an eager hello to
this school year. I hope you are all
excited and I can’t wait to see all of you!
Wishing You an Amazing August,
Public Relations, Jacqueline Dimas
We’ll give a cheer for the varsity… Long may they reign supreme
…
Page 4 Meridian Public School, District 48-0303 September,
2017
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Page 5 Meridian Public School, District 48-0303 September,
2017
Shout ‘til the echoes ring… For the glory of our team!
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Page 6 Meridian Public School, District 48-0303 September,
2017
Go Mustangs!
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Page 7 Meridian Public School, District 48-0303 September,
2017
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Page 8 Meridian Public School, District 48-0303 September,
2017
