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Murdock Newsletter
February 14, 2007
Valentine Tidbit
"You really shouldn't say 'I love you' unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget." Jessica - age 8
Denise Lickei, event coordinator for the Fries Benefit, reports of the success that comes with ease when the community pulls together: “The event was awesome! We had people coming through the doors at 5:15 pm and the event did not start until 6pm. We had made over $1,000 in the first hour. Several thousand dollars more came in throughout the rest of the evening. There is still an account at Corn Growers Bank open for any future donations. Since I organized the event from the start I can tell you one thing that stood out to me. I have never seen so much generosity from a community. When I would approach businesses and told them what we were doing - the community came together. I had people that I work with in Douglas County, people who I met while asking for donations that did not even know Angie and her family that came to help that night. Both the Murdock and Elmwood Fire were so very helpful in serving throughout the night. I was amazed of the support. It goes to show you when a member of the community needs help - we all will pull together as a big family. The whole night was standing room only. We had a lot of fun dancing to the Urban Sandhills. Both the silent and live auctions went well.”
Several baskets for a silent auction were put together by FBLA members as a fundraiser for the barn quilt project and for entrepreneurship students as part of their marketing unit.
Jon Ervin stopped by the auction table to check on the bid of his three hour date “with the Authentic Jon Ervin” basket. Jon placed himself on the silent auction for a three hour date consisting of a movie with himself and four framed photos. Madi Stephen and friends won the bid for Jon’s basket that went for $50.00.
The proceeds from the baskets sales go to student scholarships and the FBLA Barn Quilt project.
The Elmwood-Murdock basketball team began their morning by meeting at the new Scotty G’s bakery in Elmwood for a healthy breakfast. They then returned to Murdock to load the bus that was Quest Center bound. The team practiced at the Quest Center Friday evening to get a good feel of the environment and the court.
Great excitement filled the entire community as they prepared to venture out to Omaha last Saturday to watch the team compete against the Louisville Lions once again.
The E-M Knights warmed up prior to the contest against Louisville. They would be the first game of the five game day.
The Knights battled hard to come up with a victory. Kevin Zoz was hot with the 3 point goals.
A nail biting score of 37 to 37 put the competition into overtime.
The E-M student section cheered on the Knights as they rooted for a victory. “Knight Time is the Right Time for a Victory” banner hung behind them.
The game ended with a disappointing loss for the Knights as Louisville came out on top at the end of the overtime.
Tuesday, February 6th, the Elmwood-Murdock athletics honor parents at half-time. Senior wrote a special “thank you letter” for their parents for all their effort, energy, love, and money the have poured into their athlete throughout their sports careers at Elmwood-Murdock. The letter was read after all the senior athletes and their parents were introduced.
(pictured left to right) Kelsey & Mike Pratt; Kim, Kelsey & Mike Scholting; Amy, Madi, & Jim Stephen; are honored. Parents blessed their athletes with a balloon/rose bouquet.
(pictured) A “thank you” mural was created & placed on the wall by the athletes as another token of their appreciation.
Parent-Teacher Conferences attended with above average counts. Elementary School Principle, Mr. Friedrich, reported, “Historically we have a very high rate of attendance for Parent-Teacher Conferences. We usually see about 95% of the elementary parents.” Mr. Allemang, Junior-Senior High Principle, said, “We were down a little bit from last year, which was a little disappointing. This year we were had a 61% attendance rate for grades 7-12 and last year we had a 72% attendance rate. Over all we are pleased to have a very high attendance rate at our Parent-Teacher Conferences. I think anytime you get over 50% you're doing quite well.”
It doesn’t appear our school system is needing the discipline some Texas parents my receive according to Fox News: Texas Bill Would Fine Parents for Skipping Teacher Meeting, Charge Them With Misdemeanor.
AUSTIN — Texas parents beware: miss a meeting with your child's teacher and it could cost you a $500 fine and a criminal record.
A Republican state lawmaker from Baytown has filed a bill that would charge parents of public school students with a Class C misdemeanor and fine them for playing hooky from a scheduled parent-teacher conference. Excuses are allowed, but be prepared to have a good one. In a state that allows corporal punishment, this could subject parents to a good spanking. Rep. Wayne Smith said Wednesday he wants to get parents involved in their child's education.
"I think it helps the kids for the parents and teachers to communicate. That's all the intent was," Smith said, adding he talked to teachers, including his daughter, who teaches in junior high, before filing the bill.
"The concept is to get parents in the classroom," he said.
Kathy Carlson, a fifth-grade teacher at Furneaux Elementary School in Carrollton, said she's had a handful of parents who skip meetings with teachers. But she winced at the idea of a criminal charge. "I don't know if we need to call it criminal. I would rather see accountability brought a different way, rather than fines or punishments," Carlson said.
Please, email your bits of information to the editor to be included in the next newsletter
Teri Bowman
Editor@murdocknebraska.com
