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State honors MHS staffer
McCOOK, Nebraska -- A staff member at McCook High School was recognized by the Nebraska Department of Education for going above and beyond.
Kim Korgan, who works at the McCook Senior High submitting data requested by the state, was awarded a "Data Hero Award" certificate of appreciation from the Nebraska Department of Education. Superintendent Grant Norgaard presented the certificate to Korgan at the regular McCook School Board meeting Monday night.
In presenting the certificate, Norgaard told the board that Korgan helped the Chase County school system last year when it needed data submitted to the state.
Korgan went above and beyond the call of duty, Norgaard said, by helping out Chase County.
Korgan submits all kinds of data to the state, McCook Schools Business Manager Rick Haney said later, including reports on staff and employees, endorsements of staff, student information, "every little detail."
At Monday night's meeting, Norgaard gave the board an update on the Food Service Committee that met recently.
The committee discussed goals and changes in the school lunch program, such as implementing a salad bar and making food more aesthetically pleasing.
Future plans include the committee visiting schools with other food service programs.
The McCook School District uses Sodexo, that Norgaard said "is eager to work with us."
Sodexo is incorporating more local vendors, Haney said, including beef, flour and pizza crust.
Federal mandates regarding school lunches has made a difference in portions and what is offered, Norgaard continued, noting that "Five chicken nuggets for a senior boy is not a lot of food."
The USDA has recently amended its guidelines in response to recent criticism of the new lunch program, board member Shane Messersmith added.
According to recent Associated Press story, the USDA will allow more grains and meats in school lunches.
Also at Monday night's meeting:
* A report on the Accelerated Reader Program was given by Linda Wood, Media Specialist at McCook Elementary and Paula Davis, fourth grade teacher at McCook Elementary. Allison Randel achieved 100 points by Oct. 2 and 150 points by Oct. 15. Since the beginning of this school year, 10,727 books have been read in grades 1-3, Wood said, who is would like to give students who participate in this program more recognition. Students take tests after reading an Accelerated Reader book, with points based on the difficulty of books.
* MHS FFA members Chance Koetter and McKenzie Crowe gave a power point presentation on recent activities of the club, including new members, judging competitions, state fair results, the national convention and a newsletter they will put out five times a year. McCook FFA will also be mentioned in the Dec. 20 issue of Farm and Ranch.
* Tom Bredvick, board president, read a report submitted by McCook Elementary PTO that stated that the "Holiday Shop" is in full swing at the school and that members are planning for the upcoming family carnival night. The report also included that students and staff were deeply moved by the recent passing of six year old Isaiah Casillas, a student at McCook Elementary who was battling brain cancer.