MHS students to DC

McCOOK, Neb. -- McCook high school students will get a chance to visit the nation's capital this spring.

Richard Smock, McCook High School social studies teacher, outlined the Washington D.C. trip to school board members at their regular meeting Monday.

Organized through a tour company, it will cost each student around $1,600, with fundraising now taking place.

The cost includes lodging, flights to and from Washington out of Omaha, Neb., and breakfast and supper. The four-day trip in May will take the students to various memorials in Washington, such as the Smithsonian museums, the Lincoln Memorial, memorials to the Vietnam War, Korean conflict and World War II and other historical icons.

Smock said nine students have signed up, with interest from three others. The trip can accommodate up to 20 students. The board officially approved the trip later in the meeting.

Also approved Monday night was the donation of a tree windbreak at the high school tennis courts, from the Darrell Potthoff family in memory of Adam Potthoff. McCook Public School business manager Rick Haney said that the family would purchase the trees from Common Scents Nursery in McCook and that installation would come from maintenance staff at the school as well as from the nursery.

Positive Comments at Monday's meeting included:

Katie Kjendal, student board member: noted the team work at the high school, with about 100 students participating in decorating the halls Sunday for Homecoming Week.

Diane Lyons: recognized Deb Goodenberger, art teacher at McCook Schools, for her work on the Nebraska Art Teachers Association conference scheduled in McCook at the end of the month and also the new 10th grade English teacher. Lyons said she's heard from students that teacher Kali Blevins is doing new things the students like in reading and writing.

Brian Esch: commended the special activities organized on the first day of school as well as student involvement he's seen at sport events. Esch said he was surprised at how many students were attending these events and attributed it to new leadership that has "challenged students to take ownership of their school."

Teresa Thomas: also noted how large the student sections are at sport competitions and thanked Jeff Gross on creating the new Student Life committee.

Bob Elder: was pleased to hear of the activities scheduled during Spirit Week, especially the pep rally today at Norris Park. Also noted the new flags on West Seventh in front of the high school.

Loretta Hauxwell: complimented the McCook High School cross country team, that her eighth grader has joined this year, for how older runners coach the younger kids and the positive energy of coach Tom Sughroue. She was new to this sport, Hauxwell said, and more familiar with other fall sports such as volleyball or softball. Fellow board member Brian Esch suggested that she ask the coach about the cookies he makes for runners. Hauxwell was filled in by other board members that the coach was known to bring a bag of cookies to a runner if they "lost their cookies" after a hard run.

Tom Bredvick: thanked business manager Rick Haney and his staff for the time spent on the budget.

Kate Repass, Central Elementary principal: thanked the teachers and administration who make the district run smoothly.

Jeff Gross, McCook High School principal: thanked the teachers, saying the teaching staff was outstanding and made his job easy.

Rick Haney, business manager: the audit was underway and when completed, will be brought to the board for its review.

Grant Norgaard, superintendent: recognized Haney's work on the budget to make it responsible and for answering board member questions about it. Also noted teachers and their dedication to students, particularly their creative and outside-the-box methods they are using with students.