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GEORGE NORRIS SCHOOL NEWSLETTER

Volume 34 Issue 3

December 1, 1998

From the Superintendent's Desk...Dr.Roy Baker
Nov. 3 Board election
     Cinda Zimmer was elected to a two-year term. She was appointed in October 1997 to fill the Ward 5 vacancy created when Jim McConnell resigned to become the technology network supervisor for the Norris Schools. Patty Bentzinger, Jim Craig, and Norm Wallman were re-elected for four-year terms. In this newsletter, we will spotlight these four board members.

Name: Cinda Jourdan Zimmer
Residence: Firth
Occupation: Case Manager, Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital
Education: RN-Bryan, BSN - Nebraska Wesleyan U.
Family: Husband-Ron; daughters Carrie, Sarah, Mary; sons: Matthew, Peter, Michael.
Hobbies: Children's activities - theatre, reading, music, storytelling.
Comment: Developing and assisting in maintaining and improving the quality of education in the Norris Schools has been an interest of mine for a long time. I am delighted to have an opportunity to work with others for the highest level of excellence in education for our most important asset--our children.

Name: Patty Bentzinger
Residence: Rural Hickman
Occupation: RN at Bryan/LGH Med. Center, "Ask a Nurse" dept.
Education: Hickman HS, NWU, UNL, Bryan School of Nursing.
Family: Husband-Gary; sons Tim, Darin, and Patrick; 3 grandchildren.
Hobbies: Reading, needlework, Bridge, travel.
Comment: I believe passionately that a free, excellent public education provides a common denominator for ALL children, providing a level playing field for every child to succeed in life. Serving on the Board of Education is one of the most important volunteer involvements a person can have. Norris is an excellent school and we need to always work to make it better!

Name: Jim Craig
Residence: Panama
Employer: Aliant Communications (24 years)
Education: Norris HS, Milford Technical School, US Army
Family: Wife-Roxann, daughters Kendra and Melissa.
Hobbies: running, racing bicycles, cross-country skiing, coach football at Norris.
Comment: The main reason I keep running for the board is that I feel we have one of the best schools in the state, with a great group of parents, teachers, students, and faculty and I want to help maintain that.

Name: Norm Wallman
Residence: Rural Cortland
Occupation: farmer (40 years)
Education: country school, Cortland High School
Family: Wife-Pat (Hoefert); son David, daughter Amy.
Hobbies: LMM, church choir, card playing, Cortland American Legion, FFA
Comment: I believe in the future of our country. I believe in the youth as the conduit for America's success. Board service is a way to give back to the community for all the benefits to our children. Teaching Our Children to Read.

     The first and foremost job of our Elementary School is to teach children to read. Our goal is for almost every student to attain the skills necessary to read at grade level effectively and with enjoyment. In order to achieve this goal, it is of high importance that students are reading before the end of first grade. In the November newsletter, we printed the developmental accomplishments for birth to three years old. Here are accomplishments for three and four year olds:

Knows that alphabet letters can be individually named.

Knows that it is the print that is read in stories.

Pays attention to separable and repeating sounds in language (e.g., Peter, Peter, Pumpkin Eater).

Understands and follows oral directions.

Is sensitive to some sequences of events in stories.

Shows an interest in books and reading.

When being read a story, connects information and events to life experiences.

Questions and comments demonstrate understanding of literal meaning of story being told.

Displays reading and writing attempts, calling attention to self: "Look at my story."

Can identify 10 alphabet letters, especially those from own name.

"Writes" (scribbles) message aspart of playful activity.


     High School Computer Lab Open (Room W-7) Tuesday evenings beginning September 29 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM For All Students & Patrons of the Norris School District.

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