Challenge Accepted! Student Section Sportsmanship Challenge

Gordon-Rushville High School has challenged our student cheering section to a contest this Saturday during the varsity basketball games in Gordon.

This challenge relates to conversations we've had with several panhandle schools to promote student cheering sections ...like the Birdcage, and to promote the sportsmanship guidelines set by the Nebraska Schools Activities Association.  Participating in this challenge will give our schools an opportunity to review and practice these guidelines prior to the hopeful participation in district and state tournaments this spring.


The sportsmanship guidelines for this Saturday include:

Positive Behavior (points added)

• Applaud during introductions of all players, coaches and officials
• Stand to remove head cover during the National Anthem
• Treat the contest as a game (not a war)
• Recognize opposing players and coaches for outstanding performances
• Applaud the performance of all contestants after the contest
• Show appropriate concern for injured players regardless of team affiliation
• Encourage surrounding people/fans to display only sportsmanlike conduct

Negative Behavior (points deducted)

• Yelling or chanting at opponents
• Making derogatory yells, chants, songs, or gestures
• Booing or heckling an official's decision
• Criticizing official's in any way: displaying temper with an official's call
• Blaming loss on game officials, coaches or players
• Laughing or name-calling to distract an opponent
• Using profanity or displaying anger that draws attention away from the contest
• Inappropriate use of social media or technology

Let's Go Birdcage!  #GoCardsNation

Today is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Advanced Biology Compares Monocots and Dicots

(Submitted by CHS Sophomore, Cody Madsen)

Only one week into the Advanced Biology course, and we are already getting hands on experience. 

By looking into microscopes, our class examined the various parts of both monocot and dicot leaves, stems, and roots. As we drew pictures and labeled the parts that we saw, we began to get a much better understanding of how a plant functions and the location of the various parts. Also, since we observed a monocot and a dicot side by side, we could really tell the differences between the two. 

Another part of the lab involved knowing the functions of all the parts, such as the cuticle prevents water loss and the xylem transports water and nutrients from the roots to the rest of the plant. 

Hands on labs are always beneficial and help our minds. I can't wait to participate in more labs in Advanced Biology.

Did You Know CHS Offers Tutoring Everyday?!

As the new semester begins, we typically get phone calls from parents asking if tutors are available for students struggling with the transition of a new class load.  The response is, "Yes".  In fact, our tutors are the most knowledgable individuals for helping students with homework and are available everyday!

Chadron High School operates with four 90-minute 'blocks' of classes each day, homework assistance is scheduled for Block 5 which takes place right after school ....everyday!

Block 5 is designated for teachers to be available to assist students. On regular school days, it takes place the first 25 minutes after school and on 1:30 dismissals it takes place the first 45 minutes after school is dismissed.  So, I would encourage parents to support students using this time to get individualized help with homework.

The extra time on 1:30 dismissal days is not only beneficial, but necessary for students that have missed instruction time due to illness or activities.  All teachers that are present are required to be available to help students during Block 5.

Occasionally, we have teachers absent due coaching a team that travels early, in those situations we encourage students to get assistance from another teacher in the same department. We have a lot of qualified and talented staff eager to help.

One of the difficulties we have is the misconception that a student staying after school in a class room is being punished or serving detention.  Block 5 is for assistance, not punishment!  In college, this time in know as office hours, where students know their professor is available for extra help. 

So, help us spread the word for students to utilize Block 5 for homework assistance. We're here to help students be successful!

(I would also note, teachers are available to assist students before school each day and if needed, teachers will arrive even earlier if the student requests.)

CHS Participates in Oregon Trail Honor Band

On Monday, 11 students from the CHS Band participated in the Oregon Trail Honor Band at Gering High School. 

The Honor Band is in its 9th year and has been hosted by Gering High School each year.  Jay Gilbert from Doane College conceived the idea of an honor band that featured students from Western Nebraska nine years ago and has been the conductor of the band each year.  The honor band has grown from 42 students and 5 schools nine years ago to 84 students and 15 schools in this years band.  

This year's participants from Chadron were Matt Kerner, Simon Rischling, Harlie Kennell, Kaylee Garvin,  Gabe Ramos, Marquis Burwell, Chace Franey, Hannah Kennell, Hunter Hawk, Sam Rischling, and Kat Dodd. 

Scene From Art Class

Students in the Drawing/Painting Class practice portrait drawing with a partner.

FFA Team Finishes First!

 Chadron FFA recently completed another outstanding contest. Chapter members recently competed at WNCC in the District 12 contests. They competed in Livestock Evalutation, Welding, Floriculture, and AG Sales. There are many reasons to celebrate! 

First, The Livestock Management team consisting of (Kane Wellnitz, Cody Madsen, Hunter Hawk, Beau and Drew Jersild, and Katie Lewin). They took the top honors in the six categories. They were the top scorers in Beef and Dairy. They also placed Second in Poultry and Swine. To earn themselves a trip to Lincoln, NE for the State FFA Contest.

The Welding team of Sylissa Jennings, Joe Cattin, and Sean O'Brien, each competed in MIG, Arc or Oxyacetylene. Joe Cattin earned an individual Red Ribbon in the Arc welding competition and Sylissa Jennings earned a Blue Ribbon in the MIG welding competition.  

The Floriculture specialists earned a Red Ribbon as a team. Those competing were, Murphy Churchill, Toni Doescher, Brooke Roes, Miakayla Koerber, Madison Cogdill, and Evelyn McEwen. Evelyn earned an individual Red Ribbon. They had to create two floral arrangement consisting of a three bud vase and round mound center piece.

Ag Sales was a new contest for Chadron this year. The team consisted of Billy Tidyman, Joe Matt, Dadi Serres, and True Thorne. They dared to go where no team has gone before. We are very proud of them for trying something new.

Chadron should be very proud of these individuals as they continue to learn a great deal about the many facets in the field of agriculture. Our next contest will be in Gordon in February. We look forward to participating in the upcoming contests. To name a few;  Vet Science, AG Mechanics, Food Sciences, and Envirothon. 

We hope to continue to qualify more CHS FFA members for the Nebraska State FFA Convention in Lincoln, NE this April. Our chapter is learning a lot, having fun, and making new friends along the way. We really appreciate the community supporting our chapter.

Second Semester Begins January 5th!

We hope everyone had a great break!

Just a reminder that second semester begins on January 5th.  It's hard to believe the school year is half over.  The spring semester always seems busier with state testing, activities/sports as well as year-end events.  

We hope you return rested and ready to roll!
#GoCardsNation