Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Renovations for HS Media Center Underway!

One of this summer's projects in the high school is to update our library into a more modern media center. We have recently added opportunities for students to utilize online research tools as well as ebook subscriptions. We hope to have an expanded list of books for students to download and view on ereaders as soon as this fall. In addition to these offerings, we will do some remodeling.

Last week, we removed all of the lower shelving in the middle of the library moving books to all of the exterior wall shelving. Walls will be painted next week followed by carpet replacement with possible lighting upgrades.  The goal is to remodel this large area into a media center including study tables and lounge seating for students.


New carpeting and paint has been scheduled for the library this year, but due to the typical financial restraints of school districts, we will be adding furniture slowly over the next couple of years as funds exist. If you would like to donate to the high school library remodel fund, or know of possible donors, please contact Chadron Public Schools for more information 432-0700.


Wednesday, May 22, 2013

FFA Officers Attend Leadership Conference

(Submitted by Chadron FFA Officers)
During May 16-18th, the newly formed Chadron FFA Chapter officer's of 2013-2014 traveled east to Aurora, Nebraska.  Prior to the trip we were fortunate with numerous community supporters in fundraising dollars to help support our newly formed FFA organization. With high hopes in returning with new knowledge and skills in getting our program up and running we were pleased with the outcome. 

When we arrived we were divided into groups with our specific state officer. While on the 3 day adventure we were able to individually, and as a team, learn skills about leadership, organization, parliamentary procedure, program of activities and operation of an FFA chapter.  For recreational activities we were allowed to paddle boat, play football, play volleyball, along with several other fun activities. 

The Chadron officers that attended were: President Cooper Cogdill, Vice President Matthew Dierkson, Secretary Devin Mitchell, Treasurer Willy Cogdill, Reporter Lanie Riesen, and Sentinel Toni Doescher. Not only were the people generous in their teachings but understanding of our new program and more than happy to help us in getting started. This organization has so far been nothing but a positive experience and we look forward to continue growing our Chadron High School FFA Chapter.

Year-End Barbecue!

The CHS grill, made by our welding classes.
Once again, we celebrated the end of a great school year with a community barbecue.  Students from each school, parents, and patrons all showed up to enjoy hamburgers, hotdogs, and plenty of snacks!

Photo from last year's bbq.
A special thanks to our CHS Student Council who served the meals, and to our CHS Staff for all of the help cooking and assisting at the food tables.


We wish everyone a great and safe summer!

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Anatomy and Physiology Class Visits Veterinary Clinic


(Submitted by CHS Junior, Miles Chasek)

The CHS Anatomy and Physiology Class field trip to Panhandle Veterinary Clinic was, in all respects, a truly rewarding experience. In our tour of the clinic, we gained insight on the medical field lying outside of the human realm. We learned the circuitous route to veterinary practice, the ins and outs of a veterinary career, and the surprising amount of work that goes into caring for our beloved animal brethren.
Nearly every inch of the establishment was covered during the tour. The small animal department was the first partition to be examined. There, students inspected the small animal examining, operating, and boarding facilities. Students then toured the large animal facility and its corresponding laboratory. DVM (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine) John E Gamby was busy performing sperm analyses on cattle during the tour, but he still shared his time for a brief Q&A session and even prepared a microscope slide of cattle sperm for students to view. The tour ended with an excursion to the clinic’s neighboring supply shop--which carried a number of select pet foods and specialty items.
While we have spent the past semester covering only human anatomy and physiology, this field trip was still applicable to our curriculum. Anatomy and physiology forms the foundation of medical studies--which covers a much broader population than humans alone. Veterinarians are needed to service the world’s vast wealth of domesticated animals--from Felix to Fido, and even the newborn foal.

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Parents - Please Complete This Survey!

Click here to complete the High School Parent/Guardian Survey

In an effort to improve system practices, Chadron Public Schools is conducting a survey in preparation for the 2013-14 Accreditation Cycle. We value your opinion and ask that you take the time to complete this survey. In order to complete the survey, please click on the above link (which can also be found on the chadronschools.org home page).

Thank you very much!

Paper Making Shown to Art 9 Class

Students from Mrs. Bird's Art9 Class take part in a paper making workshop conducted by Mr. Richard Bird at Chadron State College. Each student made 2-3 pieces of  "art" paper. They also were able to watch bead making being done in front of a torch.


AP Stats Conducts Distracted Driving Research


Distracted Driving Awareness
The AP Statistics class was given the challenge of running an experiment to determine if there is statistical evidence as to whether or not a number of distractions really impacted driving ability. The class was first asked to research different distractions one may encounter while driving in order to create a hypotheses as to what they felt would occur according to previous experiments.
The students chose to impose four different factors (distracted conversation, beer goggles, texting, and eating) on their participants during their trials. Data was collected by measuring the amount of time students took while driving a golf cart with and without distractions. The students then ran statistical tests to determine if their outcomes showed a significant difference.

















Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Wildlife Class Helps With Reforestation

The Chadron High Wildlife class trekked to Chadron State Park this week, compliments of guest speaker, Shelley Steffl.  She joined our class to explain her job and new project (native seed blocks) she's has been working on.  Blocks were designed to help with reforestation, because of last fall's wildfires. This unique idea provides for seed dispersal over rough terrain, while encased in a "natural" fertilized cocoon by nomadic animals.  The Nebraska Environmental Trust, Nebraska Game & Parks, Upper Niobrara White Natural Resources District and the Nebraska Forest Service partnered the project.

Mrs. Steffl discussed career opportunities, essential job skills and educational requirements. The trip was a community service project for students as they began the unit on National Parks. The curriculum focus was reseeding burned areas of the park by dispersing seed blocks, examining regrowth and reflecting on the role that fire plays in an ecosystem.  We had a wonderful time and appreciate the opportunity!

Respectfully submitted by   
Maribeth Moore
Curriculum Director/





Science Instructor
Chadron Public Schools

Thursday, May 9, 2013

CHS Graduation Live Streaming


Click the above link to watch a live-feed of the Chadron High School commencement program on Saturday, May 11, 2013 at 10:00am.   A special thanks to our Tech Department: Brock Mittleider and Eliu Uati Paopao for the efforts in coordinating the live-stream project.


Chadron High School
Class of 2013

May 11, 2013 - CHS Gym - 10:00am

Motto: "Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind" ~Dr. Seuss

Song: "Tonight" by Seether

Flower: Lily

Colors: Black and Red




Wednesday, May 8, 2013

CHS Seniors Garner National Recognition!


What an amazing accomplishment for a school our size!

(Chadron High School Graduating Class of 2013 has 57 seniors.)



We are excited to announce that three seniors have been recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Program!





Lane Chasek - 2013 National Merit Finalist and Scholarship Recipient
Abigail McFee - 2013 National Merit Finalist and Scholarship Recipient
Terran Merriman-Honerkamp - 2013 National Merit Semi-Finalist

The National Merit Scholarship Program is a privately-funded competition to recognize the United States' most outstanding academic high school scholars. About 1.5 million students in some 22,000 high schools qualify to enter the competition when they take the Preliminary SAT (PSAT) qualifying test during their junior year. This serves as the initial screening to select about 16,000 Semifinalists which are designated on a state representational basis, in numbers proportionate to each state's high school graduating seniors. Semifinalists represent the highest scoring one percent of the state's senior students.

From there, Semifinalists submit a scholarship application, which includes essays and information about extracurricular achievements, awards, and leadership positions. Those students who have submitted and met the approval and recommendation of program and school officials are named as Finalists.

By the conclusion of the competition, a select group of Finalists are chosen to receive the prestigious National Merit Scholarship based on the strongest combination of academic skills and achievements, extracurricular accomplishments, and potential for success in rigorous university studies. Scholarship winners represent less than 1% of the initial national pool of student entrants.

Last year, Chadron High School was excited to announce that we had one student recognized (Geoff Ledbetter - 2012 National Merit Finalist and Scholarship Recipient) which was our first student honored by the National Merit Program in several years.

Friday, May 3, 2013

Parents: Please Complete The Attached Survey(s)


Parents of CPS students:

In an effort to improve system practices, Chadron Public Schools is conducting surveys in preparation for the 2013-2014 Accreditation Cycle.


We value and appreciate your honest opinion and ask that you take the time to complete a survey by going to the corresponding link for each building that your students attend.

Please be assured that your responses to this survey will be anonymous.

Thank you for your time and attention to this matter!


If for some reason the links do not work, you can still get to the surveys by copying and pasting the link below into your address bar:

Complete one survey for each building your children attends:

Heading to a fine finish with a Culinary trip to Denver!

Chadron Culinary Arts 2 students pose with past Chadron High Culinary student Derek Ray at his restaurant, Earls. He currently is managing the Cherry Creek restaurant in Denver.

After a semester of fundraising by cooking and baking a variety of goods, the Culinary Arts 2 students met their goal and was able to make the Denver Culinary Field Trip on April 28-29. In just a short 36 hours, students, instructor and a dedicated chaperone, Marleta Hastings, made a trip to be remembered by all. Sunday morning, two vans were filled with excited students and headed south. 

Our first stop was a tour and dining at the Cheesecake Factory Restaurant in downtown Denver.  Students were guided by the general manager through the restaurant and discussed history and daily operations of the beautiful establishment. 





Dinner was then ordered and devoured by a group that made sure they had room in their bellies for this delicious meal.  No disappointment happened here! Especially when it was dessert (CHEESECAKE) time!


To walk off our wonderful meal, we treated ourselves with tickets to the Denver Aquarium. Such a fun and relaxing atmosphere. A couple of hours were spent watching the many species of fish, reptiles and birds. Some were lucky enough to go into the back with an employee to see the otters up close. Others fed and petted the stingrays. But there was disappointment by all when the sleeping tiger - well - just kept sleeping!




Our Sunday evening ended at our hotel, full and exhausted. 

Monday morning we were all up and ready to go on our next adventure! Our first stop was a tour of the International Culinary Art Institute - this place was so awesome and interesting that the photographer forgot to take pictures! oops ....


At the last minute, contact was made with a past Chadron High culinary student, Derek Ray. Derek manages an upscale restaurant in the Cherry Creek shopping area of Denver. He invited us to his restaurant, Earls, to show share his restaurant history and operations and to eat lunch. Chadron culinary students were right in the alley of the kitchen, in the coolers and prep areas with Derek to see up close, top notch equipment and ingredients being prepared. We were very impressed with not only the restaurant, but also with Derek. It was great for current students to see a past culinary arts student in such a prestigious and successful role. We were seated amongst the beautiful decor of this upscale dining facility. The food and service were wonderful and once again we left full and satisfied.





Our tours ended with a sweet tour of Happy Cakes Cupcake shop. This little shop was voted as #8 in the top 10 cupcake shops by The Today Show. The tour included a wonderful story of how the business came to be. This story gives hope to young entrepreneurs that would love to have a small business some day. The tour ended with a mini cupcake treat for everyone, mmmmm.... but we couldn't stop there, almost everyone on the tour had to buy one more, well maybe two .... or three? So many flavors and so much success all in one place. It was great to visit after one of our biggest fundraisers for this trip was selling gourmet cupcakes - and we thought a total of 400 cupcakes were a lot to make - they make 100 to 400 cupcakes a day, depending on the day and outside orders.


Almost exactly 36 hours later, we arrive back in Chadron. Fast and furious? yes. Educational and delicious? priceless!