We have been working hard on naming our emotions, discussing what causes each emotion, identifying big and small emotions, and ways to calm our bodies down when having BIG emotions. We have read books, watched social-emotional videos, and had group discussions to learn all about our emotions.
You may have noticed a more exciting halftime at home games recently! Thanks to our cheer team, which is now also a dance team, halftime is more than a snack break! If you have yet to see our dance team perform, don't miss the next home game! See you at halftime!
Lexi performs her demonstration speech teaching others about softball
The 2nd Grade was able to visit Arbor Day Farm. The students enjoyed learning all about apples. They were able to try some delicious apple cider! To finish the day off, they were able to play on the Treetop Village.
Students in Mrs. Manley's preschool class have had a fun start to their year. They have been learning routines, rules, and skills the way they learn best! Through play!
Fourth graders studied heat energy in Science and created solar ovens to make Smore's!
26 seniors submitted 60 applications during the September 24 Apply to College event. They also created their FSA ID for the FAFSA, which opens October 1.
1st grade received the best attendance trophy for the month of September!
In our Reading, we are learning about cultures and traditions. Guy Chamberlain, a famous Blue Springs football player from Nebraska, has a monument at the elementary school. We visited the monument and learned some facts about his life.
The speech class has been working on preparing demonstrations. In the demonstrations, they have an attention-getter, an introduction, the body with several steps in the process, and a conclusion.
The 6th grade participated in a presentation about digital awareness during homecoming week. The presentation shared with students the consequences of being online.
This year, Mrs. Stevens is excited to offer an after-school choir opportunity for 5th and 6th-grade students! We began on October 9th and will have 8 rehearsals before our first concert. We will be focused on singing and exploring more difficult music than we do in the normal class time, and preparing these students for Junior High Choir.
This year, Mrs. Stevens is excited to offer an after-school choir opportunity for 5th and 6th-grade students! We began on October 9th and will have 8 rehearsals before our first concert. We will be focused on singing and exploring more difficult music than we do in the normal class time, and preparing these students for Junior High Choir.
Southern's 7th-grade English class has completed its first formal writing assignment as middle schoolers! They learned about and worked through each step of the writing process, a process that they will continue to use throughout their school years. Practice and confidence were their goals! Well done, 7th graders!
The Southern eSports season is underway. Students this season are competing in Smash and Rocket League, with both groups securing victories in both games. Way to go!
Select FBLA officers attended the state Fall Leadership Conference held at Midland University in Fremont. While there, they listened to the keynote speaker on how to “make their mark” with purpose. Then, they attended workshops for their respective officer positions. After that, they were able to attend several breakout sessions to learn about how to get more involved in FBLA as well as about current business and career topics of interest. Finally, they participated in a Leadership Challenge, an event in which they were put . . .
Pre-K enjoyed getting to visit with the Blue Springs firefighters and see all their gear!
Both Kindergarten classes spent the week of October 6th learning about fire safety and what to do in case of a fire. To wrap up fire safety week, they got a visit from the Blue Springs Fire Department on Thursday. The fire department reviewed fire safety with the kids and showed them their tools and gear!
WOW!! It seems like school has just started, and we are already nine weeks into the first quarter. Everything is in full swing, and our students and staff have been very busy in the classroom and with activities. I have been extremely pleased with our students and how they have come into the year ready to learn, and how responsible they have been when it comes to showing up to class prepared and getting work completed. Also, the respect they have shown towards fellow students, staff members, and the respect they have shown towards other . . .
First graders enjoyed participating in the dress-up days for homecoming week! They showed up in a variety of costumes for the different themes. They were also very excited to have visitors and readers stop by from the high school over the course of the week. Way to go, Raiders!
Four interactive employer engagement opportunities took place on September 26th. Students traveled to four local businesses to interact with business owners, learned about different career opportunities, practiced professional skills, and heard great advice. Five students started the morning by visiting Blossom Khardt and Linden Fields. A student said this about the trip, “My two takeaways from Blossom Khardt were that being a florist wouldn’t be a bad job, it looked fun. The second takeaway was that I should take time to . . .
A group of Southern staff members attended the Nebraska MTSS Summit titled "Road Trip". Those attending included: Shelby Thernes, Stephanie Ware, Sam Rzekonski, Kim Barnard, and Kane Hookstra. MTSS stands for multi-tiered systems of support. The "Road Trip" theme emphasized that developing systems of support takes time. There is a push at the state level to increase literacy outcomes. One of the focuses of the MTSS Summit was to provide guidance in developing systems to support literacy. Southern continues to develop . . .
8th Grade Science created and tested their parachutes to witness the impact of resistance on the gravitational pull.
Students are preparing for their prison tour in October. They are debating the pros and cons of the prison system and how we can benefit as a society.
The Southern-Diller-Odell Softball Team had the opportunity to greet Southern Elementary School students and staff as part of 'Welcome Wednesday'. The team enjoyed getting to see all of the students and visit the classrooms to share about the softball team and how to get involved when they get older!
Southern FFA participated in land judging. We looked at and studied soil properties to determine field recommendations. It was a beautiful day to judge sand, silt, and clay.
The Jr. High Volleyball team is wrapping up its season. Both A & B teams started with success at the Thayer Central Tournament, placing 3rd & 4th, respectively. The A team placed 2nd in the Southern Tournament. The B team has a record of 3-4, while the A team's record is 5-4. Both teams hope to finish with a win in their final game.
Want to improve your Spanish accent? Spanish students can help! We've studied the Spanish alphabet and the letters that make different sounds in Spanish than they do in English. See this YouTube video to help with your vowels: https://youtu.be/PXFMC-g0Jt8?si=PklHYyW_FiNs21ef. Students were then tasked with creating a poster to teach others the letter sounds.
This quarter, high school math students and Mrs. Mick have been getting to know each other better by sharing information about themselves through several different activities. Students have also been practicing classroom procedures and good study habits, trying to start the year off right. In math class, we are always working on our positive self-talk and becoming better at using a growth mindset. This year looks like it's going to be a great one.
The Student Council presented Homecoming 2025, Havana Nights, on October 3rd. A month and a half of preparations came together well for our decorations. We were able to create a jungle theme with the help of pallets, greenery, tropical birds, and bright colors. Students dressed up to show school spirit during Minion Monday, Tropical Tuesday, BBQ Dad vs Soccer Mom Wednesday, and School Spirit Thursday. Friday gave everyone an extra day off to get hair, nails, outfits, and final decorating finished. While the football game did not go to . . .
The football team continued the tradition of having a paper football competition before the last home game of the year. The games are played by sliding a paper football back and forth across the table to try to score a touchdown. After each successful touchdown, they get the chance to "kick" the extra point.
Southern FFA and Ag classes had the great privilege of making benches and tree decor boxes for the upcoming Cattlemen's Ball. The ball is going to be held in Blue Springs, and all proceeds will go to the great cause of cancer research. Students worked hard to make 6 benches and 10 tree boxes. The ball will be held June 6th-7th. We hope you have a chance to attend. After the ball, the benches will be auctioned off all in the name of cancer research. Good Job, Kids!!
Southern Ag. class and FFA have been busy this quarter completing community service, Leadership Development Events, and Livestock Judging. Students have been learning and competing to show their skill and knowledge of what they have learned. All have stepped out of their comfort zones and took on new challenges to help them grow.
The Freshmen Health Class had a guest speaker to discuss the dangers and trends of drug abuse in Gage County. SRO Mike Hager discussed many different topics that influence drug abuse. He also discussed the primary drugs of choice in our area, and why certain drug use is prevalent. He was able to answer questions the students had about drug laws and the use of synthetic "legal" drugs.
FFA has had a busy last quarter of school. From competing and attending state FFA Convention to the FFA banquet. The students have been learning and gaining valuable skills that will help them in their future career goals.
