Today's Date is: Saturday, May 10, 2008

From the Principal

MySpace and other social networking sites are almost becoming required for adolescents if they want to be totally involved in their peer social circles. These sites are used to socialize and “chat” with friends and fellow students. Oftentimes adults and parents are out of the loop regarding these cyber hangouts. Teenagers see these “meeting places” as theirs and usually do not hand out invitations for parents to view or visit their sites or their friends’ sites. While students want to be more independent and these sites can have some positive social impacts, it is very important that we are still involved to a degree with this part of their lives.

These sites have rightly received a lot of negative attention because of the potential dangers they possess, I am by no way advocating for these sites but I do see why our youth are naturally attracted to them. Our students are “natives” to cyberspace; that is to say they have grown up in an age of digital technology and instant communication, so cell phones, e-mail, instant messaging, blogging, etc. are a natural and major way they communicate.

As adolescents look to become more independent from their parents and express themselves and their interests, they see these social networking sites as a safe forum that they can do this in without the embarrassment they may face in the physical presence of their peers.

As stated above, there are positives about these sites, but our students still need guidance and support, especially when it comes to interacting with others on-line. While I could write at length about how to do this, I think the best advice I can give is to have some ground rules if you choose to let your student participate on these networking sites. The most important rule is that you as a parent are given their login and password and that you check their site consistently. The other rule that should be established is for the computer to be in an open area where it can easily be monitored. The living or family room is a great location.

For more tips regarding sites like MySpace, you can visit the following webpages: WebWiseKids.org and www1.myspace.com/misc/safetyTips.html

Last Day of School

It has been tradition for some of our parents and students to have limousines pick up some of our outgoing 8th graders from school on the last day of school. If you or a group of parents are doing this for your student(s), please contact me at the school before May 20th. I can then communicate with you where the limos need to park and it also lets me know who is being picked up so that no surprises are accidentally ruined. I can be reached at 786-2348. Have a great April!

Phillip Picquet

General News

Congratulations to the March Students of the Month.

6th Grade: Malorie Geiler, Brett Wilhelm, Tristan Mentzer, and Kaden Schopp

7th Grade: Makenna Meier, Jordyne Mackie, Hunter Bell, Tyler Hakanson

8th Grade: Adrienne Strode, Dikotah Trump, Thomas Gagner, and Shaina Polivka

Thanks to Gary Brown, Susan Stake, and Monica Gotschall for hosting the breakfast.

Elks Award

Each year the Elk\'s Lodge in Lincoln present an award to one girl and one boy from area schools. This award is based on leadership and citizenship. Students are nominated by the 8th grade teachers. They choose those they feel best display characteristics of a good citizen and those who are good leaders and roles models for other students. The nominees are then voted for by the entire faculty at the middle school. I would like to congratulate those that were nominated:

The boys nominated were:

Cody Closner, Devan Lorenson, Taylor Northup, Gared Rathe, and TJ Stading

The girls nominated were:

Emily Berry, Kacee Fiddes, Madisen Geiler, Amber Stafford, and Karlee Winter

The students selected this year to receive the Elks Lodge Teen of the Month are Kelsey Cummings and Cal Werner

Congratulations to all the students for displaying exceptional qualities.

Waverly Chamber Of Commerce

The Waverly Chamber of Commerce has joined with the Lincoln Saltdogs to promote Waverly for a night. Waverly Night at Haymarket Park will be Friday, June 20th when the Saltdogs take on Sioux City.

Members of our community will be participating in events during the game. We are very excited to spend the night with our community and the Saltdogs. Tickets will be sold in blocks so we will be sitting together. This will make a great gift for family and friends!

Tickets are available now and all orders must be received by Monday, June 16th. Tickets can be purchased through Alex Hill at Phoenix Web Group. She can be reached by phone at (402) 786-5111 or by fax at (402 786-5112. Tickets are $5-$10.

The Chamber already has 150 Upper Reserved tickets available for purchase at $8.

We are very excited about this event and hope you will share in our excitement and join us for a fun evening! The Saltdog games are a great way to spend the night out with the family and show your support and pride for Waverly.

Please do not hesitate to call Alex to discuss details or ask questions. Thank you!

PTO

We\'d like to personally thank the following for their contributions to the Parent Teacher Conference meals, Gerrine Kirby, Kim Fankhauser, Jane Robinson, Steph Hernandez, Sue Maguire, Angel Kucera, Katie Helzer, Lisa Kemper, Denise Wilhelm, Kristy Weissling, Terri Sanders and Michelle Nickels.

The next middle school dance is April 18th. Any parents wishing to help with the dance, please contact Bonnie at 327-0357.

Our next meeting will be on April 14 at 4:00 in the media center. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Bonnie Carson, President 327-0357

Kristin Tabor, Vice President 782-2272

Bill & Sheri Denham, Treasurer 786-0470

Beverly Clark, Assistant Treasurer

Rebecca Obenland, Secretary 786-7277

Shannon Berry, Concessions Committee 464-2551