Welcome from Mr. Darrel Kohlman

The new school year is upon us and I want to personally welcome each teacher, parent, and especially the students back to USD #442 Nemaha Valley Schools.

One of the greatest parts about being involved in the school system is that there is a definite beginning and end to each year. As we begin the new school year we all have a chance to make it the best school year that we have ever had. There is the opportunity to learn and grow from past mistakes and take chances to grow as an individual.  This should be the goal for all of us in the school; adults and students alike.

One of my favorite quotes is by Charles Swindoll “Life is 10% what happens to you and 90 % how you react to it”.  I couldn’t say it better or agree more with this quote; each and every day this school year we have the ability to use this quote. Are we going to take responsibility and control of the situation by reacting in a positive and constructive way or by making excuses and blaming others for what happens to us?

As we start this new adventure together, we have some new faces on the staff;  Terry Stueve, Angie Bass, Matt Carter, Sonny Gore, Jennifer Bearce, Denise Nolte, Wilma Leibbrandt, Carol Flentie and of course myself Darrel Kohlman.

Mr. Stueve will be teaching 5th grade at NVEMS as the Board of Education made the decision to split our 5th grade into two sections this year to provide the best educational opportunity for each student’s success. Mrs. Bass will be one of two Kindergarten teachers we have this year because we have a kindergarten class of 33 and having two sections was needed. Mr. Carter will be taking on the High School vocal and band duties as well as band for the Middle School and co-teaching 7th and 8th grade vocal. Sonny Gore, Denise Nolte, Wilma Leibbrandt, and Carol Flentie have been added as para-educators at NVEMS. Jennifer Bearce is working in the kitchen at NVEMS. As for myself, I am the new superintendent of schools for USD #442 Nemaha Valley.

The Board of Education for USD #442 Nemaha Valley is made up of the following people; Margie Heinen is the President of the board, Gary Niehues is the Vice-President, Ilene Enneking, Kate Haynie, Gale Hunninghake, Duane Osborne, and Owen Zinke are the other members.

Once again preliminary results show that the community, staff, and parents of USD #442 have much to be proud of from the 2009-2010 school year. Preliminary Building Level Standard of Excellence was achieved at NVHS in reading and math and at NVEMS in reading, math, and science.  As all of you know, it takes the work and effort of all the members of the district to achieve these types of test scores.

We also had many activities that were successful last year; the NVMS football team had a one loss season, the NVMS girls’ basketball team was 2nd in league while the boys’ basketball team were league champions. In track, NVMS 8th grade boys, 7th grade boys and girls were league champions.  The NVEMS Science Olympiad team made it to the State competition in Wichita.

At NVHS the boys’ basketball team took 4th at the State Tournament, the golf team took 2nd in State, and our forensics team took 2nd at State also. Our high school band participated in the Alamo Bowl and our Automotive Technology Program was recognized by Pittsburg State University for its excellence.  What a great bunch of accomplishments to use as a springboard to more success in the 2010-2011 school year.

Looking towards the future on November 3, 2010, voters in both USD #442 Nemaha Valley Schools and USD #451 B & B Schools will vote on whether the two districts should consolidate in the 2011-2012 school year. We will be hosting community meetings before the election to give community members a chance to hear information as to why the Boards of Education in each district feel this is important and for patrons to ask questions about consolidation. While both districts are extremely successful districts on their own at this point in time, the Boards of Education feel that combined they would be even more successful and be able to provide the best educational opportunities for students.  

As always, if you have questions or need anything, do not hesitate to contact me at the District Office, 336-6101, or at dkohlman@nvschools.org.