Mary Lynch students demonstrate leadership and drive to school board

Mary Lynch Elementary students were the highlight of the recent Kimball School Board meeting, with presentations from the PBiS (Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports) Leadership group and the State Stock Market Game winners at the March 12 board meeting.

Mrs. Laurie Janicek appeared with several young students, from fourth, fifth and sixth grades, for the presentations, as the advisor of each of these groups.

The Mary Lynch Stock Market Game winners addressed the board as part of the Pride in Excellence agenda item.

Three of the four winners were present, including state-ranked second place team members Renee Murdoch and Jena Aragon, as well as state-ranked third place team members Kayli McCoy and Kylie Osborn (not present), all fifth grade students at Mary Lynch.

Students stated that the game, which began with a unit during math class about the stock market, teaches students skills such as critical thinking, decision making, cooperation and communication, independent research and saving and investing.

Each team was given virtual cash and chose stocks and bought common stocks. They learned about bonds and mutual funds as well, but the students chose to stick with stocks.

"We didn't like the fact that a broker took a percentage of our money," Murdoch said. "We really liked it when our stocks went up in price (the bull) and we hoped that they wouldn't go down (the bear)."

In addition to the competition, students also held a raffle to raise real funds to finance their trip to Lincoln in April. About half of the fifth grade class, 15 students, is expected to attend the upcoming awards ceremony.

"The fifth grade class raised $3,770 and sold 5,000 tickets," Murdoch said. "We raffled off four Kindle Fires and ten gift certificates to local businesses."

"We have such great support from the community," Janicek said. "They raise money for the trip and the rest stays in the "Stock Market" account in case we have to purchase anything throughout the year for the game."

Kyler Lusche and Bransyn Keifer tied for the most raffle tickets sold, totaling $668 each and the next top sellers included Connor DeBoodt, Shay Heim, Renee Murdoch and Karliegh Leslie.

While in Lincoln, local students will tour the Capitol, Memorial Stadium and will attend a banquet at the Champion's Club.

Though the entire leadership team was not on hand for the presentation, PBiS Leadership team members Renee Murdoch, Aspyn Keifer, Landon Norberg, Shannen Marks and Emma Novotny also spoke to the board for Pride in Excellence.

To be selected for the Leadership team, candidates must complete a four page application and attach referrals from past teachers. The team meets every Wednesday morning to discuss and decide on upcoming activities.

"We have to be responsible, respectful, be able to handle leadership while still being able to do our school work," Landon Norberg said.

Each morning the team performs the Pledge of Allegiance over the intercom, announces the lunch menu and birthdays for the day as well as a "Kindness Counts" message.

The group spent time in each classroom prior to Christmas break reviewing expectations for lunchroom and assemblies. They enjoyed decorating the school for homecoming week and practiced proper flag folding techniques.

Board president Lynn Vogel asked if the sixth-grade leadership team members have a hand in choosing new members before they move on into junior high.

"That's a great idea," Janicek said. "They could be part of student selection."

Janicek announced that 25 teachers from the Perkins County elementary school visited Mary Lynch to research PBiS.

"I grabbed some of the sixth graders and they pretty much took over explaining to the teachers what PBiS is and showed them all the different things that we have done," Janicek said. "I was really impressed with them. They were impressed with the students and were very complimentary of them."

The team was also present to address the board for the student voices agenda item, giving the board the opportunity to hear the good and the bad from the student's perspective.

According to Keifer, technology was a positive for the district, as is Mary Lynch staff, though improvements could be made in the area of cleanliness, specifically water fountains and the gym floor, and more fresh fruits and vegetable options would be appreciated.

Norberg added that more lunch choices should be offered for elementary as it is for the junior/senior high school.

He also said he would like to see advanced classes offered to students who excel. Communication between teachers and support staff could be improved, he added, and he would enjoy more field trips centered around math, history and science.

Murdoch suggested revisiting the school's recycling program, clean up the property and updating the playground equipment.

PBiS Leadership Elementary Team Members include, Landon Norberg, 6th Grade, Aspyn Kiefer, 6th Grade, Shannen Marks, 6th Grade, Renee Murdoch, 5th Grade, Emma Novotny, 4th Grade, Nolan Cook, 4th Grade, and Anna Coleman, 4th Grade. Cook and Coleman were unable to attend the Board of Education meeting.