Educational Service Unit 10 held the 9th annual regional Invention Convention on Tuesday, April 14, 2009, for area students in grades 3 through 8. Twenty inventions were judged and awards presented to first, second and third place winners in each grade.  
 
Invention Convention is a science event designed to give students an opportunity to solve problems, think creatively, experiment, and work with data while creating an invention.
 
Paula Mellinger, Invention Convention Coordinator at ESU 10, says, “Through these experiences we hope to see the youth of our schools gain the positive attitude and problem-solving skills which are so crucial to future success in the work force.”
 
1st Place Winners:        
        Samantha Mercer                        Gibbon School                        Grade 3
        Jesse Shirley                               Ansley School                        Grade 4
        Wade Amsberry                           Ansley School                        Grade 5
        Trent Geiser                            Anselmo-Merna School                Grade 6
        Megan Seamann                      Spalding Academy                      Grade 8
 
2nd Place Winners:
            Morgan Wadkins-Meyer             Gibbon School                        Grade 3
            Addison & Mason Clark              Gibbon School                        Grade 4
            Blake Brown                             Gibbon School                        Grade 5
            Tami Myers                              Anselmo-Merna                      Grade 6
            Kelsey Thompson                     Anselmo-Merna                       Grade 6
           
3rd Place Winners:                              
            Gabriela Montanez                   Gibbon                                   Grade 4
            Rachel Carraher                      Spalding Academy                  Grade 8 

Educational Service Unit 10 held the 19th Annual High School Academic Quiz Bowl on Wednesday, April 8, 2009 at the University of Nebraska Kearney where thirty-five area schools competed. The purpose of the quiz bowl competition is to encourage higher order thinking, recognize outstanding achievement, and promote academic excellence among participating high school students.

Quiz bowl questions range over the entire spectrum of a high school curriculum and also include a certain amount of current events, sports, and popular culture.  This competition reinforces classroom lessons and also encourages players to go beyond their assignments to master other areas as well.

We commend all participants in this very challenging event!  Trophies were awarded to the top four school districts.

1st Place:         Burwell High School    
2nd Place:        Cozad High School
3rd Place:        Arnold High School
4th Place:        Heartland Lutheran High School

 

Good Samaritan Hospital and ESU 10 combine efforts each year to hold Kindergarten Days at Good Samaritan Hospital. More than 500 enthusiastic kindergarten students from Kearney and area rural schools visited the hospital over three days in April. Children were able to get a glimpse of what happens inside the doors of a hospital in hopes that it may relieve any fears they may have about being hospitalized. School nurses, along with emergency nurses at Good Samaritan, introduced them to some of the equipment and instruments used by doctors and nurses. A very special bed is used at the hospital that goes up and down! As a special treat, the students were able to tour the emergency room, inside of an ambulance and talk to the EMT’s. As the children leave, they have a better understanding of hospitals and realize that it really isn’t a scary place to be. This may be just the inspiration some of them need to become some of our future doctors and nurses!
 
 
 

National School Nurse Day is a time to celebrate the nursing profession and the specialty of school nursing. On May 6, 2009, the National Association of School Nurses will recognize the contributions that school nurses have made over the past year. This year’s theme is “SCHOOL NURSES: MEETING NEEDS OF TODAY’S STUDENTS”, and is reflective of the overall impact school nurses have on the health and well-being of students who face more challenging issues today than ever before. Schools and communities are encouraged to join with their school nurses in celebrating what they do on a daily basis to keep kids healthy and ready to learn.