Wahoo Middle School earns NE Dept. of Education's CTE program award!
School honored for its excellence in career and technical education programming
Wahoo Middle School was recently named Nebraska Career and Technical Education (CTE) Outstanding Middle School Program of 2020! This award recognized Wahoo Middle School for outstanding achievements in its career education programs.
Individual instructional programs within a school/college or a schools/colleges as a whole are eligible to receive this award from the Nebraska Department of Education. The specific criteria for this award included the following:
-
Instructional programs aligned to the Nebraska Career Education Model
-
Programs that demonstrate quality areas such as:
-
Student achievement in both career and academic arenas
-
Innovative instruction based on a state model program of study
-
Leadership and personal development through career technical student organizations
-
Effective implementation of career guidance and work-based learning
-
Alignment to Nebraska’s workforce needs and economic priorities
-
Community engagement
-
“Wahoo Public Schools’ staff and administration have done an outstanding job of implementing and supporting career and technical education at a number of levels within our school district,” commented WMS Principal Marc Kaminski. “This award is a direct reflection of the hard work that our staff has put into not only the curriculum and programs, but the instruction that supports this area of practice.”
WPS Director of Learning Dr. Josh Snyder agreed.
“This recognition confirms our district’s emphasis on providing students with multiple opportunities to explore potential career and college options beyond high school,” Snyder said. “We’ve been able to further support this career exploration using the Engage! Curriculum, which is aligned to the Nebraska Career Readiness standards.”
Snyder also explained that the increased number of students participating in the career SkillsUSA program is also a reflection of the staff’s work to promote career skills.
“The staff at Wahoo Middle School are committed to the continued development of these experiences for all students,” Snyder added.
"I enjoy working with middle school students because it gives me a chance to show them a little bit of what we do in high school over a nine-week session," stated WMS/WHS CTE Teacher and SkillsUSA Adviser Jon Herrera. "We provide an exploratory curriculum for our STS courses so students know what options they have once they enter high school."
Herrera also praised administrative support for the school's SkillsUSA chapter.
"SkillsUSA is a great way for students to get leadership opportunities, and it provides them with a way to showcase their skills in a variety of competitions," Herrera said.
Staff and administration will attend an awards luncheon at the Nebraska Career Education Conference on June 9 to accept the award at the Younes Conference Center in Kearney, Nebraska.
WMS StuCo members manage successful donation drive for Buffett Cancer Center in Omaha
Students deliver $500 and over 1,000 donated items to cancer patients and their families
When dealing with cancer, inspiration and encouragement from others can have a big impact on a patient’s outlook on life, and the source of that inspiration and encouragement can come from anywhere: family, community members, religious . . .
African missionary featured in middle school assembly
Tim Wright shares his knowledge and experiences from 32-year mission in Mali
Tim Wright, a visiting missionary, shared the geography, culture, and daily life of the people of Mali, Africa. Tim’s life experiences in a country so far away, yet close to Timbuktu, captivated Wahoo Middle School students on . . .
WMS Student Council visits residents of South Haven
Students initiate opportunity to spend quality time with local elderly
The Wahoo Middle School Student Council recently traveled to South Haven to provide an enjoyable experience for their residents. We brought 11 students total, a mix of officers and representatives, and did an art project. The . . .
Barnes shares Christmas cheer
WMS 7th grader Sydney Barnes coordinates toy drive & Christmas party for Head Start students
This article was posted on the Wahoo Newspaper website on Fri., Dec. 23, 2016, and has been re-posted here with permission. Please click HERE to view the original article. For one area teenager, spreading holiday cheer meant . . .
The voters have spoken! New WMS Student Council Officers announced
A week of campaigning and speeches ends with a student election
Starting on September 19, the candidates for this school year’s student council started working hard putting up posters and giving out stickers trying to win everyone's votes. Campaigners came to school early in the morning . . .
WMS 8th graders honor Martin Luther King, Jr. with good deeds in community
Students canvass area nursing homes, day cares, and businesses to lend a helping hand on MLK, Jr. Day
“Everybody can be great . . . because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by . . .
Class of 2020 quilt complete & on display
Students contribute their own square to class keepsake
Last year during the final weeks of our seventh grade year, Mrs. Walker's students each designed and sewed a square that represented their personality. The project involved first teaching the class how to sew and make it look decent. . . .
MS/HS students share 'Poems in Their Pockets'
Co-op assignment encourages fellowship & poetry appreciation
Wahoo Middle School Language Arts Teachers Andi Mann and Kjirsten Abkes, along with Wahoo High School Language Arts Teacher Larry Fangman, had their students get together on Thursday, April 30, and share their “ Poems in Their Pockets . . .
17 WMS students attend 2015 Youth Writing Festival at Elkhorn South
Annual event sponsored by the Nebraska Writing Project
Seventeen students from Wahoo Middle School attended the 2015 Youth Writing Festival at Elkhorn South High School on March 21. They set out looking for something to do on a Saturday, but they got much more! Upon arriving in Elkhorn, they . . .
Wahoo Middle School attends concert at Holland Performing Arts Center in Omaha
Students inspired by 'Black Violin' performance
The halls at Wahoo Middle School were quiet on Monday, April 13. All students and staff went to Omaha for a 10:30 a.m. concert by the group Black Violin at the Holland Performing Arts Center . The lead performers were Wilner "Wil . . .
WMS 8th graders honor Martin Luther King, Jr. through community service
Students spend MLK Day carrying out mission of civil rights leader
"Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?'" --Martin Luther King, Jr. On January 19, Wahoo Middle School eighth graders spent their morning serving the community, in honor . . .
WMS 'HAL' students visit two local museums
Students embrace opportunity to enhance knowledge of African American contributions to WWII
Wahoo Middle School HAL (High Ability Learners) students recently completed a learning unit about African American contributions to WWII by traveling to the Strategic Air and Space Museum (SAC) in Ashland, and the Great Plains Black . . .
New 6th graders leave their mark
Students paint/sign ceiling tiles to symbolize their role in building positive school culture
Wahoo Middle School 6th grade students recently painted their hands and placed them on ceiling tiles in the school to demonstrate their commitment to school learning. Teachers and students ventured out to the school's blacktop . . .
WMS implements 'Green Dot' anti-bullying program
Students commemorate national 'Stand for the Silent' campaign
On Wednesday, April 16, Wahoo Middle School students completed their semester-long Green Dot anti-bullying program training. The program is focused on identifying negative behaviors that impact classroom learning, and the . . .
6th graders practice random acts of kindness
RAK's used to encourage good citizenship
Wahoo Middle School sixth grade students have performed several Random Acts of Kindness (RAK) over the past several weeks. For each RAK, the students tied a small ribbon on a wreath. The random acts of kindness had to be meaningful and . . .
New Wahoo Middle School logo revealed
Bonine's design chosen from nearly 30 student entries
Current Wahoo Middle School 8th grade students were challenged to create a new middle school logo during 3rd quarter. Students were then told that the logo would appear on future middle school letterhead, web articles and other places . . .
WMS students take a chance for Alex
Kuester & Foster organize fundraiser for Divis family
Wahoo Middle School 6th grade students Jasmine Kuester and Rachel Foster recently heard about Alex Divis' battle with cancer. Divis, a student at St. Wenceslaus in Wahoo, continues to battle T-cell lymphoma. The girls knew that . . .
Wahoo Middle School Pulls Together for NeSA Testing!
Teams of Students Move 23,000-lb Semi 90 Feet!
Henry Ford once said, "Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success." That quote was never more clear than on April 5, 2013 at Wahoo Middle School. Students and . . .
Wahoo 8th Grader Name NE National Geographic Bee Semifinalist
Tate Peterson Earns Honor for Second Straight Year!
Wahoo Middle School student Tate Peterson has been notified by the National Geographic Society that he is one of the semifinalists eligible to compete in the 2013 Nebraska National Geographic Bee, sponsored by Google and Plum Creek. . . .
WMS Students Attend Feb. Sportsmanship Pep Rally
Event Highlighted with Speeches by Tom Osborne & other Notable Nebraskans
On February 5, 190 Wahoo Middle School students attended the first ever Sportsmanship Pep Rally held at Waverly High School. The hour and a half event was hosted by the University of Nebraska athletic department and the Nebraska . . .
EduTyping Comes to Wahoo Middle School
Students Learn Life Skill through Self-Paced Program
Wahoo Middle School is excited to present the 6th and 7th grade classes with a unique learning opportunity. Our school is partnering with a company called B.E. Publishing to allow those students to participate in an online typing experience . . .
Middle School 'HOPE' Group Visits Saunders House
Students/Residents Share in Christmas Activities
On Saturday, Dec. 15, members of the Middle School HOPE (Helping Others Protect Everyone) for Teens Asset club volunteered time as part of their Empowering Youth Campaign. Group members met at Saunders House at 9:00 a.m. to . . .
Hope for Haiti
Bruce Speaks to 7th/8th Graders on Haiti's Struggles & Humanitarian Efforts
On September 19 and 28, Amy Bruce came to Wahoo Middle School with a presentation for the seventh and eighth graders about Haiti. Bruce has a non-profit organization called “The Root Cause.” She visits Haiti two to six times a . . .
WMS Pulls Together for a Great Opening Day!
Students Off and Running Toward Achieving District's 90% Reading Proficiency Goal
Wahoo Middle School students opened the 2012-2013 school year on a positive note on Wednesday, August 15. After reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, 8th grade student Carissa Koranda sang the National Anthem before the entire . . .
Peterson Takes 5th in 2012 State Geographic Bee!
WMS 7th Grader Competes with the Top 100 in Nebraska
CONGRATULATIONS Tate Peterson for finishing in 5th place in 2012 State Geographic Bee, held on Saturday, March 30 on the campus of the University of Nebraska at Omaha! The annual event is organized by the National Geographic Society. . . .
Yahoo for Wahoo Middle School!
So often we discount young people as being selfish or living in their own little world, but let me tell you about some very special future leaders. On their own a trio of young men from Wahoo Middle School chose to do a coat drive for Open . . .
WMS 7th Graders Reconstruct Famous Italian Landmark in Hallway
Students Create Leaning Tower of Pisa with Shoeboxes
The Leaning Tower of Pisa at Wahoo Middle School?! Yes, we do have the Leaning Tower of Pisa in the Middle School, but not the famous structure in Italy. Wahoo Middle School seventh graders are learning about Southern Europe . . .
Beyond the Folklore of Piracy
8th Graders Learn True History of Pirates
Aye matey, Wahoo Middle School had a visitor! On Friday, Oct. 21, Mike Dunn, a custodian at Wahoo Elementary School and an avid historian, spent time teaching Wahoo Middle School 8th graders about the true life of a pirate. . . .
WMS 8th Graders Weigh In on 'Three Cups of Tea' Controversy
Students Take a Stance on Recent Media-Exposed Conflicts
Eighth grade students in Mrs. Becky Stark's 8th grade language arts classes recently finished reading Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortensen. The book recounts the journey of Mortensen as he survived a failed climb . . .
7th Grade Reading Students Participate in Civil Rights Movement Videoconference
Live Program Serves as Introduction to Novel Unit
Recently, in Ms. Russ’s 7th grade Reading class, the students had a videoconference with Nicole Kempskie from the Paley Center for Media in New York City. In this videoconference, the seventh graders learned about the Civil . . .
Wahoo Middle School Shuts Off the Lights Jan. 14 for Day-Long Trek to Omaha to Celebrate the Arts
Students/Staff Enjoy Naturally Seven Performance & Joslyn Visit
On January 14, ALL 200 Wahoo Middle School students traveled to two of Omaha’s finest venues for the arts: The Holland Performing Arts Center and the Josyln Art Museum. The field trip started out with a performance at the Holland, one of . . .
2nd Quarter 8th Grade Industrial Tech Students Race CO2 Cars
Brigham/Pestal Take 1st/2nd
The 2nd quarter 8th grade Industrial Tech students recently competed their metric 500 race to qualify two cars for the all school championships in May. The top car in the class was #311 by Kylee Brigham with a time of 1.230 . . .
Middle Schoolers Join in Season of Giving
Hrdlicka Leads Local Fundraising Effort
A group of Wahoo Middle School 8th graders recently helped ring bells at a local Wahoo store and raised a little extra cash for donating along the way. One particular student learned a whole lot more about the power of giving. . . .
7th Graders Visit Zoo
Students Apply Knowledge from Animal Behavior Unit
On a recent beautiful autumn day, the 7th graders went to the Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo. This field trip was an extension of what they had been studying in Science class. The animal unit mainly focused on animal behavior. Each group had a . . .
Middle School Students Share School Supplies with Poverty-Stricken Countries around the World
Students Fill over 40 School Kits for Lutheran World Relief
Every day in 35 countries around the globe, Lutheran World Relief works to combat poverty. Wahoo Middle School students have been helping Lutheran World Relief for the past three years by collecting school supplies each fall. This . . .
Two WMS 7th Graders Create Powerful PSA to Fight Bullying
Anderson & Brigham Do Their Part to Help Make a Difference
Joelle Anderson and Bailey Brigham are two seventh graders who are spreading an important message through a public service announcement (PSA) video: bullying hurts. The PSA assignment corresponds with a unit taught by WMS Social . . .
Wahoo Middle Schooler Puts Compassion into Action
Brent Tenopir Spearheads Dental Supply Campaign for Haiti Earthquake Relief
"I want to help." Armed with a list of ideas and a heart full of compassion, Wahoo Middle School 8th grader Brent Tenopir eagerly jumped into the recent Haiti relief efforts. After expressing to a WMS classroom teacher . . .
Soles4Souls Shoe Drive
8th Grade Unity Council Gathers 850 Pairs of Shoes for Haiti Earthquake Victims
The 8th grade Unity Council recently organized a shoe drive for the Haiti earthquake victims. This event was held from January 18-29 in the elementary and middle schools. By the end of the drive, the Unity Council had packed 54 . . .
Langemeier & Zetocka Take 1st/2nd Place in 2nd Quarter Metric 500 Race
Cars Created in 8th Grade Industrial Tech Class
Congratulations to Josh Langemeier and Brandon Zetocka on their 1st and 2nd place finishes in the 2nd quarter Metric 500! The two cars, created in the 8th grade industrial tech class, recorded the two fastest times so far this . . .
WMS 6th Grader Crowned 2010 Saunders County Spelling Bee Champion
Congratulations Elise!
Congratulations Elise McIlhaney for winning the 5th/6th grade division of the 2010 Saunders County Spelling Bee, held on Friday, January 22 in Mead.
Wahoo 8th Graders Use Community Service to Celebrate Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
67 Students Combed the Community in Project's 3rd Year
"Everybody can be great . . . because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace; A soul generated by love." . . .
Wahoo Middle School Participates in National Geographic's Geography Bee
8th Grader Zetocka Wins Local Round; Hopes to Advance to State Competition
Fox Sports broadcaster and Super Bowl quarterback Terry Bradshaw once said, “When Brian told me he grew up in New Mexico, I told him I thought it was cool that people from other countries played football. He corrected me on my geography and . . .
T-Shirt Fundraiser Pays Off!
Lindstrom & WMS Student Body Present $6,000 Check to Russ Family
Need advice on how to help a friend in need? Look no further than Wahoo Middle School. As previously posted on this web site, a November 5, 2009 Fremont Tribune article highlighted the efforts of WMS 8th grader Kirk Lindstrom, who . . .
New Middle School Dance Team Completes First Season
Girls Perform During 4 Athletic Events
The middle school dance team completed its first official “season,” and it was a huge success. The team, made up of 13 6th through 8th graders, performed at two middle school boys basketball games and two varsity boys games. The . . .
Middle School Students Raise $576 for Local VFW Christmas Drive
Smith Leads Charge to Aid Area Families in Need
WMS 8th grader Andrew Smith had a vision. He wanted to find a way to put a toy into the hands of children who might not otherwise get one this Christmas. He knew that he would need funding and he knew that he could count on his classmates . . .
WMS Student Helps Friend with Special T-Shirts
Fundraiser Developed for KJ Russ Following Spinal Surgeries
A student at Wahoo Middle School came up with a unique way to help out a friend. Kirk Lindstrom, an eighth-grader at the school, designed T-shirts in support of fellow eighth-grader KJ Russ. KJ had three surgeries last month in . . .
Students Support Students
WMS Students Donate over 500 Pounds of School Supplies to Less Fortunate Children in Third-World Nations
"The adventure of life is to learn. The opportunity of life is to serve." This quote, by Willam Arthur Ward, captures the essence of a service project recently completed by the students at Wahoo Middle . . .
Carsten Brothers Checkmate Competition at St. Cecelia Chess Tournament
WMS Students Trevor and Trey Carstens continued their habit of placing high at scholastic chess tournaments with a strong showing at the St. Celelia Chess Tournament. Trey finished second and Trevor placed third at the May 9 competition in . . .
WMS 8th Grader Courtney Jones Initiates Pennies for Pooches Campaign
Middle Schoolers Raise $320 for Local Pet Rescue
Children and animals – they go hand in hand. So when Wahoo Middle School 8th grader Courtney Jones proposed that her classmates help her raise money for a local pet shelter, she met with an overwhelmingly positive response from them. In a . . .
Wahoo Middle School Chess Club Wins First Trophy at Omaha Tournament
Seventh Grade Team Takes Second at Morton Magnet Tournament
The Wahoo Middle School Chess Club gave Wahoo its first middle school chess trophy by taking second place at the Morton Magnet Tournament in Omaha on March 14. Wahoo placed second in the junior high division, which consisted of . . .
Buol Boxes His Way to Regionals
WMS Student Has Been Boxing Since Age 7
Wahoo Middle School 7th grader Alfonso Buol isn’t shy when asked why he loves boxing: “It is fun knowing that you can fight and it’s legal.” Buol quickly added that the sport he has been a part of for the last four years . . .
Wahoo Middle School Students Demonstrate "Cool to Care" Attitude
School-wide Service Project Gathers School Supplies for Impoverished Foreign Countries
On Wednesday, October 1, Wahoo Middle School students met in an assembly to celebrate the results of their first school-wide service project of the 2008-2009 school year. In a little less than two weeks, the students joined . . .
Visiting Penguins Introduce New "COOL TO CARE!!!" Theme to WMS Students
The Wahoo Middle School had two special visitors at school on Wednesday. The special visitors, two penguins named Ice & Cube, visited the classrooms to pick up special goal sheets as filled out by the students. Each student was asked . . .
Wahoo Middle Schoolers Head Into Summer with Thoughts of Service
Students End Year with Good Deeds
Students at Wahoo Middle School were focused on serving others as they head into the summer break. Each homeroom class in the school recently completed a community service project to aid many in the area. Projects . . .
WMS "Service Before Self" Award Earned by Olivia Morales and Autumn Gerrish
Monthly Award Developed by 8th Grade Unity Council
The 8th Grade Unity Council has come up with a Service Before Self Award for the entire 8th grade class. This is a student-nominated award. Any student can request another student for good service. It can be . . .
Wahoo Middle School Students Have a "Day On"
Students Honor Martin Luther King Jr. through Community Service
Wahoo Middle School eighth graders had a “Day On” for Martin Luther King’s birthday last Monday, January 21. They learned about life in the time of the Civil Rights Movement and about Dr. King. They also did volunteer community service . . .
Wahoo Middle School Students Practice the Spirit of Giving
Students Raise Funds for Von Maur Victims & Families
Getting into the spirit of holiday giving was easy for eighth graders Rachel Urban and Dayna Gulliksen. Knowing who needed a gift was also simple: the victims and families affected by the recent Von Maur shootings in Omaha. So the two . . .
Introducing the 8th Grade Unity Council
The 8th grade teachers have come together to create an 8th grade “Unity Council”. Our job is to help unify the school, boost school pride, stop bullying, and create positive leadership in everyone. . . .
Middle School Summer Camp More Than Just Fun and Games
CHI and Ad Astra Camps Focus on Academics and Social Interaction
While some kids spend their summers at the swimming pool, on family vacations or making money at summer jobs, many students take off for camp. This past summer, eleven middle school students attended Central Honors Institute (CHI) . . .
There Are Heroes, and "She-roes", Among Us
"How Important It Is for Us to Recognize and Celebrate Our Heroes and She-roes!" --Maya Angelou
It’s true! Kids CAN be heroes and on October 18, seventh graders gathered in Fremont for the Bullying Prevention Leadership Conference to learn how to take a stand against bullying. During the conference, students learned the . . .
 copy.jpg)
