Gratitude for God’s gifts
Believe it or not, the new Church Year begins on November 27th with the start of Advent. I pray that your family will have a blessed Advent in anticipation of Christ’s birth on Christmas. During this Advent and this Christmas season, many of us will give and receive a variety of gifts. Some of these will be “gag” gifts, while others will be more practical and useful. My kids’ gifts may be opened, played with, fought over, broken and lost by the end of the Christmas season.
It is during this time, however, that I challenge us to be grateful for the IMPORTANT gifts that God has given us. While a new grill or 70-inch high-definition television is sweet, it is nothing compared to the gifts we may take for granted. Our families, our jobs, the strong Catholic community in Saunders County, and Bishop Neumann High school are some gifts that we may lose sight of as we are swept up in the hustle and bustle of our daily lives.
During this Advent Season, let us not take for granted the gift of being part of this great school system. In the craziness of our lives, it is easy to look at our struggles and lose sight of the great privilege it is to be a part of Bishop Neumann and the great things going on around us. I continue to see students striving for greatness along with faculty, staff, and coaches always pushing students to raise themselves to the next level.
We are not always perfect, but during this Advent and Christmas Season, remember to thank God for allowing us to be part of Bishop Neumann High School and this community.
In closing, please keep Bishop Neumann and everyone involved with our community in your prayers this Advent season
God bless and have a Holy Advent.
John Kreikemeier
“Give thanks to the LORD, who is good, whose love endures forever”(1Chronicles 16:34)
Art News:
I have included some photos of art projects the students have been working on. The students art is on display in the art hallway and in the Library. We are rotating the displays throughout the year.
In 3rd quarter we will be working on Pottery Projects. I am looking for a couple hair dryers to have in the art room to dry projects. We could also use any wood or metal stamps, something similar to stamp n’ up or hobby lobby stamps. We will use them to cast and make clay molds. Wooden rolling pins with decorative imprints, would also be great. If you have any of these items not in use anymore please let me know. Brandie-schoeneck@cdolinc.net
Choir News:
* Just a reminder that Jr. High Show Choir is now meeting on Thursday’s during access period (7:45-8:10am). All Jr. High students are welcome – even 1st timers!
* Don’t forget to mark your calendars for the upcoming Christmas Choir Concert taking place on Wednesday December 14th starting at 7:30pm in the gym. All of Neumann’s choirs (junior and senior high) will be performing.
*The Music Boosters will again be serving refreshments after the Christmas Band Concert on Sunday Dec. 11th and the Christmas Vocal Concert on Wednesday Dec. 14th.
– All Junior High Band members are asked to bring 2 ½ Dozen Cookies for the Band Concert on December 11th.
– All Junior High Choir members, who are not in band, are asked to bring their 2 ½ dozen cookies to the Choir Concert on December 14th.
We will need a few volunteers to help with the refreshments before and after both concerts. If you were unable to help out with concession stands, now would be a perfect time help! J Click on the following link to sign-up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F084DAFAE2CA7FF2-music3
*The next Music Booster meeting is scheduled for Wednesday January 18th at 7:00pm in the Music Room. All parents of a student in any music class 7th-12th grades and/or 5th-6th grade band are encouraged to attend, for we’ll be discussing final items in preparation for our Waffleman Fundraiser!
News from the Journalism Class...
Sports drought in the month of November!
By: Dylan Choutka
The month of November has been rather dry when it comes to Bishop Neumann sports. The Bishop Neumann volleyball season came to an end on October 25th with a second-round subdistrict loss to North bend, and the Bishop Neumann Varsity football team’s season finished on October 28th with a first-round playoff loss to Lincoln Lutheran. As fall sports wrap up, it leaves Bishop Neumann Athletics dry until winter sports start in late November with the boys’ basketball teams first game November 28th, and the wrestling teams first meet at Concordia High school December 1st. Until then, Bishop Neumann will remain in a sports drought.
Veterans’ Day at Bishop Neumann
By: Dylan Choutka
On November 8th, Bishop Neumann student council had the privilege of eating lunch with Wahoo’s local veterans. The veterans shared stories from their time as service members and afterwards both Bishop Neumann Student Council and the local veterans took a group photo together.
On Veterans’ Day, Bishop Neumann high school students worked with Wahoo public high school to create a Veterans’ Day assembly. Both Bishop Neumann and Wahoo Public students gathered to listen to Vietnam veteran Ken Korkow speak about his time in the military, lessons learned, and how to overcome obstacles in life. Bookending the speaker, Bishop Neumann and Wahoo public band performed the theme of each military branch, as well as the national anthem. The combined choir sang “We Honor You” to the gathered veterans, and senior Leah Hurley played “Taps,” the traditional lights-out song that signals the end of the day in the military, with Wahoo public student Logan Scott.
Back at Bishop Neumann High school, U.S Marine veteran, Richard Zierke gave a speech to each class on what each fold of the United States flag meant, along with class participation of folding a flag.
Campus Ministry
The second Junior High ‘IGNITE’ was held on Tuesday, November 8th. ‘IGNITE’ is a campus ministry event that is held 4 times a year specifically for our junior high students. This month, students listened to sophomore, Henry Stuhr speak about his faith life and the saints among us. He challenged the junior high to take advantage of all the spiritual things Bishop Neumann has to offer to grow in their faith. Students also spent time in prayer in the chapel and played games in the gym.
Neumann FIRE was held at the Chris and Ann Lautenschlauger home on November 20th. Students enjoyed supper, games, and listened to Mr. Lautenschlauger give his testimony. A huge thank you to the Lautenschlauger family for hosting this event.
Students for LIFE will Christmas carol at South Haven nursing home and the Care Center at Saunders Medical Center on Wednesday, December 7th.
The St. Elizabeth Ann Seton group will be having their annual clothing drive during the month of November and December. Many items such as coats, hats, gloves, blankets, and other cold weather gear can be dropped off at the front entryway of the school throughout the remainder of the month. All items must be at the school no later than December 16th. These items will be donated to Catholic Social Services and given to those families in need.
Advent
With the Advent season approaching, students will participate in weekly Advent prayer services. These will take place in the gym on November 28th, December 5th, & December 19th. All school confessions will be Friday, December 16th.
Each student in grades 7-12 and all faculty and staff have received the book, Behold, by Sr. Miriam James Heidland. This book consists of four sections. Each section is a week of Advent. It moves from Mary, to Joseph, to Jesus, and to the Holy Family. Fr. Kennett will lead a brief reflection on the book and host a holy hour during Advent at St. Joseph’s in Colon from 7:00-8:00 p.m. See below for the dates:
Wednesdays Nov 30th, Dec 7th, Dec 14th, and Dec 21st
Thank you Veterans!
A huge thank you to all the students and families who contributed to our military displays in the library for the month of November. We are grateful to all our veterans for their selfless service to our country.
Yearbooks going on Sale!
Get Ready Grades 7-12! Yearbooks are going on sale!
Beginning MONDAY—November 28th, the journalism staff will be selling yearbooks in the cafeteria during the access period.
In order to reserve a yearbook—you must put down at least a $10 deposit or pay the full amount.
$50
During the week of December 5th—December 9th cost is $55
After December 9th—to end of year cost is $60.
Remember—a $10 or more deposit is required to get your yearbook at the best price!
School closures and delays:
There are many factors involved when school closures and delays are determined. Administration considers the anticipated forecast; surrounding schools’ decisions; and good judgment. Trying to predict the weather and the road condition are not always possible. As a parent, if you feel the roads are not safe for your student to drive, please notify the school with your decision. This will eliminate concern of their absence. This will be an excused absence due to weather and will not count towards the allowed absences for their attendance. As a parent, you may also want to consider that if our busses are running, this maybe an option for your student. There is a $10 daily bus fee per family. You may contact Paul Johnson at paul-johnson@cdolinc.net for more information about the bus routes. Our concern is always the safety of our students.
In the event the weather creates hazardous conditions, information pertaining to the closing or late start of school will be broadcast by the following KFAB Omaha, 1110 AM; WOW -TV, Omaha, Channel 6; KETV -TV, Omaha, Channel 7; KLKN—TV Lincoln, Channel 8; KOLN—TV Lincoln, Channel 10.
We will also use SCHOOL MESSENGER System.
Please update the office with any new information.
