Wood River Families,
Please see this week's schedule below. I would like to highlight a few important events and activities in this edition.
Highlight: This weekend, it was great to see our students so active on Saturday. Nearly 50 FFA students participated in the 1st annual Fall Island Showdown at the Beef Barn in Grand Island. Additionally, 15 students attended the LouPlatte Conference Choral Clinic in Central City, where they learned from college music professors and capped the day with a fantastic concert.
Reading: There is no doubt that reading is a focus for our schools, and we are working hard to improve our instruction. According to Danielle Luebbe of Concordia University,
Reading is so much more than a classroom activity—it’s the key to unlocking a world of possibilities for students. When children develop strong reading skills, they gain confidence, build knowledge, and open the door to academic success in every subject. Whether it’s deciphering a word problem in math, exploring the themes of a historical event, or understanding the instructions for a science experiment, reading is the thread that ties learning together.
For teachers, parents, and schools, fostering an early love of reading can make a tremendous difference in a child’s educational journey. And it’s not just about books—reading skills impact how students navigate life, from filling out applications to researching topics of interest.
Making reading a part of the daily routine—whether students are reading for pleasure for 10-15 minutes or parents are reading aloud to their children—can have long-lasting positive effects that benefit them for the rest of their lives.
This article was originally published by Danielle Luebbe on Concordia University, Nebraska's website on November 20, 2024, and was accessed on November 16, 2025.
Safety: “I Love You Guys” is our district (SRP) Standard Response Protocol. Our schools have been practicing drills related to these protocols:
Hold: Stay in your room or area and keep the halls clear. Used during incidents like a student having a seizure.
Secure: Stay inside the building and lock the outside doors. Used when there might be an unknown person around or a dangerous animal nearby.
Lockdown: Lock classroom doors, turn off lights, and hide. Used in case of a dangerous intruder.
Evacuate: Leave the building if it is unsafe to stay inside. Currently, both schools plan to evacuate to the Catholic Church if necessary.
Shelter: Remain safely inside the school during incidents such as a tornado or a chemical spill in town.
Have a wonderful week, and don’t forget to reach out with any questions, comments, or concerns.