Attendance Area Proposed Changes

October 7, 2008

Dear Parent,

Maintaining balanced student enrollment at the junior highs and high schools is a concern the Papillion-la Vista School District is facing. As the majority of our District growth is occurring in the southern portion of our District, we recognize the need to balance attendance areas at our secondary schools. Last spring there was a thorough discussion regarding a change in the junior high and high school for the Rumsey Station attendance area. At that time, it was decided to wait and see the fall enrollment numbers before moving the discussion forward.

On Monday, October 6 the Buildings and Grounds Committee of the School Board met and discussed the current enrollment numbers. It is a recommendation of the committee to move the proposed attendance area assignment change forward for discussion. This recommendation will be discussed at the October 13, 2008 School Board Meeting held at 7:00 pm in the District Central Office. Public comment is allowed at all school board meetings.

This proposal, if approved, includes the following guidelines:
•The Rumsey Station attendance area, will feed into La Vista Junior High and Papillion-La Vista High School.
•The change will begin with this year’s 5th grade students.
•Current 6th grade students will have the option to remain at Papillion Junior High and Papillion-La Vista South or move to La Vista Junior High and Papillion-La Vista High School.
•All Rumsey Station students who older siblings are currently enrolled, or have attended Papillion Junior High School or Papillion-La Vista South High School will not be asked to move.

As a family impacted by this proposal, we wanted you to be aware that it is being discussed. Your input and suggestions are important as the school board moves forward with a final decision. The challenges facing growing communities and school districts are indeed managing and accommodating growth. For the Papillion-La Vista Schools, those challenges include anticipating and trying to stay ahead of overcrowded situations in our buildings; while being good stewards of patron tax dollars.

Please know we realize that changing your child’s junior high and high school may be a difficult adjustment for some students and parents. We are extremely proud of the educational opportunities and successes found throughout the District. The top priority for both the school board and the administration is to develop a proposal that is in the best interest of all students in the Papillion-La Vista School District.

Sincerely,
Rick Black, Ed.D.
Superintendent

Papillion-La Vista Monarchs vs. Millard West (football) - 7:00pm

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To view last week's PLSHS Titan home game vs. Omaha North, click here.

Proposal Considers Moving Rumsey Station Elementary to La Vista Junior High and High School
The challenges facing growing communities and school districts are indeed managing and accommodating growth. For the Papillion-La Vista Schools, those challenges include anticipating and trying to stay ahead of overcrowded situations in our buildings; while being good stewards of patron tax dollars. Maintaining balanced student enrollment at the junior highs and high schools is a concern the Papillion-la Vista School District is facing. As the majority of our District growth is occurring in the southern portion of the District, the need to balance attendance areas at the junior high and high schools is recognized. The Papillion-La Vista School Board is considering a change in the assigned elementary buildings that feed into the secondary schools.

The proposed change being considered is moving the Rumsey Station attendance area, north of the Papio Creek, to feed into La Vista Junior High and Papillion-La Vista High School.

The Papillion-La Vista School District is curious to know what patrons of the school district think about the proposed change. Do you have any comments or questions you would like shared?

Learning Community

With the passing of LB 641, the Papillion-La Vista School District was placed into a Learning Community with 10 other metropolitan school districts. The District is curious to know what patrons of the community think about the learning community concept. Are there questions you have or comments you would like to share?

The Papillion-La Vista School District sent out postcards to residents. Click here to view the postcard.

The District is also hosting a Community Forum on the Learning Community. For more information, click here to view the flyer.

Below are the recent stories from the Omaha World Herald about the Learning Community...

Learning community bills pushed by Papillion-La Vista
Learning Community progresses with boundary lines
Schools law faces renewed challenges

Student Achievement Keeps Climbing!

The state of Nebraska released their report card on student progress. The information contained on the report includes state information and information about individual Districts including the Papillion-La Vista School District. To truly gain a clear picture of student achievement you should look at multiple sources of data, such as District assessments, State Writing Assessments and National Achievement tests. The results of all of these tests are included on the report. Improving student learning continues to be the goal for the Papillion-La Vista School District.

The Papillion-La Vista School District has chosen to set high standards and develop difficult assessments in order to push all students to excel at a high level. With four years of consecutive data available, the District is finding a four year trend for improvement. This steady trend for improvement is seen on the District assessments, statewide writing test, and national achievement tests.

Click here to view the Report Card Postcard
Click here to view the Report Card News Story on our District Website
Click here to view the Omaha World Herald Story on the Report Cards

If you would like to comment on the state report cards, please feel free to post your comment.

HAL Graphic Imagery Seminar

Welcome to the PL School Update!

This blog is to keep the Papillion-La Vista School District residents updated on school issues. Residents can offer their opinions in the comment section. Any comment deemed inappropriate for a general audience will not be added to the blog. Please email any questions to PL Schools.