Opinions

It is such a busy time as we go full steam ahead into Christmas. Our downtown community arranged another successful Family Fun Day last Sunday at the Merrick County Courthouse and Elementary School. A big THANK YOU to everyone who had a hand it making it a fun day for families—businesses and organizations that provided fun activities including rides in barrels, tractors, wagons and buckets, food and craft vendors, live nativity and talent participants, Santa and other fun photos, the Merrick County Historical Museum who hosted their annual Christmas Tea and finally the annual lighting of the Christmas tree. Did you know that Wild Roots planted this tree on the courthouse lawn so we can light it annually with future holidayevents? Itisamazing what happens when we all band together to plan something that represents AND benefits our entire community. Thanks to all for bringing such fun to Central City!

Communication is key, that was the message I brought to you in this space a couple weeks ago and once again we will pick up that conversation. On Tuesday morning I sat alongside many other Merrick County residents as we heard from Sheriff John Westman in regards to communications.

December is here already and we are almost through our first semester of school! This is a busy time for families with the beginning of winter activities as well as the holidays. This time is always a challenge for our little ones as it is very exciting for them but also difficult to navigate a different schedule. It’s important to stick to bedtimes and routines especially during this time of year. Children get overtired with the additional excitement and really need their rest more than ever. This time of year is a great time to look at purchasing toys that have lots of hands on opportunities for children. Technology has many wonderful benefits for children, but at the same time it is VERY important to have a balance with this for kids. Kids need to get outside and play, they need to play board games, puzzles, Legos, sports, and do crafts. These hands-on opportunities are what shapes the way students’brains and processing develops. Too much screen time, can affect this development in children. As with everything, a good balance is important. Lastly, take time to be together as a family. Turn off the phones and other technology and do an activity as a family. These connections are so important for your little ones and all of us to recharge and refocus during the holiday breaks. The elementary also has some fun projects planned for our students as the end of the semester approaches. We will have our annual Movie and PJ day as well as our sing-a-long coming up this month. At this time, I’d like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I’m so thankful that we all live in a community that we can work together to provide the best education possible for our children!

First, let me start this by sending my condolences to the Ellefson/ Malm family. I know far too well this year the sting of the loss of a loved one and I wish them all the best as they navigate this difficult time.

Thank you for all the support, have a great week!! I hope this first week of December finds you all well and enjoying the final weeks of the semester. As we approach the end, I wanted to share some important points to be aware of and express my gratitude for your continued partnership.

Loren Lippincott, District 34 Senator Nebraska and the Middle East For the past nearly two months worldwide attention has been focused on the tiny nation of Israel, but why should we in Nebraska be concerned with what is going on 6,500 miles away in the Middle East. On October 7 Hamas—a Sunni Islamic political and military terror organization launched a surprise attack on southern Israel.

Communication is key. The word communication is one that can be used in many different ways.

As lawlessness becomes more common within our country people try and look for places to place blame for our rising crime rate. Often the term “mental health” gets tacked onto wrongdoers as though it is something caught, like the common cold, and of no wrongdoing on the part of the person.

I would like to take this opportunity to provide information about our 1:1 Chromebook program here at CCPS. This is our 7th year using Chromebooks as the main device for the 1:1 program in grades 5-12. Students in grades 5-6 keep their devices at the school, however, students in grades 7-12 are able to take the devices home with them. We also are using iPads for our students in grades K-4.