Gothenburg Public Schools - Excellence is an Expectation

Happy first week of school, Swedes! We're kicking off the new school year "In Our Swede Era," and what better way to celebrate than by spreading some positivity?

Do you want to give a shoutout to an amazing teacher, para educator, secretary, custodian, or any other staff member who has made a difference for you or your student? We've created a special form just for that!

This form is a great way to show your appreciation and help us recognize the incredible work happening daily at Gothenburg Public Schools. Whether it's a small act of kindness or a major achievement, we want to hear about it!

Let's flood our staff with some "SWEDE APPRECIATION!" You can find the form here: bit.ly/3QCFsxP

Happy first week of school, Swedes! We're kicking off the new school year "In Our Swede Era," and what better way to celebrate than by spreading some positivity?

Do you want to give a shoutout to an amazing teacher, para educator, secretary, custodian, or any other staff member who has made a difference for you or your student? We've created a special form just for that!

This form is a great way to show your appreciation and help us recognize the incredible work happening daily at Gothenburg Public Schools. Whether it's a small act of kindness or a major achievement, we want to hear about it!

Let's flood our staff with some "SWEDE APPRECIATION!" You can find the form here: bit.ly/3QCFsxP

It's Back to School Open House night at Gothenburg Public Schools from 5:30-7:00! Get ready to meet teachers, see classrooms, and catch up with friends. Don't forget to take a picture! We have two great options on the west side of Dudley as well as the big bulletin board in the Dudley hallway! See you soon!

Surplus Alert:

🎶 Vibraphone for Sale – $750 OBO 🎶

Looking for a project piece or a great deal on a vibraphone? Here’s your chance!

This instrument has good bones and plenty of music left in it, but it’s in need of some TLC from its next owner. The resonators are in decent shape (a few are slightly bent), and the bars still sound good but have some tape residue from note labeling. It’s missing the motor and all related parts, and the upper register isn’t naturally dampened by the bar underneath. The pedal is missing a screw, and the frame has seen its share of wear over the years—but it’s still solid.

Retail vibraphones start at $4,000+, so this is a great opportunity for someone willing to put in a little work and bring it back to life.

📍 Asking $750 — or best offer.
💬 Message ryan.johnson@goswedes.org if interested!

Celebrating a Fantastic Camp Dudley in July! What an incredible summer it's been at Camp Dudley! From July 7th to 25th, our hallways and classrooms were buzzing with the energy of 80 amazing students participating in a three-hour session filled with learning and fun. This program wouldn't have been possible without our dedicated team. A huge shout-out to our seven incredible teachers and nine paras who poured their hearts into making Camp Dudley a success. We also extend a massive thank you to the 10 staff members who volunteered to sub, stepping up to ensure everything ran smoothly despite overlapping responsibilities. Your commitment to our students is truly commendable! Our students dove into engaging reading, math, and STEM activities, making the most of every moment. We're especially proud to announce an outstanding 91% overall attendance rate! This incredible turnout is a testament to the enthusiasm of our students and the strong commitment of our families. Thank you, parents, for prioritizing your children's summer learning and for sharing them with us. It was an absolute joy to have their smiles and energy liven up our school throughout July!

Exciting news, Swede families! 🎉 Keep an eye on your mailboxes because our "Beginning of the Year Letter" from Dudley Elementary is coming soon! Get ready to kick off an amazing 2025-2026 school year "In Our Swede Era!" We can't wait to learn, grow, and make fantastic memories with all of you! #SwedeEra #DudleyElementary

🎉 Congratulations to Mr. Marc Mroczek 🎉
Please join us in celebrating Mr. Mroczek as the Region IV Assistant Principal of the Year!

This honor recognizes leaders who exemplify vision, integrity, and dedication—qualities Mr. Mroczek brings to our school every single day. His commitment to student success and continuous school improvement is evident in all he does.

We’re proud to have such an exceptional leader on our team. Way to go, Mr. Mroczek! 👏🙌

🌟 Big shoutout to our amazing Gothenburg staff for their dedication and focus during today’s curriculum work at ESU #10! 🙌 Their hard work is paving the way for a strong launch of our new math program, enVision, in the 2025-2026 school year. 📚➕
We are so thankful for their commitment to continuous growth and student success! 💛🖤 #InOurSwedeEra #SwedesLead

We're hiring! 🎉 Dudley Elementary is looking for a caring, team-oriented individual to serve as a K-6th Academic Support Para. In this role, you'll work with students in small groups and one-on-one to support learning in reading and math. 📖➕
If you're passionate about helping kids grow, we’d love to have you on our team!
Check out this opportunity at: bit.ly/SWEDEjobs

We're hiring! 🎉 Dudley Elementary is looking for a caring, team-oriented individual to serve as a K-6th Academic Support Para. In this role, you'll work with students in small groups and one-on-one to support learning in reading and math. 📖➕ If you're passionate about helping kids grow, we’d love to have you on our team! Check out this opportunity at: bit.ly/SWEDEjobs

We are excited to announce that Coach Nolan Sughroue will be the new Head Boys Golf Coach for the Swedes! ⛳️ Over the years, Coach Sughroue has played and coached a variety of sports at both the high school and collegiate levels and spent the last few years working part-time at Lochland Country Club in Hastings. Please join us in giving Coach Sughroue a warm congratulations as he steps into his new coaching role!

📢 Surplus Notice – Items Available for Bid or Reallocation The following items have been identified as surplus and will be made available through sealed bid or professional resale: 🚌 2000 Blue Bird Bus Bus has approximately 150,000 miles and is being sold “as is”. If you are interested in taking a closer look, please contact Les Harding, Transportation Director at les.harding@goswedes.org or call 308-537-3651 ext. 9. 🏃 Track Pits (2 Pole Vault, 1 High Jump) These IPI-brand pits were damaged in last year’s windstorm and were replaced by insurance. If you are interested in taking a closer look, please contact Marc Mroczek, Activities Director at marc.mroczek@goswedes.org or call 308-537-3651 ext. 9. 🔧 Manchester 30-Gallon Air Tank This air tank is in new condition and is not needed for future district operations. Specifications are available here: https://bit.ly/4n6vXph 📚 Instructional Materials Following curriculum updates, a number of instructional resources have been retired from use. While still in usable condition, they are being offered at fair market value. No bid required. Available materials can be viewed here: https://bit.ly/3HGrER7 📬 How to Bid or Inquire If you are interested in buying any of these items from the school please submit a bid in a sealed envelope by June 20th, 2025 at 3PM. Envelopes can be hand delivered or mailed to Dr. Allison Jonas (Gothenburg Superintendent) 1322 Ave I Gothenburg NE 69138. On June 20th, the envelopes will be opened and the highest bidder will be the buyer. Payment must be received before possession and pickup must take place by June 30th, 2025. All sales are final and are being sold “as is”. Thank you for supporting our efforts to make the most of district resources!

🚨 We’re hiring for the 2025–2026 school year! 🚨 Gothenburg Public Schools is looking for passionate, student-centered individuals to join our team. If you're ready to make a difference and be part of something great, check out our current openings and apply today! bit.ly/SWEDEjobs

Today we recognize and sincerely thank Mr. Nate Wyatt, who officially stepped down from the Gothenburg Board of Education after an incredible 18 years of service. Since January 2006, Mr. Wyatt has been a thoughtful, steady voice and a true advocate for students, staff, and public education in our community. His leadership, insight, and unwavering commitment have made a lasting impact, and we are deeply grateful for the time, energy, and heart he’s poured into Gothenburg Public Schools. It’s not easy to step away from something you’ve helped shape, but his legacy will absolutely live on in the culture and direction of our district. As we say thank you to Mr. Wyatt, we also look forward to welcoming someone new who is ready to be part of something great. If you or someone you know is interested in serving on the Board of Education, you can learn more at: bit.ly/applyBOE

📢 School Board Vacancy – Now Accepting Applications At its June 9, 2025 meeting, the Gothenburg Public Schools Board of Education accepted the resignation of Board Member Nate Wyatt. In accordance with Nebraska state law, the Board will begin the process of appointing a qualified individual to serve the remainder of Mr. Wyatt’s term. This is a valuable opportunity to support public education and make a difference in the lives of students across our district. 🏫💛 📌 Interested in serving? Applications are available at bit.ly/applyBOE and on the district website. Paper copies are also available at the Superintendent’s Office (1322 Avenue I, Gothenburg, NE). ✔️ Eligibility Requirements: Must be a registered voter Must reside within the Gothenburg Public School District 📅 Application Deadline: Thursday, June 26 at 4:00 PM 📥 Submit Applications To: Dr. Allison Jonas, Superintendent 📧 allison.jonas@goswedes.org 📍 Or drop off at the district office 🗓️ The selected candidate will be appointed and sworn in at the regular Board of Education meeting on Monday, July 14, 2025, at 6:00 PM in the Jr./Sr. High Media Center. Help shape the future of GPS—consider applying or sharing with someone who would be a great fit!

🚨 We're Hiring! ReSET Room Paraprofessional 🚨 Help students reset, refocus, and re-engage! 🌟 Do you have a calm presence, a heart for students, and a passion for making a difference every day? We're looking for a ReSET Room Paraprofessional to lead our new ReSET Room—where students can Reflect, Set Goals, Engage, and Try Again. 👩‍🏫 What You’ll Do: You will work closely with our MTSS Behavior Teacher & Counseling team to… ✅ Welcome and support students needing reflection or de-escalation ✅ Lead guided activities that build accountability and emotional regulation ✅ Collaborate with teachers and staff to support student success ✅ Foster a respectful, calm, and supportive environment ✅ Reinforce strategies to help students build positive skills 🎯 You Might Be the Perfect Fit If You: ✔️ Find fulfillment in helping students grow through difficult moments ✔️ Stay calm under pressure and lead with empathy ✔️ Believe positive relationships help students overcome barriers and thrive ✔️ Communicate well and love being part of a team 📅 Apply today and help us build a stronger, more supportive school community—one reset at a time. For a job description, visit: https://bit.ly/ReSETpara To apply, visit: bit.ly/applyGPS 💬 Questions? Contact: Mrs. Josie Floyd (josie.floyd@goswedes.org)

After an extraordinary career spanning more than three decades, we are honored to celebrate the retirement of Mrs. Barb Hicken! Mrs. Hicken grew up in Iowa and pursued her passion for teaching at Kearney State College (UNK), later earning her master’s degree from Wayne State College. She began her teaching career at 81R, a small country school, before spending 12 impactful years teaching in Lexington. Eventually, she became a proud Swede, leaving a lasting mark on countless lives in our community. Mrs. Hicken comes from a rich line of educators, including her mother, her sister, and many aunts and uncles. They all shared a commitment to shaping young minds, and this legacy of teaching has undoubtedly inspired Mrs. Hicken's own remarkable journey. When reflecting on her career, Mrs. Hicken shared that the relationships she built with her students have been her greatest joy. She will deeply miss the many moments and memories spent with her students and colleagues. In her well-deserved retirement, Mrs. Hicken looks forward to spending quality time with her family, attending her grandkids’ activities, and exploring new hobbies... with crafting at the top of her list! Thank you, Mrs. Hicken, for the profound impact you've had on so many lives! We wish you all the best in your retirement! 🥳🌟👏

After a remarkable career in both education and coaching, Mr. Roger Koehler is hanging up his teaching hat... again. A proud graduate of Wausa High School, Mr. Koehler went on to attend Northeast Community College before earning both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Mr. Koehler began his teaching journey at Gothenburg High School in 1985, where he taught for 33 years before retiring the first time in 2018. However, his love for education and his Swede pride brought him back to the Gothenburg Business Department, where he embraced a second chapter as a teacher for 5 more years. Throughout his career, Mr. Koehler has left an incredible mark in the classroom and on the field, court, and track. He has coached football, basketball, track, cross country, and, most recently, served as the Head Boys Golf Coach. His dedication and leadership have inspired countless students and athletes over the years. When reflecting on his career, Mr. Koehler shared that his greatest joy has been witnessing the success of the student-athletes he’s had the privilege to teach and coach. He’s also cherished the camaraderie with his fellow business teachers and the daily interactions with students and staff. Mr. Koehler and his wife, Julie, are incredibly proud that both of their children chose careers in education! Logan is teaching at Norris, and Kylie will be teaching at Minden this fall after teaching for several years at Kenesaw. Mr. Koehler looks forward to part-time work, plenty of time on the golf course, and continuing his role as a football referee with his local crew. Thank you, Mr. Koehler, for your years of service, your unwavering dedication, and the lasting impact you’ve made on so many lives. We wish you all the best in your well-earned retirement! 🌟👏

Happy National Speech- Language Pathologist Day!! Especially to our very own Erin Feather, Tatum Cool, and Taylor Junker. You are all amazing!!!