PLCS Be Known for Engagement

It doesn’t seem possible it’s already time for Parent-Teacher Conferences. The fall term always passes by so quickly and Parent-Teacher Conferences serve as an important signpost as the midway point of the semester. As a parent, I certainly understand the importance of Parent-Teacher Conferences. We have so many ways to communicate with students and parents: emails, phone calls, school newsletters, robo-calls, and the District App to name just a few. But in my opinion, there is no substitute for a good, old-fashioned face-to-face meeting with your students’ teachers.

This is my first year as the parent of a high schooler. The freshman year represents so many “first experiences.” From the first open house to the first Homecoming dance, everything is new and exciting. And a little bit frightening! My wife Amy and I are so proud of our daughter, but we’re also very protective of her. We want her high school experience to be happy and productive. Parent-Teacher Conferences are a good first step to make sure that happens. If there is one thing I know, it is that it truly takes a village to raise a teenager and we want our teachers and administrators in our village.

As hoped, conferences were a success, and much of the credit goes to my daughter’s teachers. They have done an incredible job communicating her progress, so there were no surprises at her conferences. I sometimes worry my children’s teachers will treat them differently because of the chair that I sit in. I have seen no evidence of that. It can’t be easy having the Superintendent’s kids in class! Our teachers are highly professional, and I am grateful for the work they do everyday with my three children and all children throughout the District.   I truly believe our District is “Known for Greatness” because of the amazing teachers we have.

Communication of course is key. Parents have mentioned to me that our teachers communicate with them so often, there is often little need for them to attend conferences. Of course, no one wants to be accused of being a disengaged parent! So to our teachers who spend so many hours working with our students and parents, I say thank you. And to our parents who take the time to stay involved with their children’s education, please know how much we appreciate your involvement and support. As always, #BeKind!


Updated October 29, 2018

Be Known for Commitment

If you’ve visited Foundation Field recently, you’ve seen progress on the first project of the 2018 school bond. An additional 200 parking stalls will be added to the district stadium and serve visitors to our athletic complex as well as our staff and students as PLSHS continues to grow. We anticipate the parking lot expansion will be completed by the end of November.

In addition to the work at Foundation Field, we have made progress in other key areas. Secondary door locks have been installed at five elementary buildings: Portal, Patriot, Walnut Creek, Hickory Hill, and Bell. These door locks will add an extra layer of security for our students and staff in these buildings. We have also begun planning for the renovation of Anderson Grove. New classrooms and library space, additional parking, an updated kitchen, and a more secure front entryway are included in the design. The building plans are being finalized and we anticipate construction will begin as early as this winter.

We will provide regular communication updates to our community so they can see their tax dollars at work. To that end, we are asking for students to serve on our “Bond Squad.” These student volunteers will serve as key communicators as we record videos and provide bond project updates to our parents and community members. Please contact your building principal if you would like more information.

These bond projects are important to me as both a school leader and a parent. My oldest daughter is a freshman at PLSHS, and I have another daughter and son who attend Bell Elementary. The safety upgrades and building renovations will directly impact the quality of support the District offers my children and yours. I am so proud of our community for prioritizing safety and supporting this bond. I take your trust very seriously, and we will do everything we can to spend your tax dollars responsibly and communicate our progress in a transparent manner. Thank you for your support and as always, Be Kind!

Update October 10, 2018

Be Known for Caring

I would like to devote this blog entry to discussing mental health. Sadly, mental health challenges are all too common. Almost all families have dealt with these challenges at some point; depression, anxiety, self-harm, and in extreme cases, suicide. My own father dealt with serious, long-term depression before passing just over a year ago. I have visited families in hospitals and attended funerals for students who have taken their own lives. It is one of the parts of my job that I dread the most.

As the father of three school age children, student safety and wellness is always our top concern. We know that emotional, behavioral, and mental health challenges create obstacles for our students. Our Board of Education wisely recognized this reality and added a specific goal around mental health to our District Strategic Plan. We have not solved the issue, but we are making progress.

Working with the mayors of Papillion and La Vista, our school district has formed PLV Cares. The purpose of PLV Cares is to review and communicate the resources in our community to address unmet mental health needs. The PLV Cares group includes representatives from law enforcement, community service providers, and health care professionals. The group has already made great progress including a Facebook Live event on suicide awareness and a Parent and Teen  Workshop on suicide awareness and depression.

We have made important progress in other areas as well. PLCS recently partnered with Boys Town National Hospital to offer the Safe Schools Crisis Hotline. This hotline will be available to families free of charge to access when dealing with crisis situations. PLSHS alum Sarah Rose Summers recently met with our students to discuss the importance of kindness. We continue to partner with Project Harmony to provide wrap-around services to families in need. Lastly, the District will host an upcoming workshop for families on the importance of kindness and bullying prevention, two key aspects of mental health awareness.

We are all responsible for safe, healthy schools and communities. If you have suggestions on topics you’d like me to cover, please drop me a line. And as always, Be Kind!

September 20, 2018

Be Known for Kindness

Welcome back to the 2018-19 school year. Fall is my favorite time of year: the excitement of back to school, the fast-approaching autumn colors, hoodies, trips to the pumpkin patch, and yes, FOOTBALL! My family recently attended the annual Monarch-Titan football game, and Amy and I were reminded of the many things we love about this school district. The sense of pride, the support from our families, and above all, an undeniable sense of community. Papillion La Vista Community Schools is truly a special place.

I would also like to thank everyone for your support of the bond. Election night last May was a bit nerve-wracking to say the least. Our family and friends gathered at a local restaurant to have dinner and watch the results roll in. I was so pleased with the community’s overwhelming support. We have already started work on the project list including the expanded parking lot at Foundation Field and the security door locks at our elementary buildings. You will hear more about the bond projects and time lines in the coming months. We are committed to focusing on the safety and security projects our voters prioritized. We want to make the process and communication as transparent as possible. 

Lastly, Papillion La Vista Community Schools has joined other schools across the metro area in the #Be Kind initiative. Our district theme for 2018-19 is, In a World Where You Can Be Known for Anything, Be Known for Kindness. I attended the Be Kind press conference at UNO and was overwhelmed by the outpouring of support. Representatives from all three of our communities—Papillion, La Vista, and Bellevue—attended the event including personnel from the City, Police Departments, and Fire Departments. It made me very proud to live in such a caring, forward-thinking city.

So, from the Rikli family to yours, have a great 2018-19 school year and BE KIND.

P.S. Linus the cat says ‘hi.’