Scott students enjoy shining moments on first day of school

August 19, 2024

Hundreds of sixth graders enjoyed a supernova-level day on Monday when they launched their educational careers at Scott Middle School.
 
Students held starring roles throughout the opening act of their yearlong educational plays. They met their teachers, learned the layout of the school building and began connecting with fellow classmates. They finished their first day with a pep rally that featured many festive games and activities.
 
Kai and Josey smiled in Scott’s main hallway as they talked about their experiences. The Cavett Elementary School alumni both said they were a little nervous when they walked into the building, but those fears were erased soon after the opening bell.
 
“It was very fun,” Kai said. “All the teachers made me feel very welcome, and I loved the pep rally. It was very exciting.”
 
“I think everyone was really nice,” Josey said. “I had all really nice teachers, and all my subjects are going to be really fun. It’s going to be a lot better than I thought.”
 
Jesse Tvrdy shared that positive outlook as she wrapped up her first school day as Scott’s new principal. She said it was a good feeling to watch students enjoy being together in their classrooms.
 
“To be able to open the doors first day, have kids come in and feel that teachers are excited, ready and know what the work is, to me, it was a big sigh of relief and a feeling of, ‘Now the work can start,’” Tvrdy said. “I think it’s just the beginning of the journey, and it feels good just to get going and get started.”
 
Tvrdy has held either principal or assistant principal positions in Nebraska, Iowa and California during her 22-year educational career. The University of Nebraska-Lincoln graduate spent the past two years as field director of Green Hills Area Education Agency in Iowa, where she advised and mentored principals from 13 school districts.
 
Tvrdy said she has been impressed with everything she has seen from her first few weeks at Lincoln Public Schools. She met with 67 staff members from Scott over the summer to learn about their thoughts and goals. She said those conversations will pay major dividends for everyone in the building.
 
“Everything I’ve asked, whether it’s coverage for a class, we need someone to move a classroom, we need someone to take a leadership role, there’s been a ‘Yes, where can I do it?’ in every direction we’ve looked,” Tvrdy said. “It’s something that’s incredible. I hope that as building principal, I can continue to be able to cultivate that, and that shared leadership and accountability just continues to grow in every position in our school, from our students all the way up to our administrators.”
 
Members of Scott’s counseling team have planned the first day of school for sixth graders for the past several years. They noticed that the 2024-29 LPS Strategic Plan included a section on student wellbeing and outcomes, and they also realized the updated 2024-25 school calendar created extended time for students on the first day. They felt a pep rally would be a perfect way to provide encouragement for them during those extra minutes.
 
“They said, ‘How do we build community?’ And what better way than to get to know those teachers and break down those barriers between adults and students, and be able to have the kids see each other?” Tvrdy said. “We are the sixth grade of Scott. They’re coming from three to four or maybe even more elementary schools throughout the district, so they got to end the day seeing each other as the Class of 2031.”
 
Band teachers played “Sweet Caroline” as students walked into the cafeteria for the pep rally, and a teacher wearing an inflatable Stars mascot costume gave them high-fives at their tables. Members of each school advisory group presented cheers to their classmates, and students and teachers took part in several games together near the stage.
 
Josey felt the first-time pep rally was full of five-star moments for everyone.
 
“I thought it was really fun,” Josey said. “I thought it was cool that they just started doing this.”
 
Kai said the pep rally reinforced the uplifting mindset he has about middle school. He felt there would be many new opportunities for him during sixth grade.
 
“I’m most excited for the independence that you get, like having to figure out what classes you have and what you need,” Kai said.
 
Tvrdy said she felt honored to help lead students like Kai and Josey. She said her top goal is to ensure everyone has supernova-level days at Scott.
 
“When I came, I met the staff, I interviewed, and I learned the All Means All (LPS mission statement), which to me is something that rings true to my heart,” Tvrdy said. “We have to help our gifted students, we have to help our students that have those learning gaps, and we have to be able to be there for every student that walks in the door, no matter what their need is, whether it’s socially, emotionally or academically.
 
“To me, I feel that LPS has thought about all of those components and added supports in place, and the staff here has been all on board.”
 
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