Editorials 

From Specialized Support to Enrichment: ESU 13 Enhances Panhandle Student Education

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By Dr. Laura Barrett

ESU 13

All the school districts in the Nebraska Panhandle are dedicated to providing high-quality education to the students in their schools. Educational Service Unit 13 (ESU 13) is proud to provide a diverse array of educational programs designed to enrich the learning experiences of students in western Nebraska, including specialized student programs and engaging enrichment opportunities.

Our Student Programs

Occasionally, a school district may need to find specialized services that aren’t available within their traditional setting. ESU 13 has a long history of providing specialized student programs to meet the needs of students.

  • Meridian School serves students ages 5-21 with disabilities as a Level 3 educational placement. Each student receives personalized support tailored to their unique abilities and goals, including services in communication, social skills, and vocational training.

  • LifeLink Nebraska, located on the Western Nebraska Community College (WNCC) campus, assists students aged 18-21 in achieving their Individualized Education Plan (IEP) transition goals. The program emphasizes employment, education, and independent living through real-world experiences like job shadows and community-based employment. Students develop essential skills for post-secondary opportunities, including job readiness and financial literacy.

  • The Valley Alternative Learning Transitioning School (VALTS) offers a curriculum aligned with state standards using alternative delivery methods. It includes career-oriented courses in Science, Social Studies, Math, and English, while emphasizing socialization, job skills training, and problem-solving.

  • Panhandle Beginnings Day Treatment provides therapeutic and educational services for youth in grades 3-8 with intensive emotional and behavioral needs. It is part of a continuum of care that includes mental health professionals to support youth in functioning more independently within the community.

  • ESU 13 Head Start offers early care and education for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years. Utilizing the Creative Curriculum, the program promotes learning through play and exploration, conducting assessments to understand each child’s strengths and developmental progress. Strong family partnerships are emphasized to ensure positive outcomes for children.

Enrichment Programs

In addition to full-time student programs, ESU 13 staff collaborate with community partners to provide various enrichment programs for students throughout the panhandle.

  • Kindergarteners “Trip Through Time,” is a history-based exploration in partnership with the Legacy of the Plains Museum comparing everyday items and events from the past to the present.

  • Fourth graders can choose from several options, including “Flowerfield” at Banner County Museum, which immerses them in the life of an 1888 one-room schoolhouse, “Tools and Technology Through Time” at Legacy of the Plains Museum, which compares historical and modern tools and tasks and “Natural Resource Day” on May 4th offers a science-based exploration of natural resources at the Lodgepole Youth Camp in Sidney.

  • Fifth graders can participate in “WET (Water Education for Tomorrow)” at North Platte NRD, focusing on water-related science.

  • Sixth graders explore tree-related science in “Branch Out” at Wildcat Hills Nature Center.

  • For students in grades 6-12, the Panhandle Regional Science Fair encourages participants to showcase projects emphasizing scientific or engineering principles.

The Special Education Department at ESU 13 also organizes various student-centered events to support the transition into adulthood, focusing on self-awareness, vocational skills, and advocacy.

  • Transition assessment days provide valuable insights for students and teachers, helping identify strengths and areas for growth.

  • The Job Expo, in collaboration with Vocational Rehabilitation, connects students with local employers and service providers to explore potential careers.

  • Strengths and Advocacy events for middle school students encourage self-awareness and confidence, laying the groundwork for future success.

As we are fully immersed in the 2024-25 school year, ESU 13 is excited to be able to continue to provide these student programs and experiences to students throughout the panhandle. We are grateful for the partnerships we have that help make these programs and events successful.