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About Us

What's happening at PCS?

District

Accreditation through NCA AdvancED. Healthy Schools Programs in all buildings. A rural community and schools along Highway 75 that are within 10 minutes of Bellevue and 20 minutes of Omaha.

Early Childhood

Plattsmouth Community Schools offers several early childhood programs for 3-4 year olds. All classrooms provide a literacy rich environment for early learning experiences. All programs implement the Creative Curriculum for instruction, to monitor progress and to share information with parents. The early childhood programs focus on the whole child. Developmentally appropriate activities facilitate growth and development in social, language, problem solving and motor skills. Health and nutrition are embedded in the early childhood curriculum as well as in the family services component. Parent involvement is an integral part of early childhood programming. There are a variety of opportunities for parents to participate in their child’s education (e.g., volunteering in the classroom, supporting learning activities at home, serving on a parent committee, becoming a member of the policy council). Information to support parenting is available.

Elementary

Plattsmouth Elementary School houses approximately 600 students, grades K-4, in a facility completed in 1996. The building is arranged in pods or learning communities. The elementary school program is based on the belief that education is a cooperative effort that requires strong support between the family, the community, and the school. Regular academic areas are taught by highly-qualified teachers. Students also receive instruction from full-time staff members specializing in the areas of music, art, physical education, special education, Title I and reading, counseling, library/media and computer education. Special features of the elementary school include: full-day kindergarten, research-based instructional programs, fully equipped media center, gymnasium, computer lab and classroom technology, and modern playground areas. 

District Map

First page of the PDF file: PCSDistrictBoundariesMap_2009_03_30

Middle School

Plattsmouth Community Middle School (PCMS) is a 5-8 building serving the educational needs of roughly 500 students. The approximately 60-member staff is committed to providing a positive school experience. Students receive a balanced curriculum of math, reading, science, social studies, physical education, health, and technology. They are also offered electives.
Teachers worked in Professional Learning Communities (PLC's) to identify exactly what students need to know and be able to do. These essential outcomes are directly aligned with state and national standards and guide the curriculum, working to ensure a scope and sequence of concepts and skills taught. Teachers monitor learning through Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) test and other district assessments. Many extra-curricular activities are available related to sports, leadership, civic engagement and other areas of student interest.

High School

The educational program at Plattsmouth High School is comprehensive and is designed to meet the diverse needs of all students. More than 130 courses provide choices for 490 students. Honors and advanced placement courses are offered for college-bound students along with courses to prepare students for trade and technical employment. Students have many opportunities to explore career fields through a Wall-to-Wall Career Academies program. Starting in their freshman year, students explore their interests and skills and select one of three career-related academies to explore. Instruction all classes, including math, reading, and science, is related to careers in the academy grouping. Students complete a portfolio and capstone project at the end of their four years to highlight what they have learned through coursework, internships, work-study programs, and partnerships with local businessmen and businesswomen.  A well-developed guidance program assists students with career planning. The high school building was completed in 1996. It provides a 600-seat auditorium, a one-to-one computer program, two gymnasiums, and an industrial technology lab. In addition to the regular high school program, a PAL program offers courses to students needing alternative instructional programs and supports to ensure success. In 2010 Plattsmouth High School was the first in Nebraska to be a High School of Business and a Healthy Schools silver award winner. PHS was also awarded one of six Nebraska Innovation Grants for developing its career academy model. In 2018, it was awarded the Rule 57 School of the Year award by the Nebraska Department of Education.

History

The first Plattsmouth school supported by public funds was established in 1857, by Mr. and Mrs. J.P. Gorrell. The first public Board of Education was elected in Plattsmouth, in 1868.

Since that time, the District has experienced numerous changes relative to early childhood, elementary, middle school, and high school programs. Since 1999, PK-12 enrollment has increased from 1670 students to approximately 1700 students.

In 2010, over $600,000 of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds were used for construction of a 10,000 square foot addition to expand our elementary school. Nearly $1.5 million of Build America Bonds (BABs) were used for several projects including installation of an elevator at our early childhood center to make it more handicap-accessible.

BABs were also used to purchase the former A & M Green Power John Deere building located adjacent to the high school. The building was converted to the Plattsmouth Academic Curriculum and Equipment (PACE) Complex. It will allow us to expand our vocational education programs for students, as well our General Educational Development (GED) program.

District leaders also demonstrated foresight and used BABs for the purchase of seven acres of vacant land adjacent to the PACE Complex. The District is exploring future construction of a proposed middle school. As growth continues in Plattsmouth, enrollment is likely to increase and necessitate expansion in the coming years.

History of the Blue Devil

During World War I the Chasseurs Alpins, nicknamed "les Diables Bleus," were well known French soldiers. They first gained attention when their unique training and alpine knowledge was counted upon to break the stalemate of trench warfare in their native region of the French Alps. Unfortunately the Vosges Campaign in March, 1915, failed to alter the status quo even though the Blue Devils won accolades for their courage. However, their distinctive blue uniform with flowing cape and jaunty beret captured public imagination. When the United States entered the war, units of the French Blue Devils toured the country helping raise money in the war effort. Irving Berlin captured their spirit in song describing them as "strong and active, most attractive . . . those Devils, the Blue Devils of France."
A New Interpretation of Dukes Mascot

As the war was ending in Europe, the Trinity College Board of Trustees lifted its quarter-century ban of football on campus. After playing an intramural class schedule for one year, Trinity began intercollegiate competition in 1920. That first year the traditional nomenclature of the Trinity Eleven, the Blue and White or the Methodists (as opposed to the Baptists of nearby Wake Forest) described the team. In September, 1921, the student newspaper, the Trinity Chronicle, launched a campaign for a "catchy name, one of our own possession that would be instantly recognizable nationwide in songs, yells and publicity." At a campus pep rally to stir up enthusiasm it was pointed out that Georgia Tech was gaining recognition as the "Golden Tornados" and that rival North Carolina State College had recently adopted the name "Wolf Pack." There were numerous nominations including Catamounts, Grizzlies, Badgers, Dreadnaughts, and Captains which was in honor of the well-liked Coach W. W. "Cap" Card. Believing a choice utilizing the school colors of dark blue and white to be appropriate, the newspaper editors urged a selection from among the nominations of Blue Titans, Blue Eagles, Polar Bears, Blue Devils, Royal Blazes, or Blue Warriors. None of the nominations won strong favor but Blue Devils apparently had enough support to elicit the criticism that it would arouse opposition on the Methodist campus "for obvious reasons," and that it might prove risky and jeopardize football if a controversial name were used at that particular time. The football season passed with no official selection of a name.

As the campus leaders from the Class of 1923 made plans for their senior year, they decided to select a name since the desired results by democratic nomination and vote had been inconclusive. The editors of The Archive and The Chanticleer, two of the other student publications, agreed that the newspaper staff should choose a name and "put it over." Thus William H. Lander, as editor-in-chief, and Mike Bradshaw, as managing editor, of the Trinity Chronicle began the academic year 1922-23 referring to the athletic teams as the Blue Devils. Their class had been the first post-war freshmen and the student body was full of returning veterans so the name needed no explanation. Acknowledging that it was somewhat unpopular, they nevertheless believed it to be the best name nominated.

Neither the college press nor the cheerleaders used the name that first year. In fact, The Chanticleer made fun of the selection and process by quoting someone saying "We will use blew devvies even if no one else does." Much to the editor's surprise no opposition materialized, not even from the college administration. The Chronicle staff continued its use and through repetition, Blue Devils eventually caught on. Today the origin of the university mascot is virtually forgotten even though its instant, national recognition has long been established. With the popular Red Devil mascot frequently being challenged throughout the country, the origin of Duke's Blue Devil is one of the most often requested items of information in the University Archives. Questioners are universally surprised to discover its origin is more military and patriotic than religious.

Accreditation

Accreditation - Rule 10, Regulations and Procedures for the Accreditation of Schools.Accredited schools must comply with 92 NAC 10, the rules and regulations which govern standards and procedures for the accreditation of all public schools and any nonpublic schools that request state accreditation. Districts/schools may also choose to be accredited by the AdvancED/North Central Association (NCA) accrediting body.

The Plattsmouth Community School District uses The Nebraska Framework model for accreditation and school improvement.

Nebraska Framework Model