April 2026 Americanism Hearing Minutes
Americanism Hearing Minutes, April 15, 2026
The Americanism Hearing was opened at 6:30 p.m. at the Elgin Public Schools Board Room. Present members of the Americanism Committee were Lisa Welding, Ron Bode, Luke Hinkle, and Mr. Brockhaus. Also in attendance were Grades 4-6 Social Studies teacher Mr. Ostransky and Grades 7-12 Social Studies teacher Mr. Callahan. The Hearing was closed at 6:46 p.m.
The committee discussed the previous meeting minutes from the November 12, 2025 meeting and also reviewed the Americanism Policy which includes having a fall meeting and a spring hearing. Mr. Ostransky and Mr. Callahan then presented their information on the activities and discussions they have in their respective Social Studies classes and the information is as follows:
Mr. Ostransky: September 11 Lesson and its effects on all parts of American society, including the military and the students interviewing grandparents about that day. The following days are discussed and celebrated: Columbus Day and how that has changed over the years; Veterans Day and Memorial Day and the differences and similarities; Thanksgiving Day from the Native American’s perspective and the colonial people’s perspective; President’s Day and the various individual Presidents and their birthdays; the American Revolution and the founding documents of the United States such as the Articles of Confederation, the Constitution, and Bill of Rights; discussions on the various Native American Tribes in Nebraska; Nebraska pioneer activities such as making ice cream and butter; a lesson on the Underground Railroad; the Fifth Grade students put and take down the American Flag and Nebraska Flag each day at school and fold it correctly; and MLK, Jr and Malcolm X will be discussed and celebrated along with their accomplishments during the Civil Rights Movement; the students create a Civil War Timeline and discuss the lasting effects of the Civil War and the Civil Rights Movement; World War I and how its lasting effects lead into World War II and Pearl Harbor and the U.S. involvement in World War II.
Mr. Callahan: Origins of the National Anthem and why it is performed at sporting events and other various events; current events are discussed each week and how these events affect the U.S. in the overall global scene as well as how they affect us here in Nebraska; President’s Day, various historical anniversaries and other events are discussed and celebrated; discussions on the Founding Documents of the U.S. such as the Bill of Rights, Declaration of Independence, etc.; the 8th Graders and Juniors take the U.S. Citizenship test, which is coming up soon; the Branches of Government; U.S. Supreme Court cases and how they mold domestic and foreign policy as well as affect us in Nebraska; the Great Depression, its causes, how it was resolved, and could it happen again?; the time period of industrialization and labor movements; Civil Rights Movement and how it affected and changed music and literature; immigration in the early periods of the U.S. and now; and the students attend the Nebraska Forum which used to be the Capitol Forum.