U.S. Secretary of Education Visits Bryan High

U.S. Department of Education Secretary Miguel Cardona, Ed.D., visited Omaha Public Schools and Bryan High School: "I chose to come to this school...because you do it right." See more on Secretary Cardona's visit.

School Counselors Help Students Achieve Success

If you ask a group of students what their school counselor does, the answer might be different for each.

At our elementary schools, you’ll find school counselors guiding students on things like kindness, gratitude and respect. They’re also helping students with academic support and problem-solving, developing the skills outlined in our Portrait of a Graduate.

“Counselors use age-appropriate activities to develop students’ skills,” said Jenn Bernard Walker, Omaha Public Schools school counseling lead. "These activities and services help students develop the mindsets and behaviors for success and improve their achievement, attendance and discipline.” 

High school students, like Bryan High senior Daniela Garcia-Mejia, work with school counselors to develop goals for success in college, career and life. Garcia-Mejia wants to be a nurse. She says her guidance counselor helped her get there.

“She took me on several college visits, and it inspired me, even more, to go into nursing,” said Garcia-Mejia. “She also helped me enroll at the Career Center to obtain my CNA license before graduation.”

Bryan High senior Uriel Vargas worked with his counselor to plan for college. 

“My counselor gave me recommendations on what colleges to apply for based on my degree of interest,” said Vargas. “She also talked to me and my dad about scholarship opportunities to help me attend the university of my choice.” 

With his counselor’s help, Vargas is on track to attend the University of Nebraska Omaha and study psychology next year. 

At Omaha Public Schools, approximately 170 counselors support the more than 52,000 students we serve.

“One of the most exciting parts of my job is assisting students with postsecondary planning," said Bryan High counselor Mark Nissen. “It really is invigorating to accompany students as they transition from high school to college, military or the workforce.” 

Our district celebrated the unique contributions of our school counselors during National School Counseling Week, which takes place the first full week in February.

Approval of the Report of the Legislative Committee Including Recommended Legislative Positions

The Board Legislative Committee updated the Board regarding where bills are currently in the Nebraska Legislature.

The committee provided recommendations for bills based on their potential impact on Omaha Public Schools. The Board approved the recommended positions.

The Board Legislative Committee will continue to monitor bills and will review any adjustments. As adjustments to bills are made, the Omaha Public Schools position may also change.

Common Sense Education

Young people are constantly navigating tricky situations in digital life, which don't always have clear right or wrong answers. Use Common Sense Education's Digital Dilemmas to help middle and high school students determine realistic action steps to address the online challenges they face in everyday life. Digital dilemmas teach the skills and dispositions of slowing down, seeking facts, thinking critically, empathizing and perspective-taking.

Use these Microsoft Word templates and teach thinking routines to address digital dilemmas in your classroom today.

• Feelings and Options
• Take a Stand

What an incredible teacher, mentor and leader. That's right, Castelar Elementary's #30WaysToSayYay winner this week hits all the right notes. Her students love her and we would be lost without her. Congrats Mrs. Lallman. You deserve all the accolades and more.

Congratulations to Ms. Sadler, Spring Lake Elementary's #30WaysToSayYay winner! She is loved by students and staff and is always so positive and helpful. Way to go, Ms. Sadler!

Mr. Lienemann was selected as the #30WaysToSayYay winner for King Science & Technology Middle! “Bringing the love of music to students. Students gather in the morning and after school to get more practice and there is always joy and harmony coming from the room."

Receive $25 When You Fill Out Your Personal Health Assessment

Don't wait! You can receive a $25 VISA gift card by completing the Personal Health Assessment (PHA) offered by the EHA Wellness Program! It’s easy to do, log onto your EHA Wellness account at  www.ehawellness.org and click the “Take Now” button on the PHA tile to get started.

You will also receive a detailed report on your current health status and information to help make changes. Please complete the PHA by Feb. 28, at 6 p.m. Central Time to be eligible to receive the $25 VISA gift card.

If you have any questions, contact EHA Wellness. If you have already completed the survey, thank you for participating!

Opportunity for Teachers Interested in Professional Growth

Omaha Public Schools would like to support your continual learning by offering graduate-level courses based on your interests and needs. Complete the form by Feb. 28.

Employee Discounts

Discounts from local businesses for Omaha Public Schools staff can be found in OneOPS. Check the webpage for available discounts.

Available Summer Classified Positions

The following classified positions are open and ready for you to apply!

• Summer paraprofessional
• Summer office personnel
• Summer bilingual liaison
• Summer security

Next Level Learning Application

If you need password assistance, please call the Applicant Support Line at (877) 974-7437.

Attention Aspiring Omaha Public Schools Leaders!

Are you interested in learning more about leadership opportunities in Omaha Public Schools? Do you want to develop your leadership skills in a program focused on our Omaha Public Schools community? Consider one of our Leadership Development programs. Applications for iLEAD, LAUNCH and bilingual leaders will open soon. Please contact Kanyon Chism with any questions.

Download the 'Attention Aspiring Leaders' flyer

Teacher Advanced Academy

Omaha Public Schools is partnering with UNO to provide opportunities for teachers to earn credentials that allow them to teach dual credit classes. Priority will be given to high school teachers in the areas of ELA, mathematics, science, social studies and finance.

Classes start in the summer of 2023. If you are interested in learning more, please complete this form by Feb. 27. Contact LaTasha Muhammad with additional questions.

Download the 'Teacher Advanced Academy' flyer

Online W-2s Available

Omaha Public Schools delivers secure access to your W-2 tax forms online. This will provide you with a convenient opportunity to retrieve your year-end tax information. The process only takes a few minutes to complete. Download this document for step-by-step instructions.

Find archived articles in these past editions

Feb. 6 - Jan. 30 - Jan. 23 - Jan. 17 - Jan. 9

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