11/18/20

Omaha Public Schools Community,

From our layers of precautions to the pioneering OPS PROTECTS testing program, Omaha Public Schools makes each decision with health and safety at the forefront.

With that in mind, Omaha Public Schools will begin the second semester of this school year with a phased return to in-person. Staff will teach from their classroom and students will start the semester as scheduled on Tuesday, Jan. 5 using their district-provided device from home.

The Remote Learning Program will remain an option for students who wish to continue learning full-time from home during the second semester. Please look for additional information to come.

In-person instruction will continue with the Family 3/2 Model in the weeks that follow Jan. 19. At this time, there are no district-wide changes to our instructional model between now and winter break.

We know students learn best in-person. We are also working closely with public health leaders and medical experts for the health, safety and well-being of everyone in our school communities. This phased return in-person at the start of second semester will limit traffic on-site and allow students and families to return to their routine following an extended winter break.

Of course, health conditions have and continue to evolve rapidly. If adjustments are needed, we will update staff and families directly, with as much advance notice as possible.

Omaha Public Schools has been a local and national leader in safety measures to protect our students, staff and families. Daily measures like face coverings and enhanced disinfecting, limiting groups through our Family 3/2 Instructional Model, our own contact tracing team trained on county health procedures, proactive testing for staff and the new OPS PROTECTS program all reflect our relentless focus on the health of our district community.

The OPS PROTECTS program is a partnership with the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), Nebraska Medicine and OneWorld Community Health Centers to provide regular, proactive, saliva-based testing for COVID-19. The pilot program began at Marrs Middle School, Norris Middle School and Bryan High School. After a successful launch, OPS PROTECTS will now expand to include King Science Middle School, McMillan Middle School and Northwest High School.

In addition to saliva testing, crews will test high-touch surfaces, air and wastewater samples weekly at each location. These additional tests will provide a more complete picture of where COVID-19 may be present and best allow our district staff to respond.

This program was developed in a way that will allow expansion throughout Omaha Public Schools. The goal is to eventually offer this opportunity at all of our schools.

To learn more about the OPS PROTECTS program, visit the FAQ page on our website or watch the video below.

Families, here is a copy of the 2020-21 school year calendar, updated Nov. 11. There are two important items for you to plan:

For the health and safety of everyone in our school communities, we ask that if families gather in large groups with others outside their home over the holiday, or travel during the break, their student learn remotely for the two following weeks.

Schools will not be in session Nov. 25-27 for Thanksgiving Recess. The Omaha Public Schools Nutrition Services team remains committed to preparing and distributing meals for students.

Visit our website to learn more about Meals2Go.

This coming week, the Douglas County Health Department (DCHD) will host a series of free community flu clinics. The clinics will provide flu shots to individuals 19 years old and older regardless of insurance status and are a joint effort involving DCHD, Charles Drew Health Center and North Omaha Area Health (NOAH).

With the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, it is more important than ever for individuals six months and older to get a flu shot. The public health and health care communities are concerned about the possibility of complications should individuals get the flu in combination with COVID-19.

The flu vaccine will also help keep people out of the hospital and reduce stress on our already challenged health care system. The flu shot remains your best protection against seasonal influenza.

Times and dates of the clinics are below:

Coronavirus testing is available for adults and children with symptoms at OneWorld Community Health Centers. Testing is done at our South Omaha location. To make an appointment, please call (402) 734-4110.

You do not need to be a OneWorld Community patient to be tested.

OneWorld’s school-based health centers are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. for immunizations, wellness visits, minor injuries and physicals. Personal counseling is also available. Omaha Public Schools students and staff are welcome.

Visits for those with flu or coronavirus symptoms will be conducted by tele-health.

School-based clinics are located at:

Appointments are also available at the OneWorld Teen clinics and South, West, Northwest and Bellevue locations. To make an appointment, please call (402) 734-4110. For dental care, please call (402) 932-7204.

Contact Student Information Services at SIS@ops.org for:

Contact the Student Placement Office at StudentPlacement@ops.org​ for:

Contact Human Resources at HRInfo@ops.org for:

For health and safety related questions, please contact info@ops.org.

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