The Omaha Public Schools prepares all students to excel in college, career and life.
Dear OPS Community:

When we started this journey together five years ago, I could not have imagined the amount of progress we would accomplish together. Within this past year alone, the district has celebrated numerous accomplishments - one of the most notable is the passage of the Phase 2 bond with a more than 67 percent approval. For the second time in a row, you, the voters, have stepped up to show their overwhelming support for the success of the Omaha Public Schools.

Our students have achieved great success this year, proudly representing the district in various arenas. A handful of our points of pride from the 2017-2018 school year include the following:

  • Continued gains in academic achievement, including successes at some of our historically lowest achieving schools.
  • Consistent reduction in the academic achievement gap.
  • Three of our high school seniors, Eric Polerecky and Simon Schoenbeck of Central High School and Kamryn Pullen of North High Magnet School were selected as National Merit Finalists for the 2018 National Merit Scholarship Program.
  • Burke and South High Magnet School seniors, Tristen Sims and Steven Silgado were recognized as National Hispanic Scholars.
  • The North High Magnet School football varsity team defeated Kearney Bearcats 27-20 in the Class A state championship game at Lincoln Memorial Stadium.
  • Dundee Elementary School was selected as a National Blue Ribbon School, one of a handful of schools in the state to receive this coveted designation.
  • Benson High Magnet School's Trey Foose earned recognition at Nationals in the Personal Financial Literacy category.
  • Bryan High School was awarded model status for its Urban Agriculture Career Academy.
  • Fifteen of our teachers were recognized as Alice Buffett Teachers of the Year, and
  • Northwest High Magnet teacher Rachael Arens was selected as one of three 2018 Award of Excellence Winners by the Nebraska Department of Education Commissioner's Office.

The students and staff of this district have earned countless achievements this school year. This is a brief snapshot of those accomplishments. These pride points reflect the level of commitment, talent and dedication this district is lucky enough to possess in our educators and the staff who support our students daily.

On July 1, I'll officially pass the baton on to incoming superintendent, Dr. Cheryl Logan. For the past several months during her transition into this role, we've had the opportunity to work closely together. The Board of Education could not have selected a more capable, talented leader. Omaha has plenty of continued progress and successes to look forward to.

As my time here winds down here at OPS, I often reflect on how genuinely fortunate I have been to work within a community that understands, invests in and supports the intrinsic value great public education offers our students, our community and our collective futures. Not many of my colleagues around the country can boast a similar level of support. Omaha is certainly fortunate.

Thank you, Omaha community, for everything you've done to help our students shine.

Sincerely,

Mark Evans, Superintendent
Omaha Public Schools
Keeping kids safe, happy and engaged over the summer break can sometimes be a challenge for parents and caregivers. What to do, what to do?  Well, we've researched some of the latest free activities for young people to do in the Omaha area this summer. Check these out:
Community Celebrations

June 8-10
 
July 3-4
 
July 28-29
 
August 25
Family Fishing Events
 
June 6
6-8 p.m.
 
June 21
6-8 p.m.
 
July 17, 2018
6-8 p.m.
Hydrant Parties
 

Friday, June 15
78th and Hascall – noon to 1 p.m.
50th and C – 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
50th and M St. – 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
 
Wednesday, June 20
4606 Terrace Drive – noon to 1 p.m.
2412 Whitmore – 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
27th and Kansas – 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
 
Friday, June 22
22nd and Woolworth – noon to 1 p.m.
20th and U St. – 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
29th and T St. – 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
 
Wednesday, June 27
137th and Atwood Ave. – noon to 1 p.m.
19713 Woolworth – 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
1701 Veterans Drive – 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
 
Friday, June 29
4606 Terrace Drive – noon to 1 p.m.
35th and Ames – 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
61st and Spencer – 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Keeping Kids Engaged and
Learning Over the Summer

by Kala Morrissey, District Communications' Staff

Keeping kids engaged in learning over the summer months not only helps them to grow academically but also can cut down on the summer slide, a student’s regression of achievement gains made throughout the school year. Parent support is crucial in a child’s academic success. You don’t have to hunt down worksheets or other ways for students to stay engaged. There are many simple ways that parents can continue their students' learning while making sure they are having fun.

Here are some tips to keep kids engaged over the summer:

  • Read with your student every day. It can be a book, the newspaper or a magazine. Talk about what you read. This will help students enhance their vocabulary and comprehension.
  • Have students complete math problems using everyday tasks. Have your child measure ingredients while cooking, play math centered games or have your child count out change when paying for an item at the store.
  • Go on family field trips. Visit a museum, historical site, park or zoo. Stop at information markers. These places give students the opportunity to learn about history while working on their reading and comprehension.
  • Tour the world - from the comfort of your home. Use an atlas, globe or online map to pick a place. Spend time as a family learning more about the location. Research the culture, customs, music, food and historical places. You could even try your hand at making some of the traditional food from that country.
  • Educational Apps are a great way for students to stay engaged during long car rides or on rainy days.
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To see the Top 10 “Easy Summer Learning Tips for Parents” from the National Summer Learning Association, click here. Follow the District social media pages for more great tips throughout the summer.
RAD WOMEN OF OMAHA

Blackburn Alternative students spent a semester researching the lives of 36 outstanding women of Omaha and created artwork of them to display at the Omaha Design Center in downtown Omaha. These are women students considered to be positive change makers. Among them are Omaha Fire Chief, Kathy Bossman, entrepreneur, Susie Buffett and the district's own Superintendent, Dr. Cheryl Logan. The display will be housed at the Teacher Administrative Center (3215 Cuming St.) over the summer. The community can view the display between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., daily.

The project aimed to inspire students to understand there are no limitations to what they can achieve with determination and hard work.
Scholastic Summer Reading Program
Kicks Off at Conestoga Elementary
Thanks to the Scholastic "My Summer Book Bag Project," the Omaha Public Schools gave each of its 4,141 plus kindergartners a bag of books to read at home during summer break. Conestoga held an event to help kick off the week-long event. Superintendent Mark Evans is seen reading to the students, who later received a surprise visit from Clifford the Dog. Books were provided through a grant from the Sherwood Foundation.

This is the second year Scholastic has provided books to OPS students, which encourages young people to read over the summer to help maintain reading skills learned during the school year.
OPS Executive Director of
Community, Schools and Family Engagement is a
2018-2019
Broad Academy Cohort
Executive Director of Community, Schools and Family Engagement, Lisa Utterback has joined 19 other respected K-12 leaders from across the nation in The Broad Academy - the most prominent professional development program for aspiring and current urban school-system leaders.

The two-year Broad Academy program - which is operated by The Broad Center - states that it supports passionate, proven leaders who are deeply focused on excellence and equity for every student and family they serve.

"As diverse as our Academy fellows' personal backgrounds have been, so too are their personal beliefs about the best ways to achieve true excellence and equity in public education,' said Hoa Truong, managing director of The Broad Academy. "The
opportunity and ability to listen to and learn from those with different perspectives push us all to be better at what we do."
-www.broadcenter.org

2018 Alice Buffett Outstanding Teacher Award Winners
Congratulations to the following 2018 Alice Buffett Teacher Award Winners: Rachael Arens, S. Hakan Armagan, Penny Eastwood, Jimmie Foster, Colleen Kurmel, Laura Marr, Jodie Martinez, Debbie Oshlo, Durkhany Prososki, Ana Rivera, Danielle Rowe, Rose Ryberg, Nicholas Spath, John Urbanski and Gregory Verranault. Winners are featured with Superintendent Mark Evans (far left) and Warren Buffett (far right).

"In a wide variety of ways, each outstanding teacher is respected and admired by students, parents and peers. Each one goes to extraordinary lengths to encourage and stimulate out childrens' interests in numerous subjects and skills. Each one shows incredible energy over the school day - a day that often extends into the evening and weekend. As a group, they are among our most important resources for the future. We cannot support and applaud them enough."
-Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation (OWH 5/13/18 edition)
Four Field Club Elementary Teachers Show Students the School's
"No Excuses" University Model Applies to Them as Well

"Thank you for your ongoing commitment to professional growth and learning. You are excellent role models to our Field Club Family as you continue to climb the college ladder to further your education. Your professional knowledge and expertise makes us stronger. We are so proud of your accomplishment!" -Field Club Assistant Principal Valerie Varas
Caitlin Armstrong and
Kristine Bielenberg both received a master's degree in literacy from the University of Nebraska at Omaha.
Allison Rickers received a
master's degree in curriculum
and instruction from Peru State
College.
Jill Parkert, received
master's degree in school
counseling from Wayne
State College.
ESL Teacher of the Month
Gomez Heritage Elementary teacher Maira Guzman was selected as the April ESL Teacher of the Month by DualLanguageSchools.org.

"The mission of Dual Language Schools is to help teachers, parents and advocates help students achieve bi-literacy through dual language immersion by:

  • Encouraging the establishment of more dual language schools and programs to educate our students.
  • Helping parents choose and connect with the right dual language programs for their children, and
  • Facilitating communication between dual language schools, parents and community."
-duallanguageschools.org
 
Guzman teaches fourth grade ESL at Gomez.
 
To see the online tribute, click here.
OPS Continues to Make Strides in its Green Efforts
The May 2018 Green Data Sheets indicate the district is continuing to make strides in its efforts to reduce natural resources and embed environmental responsibility into the culture of the district by achieving the following:

  • $11.6 million dollars saved in energy, waste and recycling costs
  • 140,500 cubic yards of material recycled
  • 111,500 metric tons of emissions avoided
  • 22 point increase in the District Energy Star Rating

For more information regarding the district's green efforts, contact Jim Skrobo at james.skrobo@ops.org.
At the Board of Education meeting, the Board approved the budget reduction recommendations and the reduction in force.

The budget cut recommendations impact staffing at central office by   cutting 19 percent of the general funded central office   staff . Impacted certificated employees were informed their positions could be eliminated prior to the statutorily required April 15 deadline. Classified employees included in the cuts were also informed of the potential impact to their roles. Human Resources is working to place impacted employees into other vacant roles around the district, where possible. 

Current impact to the district is the reduction of approximately 180 positions across the district, including:
  • 21 SSL positions – note that 4 are currently vacant. All staff to be reassigned to vacant teacher positions in district.
  • 1 central office Lead Teacher – staff member will be reassigned to another vacant teacher position in district.
  • 59 central office positions – 27 are currently vacant.
  • 100 vacant paraprofessional positions across the district will be eliminated from the rolls.

To view the presentation of the approved recommended cuts,  click here.
Next Steps in the Budget Process
Throughout the summer, staff adjustments and realignments needed to implement the cuts this fall will take place. In August, the District will receive its assessed property valuation certification and the board will hold a budget workshop. In September, the Board will hold a Budget hearing to adopt the district budget
Gomez Heritage Elementary Receives Donation from
Boys and Girls Club

Boys & Girls Club director Francisco Fuentes and students Diana, Kenya and Bella (seen far right) presented Gomez Heritage Elementary Principal John Campin with a check for $500 to put towards the school's goal of $47,000 it needs to start work on its soccer field. Students held a variety of events to raise the money.

Anyone wishing to donate can write a check to the Omaha Public Schools Foundation (put Gomez Soccer Field in the memo) and send it to John Campin or Toba Cohen-Dunning at OPSF. Online donations can be made by going to https://omahapublicschoolsfoundation.org/gomez-soccer/ .
Spring Lake Magnet and
Prairie STEM Team Up

Spring Lake Magnet students receive extra help in core subjects and learn program- ming skills thanks to a collaboration with Prairie STEM and a grant from the Sherwood Foundation. Pictured are students using robotics to learn how to calculate the amount of change they would receive after paying to go through a toll booth. Instructor for the class was Pamela Galus of Prairie STEM and UNO student Di-Ren Chan (seen on the far left).

"Prairie STEM’s model combines the rigor and innovation of instructional leadership programs with authentic community partnerships and family engagement to transform regional economies through the talent development of all urban and rural students. This effort will cause for old paradigms to die. Transformational system-wide reforms will be needed which are driven by the needs of the future economy." -www.prairiestem.org
J.P. Lord Holds Open House and
Art Awards Ceremony

J.P. Lord held an open house for students, their families and special guests on May 22. Lunch was served at 11:30 a.m. followed by an awards ceremony at noon. Sen. Sara Howard was on hand to present certificates to students whose artwork hung in her office throughout this year's unicameral session. Her mother, former Sen. Gwen Howard, was also in attendance. Students whose artwork was featured on a billboard during Youth Art Month also received awards. Pictured is student Yamana Chino-Carrazco with her father Roberto Chino-Mejia receiving an award from Sen. Howard and art teacher
Joe Gregory.
Seniors Receive Round of Applause from
Spring Lake Magnet Students

Students of South High Magnet and Marion High School (Marion students were pen pals to Spring Lake students) were invited to walk the halls of Spring Lake Magnet as its students cheered and applauded them on.

The event aims to inspire elementary students to work hard, achieve and eventually graduate from high school and move on to a post-secondary education.

Two teachers who each earned a master's degree and Spring Lake principal, Susan Aguilera-Robles and South High School principal, Ruben Cano accompanied the seniors on their walk.
2018-2019 Back-to-School Enrollment Fair
Curriculum and Instruction Support

Parents are reminded to make certain any address changes are reported to the Student Placement Office before June 15 to ensure the student is assigned to a bus if they qualify for transportation based on the Student Assignment Plan.

Parents may also attend the district's Back-to-School Enrollment Fair scheduled for Aug. 7-21 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the TAC building in the board room located on the second floor. The fair is for families who have moved, are requesting that their child attend a different school or are new to the district. Schools will open for the 2018-2019 school year on Wednesday , Aug. 15 at their normal times .
Parents who are registering their child for the first time should bring a legal birth certificate, complete immunization records and proof of address. To find your neighborhood school, click here .

For questions regarding the District's Partner Plan, please contact the Student Placement Office at
(531) 299-0302, or visit http://sap.ops.org / 
New Teacher Welcome Center
OPS Human Resources

Teachers who are new to the district are invited to visit the Teacher Welcome Center this summer to learn more about district resources available to them.

Thursday, June 21
10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
TAC Board Room
Summer School
June 4 - 29, 2018

REMINDER:

First Day of School for 2018-2019 School Year
Aug. 15, 2018
OPS 2018-2019 School Calendar

PLEASE NOTE: The following changes have been made to the 2018-2019 school calendar.
  • Friday, Jan. 4 will be a teacher in-service day.
  • Students return to school after winter break on Monday, Jan. 7.
  • The last student day is May 22.
  • The last teacher day is May 24.

To view the full 2018-2019 calendar, please click here .
THANK YOU OMAHA VOTERS FOR SUPPORTING THE PHASE 2 BOND!

Work continues on the Phase 1, 2014 bond program as we head into the summer. The three schools being highlighted are the 32nd and Burt Street Elementary, Bryan Middle School and the Columbian Elementary replacement school. All are set to be complete by the fall of 2019. For a look at the complete 2014 bond program and the 2018 Phase 2 bond program, click here.
Construction on the new school at 32nd and Burt Streets is in full swing. Walls are going up and the two-story building will soon have completed walls. The Teacher Administrative Center can be seen in the background. The new elementary sits just south of the TAC building.

The 450-student capacity school will have 69,000 square-feet and 21 classrooms when completed.

Estimated projected cost is $17 million.


Bryan Middle School will soon have a new entrance and administrative offices. Additional work being completed includes safe area construction, replacement of the fire alarm system, emergency generator, electrical service distribution, exterior windows, carpet, interior doors and hardware and boiler, installation of a fire sprinkler system and intercom system, energy management system upgrade, key card access system, infrastructure for wireless technology geothermal heat pump system and exterior masonry repairs.

Estimated projected cost is $19 million.
Construction on the Columbian replacement school can easily be seen as you drive past the site. Students began work on their "Our Legacy Tree" project last month before school dismissed for the summer break. The mural will be featured in the school's new entry.

Students will remain in their current building throughout the construction process this next school year and will have an opportunity to see the school as it's being built.

Estimated projected cost is $17 million.

Each month, we feature a video highlighting one of our many outstanding Omaha Public Schools' principals. This month, we honor Principal Kristi Reinsch of Pinewood Elementary.
Video created by District Communications' videographer Alex Hassel.
The Omaha Public Schools' Community Opportunities is a monthly
publication where businesses and non-profit organizations can post
advertisements for our parents to let them know of student and family opportunities taking place in the Metro area. The publications goes live on our website the first school day of each month. If you would like to see this month's ads, please click on the link below:

Omaha Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), marital status, sexual orientation, disability, age, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation or economic status in its programs, activities and employment and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following individual has been designated to accept allegations regarding non-discrimination policies: Superintendent of Schools, 3215 Cuming Street, Omaha, NE 68131 (531) 299-9822. The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Director for the Office of Equity and Diversity, 3215 Cuming St, Omaha, NE 68131 (531) 299-0307.