The Omaha Public Schools prepares all students to excel in college, career and life.
Managing Editor: Josh Sluiter
Looking Forward!
Dear OPS Community:
 
I wanted to share a brief update on our Strategic Plan of Action work following our second futures lab, which took place earlier this month.
 
This work is powered by strategic foresight. We’re using a future-focused lens as we gather input from our staff, parents, partners and community leaders. 
 
Renowned futurist Rebecca Ryan returned to Omaha to facilitate our second futures lab. Ryan and her team built upon the work accomplished at our first lab in September, thinking about what's next for Omaha Public Schools and what’s needed to prepare our students for their futures.
 
Please take a moment to watch this video  to see the second futures lab in action. Our Strategic Plan of Action work is made possible through support from grant dollars.
 
We're bringing top minds from across the country together with our own talented team to complete this work. We will keep you updated as we work toward the launch of our Strategic Plan of Action in January 2020!
 
Cordially yours,
 
Cheryl Logan, Ed.D / Superintendent
Omaha Public Schools
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"Sup for the Soul" Podcast - Oct. 2019
OPS Adds Late Start, Early Release
Options to Winter Weather Toolkit
Winter weather is on the way! With safety in mind and knowing every minute of instruction matters, we’re adding to our winter weather toolkit. New options include a 2-hour late start or 2-hour early release if weather is predicted to affect part, but not all of a school day. These options are in addition to a full-day closing. In the event of inclement weather, we will communicate any schedule adjustments or cancellations by phone, email, on social media and through local media outlets.

We recently emailed all OPS families with information on how a weather-related schedule adjustment may impact their student. Please look to that for additional information or contact your student's school.
160 Years of Excellence in the Omaha Public Schools!

The Omaha Public Schools, founded in 1859, was the first public school system in Douglas County, Nebraska. Two years prior to its opening (1857), the first school board was elected and Omaha was divided into three wards for school. By 1871, the state legislature consolidated all of Omaha into one school district.

Howard Kennedy served as the first superintendent of the Omaha Public Schools. The district opened with four schools and approximately 450 students. Today, the district serves more than ,000 students in more than 90 schools.

Over the years, the Omaha community has supported and regularly passed bond issues, since the first one in 1871. Bond issues help maintain existing schools and build new schools to support growing enrollment.

In 1923, Technical High School opened in Omaha as the largest school west of Chicago. It
opened with nearly 3,000 students; proof of its
popularity. The school closed in 1984 and was remodeled to serve as the Teacher and Administrative Center, which opened in 1989. The Teacher and Administrative Center is now home to district offices, teacher/community meeting rooms, a public auditorium, the Career Center and the Omaha Virtual School.

Vice President Hubert Humphrey visited Omaha in 1965 to applaud the opening of Operation Head Start as a full-time program within the Omaha Public Schools.

Over the years, Omaha Public Schools students and staff have won countless local, regional and national awards.

Here's to another 160 years: #OPSProud!
CHI Health and Omaha Public Schools Partner to Honor Teachers Across the District
 
CHI Health wants nominations of Omaha Public Schools' teachers changing the lives of students. Each month, they'll surprise a Top Teacher nominee with a treat basket for the teacher's lounge and a personal gift card. CHI will draw winners on the last Friday of the month. CHI Health will select one winner at the elementary, middle and high school level.
 
Anyone can nominate a Top Teacher at CHIhealth.com/TopTeachers .

If you would like to view the latest CHI newsletter devoted to youth issues, please click here .
 
Thank you for your support of our teachers and for your support of the Omaha Public Schools.
. . . Bilingual Liaison Ana Torres Rodriguez for receiving an Inspiration Award  from the Hispanic Heritage Month Committee for her work with students and families at Central High and OPS. She was recognized at a ceremony on Oct. 11 at the State Capital in Lincoln as part of the 13th Annual Hispanic Heritage Month State Commemoration.



. . . Hilary George of Blackburn Alternative High School for being announced the Secondary Art Teacher of the Year at the Nebraska Art Teacher Association Fall Conference in Sept. 2019.
Dr. Craig Fullerton's 100th Birthday

On Oct. 29 the students of Fullerton Elementary celebrated the 100 th birthday of the late Dr. Craig Fullerton, for whom their school is named. Dr. Fullerton served as an OPS assistant superintendent for 26 years and was a creative and visionary educator. He helped set into motion many programs still active in OPS today, such as our bilingual programs, magnet schools and our resident radio station 91.5 KIOS-FM. The celebration included musical numbers by Fullerton second and fourth graders, as well as guest speakers and family members of Dr. Fullerton.
K – 6th Grade Parent Math Nights

All parents of students K - 6th grade are welcome to attend this quarter's Parent Math Nights on Thursday, Nov. 14 featuring two sessions: 6 - 7 p.m. and 7 - 8 p.m. At parent night, attendees will:
  • experience what their students are learning in math and become familiar with grade level curriculum, vocabulary and expectations
  • see first-hand how students apply math strategies
  • learn how to support student learning at home

These nights are designed for adult learners. Childcare is not available.
Thanksgiving Break Schedule - Students and Staff

For Thanksgiving recess, schools will be closed Wednesday, Nov. 27 through Friday, Nov. 29. School will reconvene on Monday, Dec. 2.
 
The TAC building will be closed Thursday, Nov. 28 and Friday, Nov. 29, and will reopen Monday, December 2.
Julie Sigmon, Omaha STEM Ecosystem Director  
Article b y Marin Harrington

A STEM Professional You Should Know:
Derrick Nero
Derrick Nero, Assistant Professor of Engineering Education at the University of Nebraska at Omaha College of Education (UNO COE), never expected to become a teacher. After graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of New Orleans, he worked as an engineer and project manager for three different firms, but two experiences from his undergrad years stuck with him: his love for tutoring other students and the isolation he felt due to the lack of racial diversity in his classes. After realizing that his true passion was working with underrepresented and at-risk students and bringing the excitement of engineering into their classrooms, Nero earned a Master’s degree in Special Education from UNO. He worked in alternative and general education for 11 years at Lewis & Clark Middle School, where he created and taught a STEM elective course for nine years and implemented the use of robotics as an educational platform. Nero was then recruited into higher education, receiving his Doctorate in Educational Leadership with a focus on STEM Education. He now teaches and develops teacher education courses for undergraduate teacher candidates and engineering education courses for graduate candidates, along with serving as faculty advisor to various STEM outreach initiatives such as Space Celebration Night and student groups such as Latinos in STEM, National Society of Black Engineers and Noyce Math Scholars. Nero never expected to become an educator, but found that having personal support and access to resources, such as UNO’s Teacher Academy Project (which allowed him to pursue a Master’s in Education without needing to first earn a Bachelor’s in the field) gave him the confidence and tools to pursue a more fulfilling career. Since career exploration opportunities were essential for his journey as an educator, he hopes to provide this same guidance to underserved students in the community for many years to come.
J.P. Lord Featured in Learning By Design Magazine
J.P. Lord School's recent move from its former location at the University of Nebraska Medical Center's main campus to a new, specially designed school near 45th and Marinda Streets has gained national recognition through an award from Learning By Design magazine.

The 45,000 square-foot school serves students ages 5 to 21 with varying educational and physical needs. To help facilitate these needs, the new facility features handicap accessible classrooms and hallways, multi-sensory elements, a therapy pool and mobility devices throughout the school.

For more information, click here.

Photo Courtesy of
Learning By Design magazine
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Attendance Matters!
Did you know?

"Students with good attendance generally enjoy school more and achieve higher grades. Grades go down when you're not around!"


Every student. Every day. Prepared for success.
We understand families are busy. The following links will provide you with quick access to district sponsored events, procedures and resources. Please click on the categories under each title below and you will be taken to the correct web page.
Bryan Middle School and the Henry Davis Bryan Boys & Girls Club
Wednesday, Oct. 16, Omaha Public Schools and Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands celebrated the renovation of Bryan Middle School and the grand opening of the new Henry Davis Bryan Boys & Girls Club. The celebration featured special music by the Bryan Middle choir and orchestra, as well as special messages from OPS staff, Boys & Girls Club leadership and local dignitaries.

The work completed at Bryan Middle School includes a security motion sensor system, key card access, replacement of the emergency lighting, fire alarm system, interior door and hardware, aluminum exterior windows and generator, safe area construction, video intercom system installation, interior wall repairs, interior wall painting and central air conditioning. The estimated total cost is $17 million.
 
The privately funded 14,000 square-foot Henry Davis Bryan Boys & Girls Club serves fifth through twelfth-graders. The Bryan Club has a 1,900 square-foot youth center and a 1,650 square-foot teen center, and also features a new gym, innovation center and outdoor patio. Bryan Middle and the Boys & Girls Club partnered in this project, meaning that the club is able to share school space such as the gymnasium and pool when not in use, and the school can use club space when not in use.
Mr. Darren Rasmussen - Principal of Bryan Middle
Mr. Ivan Gilreath - President of Boys & Girls Club of the Midlands
Dr. Lisa Sterba - OPS Chief Operations Officer
Mr. Jerry Bartee - Former OPS Chief
Operations Officer
Dr. Cheryl Logan - Superintendent
Mr. Henry Davis - Supporter

Ms. Kimara Snipe - OPS Board of Education
Bryan Middle Choir
Bryan Middle Orchestra
This month, we recognize Principal Anthony Clark-Kaczmarek for his commitment and dedication to the students and families of Alice Buffett Magnet Middle School and the Omaha Public Schools.
Video created by District Communications videographer Alex Hassel.
Is there an Omaha Public Schools Teacher Who Deserves Recognition?

A great teacher can turn a geography lesson into an exciting adventure or make a passing conversation become a life lesson. And the Omaha Public Schools community is fortunate to have so many great teachers. It’s why the Alice Buffett Outstanding Teacher Award was created more than 30 years ago — to recognize those teachers who have gone above and beyond to help their students in the classroom and in life. Nominate an OPS teacher for this award, and tell us what he or she has done that has made a difference. Submit your nomination by January 15, 2020. Click here to nominate a teacher.
Strive for 95!

Daily attendance is critical to classroom success. As part of OPS' work to boost attendance and get students to school on time every day for at least 95% of the school year, we're happy to share videos that help illustrate the importance.
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 publication 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:

Your Opinion Matters!

We would like feedback on how well this newsletter is meeting the needs of OPS staff, parents, community members, retirees, community partners and others who receive it. Please take a few moments to complete this brief survey . It is our goal that the newsletter is packed with information important to you.

Thank you!
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.