February 2025

Last Friday was another outstanding day of professional learning across our district.

We use staff input to design sessions that move us forward. Learning together is how we improve.

Sessions studied how to increase literacy and boost student well-being. School teams learned de-escalation strategies to support students who may be struggling.

The day was an important reminder: just like time and budgets, our focus and energy are limited resources.

Every day, we get better at sharpening that focus. Our united approach to improvement is key.

In March, Inside OPS and More than Hashtags: The OPSProud Podcast will highlight our efforts to ensure every student reads on grade level by 2030. Staff discussed the work at our Board of Education meeting Thursday night.

Still, we are a large, complex organization. Every day, staff transport 15,000 students to school, prepare and serve tens of thousands of meals and teach young people from early childhood to graduation.

We address challenges head-on.

Our mission, vision, shared values and united approach to improvement protects our focus.

We know who we are.

We know why we’re here.

Whatever happens, we welcome our students. We meet them where they are – challenging each young person with high expectations in the classroom and out. We show our care and support, and we prepare them for success.

As I’ve shared before, it takes every one of us.

I am glad you are part of our community.

Matthew Ray

Superintendent

Omaha Public Schools

From Classroom to Construction Site

High School Students Build New Home in Omaha

A hammer, nails and screwdriver hang from Sha Kyaw Klow Thoo’s tool belt. An electric saw buzzes as he walks toward the house he’s building with other Omaha Public Schools students.

“Building a house at 18 makes me feel good,” said Sha Kyaw Klow Thoo, Benson High senior. “It makes me feel like I’m preparing for the future.”

The job site includes student builders from Benson High, Bryan High and the Omaha Public Schools Career Center. They are working alongside industry experts from Blair Freeman Group, an Omaha construction company, to build the brand-new house.

“Every vendor they bring into the project is willing to take time with our students to teach them and show them how to build a house,” said Toba Cohen-Dunning, Omaha Public Schools Foundation (OPSF) executive director. “What an incredible moment in time to be able to have our kids work with professionals in the field to help guide their future.”

OPSF purchased the land for the build and funded the supplies. As the project progressed, OPSF received in-kind donations like roofing materials and windows. The collaboration between OPSF, Blair Freeman and Omaha Public Schools bridges the gap between classroom learning and real-world experience.

“It's a real community project that's going to have an outstanding outcome,” said Cohen-Dunning. “We are a proud partner who works to enrich the lives of every student.”

Sophomores in the design and construction academy learn the basics of construction, then move on to more advanced work, like building sheds or small buildings.

“Students have to have the fundamental skills and the understanding of what they’re getting into,” said Angela Johanek, Benson High career academy specialist. “The students understand the value of what they're doing in class will get them to the next step of where they see themselves and where they want to be.”

This group of students will complete the house from start to finish during the school year. Darian Stepanek, a Benson High senior, says he’s grateful for the experience. 

“It means a lot to me,” said Stepanek. “Whenever I’m using tools, it feels natural and like something I’m supposed to do.”

Students will not only be framing and finishing the house but also working on interior projects like electrical and plumbing.

“I think if people see what we're doing out here, it might inspire them and all the kids to want to do what we're doing,” said Sha Kyaw Klow Thoo.

Construction is expected to be done by May, and plans include selling the home to someone in the Omaha Public Schools community.

Central High Seniors Launch Career Program to Prepare Students for the Future

As part of the program, Central High DECA students hosted a career fair in January and invited students from all nine high schools. They offered everything from business attire to professional development. Local businesses and community members donated hundreds of clothing items, including suits, blazers, shoes, and trousers. The event was free for all students in our district.

"We wanted to do something that would help our school and the entirety of Omaha Public Schools," said Steffen.

Organizers set up stations to help students create or review resumes, prepare for interviews and receive one-on-one career advice. The event also allowed students to network with local businesses.

"It's a way to have a relaxed moment but learn what you should and should not do in an interview," said Steffen.

Sain says the idea came from her own internship experiences.

"I first got an internship my freshman year, and now I'm working in two," said Sain. "I'm very passionate about the skills it has provided me and working in an industry and gaining that professional insight."

Michaela Kavanagh, Central High DECA advisor, enjoys watching her students grow throughout this process.

"It's exciting to see the students kind of come up with an idea, further develop it and see how they could take charge," said Kavanagh. "It's encouraging to see their passion and how any student can take it, turn it and run in whichever direction they want to go."

Steffen and Sain say the event helped students connect with like-minded peers and build valuable skills for their future careers.

District News

Family-Teacher Conferences at Omaha Public Schools

Omaha Public Schools elementary family-teacher conferences begin the week of February 24. Middle and high school conferences will follow in March.

Conferences allow a student’s loved ones to engage with the school community and stay involved in their students’ academic lives.

View conference dates on our District Calendar. If you cannot attend during the available times, contact your student's school.

Spring Recess and 2025-26 District Calendar

There is no school for students from March 17-21, 2025, for Spring Recess. District offices will remain open.

Families can view and download calendars at ops.org/calendar. Our 2025-26 District Calendar is available online now, too.

Celebrating Nebraska World Languages Week

Omaha Public Schools celebrates Nebraska World Languages Week from Feb. 17-21.

Students in our district have access to various foreign languages, dual enrollment, Advanced Placement courses, the Seal of Biliteracy and more.

As Nebraska’s largest and most diverse school district, Omaha Public Schools is proud to serve students who speak more than 110 languages.

Hear Highlights of Omaha Public Schools 75th Annual All-City Music Festival



We thank KIOS-FM Omaha Public Radio for capturing instrumental and choral performances at the Holland Performing Arts Center during our 75th Annual All-City Music Festival.

This special broadcast aired on KIOS this month and will be available at KIOS.org for a limited time.

Our Community Opportunities section is our digital bulletin board where families can find information about upcoming events and activities available in our area. New flyers are posted at the beginning of each month. This month's flyers include:

• Omaha Lacrosse Club
• Girl Scouts Spirit of Nebraska
• 22nd Annual Nebraska Department of Agriculture Poster Contest
• 2025 Virginia Frank Memorial Writing Contest
• MAC Foundation Scholarships
• Ralston Girls Softball Registration
• Hillside Little League Registration

Omaha Public Schools provides this opportunity for outside organizations for the benefit of our families. It does not endorse any business, product or service.

Superintendent Matthew Ray extends

congratulations to...

… to Burke High for earning the College Board’s AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award for expanding young women’s access to AP Computer Science A (CSA).

… to Jason Susnjar of Bryan High for being awarded the 2024 Class A Vern Ekfeldt Coach of the Year award.

… to Samantha Barajas Moreno, junior, for becoming the first Northwest High female wrestler to reach 50 career wins.

… to all students who participated in Omaha Public Schools 75^th Annual All-City Music Festival.

… to Bryan High and Marrs Middle students for winning first place in the Senior and Junior Divisions at the 100 Black Men of Omaha’s 25^th Annual Edgar J. Hicks African American History Challenge.

… to all Omaha Public Schools students who placed at the 7^th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Living the Dream Competition.

• Cairo Gaskin-DeCosta, Northwest High
• Kameron Lloyd, Bryan High
• Bernadine Ambatobe, Bryan High
• Gabriela Moran-Zinzun, Bryan High
• Andrea Chaparro, Bryan High
• Bernadine Ambatobe, Bryan High
• Saúl Muñoz-Macias, Bryan High
• Braulio Jacinto-Mercado, Bluestem Middle
• Ly'Nysha Kincaid, Buffett Middle
• Kaleciana Perry, Central High
• Julie Ireheta Amaya, North High

… to Benson High for winning the Overall Social Justice Trophy at the 7^th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Living the Dream Competition.

… to Jacob Garcia Marin from Marrs Middle for winning the Omaha Public Schools District Spelling Bee.

… To Hadley Herrington from Buffett Middle for being the runner-up at the Omaha Public Schools District Spelling Bee.

… to the North High boys bowling team for qualifying for the NSAA State Bowling Championships.

… to all Omaha Public Schools students who qualified for individual competition at the NSAA State Bowling Championships.

… to all Omaha Public Schools wrestling teams who participated in the 2025 NSAA State Dual Wrestling Championship.

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