Inside the Omaha Public Schools

November 2024

Open communication is important to us.

We regularly share data from across our district as we keep doing better for students and families.

Recent presentations at our Board of Education meetings discussed behavior and discipline, graduation and attendance.

Board of Education workshops are exploring structured literacy, classroom engagement and district professional learning.

The information is available at your convenience.

Agendas are posted publicly before each Board of Education meeting, and detailed reports are posted throughout the year to our district website.

Understanding student data, reviewing it publicly and using it to guide our next steps are all part of our commitment to continuous improvement.

Growing as a school district takes everyone, working toward a shared goal.

Matthew Ray

Superintendent

Omaha Public Schools

How Innovative Technology Helps Students Bring Ideas to Life

North High freshman Luis Ochoa Escobar watches as the 3D printer quickly scans back and forth, working to create his model design of the island from "Lord of the Flies.”

“It’s going to be a rectangular prism but will have a cube on the side to represent the rock island they’re stuck on, a half circle to represent the mountain and a pool area where they swim,” said Ochoa Escobar. “I designed it on my computer.”

When Ochoa Escobar’s English class finished reading “Lord of the Flies,” they were tasked with writing an alternate ending or creating a model of the island. During this assignment, he came up with the idea to combine what he learned in his Intro to Engineering class with his English project, using a 3D printer to create a detailed island model.

“I used all the skills I’ve learned in my engineering class to make the best design I could for a simple island,” said Ochoa Escobar. “One of the best things is to see what I designed on a computer to be created in real life.”

North High’s Engineering & Design Academy is one of many options available for high school students through Omaha Public Schools College & Career Academies and Pathways. Students learn about mechanical design, engineering, precision machining, robotics and automation.

In Brett Sailor’s Intro to Engineering course, students learn to sketch ideas, design on the computer and then move on to 3D modeling. They are currently working on projects like puzzle cubes and miniature model trains. These models are then brought to life with 3D printers.

“Seeing the tangible results of what they've done and being able to hold their designs goes a long way,” said Sailor, North High teacher. “Many of my students want to do hands-on stuff, and this is our way to give it.”

School Selection Events Coming Soon

The school selection process for Omaha Public Schools families begins in January.

Students have the opportunity to apply for a 2025-26 school placement and visit the middle and high school open houses. All Omaha Public Schools students are guaranteed attendance at their Home Attendance Area (neighborhood) school.

School choice applications will be available online in January.

Our district invites families to learn more about available programs at our High School Showcase on Monday Dec. 9, from 5:30-7 p.m. at the Scott Conference Center (UNO Aksarben Campus).

Middle and high school open house events begin in January 2025. Find a complete schedule and other information in our School Selection Guide.

Ochoa Escobar plans to continue the engineering pathway through high school and pursue a career in mechanical engineering. He says the Engineering & Design Academy will help him develop his design skills and prepare him for the future.

“For incoming students, I think they should give the engineering pathway a try because they might enjoy it,” he said. “You never know if you could find a future interest in becoming an engineer.”

Families can learn more about the opportunities available at Omaha Public Schools ahead of School Selection, which begins in January, by visiting our website.

Celebrating Success

Omaha Public Schools Music Students Earn Noteworthy Honors

The sounds of pianos, violins, basses and cellos fill the halls of Lewis & Clark Middle. For seventh grader Vanessa Huett, the cello is a familiar tone.

“I’ve been playing the cello for nine years,” said Huett. “My mom started my older brother on the cello, and when I was three, I wanted to do what my older brother did.”

Years of hard work paid off for Huett. She and five other Omaha Public Schools students earned a seat in the Nebraska Music Educators Association 2024 All-State Middle Level Orchestra. Teachers recommended students, and they auditioned for the statewide honor.

“It makes me feel happy that I achieved something in my nine years of cello playing,” said Huett. “I think it says the district has a very developed and good musical system to teach kids how to play their instruments and how to continuously get better.

More than 50 student musicians from Omaha Public Schools earned awards and recognition this fall. Honors include All-State Ensembles, Middle Level Orchestra and Chorus, and the National Honor Choir.

Sarah Stratton-Babb, Omaha Public Schools music teaching and learning consultant, achieved the Midwest Kodály Music Educators of America (MKMEA) 2024 Outstanding Administrator Award. She credits the hard work of students and staff for the high level of achievement.

“I am just so proud of the work that our teachers and our staff are doing every day in the schools to promote these experiences and prepare students,” said Stratton-Babb. “It's great to see our students achieving things on the state level and representing Omaha Public Schools in such a great way.”

In Rebecca Gibson’s choir rooms at Beals Elementary and Pinewood Elementary, nine students were selected to join the MKMEA Elementary Honor Choir. This opportunity unites students from across the region to perform with other young musicians.

“It’s exciting to watch them realize there are kids from all over who want to sing and how fun it is to sing together,” said Gibson. “It feels good as a teacher to know they’re enjoying what they’re doing and experiencing different things.”

Beni Tshimuanga, a sixth grader at Beals Elementary, is among the 100 students to join the honor choir. Although she was nervous about joining, she knew it was something she wanted to do.

“I wanted to know how it felt to sing in front of a crowd and hear other people sing with their amazing voices,” said Tshimuanga. “I just love singing, and it was cool to share my experience with other students.”

These achievements highlight the strong music programs in the Omaha Public Schools. Families can learn more about music opportunities at their school.

“We have such amazing, talented students and teachers in this district,” said Stratton-Babb. “What I love so much about students getting these chances to participate is then they go back to their schools, and it helps other students realize that they could do these things, too.”

Student musicians from across our district will have the opportunity to showcase their talents during the Omaha Public Schools All-City Music Festival taking place on Feb. 1-2 at the Holland Performing Arts Center.

District News

Omaha Public Schools Prepares for Kindergarten Roundup

Kindergarten Roundup begins in January. This is a time for incoming students to visit their future schools, see their classrooms and meet the staff. Omaha Public Schools wants to ensure students transition smoothly into their new kindergarten class.

A full list of dates for Kindergarten Roundup will be available in early December on our website.

Thanksgiving Recess for Omaha Public Schools

Thanksgiving Recess begins next week. There is no school for all students from Nov. 25-29. District offices will be closed on Nov. 28-29.

View or download a copy of our district calendar by visiting our website.

Safe2Help Nebraska Hotline

Our district and community have resources to support students and staff, including the Safe2Help Nebraska Hotline.

Safe2Help Nebraska is a confidential and anonymous hotline for students, families, staff or community members to report concerns.

If you or someone you know needs support or would like to report a safety concern, Safe2Help Nebraska Hotline is available 24/7 at (531) 299-SAFE. The app is installed on every Omaha Public Schools iPad, providing easy and immediate access.

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:

What's Up At The Kroc
Ivy League Youth Sports Academy
Christmas in the Village

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

congratulati ons to...

… to Michelle Kiel, Omaha Public Schools psychologist, for being honored with the Nebraska School Psychologist Association Founder’s Award at the Nebraska School Psychologist Association State Conference.

… to Allison Arkfield, Burke High student, for being selected as a JROTC Legion of Valor recipient.

… to Paula Yoachim of South High for receiving the Nebraska Art Teachers Association Secondary Art Educator of the Year Award.

… to the Omaha Public Schools marching bands that competed at the Nebraska State Bandmasters Association State Marching Finals.

… to all Omaha Public Schools elementary students selected for the Midwestern Division of Kodály Music Educators of America Elementary Honor Choir.

… to all Omaha Public Schools eighth grade students selected for the All-State Band or Jazz Band from the Nebraska State Bandmasters Association.

… to all Omaha Public Schools students selected for the 2024 All-State Middle Level Orchestra and Chorus from the Nebraska Music Educators Association.

… to Asia Young and Aiden Ramirez of Central High for being selected for the National Honor Choir from the American Choral Directors Association.

… to all Omaha Public Schools students who are 2024 All-State High School Ensembles.

… to Braxton Logeman of Burke High and Hugh Lowe-Weyand of Central High for being recognized as 2024-25 Believers & Achievers from the Nebraska School Activities Association.

… to Central, North and Westview High’s football teams for making the Class “A” football playoffs.

… to all Omaha Public Schools student-athletes who qualified for the State Boys’ and Girls’ Cross Country Championships.

… to Carina Hernandez of Central High and Faith Koranda of Westview High for qualifying for the Girls’ State Golf Championships.

… to Micah Kortinas of Westview High for finishing eighth Overall at the Boys’ State Tennis Championships.

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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.