It is hard to believe each December that we are halfway through the school year.
We can be proud of how we keep moving forward for students.
We are focusing even more intently on student data, and using it to improve instruction. Results are part of our Board of Education meetings, principal meetings, professional development, coaching conversations and more. It is the core of our work, guiding teaching and support for students.
Thank you for being part of the Omaha Public Schools. It is an honor to serve as your interim superintendent. Whatever your traditions may be this time of year, I hope they bring you rest, time with loved ones and joy.
Matthew Ray
Interim Superintendent
Omaha Public Schools
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Central High Choir Showcases Original Music Written by Students |
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It’s not often that students in a high school choir perform songs written by their classmates. Central High’s choir is performing two original pieces.
“It’s surreal. They’re singing the words I wrote,” said Hime Moore, a Central High senior who wrote the poem “Searching.” “It makes me proud because I know that I've tried really hard, and to be able to have this opportunity is not something that everybody gets.”
Sara Cowan, Central High vocal music teacher and performing arts department head, helped bring the idea to life. Last fall, she incorporated student-written poems into the introduction of a song the choir performed at a convention. Two students recited the poetry while the rest of the group sang. The performance went so well that she wanted to take it one step further. That’s when she connected with Central High accompanist Stephen Bouma.
“Stephen writes a lot of music for our choir, and I thought, wouldn’t it be cool if the students were writing poetry, and you were setting it to music? And he agreed,” said Cowan. “We chose two poems, and Stephen spent the summer working on them.”
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When Cowan first brought the project to students, they were hesitant.
“Not a lot of us wanted to write poems because it takes a lot of vulnerability, and it's hard to do that,” said Moore. “But Mrs. Cowan knew it would make us better singers and better writers. And she's like a mastermind. She has a vision.”
After spending the summer composing the pieces, Bouma presented them to the students and welcomed feedback and ideas for changes. His main goal was for the students to love what he wrote. He says the process was great but also scary.
“It's humbling and a bit terrifying for me because I don't want to let them down. I don't want to put them in a position where they're not happy with the result. And I think their trust means as much to me as anything in my life,” said Bouma. “These two poems were fantastic, and the music really wrote itself.”
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Central High senior Norah Purcell’s poem “I Am Not Alone” also rose to the top. Her piece is about finding harmony within yourself.
“When the choir starts to blend properly, and our sound lines up in a certain way, and you know the words and the music, you think about the meaning of doing this with all these people you love,” said Purcell. “It’s the most incredible experience in the world.”
Central High’s choir performed “I Am Not Alone” and “Searching” during a recent concert. They’ll share the songs on the national stage at the Minnesota Music Educators Association Conference in February.
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Growing Our Own
Former Student Teacher Enjoying First Year as Full-Time Educator
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It’s exactly where Adrian Felix wanted to be – in a school gym filled with students eager to learn the activity of the day.
“We get to play a lot of fun games but also learn at the same time,” said Cassius McAndrews, a Chandler View Elementary third grader.
Felix is leading that learning as a first-year physical education teacher at Chandler View Elementary. Just six months ago, he was in his final weeks as a student teacher ready to return to his former elementary school as a full-time educator.
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“It’s really cool that he gets to teach us at the school he went to as a kid,” added McAndrews.
Felix was one of approximately 150 student teachers who chose the Omaha Public Schools during the 2022-23 school year. “I’ve enjoyed being full-time because I have my own students, and I get to build relationships with them on a daily basis,” said Felix.
As part of its focus on attracting and retaining staff, Omaha Public Schools offers student teachers a stipend to complete their professional classroom experience within our district. The stipend allows future educators to focus on learning from experienced teachers while finishing their degree.
Felix feels fortunate that he was able to complete his student teaching through Omaha Public Schools and return to the school that he once attended.
“I felt comfortable going into it. It feels a little bit more at home being in my own gym,” he said.
As he settles in for the start of the second semester, his students and colleagues are grateful to have him.
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"When a student enjoys their experience, develops a love for teaching and returns to work where he grew up, it says a lot about our district," said Angela Jones, Chandler View Elementary principal. "He really is a great first-year teacher. He has made the gym his own, and the kids are excited to go to P.E."
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Kindergarten Roundup Begins in January |
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Families, mark your calendars for Omaha Public Schools Kindergarten Roundup. Events at all elementary schools begin in January 2024.
This is a time for incoming families to visit their future school and meet the staff. Our district wants to ensure that students have a smooth transition into kindergarten.
Kindergarten Roundup dates and times are posted on our website, ops.org.
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Omaha Public Schools Prepares Families for School Selection |
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Omaha Public Schools invites families to middle and high school open houses in January before making a decision on 2024-25 school selection preferences. The open houses follow our High School Showcase that took place in November. More than 600 people attended.
These events allow students and families to explore course offerings, meet staff and learn about the extracurricular activities each school offers. A complete list of open houses is posted on our website.
School choice applications will be available the week of Jan. 8 at all schools and the Student Placement office at Omaha Public Schools Teacher Administrative Center (TAC). Students in the transition grades will automatically receive an application at their school. Applications must be returned to the student’s current school by Jan. 29 or TAC by Jan. 31.
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Winter Recess for All Omaha Public Schools Students |
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There is no school for students from Dec. 22 through Jan. 5 for Winter Recess. District offices will be closed on Dec. 25-26 and Jan. 1-2.
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Safe2Help Nebraska Hotline
Safety is our top priority at Omaha Public Schools. There are resources in our district and community 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.
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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:
- Girl Scouts
- Do Space
- Hillside Little League
Omaha Public Schools provides this opportunity for outside organizations for the benefit of our families. It does not endorse any business, product or service.
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… to Terry Burton, Gateway Elementary principal, for being named Administrator of the Year by the Nebraska School Counselor Association.
… to student Sadie Bradford of Harrison Elementary for being selected as the winner of the Omaha Public Schools Digital Citizenship Poster Contest.
… to Bryan High for the recognition of their Urban Agriculture Academy as a Model Academy with Distinction from the National Career Academy Coalition.
… to Benson High for being recognized for their Design and Construction Academy as a Model Academy from the National Career Academy Coalition.
… to Buena Vista High and South High JROTC for competing in the 2023 Raider Challenge National Competition.
… to Dan Kirchhevel, Miller Park Elementary principal, for being honored with the 2023 Metropolitan Omaha Education Consortium’s LIGHTS Outstanding Elementary Principal Award from the Lozier Foundation.
… to Lucy Rawlinson of Central High for achieving a perfect score on the ACT.
… to all Omaha Public Schools students who have been awarded Seals of Biliteracy from the Nebraska Department of Education.
- Amanda Tran Class
- Brooklynne Costello
- Cesar Gomez
- Jasen Cruz-Espinosa
- Lucia Marvin-DeBuse
- Melany Bravo Maza
- Yesenia Ramirez
- Bryan Espinosa Alvarez
- David Garcia
- Jocelyn Martinez
- Jose Plascencia Lopez
- Miroslava Hipolito-Gonzalez
- Taylor Bartlett
- Zander Kochen
- Carmen Wilhelm
- Emily Martinez-Barrera
- Josue Saqui
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We love feedback on how well this newsletter is meeting your needs. Please take a few moments to complete this brief survey. It is our goal that the newsletter provides content and information that is important to you.
Thank you!
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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. |
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