Dear Omaha Public Schools Community,
The start of a new semester and calendar year brings renewed excitement for the opportunities before us. It is a natural point to review our goals, measure our progress and reimagine what we plan to accomplish.
Our core focus is academic achievement for the young people we serve. As we share later in this edition of Inside OPS, families are already making important school selections for the 2023-24 year.
We are investing federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds for the success of our students in many ways. Academic tutoring is an impactful addition to that portfolio, available for all students in our district community.
Families received communication with information about the program last fall. At November’s Board of Education meeting, staff presented how student voice guided the delivery of this service. We’ve featured students already making the most of in-person and on-demand options.
We encourage all families to consider this opportunity. Contact your student’s school for more information and to sign up. With much of our second semester remaining, it is the perfect time to jump in and maximize a young person’s growth before summer.
Cordially yours,
Cheryl Logan, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Omaha Public Schools
|
|
Open House Events Help Families with School Selection |
|
Student ambassadors greeted families at North High, eager to show incoming freshmen the ins and outs of their school.
“My role today is to give tours to upcoming ninth graders and their families and explain to them all the various programs and classes we offer here at North,” said senior Aaliyah Farmer.
Omaha Public Schools is hosting middle and high school open houses throughout January to allow families to make their school selection preferences for 2023-24. During open houses, families can explore high school options, learn about athletics and activities, meet the staff and tour the school. Our district also hosted two, one-stop-shop school selection events in December. Each brought representatives from our nine comprehensive high schools to one place to visit with students and families.
“Open house is a great opportunity for students to go and explore schools they’re thinking about going to,” said Collette Nero, Ph.D., principal at North High. “You want to walk in and find the place that makes you feel at home.”
|
|
North High graduate and current assistant principal at Fontenelle Elementary, Jeona Jensen, and her daughter Irie attended North High's open house. They plan to visit four high schools to help decide where Irie will go next year.
|
|
“Choosing a high school is an important milestone in a student’s academic career. This is the place where students blossom into adulthood,” said Jensen. “When families go to open houses, it shows they are committed to their child’s learning.”
Irie, an eighth grader at Davis Middle, looks forward to starting her high school career next fall. She’s interested in joining basketball, track and swim teams. Her goal is to become a pediatric nurse someday, so she is looking for schools that offer programs to help her fulfill that dream.
“I’m kind of nervous about everything because it will all be new,” Irie said. “I’m also excited to meet new people and try new things. I hope we have cool classes because I want to learn about nursing.”
|
|
School Selection Guide
In January, Omaha Public Schools students can apply for a new 2023-24 school placement. School choice applications are available at all schools and the Student Placement Office at the TAC building.
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. 27.
Our School Selection Guide provides more information on the school choice process, including important dates and enrollment information.
|
|
North High tours began with an orchestra performance in the auditorium, followed by a robotics demonstration in the computer science lab. Families also visited the school’s greenhouse, library and multi-purpose center. Although the staff was present, student ambassadors led the tours.
“We're the ones who go to school here every day,” said senior Dayanara Nambo, a student ambassador at North High. “We're the ones who are experiencing the classes, experiencing the hallways and the culture of the school.”
|
|
Students Benefit from Extended Learning During Winter Recess |
|
Students sat at tables filled with popsicle sticks, clay and packing tape. Their challenge? Design a motorized car using household items and other supplies.
“We build our cars and then test drive them. We sketch them out, draw on them and then give a presentation about them,” said seventh-grader Jose Gutierrez DeSantiago.
DeSantiago joined hundreds of students for extended learning during winter break. Omaha Public Schools offered STEAM-themed programming at two locations. Staff design the opportunity for students who are in our migrant and refugee program, or learning English as a new language.
|
|
“They participate in project-based learning with students from all over our district to improve language and literacy skills,” said Katie Rude, intersession administrator.
Learning through the break allows for creativity, collaboration and communication. More than 300 students participated in November and December. Staff from throughout our district led the hands-on work.
“The students and teachers who participated in the winter intersession were excited and engaged in the activities,” said Michele Rivera, Omaha Public Schools curriculum specialist. “It was an amazing opportunity to collaborate with others without language being a barrier.”
|
|
Intersession supports those new to our district or school community. Services are available year-round, but federal ESSER funds helped our district offer the learning during break this year.
“It’s important that Omaha Public Schools offers this kind of programming,” Rude explained. “What [students] learn carries over into the academic year, their classes and courses, and their progression through school.”
Students also benefit socially by building relationships with students and staff.
“This program helps me because I’m shy," said DeSantiago. "It helps me talk to people and get to know them.”
Omaha Public Schools will offer additional intersession opportunities this semester.
|
|
Superintendent Search Moves Forward |
|
The Omaha Public Schools Board of Education has completed its first step in a comprehensive superintendent search.
The process began after Superintendent Cheryl Logan, Ed.D., announced her resignation last month. Dr. Logan will serve as superintendent until the end of June 2023. At that time, she plans to return to the East Coast to be with her family.
The Board is accepting proposals from search firms with expertise in supporting large, urban school districts through a leadership transition. The Board will determine the search process, timelines and any immediate leadership needs.
Our district is committed to open communication with staff, families and our community. The latest information from Omaha Public Schools will always be posted on the superintendent search page.
|
|
Board Welcomes New Member and Elects Officers |
|
Omaha Public Schools welcomes the newest addition to the Board of Education. Bri Full took an oath of office during the Jan. 5 meeting. Ms. Full represents subdistrict two.
The Board elected Spencer Head as president and Ricky Smith as vice president. They will serve in these roles for the 2023 calendar year.
|
|
Kindergarten Roundup Underway at Omaha Public Schools |
|
It's time for Omaha Public Schools’ Kindergarten Roundup! This is an exciting time for incoming students and their families as they explore their future schools, meet the staff and check out their classrooms.
|
|
JROTC Plans Vietnam Veterans Parade Fundraiser |
|
The event takes place on Sunday, Jan. 15, from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Benson Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 2503 in Omaha.
The event will help cover expenses for Omaha Public Schools cadets to attend the National Vietnam Veterans Parade in Honolulu, Hawaii, this spring.
Cadets will serve pancakes, sausage and beverages to earn donations for the trip. All Vietnam veterans are invited to the breakfast free of charge.
|
|
January STEM Learning
Julie Sigmon, Omaha STEM Ecosystem Director
|
|
Happy New Year! This January, make your 2023 resolution to participate in more STEM programs. Explore the STEM Community Platform and search our comprehensive catalog for current and upcoming offerings for students, educators, and professionals.
-
Healthy Waterways & Pollution Solutions - Curriculum & Resource Kit: Participate in hands-on activities and experiments to discover how stormwater impacts our local waterways and aquatic ecosystems. Students will have the opportunity to gain a better understanding of litter and pollution prevention. This program is offered free for educators by Keep Omaha Beautiful.
|
|
Continue your tour of the SCP to learn what careers there are in STEM. Have you ever wondered what a job in infrastructure is? Do you know what an automation engineer does? What education is required to become an infrastructure manager? Use the STEM Community Platform to answer these questions and to explore all of the different careers in STEM.
The SCP allows you to see how your interests can be turned into a career. STEM skills are found in almost any career field. Occupations in STEM are building the future and expanding our understanding of the universe. There is something for everyone in a STEM career because they all focus on innovation, problem solving and creating new knowledge.
|
|
Community Opportunities
Check out this month's Community Opportunities. It provides a one-stop shop for youth and family events happening in our community.
|
|
… to Kendall James Lewis of Norris Middle for being named the 2nd Congressional District Outstanding Teacher for 2022 by the Nebraska State Council for Social Studies.
… to Katie Brandt of Westview High for being recognized as Leadership Harbor's November Educator of the Month for the 2022-23 school year.
… to all Omaha Public Schools students who received NSAA and NCPA Academic All-State Awards.
|
|
- Kaleb Rodriguez, Bryan High
- Jordyn Jackson, Bryan High
- Emma Loftus, Bryan High
- Erin Loftus, Bryan High
- Jessica Conway, Bryan High
- Kaydence Jones, Bryan High
- Adrian Banderas, Buena Vista High
- Jonas Caruso, Buena Vista High
- Harlan Kolc, Buena Vista High
- Jackie Chavez, Buena Vista High
- Gwyn Revis, Buena Vista High
- Lisette Esteban, Buena Vista High
- Mia Miller, Buena Vista High
- Thomas Vasquez, Burke High
- Jackson Jones, Burke High
- Lucas Krapfl, Burke High
- Macy Santoni, Burke High
- Spencer Carson, Burke High
- Raynier Harrington, Burke High
- Erin Carlson, Burke High
- Isaac Ackerman, Central High
- Alijah Wayne, Central High
- Ruby Titus, Central High
- Benjamin Nodes, Central High
- Delaney Reiss, Central High
- Caroline Festersen, Central High
- Madeline Galloway, Central High
- Taylin Sanley, Central High
- Alexander Rowland, South High
|
|
- Patricia Trujillo, South High
- Stella Miner, South High
- Claire White, South High
- Curt Cubrich, South High
- Anthony Rezac, South High
- Taydym Koch, South High
- Aylla Weeder, South High
- Tristan Kuehler, South High
- Abram Scholting, South High
- Alena Peters, South High
- Keli Shermer, South High
- Amber Shefl, South High
- Ashley Wacker, South High
- Aubrey Hanson, South High
- Alexis Sporleder, South High
- Morgan Moeller, South High
- Brielle Unseld, South High
- Eva Casady, Central High
- Carina Hernandez, Central High
- Josephine Bohn, Central High
- Rori Wieseman, Central HighLucas Gura, North High
- LaVelle Henderson, North High
- Nayera Abdessalam, North High
- Molly Burk, North Tyson Terry, North High
- Nolan Venner, North High
- Sofia Acosta, North High
- Ella Holtzclaw, North High
- Aidan Blakely, North High
|
|
- Theo Jones, North High
- Ann Marie Meiman, North High
- Blaine Hamilton, Northwest High
- Saw Htoo Lay, Northwest High
- Manay Kaw Shee Moo, Northwest High
- Tien Nguyen, Northwest High
- Madison Schovanec, Northwest High
- Beh Meh, Northwest High
- Cayla Waite, Northwest High
- Zander Koche, South High
- Charlotte Gregor, South High
- Mercedes Miller, South High
- Samuel Coronado, South High
- Alexander Tapia, South High
- Alyssa Betancourt, South High
- Sara Wilhelm, South High
- William Nommensen, South High
|
|
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!
|
|
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. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
