Dear Omaha Public Schools Community,
Our families are essential partners in preparing all students for success in college, career and life. After three disrupted years, we are thrilled to return to more normal routines. Already this year, that included our Back to School Bash and #OPSProud Week open houses.
October brings family-teacher conferences, a cornerstone of our collaboration.
- High school conferences are this week.
- Middle school conferences are the week of Oct. 17.
- Elementary school conferences are the week of Oct. 24.
We encourage all families to attend conferences and visit with teachers. You’ll hear about classroom lessons, discuss your student’s academic growth and learn how families can keep things moving forward at home.
If you cannot attend, please contact your student’s teacher(s) for other opportunities to connect. We appreciate the importance of our work with families.
Forward, together!
Cheryl Logan, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Omaha Public Schools
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Students Take the Lead in Elevating Access to Programming |
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When not doing homework, applying to colleges or enjoying her last year of high school, Azriel Carr is helping her peers as a student ambassador.
“The role of a student ambassador can mean a lot of different things to a lot of different people,” said Carr, a North High senior. “To me, it means that I am helping students across all academies to be connected with different opportunities within our school, both inside and outside.”
Carr is part of the Engineering & Design Academy at North High. She recently joined nearly 50 other student ambassadors for a day of learning. They will support the implementation of College & Career Academies and Pathways at all nine high schools.
“It's opened up a whole new world,” she explained. “We can share ideas among each other and, you know, become better people for today, tomorrow and the future.”
The student leadership group offers a unique perspective to those wanting to know more about academies and pathways.
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“It’s my job as an ambassador to educate them and give them those opportunities to make them into successful scholars,” Carr explained.
Eh Gay, a junior from Benson High, enjoyed learning alongside his peers as a student ambassador.
“While we come here to learn about other schools, we take ideas and can improve our program,” he said. “As a student, you’re going through these things; you’re experiencing it first-hand. You’re there in that moment.”
Omaha Public Schools staff presented information to student ambassadors about College & Career Academies and Pathways. They also discussed ways students and staff could collaborate as the programming evolves.
“It’s a good opportunity for us to get together and have the same opportunities for training, messaging and education, but also to network and see each other,” said Amanda Gutierrez,
curriculum specialist at North High. “We’re ambassadors for Omaha Public Schools as a whole and not just our respective schools.”
Gutierrez helped launch the student ambassadors’ program. She says when students and staff work together as big projects develop, the collaboration benefits families overall.
“We really just want to elevate student voice because we think they're the best representation of what we have to offer,” said Gutierrez.
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Benson High Hosts National Panel on Academies & Pathways
Benson High hosted educators from across the country to learn and share best practices in career academy leadership.
Attendees heard from a panel of Omaha Public Schools staff, students and parents.
"When academies first came around, I was a skeptic. I was the one who was concerned this would pigeonhole our kids,” said Katie McWilliams, curriculum specialist at Bryan High. “Now, it’s something I’m really excited about. It’s going to make a difference and change the way we do education."
Ayiana Woodman, a student at Benson High, is a part of the Health Professions Academy. She says the academies have helped shape her future to become a surgeon.
“I haven’t changed my mind. If anything, I’m more driven to get to that end goal.”
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Omaha Public Schools Partners with UNO on Teacher Development, Retention Projects |
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River Magisana can hardly wait to explore literature with students. Soon, he’ll become an English Language Arts teacher for Omaha Public Schools.
The Benson High graduate studies education at the University of Nebraska Omaha (UNO). Though he was confident in his career choice, he wasn’t as sure about how to achieve it. That changed when he earned a spot in the Teacher Scholar Academy (TSA), an innovative partnership between Omaha Public Schools and UNO.
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“If the Teacher Scholar Academy didn’t exist, I would not be a teacher. It’s been a monumental help in affording college,” said Magisana.
Each group in the Teacher Scholar Academy includes 25 students who receive full scholarships. It covers room and board, books and fees. After their college graduation, members of Magisana’s class will join Omaha Public Schools full-time.
“Getting a degree is very important to me to complete the cycle that my parents weren’t able to,” he said. “Without the support that the Teacher Scholar Academy provides, I would probably be doing something completely different.”
Funding from Omaha Public Schools supports the Teacher Scholar Academy and three other initiatives at UNO. The programs create more pathways into teaching and expand professional development for current educators. The $14.8 million grant provides:
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Teacher Advanced Academics Graduate Program: Up to 18 hours of graduate courses for qualifying high school teachers. Investment in this partnership builds Omaha Public Schools capacity to teach dual enrollment courses. Dual enrollment earns students college credit while still in high school.
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Accelerating Teacher Learning: Up to 1,000 teachers will receive up to nine graduate credit hours of instruction. Investment in this partnership aligns with Strategic Plan of Action initiatives.
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Teacher Scholar Academy Program: Funds a group of high-achieving students seeking to obtain teacher certification and promotes teacher development in hard-to-fill areas. This ongoing initiative will recruit, diversify and retain a high-quality roster of educators.
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Teacher Academy Project: Supports secondary education certification for people who earned a bachelor’s degree and aspire to become a teacher. This increases certifications in high-demand areas, including math, science and language.
“The collaboration between Omaha Public Schools and UNO is a commitment to Omaha’s young learners by providing solutions to the staffing challenges nationwide,” said Superintendent Cheryl Logan, Ed.D. “With UNO on our side and at our side, our district will continue to lead the way with teacher development.”
UNO Chancellor Joanne Li, Ph.D., described the initiatives as an opportunity to create a sustainable solution for the ongoing challenge.
“The teacher shortage is a real problem and will require thinking outside of the box to solve it,” said Dr. Li. “We’re not here to save the world by tomorrow, but we have to take the first step.”
A step that has future educators, like Magisana, on track to make a difference in education soon.
“Education is something that shapes a student’s life, and I feel like we need to start teaching it as such,” he says. “Which is why I'm glad that programs like the Teacher Scholar Academy exist and we’re finally able to put the emphasis on how important teaching is.”
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Omaha Public Schools Superintendent Receives Prestigious Award |
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Omaha Public Schools Superintendent Cheryl Logan, Ed.D., earned national recognition this month as a recipient of the 2022 Harold W. McGraw Jr. Prize in Education. Dr. Logan is the sole honoree in Pre-K-12 education this year.
The McGraw Family Foundation and the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education (Penn GSE) selected Dr. Logan for her innovative leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic and for enabling Omaha to be one of the first large, urban school districts in the nation to return to in-person learning in 2020.
“From the excitement of a new Strategic Plan of Action to the challenges of leading through a pandemic, Omaha Public Schools is stronger because of Dr. Logan’s student-centered service and leadership,” said Board of Education President Shavonna Holman, Ed.D. “We are proud to share our heartfelt congratulations.”
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More Art Educators Win Statewide Recognition |
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Three Omaha Public Schools teachers are among the best in Nebraska. The Nebraska Art Teachers Association (NATA) recognized the following educators for excellence:
- Ryan Deike, Marrs Middle, Middle Level Art Educator of the Year
- Lindsay Heuftle, Prairie Wind Elementary, Elementary Art Educator of the Year
- Joe Bristol, Wakonda and Edison Elementaries, Outstanding Art Educator of the Year
“We have such a brilliant art staff in Omaha Public Schools,” said Deike. “I love that I get to work with my favorite artists every day.”
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Forest Station Assistant Principal Earns Latina Educator of the Year Honor
We are proud to recognize Mariana Cruz of Forest Station Elementary for winning the Latino Educator of the Year Award from the Metro Young Latino Professionals Association. The award honors those who show tremendous work in the community and a commitment to serving immigrant families and youth.
“I share this award with all of the educators and staff members who work tirelessly in our schools to provide our students with engaging opportunities and educational experiences that enrich their lives,” said Cruz.
Cruz has been with Omaha Public Schools since 2011 when she began as a dual language teacher. She currently serves as Assistant Principal for Forest Station Elementary.
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School Leaders in the Spotlight During National Principals Month |
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Each October, we recognize our school leaders during National Principals Month. Our principals lead schools by supporting staff and providing an exceptional learning environment for students.
Our district featured principals through videos on our social media platforms this month. We encourage you to celebrate your neighborhood school’s principal by sending a note to thank them for their service to our young people.
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Family-Teacher Conferences Underway at Omaha Public Schools
Omaha Public Schools family-teacher conferences take place throughout October. Conferences allow our families to engage with the school community and be more involved in their student's academic lives.
Here are a few tips to make the most of your meeting:
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Write down questions. Taking a moment ahead of time to create a list can help calm nerves and leave you feeling like you received all the correct information from the teacher.
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Do your homework. Go through your student’s recent tests, quizzes and assignments. Look to see if the teacher left any comments and put aside any work you would like to discuss.
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Talk to your student ahead of time. Ask how they feel about school and if there’s anything they want you to discuss with their teacher.
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South High Student Group Hosts event for Hispanic Heritage Month
South High’s Student Organization of Latino Leaders invites the community to its Fiesta Latina.
The event takes place on Oct. 15 at South High. Fiesta Latina includes food trucks, music, games, prizes and more. The fun starts at 11 a.m. and goes until at 2 p.m.
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October STEM Learning
Julie Sigmon, Omaha STEM Ecosystem Director
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Happy October! Get in the spooky spirit this October with some STEM activities. Search our comprehensive catalog for current and upcoming offerings for students, educators and professionals. Here are some of our top picks for October.
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Do Space Hi-Tech Harvest Challenge: Do Space has all of the cool tech and fun activities this fall. Join them to discover what you can do today! Complete activities to earn tickets to be entered to win cool prizes. This program is offered free by Do Space.
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Metropolitan Science and Engineering Fair 2023: The annual MSEF is currently looking for greater Omaha-area students in grades 6-12. The MSEF gives students an opportunity to present and display their research projects and have their projects judged by college instructors and professionals.
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Community Opportunities
Check out this month's Community Opportunities. It provides a one-stop shop for youth and family events happening in our community.
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... to Coach Stattin Yates and the Northwest High Boys Tennis Team for winning the Metro Conference Tennis Team of the Year.
… to Coach Matt Shafer of Burke High for receiving the Metro Boys Tennis Coach of the Year.
... to Camille Kane of Lewis and Clark Middle for advancing to the U.S. Skating Pairs Finals with the Omaha Area Skaters. This is the first time a team from the Omaha area has qualified at this level of competition in several years.
... to Aaliyah Farmer of North High and Thomas Vasquez of Burke High for being recognized as the 2022-2023 Currency Believers and Achievers state winners and to all local school winners:
- Macy Santoni of Burke High
- Jaden Pospishil of Burke High
- Mallory Williams of Burke High
- Thomas Vasquez of Burke High
- MacKenzie Altuzar of Central High
- Ian Young of Central High
- Andrew DeMare of Central High
- Amelia Larson of Central High
- Nayera Abdessalam of North High
- Theodore Jones of North High
- Jessie Smith of North High
- Aaliyah Farmer of North High
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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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