July 2021
Omaha Public Schools Community,

Summer is zipping by. Before we know it, the start of the new school year will be upon us. I hope families and staff have enjoyed time with loved ones, traveling or just being at home getting some much-needed rest and relaxation.

Our Next Level Learning program will conclude July 23. We extend gratitude to the many staff members who stepped up to serve our students this summer. Programming accelerated learning and maintained classroom connections for more than 18,000 students through the summer. That’s more than one out of every four students in our district. We also extend thanks to our families for making sure students arrived at school on time each day, ready to learn.

We recently sent all staff and families a survey to gather preliminary feedback on how to best allocate the $280 million of Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds approved by Congress to support our students and in-person learning. We’re currently holding in-person engagement sessions to solicit additional feedback. As we chart our next steps, we remain committed to the academic, social and emotional well-being of our students. We value the voices of our students, staff, families and our community as we make these important decisions.

I’m excited to share the success of our Summer Reading Program. Students have stayed engaged throughout the summer, immersing themselves in a wide variety of books. As I write, Edison and Gifford Park Elementary are leading in reading minutes. Our elementary students have collectively logged more than 1.8 million minutes and are well on-track for meeting our summer reading minutes goal of 2,000,000 minutes. Congratulations to all the students who have participated. Keep building that reading muscle.

As fall quickly approaches, we continue to encourage families and students to get vaccinated. We partnered with the Douglas County Health Department in June to host pop up clinics throughout our district. If families were unable to participate but would still like to get vaccinated, the Douglas County Health Department website has information on where to get vaccinated.

Wishing everyone continued rest and relaxation as you recharge before the start of the 2021-2022 school year. We appreciate your continued support of the Omaha Public Schools.

Cordially yours,

Cheryl Logan, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Omaha Public Schools
Summer Sessions Offer Information on High School Programming Proposal
This summer, families are getting a closer look at the opportunities available through Omaha Public Schools proposed College & Career Academies and Pathways. The program, introduced in January 2021, follows a review and refocus of high school programming throughout our district.

Students, families, staff and community members were invited to learn more about the offerings included in the proposal during a series of meetings in May and June.

"It was really important for us to engage with our community in a meaningful way," shared Dr. John Crowe, Omaha Public Schools director for strategy and innovation. "The feedback we received through our survey and engagement sessions will help us make the proposed College & Career Academies and Pathways program as strong and applicable to our students as it possibly can be."

Each high school, including the new Westview and Buena Vista High, hosted family engagement sessions - with weekend and virtual options - that included a presentation on the College & Career Academies and Pathways program and a chance for community members to ask questions.

"We wanted to make sure that as many people as possible were able to attend these sessions so their voices can be heard," shared Crystal Boyd, supervisor of Student and Community Services for Omaha Public Schools. "We even made phone calls the day of each session to give friendly reminders to those who had signed up for these engagement sessions, and we helped them sign up for a different event if their schedules had changed but they still wanted to take part."
In the proposed College & Career Academies and Pathways, each student chooses a pathway or academy they may be interested in pursuing in the future. In addition to their core curriculum like English, math, science and social studies, students will also take classes catered to their interests in college and career areas such as business, design and health professions. Every program includes opportunities for students to learn necessary skills and earn appropriate certifications and college credit. A wide range of electives will still be part of each school's course offerings.

"Through this proposed program, our students will have more ownership in their education," said Susan Christopherson, Omaha Public Schools director of secondary education. "They'll have more freedom to find their strengths and their interests, and they can learn how to use those to move forward in life to college, the military, the workforce or whatever they decide to pursue. We want to offer students more ownership in their education."

"This program is going to set our students up for success, whether they’re going to college, work or the military," said Tom Lee, principal of the new Westview High. "Students will get the chance to go out and do internships, they’ll get to learn hands-on while serving in their communities, the list of opportunities for our students in the College and Career program is just always growing."
Although the College & Career Academies and Pathways reflect an evolution of programming for Omaha Public Schools, the idea is not entirely new to our district. Benson High recently received recognition as the Nebraska Career and Technical Education Outstanding Career Academy of 2021. The award honors programs that demonstrate student achievement in career and academic areas, innovative instruction models, opportunities for leadership, personal development and career guidance and work-based learning that align with Nebraska’s workforce needs and economic priorities.

The latest updates on the proposed College & Career Academies and Pathways program will be presented to the community in August, and then to the Board of Education for consideration in September 2021. For more information on Omaha Public Schools College & Career Academies and Pathways, visit our website.
Students Try Out Teaching During Next Level Learning
Summer Musical Goes Out with a "Honk!"
The Omaha Public Schools summer musical had a new backdrop this year, a real sunset.

"We've done summer musicals for years, but this is the first time we've ever held a musical production outside like this," said Erienne Wredt, Benson High theater teacher and co-director of the summer musical. "All of us have really enjoyed finding solutions to the many challenges of hosting the musical outdoors, and we're so excited with how everything turned out."

"Honk!" the Musical revolves around Ugly, a swan who is mistaken as an ugly duckling. When Ugly gets lost one day, he meets a host of barnyard friends and foes on an adventure to get back home. Students from across the district performed outside Buffett Middle School on June 30 and July 1.

"It really was a creative thinking puzzle this year, but it was amazing to see our students step up and do such phenomenal work," said Tony Schik, Beveridge Middle drama teacher and co-director of the summer musical. "From tech kids making the set and lighting, the performers up on stage and the pit orchestra, this was such an awesome opportunity for all of our students to showcase their wide variety of talents."

DeVon Richards, an incoming freshman at Central High, played the Bullfrog, a friendly character who teaches Ugly that someday he’ll meet someone who will love him "Warts and All."

"The Bullfrog was great to play because he's really self-confident and is there to help out Ugly when he's down," said Richards. "I like putting myself into other people’s shoes and that’s exactly what I’m doing on stage, so it’s been great to do that again this summer."

Taylor Bartlett, a sophomore at South High, played the part of Queenie, a domesticated cat who is not a fan of Ugly showing up uninvited to her cottage.

"It’s really cool to see this all come to life," said Bartlett. "We started practicing on high school stages, but to be on the outdoor set and actually see it all put together has been so exciting."

Even graduating seniors stepped on stage for one last summer adventure.

Shane Waits, a 2021 graduate of Central High, returned for his seventh and final summer musical with Omaha Public Schools. Waits plays Barnacles, a member of the goose squadron that helps Ugly find his mother in "A Wild Goose Chase."

"I love seeing the talent of the new kids each year, and the growth of kids I’ve worked with multiple times before is incredible," said Waits. "You really get to see their talent on stage and their hard work during practice."

Watch the video below for rehearsal highlights from this year's summer musical, "Honk!"
Creativity Overflows as School Mural Takes Shape

Summer STEM Learning

Julie Sigmon, Omaha STEM Ecosystem Director
While you’re soaking up the sun this summer, be sure to check out the STEM programs and opportunities offered for students and educators in the Omaha area. Here are some of our top picks.

  • CREATE-an-APL Summer Workshop: Calling all high school teachers in the Lincoln-Omaha area! Attend this week-long workshop (July 26-30) that features adapted primary literature and curricular tools that can be leveraged to boost scientific intrigue in the classroom. Offered by University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

  • Do Space Summer Passport: Code, make, learn and explore this summer through this offering by Do Space. Through July 31, the Summer Passport program provides free resources that engage Omaha youth in tech-related educational activities. Students create a digital passport to track summer activity completion. As activities are completed, students earn points and prizes that can be picked up from Do Space.

To register for these opportunities or to find more summer programs, visit the STEM Community Platform Portal or click the link below.
CHI Health and Omaha Public Schools Partner to Honor Teachers Across the District

CHI Health wants nominations of Omaha Public Schools' teachers changing the lives of students. Each month, they'll surprise a Top Teacher nominee with a treat basket for the teachers' lounge and a personal gift card. CHI will draw winners on the last Friday of the month. CHI Health will select one winner at the elementary, middle and high school level.

Anyone can nominate a Top Teacher at CHIhealth.com/TopTeachers.

If you would like to view the latest CHI newsletter devoted to youth issues, please click here.

Thank you for your support of our teachers and Omaha Public Schools.
Meals2Go - Summer 2021

Meals2Go will be distributed every Monday through July 23 from 11:30-1 p.m. Each meal bag contains five breakfasts and five lunches. Parents may pick up the meals with identification for the child, children do not need to be present.

Specific district schools will serve as meal distribution sites. For a list of all summer distribution sites across our district, visit our Meals2Go webpage.
Student Enrollment Fair

Omaha Public Schools invites families new to our district, and current families requiring a new school due to a change in address, to attend our in-person student enrollment fair.

The event is scheduled for July 20-22 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily at the Teacher Administrative Center (TAC) board room at 3215 Cuming St.

Families must bring required documents for registration including:
  • Birth certificate or I-95
  • Immunizations
  • Address verification

For more information, visit our website.
... to Abigail Cool of Gateway Elementary for being selected as a finalist for the National Braille Challenge. Abigail won the Nebraska State competition earlier this year.

... to Erin Ellis, school counselor at Spring Lake Elementary School, for being awarded a 2021 National Certified School Counselor Award by the National Board of Certified Counselors and Affiliates.

… to our students from Northwest High School for their achievements in the Educators Rising state and national contests including Pu Meh for a 2nd place state finish in the Children’s Literature Pre-K category; Manal Suliman for placing 1st in the state in the My Educators Rising Moment category: Manal Suliman and Htoo Say for finishing 4th at the state and national level in the Inside Our Schools category; and to Hannah Dalton and Kiersten Copenharve for placing 3rd at the state and national level in the Inside our Schools category.
The following links will provide you with quick access to district sponsored events, procedures and resources. Please click on the categories under each title below, and you will be taken to the correct web page.
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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.