April 2023
A portrait of Omaha Public Schools superintendent Dr. Cheryl Logan
Dear Omaha Public Schools Community,
 
This month, our young people get to show off their knowledge in several ways. Most elementary and middle-level students are taking MAP Growth and NSCAS tests. Eleventh grade students took the ACT on April 4.
 
Our teachers use MAP Growth results right away to meet students where they are through classroom lessons. MAP Growth shows a student’s strengths and opportunities in a subject like math or reading.
 
NSCAS stands for the “Nebraska Student-Centered Assessment System” and is a statewide test. Results reach students and families in the fall. The Nebraska Department of Education then releases a statewide report with spring data toward the end of each calendar year.
 
For our eleventh grade students, the ACT doubles as a tool to access college and career. ACT results are part of the application process for many colleges, and it may help students earn scholarship money to pay for their education. For many years, Omaha Public Schools and the Nebraska Department of Education have provided the ACT at no cost to families during the school day.
 
If it’s a testing day at your school, we encourage families to cheer students on. Students benefit from a good night’s rest, enjoying school breakfast and knowing they have the support of their families and school staff. Of course, these are great every day. We’re incredibly proud of our young people.
 
In March, our district hosted family-teacher conferences. These are key opportunities to check-in and talk about your child's progress. The conversation does not stop there. We’re always eager to partner with families. Talking with your student and their teachers about spring testing may help you plan activities for the summer to start the next school year strong.
 

Cordially yours,
 
Cheryl Logan, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Omaha Public Schools
Educators Rising Helps Build Paths for Future Educators
Milan Aranda is in the home stretch of her senior year at Burke High. As she looks forward to graduation, she’s also looking forward to her career as a teacher.

Aranda is the president of Burke High’s Educators Rising chapter, a national program that allows students to explore careers in education while still in high school. Aranda said the program gave her hands-on experience she otherwise would not have had until late in college. She is already seeing the impact of her work.

“Last year, I worked in a third grade classroom, and my students said, ‘Miss, you sound like me. You speak Spanish too!’ That was honestly the best day,” Aranda said. “I want to show younger students that they can do what they want to do in life.”
Each Omaha Public Schools high school offers Educators Rising. Students get an inside look at the teaching profession. They volunteer, hold community outreach events, attend after-school meetings and participate in educational competitions.

“This is a great opportunity for students to get involved on the school level, and it’s really important that we connect our kids to real-world opportunities,” said Jane Luethge, Omaha Public Schools teaching and learning consultant. “Not just learning about the theory and practice in the classroom but putting it into action.”

Educators Rising is one of the many opportunities available in our district that help build a pipeline of future educators. Our district also offers Next Level Learning paid summer internships and education pathways at our high schools.

“It’s a group of people who love education and who see the joy in a career field that is often challenging,” said Andrea Burton, Education Pathway teacher at Burke High. “Whether they go into a job in a classroom or go into something human services oriented, we’re sending out kids who will make a difference in their society and their communities.”

Since she was little, Burke High sophomore Lea Hanson knew that she wanted to become a teacher, so much so that she contacted Burton when she was still in middle school, asking her how she could get involved immediately. This year, Hanson placed fourth in Nebraska’s Educators Rising competition. She gave a three-minute speech on why she wants to become a teacher.

“It made me realize that this is for sure what I want to do and what I've wanted to do for a really long time,” said Hanson. “I think education as a career is so important, and this program opens the door to students who didn’t think they would want to be a teacher.”

Burke High sophomore Sophia Bouman credits Educators Rising for opening her eyes to this career path.
“Through Educators Rising and going to conferences, I realized so much more the behind the scenes of what teaching is,” said Bouman. “You get to practice things you would be doing as a teacher. All around, it helps create a big picture of what teaching is.”

In March, 140 Omaha Public Schools students attended the 2023 Educators Rising Nebraska State Leadership Conference. Students competed in events such as lesson planning, public speaking and mock job interviews. Thirty-eight students from our district qualified for nationals in June.
Omaha Public Schools Foundation Supports Teaching and Learning in Our District
From the middle of the United States to places far beyond, the Omaha Public Schools Foundation (OPSF) helps students explore the world around them.
At Benson High, students recently took an international field trip without leaving their classroom. The experience was made possible by using 3D virtual reality glasses. Students visited different cities as if they were touring in person.

“It allowed us to do something new and explore new places outside traditional teaching,” said Tho Paw, a Benson High junior. “This virtual trip activity was more entertaining than maybe reading off a textbook.”
The Omaha Public Schools Foundation provided a grant that funded the equipment for the activity. The OPSF is a non-profit designed to enhance teaching and learning at Omaha Public Schools.
 
“One of the things that the foundation strives to do is bring enrichment opportunities to our students,” said Toba Cohen-Dunning, OPSF executive director. “We like to give kids quality experiences that they wouldn't otherwise have.”
 
The organization provides grants and scholarships that support our schools and programs. Each year, the OPSF awards approximately $500,000 in student scholarships. The organization also hosts Kids Club, a before and after-school childcare program.
 
Cohen-Dunning says the OPSF mission is to raise funds outside Omaha Public Schools general budget to enrich students' lives. Everything they do aligns with our district’s Strategic Plan of Action priorities.
In March, 31 JROTC students from our district benefitted from OPSF support. They traveled to Hawaii to march in the National Vietnam Veterans Day Parade. The foundation granted $10,000 to supplement the group’s fundraising efforts for the trip.

“I know that without the help of the Omaha Public Schools Foundation, myself, and many other cadets would have been unable to experience Hawaii,” said Allison Arkfeld, Benson High cadet. “Because of their help, I was able to experience something that will stay with me for the rest of my life.”
OPSF also supports teachers. The organization awards around $30,000 to teachers' wish lists each year. Lists include educational field trips, enrichment programs, supplies for experiments and other ways to enhance the classroom experience for students.

Wilson Focus Elementary librarian Daniel Levitt received $1,000 to purchase Legos. He incorporates the Legos into STEM-themed lessons.
“OPSF is an amazing thing to have,” said Levitt. “Knowing I have this type of support is really nice.”

The OPSF works year-round to support our district through fundraising and private donors.

“We are here for all 52,000 children and teachers in this district,” said Cohen-Dunning. “We’ve always worked hard to help in any way, shape or form.”

To learn more about the OPSF or to donate, visit omahapublicschoolsfoundation.org.
Students Achieve the Portrait of an Omaha Public Schools Graduate
Beginning in April every year, Omaha Public Schools highlights seniors from each high school that exemplify the Portrait of an Omaha Public Schools Graduate. From Pre-K to graduation, Omaha Public Schools prepares students for success in life no matter what the future holds.
 
As the Class of 2023 approaches their next phase in life, we celebrate their achievements. We are highlighting stories each week leading up to graduation.
 
Watch for the videos on our district social media pages, visit Omaha Public Schools YouTube page or click the image below. 
Board of Education Approves Superintendent Search Firm
In March, our Board of Education approved a contract with GR Recruiting to assist with the Omaha Public Schools superintendent search.

Our district received six submissions from search firms nationwide. After reviewing the proposals, the Board Accountability Committee interviewed three firms and recommended GR Recruiting.

GR Recruiting has more than 40 years of experience with superintendent searches. GR Recruiting will organize and manage feedback meetings with families and community members as a part of the superintendent search process.

Board of Education Vice President and Accountability Committee Chair Ricky Smith highlighted Omaha Public Schools commitment to engaging with students, staff, families and community members through the process.

Board President Spencer Head echoed Smith's remarks, adding, "We want feedback from our entire community to make the most informed decision. This will be a thorough search for such an important role."

Once finalized, the dates and times of community engagement opportunities will be emailed directly to staff and families and posted here to ops.org/superintendentsearch.
District Continues Outreach Regarding 2023-24 Transportation Eligibility Updates
In Dec. 2022, Omaha Public Schools announced updates to transportation eligibility to improve reliability for our families. These updates will impact some students’ eligibility for transportation in the 2023-24 school year.
 
This month, impacted families will receive a letter, email and individual phone calls as part of our ongoing commitment to open communication.
 
The updates, approved by our Board of Education in Dec. 2022, minimize the impact on students and families while more closely aligning the number of bus routes with available drivers.
ACE Mentor Program Honors Teacher with National Award
Benson High teacher Rhonda Sherman earned recognition locally and nationally for her work with the ACE Mentor Program.

Sherman received an Outstanding Mentor Award from the ACE Mentor Program of Greater Omaha. She was also selected as one of five teachers in the United States for a National Mentorship Award.

“I love my students. I love the staff,” Sherman said. “I love helping kids find their path to college or for a career to a job. It’s just what I like to do.”

Watch Sherman’s surprise award ceremony at Benson High.
Omaha Public Schools Celebrates National School Library Month
Libraries throughout Omaha Public Schools offer a place for students to read and so much more. Prairie Wind Elementary librarian Lucie Ripley says they also provide hands-on learning experiences. 
 
“I want our students to be excited to learn,” said Ripley. “Not only are students having fun creating games or 3D images, but they are learning valuable skills to lead them through life.”  

This month's Staff Spotlight offers more about the opportunities available in Ripley's library.
Safe2Help Nebraska Hotline

Safe2Help Nebraska is a confidential and anonymous reporting hotline for students, families, staff or community members to report concerns. Examples of potential topics that could be reported would include depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, bullying, relationship issues, substance abuse or distribution or threats against a school or an individual. 
 
The Safe2Help Nebraska app is installed on every Omaha Public Schools iPad, providing easy and immediate access to report concerns. 
Check out this month's Community Opportunities. Our Community Opportunities section provides a one-stop shop for youth and family events.

Omaha Public Schools does not endorse any business, product or service.

If you're interested in advertising with us or have questions about community opportunities, please contact District Communications at (531) 299-0221.
… to all Omaha Public Schools students who qualified to participate at the 2023 Nebraska Junior Academy State Science Fair.

… to the Burke High School Cadet Squadron for winning the Aerospace Education Achievement Award and the Evelyn Shard Aerospace Education Award at the Nebraska Wing Civil Air Patrol annual conference.

… to all Omaha Public Schools student recipients of the Winter 2022-2023 Nebraska Chiropractic Physicians Association Academic All-State Awards.

… to Justin Diep of Bryan High for being named the 2023 Nebraska Student Journalist of the Year by the Nebraska High School Press Association.
 
… to Central High’s Girls' Powerlifting team for becoming 2023 State Champions.
 
… to all four of Norris Middle’s robotics teams for progressing to the Nebraska State VEX Robotics Championship quarter-finals.
 
… to all Omaha Public Schools students that placed in the JROTC 22nd Annual Bellevue Invitational Drill Meet.

… to all Omaha Public Schools students who qualified for the National Educators Rising competition.
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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.