Dear Omaha Public Schools Community,
This month, we celebrate our libraries and library staff. When visiting our schools, I love to see students active and engaged in learning. In this edition of Inside OPS, you’ll get a look inside the library at Marrs Middle, offering exactly that type of environment for young people. We know librarians throughout our district go above and beyond, bringing joy to teaching.
Reading at home, outside of the school day is one of the best ways our families can support student success. In May, students from our elementary schools will receive another bundle of new books to read this summer. We are proud to have offered this for several years, expanding a child’s home library of books. We encourage all families to read together for at least 20 minutes each day. Investing that time this summer will benefit a student for years to come.
Looking ahead to next school year, save the date for our Back to School Bash! Saturday, Aug. 13 at Baxter Arena promises to be a wonderful start to the 2022-23 school year. We have many big steps forward as a school district: opening new schools, implementing new learning resources and evolving our high school programming, just to name a few. I am very much looking forward to our continued work together.
Cordially yours,
Cheryl Logan, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Omaha Public Schools
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Active and Vibrant:
How Libraries Support Student Learning at Omaha Public Schools
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The school library has changed dramatically over the years. They are no longer places designated for quiet, independent reading and research alone. They are now spaces for collaboration, dynamic learning, fun and comfort for entire school communities.
“We want them to be active and vibrant,” said Amy Soma, Omaha Public Schools teaching and learning consultant for library services.
"They have stopped being these shushing places, and usually, the loudest people in the library now are the librarians," Soma joked.
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Manga are Japanese comics, which have become increasingly popular with youth. Students eat their lunch in the library to participate in Manga Club where they learn basic Japanese, watch cartoons and appreciate the art behind the comics. |
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Soma said that while reading and books remain a focus for the library, the process of how we teach and learn has evolved. Teachers have introduced more hands-on lessons and students are taking notice.
“Very nice people, lots of books and lots of fun stuff to do every day,” said Jennifer Ceballos Espinoza, an eighth-grader at Marrs Middle.
The library at Marrs is a favorite stop for both students and staff because of the effort librarian Douglas Keel takes to create a welcoming environment.
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"You have to establish relationships with teachers; that's what's really important," Keel explained. "I spend a lot of time working with our teachers to support what they're doing and come up with activities that engage our students and make them want to further pursue interests."
Marely Villa Jimenez is a sixth-grader. The library quickly became her favorite place at Marrs. She regularly attends Manga Club during lunch and looks forward to classroom activities in the library.
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“I like coming to the library because Mr. Keel is the best,” Villa Jimenez explained. “I like how he’s so happy each day and there’s a lot of books that I like.”
“My students love Mr. Keel,” said dual language teacher Herendira Moreno Padilla. “I have a lot of new students who only speak Spanish. They come almost every day to check out books and feel welcome because Mr. Keel always tries to speak Spanish.”
Classroom activities and projects often occur in the library, where Keel helps prepare and facilitate. Richelle Hallgren is a language arts teacher at Marrs and has worked with Keel for years, “You give him an idea, and he’ll say ‘come on down’ and have an entire presentation ready.”
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Students participate in a marble run activity in the library for math class. They drew designs and built tracks for marbles to roll through without falling off the tracks. |
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“I think libraries level the playing field,” Keel said about what libraries mean to him. “More than anything, I enjoy when we’re doing projects and students are discovering answers themselves, whether it’s research or a science project. I like to see when they come to that point of understanding. That’s what libraries are really about.”
April is National School Library Month, a time we celebrate the contributions of school librarians and highlight the benefits of school libraries.
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Students and teachers alike go to the library to study, work and relax. |
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Prepared for Success
The Portrait of an Omaha Public Schools Graduate
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At this time last year, Mariam Zahid was preparing for her graduation from Bryan High, where she would take the stage as valedictorian of her class. In her remarks, she talked of challenges met and dreams for the future.
Today, Zahid is living out those dreams as a first-generation college student at the University of Nebraska Omaha. Zahid is a neuroscience major. She also participates in the Pre-Health Professionals Club, serves as a First-Year Ambassador and is a senator in Student Government.
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Mariam Zahid was valedictorian at Bryan High last year. She studies neuroscience at UNO and is involved in student leadership. Icons and descriptions outline Omaha Public Schools' Portrait of a Graduate. |
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“Time management and making a to-do list,” Zahid said of the skills necessary to maintain such a busy schedule.
The college freshman also utilizes many of the skills achieved during her time at Omaha Public Schools. Last spring, our district featured Zahid in our Portrait of a Graduate series, which defines what every graduate should know and be able to do upon graduation.
“We want to make sure our students are ready to be strong leaders within our community from the moment they graduate,” explained Susan Christopherson, Omaha Public Schools’ chief academic officer.
Omaha Public Schools created the Portrait of a Graduate as part of our Strategic Plan of Action. The goal is for all students, from Pre-K to graduation, to gain the skills needed to succeed. Students learn to become Resilient Achievers, Collaborators, Communicators, Critical Thinkers, Innovators and Civic and Global Contributors.
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“Portrait of a Graduate provides us a North Star for all of our work,” added Christopherson. “It gives focus on staying student-centered in all that we’re doing for our schools, so our students can achieve their goals and dreams after graduating.”
Zahid is already proving herself as someone who embodies the characteristics of the Omaha Public Schools' Portrait of a Graduate. Beyond collaboration and critical thinking in her classes and activities, she is determined to make an impact as a civic and global contributor.
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Zahid helps prepare lab samples for classmates in her biology lab. |
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“I want to be engaged with the community and give back,” Zahid shared. “I hope in 20 years I was a good role model for other girls like me or my siblings [who] see if I was able to push through that they can, too.”
After obtaining her undergraduate degree, Zahid plans to pursue a master’s degree and then work toward a doctorate.
“I feel gratitude every day for our students coming to school, making a difference and contributing greatly as leaders in our community,” said Christopherson. “I have no doubt they will continue to make their families, communities and the Omaha Public Schools proud as they venture onto their next phase of life.”
Leading up to graduation in May, Omaha Public Schools will again feature seniors who exemplify our Portrait of a Graduate. Watch for the videos on our district social media pages, visit Omaha Public Schools’ YouTube page or click the image below to learn more. |
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On with the Show
Students Take Center Stage as Live Theater Productions Return
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Students throughout Omaha Public Schools are enjoying a busy year of theater productions, from musicals to student-directed plays.
“It’s wonderful. It feels brand new getting back into the groove of theater,” Briana Nash, a senior at Burke High, explained about returning to live theater productions. “I’m learning to not take it for granted because I think I used to.”
After pausing, then adapting at the start of the pandemic, students were ecstatic to join their friends on stage again.
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Friends and family are excited to see their loved ones on stage with the return of live theater productions. Students at Sunny Slope Elementary recently finished their musical production of Disney's Aladdin Jr. |
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“It was really hard to not see that final product [in 2020], but what it made all of us recognize when we came back was how important the process is, not just the end result,” said Emily Mokryicki, Burke High’s drama teacher. “Moving forward, it gave a different perspective to make sure every moment we get to work together is something we cherish.”
Families and friends were also eager to see the student performances.
“It’s really exciting. They’ve been practicing really hard, and they love doing it,” said Greg Applequist, a parent at Sunny Slope Elementary.
Students at Sunny Slope recently returned to the stage with their rendition of Disney’s Aladdin Jr. musical.
“Two years ago, the joy and energy were amazing, so we’re excited to see them do it again,” Applequist added. “We’re so grateful for the teachers and everybody who has helped put this on.”
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Families and students experience the joy of live theater for the first time this year. |
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Sunny Slope is one of several elementary schools performing a spring musical. The rehearsal process provides a unique learning experience for students and allows them to connect socially.
“The practices, being able to stay after school and get to know other kids outside her grade; when she first came out, I got emotional,” recalled Sharena Marrs of her students at Sunny Slope.
Middle and high school students and staff began hosting live productions last fall, with spring performances scheduled through early May.
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Students in Burke High's drama club play a warmup game before beginning their rehearsal. |
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Dusk Preslar, a member of Burke High’s stage crew, worked with outside contractors throughout the year to set up lighting and adjust costumes to meet each production’s needs. They learned how to control stage lights this year and enjoyed practicing their artistic vision. Their attention to detail is crucial to an audience member’s theater experience.
“Theater to me is important because of the stories it can tell,” said Preslar. “Here, physically on stage, there is an inherent connection you have with your audience because there will never be another production exactly like that.”
The Omaha Public Schools community is excited to have live theater productions return not only because of the joy it brings but also because of the learning that takes place.
“Theater is where we learn how to empathize, walk in someone else’s shoes, and gain confidence as well,” explained Mokrycki, “It’s a really impactful way of learning
collaboration, being open to other people and just gaining the confidence to get out there.”
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Meet Omaha Public Schools 2022 Alice Buffett Outstanding Teacher Award Winners |
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The annual award highlights teachers’ essential role in our community and society.
The 2022 Alice Buffett Outstanding Teacher Award winners include the following recipients:
Tom Brown - Saddlebrook Elementary third grade teacher
Laura Chambers - South High English as a Second Language (ESL) & Spanish teacher
Kim Dutiel - Dodge Elementary fourth grade teacher
Amy Fitl - Edison Elementary third grade teacher
Craig Horobik - Burke High science teacher
Allison Iles - North High counselor
Debi Bischof Jaeke - Western Hills Elementary counselor
Molly Mertz - Lewis & Clark Middle English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher
Donna Murphy - Northwest High resource teacher
Kelly Nielsen - Oak Valley Elementary resource teacher
Lisa Price - Washington Elementary second grade teacher
Patrick Ryan - Burke High social studies and aeronautics teacher
Sarah Short - Lewis & Clark Middle instrumental music teacher
Cheryl White - Norris Middle reading teacher
Kristi Woodworth - Bryan Middle family and consumer science teacher
The Buffett Foundation established the award in 1988 in honor of Warren Buffett’s aunt, Alice Buffett. She taught home economics at Central High and Benson High for more than three decades.
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ESSER in Action: Investing in Students and Staff
After three disrupted years, our district's students, staff and families will benefit from federal emergency school relief funds – or ESSER funds.
Omaha Public Schools is focusing resources in areas that will provide the most significant benefit, including enhanced summer programming, technology for teaching and learning and additional mental health and behavioral support for students.
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UNO Distinguished Alumni Serving Omaha Public Schools
Two educators from Omaha Public Schools earned recognition from the University of Nebraska Omaha (UNO) as distinguished alumni this month.
UNO’s College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences recognized Chris Schaben, Ph.D. and Antonio Perez for their contributions to their communities and professions.
Dr. Schaben is a science supervisor for Omaha Public Schools. Perez serves South High as a school counselor.
Schaben and Perez are among six individuals honored by UNO as distinguished alumni in 2022.
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2022-2023 District Academic Calendars Available
Our 2022-23 district and staff calendars are now available for download. The Omaha Public Schools Board of Education approved the calendars earlier this year.
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April STEM Learning
Julie Sigmon, Omaha STEM Ecosystem Director
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Spring into STEM this April with one of these STEM opportunities. Search our comprehensive catalog for current and upcoming offerings for students, educators, and professionals. Here are some of our top picks for April.
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City Nature Challenge: Join Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium as they unite forces across Omaha to identify and count plants and animals that live among us. This spring you get the chance to get to know plants, animals and fungi that live all around you.
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High School Physical Science Teacher Virtual Camaraderie Hour: Do you teach high school chemistry, physics, and/or physical science? Join the UNO STEM TRAIL Center on the second Wednesday of each month for a virtual camaraderie hour. Join them to share tips, swap stories and support each other.
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… to Mariana Cruz, assistant principal of Gomez Heritage Elementary, for her recognition in earning the Educational Trailblazer award from Women of Color Nebraska.
… Benson High, its staff, students and administration for earning Cognia’s Values Driven Award of Excellence.
… to Milan Aranda of Burke High for her selection as President of Nebraska State Educators Rising for 2022-2023.
… to Tyson Terry of North High for winning the National High School Coaches Association freshman championship for the 285-pound weight class and earning the title of Freshman All-American Wrestler.
… to Central High for being named the Nebraska DECA Chapter of the Year.
… to Mackenzie Mabus of Central High for her election as DECA State President.
… to the Omaha Public Schools award winners at the Metro Science and Engineering Fair.
... to the Omaha Public Schools award winners at the Greater Nebraska Science and Engineering Fair.
... to Lauren Sitzman of North High for being selected to represent Nebraska at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair.
... to Charlie Yale of Central High for qualifying for the National Speech & Debate Association's National Tournament in Louisville, Kentucky.
... to the Omaha Public Schools multi-sport student-athletes who earned recognitions from the Nebraska School Activities Association and the Nebraska State College System.
... to the Omaha Public Schools students recognized as World Language Distinguished Scholars by the Nebraska Department of Education.
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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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