When we launched our Strategic Plan of Action in January, little did we know it would serve as the bedrock for keeping our school district grounded and focused in the midst of unparalleled circumstances. Though the pandemic has required numerous abrupt transitions, our shared mission, vision, values and norms have served as our north star, helping us stay the course.

This season, please pause to remember those across our community and the country who have lost loved ones to the virus. We extend our deepest sympathies to families who have felt the pain of grief during these past 10 months. Please know that you are in our thoughts. We are also thinking of our families facing financial hardship or food insecurity during this time, heartened by the care so many have shown for neighbors in need.

As we enter a new calendar year, we must remain focused on our shared values: equity, results, leadership, accountability and most importantly, joy. Our staff and families demonstrate them daily, offering students our best, even in challenging times. 

Take this time to rest, rejuvenate and reconnect with family, friends and loved ones. Wishing you happy holidays and a happy New Year!

We began 2020 by announcing our Strategic Plan of Action, the roadmap for our collective work over the next five years. At the center of this plan are our five shared values, Equity, Results, Leadership, Accountability and Joy. The plan also highlighted our strategic priorities, Academics, Staff, Financial Accountability and Ethic of Care. These shared values and priorities have been foundational to our work this year, and they will continue to guide us in the future.

We regret that graduations could not be hosted in person, but that did not stop the graduating class of 2019-20 from celebrating their milestone achievement.

Before the conclusion of the 2019-20 school year, preparation for the next year had already begun. All teachers participated in professional development to enhance remote teaching, and district leadership worked alongside local, state and national health officials to create an effective plan to allow students to learn in-person in the fall. This plan is the Family 3/2 Model, which allows for better social distancing and more limited transitions during the day. The 3/2 plan also provides consistency and predictability in what days a student will physically attend school. Additionally, we offered a remote learning program so families with health concerns could stay in the remote setting.

Proactive planning helped expedite the launch of our 1 to 1 Technology Initiative, providing another critical resource for students. Omaha Public Schools held a special board meeting in the spring of 2020 to order 56,000 internet-connected devices as quickly as possible when we identified the need and resources available for this initiative. Thanks to this forward thinking, all students received an iPad with mobile data connectivity to assist in at-home learning in the fall. The 1 to 1 Technology Initiative was especially vital as the 2020-21 school year began fully remote for the safety of our students, staff and community. This initiative has created a more unified and effective learning experience for all of our students, two of the shared values our Strategic Plan of Action.

After the first quarter, we announced a phased return to in-person learning. This phased approach allowed for a safer return to schools, and it helped our teachers and students gradually adjust to in-person learning. This phased return utilized the Family 3/2 Model and numerous health and safety measures alongside work with community partners to offer responsible learning spaces for our students and staff.

Garrett Potts, a freshman at North High School, knew more about the school walking into his first class than many students know by the time they graduate.

“I feel like I was the only kid on the first day of school who didn’t get lost because I’d already been in the building so much,” he said. “It feels like I’ve been here my whole life."

Garrett’s family tree is filled with North High graduates and teachers, extending all the way back to his great grandparents.

Joy Oberg, Garrett’s great-grandmother, graduated from North High in 1949. Her late husband, Guy Oberg, graduated in 1947 after serving as president of the student council.

“The school definitely doesn’t look the same to me today,” said Joy. “There was no parking lot when we were there because I think only one person drove a car to school back then.”

“There was a store across the street where everybody stopped to get something and chat before heading home. Everybody knew everybody,” Joy added.

Joy and Guy’s love for North High inspired them to send their own children there, including their daughter, Gay O’Neill.

“Mom and dad always talked about their time at North, so us kids all expected to end up there someday,” Gay recalled. “I graduated from North in 1970, but I actually worked as an art teacher at North and still substitute there now, so I’ve probably spent 30 or 40 years of my life with the school.”

Gay shared her love of North with many students over the years and enjoys sharing stories about how times have changed.

“One big change I always loved to tell my students was that when I went to North, I had to wear a dress or a skirt to school every day. That’s completely true, but I don’t think they ever believed it,” she said.

Garrett spent a lot of time at North High as a child thanks to his parents, grandparents and his extended family.

“My grandma would bring me up here a lot when she taught, and my uncle being the football coach would invite me to the team feeds at the school,” Garrett said. “I was the ball boy on the sidelines a lot for the team. My grandpa was even the superintendent of construction for the North High gym and the engineering wing.”

Garrett’s mother, Kari O’Neill-Potts, graduated from North High in 1998 and was a member of the first-time state champion 1997 North High girls swimming team, which was coached by her mother, Gay, and her cousin. The team was inducted into the Omaha Public Schools Athletic Hall of Fame in 2019. The family says their passion for North High sports is a common bond.

Kari shared, “We have a photo of Garrett as a baby in a blue and gold warmup outfit from when we took him to his first North High football game. He was about two weeks old.”

Kari says a lot of the things she loved about her time at North have stayed the same.

“There’s a phenomenal staff of teachers and people that go above and beyond to make sure even a weird year like this is as normal as it can be for these kids. People really care,” she shared. “The greatest gift I got at North is that it prepared me so well for the real world. When you come to North you meet people from every background and all walks of life. That has a huge impact in how you live and act after high school.”

“Despite our family history, I encouraged Garrett to look at all the high schools, not just assume he would attend North," said Kari. "He took his time and he ultimately decided to go to North because he wanted to go to North. To me, that is really a testament to how special this school is.”

Garrett is about to finish his first semester at North High and is ready to enjoy the rest of his North High experience like his family before him.

“North just feels like such an inclusive community,” said Garrett. “There is such a family atmosphere that even in such a weird year I’ve been able to really build friendships and connections. North has already been amazing for me. It has been a cornerstone for me and my family.”

Students carefully poke at keyboards atop their desks at Beveridge Middle School as teacher Andres Silva makes his way around the room to listen and offer feedback. He does so while taking a separate group along for the experience from his iPad using technology that engages students who are learning remotely.

“When students learn here in the physical classroom they work with a real instrument, but they can also form those skills and develop them at home,” said Silva.

Silva is embracing Omaha Public Schools’ 1 to 1 Technology Initiative to further his students’ education. In Silva’s classroom you’ll see students using keyboards and wearing headphones as they practice new music. On his iPad, you’ll find a different picture -- students using virtual keyboards and recording applications to work alongside their peers.

“They use it as a real keyboard,” Silva explained. “The features of our virtual keyboard are exactly the same features of a real piano -- we have the white keys and the black keys and the way the keys are organized. So those skills will be able to transfer to a real piano.”

Students are eager to share their progress with Silva, whether doing so during a live demonstration in class or by sharing a video recording from home.

“It is very encouraging when a student who is learning at home and is fully remote and something clicks and they start playing the piano piece and say, ‘oh, I’m so proud of myself I can play this piece now, can I share my screen with you and show you?’”

Chloe Steelman, a student in Silva's class, appreciates the option to use the keyboard in person or practice virtually from home on remote learning days.

“I don’t have a piano at home, so when Mr. Silva told us about the virtual piano, I was so relieved,” she said. “Now, my favorite part about the iPad has to be the virtual piano. I really enjoy how I can still play the piano without needing a real one.”

Students can use these tools at home to better retain what they learn in the classroom, Aubrianna Merrill, another of Silva's students, explained.

"I love using my iPad at home because I've been able to learn and play the piano with some of my family," Merrill said. "I never thought I would learn piano at school and be able to practice at home."

Silva says this access to technology has been critical this year, but he also sees the long-term benefits of how it will shape future lessons.

“This is something that I plan to use even after our current situation passes. I’m planning on continuing with that technology,” Silva shared. “It has literally opened new doors for me to teach content at a faster rate and to keep students more engaged.”

A great teacher can turn a geography lesson into an exciting adventure or make a conversation become a life lesson. The Omaha Public Schools community is fortunate to have so many great teachers. This is why the Alice Buffett Outstanding Teacher Award was created more than 30 years ago — to recognize those teachers who have gone above and beyond to help their students in the classroom and in life.

Nominate an OPS teacher for this award and tell us what he or she has done that has made a difference. Submit your nomination by January 15, 2021.

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.

Omaha Public Schools will begin the second semester of the 2020-21 school year with a phased return to in person. Staff will teach from their classroom and students will start the semester as scheduled on Tuesday, Jan. 5 using their district-provided device from home.

The Remote Learning Program will remain an option for students who wish to continue learning full-time from home during the second semester. Please contact your student's school if you'd like to change your student's attendance plan for the second semester.

Each week in the month of December, meals will be available for pickup on Monday and Wednesday from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Week of Jan. 4, 2021: Most students learn remotely

Week of Jan. 11, 2021: OPS phases some students into in-person learning.

Week of Jan. 18, 2021: OPS resumes the Family 3/2 model.

Do the Zoo at Home! There are lots of ways to stay connected with your favorite animal friends. Tune in each day on our social media channels for interactive video and activities you can do with your family.

Virtual Programs and Camps are also available through the Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo!

Science Buddies provides hands-on science resources for Home and School

... to Zoie Johnson of Dr. King Elementary for earning the Citizen Lifesaving Award from the Omaha Fire Department. Her heroic actions saved a child from downing.

... to the student journalists of the Bryan High Orator for being awarded the Cornhusker award for excellence in high school journalism from the Nebraska High School Press Association.

... to Adam Malmquist of Morton Magnet Middle School for being recognized as the 2020 Middle School Physical Education Teacher of the Year by SHAPE Nebraska. This was awarded for his innovative and adaptive instruction to meet the needs, interests and abilities of each student.

... to Principal Tony Gunter of Kennedy Elementary for being named the AIM Institute’s Technology Educator of the Year.

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