Dear Omaha Public Schools Community,
Two years ago this month, our district adopted and launched the Strategic Plan of Action – the roadmap for our collective work through 2025. Our community invested months of research, stakeholder input and future-focused work into the plan.
A few short weeks later, we undertook the monumental lift of responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our staff has worked tirelessly to provide responsible, in-person learning for the young people we serve. We have shared both immediate and long-term strategies to address the unfinished learning and emotional challenges faced by students in the last three school years.
While much of our recent communication has focused on health and safety, our Strategic Plan of Action-aligned work never paused. Just a few of the projects include our district-wide launch of 1:1 technology, a new elementary reading and literacy curriculum, Reading Recovery and a comprehensive facilities study to plan for long-term maintenance needs.
This month, staff presented updated Strategic Plan of Action goals to our Board of Education. Some reflect that we accomplished work ahead of schedule, others reflect greater ambitions for our young people around attendance and graduation, even through such dramatic global disruptions.
While we must respond to the needs, challenges and opportunities of this moment, rest assured that we are simultaneously looking toward 2025 and beyond: recruiting and retaining talent, aligning resources with outcomes and delivering on our Portrait of a Graduate for each student in the Omaha Public Schools community.
Sincerely,
Cheryl Logan, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Omaha Public Schools
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Business Partners Lend Expertise to Help Students Build Foundational Skills |
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Creativity and collaboration took center stage in a design challenge. The task pushed high school students to think outside the box. The assignment, though, was very much inside the box.
Teams from Omaha Public Schools’ construction and design classes started the project last fall. They had two months to design a 10-foot by 10-foot interactive exhibit. The exhibits focused on local ecology or the cultural significance of the Lewis and Clark expedition.
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Ben Gutowski, an architect for BWBR, reviews design needs with Ro Gay Gaw and his classmate for their amphitheater project |
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“Coming up with the ideas is easy,” said Ro Gay Gaw, a senior at Northwest High. “Figuring out how to put those ideas into a drawing is hard.”
An added layer? Designing an exhibit worthy of a spot at the Kiewit Luminarium. The science center is under construction at the Lewis & Clark Landing. The Luminarium is for all ages to learn about various STEM subjects. The hope is to inspire a lifelong interest in STEM and its many related careers.
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Gaw and his team use CAD, the same software used by industry professionals, to draft their designs |
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“Our ultimate hope is that the Luminarium would take our kids’ designs and recreate them in their own space,” said Janis Christensen, with the ACE Mentoring Program.
The ACE Mentoring Program assisted students, like Gaw, who worked on his project with mentors. The organization connects experts with students to provide insight on construction and design.
“Business partnerships come on board in a variety of ways,” explained DeLayne Havlovic, Ed.D.
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Havlovic is the career education coordinator for Omaha Public Schools. He said this partnership is an example of how industry experts are helping to enhance programming. Our College & Career Academies and Pathways will further expand access to such opportunities.
Gaw said working with mentors and business partners is one of his favorite school activities. He is currently working with a mentor to design a state-of-the-art amphitheater.
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Earlier this year, more than 20 high school teams presented their exhibits to design experts with the Luminarium. The panel selected the top four designs. They will narrow the list to the top two designs later this month.
Most projects don’t carry the same potential glamour as a public exhibit like the Luminarium. But, each year, ACE mentees have the chance to earn scholarships too. The ACE Mentoring Program has awarded more than $100,000 in scholarships since it began in 2016. Mentors evaluate students throughout the year. They recommend scholarships based on growth, skill, teamwork and interest in continuing education.
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Gaw's model of his exhibit for the Luminarium - a garden featuring important flowers that grew along the Lewis and Clark Expedition. |
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Partnerships like this play a valuable role in providing hands-on learning throughout Omaha Public Schools. Learn more about the expanded options available to students by visiting our College & Career Academies and Pathways site.
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Serving Students in Every Way:
A Journey from Custodian to Teacher
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When Katlyn Achenbach graduated from high school, she had her sights set on a career in nursing. She headed off to college and began working toward a degree. Then, she had a change of heart.
"I came back home after three years," Achenbach recalled. "I took a year off thinking about if nursing was right for me. That's when I started working at Omaha Public Schools."
Achenbach became a part-time custodian at Boyd Elementary where she got an inside look at the day-to-day work in education. Two years later, she became a full-time custodian at Buffett Middle.
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“She’s the kind of person who came in, and got everything done,” explained Anthony Clark-Kaczmarek, Buffett Middle’s principal. “You never had to worry about anything she was working on.”
Achenbach talked with teachers every day during her time at Boyd and Buffett. Hearing stories of their triumphs, and even challenges, reignited her longtime interest in teaching.
“I was starting to see that teaching could be for me,” Achenbach recalled. “I just applied to UNO. I got in and I never stopped."
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Achenbach continued to work at Omaha Public Schools while pursuing her degree.
“I worked at the zoo on weekends and then I was a custodian at Buffett while I was in school the entire time,” she explained.
Achenbach finished student teaching, earned her degree and an English as a Second Language (ESL) endorsement last semester. This semester, she spends most of her time as a substitute teacher for Omaha Public Schools.
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Achenbach revisits the custodian's closet where everyday housekeeping items are stored |
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“All of us are in this together to try to make the best environment for kids. She represents that every day,” added Clark-Kaczmarek. “I really think about Katlyn when I think about a person who is supporting all of the students in so many different ways.”
Achenbach already applied to teach at an Omaha Public Schools elementary school for the 2022-23 school year. She is confident that her path to become a teacher will ultimately benefit the students she serves.
“Every role is really important to schools, to a child’s life,” she said.
Clark-Kaczmarek added, “she has this perspective that I don’t think many people have. She’s seen the school from all different angles and that’s really impressive to me.”
Achenbach hopes to pursue a master’s degree after she begins her career as a full-time teacher.
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Dream Becomes Reality for High School Senior |
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Don Hannon, a senior at Bryan High, stood in front of a packed audience at the Holland Center recently. He stepped up to the microphone, introduced himself and his original song.
“It’s a song expressing what it’s like being a young, Black male in America,” he shared.
His song, “Dreams,” earned first place in vocal performance and all-categories during the competition, a showcase of Omaha-area students who perform original short essays, poetry, music and dance focused on social justice.
The journey to Hannon’s achievement started in October when a friend told him that he could perform in front of an audience and potentially win the contest. A conversation with Hannon’s history teacher at Bryan High, Nick Clawson, helped him take the next step.
“I asked what he wanted to do,” Clawson recalled. “He said he wanted to play piano, sing and rap. I asked if he wanted to play piano, then sing, and then rap, or all at once. Don said all at once.”
Clawson was impressed to learn that Hannon had the skills to make it happen.
“I threw him a couple of ideas, but 90 percent of it was him,” said Clawson.
Clawson believed in Hannon’s natural talent but insisted he practice as much as possible for the competition. He advised him to mentally run through his song often whether sitting on the bus, getting ready or working out.
Once his lyrics were finished, Hannon spent every day rehearsing but said he never felt like he was practicing. He said it was an escape from his busy school schedule.
“I was practicing so much my mom asked me if I wanted to minor in music theory when I go to college.”
All his hard work paid off when the day of the performance finally arrived.
“As soon as I found out he showed up first, right on time at 2 p.m. to do his mic check and rehearsal, I knew he was going to win,” said Clawson.
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Hannon received $1,000 for his win in all categories and another $600 for his win in vocal performance. He and his classmates, who also participated in the Living the Dream competition, also earned Bryan High recognition from Omaha’s mayor and city council. They received a trophy for Multicultural and Social Justice School of the Year.
Clawson hopes to build on the school’s success for years to come. Hannon has plans to attend Ohio State University after graduation to study mathematics and is considering a minor in music theory.
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Bond Projects Near Completion |
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Students received a warm welcome as they returned to a modernized version of their elementary school in January. Others were among the first to see inside our new high schools during guided tours.
The progress taking place spreads throughout Omaha Public Schools as our Phase 2 Bond Program continues. From collaboration spaces for staff and students to modern music classrooms and athletic facilities, the benefits for our students can be seen districtwide. Take a closer look at some of the projects underway.
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Federal Program Allows Omaha Public Schools to Continue Providing Meals at No Cost
Students at Omaha Public Schools will continue to receive breakfast and lunch at no cost. Our district recently qualified for the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). The CEP permits eligible schools to provide meal service to all enrolled students at no cost to families, regardless of economic status.
Providing a nutritious breakfast and lunch to all students at no cost supports all our families as we continue another school year impacted by the pandemic. The program removes potential barriers to a nutritious meal for students, ensuring they can focus on learning. The CEP designation will remain in place through the 2024-2025 school year. With the CEP, students and families will still qualify for other benefits related to free/reduced lunch status. Omaha Public Schools will provide an alternative form that will include the information needed for students to qualify for these programs.
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Central High Earns Dual AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award |
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Central High has earned the College Board AP® Computer Science Female Diversity Award for achieving high female representation in AP Computer Science courses. Schools honored with the award have expanded girls’ access in AP computer science courses.
Central High is one of only 61 schools nationwide to earn recognition for closing the gender gap in two AP computer science courses.
Central's administration attributes this achievement to the hard work and dedication of their computer science teacher, Megan Nyatawa. Nyatawa has demonstrated commitment to engaging female students in her computer science classes and the Girls Who Code club.
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Students Achieve Success at Annual African American History Challenge
Dozens of students from Omaha Public Schools participated in the 2022 African American History Challenge. This program, organized by 100 Black Men of Omaha, brings middle and high school teams together for the competition.
The AAHC is designed to build self-esteem and cultural awareness among youth. Here's a list of this year's top three teams in each division.
Senior Division - High School
- 1st Place - Northwest High
- 2nd Place - Burke High
- 3rd Place - Central High
Junior Division - Middle School
- 1st Place - Marrs Middle
- 2nd Place - Morton Middle
- 3rd Place - Buffet Middle
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All-City Music Festival Brings District Together for Unique Performance
Young musicians from throughout Omaha Public Schools showcased their talent this month. They came together for the annual All-City Music Festival at the Holland Center on Saturday, Feb. 5.
The event included an all-day rehearsal followed by a performance that featured band, orchestra and choir students.
The All-City Music Festival has taken place since 1949, bringing together students, vocal teachers, instrumental teachers and accompanists for this unique opportunity.
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February STEM Learning
Julie Sigmon, Omaha STEM Ecosystem Director
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The Omaha STEM Ecosysytem's (OSE) mission is to build a stronger STEM community by connecting education and business development for tomorrow’s workforce. Check out the following free programs that speak to that mission and help shape the future for our youth.
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Rapid IT Employment Academy: Graduating Seniors this program is for you! Metro Community College is launching a certification program called the Rapid IT Employment Academy, free to those who have graduated high school and are eligible. This program teaches skills in areas such as cybersecurity, data backup, recovery and storage, and troubleshooting. Upon ending the course, students are connected with local employers for high demand technology jobs. This program is offered free by MCC.
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JavaScript Games 2022: Middle and high school students are invited to participate in this free code class at Do Space. During this course, students will learn JavaScript, game development, and code arcade.
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... Leah Litz, of Bancroft Elementary, for earning a place among the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) recipients.
...to Maria Jimenez for earning Outstanding School Psychology Student from the Nebraska School Psychologist Association.
... to Hannah Ajogbeje of Burke High for her recognition in this month’s NSAA and US Bank Believers and Achievers.
... to Tyler Johnston of Northwest High for his second year qualifying for the State Bowling meet.
... to Justin Davis of Central High for getting 100 falls in his high school career, a first in Central wrestling’s history.
… to Daphney Valadez, Mi’Khel Thomas, Don Hannon, and Julie Iraheta-Umana of Bryan High whose performances at the Living the Dream competition won Bryan High the 2022 Multicultural and Social Justice School of the Year award.
… to Central High and its computer science teacher Megan Nyatawa for earning College Board’s AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award.
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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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