This is an exciting time of year.
Our students, staff and families can look back to the fall and see progress in the classroom. It may be connected to a big picture concept or a more detailed skill. It could be a lesson that sparked a completely new interest at school.
One of many ways we measure that growth is through our spring assessments. Depending on a student’s grade-level, they may take MAP Growth, state tests called NSCAS or the ACT. Some of the results are available right away – guiding lessons through the fourth quarter of this school year and beyond.
This year, we have shared how that data is more connected than ever to our improvement as a school district. We shared results and our work to grow at Board of Education meetings and workshops, in messages to staff and families, through district news articles and more.
We all have an opportunity to encourage students and help them feel prepared for spring testing. As students demonstrate their progress by doing their best, we are excited to celebrate; just as we will focus on areas that need more support.
Families, our teachers and school principals would be happy to visit if you have questions about your student’s testing data. Spring results may spark ideas for learning activities over the summer. We appreciate your partnership for student success.
Matthew Ray
Interim Superintendent
Omaha Public Schools
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MAP Growth Assessments Offer Staff and Families Another Tool to Measure Student Progress |
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Balloon arches, streamers and colorful posters fill the hallways of Jefferson Elementary. The decorations generate positive energy around spring testing and celebrate students’ work to prepare.
“It helps get them a little bit excited for the test and to see how important it is,” said Sara Austin, mother of two Jefferson Elementary students. “Jefferson does a great job at preparing the kids and getting them through the testing process and making it more of a fun activity.”
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Austin learned more about her students’ progress during spring conferences. Her children, Liam and Madeline, are in sixth grade and fourth grade. Both have taken the MAP Growth assessment for years. They appreciate how their teachers use the results to support them in the classroom. |
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“It’s important because it shows what level you are at and what you need help with,” said Madeline. “I thought it was kind and sweet of them to decorate for us to encourage us for testing."
Students in kindergarten through ninth grade take the MAP Growth assessment three times a year. It measures academic growth in reading, mathematics and science.
“When we start the year, MAP scores give us a blueprint on where we need to go with the students,” said Jennifer Schlapia, Jefferson Elementary principal.
“We use those blueprints to provide quality instruction and interventions to move the students in the right direction. By the time we get to spring, the students have the skills they need to show progress.”
The assessment is an online test that adapts to each student and their ability. Schools share results with families after each assessment and use conferences as an opportunity to discuss student growth.
“It shows what they need assistance in, if they need more reinforcement or if I can request tutoring for them to strengthen their knowledge in, say, mathematics,” Austin explained. “It also helps my kids realize that they’ve done a good job and that they’re learning.”
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Preventing Summer Slide
Water and playground slides are great during the warmer months, but one slide to avoid is the “summer slide.” This term describes a dip in academic progress while school is out for summer. Here are a few resources that support continued learning.
Make reading a priority:
Omaha Public Schools provides each elementary student with a bundle of books to take home at the end of the school year. We also offer a Summer Reading Challenge.
Participate in summer learning programs:
Take advantage of educational outings:
Museums, science centers, historical landmarks and zoos offer valuable opportunities for kids to ask questions, actively engage with exhibits and discuss what they have learned.
Incorporate learning into play:
Add easy, fun and educational games into daily activities. For example, cooking with your child could incorporate math and reading while measuring and following recipes.
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Test results offer more than just numbers - they provide a pathway for families and schools to customize the best learning experience for students. Schools offer options like tutoring, supplemental worksheets or more one-on-one time if needed.
“It helps students see where they started and how much they’ve grown academically throughout the year,” said Jennifer Locke Miller, Jefferson Elementary instructional facilitator. “And it shows the teachers, who’ve been teaching the students all year, that they’ve prepared them to do amazing things.”
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“You Inspired Me”
Student Shares Special Moment with Elementary School Teacher
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“Oh my gosh, no way,” said Brady Starkweather in awe, as a former student walked through his classroom door.
Starkweather’s smile lit up the room upon seeing Sher Mu Ku, who is a senior at Northwest High. The surprise meet-up at Forest Station Elementary was the first time the two had seen each other in nearly eight years.
“You made my year,” Starkweather said, holding back emotion. “I am really, really honored that you mentioned my name and remember me.”
Sher Mu Ku met Starkweather when he was a fifth grade teacher at Hartman Elementary. She recalled how he made everyone in the classroom feel like they were part of a family.
“I remember her being somebody who never gave up. She was going to keep working until she got it,” said Starkweather. “Hearing that a student remembers my class being impactful is one of the most rewarding things I’ve heard as a teacher, and it means a lot to me.”
Now, just weeks away from her high school graduation, Sher Mu Ku wanted to reconnect with Starkweather to share how much he impacted her.
“You inspired me to want to inspire others and to build a connection with everyone,” she told him. “And I wanted to do the same as I got older.”
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Sher Mu Ku is among our seniors who will be featured in this year’s Omaha Public Schools Portrait of a Graduate video series. Our district highlights students from each high school that exemplify what it means to be a Portrait of a Graduate, which focuses on ensuring each student has the skills to succeed.
Throughout a student’s time in Omaha Public Schools, they learn to become Resilient Achievers, Collaborators, Communicators, Critical Thinkers, Innovators and Civic & Global Contributors.
Sher Mu Ku has been with our district since kindergarten. She attended Franklin Elementary and Hartman Elementary, then Hale Middle. At Northwest High, she’s student body president, secretary for the National Honor Society, a member of the HOSA – Future Health Professionals and captain of the varsity soccer team.
“All my teachers and mentors have helped me along the way,” she said. “I feel like a lot of them have really pushed me to be where I am right now. If it wasn't for them, I wouldn't be where I am right now, and I really thank them for doing all that they can to help me.”
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After graduation, Sher Mu Ku plans to study biology at the University of Nebraska Omaha. Her goal is to become a physician’s assistant, where she can use skills she’s learned to help others.
For now, she’s taking time to thank those who supported her along the way, like Starkweather.
“I would like to say thank you for always believing in me and just providing for a better relationship between me and my peers,” she told him. “And allowing us to have great memories that we can always look back on.”
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Celebrate Omaha Public Schools Class of 2024 |
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The time to celebrate our 2024 graduates is quickly approaching!
Commencement ceremonies for our comprehensive high schools will take place May 21-23 at Baxter Arena.
Live streams of each event will begin approximately 15 minutes before. Links can be found on our website, along with graduation information for our programs and the full schedule for each event.
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Students: Check Out Advanced Academics in Omaha Public Schools This Summer |
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Omaha Public Schools offers countless advanced classes to students. This summer, students can learn more about these classes, how to register and get support for success.
On July 23-25, our district is hosting the Advanced Academics Summer Symposium for incoming freshmen through seniors. The workshop will be held at the University of Nebraska Omaha Milo Bail Student Center.
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Educators Rising Students and Advisors Earn Top Honors |
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Dozens of Omaha Public Schools students received awards in various competition categories at the annual Nebraska Educators Rising Leadership Conference in March. Categories included Teacher Created Materials, Children’s Literature and Creative Lecture.
The conference provided students opportunities to engage in breakout sessions, participate in competitive events, network with education professionals and elect the 2024-25 state officers.
Two Omaha Public Schools advisors were recognized at the conference. Jane Luethge received the Nebraska Educators Rising Administrator of the Year Award, and Andrea Burton of Burke High was awarded the Nebraska Educators Teacher Leader of the Year.
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Our Community Opportunities section is our digital bulletin board where families can find information about upcoming events and activities available in our area. New flyers are posted at the beginning of each month. This month's flyers include:
- Habitat for Humanity Free Generational Wealth Event
Omaha Public Schools provides this opportunity for outside organizations for the benefit of our families. It does not endorse any business, product or service.
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… to the South High Ambassadors for taking first place at the Viking Cup show choir tournament.
… to Kat Duval of Buena Vista High for being honored as the 2024 Nebraska District Speech Coach of the Year by the National Speech & Debate Association.
… to Francisco Jimenez of Bryan High for winning first place in Prepared Speaking at the Annual JAG Nebraska Career Development Conference.
… to Glendy Vargas-Loarca of Bryan High for achieving first place in Employability Skills at the Annual JAG Nebraska Career Development Conference.
… to Sarah Lehn, Central High teacher, for winning the Graduate Research and Creative Activity Award from the University of Nebraska Omaha Department of History.
… to Burke High’s Nutrition Manager Kurt Sage for winning first place in the Nebraska High School Breakfast Challenge.
… to all Omaha Public Schools students recognized as Distinguished World Language Scholars during World Language Week from the Nebraska Department of Education.
… to all Omaha Public Schools Students who received recognitions at the Journalism Education Association Winter Nebraska Contest.
… to Thomas Liechti, North High boys’ basketball coach, for being named Battle Sports Coach of the Year for Class A boys’ basketball.
… to Charlie Yale, Central High senior, for winning the state title for the Congress Debate category at the Nebraska State Debate Tournament.
… to North High, Burke High and Westview High bands for earning Excellence in Academic Achievement from the Nebraska State Bandmasters Association.
… to the Central High math team for winning the Sweepstakes Award at the Math League Tournament at Northwest Missouri State University.
… to all JROTC teams from at Omaha Public Schools that qualified for national championships.
- Westview High
- Central High
- Bryan High
- South High
- Benson High
… to Standing Bear Elementary for receiving the 2024 Casey’s Cash for Classroom grant.
… to all Omaha Public Schools high schools that placed in the various team categories at the HOSA State Leadership Conference.
… to James Weber of Central High for placing first in the Dental Terminology category at the HOSA State Leadership Conference.
… to the Benson High students who won first place in the Community Awareness category at the HOSA State Leadership Conference.
… to Ebony Royster of Northwest High for receiving first place in the Nutrition category at the HOSA State Leadership Conference.
… to all Omaha Public Schools high schools that placed in team categories at the 67th annual State Career Development Conference.
… to Hafsa Osman of Central High for winning first place in the Marketing category at the DECA State Conference.
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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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