Omaha Public Schools Board of Education Selects Candidate for Superintendent of Schools |
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Tuesday evening, the Omaha Public Schools Board of Education interviewed four Superintendent Search finalists during a Special Meeting. The public interviews concluded two days of school tours and stakeholder meet-and-greets.
After the interviews, the Board voted to make a conditional offer to Mr. Matthew Ray.
Matthew Ray received his Ed.S. from the University of Nebraska Kearney, an MS in Educational Administration, a BS in Elementary Education and a BS in Criminal Justice from the University of Nebraska Omaha.
Mr. Ray is currently serving as Interim Superintendent of the Omaha Public Schools. Previous positions include Deputy Superintendent/Chief of Staff, Interim Chief of Accountability, School Improvement and Innovation, Interim Chief Academic Officer, Secretary to the Board of Education and Executive Director of Student and Community Services for the Omaha Public Schools.
“We look forward to working with Mr. Ray, preparing all students for success in college, career and life,” said Board of Education President Spencer Head in a letter to staff and families announcing the decision. Vice President Ricky Smith thanked the candidates and community members who contributed since May 2023. “Your participation has been an essential part of the search. Thousands of staff, family, student and community voices guided this process. We value and appreciate the time you invested,” wrote Smith.
A detailed contract with Mr. Ray will come back to the Board for approval in the near future.
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Students Gain Global Skills Through Access to World Languages |
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When Yuridia Lopez received a package in the mail, the last thing she expected to see was a gold Nebraska Seal of Biliteracy medal with her name on it.
“I was honestly shocked,” said Lopez, a Central High senior. “I think it's such a beautiful thing, and it reminds me of what type of student I am.”
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Nebraska awards the Seal of Biliteracy to students proficient in speaking, reading and writing in English and one or more other world languages. The award is also available to English learners who develop academic proficiency in their home language while also mastering English.
“We’re always trying to promote multilingualism in our schools,” said Hannah Julia Paredes Kilnoski, Omaha Public Schools dual language and world languages teaching and learning consultant. “Knowing and mastering a world language empowers our students to go even further.”
At South High, senior Litzy Ortega Quinonez also received a Nebraska Seal of Biliteracy for proficiency in English and Spanish.
“I was motivated to advance my Spanish so I could be closer to my family and especially my culture,” said Ortega Quinonez. “It is an honor to have received my Seal of Biliteracy. It means that my endeavors for the past four years have paid off, and I now have the ability to communicate in two languages fluently.”
Students who meet the requirements earn a gold seal on their high school diploma, and their transcripts note the achievement. Lopez and Ortega Quinonez say the advanced courses offered at Omaha Public Schools sharpened their overall communication skills, which will help them in college and the workplace.
“I think it’s great exposure, and I think it will benefit me a lot when I become an EMT,” said Lopez.
“The Seal of Biliteracy will help me in the future to widen the opportunities that come my way,” added Ortega Quinonez.
The Nebraska Seal of Biliteracy is one of several advanced academic opportunities available to Omaha Public Schools students. Others include Cambridge International and International Baccalaureate diplomas, Advanced Placement and Dual Enrollment.
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Welcome Center Serves Families New to Nebraska
As Nebraska’s largest and most diverse school district, Omaha Public Schools is proud to serve for families new to the United States.
Our Welcome Center greets families on the first floor of the Teacher Administrative Center (TAC). The center is home to Omaha Public Schools English Learner (EL) Family Involvement Program. The program assists immigrant and refugee families as they adapt to the education system in the United States.
“Our program’s purpose is to really hone in on helping families understand key aspects of becoming involved in their child's education and supporting their student's success,” said Jaimie Cogua, coordinator of Omaha Public Schools English Learner, Migrant and Refugee Education Program.
The Welcome Center offers a variety of resources for families of current students. That includes classes that teach English, technology skills, driving lessons and more.
Serving more than 580 families with 30 different languages spoken, the EL Family Involvement Program strives to change the lives of families one lesson at a time.
“We’re teaching our parents not only English but how to navigate the Omaha Public Schools,” said Enkelejda Vehbiu, Omaha Public Schools family engagement specialist. “We have opened the doors to families of the migrant education, and I'm excited about that because the range of families that we will be impacting has widened.”
Families interested in learning more about the Welcome Center can visit the Teacher Administrative Center at 3215 Cuming St. in Omaha or read more on our website.
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Model Academies
Students Benefit from Access to Omaha Public Schools High-Achieving Programs
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Growing up, Charles Harron had an interest in plants. Now a senior at Bryan High, he has access to a greenhouse and a garden with raised beds to grow melons and cucumbers.
“I've learned a lot about plants and systems, but also how to manage them and how to bring them to the business and community side of things,” said Harron. “I plan to major in horticulture and landscape design, and this academy will prepare me for that.”
Harron’s experience represents one part of what’s available in the Urban Agriculture Academy at Bryan High.
The National Career Academy Coalition (NCAC) recently recognized Bryan High’s Urban Agriculture Academy as a Model Status Academy with Distinction. It’s the highest level of recognition from NCAC. A school's career academy must meet or exceed proficiency in 10 National Standards of Practice areas, including teaching and learning, leadership and community involvement.
“It shows that we're able to work with the community and set our kids up for success outside of the classroom,” said Mimi Harvey, DVM. Harvey teaches Industrial Technology at Bryan High. “It shows we know what we're doing here at Bryan, and we're doing it the right way, helping our kids succeed.”
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“Finding out what the high-quality standards are have helped us improve and increase student opportunities,” said Rhonda Sherman, Benson High’s Design & Construction Academy team lead. “Lunch and learns, field trips, having mentors come in the classroom, and all those things we know are best practices and good for our students.”
Students are proud to be part of a model academy, saying the recognition reflects their experience in the classroom and sets them up for future success.
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“To get the opportunity to be a part of this education is amazing,” said Payton Blankenship, a Bryan High senior. “We have great teachers who dedicate so much of their life toward us and care about what we learn.”
Blankenship also appreciates the choices available for Omaha Public Schools students. “There are so many options for you to choose. There's plant science, natural resources, food science, animal science. The curriculum itself is awesome, but it really comes down to the teachers and our staff members who care.”
Omaha Public Schools College & Career Academies and Pathways connect a student’s time in high school to their goals for life after graduation. Visit our website to learn more.
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Middle and High School Students Excel in African American History Challenge |
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The competition fosters an appreciation of African American history and culture among middle and high school students.
Bryan High’s team placed first in the senior division, followed by Northwest High and Burke High in second and third. In the junior division, Marrs Middle’s team placed first, with Morton Middle and Beveridge Middle placing second and third.
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Omaha Public Schools Celebrates Black History Month
Students and staff across our district are celebrating Black History Month in many ways.
Ponca Elementary's students created a project celebrating the achievements and history of influential figures.
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District Spelling Champion Advances to Regional Contest |
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A seventh grader from Lewis & Clark Middle is heading to the regional competition after placing first in the Omaha Public Schools District Spelling Bee.
Phalen Dahlke spelled the final word correctly to earn the top spot in this year’s contest on Feb. 6. Hadley Herrington, a Buffett Middle sixth grader, is this year’s runner-up.
The Midwest Regional Spelling Bee will occur on March 9 at the University of Nebraska Omaha.
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All-City Music Festival Showcases Student Musicians |
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Student voices soared as more than 1,000 Omaha Public Schools student musicians took the stage at the Holland Center for the 74th Annual All-City Music Festival on Feb. 3-4.
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Omaha Public Schools 2024-25 Calendar Available |
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The Omaha Public Schools 2024-25 District Calendar is now available.
Calendars include information about the first day of school, school hours and more.
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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:
- Clarkson College Preview Day
- Omaha Recreational Swim League
- City of Omaha Day Camps
- RGSA Registration for Summer Sports
- Girl Scouts Spring Camp
- K5 through High School Soccer League
- Hillside Little League
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 Benson High Cadet Battalion for passing the annual JROTC Program of Accreditation Inspection with a score of 100 percent, the first time in program history.
… to Bryan High’s Living the Dream team for winning the School-Wide Social Justice Trophy at the Martin Luther King Jr. “Living the Dream” Contest.
… to all Bryan High students who placed at the Annual Martin Luther King Jr. “Living the Dream” Contest.
… to Burke, Central, and South High theater students who received awards at the 2024 Nebraska Thespian Festival.
… to all Omaha Public Schools students who received Fall 2023-24 Nebraska Chiropractic Physicians Association Academic All-State Awards.
… to Burke High boys' bowling team for winning their first-ever METRO Conference Bowling Championship.
… to Bryan High boys' wrestling team for qualifying for the Nebraska School Activities Association (NSAA) State Team Dual Championships.
… to the Burke High/Westview High Dance Team for placing ninth in the nation in Medium Varsity Hip Hop at the UDA National Dance Team Championships.
… to Chris Humphries, business partner liaison, for being honored as one of this year’s Ten Outstanding Young Omahans from the Omaha Jaycees.
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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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