McMillan Monthly

We are planning a week of gratitude for our incredible staff! If you're able to donate snacks, drinks, or small appreciation items, please send them to the front office by Wednesday, May 7. Thank you for helping us show our appreciation!

The Mission of McMillan

The Mission of McMillan Middle is to academically challenge students and to promote student ownership of learning in a safe, diverse, and respectful environment.

The Vision of McMillan

• Collaborate with School, Family and Community-based partners
• Provide an Innovative, project-based, cross-curriculular school setting
• Integrate components of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math through Project Lead the Way. (PLTW)

School Learning Goals

• Goal 1: By 2025, 6th-8th grade student proficiency on the NSCAS ELA and Math assessments will increase by 6 percent.
• Goal 2: By 2025 we will reduce the percentage of students missing 5% (approximately 9 days) or more of the school year by 5 percent.
• Goal 3: By 2025 the percentage of EL students who are on-track towards English Language Proficiency, as measured by the ELPA 21 summative, will increase by 12 percent.

School Climate, Equity/Respect for Diversity, Discipline, and Parent Involvement

Dear McMillan Families,

As we approach the final stretch of the school year, I wanted to share a few important updates and reminders:

🎁 Staff Appreciation Week – Donations Needed by May 7

We are planning a week of gratitude for our incredible staff! If you're able to donate snacks, drinks, or small appreciation items, please send them to the front office by Wednesday, May 7. Thank you for helping us show our appreciation!

🎓 Looking Ahead to 2025–2026: Dress Code Update

Beginning next school year, hats, hoods, bonnets, and other head coverings will not be allowed during the school day (unless for religious or medical reasons). This change is rooted in our commitment to student safety, clear identification, and a distraction-free environment.

📘 Library Reminders

• Last day to check out books: May 2

• All books are due back: May 6

🎉 Upcoming Events & Reminders

• NSCAS Celebration (Tentative): May 16 – More info soon

• No Backpacks Allowed: May 19, 20, and 21

• Finals Schedule:

• A Day: May 19

• B Day: May 20

• A Day/Make-ups/Last Day: May 21

🎳 8th Grade Bowling Trip Requirements (May 21)

To attend, 8th graders must:

• Have no referrals from April 28–May 20

• Have fewer than 3 tardies in May

• Be passing all classes by May 16

• ESL progress will be considered as documented by Ms. Wright

Thank you for your continued partnership and support. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to our main office at (531) 299-2440.

Sincerely,
Dr. Andrew Walters
Principal, McMillan Middle School 👑

The Campus Portal for Parents allows parents and guardians to monitor their children's academic progress online. If you do not have a Parent Portal account, please click the Infinite Campus icon to access directions.

Zūm Parent App - With Zum app, you can better protect your student's safety by:

1. Tracking your student’s ride in real-time and receiving ride updates
2. Knowing the driver profile and vehicle assigned to transport your student
3. Viewing pick-up and drop-off time estimates
4. Starting real-time chat with our support team if needed
5. Canceling rides when necessary

Download the Zūm App (iOS) (Android) from your carrier’s App Store.

If you have questions or concerns about your child's transportation, their eligibility to receive transportation, a late bus or more, please call the transportation hotline at (531) 299-0140.

Each month, students who sign up have the opportunity to meet with Dr. Walters to share their thoughts about McMillan. Here are some thoughtful (and smile-worthy!) takeaways from recent student conversations. Their reflections are insightful, honest, and show how much they care about McMillan.

🌟 Glows (What’s Going Well)

• Fewer altercations – “It’s nice to feel safer and calmer.”

• Track is a hit! – “I love hanging with my friends and running.”

• Supportive teachers – “Most teachers are really nice and help me with my work.”

• Teacher appreciation – Students listed so many staff they admire, we had to slow them down!

🌱 Grows (Room to Improve)

• Restroom cleanliness – Custodians are working hard, but more respect is needed from students.

• Crowded hallways – “Big kids should keep moving. T hallway gets super packed.”

• More intramurals – “Volleyball is fun, but we want more options—especially for 6th grade boys.”

• Daytime academic help – “Not everyone can stay after school. Can we have a school-wide study hall?”

• Mental health – “Students and staff need more support. QR codes help, but we need more.”

• Peer mentoring – “Can we pair 7th/8th graders with 6th graders to help them succeed?”

• More principal advisory meetings – “I like being heard. We should do more of those.”

• Excused absences – “If it’s for sports or band, it shouldn’t count against us.”

🎉 Staff Shout-outs

Our students had tons of praise for staff—here are just a few highlights:

• Ms. Pratt – “She handles rude kids well and stays strong.”

• Ms. Naser – “She helps with TeamMates—I love my mentor!”

• Ms. Pfeiffer – “She’s a real one—greets me by name and helps.”

• Mr. Chipps – “Takes his job seriously.”

• Mr. Thien – “Has glasses! So amazing.”

• Mr. Kevin – “Helps when messes happen. Very kind.”

• Ms. Bianca – “So sweet, great vibe.”

• Mr. Davis – “Dad jokes are fire—he reads them really well.”

• Dr. Walters – “So kind. I have a jokey joke with him.”

• Ms. Gorczyca – “Deals with disrespect and still smiles while teaching.”

• Mr. Waugh – “Strong and kind, even when things get tough.”

• Mr. Pruisner – “Such a sweet man.”

• Mr. Morgan – “Soooooooo nice—has every parent on speed dial!

Thank you to our students for their honesty and to our amazing staff for making McMillan a great place to learn! Keep up the great work, Monarchs! 💙💛

May 2024

Monthly Theme: Staff Appreciation!

• May 1:
• B/G Soccer vs. Monroe at Lewis and Clark
• P4K 6th Grade in 103, 3:05 to 5:00 PM
• May 5:
• B/G Soccer City Finals at TBD
• P4K 8th Grade in 103, 3:05 to 5:00 PM
• May 6:
• B/G Soccer City Finals at TBD
• Central Park Field Day at McMillan Middle Fields - late morning/early afternoon
• NJHS Induction at 2:00 PM
• P4K Tutoring in 103, 3:05 to 5:00 PM
• May 7:
• Track vs. Bluestem/Norris at Norris
• 7th Grade P4K in 103, 3:05 to 5:00 PM
• May 8: Spring Music Concert, 6:30 PM
• May 12 - City Track at TBD
• May 13: McMillan Honors Night, 6:00 PM
• May 14: P4K for 7th Grade, 3:05 to 5:00 PM
• May 15: P4K for 6th Grade, 3:05 to 5:00 PM
• May 16: May Birthday Celebration
• May 19 and 20: Finals at McMillan
• May 21:
  • Tentative 8th Grade Bowling Trip/Last Day of School Celebration
  • End of 4th Quarter and Semester 2

Summer 2024

• May 28 to 30: Welcome Camp for new 6th and 7th students. (see flyer below to sign up)
• June 3 –July 3: Next Level Learning (Summer School, contact Dan Chipps at 531-299-8691 or email Daniel.Chipps@ops.org for more information)
• June 19: No NLL (District Closed)
• July 4: No NLL (District Closed)

McMillan is excited to continue an 8th grade celebration on the last day of school, Wednesday, May 21st from 10:00 am to 1:30 pm. Students will be traveling to Maplewood Lanes by school bus during the school day with McMillan staff as chaperones.

Students will experience unlimited bowling, a pizza lunch, and fun to celebrate the end of their middle school experience. This will be free of charge to students. Students may bring money to purchase concessions while at Maplewood Lanes.

We are asking for family support as we look at students' academic and behavioral performance as a motivation toward success. The expectation of all 8th grade students wanting to attend is to have no Fs on their progress reports, checked on May 16th. Grades of an F and suspensions from school may impact a student’s ability to attend this fun day celebration.

Thank you for your support as we work to celebrate students, celebrate the middle school experience, and have an enjoyable event for them at Maplewood Lanes!

📣 7th & 8th Grade Sports Physical Requirements

(See attached packet and flyers for more details)

For Incoming 8th Graders (2025–2026 School Year):
Students who plan to participate in after-school sports must have:

• A sports physical dated on or after May 1, 2025

• Proof of health insurance

For Incoming 7th Graders:
A physical exam is required for all students entering 7th grade. This exam also qualifies as the required sports physical for participation in athletics.

• Physicals must be dated on or after March 1, 2025

• Students must also provide proof of health insurance

Your child’s physician will provide the documentation required.

🟢 Sports that require a physical:
Football, Volleyball, Basketball, Swimming, Wrestling, Track, Cross Country, and Soccer

🏥 Where to Get a Physical

• Your child’s primary care provider

• OPS School-Based Health Centers / Charles Drew (see attached flyer)

• OneWorld Clinics (see attached flyer)

📅 Schedule your appointment early to avoid the back-to-school rush!
You may submit physicals as soon as they are completed.

Questions?
Contact:

• Mr. Alex Curran, Athletic & Activities Director

• Mrs. Nichole Bonacci-Lemay, School Nurse

🔗 Full List of Coaches

7th Grade Entry Requirement

Nebraska State Law requires that all students entering 7th grade have a physical examination completed by a Physician, PA, or Nurse Practitioner. A copy of this exam must be submitted to the school nurse before the start of the school year.

📌 Important Details:
✅ The physical must be dated AFTER March 1, 2025
✅ This physical also counts as a sports physical if your child plans to participate in athletics
✅ Tdap Vaccine (Tetanus & Whooping Cough) – REQUIRED for all incoming 7th graders

Submitting Your Child’s Records

Once your child receives their physical and immunizations, please submit a copy to the school Health Office or have the doctor’s office fax it to (531) 299-2459 so we can update records.

Sports Physicals for 7th Graders Entering 8th Grade

📌 If your child plans to play sports in 8th grade, they must have a sports physical dated AFTER May 1, 2025.

If you have any questions, please contact Nurse Bonacci-Lemay at (531) 299-2441.

Thank you for ensuring your child is ready for future seasons! 💙💛

Email: andrew.walters@ops.org
Website: https://www.ops.org/mcmillan
Location: 3802 Redick Avenue, Omaha, NE, USA
Phone: 531-299-3923
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OPSMcMillanMiddle

Twitter: https://twitter.com/OPS_McMillan