Standing Bear Families,

In 3 short weeks we will be on winter break. It is an exciting time for students, but we need to continue to encourage all students to remain focused on academics. Students will be completing the winter MAP tests and finishing up course work for quarter two grades. Please make sure students understand the importance of MAP testing and giving their best effort. Classroom teachers can let you know when they will be taking the tests so students can get plenty of rest prior and be in attendance on their scheduled day.

During the winter break, it is a great time to encourage students to spend time reading and to play outside in the snow (see link below Winter Fun in Omaha for some fun suggestions).

Wishing everyone a safe and fun winter break & a Happy New Year! See you all back on January 6th, 2025

Stay positive, patient and flexible!

Sincerely,

Bridget O'Melia

They received prizes for being selected the Students of the Month!

As the weather begins to cool down, we want to remind you of the importance of dressing your child warmly for school. Please ensure that your child is wearing appropriate winter gear while waiting outside in the morning for the bell to ring, as we do not have staff available inside to monitor students prior to the bell. Our staff is on duty starting at 8:35 AM. Additionally, we plan to continue outdoor recess whenever possible. Time spent outside is an important part of the school day. Children should be exposed to fresh air and exercise. Time spent outside allows student to engage in activities that allow them to relax from the structure of the classroom. It's essential for all students to participate, as we do not have extra staff available to supervise those who want to stay inside. See additional information below.

Conditions that are to be considered:

• Temperature

• Wind chill index

• Local weather reports

• Length of time outside

• Adequacy of the clothing being worn

We reference the colored safety zone temperature guide below:

• Green zone. The safest temperature to go outside to play is 30 degrees or higher.

• Yellow zone. Playing in temperatures between 20 to 30 degrees should be carefully monitored as the weather will affect body temperatures to cool quickly. Consider shortening outdoor time.

• Red zone. Children should not play outside if the feels like temperature is less than 20 degrees.

December:

12th- 2nd/3rd Grade Music Program @ 2:30pm

17th- Band and Strings Program @ 2:00pm

20th- No school for students/Teacher planning day

20th -January 3rd- Winter Break

January:

6th- Students return from winter break

20th- No school (Dr. Martin Luther King Day)

28th- 2 hour late start

February:

14th- No school for students (teacher professional development day)

17th- No school (President's Day)

27th- 28th- No school (Parent/Teacher Conferences)

March:

17th-21st- No school (Spring Break)

28th- No school (teacher professional development day)

Specific details for events will come out closer to the event.

This list is complete as of today. Events will be added as necessary.

You can always check back for updates and check the PTO postings. Thank you!

We want to emphasize the importance of having your child arrive at school on time. Being late can have several impacts, including:

• Missing out on breakfast, which can affect your child's focus and energy levels throughout the morning.
• Disrupting the class as teachers have to pause and explain assignments to latecomers, which can interrupt the flow of instruction for everyone.
• Starting assignments after other students, leading to a disadvantage and added stress.

These missed minutes can add up quickly and result in valuable instruction time lost.

To help ensure timely arrivals, here are a few suggestions:

• Aim for earlier departures to avoid the rush.
• Consider waking up a little earlier each morning.
• Set your clocks ahead by 10 minutes as a helpful reminder.

Thank you for your support in helping your child make the most of their school day!

We understand that sometimes students may need to be gone. Please contact the office:

• If your child will not be in attendance or late

• If you will be picking your child up early for any reason, please call the office 5 minutes ahead of time

• If the dismissal procedure for your child has changed (another person picking up, no bus, etc.)

• Please provide a doctor note for any appointments so we can mark the absence as medical and excused

Phone: (531) 299-2140

Fax: (531) 299-2159

Nurse Fax: (531) 299-2158

View below document

We have a website and app. We hope you like it! Make sure to check it out and get your student added to the directory! Directions on the image.

We would love for you to join the PTO too ($10), but that is not required to add your student. The directory is only available to those that are connected to the school and sign-up, it is not public.

Building Security

For the safety and security of our students and this building, anyone entering the building must stop in the office first.

Drop Off Zone

We ask that you please continue to pull all the way down to the second crosswalk if possible (by main front doors). We can then unload around 10 vehicles rather than 5.

We currently have a school staff member assisting your child to breakfast or the classroom at the main doorway for all student’s morning arrival. REMINDER: School doors don’t open until 8:35 AM for classroom entrance and breakfast opening hours.

We ask again for you not arrive for end of school day pick-up until 3:55pm to prevent traffic flow congestion issues .

Please be attentive and cognizant of all school crossing guard officials and adhere to their requests during student morning drop-off and pick-up times. Our goal is to ensure your child’s overall safety.

School Blackboard Communication

We will be using Blackboard for mass communications to families. All newsletters, updates and reminders will be sent via email or text. Please make sure to contact the office if you need to update your contact information.

Birthday Celebrations

We ask that only non-food items be brought for birthday celebrations. Please check with your child's teacher to discuss day and time for non-edible goodies to be dropped off.

• Drop off is 8:35AM, that is when breakfast is open and staff are on duty
• Please have student(s) ready to get out when you pull up
• Pull all the way down if able
• If you need to get out to assist your child, go into the parking lot lane not the main drive
• If your student is NOT eating breakfast they need to enter through the main front doors rather than the cafeteria doors
• Grab and Go Breakfast- If your student is eating breakfast, they need to enter the building through the cafeteria doors. They may enter through the main front doors if they choose not to eat the district provided breakfast.

Families will keep the SAME dismissal numbers. We are hoping new ones will be delivered before the first day. However, you can use last years to start. We will have some temporary ones available at the Meet Your Teacher Night.

When parents pull onto school grounds, outside staff will input your family number to indicate that you have arrived. Classroom teachers will get your student(s) ready to dismiss. How this works- We will enter your Family Number into a form, this will be visible to classroom teachers in the building and they will dismiss. Students will be dismissing out the main front doors staggered based on your arrival time. Students will NOT be dismissing out any other doors.

It will be extremely helpful if you let your student(s) know your preferred lane for pick-up. This will help them know to look for you in the main drive or the parking lot lane. Once your student(s) are loaded, you can pull out of the pick-up line to leave.

What you will need at dismissal:

• You will need to place your car hanger number on your rearview mirror so it is clearly visible to outside staff.

• You will need to pull all the way down to the front door (as cars move ahead, you move ahead) if you are picking up on the main drive, pull all the way down to the front main entrance or up to the vehicle in front of you. If you are picking up in the parking lot lane, you will still need to pull all the way forward. ALL students will exit out the main front doors.

• We will call your student(s) out as you arrive, continue to pull forward whenever possible until all your students are loaded.

** Kindergarten students- dismissal will remain the same for parents who walk up to get kindergarten students. If you are choosing to drive through for pick up, parents will still pull up like all other vehicles with their family number visible.

** Early Childhood will remain the same. Parents will need to park and come check out their child.

** Walk up parents- A staff member will be located out front, you can provide them with your family number so teachers are aware you are ready to pickup. Your student(s) will then be dismissed. Parents do not need to enter the building. If you need to go into the building to pick up your student, you MUST stop at the office for a visitor badge and to sign the check out sheet.

** Each family will receive 2 car hangers. If you would need additional ones, please contact the office. It is imperative not to lose your issued designated car hanger numbers. Please clearly display upon arrive so there is no confusion to expeditiously release your child for pick-up.

WE WILL BEGIN DISMISSAL (ENTERING NUMBERS) AT 4:00PM. PLEASE DO NOT ARRIVE AT SCHOOL BEFORE 3:55PM TO PREVENT AN INITIAL BACKUP. The line moves very fast once we begin the dismissal process.

Thank you for everything!

Early Pickup for Students

If you are picking up your students early for a doctor appointment, etc please call the office at least 5 minutes ahead of time and we will have you child ready to go at the designated time. Parents will need to come into the office to check out your student(s).

Safety remains our top priority in the Omaha Public Schools. We now have a Visitor Management System to ensure we are provided the most secure environment. Visitors will need to ring the outside doorbell. Once the secretary answers, she will verify your student's name and visitor's name prior to opening the front door. If the visitor's name is not in our system, they will not be let into the building. We ask that you understand that it may take a few minutes to gain access into the building while the secretaries verify your information. Please make sure you have updated contact information and that your emergency contacts are current.

Visitors will need to use the kiosk to get a visitor badge. This will require you to get a photo taken and use the printed visitor badge with your photo.

Large events such as holiday celebrations, music programs and family nights will not require the same check in process. Entrance into these events will be monitored by staff.

Email: bridget.omelia@ops.org
Website: https://standingbear.ops.org/HOME/tabid/36/Default.aspx
Location: 15860 Taylor Street, Omaha, NE, USA
Phone: 531-299-2140

Omaha Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, age, genetic information, citizenship status, 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 address inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Superintendent of Schools, 3215 Cuming Street, Omaha, NE 68131 (402-557-2001).