Email: melinda.bailey@ops.org
Website: www.ops.org/benson
Location: 5120 Maple St, Omaha, NE, USA
Phone: (531) 299-2520
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bensonhighschool/
Twitter: @OPS_BensonHigh

A huge shout out to Hsa Tew and Jade Newson for receving All-State Honorable Mentions. This is an amazing feat!

The Benson Army JROTC Program completed its SY 2024-25 JROTC Program of Accreditation Inspection receiving an overall score of 99%. Units scoring 95% or higher are designated "Honor Units with Distinction". This is the 31st consecutive year that the Benson Unit has achieved this distinction.

Although it may seem that this is a routine occurrence, it is something never to be taken for granted. Only a small number of units nationwide achieve this, and even fewer have a track record like this. It happens as a result of a lot of very hard work on the part of the cadets and their willingness to put in the effort and the time to achieve excellence.

Please join us in congratulating them on their achievement and their dedication to not letting down those who have gone before them.

Congratulations to our vocal music department for a successful concert last week.

To cutdown on interruptions during finals nextTuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, there will be no passes during ANY block. This includes all class restroom breaks. Students should use the restroom during passing periods and lunch.

Students will take a final in all classes on the following days.

Wednesday, Dec. 18 - "B" day finals (Normal Schedule)

Thursday, Dec. 19 - Modified Schedule where students will attend both "A" and "B" Day classes.

A1 7:40-8:30
A3 8:34-9:24

A4 9:28-10:13
A5 10:22-10:52
B4 10:36-12:31

• 1st lunch 10:36-11:06
• 2nd lunch 11:09-11:39
• 3rd lunch 11:42-12:12
• 4th lunch 12:15-12:45

Monday, Dec. 16 - Frozen

Tuesday, Dec. 17 - Global Holidays

Wednesday, Dec. 18 - Cozy Cabin Day

Thursday, Dec. 19 - Ugly Sweater Day

Please bring a toy to our Girls Basketball Game on Dec. 17.

In order to receive a yearbook in May, students must pre-order the book. Students may pre-order the yearbook for $55 until Jan. 31. We only order a limited amount of copies. If we have any extra copies, they will be sold for $70. Pre-order it online at yearbookforever.com or in room 129. Cash and card accpeted. Payment plans available. Questions? Please contact Mrs. Garman at justine.garman@ops.org.

JOIN US

Help make Benson better by joining our Booster Club. This is open to everyone. Our Booster Club is responsible for many student activities including Senior Sunrise and Post Prom. Please fill out the form below to join.

TAGG PROGRAM

If you have a Baker's card, please consider linking your card to the Benson Booster Club! If you go to the webpage or app, click on Rewards, then *Community rewards to link your card. Baker's will send us a check quarterly by giving us a percentage of the money spent by families supporting the Benson Booster club.

We also have an account with TAGG. Together a Greater Good is a website with a list of many local stores, restaurants, and services who are willing to donate a portion of their money to the Benson Booster Club. If you go to the website and set up an account, you can take a picture of your receipt from participating businesses to help raise funds for the Booster Club.

Andrea Brown (Director) ............ 531-299-8043.......... andrea.brown@ops.org

Katie Cameron............................. 531-299-8012......... deborah.cameron@ops.org

Susan Barnes ............................ . 531-299-7695........ susan.barnes@ops.org

Anne Dyke ................................... 531-299-8033......... anne.dyke@ops.org

Robert Koneck-Wilcox ................ 531-299-7992......... robert.koneck-wilcox@ops.org

Audel Salazar…............................ 531-299-9725......... audel.salazar @ops.org

Career Center applications for 2025-2026 can be found at https://www.ops.org/careercenter

Please be aware that space is limited, so please plan to submit the application as soon as possible.

25-26 Course Selection

Students will begin course selection for next school year over the next few weeks. Students’ abilities, interests, and goals are essential factors to consider when making course selections. It is important that students consider course choices with families and teachers to prepare for course selection with their counselors.

Students should complete the following steps:

1. Use the Benson High Magnet School Course Guide found at https://www.ops.org/benson under ACADEMICS --> Course Catalog. The course guide includes a course planner to outline required and elective courses, as well as, course descriptions with grade levels and prerequisites.
2. The course selections a student made during a previous meeting with the assigned counselor are entered in Infinite Campus. Students should update course selections under Academic Planner in Infinite Campus if any changes are being requested. Courses entered will be locked when students meet with counselors as long as graduation requirements, grade level requirements, and prerequisites are met.
3. Students will meet with counselors during the dates specified below. All required courses and selected electives will be locked. Once locked, the counselor must be contacted to make adjustments.

The plan is accessible on Infinite Campus and course selections can be viewed through March 7. After March 7, it will not necessarily be up-to-date until July.

Individual Course Selection Counselor Consultation

Jan. 27-Feb. 3 - Current juniors will consult with assigned counselor to lock courses for senior year.

Feb. 4-11 – Current sophomores will consult with assigned counselor to lock courses for junior year.

Feb. 18-21 – Current freshmen will consult with next year's counselor to select courses for sophomore year

Follow our basketball teams when they play at home on the Scorevision Fan App. Get real time updates! Download today!

Sign up on SchooLinks

Wednesday, Dec. 18 - Navy (Lunch)

Thursday, Dec. 19 - Air Force (Lunch)

Melinda Bailey .......Principal ........................melinda.bailey@ops.org .........(531) 299-7224

Cathy Bell ..............12th Grade (A-K) ...........catherine.bell@ops.org ...........(531) 299-8864

Deondre Jones ......12th Grade (L-Z) ...........deondre.jones@ops.org.......... (531) 299-2530

Kristen Hughes ......11th Grade ....................kristen.hughes@ops.org......... (531) 299-8984

Laura Geiger ..........10th Grade .....................laura.geiger@ops.org............. (531) 299-7193

Shauntae Starks ....9th Grade .......................shauntae.starks@ops.org ......(531) 299-7916

Jason Rhine .......... Attendance/Truancy..... jason.rhine@ops.org ...............(531) 299-7986

1st Block ........ 7:40-9:09

2nd Block ....... 9:14-9:43

3rd Block ........ 9:48-11:16

4th Block .........11:21-1:33

• 1st lunch ............ 11:21-11:51
• 2nd lunch ...........11:55-12:25
• 3rd lunch ........... 12:29-12:59
• 4th lunch ........... 1:03-1:33

5th Block ..........1:38-3:05

See Below.

Parents are encouraged to sign up for access to the online Parent Portal offered by Omaha Public Schools if they have not already done so. This access will be available wherever an Internet connection is located. Parental monitoring of assignments, grades and attendance is strongly encouraged. If there is any question about your child’s academic progress, the parent is strongly encouraged to call or e-mail the teacher. All teachers’ telephone numbers and e-mail addresses can be found on the Benson website. If a parent is not satisfied with the communication with a teacher, the parent is strongly encouraged to call the child’s administrator. There is no such thing as too much communication when working to encourage, monitor and improve a student’s academic progress. Students, parents and Benson staff members all share in the responsibility of keeping lines of communication open and productive.

Safety is our top priority at Omaha Public Schools. There are resources in our district and community to support students and staff, including the Safe2Help Nebraska Hotline.

Safe2Help Nebraska is a confidential and anonymous hotline for students, families, staff or community members to report concerns.

If you or someone you know needs support or would like to report a safety concern, Safe2Help Nebraska Hotline is available 24/7 at (531) 299-SAFE. The app is installed on every Omaha Public Schools iPad, providing easy and immediate access.

We will have Academic Coaching on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 3:15-4:15 in room 248. There is tutoring for our ESL students on Thursdays from 3:15-4:15 in room 220.

Beyond the classroom we offer so much to students, you just have to step up and take advantage. Below are just a few examples of the many opportunities we offer.

• Academy Lunch and Learns with community employers and partners

• Academy field trips to industries in need of future employees

• Retreat Days

• Avenue Scholars

• JAG (Jobs for America’s Graduates)

• Urban League

• Dual Enrolled Courses (earn almost a year of college credit before you graduate)

• AP and Honors Courses

• ACT Prep Course

• Counseling Support, Academic Planning, College and Career Plans

What students can do:

• Most critical step is completing work while in class when given the opportunity.

• Use class time to engage with teacher and material

• Ask questions and ask for help when you need it

• Take advantage of tutoring and teacher support

• Talk to your academy teachers about how to get involved

• Attend Lunch and Learns to hear about career opportunities

• Talk with counselors about credits, courses, and your plans for after high school.

If you or your family is in short term need of resources (such as shampoo, conditioner, soap, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrush, socks, winter gear, etc), please see Ms. Mason, School Social Worker in the counseling office, room 222 or you can email julie.mason@ops.org

Health and Medications at School

Per OPS district policy, ALL medications necessary during the school day, must have the following: 1 – medication provided by parent to nurse, 2 -- written medication order from doctor, 3 – written parent permission. This includes inhalers, over-the-counter and topical medicines. New orders are needed each new school year. See the below links or contact the school nurse with questions.

Illness

For the health of everyone, please stay home when you are sick. (Fever, vomiting, diarrhea, pink-eye, etc.) If you become ill or injured while at school, visit the school nurse with a pass from your teacher. (Exception for medical emergencies). The school nurse or health aide will check you out and discuss what is going on. If we determine you should go home, the school nurse or health aide will call the parent.

More Information

Click on the following links for more information about OPS Health Services, forms for management of health conditions and medications at school, immunizations, physicals, and more.

• OPS Health Services:
• Action Plans for Asthma/ Anaphylaxis, Seizures, or Diabetes
• Medication Permission Form and Policy

DECEMBER

• 17 - A-Day Finals
• 18 - B-Day Finals
• 19 - Modified Schedule
• 20-31 - No School

JANUARY

• 1-3 - No School
• 20 - No School
• 28 - Late Start for Students

FEBRUARY

• 1 - All City Music Festival
• 2 - All City Choir Festival
• 14-17 - No School

MARCH

• 5 - Spring Sports Senior Photos (5th Block) No Make-ups
• 6 - High School Parent Teacher Conferences and No School for H.S. Students
• 7 - No School for High School Students
• 17 - No School
• 28 - No School

APRIL

• 1 - Late Start for Students
• 4-5 - Spring Musical
• 18-21 - No School

MAY

• 21 - Graduation
• 21 - Last Student Day