Hello Bobcat Families! This week we would like showcase our Buffett Middle Parent Teacher Organization (PTO), the individuals who are a part of it, and the amazing work they continue to do for our school, students, and teachers.

Did you know that our last fundraiser brought in $30,247! This is great news as we hit our target to meet our budgeted goal.

We are so thankful for all individuals who are a part of our PTO, but especially the officers who dedicate much time and talent:

President: Lusina Kavan

Vice-President: Christina Liermann

Treasurer: Joanne Bray

Secretary: Jeanine Robertson

Social Media Facilitator: Jolene Rasmussen

The PTO is looking to fill the vice-president and treasurer positions for the 24-25 school year. If you are interested, please contact the PTO.

This year, our PTO has provided the following opportunities for our school:

• Back to school breakfast and coffee for faculty and staff
• Target gift cards for each teacher for back to school wish lists
• Donut and Popcorn parties for BCD during the POP! fundraiser
• Pizza dinner for faculty and staff during student-led conferences
• Virtual Author Reading with Kwame Alexander for students
• Live presentation by Gerald Dickens (great-great grandson of Charles Dickens) for students
• Parent Smart Gen Society Information Presentation
• Much, much more!

Did you know that our PTO has their own social media accounts? Please check them out to see all of the amazing ways they continue to support our Bobcats:

Facebook: Buffett Magnet Middle School PTO

Instagram: @buffettpto

Email: buffettpto2@gmail.com

Please consider joining us at one of our next meetings (see picture below). Being a part of the PTO is a great opportunity for you to get involved at Buffett, be aware of the happenings in school, and develop strategies to help engage other parents and students.

Julia Pick, Principal

Even when students are not in the building, our staff continues to learn about how we can continue to provide safe and engaging environments for them. Our school nurse provided CPR training for staff of November 1st. We enjoyed learning and growing together.

Our Bobcats got to meet Gerald Dickens (great-great grandson of Charles Dickens) this week and be the audience for his one-man performances of Christmas Carol. Thank you to our PTO for providing this amazing opportunity!

Our 7th graders enjoyed a day working with Youth Frontiers at the Courage Retreat. They spent time building relationships, supporting each other, and committing to acts of courage. Thank you to our PTO and OPS high schools for helping us make this event come to life!

Congratulations to the following pumpkin decorating contest winners! A special thanks to Jillian's Produce for donating the pumpkins for the contest.

• 1st place - Security team with Cookie Monster (music and all)
• 2nd place - Admin with Weird Barbie
• 3rd place - 6A with Stranger Things
  

Here are Buffett Middle we have high performing teachers and students in every classroom. We will be showcasing a few teachers and staff members each week so you can learn a little bit more about them. We believe that building relationships contributes positively to engagement and success. We love these teachers and all they bring to our community!

Progress Reports are coming home. They were mailed this week. Check your mailbox! Email specific teachers if you have any questions about the grades.

Save the date for Monday, November 13th. Athletes will take their sports pictures after school. Email Ms. Aggen with any questions at amye.aggen@ops.org

This week in Bobcat Den students focused on ignoring off task behaviors and staying on task.The students role played in groups of four with two students trying to communicate a message and the other two students trying to distract them.

Steps to Staying On Task:

1. Look at your task or assignment.​

2. Think about the steps needed to complete the task.

3. Focus all of your attention on your task.

4. Stop working on your task only with permission from the nearby adult who gave you the task.​

5. Ignore distractions and interruptions by others.​

In the RULER lesson this week, students focused on exploring the differences between commonly mixed up feeling words and engage in activities to demonstrate the importance of accurate labeling feelings. Then they watched the video below.

Words they discussed were:

• jealousy vs. envy
• shame vs. guilt
• frustrated vs. hopeless
• satisfied vs. relieved
• excited vs. elated
  

After School Library: The library is open for students every Tues., Wed., and Thurs. throughout the rest of the school year. Go there to complete homework, read, or work on school projects.

NJHS (National Junior Honor Society) is hosting a "Diaper Drive" that starts Monday November 6th! Diapers donated will go to the mothers and children of the Lydia House and those experiencing financial difficulties. All sizes of diapers are welcome, but diapers in sizes 4, 5, & 6 are the most needed. NJHS Diaper Drive benefiting the Lydia House in Omaha is from November 6th until December 1st. All diapers can be brought to Ms. Tanner in the front office before school. THANK YOU!

Here's your FRENCHIE FUN FACT OF THE DAY: France is the MOST visited country in the world, and the French museum, the Louvre, is the world's most visited museum in the world. Mona Lisa lives there!

School store:

Monday- 6A may visit

Tuesday- 7th grade may visit

Wednesday- Store closed for read across Buffett

Thursday- 8th grade may visit

Friday- 6B may visit

Bobcats: please make sure you have permission from your teacher and ID when visiting the school store.

We have our first home Varsity and JV Boys basketball games on Tuesday, Nov. 14th vs. Davis and Thursday, Nov. 16th vs Monroe. Please check your email or catch the QR code to sign up to cheer on our boys basketball teams. You need to bring your student ID to attend. You also must arrange for a ride home. You are not able to sign up for the late bus if you are a spectator at home events. Signups for the game will end on Monday, Nov. 13th at the end of BCD. Any questions, please reach out Ms. Aggen.

Attention all students who are staying after school for athletics practices and tryouts. You need to make sure to sign up for the late bus if you qualify to ride one after school. Please sign up no later than 10am.

Julia Pick, Principal

Email: julia.pick@ops.org
Website: buffett.ops.org
Location: 14101 Larimore Avenue, Omaha, NE, USA
Phone: 531-299-2320
Twitter: @OPS_Buffett