The RPS Weekly Message
August 22, 2024
Ralston Public Schools, in partnership with the Community Based Attendance Coalition (CBAC) and the Metro Omaha Educational Consortium (MOEC), will be drawing attention to and sharing information throughout the month of September on school attendance in recognition of Attendance Awareness Month.
We want to stress and promote to our families the value of good attendance and relay that every day a student is in school is an opportunity to learn, build relationships, and access support.
Ask Your Student - Whenever you are away from school for any reason beyond school activities, that is an absence. Why do you think coming to school every day is important?
With the start of a new school year, it is a good idea to be careful and follow directions at each of our schools during morning drop-off and afternoon student pick-up times. School campuses before and after school will always be congested. Please, plan ahead, take your time, and exercise a great deal of patience to keep our students and staff safe.
Drivers, make sure to take it slow in all parking lots and streets close to the school. Those walking home or to a parked vehicle, make sure to cross at the proper crosswalk locations. Also, please make sure to listen to our staff directing traffic and assisting students and families as you arrive and leave school each day.
Ralston High School is once again proud to partner with Metropolitan Community College (MCC) to offer non credit English as a Second Language classes to non-English speaking individuals whose families attend Ralston Public Schools. The classes focus on improving individuals' reading, writing, speaking, and comprehension skills in English, understanding the American system of government, individual freedom, and responsibilities of citizenship.
New students to the program will have their four-class orientation session on Monday and Wednesday nights at Ralston High School from September 16th - 25th at 6:00 p.m. New students must attend the first session on September 16th. Classes will begin for all students (new and returning) on September 30th. Please note: MCC will not accept any additional or “walk-in” or new students after September 25th.
Download the Prospective Student Form in this message. For more information on this program, please visit MCC’s website by clicking this LINK or contact Ralston Public Schools/MCC liaison Mrs. Maria Weaver at maria_weaver@ralstonschools.org.
Arbor Family Counseling
Ralston Public Schools has a great partnership with Arbor Family Counseling. They offer two free sessions for students and direct family members. Mention Ralston Public Schools when you make your initial phone call. For more information, visit their website at http://www.arborfamilycounseling.com.
Safe2Help - Safe Schools Hotline and App
Safe2Help Nebraska is a secure, anonymous hotline and cell phone app for sharing safety-related information or concerns with the appropriate school, crisis counselor, or law enforcement agency. They are here to help keep you, your school, and your community safe.
The hotline number is 531-299-SAFE (7233).
Click on the following link for more information. - https://safe2helpne.com/
988 - Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
988 is now the three-digit dialing code that routes callers to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (or 988 Lifeline). When people call, text, or chat with the 988 Lifeline, they are connected to trained counselors that are part of the existing 988 Lifeline network, made up of over 200 local crisis centers.
These counselors are trained to provide free and confidential emotional support and crisis counseling to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress, and connect them to resources.
These services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, across the United States. Numerous studies have shown that callers feel less suicidal, less depressed, less overwhelmed and more hopeful after speaking with a 988 Lifeline counselor.
Parents/Guardians - If you have not already, you need to complete the Student Verification Process! Student Verification allows us to update important information regarding your child, such as emergency contact, medical information, acknowledgment of access to certain District documents, and permissions for specific items such as NSAA consent or media release information. This process is IMPORTANT for students at EVERY grade level!
Student Verification is Completed Through R-Kids: Click HERE
If you are having trouble accessing your student’s R-Kids account, contact your student’s school directly and they can provide you with the assistance you need.
Children need healthy meals to learn and Ralston Public Schools offers healthy meals every school day. Your students may qualify for Free or Reduced Price Meals. Reduced price is $.30 for breakfast and $.40 for lunch.
If your student(s) qualified for free or reduced price meals at the end of last school year, you must submit a new application by Wednesday, September 25, 2024 in order to avoid an interruption in meal benefits.
Below is a link to the Free & Reduced online form. PLEASE NOTE: There is a language button at the top of the page to translate the form into several different languages.
Link: https://www.myschoolapps.com/Application
If you have questions, please contact the RPS Food Service Department at 402-898-3430 or nicole.riccobon@ralstonschools.org.
The Ralston Schools Foundation invites you to an evening of celebration and recognition as we honor the achievements of two exceptional Ralston High School alumni at the Ralston Schools Foundation Distinguished Alumni Award Celebration!
On September 26th at the Post Event Center (7400 Q St.), RHS alumni and the community will gather to pay tribute to the outstanding accomplishments of our distinguished alumni, who have made a lasting impact in their careers and communities. This prestigious award recognizes the hard work, dedication, and commitment to excellence that define the Ralston Public Schools' tradition of excellence.
Don't miss this special event! Purchase your tickets online today through the Foundation’s website by clicking this LINK.
The OneWorld Medical Mobile Health Center provides medical and behavioral services at the most convenient place for youth and their parents; near their school. They are always taking appointments; if your child is not feeling well, sports physicals, vaccinations, and well-checks.
Parents can schedule appointments by calling OneWorld at 402-880-4870.
New this Year - Medical Mobile at Karen Western
The OneWorld Medical Mobile Health Center will start to come to Karen Western Elementary every other Friday during the 2024-2025 school year. The mobile unit will be at Ralston High School every Tuesday from 8:00 am - 3:30 pm. Below is the schedule for August and September for Ralston Middle School and Karen Western (8:00 am - 3:30 pm).
Friday, August 23 - KW
Friday, August 30 - RMS
Friday, September 6 - KW
Friday, September 13 - RMS
Friday, September 20 - KW
Friday, September 27 - RMS
Special Words of Thanks
Summer School Educators and Staff
Ralston Public Schools would like to extend a special thank you to all the educators and staff who helped make our summer school programs a success. Your dedication and time allowed our students to enhance their skills and gain positive momentum as they entered the 2024-2025 school year.
Food Service Staff - Summer Food Program
The District would like to thank all our food service employees who helped run our summer food program at Wildewood Elementary and Ralston High School. We had great attendance this summer and provided breakfast and lunch to many District families. Thank you for all your hard work!
Custodial Staff
Thank you to all our custodians for keeping our buildings clean throughout the summer and during all the construction. It was a busy summer and you helped get our buildings ready to go for the new school year. We really appreciate your willingness to get the job done!
Construction Crews
Thank you to The Weitz Company and their subcontractors for their hard work this summer on Seymour, Karen Western, Mockingbird, Blumfield, and Ralston Middle School. We have such a great working relationship with our construction team and they are making such a positive difference in all our buildings. It is exciting to see everything come together.
RPS Educator Leaders for Summer Planning Work
To all our educators and administrators involved in our ELA Toolbox, Math Toolbox, School Counselor Team, Data Toolbox, and CIP Teams - thank you for your tremendous work this summer on curriculum development, data analysis and planning, and curriculum material review. The hard work you all put in will impact our students and their learning in a positive way!
Buildings and Grounds Staff for the Storm Clean Up
To our Buildings & Grounds staff (Kenny, Pat, Chris, Cory, Tim, Brian, and Dave) and every building custodian, thank you for your tremendous effort in cleaning up our school grounds of debris from the summer storms.
Central Office Staff, District Community Liaisons/Spanish Interpreters, District Heath Team, and Building Secretaries - Enrollment
Shout out to our Central Office staff, District Community Liaisons/Spanish Interpreters, and Building Secretaries for all their hard work helping families enroll their children into our District over the summer and right before the start of the school year. Thanks to our District Health Team members for collecting all student medications and vaccination records, setting our students up for a healthy and safe school year. We had a lot of families visit our administrative office and schools, and we are excited to welcome all our new families to the District.
Good Luck to all Involved in Fall Athletics and Activities
RPS would like to wish all our students and staff participating in fall athletics and activities the best of luck in their competitions. We know you will work, study hard, and will proudly represent Ram Nation. Just know you have many individuals cheering for you to do your very best!
Make sure to check the Calendar of Events located on the District website and make plans to attend an event to cheer on the Rams!
Rams Under the Lights
What a way to kick off the fall sports season! Ralston High School's "Rams Under the Lights" was awesome! The students did a fantastic job showing off their skills and talents.
Huge thanks to Ralston High School Yearbook staff member Isaiah Bernal for the photos featured below.
