McMillan Back to School Information

Greetings McMillan Families,

Welcome to McMillan Middle for the 2024-2025 school year!

We look forward to a successful and rewarding school year. We are excited to be partners in your child’s education, as we will work together to ensure the best outcomes for your student.

We are thrilled to have you as part of our school community and are excited about the opportunities this year holds for your student’s education and personal growth.

Please see the schedule below for school start dates and times.

August 14, 2024 – 1st Day of School for 6th Grade Students Only (7:40am – 3:05pm)

August 15, 2024 – All Students Report to School (7:40am – 3:05pm)

School Pictures: We will take school pictures on Friday, August 23! Mark it on your calendars now!

Block Party / Monarch Registration Information

This community event will be a chance for you to ensure all paperwork for the 2024-25 school year is complete, pay for insurance for your iPad, have the student iPad checked, complete athletic forms, purchase a yearbook, and take a tour of the building. The majority of paperwork is now completed online, so please bring your students iPad. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at 531-299-2440.

The Block/Party Back-to-School Night will take place on:

Monday, August 12 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM

*Bring Your students’ iPad and Insurance information.

During orientation you will have the opportunity to pay for the following items (bring cash or check):

• Meet your teachers – Bring your students’ iPad for schedule access through student portal!

• Sign up for the PTO - free will donation

• iPad insurance - you can pay online through Parent Portal - $20

• Education Benefits From – Lunch Waiver

• Pay for a School Yearbook

• Check out and sign up for our after-school partner, YMCA Lion's Pride.

• Turn in your students' school physical, medication for the year, and meet the school nurse.

• Complete the necessary paperwork for your child to participate in Athletics.

All purchases require cash or check.

Back to School Paperwork

There are several items that we need you to complete before your student starts the school year. This includes:

• Locating their school iPad, getting it charged, and ready to bring on back to school night. Please have them update it!
• Signing up for or accessing your Parent Portal Account
• Completing the annual update of student information via the portal.
• Completing the Education Benefits Form. This form is in place of the free and reduced lunch application.
• Completing and signing the technology agreement via parent portal.

If you need assistance or access to technology, please stop by McMillan Middle from 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM.

Parent Portal Account

Access to parent portal is essential for staying updated on your child’s grades and attendance throughout the school year! If you are having issues accessing parent portal, please email, michael.davis@ops.org. Please include the name of your student, and that you would like a parent portal account or are having issues accessing yours. You must have a valid email address and share the name of your student to gain access.

Directions for logging on to parent portal can be found here:

• English: Instructions for completing paperwork
  
• Español: Instrucciones para completar el papeleo

Best wishes for a happy and successful school year. We look forward to working with each of you!

Sincerely,

Dr. Andrew R. Walters

Principal

McMillan Middle School

Andrew.Walters@ops.org

(o) 531-299-3923

Dr. Jordan brings a wealth of knowledge, passion and experiences to our community, and will be an amazing addition to our staff.

Dr. Jordan is a proud product of OPS (McMillan & North Omaha)! As she begins her transition to McMillan, she will arrive by way of Student Placement (in Student Community Services, where McMillan was one of the twelve schools she served as a placement administrator), by way of Lewis & Clark (where she served as a Dean of Students), and by way of Monroe Middle School (where she served as their 1st Instructional Facilitator, and where her teaching career began) 23 years ago!

She is a proud alumnus of the University of Nebraska-Omaha (undergraduate & Masters), Concordia University-Seward (Administrative) and Concordia University-Portland (Doctorate).

Dr. Jordan believes in the power of education, by any means necessary! Her quote and philosophy is: Education is LIFE. Her purpose is to only speak life!

We are excited to get started with Dr. Jordan, and welcome her back to the McMillan community serving in this role.

August 12 - Block Party for All McMillan Community - 4 to 7 PM

August 14 - First Day of School for 6th grade, school starts at 7:40 AM

August 15 - First Day of School for all grades, school starts at 7:40 AM

August 19 - First Day for Lion's Pride after school programming - 3:05 to 5:00 PM

August 23 - School Pictures for McMillan students and staff!

August 26 - Fall Sports begin. Look for 7th/8th Cross Country, Football, and Volleyball Sign-ups

August 28 & 29 - Youth Frontiers work with 7th Graders - a different group each day

School hours for all Omaha Public Schools Middle Schools are 7:40 AM-3:05 P.M. Students should arrive to school by 7:34 AM each morning. Student are tardy if they are not in the classroom by 7:40 AM. A free breakfast is served from 7:20 – 7:35 a.m. with classes beginning at 7:40 a.m.

First Days

The school year will begin for 6th Grade students only on Wednesday, August 14th. We have a special day for only our 6th graders to help create a smooth transition to the middle level environment as well as better understand the procedures and routines for our school. Please send your student with their iPad on this day!

All students, 6th, 7th and 8th grade students will attend school starting on Thursday, August 15th.

All students are expected to bring a fully charged iPad each day to school. Please help ensure that your student has the appropriate cords to charge their iPad, has a place to charge it each night, and is bringing it to school every day. This will help ensure your student is able to participate each day.

Please have your student:

1. Locate the device.
2. Plug it in to be fully charged.
3. Connect to Wi-Fi so the iPad can update.
4. Stop by the Tech Help Station at Open House if you have questions, or if the device is broken.

START OF THE SCHOOL DAY

The doors of McMillan Middle are open daily at 7:20 a.m. A free breakfast is served from 7:20 to 7:35 a.m. Students who are not eating breakfast will be admitted and seated in the gym when they arrive. At 7:35 a.m. students should report to their advisement/PRIDE. When the tardy bell rings at 7:40 a.m. All students MUST be in their PRIDE.

Parents can drop students off starting at 7:20 AM. Parents can drop students off along 38th and Redick, and will be greeted by McMillan staff/Dr. Walters, the Principal. Please do not drop students off in the west lot, as this lot is reserved for bus unloading. Students eating breakfast will go to the cafeteria.

END OF THE SCHOOL DAY

No student is to loiter in the halls or entries after being dismissed at 3:05 p.m. It is expected that the halls be cleared by 3:15 p.m. each day and doors will be locked at 4:00 p.m. Those in co-curricular activities are to go directly to those activities and must be supervised by an adult. All students need to be with a teacher/ coach by 3:10 p.m. each day. Any student on campus after 3:20 will be requested to make contact with their parent regarding pick up or will report to YMCA Lion's Pride.

Parents should wait to pick up their students either along 38th and Redick, parked in a parking spot, not blocking the bus entrance. Parents should not wait in the west parking lot as this is the bus loading zone. Please be aware of students walking as you are leaving the building. All students should be picked up or walking home by 3:15 PM.

Drop Off

Morning Drop Off: During drop off, we're suggesting families use 38th and Redick (refer to the map above) or the streets going to the south toward Belvedere Elementary. If the Redick is not crowded, you can drop off your student anywhere along the curb as traffic gets busier, 37th, 37th, and 39th streets for drop-off. Please be cautious of traffic and pedestrians - and school administration will be present to aide in crossing. Please do not use the west lot as this is reserved for bus rider traffic, the little lot by the pond, and do not use the east teacher parking lot, as this creates unsafe traffic patterns for those areas.

Pick Up

After School Pick Up: During pick up, we're suggesting families use 37th, 38th, and 39th and Redick (refer to the map above) or the streets going to the south toward Belvedere Elementary. If Redick is not crowded, you can pick up your student anywhere along the curb as traffic gets busier, 36th, 37th, and 38th streets for drop-off. Please be cautious of traffic and pedestrians. Please do not use the west lot as this is reserved for bus rider traffic, the little lot by the pond, and do not use the east teacher parking lot, as this creates unsafe traffic patterns for those areas.

McMillan Middle School is thrilled to have an incredible community partner for our after-school program, YMCA Lion's Pride. We want ALL McMillan Middle School Students registered for Lion's Pride. YMCA Lion's Pride does require registration and confirmation to attend. You can easily register your students by emailing Ms. Stefanie Conley, the director, at Stefanie.Conley@ops.org. It is free for McMillan Middle school students to join.

Regular attendance is necessary to keep up with learning. Parents are requested to call the school attendance office regarding all school absences at 531-299-2440, ext. 2. (You will be prompted to leave a message). If parents are unable to call, you can email mcmillan.attendance@ops.org or the student is required to bring a note from a parent to the main office stating the reason for the absence. If a student arrives late to school, he/she should report to the Attendance Window to receive a pass to class. Students who do not arrive to their classroom by the 7:40 AM bell are tardy to class. The McMillan Middle School Tardy policy can be found in the McMillan Middle School Handbook. Regular communication (emails, texts, and phone calls) are made regarding tardies and absences.

Tardy to Class

Students have four minutes to pass from one class to another. Hall sweeps will be held and students not in class on time will be assigned school consequences. Tardies to class will be handled as follows:

• Tardy 1 – Teacher conference with student
• Tardy 2 – Teacher conference with student
• Tardy 3 – Teacher conference with student, parent phone call
• Tardy 4 – Teacher conference with student, parent phone call
• Tardy 5 – Administrator referral, parent conference, Late School, community service, loss of passing periods, or other interventions
• Tardy 6 – Administrator referral, parent conference, Late School, community service, loss of passing periods, Student Success Center or additional consequences and interventions assigned
• In addition to the above interventions, teachers may use their own interventions in the classroom to address student tardies.
• Students who repeatedly abuse passing period will be referred to their appropriate administrator for a parent/administrator conference.

Tardy to School: It is very important that students report to school by at least 7:35. This will allow them time to get to Advisement (PRIDE) by 7:40. Students who repeatedly come tardy to school will be referred back to their appropriate administrator.

We are starting a PTO this year! The role of the McMillan Middle PTO (Parent Teacher Organization) is to support the students, teachers, and staff of McMillan Middle School. As a PTO member, you have the opportunity to become more informed about your child’s middle school experience and education as well as joining the amazing McMillan Middle community. The gift of your support has an invaluable positive impact on your student’s school. Meetings are held quarterly in the cafeteria and online on 9/11/24, 11/13/24, 2/12/25 and 4/8/25. If you have questions or would like more information, please contact Jordan Pfeiffer at jordan.pfeiffer@ops.org or 531.299.8916.

We encourage all parents to take advantage of following McMillan Middle School on Twitter (X) (@OPS_McMillanMiddle), on Facebook (@OPSMcMillanMiddle), on Instagram (@ops_mcmillanmiddle) or looking at our website (https://ops.org/McMillan). In addition, McMillan Middle sends out a monthly Newsletter through email. Make sure that your email address is up-to-date in Infinite Campus through the Portal.

All students are expected to eat lunch in the cafeteria. During the 2024-25 school years, Omaha Public Schools is participating in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). All students enrolled in an Omaha Public School where meals are provided will receive a healthy breakfast and lunch at no charge, regardless of income. Families will be asked to complete an Educational Benefits Form (EBF) online as part of the paperwork. A la carte items will need to be paid for utilizing through the student lunch account. Students may pre-pay for these items in the cafeteria before school or during lunch. Please make your checks payable to Nutrition Services. Students may bring a sack lunch and purchase milk (.$.50). Parents can find more information about school lunches and pre-payment on the district web site (https://www.ops.org/district).

Complete the Educational Benefits Form (EBF) on SchoolCafe.com > > > The Educational Benefits Form is the application which can provide your student with a FREE Activity Card as well as many more free and discounted opportunities. Go to schoolcafe.com.

Students will have the opportunity to participate in cross country, tackle football, basketball, soccer, swimming, track, volleyball and wrestling. All students trying out for an interscholastic sport must have:

(1) a current physical exam (a new one completed each school year)

(2) proof of insurance

(3) written parent permission

(4) an activity card

(5) no failing grades

(6) Registered for YMCA Lion's Pride

Volleyball, tackle football and cross country will begin practice during the first full week of school. We encourage students that are not participating in athletics to cheer on the teams. Students have to sign-up and be approved to attend athletic events as spectators. Students with activity cards are not charged to attend home athletic contests. All other students and adults will be charged $3.00.

Each student’s iPad has the student handbook preloaded on it (it is also available on our website), which provides detailed information about the policies and regulations of McMillan Middle School and the Omaha Public Schools. Teachers and students will spend time in advisory reviewing the code of conduct with all the students. Students will be instructed to take the handbook home. Please be sure to read and discuss the handbook. The students will be responsible for all content in the student handbook and will sign a handbook card stating they understand the expectations. Please feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns. The main office phone number is 531-299-2440.

School is a place for focused work and learning. Certain types of fashion and dress are not appropriate for school. All students are expected to dress appropriately. Clothing must not distract or disrupt the learning atmosphere within the school. Although student dress is primarily a concern of the parent, what is considered appropriate dress for school is at the discretion of McMillan Middle School administration. Students who dress inappropriately may be asked to change clothes, or a parent may be contacted. Items that should not be worn to school:

• Blankets should not be brought to school.
• Printed wording or pictures on clothing or jewelry that advertise or promote alcohol or drugs or carry derogatory connotations, etc., are prohibited.
• Sleeveless muscle shirts, spaghetti strap shirts, tank tops, see-through shirts, as well as bedroom slippers are not acceptable. T-shirts with sleeves must be worn under team jerseys.
• Midriffs must be covered. It is never appropriate to display undergarments. Navels are not to be visible.
• Shoes and shirts are essential for proper attire. Hats and hoods are allowed but should not distract from the learning environment.
• The appropriate length of shorts and skirts will be at the discretion of building administration.

Specific information about dress and personal appearance may be found within the Omaha Public Schools Code of Conduct pages of our student handbook. We encourage you to check your students clothing each day before school.

If you qualify for transportation, you will be notified of your bus stop and time via U.S. mail by the Omaha Public Schools Transportation Department during the first week of August. In addition, students will be able to access the bus information in the Student Portal on their iPad. Any questions should be directed to 531-299-0140 or visit the transportation page online for information

Zūm Parent App: The Zūm Parent App, allows parents to track their student’s ride in real time and receive alerts when the vehicle arrives. Zūm will be reaching out to families soon to provide more details regarding the Zūm App.

Please verify that your contact information is updated in Infinite Campus to ensure you receive timely transportation communication.

Middle School students may be expected to complete homework outside of school. For most sixth, seventh and eighth graders, this may involve up to an hour of review during the evening. We encourage parents to take an active role in helping students ensure they are completing all work. Parents should sign up for parent portal so they can monitor student’s grades and attendance. We will email regularly about missing work and grades, so please ensure we have a valid email on file.

If students need additional help with coursework, we offer the following:

MMS After School HOMEWORK HELP: Students can join this program with a teacher, counselor, or administrator recommendation or by parent request. Teachers in the program help students complete the work they are doing in class by focusing on the skills they need to learn to be successful on their own. The program is every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 3:05 to 4:30.

Academic Recovery: Students may request or be assigned to academic recovery. Academic recovery allows students the opportunity to get additional support with their classwork. In addition, students are able to reflect on their choices and create new goals to stay caught up in the classroom.

PAPER Online Tutoring: All McMillan Middle School students have access to a FREE online tutoring program called PAPER. Students can log in anytime they need help with homework and get access to live tutors. They will answer questions and work through assignments with them if needed. Students access the program by logging in through Clever on their iPads.

Every student needs an adult who takes the time to talk with the student about academic matters, attendance, problems that relate to school, social and emotional support, and the importance of performing well in middle school. At McMillan Middle School every student will be assigned to an advisory group (PRIDE) and have a coach/advisor. Advisory meets daily for 25 minutes.

McMillan Middle School has students with different allergies, dietary restrictions, and dietary needs. Students are allowed to bring a sack lunch, but other food and beverages should not be brought to school. We do encourage students to carry a water bottle to help stay hydrated during the school day.

Students have the option of requesting a hallway locker. Students could keep their backpacks and large coats in their locker during the school day. Students should plan accordingly for their locker use during the day to make efficient use of their time between classes.

Students are allowed to carry their backpack during the school day. Students should ensure that only school related materials are in their backpacks. Items such as make-up, body spray/cologne, food, and toys are encouraged to be left at home. We encourage parents to help students clean their backpacks regularly.

Please remind your child that cell phones and personal electronics (Headphones, air pods, smart watches) cannot be utilized during the school day. In case of emergencies or necessary communication, contact your student through the main office.

Below shows how Monarch PRIDE is safe, responsible and respectful using the McMillan Behavior Matrix, with common language used throughout our community.

McMillan Middle School intends to follow the Title I Parent and Family engagement policy guidelines in accordance with federal law, Section 1116 (a-f) ESSA (Every Student Succeeds Act) of 2015.

• Parents and family members of all students are welcomed and encouraged to become involved with their child’s school and education.
• Parent-Teacher Conference
• Monthly and regularly schedule parent meetings
• Conferences with teachers and support staff as needed
• Regularly communication from the school about students’ progress
• Parents are involved in the planning, review, and improvements of the school’s Parental Engagement Policy through:
• Parent Teacher Conferences
• District Activities
• Monthly and regularly schedule parent meetings with translators provided as needed.
• Annual meetings are held to inform parents of the school’s participation in the Title I program and Compact Review.
1. Parent meetings are held at different times throughout the day and week, including but not limited to:
• Open Hose Night
• Parent Teacher Conferences
• Parent Meetings during the school day and evenings
• Other after school events to be announced as they are scheduled

• Title I funds may be used to pay reasonable and necessary expenses associated with parent involvement activities:
• Scheduled parent meetings
• Materials to support parent needs to improve knowledge of support needed in reading and math programs.

• Parents are involved in the planning, review, and improvements to the school’s Title I program via the Climate Survey; Title I Parent Satisfaction survey, annual parent meetings, scheduled parent meetings, and school newsletters.
• The parents are involved in the joint development of the School Wide plan through feedback and collaboration on the School Improvement Plan for 2020-2021and in the Fall 2021 Title I School Compact Review meeting.

• Parents and guardians receive timely information about the Title I program through the following ways:
• School newsletters
• Parent-Teacher Conferences
• Title I School Compact
• School / District website
• School messenger (email, auto-dialer)

• Parents and guardians receive a description and explanation of the curriculum in use at the school, the forms of academic assessments and how to measure student progress, and the proficiency levels students are expected to meet.
• School newsletters
• MAP assessment reports
• Title I Parent Meetings / Parent Teacher Conferences
• Title I School Compact
• School / District website

• The school will provide assistance to parents with a description and explanation of the curriculum in use at school, the forms of academic assessment used to measure student progress and the proficiency levels students are expected to meet.
• Open House
• Newsletters
• Informational Meetings at Fall and Spring Parent Teacher Conferences
• Monthly and regularly scheduled parent meetings

• The school provides parents with opportunities for scheduled meetings to formulate suggestions and to participate in decisions relating to the education of their children.
• Parent Teacher Conferences
• Open House
• Scheduled parent meetings-Family Engagement Nights

• A school-parent compact was jointly developed with parents; it outlines how parents, the entire school staff and students share in the responsibility for improved student achievement.
• Newsletters
• School wide policy and procedures
• School Improvement Plan
• Title I school compact
• District Action Plan

• The school provides materials and training to help parents to work with their children to improve their children’s achievement.
• Scheduled Parent Meetings
• Opportunities to give feedback on the School Improvement Plan
• Annual Title I school compact review

At the beginning of the school year, any District that accepts Title I, Part A funding must notify parents that they can request information regarding their child’s teacher and his/her qualifications, including certification and endorsements. Parents can also request information about paraprofessionals working with their children.

This Title I School-Parent Compact has been jointly developed with parents and outlines how parents, the entire school staff, and students will share the responsibility for improved student academic achievement and the means by which the school and parents will build and develop a partnership to help children achieve the State’s high academic standards. At the annual parent-teacher conferences, the compact shall be discussed as it relates to the individual child’s achievement.

Administrator/Teacher:

It is important that students achieve. We will:

1. Provide high-quality curriculum and instruction in a supportive and effective learning environment to enable children to meet the challenging state academic achievement standards.

2. Regularly communicate with parents on their child’s progress.

3. Demonstrate professional behavior and positive attitude.

Parent/Caring Adult:

I want my child to achieve; therefore I will encourage him/her by doing the following:

1. Communicate and work with teachers and school staff on an ongoing basis to be involved and support my child’s learning.

2. Support your child’s learning—volunteer in their classroom; participate, as appropriate, in decisions related to their education, guide positive use of extracurricular time.

3. Make sure my child is at school every day and on time, unless he/she is ill.

4. Provide a quiet place and time to do schoolwork and encourage my child to complete schoolwork.

Student:

I know my education is important to me. It is important that I work to the best of my abilities. I agree to do the following:

1. Be at school every day and on time unless I am sick.

2. Come to school each day prepared with supplies and an attitude to learn.

3. Be responsible for my own behavior.

4. Respect and cooperate with other students and adults

5. Return completed schoolwork on time.

6. Read at home.

2024-25 Entering 7th Grade Health Requirements

Students entering 7th grade for the 2024-25 school year will need their state mandated physical exam done on or after March 1, 2024, for it to be valid. Please see the attached documents for all requirements. Take this checklist with you to your appointment. Ask your child’s health care provider to make a copy of your child’s entering 7th grade physical exam, immunization record, any emergency health care plans (as needed for life-threatening conditions), and any order or medications or procedures to be dispensed/done at school. This exam WILL also qualify as the 7th grade Sports Physical. Please turn these requirements in as soon as they are complete.

If you have questions, please contact Nurse Bonacci-Lemay at 531-299-2441

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/McMillanMagnetCenter/
Twitter: @OPS_MacPrncpl