• May 14, 2024 Senior Recognition Night by invitation
  
• May 16, 2024 Fundraiser: Dave's Hot Chicken
• May 21, 2024 Senior Graduation 7pm Baxter Arena
  
• May 22, 2024 9th-11th grade Last Day-See final exam schedule below
• May 29-31, 2024 Incoming 9th grade Jump Start
• June 3-July 3, 2024 Next Level Learning Summer Program
• July 30-31 All School orientation for 24-25 school year (more information to follow)

Activities. Performing Arts and Athletic Schedules

24-25 OPS Calendar (NEW)

ACT score reports from state testing are starting to arrive to CHS juniors! Resources for understanding the reports may be accessed here: https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/scores/understanding-your-scores.html.

ACT releases scores in batches, so it is important to know that there’s nothing wrong if your junior has not yet received a score report. Students who do not receive their scores by mid-June may reach out to ACT for assistance.

Current juniors should plan to test again during the fall of their senior year, as most students' scores improve when they retest. Current sophomores should plan to take the ACT in December or February of their junior year. Juniors and seniors eligible for educational benefits (formerly “free/reduced lunch”) may receive up to four fee waivers to take the ACT on a Saturday for free. See Mrs. Meyer in the CHS Counseling Center for more information.

All Central students have access to high-quality ACT preparation software at http://onlineprep.act.org. Username: OPS email address. Password: OPS student number. Lessons, practice problems, games, and flashcards help students excel during this important milestone in their academic careers. ACT Online Prep access will continue all summer, and there is always something new to learn!

Each Monday during Eagle Time students receive a lesson on various behavior expectations. On April 1st students learned about "Operation Get to Class". The lesson reviews the importance of being in class, what it means to be out of area as well as the consequences. During 4th quarter, there will be an increased effort by staff to help get students to class. Attached is the lesson for you to review and support our efforts in ensuring student are in class and learning.

Honored students are required to have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher at the end of the 1st semester of this year. For freshman, today’s honor is based on a single semester of work.

For sophomores, it is 3 semesters of work that are being celebrated. Juniors are based on 5 semesters and Seniors, have 7 semesters of dedicated efforts represented. This year we are honored 165 Freshmen, 145 Sophomores, 165 Juniors, and 168 Seniors. A total of 643 students have earned a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher. Congratulations!

Thank you to our dedicated PEP parents for making this day happen by planning a providing a wonderful celebration.

Chalie Palmer is our Central High School Portrait of a Graduate student for 2024. Charlie has represented our school as a high achiever, kind to all people, and a driven leader. You can watch the spotlight on Charlie by clicking the link below. #goeagles

Central Portrait of a Graduate

Please submit a copy, picture or screenshot of all scholarship award letters (both academic and athletic) as you receive them to Mrs. Meyer in room 134. You may also email a copy to angela.meyer@ops.org. Even if you are not accepting the scholarship, please submit a copy. We will recognize these seniors at Senior Recognition Night on May 14. To receive an invitation, students need to turn in their scholarship award letter(s) to Mrs. Meyer by April 26. The Central High Foundation Scholarships will be announced at this event.

Congratulations, Class of 2024. It has been a pleasure to have had the opportunity to know you and your families over your time here at Central. As you celebrate this milestone and look forward to your next chapter in life, I hope you take time to reflect on how you have grown throughout the years. I know I am very proud for you. Remember, once an Eagle, always an Eagle. Keep us posted on your next milestones. Now go fly and thrive, Eagles! 🦅

NLL / Summer SSW coverage

Ms. Hill is taking a summer recess break this year! Lindsay Longwell (NHS SSW)- lindsay.longwell@ops.org will be providing coverage for Central High School during NLL (summer school- June 3rd-July 3rd). If you need assistance for your students' needs, you can call Central High School at 531-299-2660. If you need Social Work specific supports after July 3rd, you can call Stephanie Hoesing (TAC Social Worker Supervisor) at 531-299-9397. Otherwise, Ms. Hill will be back August 7th, 2024, ready to help support your students and families for the 2024-2025 academic year.

The NEST-- SEEKING DONATIONS

The NEST is an onsite toiletry, clothing, and basic needs closet that Central offers students. Student can access the NEST through their assigned Counselor or the School Social Worker by submitting a request.

As we prepare for a new academic year, the NEST is seeking several donations, in preparation. If you, your workplace, place of worship or volunteer supports would be interested in helping to sponsor our community we would be tremendously grateful. For the beginning of the academic year, we are actively welcoming the following supplies:

Notebooks, backpacks, tennis shoes (new, any sizes), deodorant, sweatpants/leggings/joggers (all sizes, genders—can be gently used and washed), and socks/ underwear.

Cash is also a tax-deductible donation, kindly accepted for meeting student needs. Thank you for considering. Questions, contact Ms. Hill at dawnna.hill@ops.org.

Managing Mental Health

Ms. Hill is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, which is a certification of holding licenses for being a Licensed Mental Health Practitioner and a Certified Master Social Worker in the State of Nebraska. This certification allows her to serve in the supportive role for students and families in improving quality of life (and education) as it relates to mental health needs and supports. Did you know that she can try to help with the following types of things?

-Helping to coordinate screening requests for teacher inventories for your student, to rule in or out any mental health concerns?

-connecting your family to our professionals in the building to request more accommodations or supports for your student?

-being a link to your external behavioral health providers (with a release of information) to help school personnel understand your student's condition and needs?

-helping to problem solve when nonattendance surfaces as a symptom of mental health needs

-linking families to internal and external resources that fit well, to address mental health needs.

-helping to transition students back from hospitalizations, treatment centers, juvenile placement centers.

-having an SAFE office space available for practicing coping skills and working through reregulation and calming strategies.

AND MORE! So, as we look to finish this 2023-2024 year and plan for 2024-2025, remember that Ms. Hill, LCSW can help to support these critical needs for your student.

External Community Resources

Looking for extra supports for your family? Wish you knew about community resources in our greater Omaha area? Ms. Hill looks to compile known community resources in her Padlet, that is available for your access. Check it out and see if there is a community resource that looks to serve you and your family! Know about resources that aren't listed? Send them in! This will be updated prior to summer recess, and then again upon return from break. 2023-2024 Community Resources (padlet.org)

**Padlet also has links to hotlines helpful for managing stressful crisis' over the summer, if needed.

Have a healthy and safe summer, Eagle Fam!

Last year, Nebraska students left $23 million dollars in Federal Pell grants unclaimed. Many students are eligible for financial aid.

Seniors can create their username and password and complete the FAFSA at www.studentaid.gov.

Students and families can receive help completing the FAFSA by calling EducationQuest Foundation at 402-391-4033. College Counselor Angie Meyer can also assist.

It's not too late to file a FAFSA.

The fifth field trip for our Freshman Academy happened this week, and was our Freshman's second exposure to college life!

On May 9th, team McClarnon Freshman rode the ORBT to UNO in the morning and team Sayers went in the afternoon. On May 10th, team Townsend was the morning group, and team Crandell was the last to go Friday afternoon. Ask your Freshman about the experience!

We invite all parents to sign up to be a member of PEP which is Central's parent organization. Central High School prides itself on having a very supportive group of parent volunteers, and we always welcome more! Your membership dollars are our principal source of income and allows us to support the Central community. Additionally, if you plan to volunteer in any capacity at Central High, you must be a member of PEP so that you are covered under our personal liability umbrella.
Thank you for helping support Central! We encourage everyone to SIGN UP HERE for a PEP membership for only $15.

Our next PEP meeting is on May 13, 2024 at 7:00pm in the Central High School Library.

Merchandise can be purchased at http://omaha-central-hs-pep.square.site

Please contact us at omahacentralhspep@gmail.com if you have any questions.

• Baker’s rewards, Caseys rewards, TAGG.TODAY can benefit PEP! We will be sending instructions in March regarding each of these in a separate email to help encourage everyone to join.

Central High School and the Omaha Public Schools offer academic support outside of the school day to our students. Students are welcome to take advantage of the following supports:

• This is an open-door program available to all students. No reservation is required to receive tutoring: "No sign up; just show up!". It is staffed by Central teachers in the core subjects and funded by the Central High School Foundation.

• Tutoring is available in the library from 3:15 to 4:15 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.
• The program also funds essay help on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings in rooms 229 and 235.
  

• Through online tutoring with Paper, students in grades 3-12 have access to:

  • 1:1 live chat tutoring sessions with experts
    • Support in 200 subjects
    • Available in English, Spanish, French and Mandarin
  • Expert review of written work (essays, creative writing, poetry, lab reports)
  • Hundreds of resources and activities for families support students at home
  • Interactive shows and activities to expand learning beyond the classroom
  • Students can access online tutoring seven days a week via the Clever dashboard on their iPad until 11 p.m.

Completing this form online or on paper can give you access to many student and family opportunities. See the links below.