McMillan Monthly

Greetings McMillan Families:

I hope this newsletter finds you well as we start February. It's been a fantastic start to the new year at McMillan Middle School, filled with learning, growth, and a positive school atmosphere. We are thrilled to kick off Black History Month with a burst of creativity and celebration. Get ready for a door decorating contest from the Monarch Connect committee, where each PRIDE will have the opportunity to showcase their artistic flair in honoring the rich history and contributions of the Black community. Every morning for our special daily announcements we'll highlight inspiring figures, events, and milestones that have shaped the course of Black history, plus other unique curriculum and projects in individual classrooms. We're ready to be inspired and educated as we commemorate Black History Month with pride and enthusiasm.

We are excited to report that physical altercations at school are significantly down by 32% this year from last year. Most referrals are written and occur between 1:30 PM and 3:00 PM, so speaking with your student about 3rd block, how it went, choices they make, and transitions they go through with an effort to focus on learning are steps that can help all of us be successful.

Our attendance numbers are also looking up as we also push to "Strive for 95" as one of our school goals. That means attending 95% of all minutes available per school year. Looking at the chart below:

Green: Students have missed between 0 and 5% of all minutes. 415 minutes in each day.

Yellow: Students have missed between 5% and 10% of all minutes.

Orange: Students have missed between 10% and 20% of all minutes.

Red: Students have missed more than 20% of all minutes.

McMillan students have better attendance compared to last year and the year before, as the areas for Red are getting smaller, and Green, Yellow and Orange are getting larger. This is amazing progress by our students, staff and families as we focus to keep our "main thing the main thing" - getting all students ready for High School and beyond! #1team1dream. Remember - Students who attend school regularly are more likely to be on or above grade level academically. Students who attend school regularly are more likely to be socially and emotionally connected to the school community. Good attendance prepares students to excel in college, career and life.

Please review the rest of the newsletter for important updates, good news, and take advantage of the opportunity to provide feedback on the climate and culture of McMillan (see “Parent Climate Survey”). As always, we appreciate your continued support and involvement. If you have any questions, please call us 531-299-2440.

Very Respectfully,

Dr. Walters - Proud Principal at McMillan

PE classes are going into their Human Growth and Development unit starting February 5th. Teachers gave out permission slips mid-January to every student that is currently enrolled in PE giving them the option to opt in or out of HGD based upon grade following BOE requirements. These permission forms are due to Ms. Johnson, Mr. Benak, or Mr. Brown at this time. A requirement exists for this form to return as it will be graded as a test grade. Your teachers need to know what sections you want your student to be involved in, if any. Please return this slip back so staff know what information we can teach to the students. This slip NEEDS to be returned no later than the 5th of February. Please see the links below and let your students' teacher know which parts of HGD you want them to take.

Your PE Team:

Mr. Benak: Vojmir.Benak@ops.org

Mr. Brown: Mitchell.Brown@ops.org

Ms. Johnson: Meghan.Johnson@ops.org

The Campus Portal for Parents allows parents and guardians to monitor their children's academic progress online. If you do not have a Parent Portal account, please click the Infinite Campus icon to access directions.

February 1 - Mid Quarter Progress Report Grades put in by teachers

February 2 - Teacher Plan Day, No School for students

February 3 - All City Music Festival Performance at the Holland Center for Band/Orchestra, 7:30 PM

February 3 - Marisett Wrestling Invite at McMillan - all day

February 4 - All City Music Festival Performance at the Holland Center for Choir, 2:00 PM

February 6 - GBB vs. Beveridge

February 7 - Wrestling vs. Monroe/Marrs at Marrs

February 7, 1:30-2:15 - Book Blasters meeting (library)

February 7 - Solution Tree visit to McMillan with Vanessa Reyes

February 7 - Boys Swimming, King/Beveridge @ McM

February 8 - GBB at Nathan Hale

February 9 - King/Norris @ Norris

February 13 - GBB vs. King Science

February 14 - Boys Swimming Norris/King @ McM

February 14 - Wrestling vs. Bryan/Norris @ McM

February 15 - GBB vs. Norris

February 16 - Boys Swimming Bluestem/Morton/McMillan/King @ Byran Middle

February 19 - No School, Presidents Day

February 20 - GBB at Lewis and Clark

February 21 - Boys Swimming Monroe/King/Lewis and Clark at McMillan

February 21 - Wrestling vs. Norris/Marrs at Norris

February 22-29 - GBB All City, TBD

February 23 - Boys Swimming King/Buffet @ McM

February 24 - McMillan Monarchs MindMaster Quiz Bowl Competition - 9-4pm

February 27 - High School Orientation from OPS High Schools

February 27 - NAEP Testing, all day, library, students pulled by the State by lottery

February 28 - Boys Swimming King/Marrs/Beveridge @ Burke High

February 28 - Wrestling vs. Hale @ McM

February 29 - Multi-School Math Competition in the Auditorium @ the MAC, All Day

March 1 - Wrestling JV All City @ Norris

March 1 - All School Dance Sponsored by StuCo - 3:30 to 5. (Sneaker Ball Dance)

March 1 - Quarter Report Card Grading Window Opens at 6:00 AM

March 1 - Cory Greenwood Speaks - Suicide Prevention Speakers

• 8 AM, 8th Grade
• 10 AM, 7th Grade
• 12:25, 6th Grade

March 3 - Boys Swimming All City @ Burke High

March 4 - High School Course Selection for OPS High Schools for 8th Grade

March 5 - Wrestling Varsity All City @ Bryan High

March 5 - Quarter Report Card Grading Window Closes at 3:30 PM

March 7 and 8 - MS Parent-Teacher Conferences

March 11 to 15 - Spring Break, No School for students/staff

March 18 - Girls Soccer, Boys Soccer and Track begin

March 21 - Dhonielle Clayton visits McMillan from We Need Diverse Books.

March 26 - McMillan Registration Night for 6th/7th. 4:30 to 6:30 PM (Tentative)

TeamMates is a mentoring program which pairs students with caring adults who are screened through the mentor application process. Many employers will provide adults time off to be a mentor to a child in any school system, and at McMillan - we want to expand our program! The mission of TeamMates is to positively impact the world by inspiring students to reach their full potential through mentoring. Students interested in having mentor for a weekly or bi-weekly mentor/mentee match should contact the McMillan Social Worker, Ms. Naser, at samantha.naser@ops.org or call 531-299-9678. Ms. Naser will walk you through the process to join TeamMates this month.

Winter Season #2 including Wrestling for both boys and girls, Boys Swimming, as well as Girls Basketball are well underway. All teams are performing well and seeing gains each week. If you would want to donate food, water, or gatorade to the teams, please contact your coaches. Buses are sometimes an issue upon return from games, so thank you for your patience with STA. Any questions feel free to reach out to Mr. Curran.

Quiz Bowl, Science Bowl, Science Olympiad, Academic Pentathlon, and Music: These are going well this year, expanding opportunities, and hosting events. Thank you to our teacher and students for their dedication. Science Bowl, Academic Pentathlon, and Science Olympiad looks to get rolling this month as well!

Wrestling: We are excited to bring back the Marisett Invite the weekend of February 3rd. This was a long-time tradition at McMillan named after legendary Wrestling Coach Fred Marisett. Feel free to attend this invite at McMillan - we hope to see you there! - Mr. Curran, McMillan Middle School Athletic/Activities Director.

Spring Athletics: Please note that Girl Soccer (Ms. Harold/Ms. Best), Boys Soccer (Mr. Brown/Mr. Lundeen), and Track (Mr. Eaves, Mr. Morgan, Ms. Conley, Mr. Smith) will begin once students return from Spring Break. Day of of tryouts for all will be Monday, March 18th.

A full list of coaches can be found here: https://www.ops.org/domain/1183

Mr. Curran - Athletic Director

Dear Parents/Guardians of 6th graders:

It’s hard to believe 6th grade is already half over. It is time to start thinking about getting your child ready for 7th grade. The Health Office is responsible for reviewing health records to ensure all students meet the State of Nebraska requirements:

Nebraska State Law requires a physical examination by a Physician/ PA /Nurse Practitioner upon entrance into 7th grade. A copy of this examination must be submitted to the school nurse upon the start of school. A complete physical needs to be dated AFTER March 1st 2024 – this physical will also meet the requirements of a sports physical if your child is planning on participating in sports.

All students entering 7th grade MUST HAVE 1 DOSE of Tdap (Tetanus and Whooping cough)

When your child receives his/her physical and immunizations please send a copy of the record to the school Health Office or you may have the doctor's office FAX it to (531)299-2459, so we can update your child’s record.

7th grade students going into 8th grade who plan on playing sports must have a physical dated after MAY 1st 2024.

Also please keep in mind that per the OPS medication policy, any medication your child is to take at school must be accompanied by a physician’s written order and parent consent EACH YEAR. This includes ANY over-the-counter medications. Asthma/Anaphylaxis plans also need to be updated and provided each year also.

Nichole R Bonacci-Lemay BSN, RN - School Nurse - McMillan Middle School

Hello McMillan Middle School Families!

If your student needs clothing, school supplies, hygiene products, or anything else to aid their success please contact our School Social Worker, Samantha Naser through one of the avenues below.

Phone: 531-299-9678

Email: samantha.naser@ops.org

Social Work Support Link: https://forms.office.com/r/x96KB6P7rW

¡Hola Familias de McMillan Middle School!

Si su estudiante necesita ropa, útiles escolares, productos de higiene o cualquier otra cosa para ayudarlo a tener éxito, comuníquese con nuestra trabajadora social escolar, Samantha Naser, a través de una de las vías a continuación.

Teléfono: 531-299-9678

Correo electrónico : samantha.naser@ops.org

Enlace de apoyo al trabajo social: https://forms.office.com/r/x96KB6P7rW

Families, please see this information about a featured speaker coming to McMillan on March 1st. If there are questions, please contact McMillan at 531-299-2440.

Your School Counselling Team - Ms. Rawlings, Mrs. Rodriguez, and Mrs. Ballard.

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