EAGLE NEWS

• October 2, 2024 Eagles Take Flight Day 9th/10th report to school & 11th/12th at home activity (see below for details)
• October 2, 2024 PSAT for 11th graders
  
• October 4, 2024 No School; Teacher Curriculum Day
• October 7, 2024 New Attendance Procedure Kicks Off (Late arrivals/Early pick up)
• October 10, 2024 No School; High School Parent Teacher Conferences 12:00pm-7:00pm
• October 10, 2024 PSAT for 10th graders
  
• October 11, 2024 No School; High School Teacher Work Day
• October 22, 2024 PreACT for 9th & 10th graders at school dismiss at 1:00pm
• October, 22, 2024 No School 11th/12th grade only
• October 29, 2024 Two Hour Late Start; Teacher School Improvement
• November 5, 2024 No School
• November 25-29, 2024 No School; Thanksgiving Break

Activities. Performing Arts and Athletic Schedules

24-25 OPS Calendar

A new procedure for students arriving late and parents checking students out early will begin on Monday, October 7, 2024. A special Attendance Bulletin has also been sent out today to your email.

Eagles Take Flight Day on 10/2 and Short ACT Practice Activities on 10/3

On 10/2, the following students will be at Central for Eagles Take Flight Day:

• All freshmen

• All sophomores

• Juniors who pre-register for the PSAT with Mr. Reilly or pre-register for the ASVAB with Mr. Hunter

• Seniors who pre-register for the ASVAB with Mr. Hunter

On 10/3, all students in Grades 9-12 will be in attendance. Each block, students will complete a short practice ACT activity, then transition to class activities.

Please see this document for detailed information for each grade: ETFD 2024.pdf

• Practice for College entrance exams
• Comparison of your scores to other college bound students
• Possible recognition from the College Board for Hispanic and African American students
• Eligibility for the National Merit Scholarship Program competition (11th grade only)

In order to minimize the interruption of instructional time, we are administering the test to students on 2 different dates when they will otherwise not be in the building:

11th Grade – Wednesday, October 2nd

10th Grade – Thursday, October 10th

To get signed up you can pay the $20 registration fee online at: https://poynt.secureserver.net/checkout/7f6f48f8-1113-4203-ab04-71063c13812c/CHS_PSAT . Please make sure to note the name of the student on the payment form. Once a student is paid for we will be in communication with them regarding specific test details. 11th grade students that qualify with the Educational Benefits Form can take the test for free, but still need to sign up with Mr. Reilly (thomas.reilly@ops.org).

ALL REGISTRATIONS ARE DUE BY FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20TH

-Any questions can be directed to Tom Reilly, 531-299-5662, thomas.reilly@ops.org-

PreACT Test Day is Oct. 22 for 9th and 10th grade Students On Oct. 22, our 9th and 10th grade students will take the PreACT during the school day. Taking the PreACT allows students to become familiar with the test environment, plan for future high school courses and begin discussions about college and career. We expanded this opportunity to include 9th grade students this year to allow more students to benefit from the experience.

Here are important things to remember for the PreACT:

· Tuesday, Oct. 22

· 9th and 10th grade students come to school as normal

· Breakfast and lunch will be served.

· Students will be dismissed at 1 p.m., and buses will depart at approximately 1:10 p.m.

· No school for 11th and 12th grade students

· There is no charge to take the exam.

El día del examen PreACT es el 22 de octubre para estudiantes de 9.º y 10.º grado.

El 22 de octubre, nuestros estudiantes de noveno y décimo grado tomarán el examen PreACT durante el día escolar. Tomar el PreACT permite a los estudiantes a familiarizarse en el entorno del examen, planificar cursos futuros de la escuela preparatoria y comenzar conversaciones sobre la universidad y la carrera. Este año tenemos la oportunidad de incluir a estudiantes de noveno grado para que más estudiantes se beneficien de esta experiencia.

Cosas importantes para recordar el día del examen PreACT:

• El martes 22 de octubre

• Los estudiantes de noveno y décimo grado vienen a la escuela con normalidad.

• Se servirá desayuno y almuerzo.

• Los estudiantes saldrán a la 1 p. m. y los autobuses saldrán aproximadamente a la 1:10 p. m.

• No hay clases para estudiantes de 11º y 12º grado

• No hay ningún cargo por realizar el examen.

Student in-progress grades are available for parent and student viewing by logging into the Infinite Campus Portal. Each grading period grades are posted as a way to measure student progress. Mid-quarter progress reports are posted in the Infinite Campus Portal on 9/16/24, 11/11/24, 2/3/25, 4/22/25.

Report cards will be available online as well as printed for parent teacher conferences; first quarter 10/10/24 and third quarter 3/6/25.

Final semester report cards will be available online and will be mailed to families via US postal service 1/3/25 and 6/1/25.

If you need help with your Infinite Campus Portal account, please contact Tish Finley for assistance at latesh.finley@ops.org

As part of this free ACT, you must agree to be part of an "ACT Study" at Central High on Saturday, October 26. ACT will randomly assign students to either online ACT or paper & pencil ACT. Students will not get to pick how they take the exam. It's a regular ACT with shorter sections in English and Math. You can send these scores to colleges. In order to register, you must pick up a voucher from Mrs. Meyer in room 134 or see your counselor. This special deal is only for October 26 and you must register by 10/7 or until the seats fill up. This is an rare opportunity to save $69 for all juniors and seniors while vouchers last.

Seventy Five North is partnering with Aim High Test Prep to offer a six week ACT prep seminar for students who live or attend school in North Omaha. This program is designed for college-bound Junior and Senior high school students to equip them with test-taking techniques for the ACT college-entrance exam.

Central Counseling department hosted an Information night for Juniors and Seniors on 9/18.

Local college admissions representatives, and financial aid presentations gave families pertinent information to help plan for their future. The Pancake Man provided food and entertainment for our 350 attendees.

Junior DeAnthony Dial is showing his athletic skills by catching a flying pancake from The Pancake Man.

Dual Enrollment allows academically talented students to earn college credit while still in high school to maximize their time in advanced classes and get a head start on their college degree. Courses are taught by Central teachers who have been approved by UNO to be adjunct faculty.

The 2024-25 classes Dual Enrolled 1st semester with UNO are:

· AP Biology (Ms. Rumbaugh & Mr. Berzins)

· AP Calculus AB (Mr. Brent Larson)

· AP Calculus BC (Mr. Wolford)

· AP Computer Science Principles (Mr. Kumar)

· IB Computer Science 1-2 SL & HL (Mr. Wolford)

· AP English Literature (Ms. Wiksell - 12th grade)

· IB English Literature HL 1-2 (Mr. Flanagan)

· IB English Literature HL 3-4 (Ms. Stastny)

· AP Environmental Science (Ms. Gass)

· IB Environmental Systems SL 1-2 (Ms. Gass)

· AP French Language (Mr. Ringlein)

· IB French SL 3-4 (Mr. Ringlein)

· AP/IB German Language (Ms. Meyer)

· AP Human Geography (Mr. Raffety)

· AP Music Theory (Ms. Cowan)

· AP Physics 1 (Mr. Bullock)

· IB Physics SL & HL 1-2 (Mr. Kumar)

· AP Physics C: Mechanics (Mr. Hamill)

· AP Pre-Calculus (Mrs. Jensen)

· AP Psychology (Mr. Tucker)

· AP Spanish Language (Ms. Kuskie)

· AP Statistics (Ms. Monson)

· AP US Government & Politics (Mr. Boyer)

· AP US History (Mr. Wilson)

· AP World History (Mr. Forke & Ms. Paintin)

· H Anatomy & Physiology (Mr. Morley)

· H Calculus III (Mr. Wolford)

· H Creative Writing (Mr. Deron Larson)

· H Intro to World Religions (Mr. Forke)

· H Entertainment & Sports Marketing 3-4 (Ms. Kavanagh)

Central offers other dual enrolled classes through Metro Community College and Midland University. The registration for these dual enrolled classes were submitted in class due in early September:

Metro Community College:

• Honors Personal Finance (Mrs. TerBeest)
• Architectural Design Engineeering 3-4 (Mr. Lodge)
• AP English Language and Composition (Mrs. Porter)
• Honors Intro to Business (Mrs. TerBeest)

Midland University

AP and IB Chemistry (Dr. Elliott)

If you have questions related to Central High School Dual Enrollment, contact Mrs. Angie Meyer at (531-299-5659) or angela.meyer@ops.org.

The NEST

The NEST is an onsite toiletry, clothing, school supply, and basic needs closet that Central offers students. Students can access the NEST through their assigned Counselor or the School Social Worker by submitting a request to visit during a noninstructional time. This can be done in person by a blue sheet request in the Counseling Center or by email address. See contacts here: Counseling / Counseling (ops.org)

The NEST is solely funded and supported by the generous communities of Central High School, sponsored by Ms. Hill, School Social Worker. Local community businesses, families, Central alumni and current parents, and churches bless the NEST yearly with thoughtful donations. This year started off with the most comprehensive filling of the NEST to date! THANK YOU.

Special gratitude to the following community partners:

Employees of Omaha Branch-Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, Congregation Members of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, and United Way

Currently seeking donations:

Sweatpants/leggings/joggers (all sizes, genders), 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 accommodation or support for your student.

· Being a link to your external behavioral health providers (with a current, signed 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. 2024 2025 Community Resources to Support Collaborative Attendance Improvement Planning.pdf

· 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 a SAFE office space available for practicing coping skills and working through reregulation and calming strategies.

If you are looking to add in additional supports for your student, feel free to reach out to Ms. Hill at 531-299-5637 or dawnna.hill@ops.org.

External Community Resources

Looking for extra support 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! 2024-2025 Community Resources (padlet.org)

On Wednesday, October 2nd, every Central High School Freshman will have the opportunity to travel to one of our Omaha Public Library Branches. There will be 16 total field trips within the day. In the morning, eight groups will use our Omaha metro system to travel to Willa Cather, Omaha South, Charles B Washington, AV Sorensen, Downtown, Benson, W Clarke Swanson, and Florence Library. In the afternoon, eight more groups will visit the same branches. While there, our students will be given a tour of the library and meet with the library branch manager to learn about the opportunities available there.

Prior to our field trips this week on September 25th and 26th four wonderful Library Branch Managers visited Central to present on Library Etiquette and make sure every student has a Public Library Card. This will make it possible to have the cards printed and ready for distribution to the students during their field trips.

Sept. 19th - PEP sponsored an all-staff luncheon to say thank you to the great staff for all they do! Thank you also to the parents that donated funds and helped organized and serve lunch!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS…

Wed. Oct. 9th-Chipolte Night

25% proceeds donated back to PEP!

Order in person or online at Chipotle

333 N Saddlecreek Rd., 4-8pm

Use code: D3JMYH7

Future PEP Meetings in person in the school library or by Zoom!

Monday, November 11th 7-8pmMonday, March 10th 7-8pmMonday, May 12th 7-8pm

Ways to support PEP activities:

We invite all parents and teachers to become a member of PEP membership for only $15! Or make a donation of any amount, purchase merchandise, or volunteer!

https://omaha-central-hs-pep.square.site/s/shop

You can assign your Kroger/Baker’s rewards, Caseys rewards, & TAGG to benefit PEP!

Follow us on social media

Instagram: @OmahaCentralHighPEP

Facebook: @OmahaCentralPEP

X (Twitter): @OmahaCentralPEP

Thank you!
Nicole Morrison and Katy Dickerson

2024-25 PEP Co-Presidents

Did you know that the Central HS Counseling and Social Worker team has a combined 277 years of experience in education and a combined 196 years of experience in school counseling and school social work?

• Ms. Harrach - 35 yrs. in education/28 yrs. in school counseling
• Mrs. L. Hill - 37 yrs. in education/32 yrs. in school counseling
• Mr. Hunter - 8 yrs. in education/7 yrs. in school counseling
• Mrs. Mercado - 17 yrs. in education/2 yrs. in school counseling
• Mrs. Meyer - 33 yrs. in education/21 yrs. in school counseling
• Ms. Morgan - 25 yrs. in education/15 yrs. in school counseling
• Ms. Pfeiffer - 33 yrs. in education/26 yrs. in school counseling
• Ms. Politi - 27 yrs. in education/23 yrs. in school counseling
• Mr. Reilly - 18 yrs. in education/10 yrs. in school counseling
• Mrs. Synowiecki - 23 yrs. in education/11 yrs. in school counseling
• Mrs. D. Hill - 21 yrs. as a School Social Worker/Licensed Practitioner

Since the beginning of the school year, the CHS counseling team has been busy registering the new students to Central, adjusting schedules. meeting with each of the Freshmen students and working with our Seniors to help plan their next steps after high school. Counselors have been in the classrooms and meeting individually and hosted an information night to provide information on everything from required credits for graduation to how to order a cap and gown for graduation. This is just a start to an exciting year. Up next is our Apply to College month, PreACT. ACT. PSAT, SAT, ASVAB testing, Pathway selection and so much more!!!

This past Thursday, 50+ colleges and post-secondary organizations set up in the cafeteria for the 3rd annual NACRAO College Fair. Schools from Nebraska and the surrounding states offered information to our students regarding their programs and opportunities. The fair ran from 8:30 am until 10:30 am and it was attended by over 450 students who made 1,884 connections with the representatives. Students were offered the opportunity to collect information and return it to the prize table for a chance to win an item of their choice. All of the representatives in attendance were so impresses with our students. Many have asked to come back to Central to meet with selected groups of students so they can share more.

The U.S. Department of Education selected Omaha Central High School as the only school in Nebraska to participate in the exclusive beta testing group for the new FAFSA ID system. This initiative aims to streamline and enhance the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application process, marking a significant step in improving access to financial aid for students across the nation.

Nebraska is one of just five states chosen for this honor, highlighting Omaha Central’s leadership in education and commitment to supporting students’ future success. As part of the beta test, 75 students and staff members worked closely with a representative from the White House, who spent the day reviewing feedback, identifying errors, and refining the instructions for creating a FAFSA Identification (FAFSA ID). The goal is to make the process more accessible and easier to navigate for students across the country.

Omaha Public Schools has been partnering with the Methodist Community Counseling Program for over 25 years. Their behavioral health therapy services are provided by Licensed Mental Health Practitioners located at Central High School. We have one full time and one part time practitioner at Central High School. This service is another layer of support for students. The Methodist Community Counseling Program accepts most major private insurance, Medicaid and/or self-pay. Financial assistance is available to those who qualify to ensure no one is turned away due to the inability to pay. If you have any further questions or need further assistance, please call 402-354-6891.

Packets will be delivered in sophomore English class. The ring packets include a flyer of all class ring designs and an instruction sheet on designing and ordering online at Jostens.com. Rings may be ordered at Jostens.com at any time. The packet is optional to order the ring. Any grade can purchase a ring, but nobody is required to buy one.

Completing this form online can give you access to many student and family opportunities.

Educational Benefits Form

Thank you for your help with morning drop off on 22nd and James Fous St in the morning. We appreciate your cooperation so our students can be dropped off safely.

• Slow down and remember to stop at the security guard and wait for direction. Students are crossing and safety is our first concern.
• When dropping off on James Fous there are two lanes. To keep traffic flowing please have your student be ready to get out of your vehicle quickly. You will then turn north onto 22nd Street. You do not need to be in the front of the line for your student to exit the vehicle. Anything you can do to speed up the process is good for all Central families.
• Parent vehicles are not permitted in the faculty/staff lot at drop off and pick up.