Gateway Family Newsletter

October

Friday, October 4th---NO SCHOOL for all students, District Professional Development Day

Friday, October 11th---No School for Pre-K students, Early Childhood Teacher Planning Day

Thursday, October 24th---NO SCHOOL for elementary students, Planning Day/Conferences

Friday, October 25th---NO SCHOOL for elementary students, Teacher Planning Day

Tuesday, October 29th---(2) Hour Late Start for Students, School Improvement Day

Did you know it takes an average of three days for students to catch up for every one day they’re absent? Omaha Public Schools is committed to working with our families to support student attendance every day, because we know every minute counts. Our district has updated our action plan to follow state guidelines on assisting students who miss a significant amount of class time. Our student attendance team will meet with families of students who have 20 total absences, whether or not those absences are excused. The team will work with the family to create a collaborative plan to improve attendance. You can make an impact on your student’s attendance now, and we’re here to help. If anything is getting in the way of getting your student to school, please contact your school’s principal, school support liaison, school counselor or bilingual liaison for help.

Classroom Fall/Harvest Parties are scheduled towards the end of the school day on Thursday, October 31st. Some general classroom "do's and don'ts" for these parties are listed below. If you have specific questions, please contact your child's teacher. Thanks in advance for your cooperation.

Do's

Store bought pre-packaged treats

Fall or harvest theme movies, games and activities

Bingo

Outdoor scavenger hunt

Fall or harvest themed arts and crafts

Pumpkin activities

Apple activities

Dont's

Costumes

Masks

Homemade treats

Halloween themed activities

Mark your calendars for Fall Elementary Conferences:

• Wednesday, October 23rd, 4:30 pm to 8:00 pm
• Thursday, October 24th, 12:30 pm to 8:00 pm

Information will be sent out in the near future about scheduling a conference time with your child's teacher. Conferences are scheduled to be held in-person and our goal is always 100% attendance!

The National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) offers some excellent information about Parent Teacher conferences:

Children whose parents are involved in their education do better in school.

Before the conference, talk with your child and find out what his/her favorite school subjects and activities are and if he/she has any concerns for you to discuss with the teacher.

Review your child’s work. Are there any areas that need improvement? Discuss both strengths and weaknesses with the teacher – we all have both.

Be on time. The conference schedule is tight and everyone needs to stay on schedule. If you develop a conflict, let the school know as soon as possible. Try to reschedule, even if it needs to be a phone conference.

Keep an open mind. Conferences are meant to help you understand your child’s school performance. Working together, home and school maximize student success.

Make plans to follow through at home if needed. Decide what you, your child, and the teacher need to do to help your child succeed.

Afterwards tell your child about the talk. Praise the things he/she is doing well and pass along compliments. If you need to, talk about areas you will work to improve.

The South High Latino Latino Leaders club and Pathway students are collaborating to bring you the SOMOS SOUTH O Fiesta. FREE games and prizes for little ones and entertainment for the whole family. There will be food trucks and vendors.

See attached flyer.

Please join Omaha Police Department officers on Wednesday, October 2nd for a cup of coffee. Southeast Precinct Officers will be at The Mill Coffee shop located at 3105 Leavenworth Street from 9-11am. Come enjoy a FREE cup of coffee and great conversation with your neighborhood officers.

We have received some complaints in regards to parking on adjacent streets. To mitigate some of those issues, the City is going to install some additional parking restrictions as shown in the attached map. As a reminder

• Families should not park in prohibited areas, including the center turn lane on 42nd St
• If the pickup/dropoff lines extend to 42nd St, parents should not idle on 42nd St indefinitely and block through traffic
• Students and families should only cross at designated crosswalks

The Omaha Police Department will be conducting additional enforcement at arrival and dismissal.

By this date Gateway students will know how to navigate from the school's entrance, through the breakfast line and to their assigned classroom. In addition, staff members are strategically positioned throughout the building to help monitor students and ensure they safely arrive at their assigned classrooms

Families can help us with this morning routine by saying your goodbyes at the school's entrance. If you'd like to enter the building, please remember to stop by our school's main office to receive a visitor's badge.

Pre-K families will continue to sign students in/out from the classrooms.

Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns. Thanks in advance for your cooperation!

As we begin another school year, I want to take this opportunity to remind you of some important daily arrival and dismissal procedures.

Please be patient and follow the procedures listed below in order to ensure a safe arrival and dismissal process.

• When dropping off/picking up students, please remember that the right hand lane is designated as our drop off/pick up lane. The left lane is designated as our drive thru lane and should be used to safely exit the area. Please see the sign pictured below. Please do not drop off or pick up students in the left lane. This is extremely dangerous as students could be crossing moving vehicles.

• If you prefer to walk your child to the school's entrance, we welcome you to do so. Please park in one of the designated parking spots located in the in the first row of parking. As these spaces fill up, please park in the surrounding neighborhood. Please do not park and exit your vehicle in the drop off/pick up lanes.

• Please use designated crosswalks when crossing to/from campus.

• The tardy bell will ring daily at 8:50 am. Any students arriving after 8:50 am should enter at the main entrance and check in at the main office to receive a tardy slip.
  

While it’s important for children to be at school, it’s also important for them to stay at home and rest if they are sick--both so they can recover and so they don’t make others sick. If your child is sick, please notify the main office at 531.299.1480. Strict adherence to our health and safety guidelines protects other members of our community and allows in-person learning to proceed more successfully.

If you have any questions, please call our School Nurse, Mrs. Desiree Cabellos @ 531-299-1480.

Raising kids is hard. It’s okay to ask for advice. The Nebraska Family Helpline is a free, confidential resource for parents who have questions regarding their child’s behavior. Trained counselors are standing by. Have a question? Give them a call at 1-888-866-8660.

Email: terry.burton@ops.org
Website: gateway.ops.org
Location: 5610 South 42nd Street, Omaha, NE, United States
Phone: 531-299-1480