Buffett Bulletin
September 19, 2018
Student Attendance Matters-Strive for 95!
Like you, we want students to get as much education as possible. OPS and Buffett Magnet are committed to making sure that students attend school regularly. As a matter of fact, our new Superintendent, Dr. Logan has started an initiative called Strive for 95. This is a district plan to increase student success through regular attendance to school. Strive for 95 seeks to encourage students to be in school 95% (no more than nine days absent) or more of the time. The higher the attendance rate, the more successful the student.
Look for Buffett Magnet to find fun and unique ways to celebrate students who have excellent attendance rates this year. We want every student to Strive for 95!
Why ID Badges & Lanyards?
Thank you parents and students for making sure that our Bobcats wear lanyards everyday. There are several reasons we are requiring students to wear lanyards with their IDs regularly that all revolve around school safety much like employees in the workplace.
- Buffett students are easily identified and differentiated from other young teens and adults that may enter the building.
- In an emergency, a student's name is readily available.
- The lanyard is a constant reminder of the Buffett High 5 which are keys to success.
- Wearing IDs is part of an effective school safety program.
Omaha Education Week-Open House on September 25
As a part of Omaha Education Week, Buffett will hold their annual Open House on Tuesday, September 25, from 6:30-8:30. We look forward to seeing you all there.
PTO Fundraiser - Coming Soon!
Our annual PTO Fundraiser is set to begin Monday, September 24th! Get ready to have some fun while raising money for our school! Sales for the fundraiser start on Sept. 25th. PTO would appreciate your help with the fundraiser. Please click the link below to sign up to help.
Smart Girl Society Sponsored by PTO
The PTO is sponsoring Smart Girl Society to speak to parents about social media safety and how to avoid technological pitfalls. This is information is meant to educate parents of boys and girls; it's not only for girls! SGS is a non-profit organization based in Omaha that has been educating parents, teachers and kids on the risks and concerns of social media. SGS has already been to many of the schools in the Omaha area. This is the first time SGS will be presenting to Buffett parents. Please go to smartgirlsociety.org if you want to learn more about what sort of information SGS will be sharing at the presentation. PTO President, Leann Mercer, attended a parent session at her daughter’s high school and found it very informative. She stated, "Honestly, it is information that I wished I had had when my kids were in middle school! "
During Open House on Sept. 25, a session will begin at 7 pm in the library and is about an hour long. Hope to see you there!
Scholastic Book Fair
Join Safety Patrol!
Attention 8th graders!
B.I.G. Rehearsals
Students involved in the music group BIG (Buffet in the Groove) will practice every Tuesday after school. One exception is Oct. 9; that week students will practice on Wed., Oct. 10.
Any questions can be directed to Ms. Taylor Arvie, taylor.arvie@ops.org.
Fall Play Practice
Students taking part in the fall play will rehearse every Tuesday and Thursday on the stage through Oct. 25.
The fall play crew will on Wednesdays through Oct. 25 on the stage as well.
Please email Mr. Miller with any questions (thomas.miller@ops.org).
Youth Frontiers Kindness Retreat
Buffett 5th grade students will be taking part in a Kindness retreat facilitated by Youth Frontiers on Sept. 26 (5A) and Sept. 27 (5B).
Click the link below to find out more about this extraordinary event for our 5th grade students.
Homework Hideout Schedule
Team 5A: Tuesdays and Wednesdays
Team 5B: Tuesdays and Wednesdays
Team 6A: Tuesdays and Thursdays
Team 6B: Wednesdays and Thursdays
Team 7A: Wednesdays and Thursdays
Team 7B: Tuesdays
Team 8A: Tuesdays and Wednesdays
Team 8B: Tuesdays and Thursdays
Student Led Conferences Coming Soon!
This year's Student Led Conferences are being held earlier than last year. Student Led Conferences will be held Wednesday, Oct. 17 from 3:30-7:00 and Thursday, Oct. 18 from 12:00-7:00. There will be no school for students on Thursday, Oct. 18 and Friday, Oct 19.
Please use the team links below to sign up for a spot for Student Led Conferences.
After signing up, you will receive an email letting you know the spot you chose. If you need to change your time, you can re-click on the link within the email you receive or on these links.
A few days before Student Led Conferences, you will receive an email reminder of your upcoming appointment.
Our goal is to have 100% of our families take part in Student Led Conferences. We appreciate you setting aside time in your busy schedule for this school event.
Tips for Success
Instructional Tip: Is Math Your Thing?
Have you ever found yourself saying to your kids, "Ask ______, math is not my thing." "I wasn't born with a math brain." "Numbers make me queasy!" "Boys are just better at math than girls."
Current research advises that simply changing our vernacular to model more positive, growth mindset language with our students can help them find more success in math.
Students with a fixed mindset believe their potential is predetermined, that their ability can't change, and/or that they are either good or not good at something. Students with a growth mindset believe they can learn from their mistakes and get better, that their effort and attitude determines their success, and that challenges help them grow.
Consider using these types of statements when helping your students through tough academic assignments.
Technology Tip-Microsoft Teams
Last week, you were introduced to One Note Class Notebook. Another common application used by several teachers at Buffett is Microsoft Teams. This application is collaborative workspace that makes the flow of information and classwork more efficient.
Watch the video below for more information on some ways Microsoft Teams can be used.
School Safety
Dear OPS Community,
Student and staff safety is a top priority for our school district. Over the years, the Omaha Public Schools has continuously worked closely with the Omaha Police and Fire Department with practicing and monitoring required safety drills. These drills have provided ongoing opportunities for school leadership, staff and students to practice and be adequately prepared in the event of a real incident.
This year, the Omaha Public Schools has aligned our safety efforts with the Nebraska Department of Education and we have adopted Standard Response Protocol district-wide. Standard Response Protocol has been implemented nationwide to bring common language, common protocol and common signage throughout school districts. Standard Response Protocol brings consistency and continuity to safety measures for students, staff, parents, the community and first responders.
Schools leaders are currently in the process of training staff and students on Standard Response Protocol throughout the month of September. We want to make certain you are familiar with the four basic components of Standard Response Protocol and fully understand the signs and required actions associated with each response. The attached poster provides more specificity for your understanding. In addition, please feel free to access the Standard Response Protocol website at the link below. As always, the school principal or program director can also be a resource if you have questions.
Thank you for your continued support. Every student. Every day. Prepared for success.
Respectfully,
Lisa A. Utterback
Executive Director
Student and Community Services
Important Links
Upcoming Events
Volleyball vs. Norris @ Buffett
Thursday, Sep 20, 2018, 03:30 PM
Alice Buffett Magnet Middle School, Larimore Avenue, Omaha, NE, USA
JV Volleyball Triangular @ King
Thursday, Sep 20, 2018, 03:30 PM
King Science/Tech Magnet Middle School, Florence Boulevard, Omaha, NE, USA
Varsity Football vs. Beveridge @ Buffett
Friday, Sep 21, 2018, 03:30 PM
King Science/Tech Magnet Middle School, Florence Boulevard, Omaha, NE, USA
JV Football vs. King @ King
Friday, Sep 21, 2018, 03:30 PM
King Science/Tech Magnet Middle School, Florence Boulevard, Omaha, NE, USA
Volleyball vs. Lewis & Clark @ Lewis & Clark
Friday, Sep 21, 2018, 03:30 PM
Lewis and Clark Middle School, Burt Street, Omaha, NE, USA
Beveridge Brain Buster Tournament-Quiz Bowl
Saturday, Sep 22, 2018, 09:00 AM
Beveridge Magnet Middle School, South 120th Street, Omaha, NE, USA
BIG Rehearsal
Tuesday, Sep 25, 2018, 03:15 PM
Alice Buffett Magnet Middle School, Larimore Avenue, Omaha, NE, USA
Volleyball vs Beveridge @ Buffett
Tuesday, Sep 25, 2018, 03:30 PM
Alice Buffett Magnet Middle School, Larimore Avenue, Omaha, NE, USA
Open House
Tuesday, Sep 25, 2018, 06:30 PM
Alice Buffett Magnet Middle School, Larimore Avenue, Omaha, NE, USA
PTO Fundraiser Sales
Tuesday, Sep 25, 2018, 07:00 AM
Alice Buffett Magnet Middle School, Larimore Avenue, Omaha, NE, USA
Cross Country Bryan Middle Invitational
Wednesday, Sep 26, 2018, 03:30 PM
Bryan Middle School, South 42nd Street, Bellevue, NE, USA
Youth Frontiers Kindness Retreat for Team 5A
Wednesday, Sep 26, 2018, 08:00 AM
Alice Buffett Magnet Middle School, Larimore Avenue, Omaha, NE, USA
Youth Frontiers Kindness Retreat for Team 5B
Thursday, Sep 27, 2018, 08:00 AM
Alice Buffett Magnet Middle School, Larimore Avenue, Omaha, NE, USA
Volleyball vs Morton @ Buffett
Thursday, Sep 27, 2018, 03:30 PM
Alice Buffett Magnet Middle School, Larimore Avenue, Omaha, NE, USA
JV Football vs Morton @ Buffett
Friday, Sep 28, 2018, 03:30 PM
Alice Buffett Magnet Middle School, Larimore Avenue, Omaha, NE, USA
Varsity Football vs. Norris @ Norris
Friday, Sep 28, 2018, 03:30 PM
Norris Middle School, South 46th Street, Omaha, NE, USA
Student-Led Conferences
Wednesday, Oct 17, 2018, 03:30 PM
14101 Larimore Avenue, Omaha, NE, USA
Student-Led Conferences
Thursday, Oct 18, 2018, 12:00 PM
14101 Larimore Avenue, Omaha, NE, USA
Connect with Us!
Website: buffett.ops.org
Location: 14101 Larimore Avenue, Omaha, NE, United States
Phone: 531-299-2320
Facebook: facebook.com/OPS.Buffett.Magnet
Twitter: @BuffettMagnet