Buffett Bulletin
December 4, 2019
Buffett Strings Teacher Receives Award
Mr. Thomas Miller was recognized as the Nebraska ASTA (American String Teacher Association) Outstanding Teacher of the Year (Public School) at the NMEA (Nebraska Music Education Association) Conference on Saturday, November 17th, in Lincoln.
Congratulations Mr. Miller!
Seussical: The Musical
Chorus & Buffett Bravo Concert
On Thursday, November 21, members of the 7th and 8th grade chorus classes and Buffett Bravo gave a fantastic performance at the fall concert! Highlights included Si, Se Puede! (It Can Be Done), a bilingual song performed by the 7th graders; Babethandaza, a South African folk song performed by the 8th graders with support from a few 8th grade band members; One Short Day from Wicked performed by Buffett Bravo; and many others.
Congrats to all groups for a successful performance that showcased all of your hard work!
Seeking NEW Toys for Project Santa Drive Going On Now!
National Junior Honor Society is currently conducting a toy drive that will last until December 10th. The entire school community is invited to participate by bringing items to team hallways before school.
Requested items include: NEW (not used please) toddler toys, art sets, sports balls, dolls, $10 Target or Walmart gift cards, board games, puzzles, play-doh sets, cars, ear buds, lego sets, make-up and shaving kits.
NJHS members will collect the items. They will be donated to the Open Door Mission's Project Santa program. The team that collects the most items wins a popcorn party!
NEW Assessment Vocabulary School-Wide Focus
Buffett teachers and students are tackling essential assessment vocabulary in an effort to increase knowledge of words students encounter on standardized tests. These words are often words students have seen and heard of before but don't always understand what the word in asking them to do when they appear in questions on standardized tests.
Every morning a new word of the day is announced in the morning announcements. As students move through their classes, they take part brief activities meant to solidify their knowledge of the word and commit it to long-term memory.
The chosen words of focus have been developed through the research of Marilyn Sprenger.
"It is essential that our students master these 55 critical Tier 2 words. Students need to understand what is expected of them as they tackle complex texts, learn to read more closely, add to their vocabularies, improve speaking and listening skills, and become well-rounded learners” (Sprenger).
Each week in the Buffett Bulletin, we will announce the words to you so you can reinforce and use these words with your student at home.
Below are the words we have started so far, as well as, the upcoming words through Dec. 11.
Important Assessment Dates
For the Winter MAP assessment and April NSCAS assessments, Buffett will be following a school-wide assessment schedule. This is in an effort to reduce absences on assessment dates, to provide a cohesive testing environment, and to reduce the amount of days students are required to take the assessments.
Buffett leadership and teachers are asking that you avoid making appointments on the mornings of the dates the assessments are being given and to ensure your child arrives to school on time. On testing dates, students will follow a shortened block schedule for their regular classes and will attend one extended block where they will take their assessment. The testing blocks will always be in the morning and generally run from about 8:30-10:30. We will send out an exact block/class schedule closer to the dates of the assessments.
Please mark the following dates on your calendar:
- Winter MAP-Jan.14, 15, and 16th
- NSCAS-April 7, 8, and 9th (tentative)
- Spring MAP-May 5, 6, 7th (tentative)
Thank you for prioritizing this time for your student to be present at school.
NEW! STEAM CLUB Activity for January!
STEAM Club is full steam ahead! Thank you for all the interest and participation. We have one more opportunity available for January. Coding with Spheros is sure to be a hoot! See below for an explanation and sign up. Due to the amount of available robots, this activity will be limited to the first 30 participants.
Drive the 4 C's with Spheros
Join this activity if you have an interest in coding robots, a desire to work collaboratively with a partner, and a creative mind that enjoys critical thinking. No coding experience is needed. Spheros are small, round robots that can be programmed to drive and move through obstacles in many ways. This club will meet on Wednesdays from 3:10-4:50 and is sponsored by Ms. HInde.
Dates: Jan. 8, 22, and 29th
29th Annual McMillan Math Contest
Each year, Buffett takes fifth and/or sixth graders to the McMillan Math Contest. The annual contest was held on Thursday, November 21st. The contest consists of a team written exam and a Quizlet round of questions.
Team 6A: Blake B., Logan W., Cooper F., and Daniel K.
Team 6B: Naim L., Carter T. and Noah F.
Way to represent Bobcat Nation!
Poetry Slam Workshop Held At UNO
A Poetry Slam workshop was held at UNO on Monday, November 25th. Seventh grade Honors Special Projects students were invited to submit a poem to be selected for the event. The workshop consisted of sessions to work on creative writing and performance. This event is sponsored by the office of Gifted and Talented Education.
Buffett students selected to participate were Molly S., Grace V., Nyomi F., Laliana R., & Bella C.
CHI Health and Omaha Public Schools partner to honor teachers across the OPS district
CHI Health wants nominations of Omaha Public Schools teachers changing the lives of students. Each month, they’ll surprise a Top Teacher nominee with a treat basket for the teacher's lounge and a personal gift card. CHI will draw winners on the last Friday of the month. CHI Health will select winners from three different grade levels across the district.
Anyone can nominate a Top Teacher at CHIhealth.com/TopTeachers.
Alice Buffett Outstanding Teacher Award
The Alice Buffett Outstanding Teacher Award recognizes the achievements of skilled and dedicated educators in the Omaha Public Schools (OPS). Given to 15 teachers annually, the Award has recognized and rewarded nearly 300 teachers over the past two decades. Any Omaha Public Schools teacher or counselor (Pre-K through 12), with a minimum of two years experience, is eligible for nomination.
Parent Teachers Organization Meeting Dates
Join us the the next PTO meeting, January 13th at 6:00 pm in the Library!
- UPDATE - There will be no December meeting!
- January 13, 2020
- February 10, 2020
- March 16, 2020
- April 20, 2020
- May 18, 2020
Students of Distinction
Congratulations to our November Students of Distinction!
ACP: Chris A. and Ben O.
5th Grade: Bryan M., Reagan G., Grant H., and Ryan B.
6th Grade: Ja Zin A., Blake B., Kelly P., and Noah F.
7th Grade: Prashika S., Shaylee G., Carina H., Preston R.
8th Grade: Jackson K., Poximokhon N., Ava W., and Jaime L.
ACP
5th Grade
6th Grade
7th Grade
8th Grade
Important Links
Upcoming Events
Boys JV/V Basketball @ Bryan
Thursday, Dec 5, 2019, 03:30 PM
Bryan Middle School, South 42nd Street, Bellevue, NE, USA
NJHS Meeting
Friday, Dec 6, 2019, 03:00 PM
Alice Buffett Magnet Middle School, Larimore Avenue, Omaha, NE, USA
Faculty Workshop
Monday, Dec 9, 2019, 03:15 PM
Alice Buffett Magnet Middle School, Larimore Avenue, Omaha, NE, USA
Boys JV/V Basketball @ Morton
Tuesday, Dec 10, 2019, 03:30 PM
Morton Magnet Middle School, Terrace Drive, Omaha, NE, USA
6th-8th Band Concert
Tuesday, Dec 10, 2019, 07:00 PM
Alice Buffett Magnet Middle School, Larimore Avenue, Omaha, NE, USA
No Tardy Party!
Wednesday, Dec 11, 2019, 02:45 PM
Alice Buffett Magnet Middle School, Larimore Avenue, Omaha, NE, USA
Winter Break
Monday, Dec 23, 2019, 07:30 AM
Alice Buffett Magnet Middle School, Larimore Avenue, Omaha, NE, USA
2nd Semester Begins
Tuesday, Jan 7, 2020, 07:30 AM
Alice Buffett Magnet Middle School, 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