Gateway Family Newsletter (English)
January 2020
Nicole Longlee, Asst. Principal
Important Upcoming Events
Jan. 6th---Teacher Planning/Professional Development Day (No School for All Students)
Jan. 7th---School Resumes for all Gateway Students
Jan. 7th---Third Quarter/Second Semester Begins
Jan. 16th---Kindergarten Registration, 10:00 am until 2:00 pm
Jan. 20th---NO SCHOOL, Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Jan. 21st---No school for pre-k students. Early Childhood Planning & Prep Day
Jan. 31st---January Soaring Eagles Announced
Jan. 31st---3rd Quarter Progress Reports Sent Home
Office Notes
Please remember that due to Martin Luther King Jr. Day, classes will not be in session at Gateway on Monday, January 20th, 2020. Classes will resume on Tuesday, January 21st, 2020.
Also, due to Pre-K Teacher Plan Day, pre-k students will be off from school on Tuesday, January 21st, 2020.
Healthy Start to 2020!!!
With school returning in the heart of cold and flu season, we’re writing to share some proactive reminders with your family. The Douglas County Health Department reports high levels of flu-like illness across the area, so it is helpful to be aware and prepared. Our goal is healthy students and staff and strong attendance in the new year.
- Wash your hands: Children and adults with the flu can infect others before their symptoms even show up. Washing your hands regularly with soap and water helps prevent the spread of germs.
- Cover your cough and sneeze: Cough or sneeze into your elbow or a tissue, this helps stop the spread of germs.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth: Doing so can spread germs from your hands.
- Practice healthy habits: Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home, work or school, especially when someone is ill. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritious food. Having a healthy lifestyle is one of the best ways to fight illness.
Interested in Working at Gateway???
Thanks!!
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Minimum of an Associate's degree, or 48 Semester or 72 Quarter college credit hours, an Associate's Degree, or a passing score on the Paraprofessional Assessment Test.
- Committed to helping all children learn - assist students and reinforce learning concepts for individual or small groups.
- Willingness to participate in professional development and inservice trainings
- Regular daily attendance is essential.
- Demonstrate flexibility and responsiveness.
- Ability to work with diverse populations and handle situations with tact and diplomacy.
- Expected to interact with all internal and external customers in a friendly and professional manner.
- Maintain high level of confidentiality regarding student and staff information.
- Ability to walk, stand, bend, twist, balance, stoop, climb steps and reach overhead.
- Possess the manual dexterity, physical ability and stamina for a full day of various physical activity.
- Other duties as assigned.
OTHER INFORMATION:
Reports to: Building Principal
Work Schedule: 183 duty days
Salary Schedule: $12.03 per hour
Hours to Work: 5 to 6.5 hours/day, Monday - Friday
Book Giveaway At Gateway!!
On Tuesday and Wednesday before winter break, our library gave away over 3000 books to students and staff!! This was made possible by the funds raised by our Book Fairs. Thank you to all of the students, families and staff that support our book fairs!
The enjoyment of our students with their new books was exciting to see!
Gateway Holiday Program
Kindergarten Registration
Kindergarten registration at Gateway is scheduled for Thursday, January 16th, 2020. If you need to register a kindergartner for the 2020-21 school year, please stop by Gateway anytime between 10 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. on Jan. 16th.
Children turning five on or before July 31, 2020 are eligible to attend kindergarten in 2020-21. Parents/guardians are asked to bring the following to the registration:
- The child's immunization record
- The child's birth certificate
- Address verification/proof of residence (Acceptable documents include a utility, phone or cable bill, or a lease or home purchase agreement.)
Future kindergarteners will be able to visit kindergarten classrooms in May, 2020. More information will be sent home as the date approaches.
Please call Gateway’s main office with questions.
(531)299-1480
OPS Inclement Weather Information
Winter Dress
As colder weather quickly approaches, please help our students come to school appropriately dressed for the weather and outdoor play. Recess is an important time for our students to socialize and engage in self-selected physical activity. At Gateway we try to ensure outdoor recess daily for students as much as possible.
Outdoor recess will not be held if the temperature or wind chill is ten degrees Fahrenheit or below.
At all other times the decision for inside or outside recess is made based on factors such as age, student dress, playground conditions (including ice, snow, sun, mud,) and class need for outdoor activity. When required, recess might be shortened or moved inside.
When indoor recess is necessary, students still have opportunities to take part in physical activity. At Gateway, our classrooms provide supervised options such as: completing stretching exercises, jogging or doing jumping jacks in place, Go Noodle exercises and other activities that promote physical activity.
Pets on School Grounds
Please keep in mind that pets including dogs and cats are not permitted on school grounds.
Many students have a natural curiosity towards animals, but some may not know the best way to approach, touch or play with the animal. This could unintentionally cause a pet to bite. In addition, children with allergies or immune deficiencies may be especially susceptible to allergic reactions; therefore we ask that everyone please refrain from bringing your pets on school grounds.
Organizing for 2020!!!
Getting---and staying---organized can help your child juggle demands and be successful in school. As 2020 gets under way, suggest that they try these ideas to help stay organized throughout the new year!
- Declutter--Encourage your child to keep his backpack, desk and bedroom organized.
- Write it Down--Using a planner or a calendar can help your child remember what needs to be done each day.
- Use Time Wisely---Remind your child that minutes add up and they need to manage their time wisely.
Buffett Award for Outstanding Teachers
Recognize those that make a difference every day.
If you and your child would like to recognize a teacher for outstanding work, please write a letter of nomination to The Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation. It doesn’t have to be formal; don’t worry if you don’t write well. Letters should be a heartfelt expression of why you believe that this teacher would be a worthy candidate for the Buffett Award. Nominations can also be submitted online at:
buffettoutstandingteachers.org
All nominations are due by January 15th, 2019.
Parent Survey
Survey Dates: August 15—May 22
How to access: www.TinyURL.com/OPSParentVoice
Notes: Parents can now give feedback throughout the year with the Parent Voice survey. Simply click on the link above!
Nebraska Family Helpline
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.
Terry Burton, Principal Gateway Elementary
Email: terry.burton@ops.org
Website: gateway.ops.org
Location: 5610 South 42nd Street, Omaha, NE, United States
Phone: 402-561-6030