Gateway Family Newsletter (English)
December 2018
Nicole Longlee, Asst. Principal
Important Upcoming Events
Dec. 5th---Student Council Theme Day, Pajama Day!!
Dec. 6th---STEAM Night, 5:30 pm ---7:00 pm
Dec. 6th---Third Grade Field Trip to Durham Museum
Dec. 12th---Winter Program, 9:30 am and 1:30 pm
Dec. 20th---PreK Polar Express Night, 5:00-7:00 pm in Gateway Cafeteria
Dec. 21st---Pre-K Plan Day, (No School for Pre-K students)
Dec. 21st---Talent Ticket Party
Dec. 21st---Second Quarter Ends
Dec. 21st---Report Cards Sent Home
Dec. 24th thru January 3rd---Winter Recess (No School for All Students)
Jan. 4th---Semester Break Day/Teacher Planning Day (No School for All Students)
Jan. 7th---Third Quarter Begins
Office Notes
Please remember that due to Winter Recess, classes will not be in session for Gateway Elementary students from Dec. 24th thru Jan. 4th.
School will resume on Monday, January 7th, 2019. On behalf of the staff at Gateway we wish you and your family Happy Holidays!!!!
Kindergarten Registration
Kindergarten registration at Gateway is scheduled for Friday, January 18th, 2019. If you need to register a kindergartner for the 2019-20 school year, please stop by Gateway anytime between 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on Jan. 18th.
Children turning five on or before July 31, 2019 are eligible to attend kindergarten in 2019-20. 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, 2019. More information will be sent home as the date approaches.
Please call Gateway’s main office with questions.
Flu Season
Unfortunately influenza season is upon us! Getting an annual flu vaccine is the first and best way to protect yourself and your family from the flu. Flu vaccination can reduce flu illnesses, doctors’ visits, and missed work. The more people who get vaccinated, the more people will be protected from flu, including older people, very young children, pregnant women, and people with certain long-term health conditions who are more vulnerable to serious flu complications.
Symptoms of influenza include a high fever, body aches, cough, and severe symptoms for up to one week.
Protect your kids and schedule an appointment today by calling your health care provider or one of the School Based Health Centers listed below.
SBHC at Bryan High School #402-991-3904,
SBHC at Indian Hill, #402-933-4968,
SBHC at Springlake #402-932-7014
OPS Inclement Weather Procedures Listed Below
UNMC Dental Sealant Program @ Gateway
Gateway Elementary hosted UNMC dental students from Nov. 5th thru 16th, 2018. The dental sealant program provided a great service to Gateway students in grades 2, 3 and 5.
I also want to thank Gateway Nurse, Ann Wees and Health Room Para, Kris Zendejas for all of their hard work in helping make this program a success!! A few facts about the dental services provided are listed below.
Summary of 2018 Gateway Elementary Sealant Program:
Total # of sealants placed: 696
(Average price in private practice is $52/tooth ~ $36,192 in free services)
Total # of fluoride treatments: 203
(Average price in private practice is $40/application ~ $8,120 in free services)
Winter Dress
As winter 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.
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
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