Bobcat Nation Newsletter
November 2020
Please continue to reach out and connect with us - we are in this together!
It is this time of year when we count how thankful we are for what we have in our lives and this year it is especially important to take a moment to do this.
At Belvedere, we are thankful for our students - they bring joy every day and we love to see them grow and learn.
We are thankful for our families - you have gone through so much this year and we know it has not been easy. We are blessed to have the best families in the city and want you to know that we are here for you.
If you need help logging in, please call the school right away at 531-299-1100 and we are happy to assist!
For our students attending face-to-face, please be reminded of a few things so that we can help keep everyone safe and ready to learn:
- Wear face coverings and maintain social distancing
- Bring your iPad and charger daily
- Self monitor for symptoms and if you or a family member is ill, remain home so you can remain healthy
- Remote and At Home Learners log on for their class Morning Meeting everyday at 8:50 AM
- Remember to call the school at 531-299-1100 if you are going to be absent from school or Remote Learning
Planning for the Holidays
For the health and safety of everyone in our school communities, we ask that if families gather in large groups with others outside their home over the holiday, or travel during the break, their students learn remotely for the two following weeks.
November 30- December 11th.
Phased Return for In-Person Learning
Omaha Public Schools will begin the second semester of this school year with a phased return to in-person. Staff will teach from their classroom and students will start the semester as scheduled on Tuesday, Jan. 5 using their district-provided device from home.
Here are the dates for that phased return in-person:
- Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2021: All students begin with remote instruction following the normal bell schedule. JP Lord School returns in-person five days a week.
- Monday, Jan. 11, 2021: K-12 ACP, Transition, Elementary BSP, Early Childhood Special Education, Homebased/Homebound, and Hearing Impaired classrooms return in-person five days a week.
- Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021: All students return in-person following the Family 3/2 Model attendance calendar. Gateway to College, OPS/UNO Middle College Program, Parrish, Student Success Program and the Zoo Academy return in person five days a week.
The Remote Learning Program will remain an option for students who wish to continue learning full-time from home during the second semester. Please look for additional information to come.
In-person instruction will continue with the Family 3/2 Model in the weeks that follow Jan. 19. At this time, there are no district-wide changes to our instructional model between now and winter break.
We know students learn best in-person. We are also working closely with public health leaders and medical experts for the health, safety and well-being of everyone in our school communities. This phased return in-person at the start of second semester will limit traffic on-site and allow students and families to return to their routine following an extended winter break.
Of course, health conditions have and continue to evolve rapidly. If adjustments are needed, we will update staff and families directly, with as much advance notice as possible.
Winter Weather!
We enjoyed a beautiful stretch of warm weather this past week, but the air will continue to be cold! Please be sure to have your children dressed appropriately for the weather. • We will stay outside before arrival time if the temperature, with wind chill, is above 32 degrees. • We will go outside for recess as long as the playgrounds and equipment are clear of snow and the temperature, with wind chill, is above 20 degrees.
Updated 2020-21 School Calendar
Omaha Public Schools has updated the 2020-21 school year calendar, featuring two important additions:
- Tuesday, Nov. 24 is now a Yellow L-Z day, to allow for in-person student time before Thanksgiving Break
- Family 3/2 Instructional Model shading through second semester, in 2021
Meals to Go Information
Meals2Go Program has been extended through the rest of the school year. Families can continue to pick up meals on Mondays (for Monday, Tuesday) and Wednesdays (for Wednesday, Thursday, Friday) for their students. The pickup time for elementary schools is from 9:30am-10:30am. If families are unable to make it during that time, they can call nutrition services at 531-299-0230.
Meals2Go - Week of Thanksgiving Recess
Schools will not be in session Nov. 25-27 for Thanksgiving Recess. The Omaha Public Schools Nutrition Services team remains committed to preparing and distributing meals for students.
The week of Thanksgiving Recess, Meals2Go will be distributed only on Monday, Nov. 23.
- This bag will contain three days of meals for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
*December 14 and 16
*December 21 and 23
*December 28 and 30
Visit our website to learn more about Meals2Go.
1:1 Technology Allows Omaha Public Schools to Maintain Learning on Inclement Weather Days
The frost outside Wednesday morning made it clear: winter weather is fast approaching. We know this year has presented challenges unlike any other, so it is especially important to maintain student engagement even if winter weather gets in the way of learning at school. Thanks to our 1 to 1 Technology Initiative, we now have the opportunity to support students with teaching and learning at home.
"Live," or synchronous teaching and learning will take place in the morning, with teacher availability for questions or additional support in the early afternoon. Teachers will take attendance.
For elementary students, inclement weather days will begin from home at 8:50 a.m. with a morning check in, just like a regular at home learning day in our Family 3/2 Instructional Model.
It is important that students bring their district-provided iPad home each evening and families charge them each night. For additional information about our 1 to 1 Technology Initiative, please click here.
Has Your Student Lost Their Belvedere Assigned Charger?
Per the Technology User Agreements signed by parents and students, accessories (chargers and bags) are not covered by the Apple Warranty or the Optional Protection Plan.
LOST Charger and Cable: The replacement cost of a lost charger (brick and cable) is $38.
LOST Charger (brick): $19
LOST Cable: $19
Unfortunately, we ask that you do not purchase your own charger to replace the lost one. Only Apple brand chargers are allowed. Off-brand chargers or chargers that are not the right voltage tend to wear on the iPad battery or cause charging issues with the iPad.
To ensure this does not happen we ask that you report the charger lost and allow us to provide a new charger rather than trying to purchase one on your own. A fine can be assessed for you to pay.
Dates to Remember:
Nov. 23rd- Blue day
Nov. 24th – Yellow day
Nov. 25th- Nov. 27th – Thanksgiving Recess
Dec.4th- Pictures (Yellow Group)
Dec. 8th- Pictures (Blue Group)
Dec. 14th- Jan. 5: Winter Recess
Meet our Family Room Liaison
My name is DaWanna Parker and I’m the Family Room Liaison.
I’ve been working in the Omaha Public Schools for 5 years and I’m a Belvedere Alumni.
My responsibilities are to provide resources and training to help students succeed.
Also, I will promote parent engagement in their children’s education and to encourage community involvement in Belvedere.
If you have any questions I can be reach at 531-299-4603.
SHOUT OUTS AND MANY THANKS! THANKS to our supporters for donating dinner for our staff during Parent-Teacher conferences. Bible Truth Ministries and YMCA your support is much appreciated! Thanks for being willing and able during a difficult time.
SCHOOL SELECTION 2021-22:
During the Month of January 2021, families will have an online opportunity to submit their school choice requests for the 2021-22 school year. Beginning January 8, 2021 and ending January 29, 2021 ... parents/guardians will be able to log-in to their Infinite Campus Parent Portal and make their requests (up to 3 choices). If you have not created a Portal account yet, please do so immediately at the link below.....
PARENT PORTAL click here to create your account and be ready for January 8 !!!
Need Help this Holiday Season?
There are a list of resources for families looking for assistance this holiday season in Douglas, Sarpy, and Pottawattamie Counties. Call 2-1-1 to get connected and get help or visit www.ne211.org for a full list of Thanksgiving and Holiday programs.
Belvedere Elementary
Website: https://belvedere.ops.org/HOME
Location: 3775 Curtis Avenue, Omaha, NE, USA
Phone: 531-299-1100
Facebook: facebook.com/BelvedereElementary
Twitter: @OPS_Belvedere