Buffett Bulletin
September 30, 2020

Remote Learning Conferences
October means conference time! Buffett's conferences will be held virtually on Oct. 14 from 4:00-7:00 and Oct. 15 from 12:00-7:00.
How will that look in this new school environment? Normally, students lead the conferences at the middle school level. This time, however, conferences will have more of a parent-teacher focus. Here are three things to expect this time around:
Who will you conference with? Every parent will schedule a virtual meeting with one team teacher. This teacher will serve as the facilitator for the conference. It may not be the person the parent really needs to talk to, but there will be other open conference times for parents to schedule additional conferences with specific teachers if they so choose. *Note that final report card grades will be mailed home and will not be available at conference time. | How long is the conference? Parents can expect that the conferences will take place in an organized fashion. Conversations will center around three main areas: student's strengths, areas he/she can improve in, and strategies to help the student improve 2nd Quarter. To ensure all parents with appointments get their allotted time, conferences will be held in 15 minute time slots. Teachers will use timers to help stay on schedule. Additional questions or concerns can be emailed to the teachers, or parents can sign up for additional open conference times with specific teachers. | Will my student have a role this year? Students will not be leading these conferences like they have in the past. However, they will still take part in reflecting about their year so far. During Bobcat Den the week prior to conferences, students will complete a goal sheet and share the information with you by talking about their goals in a voice recording, a Flipgrid video, or through a simple email. These goals will be emailed out to parents ahead of conferences. Parents can view the goals so that they know where their child is striving to go and help them achieve their goals.Your child is welcome to attend the conference with you virtually. |
Who will you conference with?
*Note that final report card grades will be mailed home and will not be available at conference time.
How long is the conference?
Will my student have a role this year?
How will Conferences be Scheduled?

How will the Conference be Held?




4-Block Schedule
In an effort to decrease hallway transitions, Buffett will follow a 4-block schedule with homeroom embedded into the block in which your child eats lunch. We will still have an alternating A-B schedule as in the past.
Passing periods between classes will be staggered to reduce hallway traffic.



Arrival to School
- School begins at 7:40 a.m. and concludes at 3:05 p.m. daily.
- The school building is open at 7:25 a.m. Students are not to be in the building or on property before this time. Doors will be unlocked from 7:25-7:45 a.m. and then once again locked until the end of our school day, which is at 3:05 p.m. Additionally, at 3:15 p.m., our doors will be locked for the day.
- Students will go to their first block class rather than reporting to hallways, the gym, or cafeteria upon arrival to school.
- See breakfast information below.
School Bus Procedures


Lunch Time

Staggered Dismissal Times
In order to reduce foot traffic after school, our students will follow a staggered dismissal.
- At 3:03-bus riders will follow teachers out
- At 3:04-walkers will be dismissed
- At 3:05-car riders will follow teachers out
Students will also all use separate exits from the building.
- 5th grade will dismiss out the main doors.
- 6th grade will dismiss from the east doors by the green space (hill).
- 7th grade will dismiss from the bus loop doors.
- 8th grade will dismiss from the west doors (top of the stairs by the track)
End of the Day

Keeping Every Bobcat Safe
Face Coverings Students will be required to wear face coverings while at school. Students can use the five district-provided face coverings. If using their own, the face covering needs to be 2-ply. | Handwashing/Sanitizing All classrooms are supplied with hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes. Students will be asked to sanitize their hands often and to wipe down the space and shared items they use with sanitizing wipes. | Social Distancing The district's decision to reduce the amount of students on site has helped us ensure students in classrooms will be socially distanced. The Family 3/2 model, along with changes to our schedule, produced class sizes that are generally less than 15 students. This allows teachers to space students the proper 3-6 ft. apart. |
Face Coverings
Handwashing/Sanitizing
Social Distancing
Health and Safety Signage
Enhanced Cleaning and Safety Procedures

New Faces of Bobcat Nation!

Cherie Scholten is Buffett Middle School’s new Digital Media teacher! For the past 12 years, Mrs. Scholten taught at Picotte Elementary school just down the road! Before coming to OPS, she taught in Kansas City for 8 years. While in Kansas City she earned a Master’s degree in Teaching and Learning K-12 and pioneered technology for some of the youngest learners in her district. Then, it was time to travel north to make a new home in Omaha! Since starting in OPS she has piloted technology used across the district and even earned the Microsoft Innovated Educator Expert award given to teachers around the world for using technology in new and innovative ways with students. A few years ago, she earned yet another degree in the area of technology instruction which led her to her new AMAZING job at Buffett Middle School!
Mrs. Scholten is married to her husband of 19 years, Sam. They have two wonderful, talented young men at home named Nathan and Evan. They keep her busy and on her toes with all of their activities! Nathan is getting ready to go to college next fall, so it is definitely a bittersweet school year! As a family, they love kayaking, watching movies, and having in depth debates about current events at the dinner table! Their sweet, little dog Abby runs the house with an iron fist, but lets the family take her for walks once in a while! Welcome, Mrs. Scholten!


Tips for Assisting Your Student in Remote Learning
Refresh Apps
When apps aren't performing the way they should, your first step is to close the app completely and reopen it. To close an app, swipe the app up. Then swipe up again, to fully close apps that are open.
If closing the app doesn't work, try reinstalling the app from the Manager App.
- Tap and hold on the app
- Choose delete from the popup menu
- Open the Manager app
- Find the app you deleted
- Tap update/reinstall


Upcoming Dates to Remember
- Oct. 1 and 2 - Building Based Professional Learning Day. -No remote instruction for elementary and middle school students.
- Oct. 5 - Phase 3- Early childhood, elementary and middle school students return in the Family 3/2 Instructional Model
Nov. 3rd - Professional Development, no in-person or remote learning for students
- Nov. 4 - Building Based Professional Learning Day for staff-No in-person or remote learning for students
- Dec. 14- Jan. 5 - Winter Recess*
- Jan. 15 - Building Based Professional Learning Day-No in-person or remote learning for students
