Buffett Bulletin
April 10, 2019
No School Thursday & Friday!
Spring Hallway Sweeps!
Parents/Guardians
As we approach the last months of school and with the warmer weather and NSCAS testing in full swing, our goal is to keep focus on learning and helping all students successfully finish the semester. There is a lot of instruction left and learning occurs throughout the block (bell to bell).
Students are expected to be in their classrooms before the last gong. Students who do not have a pass are considered tardy to class. Parents will be notified and students will serve an after-school detention as per administration.
Thank you for all your support as we focus on instruction!
Last Week of State Assessments in Next Week!
NSCAS (Nebraska Student-Centered Assessment System) testing will continue in 6-8th grade ELA classes and 5th grade Math classes the week of April 15-19th.
Please ensure your child continues to get plenty of sleep, good nutrition, and arrives at school with a fully charged laptop.
NO Cell Phone Policy During State Assessments
In an effort to reduce distractions and to ensure we are in compliance with Nebraska State Testing Procedures and Protocol, students will not be allowed to have their cell phones with them in a class when the NSCAS assessment is being administered. This will include any type of smart watch.
During NSCAS testing, your child will be asked to leave their cell phone in their locker during a class where testing is taking place. If the cell phone is not left in their locker or can’t be left in their locker, they can turn it in to the teacher for safe keeping for the duration of the class. Students are always welcome to leave their phone at home if neither option is acceptable.
There will be no exceptions for this procedure as the risk for a security breach due to phone usage during the test, even if a student reports they were texting a parent, is too high. Thank you for your support with this expectation.
YEAR-END Laptop Checkin
- 5th Grade-May 16
- 6th Grade-May 17
- 8th Grade-May 20
- 7th Grade-May 21
Students will need to bring all items assigned to them which includes:
- laptop-$241.00
- plastic laptop cover-$18.00
- charger-$39.00
- bag-$18.00
Any missing items not turned in by May 22 will incur an assessed fine at the rates listed on the above list. Please note that any damages not covered under the accidental warranty protection program and/or optional protection plan you may have purchased, will be the responsibility of the family. Any charges will be communicated via US mail.
All students except 8th grade will be given back their bags to store at home for the summer. Students will bring their bags to Orientation Night in the fall to pick up their laptop.
MTSSB - Be Hard Working!
Buffett teachers define what hard working looks like in the classroom.
Hard working means:
- staying focused
- following directions
- doing your best
- trying hard
- being prepared for class
- working everyday
- being on task
- being polite to students and teachers.
Hard working Buffett students are what teachers, parents and the community love to see!
Speech Contest Medalists!
The Creighton Prep Speech Contest was held on Friday, April 5th. Bailey P. (left) placed in Humorous Interpretation with her piece about how "Snow White is so Forgetful". Mackenzie M. (right) placed in Original Oratory for her speech about video games.
The Buffett Competitive Speech Team really reinforces our magnet theme of advanced communication skills. Way to exemplify "The Buffett Way", Bobcats!
1st Annual Ensemble Festival
Destination Imagination Goes To State!
Destination Imagination is a volunteer-led, educational non-profit organization that teaches "21st century" skills and STEM principles to kindergarten through university level students through collaborative problem solving challenges.
Academic Pentathlon Season Closes
Left Photo: Imrane M., Mani S., Marissa W., Hadley F., Brayden S., Andrew T.
Middle Photo: Marissa W. brings home the Bronze Scholastic medal in Science!
Right Photo: All OPS middle schools were represented at the Super Quiz.
April Is School Library Month!
School Library Month is the American Association of School Librarians' celebration of school librarians and their programs. Every April school librarians are encouraged to host activities to help their school and local community celebrate the essential role that strong school library programs play in transforming learning. More about the history of School Library Month.
Warm Weather Attire Reminder
Please review the “Warm Weather Attire” power point with your student. The power point is located in the Buffett website under the Parent/Student tab.
OPS Open Community Meetings
The Omaha Public Schools recognizes and supports the need for planning for the future of our school district. To accommodate current and future needs of OPS students, the district held a series of meetings to assist in the development of a redistricting boundary plan to accommodate the opening of five new schools: two elementary, one middle and two high schools. The meetings took place on Feb. 13 and 14 for principals and Feb. 27 and 28 for staff, students, parents and community members.
Additional focus group meetings involving larger groups of principals, staff, students, parents and community members will take place on April 2, 3 and 4. A compilation of the boundary options created during those meetings will be presented to the broader community April 16, 22, 23, 29 and 30 and May 6, 7 and 8. The dates, times and locations are as follows:
Proposed South Omaha Elementary/Middle School Boundary Changes
South High Magnet School – Gym
April 16
6-8 p.m.
Proposed High School Proposed Boundary Changes
Burke High School – Gym North High Magnet School – Viking Center
April 22
6-8 p.m.
South High Magnet School – Gym Benson High School - Cafeteria
April 23
6-8 p.m.
Central High School – Cafeteria Bryan High School – Library
April 29
6-8 p.m.
Northwest High Magnet School - Cafeteria
April 30
6-8 p.m.
North High Magnet School - Viking Center
May 6
6-8 p.m.
Benson High School - Cafeteria
May 7
6-8 p.m.
Bryan High School - Library
May 8
6-8 p.m.
The information to be shared at the high school meetings regarding the new high schools will be the same.The success of this planning process requires involvement by all facets of the community and we encourage you to attend one of these meetings to share any input or concerns you may have.
After a review of all information obtained during the open community meetings, final boundary options will be presented to the OPS Board of Education for review and a final vote sometime this summer.
As always, thank you for your continued support of the Omaha Public Schools!
Bobcat Camp
Bobcat Nation could not be more excited to meet our newest Bobcats! Recently, a letter containing information about two summer programs available at Alice Buffett Magnet Middle School was emailed by Mr. CK. One program is Bobcat Camp. This one-week experience is for all incoming 5th and 6th grade students. It is a wonderful opportunity to get acclimated to the middle school setting. The other program is Summer School. Please review the letter and use the links either within the letter or below to register for either or both programs.
For families that are not new to Buffett, you will notice Bobcat Camp and Summer School will be run in a slightly different manner than in past years. This is due to the district's implementation of "Transition to Success" programming that affects transportation to summer programming. The experience your child has at Bobcat Camp will not change; the offering of times and dates is slightly different. Due to this, please read the letter carefully so your registration is correct.
OPS Swimming Lessons - Summer 2019
Registration Date: Saturday, May 4, 2019
Time: 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM
Fees: $25.00 per session for each student. Registration limit of six students per person.
Locations: Sign up at the school where you wish to participate. Registrations are first come first serve basis.
Summer 2019 - Monday - Friday Swim Lesson Dates: Session 1 (June 3-14), Session 2 (June 17-28), Session 3 (July 1-15). July 4th is a Holiday - No swim lessons.
American Red Cross Swim Courses offered: Parent and Child Aquatics (Ages 3 and under), Preschool Aquatics / Level 1 (Ages 4 - 5), Levels 1 through 6.
*All courses are taught by a certified Water Safety Instructor along with one/ two lifeguard swim instructor aides. Class limits will vary.
Future Blood Donor Program
Alice Buffett Magnet Middle is partnering with the American Red Cross to host a blood drive through the Future Blood Donor program. This program will introduce students to the importance of blood donation and will provide lifesaving blood products for hospital patients. Our students will have the opportunity to show leadership and help save lives by recruiting blood donors for our upcoming blood drive. Each student who recruits an adult to donate will be recognized as a Future Blood Donor with a fun gift from the Red Cross.
You can support this program by donating blood, recruiting other donors or volunteering at the blood drive. Please schedule your blood donation appointment by clicking here, by downloading the Blood Donor App, or contact calling 1-800-Red-Cross
Alice Buffett Middle School
Friday, April 12, 2019
8:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood. We hope you will join us and help save lives!
Attendance Matters - Every Minute Counts!
Fine Lines Writing Camp
2019 Summer Camp for Creative Writers
Grades 4-12, College, and Adult
Write On!
Dream… Believe…Imagine... Explore…
Create…Soar... Laugh…Think…Share…Join us!
This is our 20th year of creating Fine Lines writing summer camps for students of all ages. Join writers who add clarity and passion to their lives with the written word. We have fun with sentences, learn to play while developing poems, stories, essays, and discover creative corners of our minds that we did not know existed.
Where: Beveridge Magnet Middle School
1616 S 120th St, Omaha, NE 68144
When: June 24-28, 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Summer Enrichment Opportunities
Kaneko Summer Camps in Omaha
Code Ninjas Omaha Metro area
Lauritzen Gardens in Omaha
Fontanelle Forest in Bellevue, NE
Creighton Prep Summer Innovation Camp
Camp Shakespeare at UNO
Joslyn Museum Summer programs
Omaha Community Playhouse summer programs
Omaha School of Rock summer program
FineLines creative writing summer program
Henry Doorly Zoo summer programs
Camp Invention various locations all over Nebraska
METRO college for kids
Durham Museum summer program
Peter Kiewet, UNO Summer camps
Strategic Air Command summer camps
Young Nebraska Scientist Camps at UNK
Outdoor Education Summer programs across Nebraska
TAGG (Together A Greater Good)
TAGG's mobile app revolutionizes the way you can support local organizations. When you use the app at participating businesses, they will donate 5% to your favorite non-profit, school, team or other organization of choice! Through social media integration, you can influence your friends and family to take part in the social good as well. Download the app, and start TAGGING!
Important Links
Upcoming Events
No School
Thursday, Apr 11, 2019, 07:30 AM
Alice Buffett Magnet Middle School, Larimore Avenue, Omaha, NE, USA
No School
Friday, Apr 12, 2019, 07:30 AM
Alice Buffett Magnet Middle School, Larimore Avenue, Omaha, NE, USA
Track vs. Nathan Hale @ Northwest HS
Monday, Apr 15, 2019, 03:30 PM
Omaha Northwest High School, Crown Point Avenue, Omaha, NE, USA
Boys Soccer vs. Davis @ Davis
Tuesday, Apr 16, 2019, 03:30 PM
Alfonza W. Davis Middle School, North 129th Avenue, Omaha, NE, USA
Girls Soccer vs. Davis @ Buffett
Tuesday, Apr 16, 2019, 03:30 PM
Alice Buffett Magnet Middle School, Larimore Avenue, Omaha, NE, USA
Track vs. Davis @ Davis
Wednesday, Apr 17, 2019, 03:30 PM
Alfonza W. Davis Middle School, North 129th Avenue, Omaha, NE, USA
Welcome To Middle School Night
Thursday, Apr 18, 2019, 06:00 PM
Alice Buffett Magnet Middle School, Larimore Avenue, Omaha, NE, USA
PTO Meeting
Monday, May 6, 2019, 04:15 PM
Alice Buffett Magnet Middle School, Larimore Avenue, Omaha, NE, USA
8th Grade Recognition Night
Thursday, May 16, 2019, 06:30 PM
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