GATOR TALES
Grace Abbott Elementary
January 22, 2021
Principal: Dr. Erik Chaussee, epchaussee@mpsomaha.org
Secretary: Cindy Wrenn, clwrenn@mpsomaha.org
About Us
Email: clwrenn@mpsomaha.org
Website: abbott.mpsomaha.org
Location: 1313 N 156th St, Omaha, NE, USA
Phone: 402-715-2900
Facebook: facebook.com/GraceAbbottElementarySchool
Twitter: @MPS_Abbott
NEWS FROM DR. CHAUSSEE
Book Recommendations:
I’m passing on two book recommendations, one of which I’ve previously recommended: Last Child in the Woods and Let the Children Play. An Abbott parent recommended the first one to me. Both books are available at the public library. They both reinforce many of my thoughts about today’s children. The subtitles of each book are Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder and How More Play Will Save Our Schools and Help Children Thrive. The opening pages of both books state that the authors had more fun as children than their children do today. I think that may be true of me as well when I think back to my childhood growing up in a less urban environment. The authors state that they and others in their age group enjoyed a free natural kind of play that seems, in an era of video games, social media, and parent anxieties, to be a quaint artifact.
The authors reflect on the growing body of evidence linking the lack of nature and play in children’s lives and the rise in obesity, attention disorders, and depression. There is a lesson for schools as well as we have increased our use of technology at school and expectations for children at home. Recently in the Gator Tales I presented our high MAP scores to parents. I believe that we can maintain high scores and allow children to play.
Here’s yet another reason to unplug your kids and find some adventure this weekend, even in the cold. As I said before, cold weather doesn’t cause illness. Lying on the couch indoors does! And if you’re short of reading material, here’s the title of an article from Scientific American, Spring, 2018 by Michael Shermer. The title: Kids Today are Being Socialized to Think They’re Fragile Snowflakes.
The photo below is from about 15 years ago. Those are second graders who climbed atop a snow drift (made higher by plowing the parking lot). No fragile snowflakes in that group.
HAVE YOU MOVED?
Within District Transfer - deadline is February 15, 2021
Option Enrollment - deadline is March 15, 2021
FROM OUR SCHOOL COUNSELOR
Parents and Guardians,
Hopefully this finds you doing well. With conferences coming up soon, I wanted to let you know that I am available to talk to you. Much like classroom conferences, mine will look a little differently than in the past. I will be available to Zoom with families on February 4th and 9th from 4:00 - 8:00 and on February 10th from 8:00 - 4:00. If you would like to meet with me, please send me an email at bmstruck@mpsomaha.org or give me a call at Abbott, 402-715-2900, or Aldrich, 402-715-2020, and I’ll get you scheduled.
Thanks
Brett Struck
PICKATIME FOR CONFERENCE SCHEDULING
CLASS PICTURES
Class Composites Are Available To Order For A Limited Time!
Due to Covid, picture packages were decreased by $5 and did not include the class picture as they had in the past. But they are still available! Class Composites are now available to order! They are only $5! Get yours today at inter-state.com/order. Use Order Code 56506ZQ. These are available until 02/17/2021 at 11:59 pm. NO LATE ORDERS WILL BE ACCEPTED!
AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
Ordinary People Doing EXTRAORDINARY Things
We are seeking nominations for our 2021 Awards of Excellence!
We know our schools are full of outstanding people. So many have gone above & beyond this year. Please take a minute to nominate someone today!
2021 Awards of Excellence:
Award for Excellence in Administration
Award for Excellence in Elementary Teaching
Award for Excellence in Middle School Teaching
Award for Excellence in High School Teaching
Support Staff Award of Excellence
Volunteer Award of Excellence
DO YOU HAVE A KINDERGARTNER COMING TO SCHOOL NEXT YEAR?
PRESCHOOL INFORMATION
Millard Public School is now accepting applications for preschool
Applications for the 2021-2022 school year are due by Feb. 15th.
You must live in the Millard school district and your child must turn 4 by July 31, 2021.
Scholarships are available for qualifying families.
The application is available on the Millard Public school website or click here:
If you have questions regarding preschool, call 402-715-8339 or email - mjdickey@mpsomaha.org
MILLARD SCHOOL BOARD 2020
President - Linda Poole
Vice President - Dave Anderson
Secretary - Stacy Jolley
Treasurer - Amanda McGill Johnson
Board Member - Mike Kennedy
Board Member - Mike Pate