Lewis & Clark Middle School
October 2020
Message From Your Principal
We are so excited to have students back in the building and to see their friendly faces. This newsletter will provide the procedures for the return back to school and several other important information. Please remember there will be NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS on Thursday, October 1st and Friday, October 2nd. We will begin the Family 3-2 model on Monday, October 5th.
Student Arrival & Dismissal
- Due to construction, parents will NOT be able to use the staff parking lot to drop off and/or pick up students.
- Drop off - Parents should drive east on Burt Street, dropping students on the north side of the building. The building will not be open to students until 7:20 a.m.
- Arrival into the building - Students will go directly to their first class of the day or to the cafeteria for Grab and Go breakfast. Students will no longer go to the auditorium at the beginning of the day.
- Pick up - Utilize side streets or wait until all buses have left the premises to pick students up on the north side of the building. Students will not be allowed in the building after 3:10 unless they are under supervision of staff. Please have all students picked up by 3:20.
- Make sure to abide by all street signs. Please note that Burt Street is one-way going east from 2:00 p.m. until 3:30 p.m.
- Please do not park in or block neighbors' driveways.
Items to Bring to School
With the return of school, there are a few things that you will want to remember to bring. Students will NOT be utilizing a locker, so all students will carry their belongings to each of their classrooms. Please see the list below of items that they will need.
- iPad - Remember to have it completely charged each night and ready for school the next day and do not forget to bring your charger with you
- Book bag - This will help you get from one classroom to the next
- Clear Water Bottle - Students will be allowed to carry a water bottle, since drinking fountains will be out of service. Please make sure that the bottle is see through.
- Classroom Materials - Only the textbooks, musical instruments, novels, etc. needed for the specific A Day or B Day.
- Classroom Supplies - One notebook and a writing utensil. Students will need very few supplies as the majority of the work will be completed online.
Safety and Sanitation Measures
Face Coverings
Handwashing/Sanitizing
Physical Distancing
Fall Conferences
Parent teacher conferences are just around the corner! This year conferences will be slightly different and will be held remotely. Be on the lookout for an email with specifics directions in the next few weeks and how to sign-up for a time to meet with teachers. The date(s)/time(s) are:
- Monday, Oct 12 from 3:15 - 4:15
- Tuesday, Oct 13 from 3:15 - 4:15
- Wednesday, Oct 14 from 3:15 - 4:15
- Thursday, Oct 15 from 12:00 - 7:30
Homework Hub
This section allows parents and students to know what is taking place in classrooms. Please know that this section may be revised weekly so that all are aware of the lessons that are taking place each week.
You can also find the link to the Homework Hub on the Lewis & Clark Home Page.
A Message from Nurse Howeth
A few reminders from the Nurse:
- 6th grade - Current immunization records need to be on file.
- 7th grade - Physicals and Tdap are required for all 7th grade students. If the physical and Tdap have not been completed, an appointment will need to be made with your family physician as soon as possible. Notify the nurse with the scheduled date and time of the appointment and then provide completed forms as soon as possible.
- 8th grade - Physicals required for 8th graders that want to participate in sports and anyone who is new to the district.
- For students to take medication at school, an MD order and signed parent/guardian permission form needs to be on file. Medicine can then be brought to school in a labeled container and given to the nurse.
- Students with diabetes will need a diabetic action plan with an MD doctors order, signed parent/guardian permission, and all needed supplies labeled and brought to the nurse.
- Students with asthma will need an Asthma Action Plan with an MD doctors order, signed parent/guardian permission, and labeled inhaler brought to school.
- Students with seizures require a Seizure Action Plan and follow medication procedures.
- Any student who has serious medical condition, we ask parents/guardians to contact nurse with update/plan of care.
- Parents/guardians can have these records sent via FAX #531-299-2419.
- To contact Nurse call #531-299-2401.
Meet your counselors
Mrs. Vail (Navigator/Corp of Discovery)
Hey, Trailblazers. My name is Jenna Vail, and I am one of the school counselors here at Lewis and Clark. This year, I serve students on the Navigator team, Corps of Discovery team, and Voyager team. I am also part of the District Response Team. I am an Omaha native and went to the University of Nebraska at Omaha for both my bachelor's and master's degrees. I have worked at Lewis and Clark for 6 years as a school counselor but was also in an elementary school for two years. Prior to that, I taught Seventh and Eighth grade Language Arts. Middle school is my favorite place to be! My role as a school counselor is to help your child navigate middle school. If you ever need anything you can reach me at 531-299-8995 or email me at jenna.vail@ops.org.
Mrs. Mukerjee (Pathfinders/Pioneers)
Hey, Trailblazers. My name is Jessica Mukherjee, and I am one of the school counselors here at Lewis and Clark. This year, I serve students on the Pioneer and Pathfinder team. I am also the building TeamMates coordinator. I am an Omaha native and a proud OPS graduate. I have worked at Lewis and Clark for 9 years; first as a Language Arts teacher and now as a school counselor. My role as a school counselor is to help your child navigate middle school. If you ever need anything you can reach me at 531-299-8993 or email me at jessica.mukherjee@ops.org.
Mrs. Mardock (Explorer/Pride/Expedition/Voyager)
Hello, Blazers! My name is Erika Mardock and I am new to the Lewis and Clark family. I have been in education for twelve years and I have worked with students from pre-k all the way up to 12th grade. I am so excited to be working with the Explorer, Pride, Expedition and Voyager teams this year. My goal as your school counselor is to make sure you have the tools you need to reach your highest potential as a learner and in life. If you ever need anything you can reach me at 531-299-4262 or email me at ericka.mardock@ops.org.
Technology Tips
The staff has been creating “how-to” videos and documents for students to demonstrate how to use school approved software and iPads. These are shared with students during our Homebase/Check and Connect time from 7:40 – 8:00 am. You can find links to this information HERE. Bookmark this webpage and check back often as it is updated regularly.
Winter Sports
Winter sports (Boys Basketball & Girls Swimming) will not be offered for the 2020 season.
However, a mini Intramural season will be offered starting November 16th. The format of this season and the sports being offered will be communicated to students and parents/guardians on October 5th.
Please contact Mr. Robertson, Athletics Director, if you have any questions.
531-299-8951
Trailblazer Afterschool Academy
Currently, we are not accepting new student applications at this time. The open enrollment announcement will occur when spots are available.
Fall Family Night for students currently enrolled and active in the After-School Virtual Academy. Parents, you have the opportunity to get up to 4 tickets to attend a trip to the Bellevue Berry Farms & Pumpkin Patch. Call our office to reserve your tickets at 531.299.2405 and to obtain pick up information.
Thank you, Ms White
Lewis & Clark Blazer Club PTO
We’re launching our annual direct giving fundraiser with the goal of supporting our teachers and staff with needs for remote learning. Click here to give -- no cookie dough or wrapping paper to sell! and any amount adds up to help!
Lewis & Clark Middle School
Email: tyree.sejkora@ops.org
Website: https://lewisandclark.ops.org/Default.aspx
Location: 6901 Burt Street, Omaha, NE, USA
Phone: 531-299-2400
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Omaha-Public-Schools-Lewis-Clark-Middle-528425133900817/
Twitter: @OPS_LewisClark