GATOR TALES
Grace Abbott Elementary
August 13, 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
The first (half) week is over and it has gone very well. The biggest challenge is always trying to get the kindergartners through lunch and for others a different structure for lunch than last year. As of today, we have 449 excited students. The students all appeared very eager to be back to school and enter the building after a fun start on the field. It was wonderful to see so many families after a year of Covid and still going into a new year with difficulties and wondering what Covid cases will look like in the near future. A huge change from last year is that chicken nuggets are now entree C after years of being entree B.
We have a structure for student and staff protection. It is called SRP or Standard Response Protocol. Teachers are reviewing the safety procedures the first two weeks of school. More information is coming home today. Please understand our need for these and that we try to find the balance between being safe and still welcoming and friendly. I believe we can be both. If a conference is needed with a staff member, use email or the phone to set up an appointment. This is not only done for safety, but also so the teachers can teach without unnecessary interruptions.
The following is a brief review of how the traffic flows: Parents may park almost anywhere where it’s legal. In the afternoon, please don’t park along the east side of 155th St. as that’s where the daycare vans park. You cannot park behind the stop sign south of the school near 155th & Burt. If you park after school in front of the school you need to stay in or right next to your car.
Drivers are encouraged to pull into the parking lot after school on the south side of the school. This seems only fair to wait like others and not try to bypass the line. The parking lot is not the place for long good-byes, eating breakfast, texting, etc, unless you’re in a parking stall. In other words, keep the line moving, please. However, please do not go around the cars in the parked lane facing west as cars drive into the lot going east.
Teach your children to use the crosswalks-it’s for their safety. All of the above can be summarized into this: Use common sense, be patient, and be kind!
DUMPSTER DUMPING
This summer I included in an email to families that we have a problem with people using our dumpster for their own personal use. In fact, last Saturday while I was working at Abbott someone dumped their large grill in our dumpster. Again, it’s work to resolve this. The person was caught on camera but I can’t identify him. I do know he walked the grill from south of the school on 155th Avenue getting to Abbott about 4:40 pm on August 7th. So, I’m assuming he lives on 155th Avenue between Burt Street and Pepperwood Drive. If anyone knows anything about this, please call the new Abbott tip line at 402 715-2902. Sorry, no reward other than helping us solve this crime, which it is.
NEWS FROM THE OFFICE
1. Please call the office by 9:00 a.m. if your child will be absent from school.
2. If your child needs to leave during the day for an appointment, please notify the teacher. Ring the doorbell and we will let you in to sign them out.
3. Please be sure to label all of your child's things! We have had several water bottles dropped off at one time and we don't always remember who they belong to!!
4. If you have medication for your child, you may come in the building to speak with the CNA or health para. Children may not transport medication.
5. Please send your child to school with a water bottle!!
SCHOOL LUNCHES
Breakfasts and lunches are free this year. There is a cost for extra milk or milk for cold lunches.
~Breakfast is served at 7:55 a.m. Students should come through the front door if they want to get breakfast.
~If your child orders a hot lunch, it does come with a milk. If they bring lunch from home and want a milk, it is 50 cents.
~You can add money to your child's meal account thru MySchoolBucks or you can send cash or check into the office and we will add it to their account.
~You will receive weekly email notices if you have a low or negative meal account balance.
MYSCHOOLBUCKS
Go mobile and download the MySchoolBucks app and get convenient access to meal balances, purchases, and make payments right from your phone. Just go to myschoolbucks.com to get started!
View your student's meal purchases and current account balance at a glance.
JOIN THE PTO FACEBOOK PAGE
REMINDERS FROM THE LIBRARY
1. Please return all books from summer library.
2. Grades 3-5 parents who signed up for ipad insurance - the $15 is due. It can be paid online through the fees section of your ParentVue account or brought to the Abbott office. Coverage does not begin until the fee has been paid.
SPONSORS NEEDED FOR WALKATHON
ORDER YOUR YEARBOOK!
Abbott Yearbooks are available for purchase online for $12 through October 31st ($15 after this date). Reserve your copy today! http://jostensyearbooks.com/?REF=A09851076
Help us create a memorable yearbook for our kids! Please email 1st day of school photos to: JLRyba@hotmail.com
THANK YOU KARMA KOFFEE!
PICTURE RETAKES
LEARN TO SWIM
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