Homer Elementary

We are so excited to kick off the 2025–2026 school year! Our students working hard in their classrooms, growing in amazing ways, and having a great time along the journey. We can’t wait to celebrate the learning and progress of every single one of our Knights!

💙 Kindness Matters

We also remain committed to our core value: Kindness Matters. A culture built on kindness, respect, and empathy creates a safe and welcoming environment where all students feel valued and supported. Let’s continue working together to make our school a place where kindness leads the way.

🖤Every Knight, Every Minute, Every Day.

This year, we are launching an important new initiative: Every Knight, Every Minute, Every Day. This campaign highlights the essential role that daily attendance plays in your child’s success. When students are present, they are more connected, more confident, and more prepared to take on each day’s learning.

We know life can sometimes throw challenges our way, but every minute in school is an opportunity to grow, connect, and thrive. We ask for your partnership in making attendance a top priority—it truly makes a difference.

Here’s how you can help:

• Set a Routine: A consistent bedtime and morning routine makes a big difference in starting the day strong.

• Stay Informed: Keep up with important dates and communicate with us if challenges arise.

• Encourage Engagement: Show interest in your child’s school life—it sends a powerful message.

• Reach Out: If your child is facing illness or barriers to attendance, let us know. We’re here to support you.

📚 Fostering a Reading Culture at Home

Reading is a gateway to imagination, knowledge, and lifelong learning. You can help nurture a love of reading at home with these simple steps:

• Make It a Habit: Set aside time each day for reading.

• Create a Reading Space: Make a cozy nook filled with books your child enjoys.

• Be a Role Model: Let your child see you enjoying reading too!

• Explore Together: Fiction, nonfiction, poetry, comics—let them try it all!

• Library Visits: Turn it into a fun family outing and let them choose what excites them.

• Talk About Books: Ask questions, share favorites, and make reading a shared experience.

• Use Technology Wisely: Audiobooks, eBooks, and educational apps can keep reading fresh and fun.

• Celebrate Milestones: Finishing a book or learning a new word is worth celebrating!

Your partnership means the world to us. When we work together—focusing on attendance, kindness, and a love for learning—we create the conditions where every student can succeed.

Here’s to a year full of growth, discovery, and joy. Let’s make 2025–2026 our best year yet!

Over the next two weeks, our K–5 students will be participating in important assessments that help us understand their learning and guide our instruction.

• AIMSweb (K–5): Sept. 2–5 – Reading & Math

• MAP (Grades 3–5): Sept. 8–12 – Reading & Math

• 5th grade will also take Science

These tests provide valuable information that we use to identify student strengths, place students in targeted interventions, and adjust classroom instruction so each child can continue to grow as a learner.

How Families Can Support

You can help your child be successful by:

• Making sure they get a good night’s rest and a healthy breakfast.

• Keeping mornings calm and predictable.

• Encouraging them to try their best and reminding them these tests are just one way to show what they know.

Thank you for your continued partnership in helping every child reach their full potential!

Nebraska SMART, operated by the Nebraska State Colleges, employs teacher education candidates attending Chadron, Peru, and Wayne State Colleges as Tutors to provide free online tutoring services for K-12 students across rural Nebraska. Tutoring takes place through an online platform with audio and video where students and Tutors can use a shared whiteboard. Below are links to Nebraska SMARTS website, Facebook, Instagram, and X.

I’m so glad to be back and excited to begin another great school year with your children! We've had a wonderful start, and our students have been actively exploring Homer’s core values with a particular focus on what it means to be responsible, respectful, and safe. These foundational values help set a positive tone for the year and guide students in their daily interactions.

As we move into September, all grade levels will continue with our safety reviews during guidance classes. It's essential that every student feels secure and supported while at school. During this time, we will be practicing important safety drills, including fire, tornado, and lockdown procedures. Please see below for a parent friendly breakdown of what you can expect during these five emergency situations: Hold, Secure, Lockdown, Evacuate, and Shelter. Please know that our staff approaches these drills thoughtfully and with care. We are mindful of minimizing any potential stress or anxiety for students, and we emphasize that these routines are in place to help keep everyone safe. In addition to reviewing these procedures at the beginning of the year, our staff and students continue to discuss and practice these safety drills regularly throughout the school year.We also encourage you to continue these conversations at home. Taking a few moments to show your child where to go in the event of a fire or tornado can help them feel more confident and reassured.

It’s a privilege to support your child’s growth and development, and I look forward to strengthening our connections throughout the school year. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me any time at veronicaschmidt@homerknights.org

Elementary dismisses at 1:50 on the following dates:

Friday - September 5, 2025 (Professional Development)

Friday - September 12, 2025 (Professional Development)

Friday - September 19, 2025 (Professional Development)

Wednesday - September 24, 2025 (Parent/Teacher Conferences)

Thursday - September 25, 2025 (Parent/Teacher Conferences)

Email: abbieuhl@homerknights.org
Website: www.homerknights.org
Location: 212 South 3rd Street, Homer, NE 68030
Phone: 402-698-2377 ext. 108
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HomerKnights