BENSON BUNNY NEWS

Email: cedric.cooper@ops.org
Website: www.ops.org/benson
Location: 5120 Maple St, Omaha, NE, USA
Phone: (531) 299-2520
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bensonhighschool/
Twitter: @OPS_BensonHigh

Next week, during our Apply2College Week, we will invite ALL seniors to the library to complete college applications and create their FAFSA logins. They will be called down by English class.

We'll welcome reps from Bellevue University, Metropolitan Community College, UNO, UNL, College of St. Mary, the Directions to Diploma Center (formerly D2), and EducationQuest to assist our students in this very important post-secondary step.

Since we recognize "College" as Employment, Enlistment & Enrollment, this week will be all inclusive.

Students who do not wish to apply to pursue a degree at a college or university will have an opportunity to speak to a School Counselor about other post-secondary options.

Any boy who is interested in wrestling and is not playing a fall sport, should attend conditioning on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 3:15 pm - 4:45 pm. Meet in the new gym wrestling area. See Coach Hilario for more details.

If your child is in need of a winter coat, hat and gloves, to be picked up on November 7th between the hours of 9 am-6pm., please notify Ms. Mason, School Social Worker at 531-299-7974 or email julie.mason@ops.org. Will need names for this by October 7th.

Join us October 13 from 5-7 pm for our annual Fall Fest!

Photo Retake Day is October 16. This is only for students who DID NOT take a photo on the original Picture Day or have purchased photos, but would like to retake the photos. It is not for students who do not like their Infinite Campus photos.

What to expect on picture day

1. Any student wishing to have a retake should bring their original picture package to exchange for the retake image.
2. When an order is placed online, the parent/guardian will receive a camera pass via email. This can either be printed or texted to the student and brought to picture day. The photographer will photograph the printed camera pass along with the student.
3. If a student is not able to print their camera pass, that is not a problem. We will match up the student to their order manually in the production process.
4. A parent may order from the flyer up until 24 hours after picture day. After 24 hours, the online ordering access may close. This will allow our imaging team to "Pull" all orders submitted and match them with the students photographed.
5. When pictures are returned to school, all students that purchased pictures will receive their prepaid package. Any student that was photographed but did not order a package, will receive a "Proof" (PX) of their picture that was taken on picture day.

All proof packages offer parents a second opportunity to order prints. All orders are subject to shipping and handling costs of up to $8.50 and will be shipped directly to home.

Parent Teacher Conferences will be October 22 from 12 to 7 p.m. Please plan to attend.

STEMstruction is a supportive, hands-on learning event for high school students, providing an introduction to a career in construction. Attendees will each develop their understanding of the industry and learn about the various career paths available.

When: Saturday, October 17, 2026 from 8 am-12:20 pm

Location: Castle Contracting Warehouse. 10808 S. 156th St. Omaha, NE 68136

Thanksgiving day meal donations: If your family is in need of assistance for Thanksgiving, please contact Benson High School Social Worker Julie Mason at 531-299-7974 or julie.mason@ops.org. This year, we have 20 available spots to receive food for a thanksgiving meal. Deadline to sign up is October 20th. Meals will need to be picked up at River of Life Church on Saturday, November 21st between 10:00 a.m. and noon.

Each meal will include:

• A whole turkey
• Green beans
• Cranberry sauce
• Stuffing
• Instant potatoes
• Gravy
• Brownie mix

The Benson Health Office will be starting health screenings for all 10th graders this fall. This will include vision, hearing, height, weight, and dental checks. Referrals, if necessary, will be mailed home to families.

While seniors will still need to take a photo for their Infinite Campus and Student ID photos, they do have the option to submit a different photo for the Yearbook. Email it to bensonjournalism@ops.org by Thanksgiving. The photo should be from the waist up and in color. Students are not permitted to use snapchat-like filters, wear hats, sunglasses, or props. School dress code applies and yearbook staff reserves the right to reject any photo.

We have dental and medical care services at Benson High School. Call (402) 451-3553 to schedule an appointment and scan the QR codes to complete consent and registration.

St. Paul's Lutheran Early Childhood Center is now hiring! Scan QR code to apply.

1. Academic Coaching

• Who: Open to all students
• When: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 3:15-5:15
• Where: Library for all subjects

2. LEAD Tutoring: Mondays & Wednesdays during 2nd block (see rooms below).

• AP Social Studies: 231
• EL Tutoring: 209
• English Tutoring: 206
• Math Tutoring: 235
• Math Tutoring/Edmentum: 235
• Science Tutoring / Edmentum: 216
• Senior Scholarship/FAFSA: 212

Click on the links below for our Senior Newsletter and how to Pay for College.

Nebraska Wesleyan - Monday, Oct. 12 during LEAD

ASVAB at Benson High School- Tuesday, November 17th @ 7:40 a.m.

*DIGITAL - you must bring your iPad, charged.

The ASVAB helps the DoD not just determine whether you are a good fit to join the service, but also which service branch might be best for you.
The ASVAB also determines what military jobs you can hold after you finish basic training or boot camp. The better your ASVAB score, the broader your options.

ASVAB Sign Up – Fill out form

Andrea Brown (Director) ..... 531-299-8043..... andrea.brown@ops.org (Health S-Z)

Katie Cameron..................... 531-299-8012...... deborah.cameron@ops.org (Design A-T)

Susan Fredrick .................... 531-299-7695....... susan.fredrick@ops.org (Bus. S-Z, Design U-Z)

Anne Dyke ........................... 531-299-8033........anne.dyke@ops.org (Health A-R)

Daniel Gavin …..................... 531-299-5142.........daniel.gavin@ops.org (Business A-R)

Jessica Mukherjee.............. 531-299-8993......... jessica.mukherjee@ops.org (Freshmen)

Follow our basketball teams when they play at home on the Scorevision Fan App. Get real time updates! Download today!

All athletes are required to have a physical after May 1, 2026.

Culinary Club meetings will last from approximately 3:15-4:45 on Wednesdays once a month. Please remember if necessary to sign up for the late bus.

Meeting Dates: October 21, November 18, December 16, January 20, February 17, March 24, April 21, and May 12.

Thrive Club meets Wednesdays in the cafeteria from 3:05-5:00. Please sign-up for the late bus if applicable.

They offer programming and enrichment, field trips, meals, incentives, and a safe space. They offer transportation from Benson High School.

Register at WWW.BGCOMAHA.ORG

HOURS AND LOCATION

Located at 5322. N. 52nd St.

School Day Hours: 3-7 pm, Mon.-Fri.

Non-School Day Hours 8-5 Mon.-Fri.

Upward Bound Math and Science is a federally funded program that helps high school students develop their math and science skills and prepare for college. We meet Monday through Thursday for tutoring and ACT prep. We also host quarterly Saturday and college events, a six-week Summer academy, and participate in career and college tours.

STUDENT REQUIREMENTS

• Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
• Be enrolled at Benson High (9-12th grade)
• Earn and maintain a grade point average of 2.5 or above
• Express a desire to pursue and attain postsecondary education
• Complete 10 hours of tutoring every month

Cedric Cooper .......Principal ........................cedric.cooper@ops.org .......... (531) 299-8004

Kristen Hughes......12th Grade (A-K) ...........kristen.hughes@ops.org...........(531) 299-8984

Deondre Jones ......12th Grade (L-Z) ...........deondre.jones@ops.org.......... (531) 299-2530

Kevin Johnson .......11th Grade ....................kevin.johnson@ops.org.......... (531) 299-8900

Laura Geiger ..........10th Grade .....................laura.geiger@ops.org............. (531) 299-7193

Dan Kenny ..............9th Grade .......................daniel.kenny@ops.org ........... (531) 299-8016

Jason Rhine .......... Attendance/Truancy..... jason.rhine@ops.org ...............(531) 299-7986

1st Block ........ 7:40-9:09

2nd Block ....... 9:14-9:43

3rd Block ........ 9:48-11:16

4th Block .........11:21-1:33

• 1st lunch ............ 11:21-11:51
• 2nd lunch ...........11:55-12:25
• 3rd lunch ........... 12:29-12:59
• 4th lunch ........... 1:03-1:33

5th Block ..........1:38-3:05

Parents are encouraged to sign up for access to the online Parent Portal offered by Omaha Public Schools if they have not already done so. This access will be available wherever an Internet connection is located. Parental monitoring of assignments, grades and attendance is strongly encouraged. If there is any question about your child’s academic progress, the parent is strongly encouraged to call or e-mail the teacher. All teachers’ telephone numbers and e-mail addresses can be found on the Benson website. If a parent is not satisfied with the communication with a teacher, the parent is strongly encouraged to call the child’s administrator. There is no such thing as too much communication when working to encourage, monitor and improve a student’s academic progress. Students, parents and Benson staff members all share in the responsibility of keeping lines of communication open and productive.

The expectation of students entering the classroom is that personal cell phones and non-district electronic devices are put away in their backpack on silent or powered off. These devices should not be visible to students or teacher. Students will be reminded of this expectation at the beginning of every class. This includes ear buds or headphones.

If a student is accessing a personal electronic device during the instructional period without permission from the teacher, the following sequence of interventions will be applied. Compliance with any step along the way will prevent movement to the next step.

1. Teachers will ask students to place their electronic devices in the designated visible and safe location within the classroom.

2. Teacher will contact an administrator and student will be given one more opportunity to put the device in the designated location. If the student refuses to put away device, the student will be removed from the classroom and our school will contact parents/guardians if this intervention is necessary.

3. If habitual non-compliance with these expectations leads to frequent disruptions to learning, teachers will refer the student to his/her administrator to work with the student and family to determine a personalized plan to meet the expectations.

Let us reiterate that our goal is not to confiscate cell phones and create additional power struggles with students and families. Our goal is to preserve the best instructional learning environment that we can and we believe that students will perform better, achieve at higher levels, and have better learning experiences in our classrooms.

To recognize a staff member for doing exceptional work, please fill out this form and return to the school's main office or email the form to Kristen.Hughes@ops.org.

Download the "Zum" App to:

• Track your ride in real-tme and receive ride updates.
• Know the driver profile and vehicle assigned to transport you.
• View pick-up and drop-off estimates
• Start real-time chat with Zum support team if needed
• Cancel rides when necessary

Must use guardian's phone number listed in Infinite Campus to connect to the student in the app.

1. Reading on Grade Level 📖

Did you know that Omaha Public Schools has set the Moonshot Goal of every student reading on grade level by 2030? Did you also know that studies show that consistent attendance gives the best start for literacy development?

2. Joining Classmates on Engaging and Exciting Field Trips 🚌

Don't miss out on hands-on learning experiences outside of the classroom. Visits to museums, nature centers, science centers, parks, and performances of all kinds. These enriching experiences help students figure out their passions.

3. Forming Lasting Friendships 🤩

Attending school on a daily and consistent basis helps students to foster strong social bonds and an inclusive peer network. Even if not all friendships work out, developing the skills is only possible with ongoing interactions. Students who develop their social skills through school attendance have more positive relationships!

4. Developing Effective Study Habits Early ⏰

Good attendance instills vital skills like punctuality, time management and self-discipline. A big part of succeeding beyond middle school is learning how to learn. Daily attendance from elementary onwards helps students build their toolbox of strategies for success.

5. Demonstrating Responsibility and Commitment 🙌

Employers value established patterns of dedication and follow-through. Whether students are getting jobs after school or securing employment after graduation, good work habits are formed by consistent school attendance. It's also how students get teachers to serve as references!

Need to see a medical or dentist provider? Try our Community-Based Health Center located here at Benson High School by the North Doors. Insurance accepted.

BOOK MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS HERE

English Medical Request Form

Spanish Medical Request Form

BOOK DENTIST APPOINTMENTS HERE

English Dental Request Form

Spanish Dental Request Form

• Must already receive transportation to ride late bus
• Late bus picks up on the south side at 5:15 and 6:00 *6:00 bus is Athletics only
• Must sign up by 1:15 using QR code posted in cafeteria
• Must have a club, activity, sport, or tutoring to attend after school
• Security will notify your administrator if you are taking the late bus without a valid reason (club, activity, sport, or tutoring)
• The bus driver DOES NOT WAIT for late riders- it leaves promptly at 5:15 and 6:00

Safety is our top priority at Omaha Public Schools. There are resources in our district and community to support students and staff, including the Safe2Help Nebraska Hotline.

Safe2Help Nebraska is a confidential and anonymous hotline for students, families, staff or community members to report concerns.

If you or someone you know needs support or would like to report a safety concern, Safe2Help Nebraska Hotline is available 24/7 at (531) 299-SAFE. The app is installed on every Omaha Public Schools iPad, providing easy and immediate access.

If you or your family is in short term need of resources (such as shampoo, conditioner, soap, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrush, socks, winter gear, etc), please see Ms. Mason, School Social Worker in the counseling office, room 222 or you can email julie.mason@ops.org

Beyond the classroom we offer so much to students, you just have to step up and take advantage. Below are just a few examples of the many opportunities we offer.

• Academy Lunch and Learns with community employers and partners

• Academy field trips to industries in need of future employees

• Retreat Days

• Avenue Scholars

• JAG (Jobs for America’s Graduates)

• Urban League

• Dual Enrolled Courses (earn almost a year of college credit before you graduate)

• AP and Honors Courses

• ACT Prep Course

• Counseling Support, Academic Planning, College and Career Plans

What students can do:

• Most critical step is completing work while in class when given the opportunity.

• Use class time to engage with teacher and material

• Ask questions and ask for help when you need it

• Take advantage of tutoring and teacher support

• Talk to your academy teachers about how to get involved

• Attend Lunch and Learns to hear about career opportunities

• Talk with counselors about credits, courses, and your plans for after high school.

Health and Medications at School

Per OPS district policy, ALL medications necessary during the school day, must have the following: 1 – medication provided by parent to nurse, 2 -- written medication order from doctor, 3 – written parent permission. This includes inhalers, over-the-counter and topical medicines. New orders are needed each new school year. See the below links or contact the school nurse with questions.

Illness

For the health of everyone, please stay home when you are sick. (Fever, vomiting, diarrhea, pink-eye, etc.) If you become ill or injured while at school, visit the school nurse with a pass from your teacher. (Exception for medical emergencies). The school nurse or health aide will check you out and discuss what is going on. If we determine you should go home, the school nurse or health aide will call the parent.

More Information

Click on the following links for more information about OPS Health Services, forms for management of health conditions and medications at school, immunizations, physicals, and more.

• OPS Health Services:
• Action Plans for Asthma/ Anaphylaxis, Seizures, or Diabetes
• Medication Permission Form and Policy

OCTOBER

• 2 - No School (District PD)
• 16 - 1st Quarter Ends
• 16 - Picture Retakes
• 22 - No School (Conferences)
• 23 - No School (Teacher Planning Day)
• 27 - Two Hour Late Start (A Day)

NOVEMBER

• 3 - No School (Teacher Planning Day)
• 6-7 - Fall Drama
• 10 - PreAct (9th and 10th Grade Attend Only)
• 16 - Start of Winter Athletic Practice
• 23-27 - No School (Thanksgiving Recess)

DECEMBER

• 19 - 2nd Quarter Ends
• 19-Jan. 4 - No School (Winter Recess)

JANUARY

• 5 - Start of 3rd Quarter
• 13 - 8th Grade Recruitment Open House
• 18 - No School (Martin Luther King Jr. Day)
• 26 - Two Hour Late Start (A Day)

FEBRUARY

• 12 - No School (District Professional Development)
• 15 - No School (President's Day)
• 23 - Two Hour Late Start (A Day)

MARCH

• 1 - Start of Spring Athletic Practices
• 5-6 - Spring Musical
• 10 - End of 3rd Quarter
• 11 - No School (Conferences)
• 12 - No School (Teacher Planning Day)
• 15-19 - No School (Spring Recess)

APRIL

• 6 - ACT Exam (11th Grade Attend Only)
• 10 - Prom (7-10 pm)
• 16 - No School (Teacher Planning Day)
• 19 - No School (Articulation Day)

MAY

• 6 - Honors Night
• 7-8 - Spring Drama
• 14 - Senior Last Day and Checkout
• 25 - No School (Benson Graduation at 2 pm)
• 26 - Last Day of School