THE KNIGHTLY NEWS

Neihardt Elementary is gearing up for a spooktacular Halloween celebration! We have some exciting new activities planned this year, and we can’t wait for our students to join in the fun!

🕷️ Halloween Party & Parade

Our Halloween parties will be held on Friday, October 30th, from 2:00–3:30 p.m.

The Halloween Parade will begin at 3:05 p.m.

🎃 New This Year!

School-wide, students will enjoy:

• 🍪 Decorating pumpkin cookies — thank you to our PTO for providing the cookies!
• 🎲 Playing fun Halloween games
• 🎃 Decorating pumpkins

To help make our celebration a success, we are asking for donations of frosting, sprinkles, pumpkins, prizes, and candy. Please see the sign-up below if you would like to help!

👻 We Need Parent Volunteers!

We are also looking for parent volunteers to help with our Halloween activities. Volunteer spots are limited, so helpers will be randomly selected from those who express interest.

If you would like to be entered into the volunteer selection pool, please complete the Parent Volunteer Interest Form by October 14th.

Thank you for helping us make this Halloween celebration spooktacular for our Neihardt students! 🎃🧡👻

To help make our Halloween celebration fun, safe, and enjoyable for everyone, please review the following costume guidelines:

1. Bring costumes in a bag or sack. Please write your child’s name clearly on the outside of the bag. Students should not wear their costumes to school in the morning.
2. Keep costumes age-appropriate and safe. Costumes should not include weapons or fake blood. If you have questions about whether a costume is appropriate, please contact Dr. Cooper before the parade. On the day of the parade, questionable costumes will be sent to the office, and a phone call will be made home.
3. No face makeup or face paint. Face makeup will not be used during the school parade. Wearing it throughout the school day can be uncomfortable and disruptive. Students will not be allowed to apply face paint or hairspray at school.
4. Students should be able to change in their classrooms. We do not have enough restroom space for all students to change privately. Please choose a costume that your child can easily put on in the classroom.
5. Costumes are optional! Children do not have to wear a costume to participate. Students without costumes are still welcome and encouraged to walk in the parade! 🎃👻

We are excited to celebrate Halloween with our annual Halloween Parade on Friday, October 30, from 3:05–3:15 p.m.

Parents are welcome to come watch the parade! The parade will take place outside, and parents should plan to arrive by 3:05 p.m. There is no need to check in at the office.

👻 Parade Route

Students will exit the building through the front doors, proceed west on Drexel Street, continue down 152nd Street, and then reenter the building through the west side doors.

Following the parade, students will return to their classrooms to gather their belongings. Dismissal will take place as usual at 3:30 p.m.

Parents are asked to remain outside until students are dismissed at 3:30 p.m.

We look forward to seeing our families and celebrating a fun and festive Halloween together! 🎃👻

Thank you to Mr. Bruner, father of Layla who volunteered as our Watch D.O.G.S. this week. He spent his time in classrooms, PE, music class, eating lunch with his student, helping with Shield Shop and recess. We appreciate him coming in and volunteering.

Our lunch staff is awesome. Thanks for all you do for Neihardt Elementary!!

• Introductions

• 2026-27 Site Plan Implementation

• Instruction and Engagement

• CKLA Implementation

• CKLA Coach

• Collaboration with Other Buildings

• Engagement Strategies

• Behavior

• Goals for Life

• Behavior Systems

• Family Engagement

• Halloween/Valentine’s Day Parties

• Asking for a few parent volunteers and donations

• Consistency is parties across K-2 and 3-5

• Volunteer Survey

• Will be analyzed next month

• Music programs

• Adding in a 3rd-4th grade program in the spring

• Policy 10,000-

• Title I PK Requirements

• Parent & Family Engagement Policy

• School Parent Compact

Membership:

Deb Morgan, Kindergarten Teacher, Cailynn Gavin, 1st grade Teacher , Ally Hubenka, 2nd grade Teacher , Jen Querry, 3rd grade Teacher, Michaela Kilpatrick, 4th grade Teacher , Hayley LaBanz, 5th grade Teacher, Lindsey Holes, Literacy Development Teacher, Rachael Barbour, Interventionist, Kayla Florom, Resource, teacher, Falon McAlpin, Parent, Rebecca Rager, Parent, Cat Wagner, Parent, Amanda Friskopp, Parent, Annette Plucknett, Administrative Intern, Tara Cooper, Principal

Next Meeting: December 8, 2026

-AQuESTT ratings

Calling All Parent Volunteers!

Each week, our Neihardt Knights have the opportunity to spend their hard-earned Castle Coins at the Shield Shop table!

We would love to have parent volunteers help out by collecting Castle Coins and assisting students as they shop.

Thank you for supporting our Knights — your time and enthusiasm make a big difference!

Looking for ways to support your school?

Join us at the holiday event of the season – Jingle 2026!

Jingle is an evening filled with holiday experiences, cocktails, delicious food bites, and an amazing silent auction of 36 unique wreaths decorated by our schools.

The Millard Public Schools Foundation supports the district by providing funds to all 35 schools to support strategic initiatives, connects Millard graduating seniors with over $160,000 in scholarship funding and helps our own Millard families in need.

Limited tickets available, purchase today! https://secure.qgiv.com/event/millardpublicschoolsfoundationjingle2026/

(All guests must be over 21).

Back Row, left to right: Lisa Schoenberger, Vice President; Justin Curtis, Secretary;

John Schwartz, Superintendent; Mike Kennedy, Board Member;

Amanda McGill Johnson, Board Member

Front Row, left to right: Linda Poole, President; Stacy Jolley, Treasurer

PARENT VUE:

ne-mps-psv.edupoint.com/

PARENT ACCESS LINE:

parent-access-line

Email: mdmccauley@mpsomaha.org
Website: neihardt.mpsomaha.org/
Location: 15130 Drexel Street, Omaha, NE, USA
Phone: 402-715-8360
Facebook: facebook.com/neihardtknights77/
Twitter: @goknights77