Bluestem Middle School
Meadowlark Message
Moonshot Goal, Activities/Athletics Success, Positive School Climate, MTSS-B, and Parent Involvement
Dear Bluestem Parents & Families,
It's hard to believe that the first quarter is nearly completed! We remain strongly committed to our OPS Moonshot goal of having every student read on grade level by 2030 while continuing to support our students in all academic areas.
In addition, we are very proud of our cross country, volleyball, and football student athletes who have positively competed this fall. Every runner finished the season with personal best times, our volleyball team concluded the regular season with a great win, and our football team completed an undefeated regular season and played for an OPS City Championship! Kudos to our student participants, athletes, coaches, and sponsors for all of their success this fall! Be sure to keep up with athletics and activities by following the Bluestem Calendar.
We remain focused on encouraging every student to attend school every day. In fact, our overall attendance has improved, and our disciplinary referrals to the administration office have decreased drastically compared to previous years. This is a credit to the dedication of our teachers and staff in implementing our Multi Tiered System of Support for Behavior (MTSS-B) for all students. As always, our goal in following due process is to ensure that consequences are fairly and consistently applied to all students.
Bluestem is excited to host Student Led Parent Teacher Conferences on Wednesday, Oct. 15th and Thursday, Oct. 16th. We are working hard to provide high quality learning experiences to prepare every student for high school, college, and life.
Please review the Newsletter for additional updates. If you have any questions, contact us at 531-299-3080.
Go Meadowlarks! - Mr. Begley, Bluestem Principal
Students are working hard to earn their Meadowlark Moolah to purchase items at the school store. Each grade level has had at least one week to purchase and pick up their items. The main concern we are focused on at Bluestem is excessive tardies. With combined efforts with the Attendance team, the MTSS-B team has increased supervision during passing periods to focus on students getting to class on time. With these efforts, we have seen a drop in the number of student tardies. We are asking for help from parents/guardians to also speak with your student about the importance of being to class on time as a life skill.
The MTSS-B team has also created a fantastic new way to allow students to recognize their peers in a positive way. Each month, students are given the opportunity to nominate other students in the school to earn a reward as a Bluestem Rockstar! Students nominate and explain why they are selecting that peer. Those nominations are then sorted into grade level teams and students are selected as team representatives.
This month the nominees were: Haylee Oliver (team 6A), Angel Garcia-Carrizalez (team 6B), Christopher Franco (team 7A), K MM - not pictured(team 7B), C L-R - not pictured (team 8A), Gary Diaz - pictured above (team 8B).
Congratulations to these phenomenal students!
Angel Garcia-Carrizalez
Christopher Franco
Haylee Oliver
"We Are Building a Cross Country Empire"
As the cross-country season ends- the coaches wanted to take a moment to reflect on the growth this sport has seen since Bluestem Middle first opened in 2023:
2023: 2 boys
2024: 5 boys, 3 girls
2025: 10 boys, 16 girls
Results:
This season was filled with heart-warming moments, school records, and personal best times. Elmer Figueroa & Christopher Franco were in the top 10 for OPS, at every race. Alex Ramirez and Antonia Juarez Juarez both set personal records, at every race Brooklyn Barberi and Valerie Rivera are the first Bluestem girls EVER to be in the top 20 for Bluestem. William Gotschall cut 5+ minutes off all of his times from last year.
Bluestem has had coaches from the other schools compliment our runners for their behavior and sportsmanship… at almost every race!
In the words of our 2-time captain- Elmer Figueroa- "we are building a cross country empire."
Go Meadowlarks!
The Campus Portal for Parents allows parents and guardians to monitor their children's academic progress online. If you do not have a Parent Portal account, please click the Infinite Campus icon to access directions or call Student Services at (531) 299-0237.
Information for Bus Riders
Zūm Parent App
With Zum app, you can better protect your student's safety by:
Tracking your student’s ride in real-time and receiving ride updates
Knowing the driver profile and vehicle assigned to transport your student
Viewing pick-up and drop-off time estimates
Starting real-time chat with our support team if needed
Canceling rides when necessary
Download the Zūm App (iOS) (Android) from your carrier’s App Store.
If you have questions or concerns about your child's transportation, their eligibility to receive transportation, a late bus or more, please call the transportation hotline at (531) 299-0140.
From the Nurse
Physicals/Immunizations:
Please turn in your student's Physicals and Immunization Records to the Main Office or the Nurse. Throughout September/October, our Health Office will be working on making phone calls or sending letters to families of students who have still not turned these in.
Who is required to turn in a Physical Exam and current Immunization record?
Incoming 7th grade students
Students new to the state
We recommend contacting your child’s primary healthcare provider to schedule a physical and immunizations. Families can also visit a school-based health center. Bring copies of health information to school OR have the health care provider fax records to the school – Bluestem Nurse 531-299-3099. If you have already submitted this information, no additional paperwork is needed.
The following forms must be turned in for students who will participate in athletics during the 2025-26 school year
Sports Physical - For 8th graders: This must be signed by doctor on/after May 1, 2025, or it will not be accepted as a valid physical. For 7th graders: Must be signed by doctor on/after March 1, 2025.
OPS Student & Parent Concussion Information Sheet & Acknowledgement Form
Nebraska School Athletic Association Consent Form
OPS Medical Health Insurance Information Form-must include the insurance ID number/policy number
Return all copies of health information to the Main Office or Health Office ASAP, or have your provider fax the information, ATTN: School Nurse at (531) 299-3099.
Medications at school:
No medication (including Tylenol, Advil, inhalers, cough drops, antacids, etc.) shall be administered by the school nurse or other school personnel without a written order from a doctor. For returning students, this note has to be renewed every year. It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to provide updated medication orders annually and as changes occur. Medication orders must be completed by a healthcare provider and signed by the parent/guardian. Thanks for your work to keep your students safe and healthy to be prepared for success at school!
Health Screenings:Students enrolled in Omaha Public Schools are provided free health screening in accordance with the Nebraska State Statute. Screenings are conducted throughout the school year and may begin as early as September. Students in seventh grade are screened for hearing, vision, dental, height, and weight per the rules and regulations set forth by the state of Nebraska. Screening is not intended to be diagnostic, but to identify students with potential problems. Findings that need further evaluation by a healthcare provider will be sent home.
Per Nebraska State Regulations, a parent/guardian may supersede the mandated school health screening by submitting a statement signed by an authorized health care provider attesting that the required screening has been completed in the previous six months. An updated healthcare provider statement must be submitted each school year.
Please see Nurse Foltz for questions or concerns.
Phone: (531) 299-3081
Kristen.Foltz@ops.org
Assistant Principal, Data Processor, Ms. Mariana Cruz
Ms. Cruz is there to support all students and staff with schedules, lockers, questions about academic supports, how our school is achieving, and all types of supports for all of our families. Student going to be absent for a period of time?
Email: Mariana.Cruz@ops.org
6th Grade, Activities & Athletic Director, Mr. Dan Wilson
Mr. Wilson is the 6th grade administrator and our school Athletic & Activities Director in charge of after school sports and activities. Please contact Mr. Wilson for any concerns or questions regarding your 6th grade student. You should also contact Mr. Wilson with any sports or after school activities related questions or concerns.
Email: Daniel.Wilson@ops.org
6th and 7th Grade Dean, Ms. Bunce
Ms. Bunce is the 6th and 7th Grade administrator. Please contact her for any concerns or questions regarding your 6th and 7th students. Ms. Bunce also helps coordinate our MTSS-B program
Email: Ashley.Bunce@ops.org
8th Grade Dean, Mr. Mark Smith
Mr. Smith is the 8th grade administrator. Please contact Mr. Smith for any concerns or questions regarding your 8th grade student. Mr. Smith also assists with MTSS-B.
Email: Mark.Smith@ops.org
Instructional Facilitator, Ms. Schmidt
Ms. Schmidt is your go-to for all things testing, classroom achievement, helping students and teachers come together for academic success, and other teacher trainings and learning. Ms. Schmidt is a tremendous support for all students and staff.
Email: Kelsy.Schmidt@ops.org
6th Grade Counselor, Ms. Mettenbrink-Rushlau
Ms. Mettenbrink-Rushlau is the 6th grade counselor. Please contact Ms. Mettenbrink-Rushlau for any concerns or questions regarding your 6th grade student and any counseling issues.
7th Grade Counselor, Ms. Holly Campbell
Ms. Campbell is the 7th grade administrator and is the other 1/2 of the "Deanselor". Please contact Ms. Campbell for any concerns or questions regarding your 7th grade student any counseling issues.
Email: Holly.Campbell@ops.org
8th Grade Counselor, Ms. Sara Jones
Ms. Jones is the 8th grade counselor. Please contact Ms. Jones for any concerns or questions regarding your 8th grade student and any counseling issues.
Email: Sara.Jones@ops.org
School Social Worker, Ms. Leslie Rivera
Ms. Rivera is there for our students and families as our school Social Worker. From supplies for home and school, to TeamMates mentoring, to helping work through personal and student issues, Ms. Rivera is a support that all students and families can rely on!
Email: Leslie.Rivera@ops.org