Next week is Teacher Appreciation Week. If you see a teacher, please take a moment to thank them. The effort and emotion that each teacher puts into providing strong educational opportunities for our students is outstanding. I know I speak for many when I say that we are so appreciative of all of our OC teachers! We are grateful for each one of them.

Our district takes pride in supporting the needs of the whole child, to ensure that all children are safe, supported, engaged, and challenged each day as they walk into our building.

Research indicates that initiatives focused on improving aspects of students’ well-being in schools—such as addressing childhood obesity, preventing bullying, supporting students mental health, and restricting schools’ use of exclusionary discipline—have been found to be successful in improving student success, and academic excellence.

To advance the common goal of improving social, health, and academic outcomes for all students, coordinated efforts that integrate multiple components of a healthy school environments are being harnessed to supporting the wellbeing needs of staff and students. We hope that the results of the triennial assessment help to outline the efforts underway in our district and the emphasis we put on whole child supports.

If you have any questions, please contact Superintendent Bland at jessbland@ocknights.org.

We are pleased to inform you that Oakland-Craig Public Schools has been selected to participate in a federal grant project through Educational Service Unit 2 to support identification and service to high ability learners. The grant is called Rural Exceptional Student Talent, Opportunities, Resources, and Experiences (RESTORE) and was awarded to ESU 2 in the fall of 2022. The project is five years in duration, and we are part of the first cadre of districts to be involved.

During this time, we will be working to improve identification of previously underrepresented

high ability students and to provide expanded opportunities and experiences for students in new

and exciting ways. This letter is to inform you that there will be a change in our district’s current

high ability learner identification processes that will include the implementation of multiple ways

to identify student talents and gifts. These new identification tools may include, but may not be

limited to, screeners, checklists, rubrics, and other tools in addition to traditional academic

achievement data and teacher observations and recommendations.

As required by Nebraska statute, parents/guardians will be notified of high ability identification of their child through a letter mailed to the child’s home. The district will work with the ESU 2

program to then identify possible programs and services to support students through these new

identification processes. At this time, we do not yet have a clear understanding of what the

services will entail, but we understand that they may include field trips, clubs, after school

programs, and summer camp opportunities. Those services will not be available until after the

fall of 2024.

In addition to the new identification tools, some of our staff will be participating in professional

development to improve support of high ability learners through improved lesson design and

delivery. Those workshops and online modules will begin this fall and include support from

instructional coaches in the classrooms supporting teachers and students.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact your building administrator for more

information. Please know that we are extremely excited about this new opportunity to continue

to support your child’s educational experience here at Oakland-Craig Public Schools and look forward to this project with ESU 2.

May 2 - Band/Choir Concert & Awards Night

May 3 - Baccalaureate (Oakland Methodist Church)

May 5 - Last Day for Seniors

May 8 - Teacher Appreciation Week

Board of Education Meeting

May 9 - Academic Awards Night

May 13 - Graduation

May 15 - Elementary Track and Field Day

Athletic Awards Night

May 16 - Preschool Graduation

May 17 - Last Day of School for Students

May 7 - Swedish Heritage Center Meal (11 a.m. - 1 p.m.)

May 22-26 - Vacation Bible School (Register Here)

Superintendent

Email: jessbland@ocknights.org
Website: www.ocknights.org
Location: 309 N Davis Ave, Oakland, NE, USA
Phone: 402-685-5661