Standing Bear Elementary

Dear Standing Bear Families,

I can’t believe how quickly this school year has flown by! It truly has been an amazing year filled with learning, growth, and so many memorable moments.

Our school community came together for a wide variety of fun activities, including our very first Trunk or Treat Literacy Night, book fairs, sock hop, drama club performances, school carnival, field day, and so much more. One highlight was our first-ever One School, One Book family read of The Wild Robot. We had incredible participation, and it was wonderful to see students and families engaged in the weekly challenges. Wrapping up the experience with Wildlife Encounters made it even more special (see newsletter with video: https://app.smore.com/n/6bapt) and we’re still looking forward to our upcoming outdoor movie night!

Most importantly, I want to share how proud I am of the academic growth our students have achieved this year. We saw tremendous gains from fall to spring MAP scores, a true reflection of the hard work, dedication, and perseverance of both our students and staff. Standing Bear continues to be a top-performing school, and that excellence has truly shone through this year.

As we head into summer, please continue to check the Upcoming Events Newsletter (https://app.smore.com/n/qxevy) for information about library hours and other summer updates.

I wish all of our families a safe, relaxing, and fun summer. And Cubs, don’t forget to keep reading over the summer months!

Lunch Money- If you owe lunch money, your child will receive a payment envelope from Nutrition Services on Friday. Please send in money for your child's lunch account if you have a balance due.

Playground Enhancements- Good News!! We are anticipating an install for new playground equipment this summer prior to the start of the 2026-27 school year! I appreciate you patience as we work to improve our play areas.

Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to another great month ahead!

Stay positive, patient and flexible!

Sincerely,

Bridget O'Melia

Staff Appreciation Week is May 4th to May 8th and the PTO is asking for donations to help express all of our appreciation for our staff. We are grateful for all your support, in any capacity. If you would prefer to give a monetary donation in lieu of shopping, you can donate on https://standingbear.ptboard.com/formvw?store=6425&form=10

Use this sign up genius link to support Teacher Appreciation Week-

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B44ABA92EA2FFC70-63875654-teacher

We strongly suggest that students in the AM session remain at school for the day. If you decide to take your students following the PM session, that is fine as it ends at 3:30pm. If you leave at that time, you will need to come to the front main doors to provide your dismissal number. Your students will come out to you.

Morning Field Day Schedule Below

Afternoon Field Day Schedule Below

Above is the Upcoming Events Link, this is updated in real time and will have additional information about upcoming events as they get closer

May:

1st- FIELD DAY!

7th- Standing Bear ART Show (5pm-6:30pm)

8th- Drama Club presents Peter Pan at 6pm in the gym

20th- Last Student Day

Specific details for events will come out closer to the event.

This list is complete as of today. Events will be added as necessary.

You can always check back for updates and check the PTO postings. Thank you!

COMING SOON!

Dear Incoming Kindergarten Families:

We are so excited to welcome your student to kindergarten this fall! We are sending this reminder to all incoming kindergarten families that students need a physical exam, vision exam and to be up to date on all immunizations before school begins. This is a requirement based on Nebraska state law.

We recommend contacting your child’s healthcare provider now, as spots can fill up quickly. Families can also visit a school-based health center.

The required exams are:

• Physical Exam (completed on or after March 1 of the current year)
• Vision Exam (completed on or after March 1 of the current year) May be completed by an Optometrist, Ophthalmologist, or your child’s health care provider.

If you have any questions, please contact your child’s school. Please know that calls may be answered sporadically while staff are on summer break. School secretaries return on Aug. 1.

We have a website and app. We hope you like it! Make sure to check it out and get your student added to the directory! Directions on the image.

We would love for you to join the PTO too ($10), but that is not required to add your student. The directory is only available to those that are connected to the school and sign-up, it is not public.

Building Security

For the safety and security of our students and this building, anyone entering the building must stop in the office first.

Drop Off Zone

We ask that you please continue to pull all the way down to the second crosswalk if possible (by main front doors). We can then unload around 10 vehicles rather than 5.

We currently have a school staff member assisting your child to breakfast or the classroom at the main doorway for all student’s morning arrival. REMINDER: School doors don’t open until 8:35 AM for classroom entrance and breakfast opening hours.

We ask again for you not arrive for end of school day pick-up until 3:55pm to prevent traffic flow congestion issues .

Please be attentive and cognizant of all school crossing guard officials and adhere to their requests during student morning drop-off and pick-up times. Our goal is to ensure your child’s overall safety.

Birthday Celebrations

We ask that only non-food items be brought for birthday celebrations. Please check with your child's teacher to discuss day and time for treats to be dropped off.

• FOR SAFETY, PLEASE USE THE SIDEWALKS AND CROSSWALKS. DO NOT WALK OVER THE GRASS AND INTO THE PARKING LOT
• Drop off is 8:35AM, that is when breakfast is open and staff are on duty
• Please have student(s) ready to get out when you pull up
• Pull all the way down if able
• If you need to get out to assist your child, go into the parking lot lane not the main drive
• If your student is NOT eating breakfast they need to enter through the main front doors rather than the cafeteria doors
• Grab and Go Breakfast- If your student is eating breakfast, they need to enter the building through the cafeteria doors. They may enter through the main front doors if they choose not to eat the district provided breakfast.

When parents pull onto school grounds, outside staff will input your family number to indicate that you have arrived. Classroom teachers will get your student(s) ready to dismiss.

How this works- We will enter your Family Number into a form, this will be visible to classroom teachers in the building and they will dismiss. Students will be dismissing out the main front doors staggered based on your arrival time. Students will NOT be dismissing out any other doors.

It will be extremely helpful if you let your student(s) know your preferred lane for pick-up. This will help them know to look for you in the main drive or the parking lot lane. Once your student(s) are loaded, you can pull out of the pick-up line to leave. DO NOT EXIT YOUR VEHICLE

What you will need at dismissal:

• You will need to place your car hanger number on your rearview mirror so it is clearly visible to outside staff.

• You will need to pull all the way down to the front door (as cars move ahead, you move ahead) if you are picking up on the main drive, pull all the way down to the front main entrance or up to the vehicle in front of you. If you are picking up in the parking lot lane, you will still need to pull all the way forward. ALL students will exit out the main front doors.

• We will call your student(s) out as you arrive, continue to pull forward whenever possible until all your students are loaded.

• Kindergarten students- dismissal will remain the same for parents who walk up to get kindergarten students. If you are choosing to drive through for pick up, parents will still pull up like all other vehicles with their family number visible.

• Early Childhood will remain the same. Parents will need to park and come check out their child.

• Walk up parents- A staff member will be located out front, you can provide them with your family number so teachers are aware you are ready to pickup. Your student(s) will then be dismissed. Parents do not need to enter the building. If you need to go into the building to pick up your student, you MUST stop at the office for a visitor badge and to sign the check out sheet.

Each family will receive 2 car hangers. If you would need additional ones, please contact the office. It is imperative not to lose your issued designated car hanger numbers. Please clearly display upon arrive so there is no confusion to expeditiously release your child for pick-up.

WE WILL BEGIN DISMISSAL (ENTERING NUMBERS) AT 4:00PM. PLEASE DO NOT ARRIVE AT SCHOOL BEFORE 3:55PM TO PREVENT AN INITIAL BACKUP. The line moves very fast once we begin the dismissal process.

Thank you for everything!

Early Pickup for Students

If you are picking up your students early for a doctor appointment, etc please call the office at least 5 minutes ahead of time and we will have you child ready to go at the designated time. Parents will need to come into the office to check out your student(s).

Safety remains our top priority in the Omaha Public Schools. We now have a Visitor Management System to ensure we are provided the most secure environment. Visitors will need to ring the outside doorbell. Once the secretary answers, she will verify your student's name and visitor's name prior to opening the front door. If the visitor's name is not in our system, they will not be let into the building. We ask that you understand that it may take a few minutes to gain access into the building while the secretaries verify your information. Please make sure you have updated contact information and that your emergency contacts are current.

Visitors will need to use the kiosk to get a visitor badge. This will require you to get a photo taken and use the printed visitor badge with your photo.

Large events such as holiday celebrations, music programs and family nights will not require the same check in process. Entrance into these events will be monitored by staff.

Email: bridget.omelia@ops.org
Website: https://standingbear.ops.org/HOME/tabid/36/Default.aspx
Location: 15860 Taylor Street, Omaha, NE, USA
Phone: 531-299-2140

Omaha Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, age, genetic information, citizenship status, or economic status in its programs, activities and employment and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following individual has been designated to address inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Superintendent of Schools, 3215 Cuming Street, Omaha, NE 68131 (402-557-2001).