Gateway Family Newsletter

Friday, October 3rd---NO SCHOOL for all students, District Professional Development Day

Friday, October 10th---No School for Pre-K students, Early Childhood Teacher Planning Day

Friday, October 10th---First Quarter Ends

Monday, October 13th---Second Quarter Begins

Thursday, October 16th---NO SCHOOL for all students, Teacher Planning Day/Conferences

Friday, October 17th---NO SCHOOL for all students, Teacher Planning Day

Tuesday, October 28th---(2) Hour Late Start for Students, School Improvement Day

Friday, October 31st---Fall Harvest Parties, 2:30 pm

For the next several weeks, Gateway students will be practicing Step 1 from 7 Steps to a Language-Rich Interactive Classroom. Step 1 helps students learn what to say instead of “I don’t know.”

Here’s how it works. When a question feels challenging, students can respond with:

• May I please have some more information?

• May I please have some more time to think?

• Would you please repeat the question?

• Where could I find more information about that?

• May I ask a friend for help?

Why this matters:

• Builds confidence and persistence.

• Encourages students to stay engaged instead of shutting down.

• Promotes problem-solving and rich classroom conversations.

• Teaches respectful, practical language for learning.

How families can support at home:

• Encourage your child to try one of these responses when they feel stuck.

• Practice by asking them fun questions (e.g., “What’s your favorite movie?”) and modeling how to use these phrases.

• Celebrate their effort when they use these strategies instead of giving up.

Together, we can help students build language skills that support both learning and confidence!

Dear Gateway Families,

Believe it or not, the 1st quarter is already coming to an end! That means it’s almost time for fall conferences. Please mark your calendars:

• Wednesday, October 15th – 4:30 pm to 8:00 pm

• Thursday, October 16th – 12:30 pm to 8:00 pm

In the near future, we’ll be sending out information about how to schedule a time with your child’s teacher. Conferences are scheduled to be held in person, and our goal is always 100% family attendance!

A few tips to make the most of conferences:

• Come prepared with questions. Think about what’s going well and where your child might need extra support.

• Celebrate growth. Conferences are a great time to hear about your child’s progress and successes.

• Work as a team. Teachers and families share the same goal—helping your child succeed.

We look forward to seeing every family at conferences and working together to support your child’s success!

As the school year continues, the safety of our students and staff remains our top priority. Breakfast is free for all Gateway students. Doors open at 8:20 AM, and students may begin entering the breakfast line at 8:30 AM. The school day officially begins at 8:50 AM.

Please note that leaving children at school before 8:20 AM creates an unsafe situation, as teachers are not on duty until 8:35 AM, and supervision is limited.

If you need to drop your child off prior to 8:20 AM, we encourage you to use Kids Club, the before- and after-school program administered by the Omaha Schools Foundation for children attending Omaha Public Elementary Schools.

For enrollment, hours, and fees, please contact the Omaha Schools Foundation Office at (531) 299-0250.

Thank you for helping us keep all Gateway students safe!

Start your morning with a great cup of coffee and great conversation! Come enjoy a FREE cup of coffee with your neighborhood cop on Wednesday, October 1st from 9-11am at Starbucks on 42nd and L streets. Get to know your officers and let them get to know you. Ask questions or share what’s on your mind. In this brief encounter, citizens and police officers get to know each other and discover mutual goals for the communities they live in and serve. Building relationships, One cup at a time!

Classroom Fall/Harvest Parties are scheduled towards the end of the school day on Friday, October 31st. Some general classroom "do's and don'ts" for these parties are listed below. If you have specific questions, please contact your child's teacher. Thanks in advance for your cooperation.

Do's

Store bought pre-packaged treats

Fall or harvest theme movies, games and activities

Bingo

Outdoor scavenger hunt

Fall or harvest themed arts and crafts

Pumpkin activities

Apple activities

Dont's

Costumes

Masks

Homemade treats

Halloween themed activities

Raising kids is hard. It’s okay to ask for advice. The Nebraska Family Helpline is a free, confidential resource for parents who have questions regarding their child’s behavior. Trained counselors are standing by. Have a question? Give them a call at 1-888-866-8660.

Email: terry.burton@ops.org
Website: gateway.ops.org
Location: 5610 South 42nd Street, Omaha, NE, United States
Phone: 531-299-1480