North High Newsletter

Greetings Viking Families,

I am pleased to welcome you to the 2025-26 School Year. We are excited to see our students soon. If you have not done so, please take a few minutes to make sure Annual Updates are completed online via the Parent Portal. Students will be able to access their class schedule via Infinite Campus beginning on August 11, 2025.

As we begin another school year, we want to remind everyone that Safety is our Top Priority and everyone’s responsibility. Each of us needs to be safe so that everyone is safe! We will review the Standard Response Protocol and conduct safety drills with students. We also want to encourage students to support school safety by doing the following:

• Follow Safety Protocols
• Refrain from propping doors open
• Refrain from letting unauthorized people in the school
• Refrain from leaving campus without permission
• If you see something, say something!

As we continue our relentless focus on student achievement, we will be emphasizing the importance of cognitive engagement in the classroom. To that end, we solicit your support with implementing the district Cell Phone Expectations. Cell Phones are to be silenced and put away during the instructional block. Teachers will review and remind students of expectations. Posters in each classroom will reiterate expectations. We want students to prioritize and focus their attention on learning when they are in class. We recognize that cell phone usage is an important life skill, so we thank you for partnering with us to problem solve when challenges arise.

Please know that the tradition of excellence continues as we work hard to provide a safe, positive, and rigorous learning environment for all the students in our care. While we know you have many choices for high school, we truly believe Omaha North High is the #Place2Be.

Stay tuned for our monthly newsletters. Stay connected by following us on Facebook, X, Instagram and our website. We thank you for your continued support and involvement in the Viking Community. If you have any questions, please call us 531-299-2700.

Go Vikings!

PLEASE NOTE: All cell phones and earbuds/headphones must be off and away in all instructional areas of the building. This includes classrooms, the library, and anywhere learning is taking place. Students are not allowed to be on their phones when taking a pass from class. Students will be permitted to have their phones out during lunch and passing periods (as needed).

It is crucial that students come to school with charged iPads every day. Students will not be allowed to use their phones for class work.

Thank you for reinforcing this information with your student and partnering with North High.

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 button below to access directions.

Freshman Day is reserved for 9th graders only on Wednesday, August 13th. All 9th graders will have the opportunity to meet their teachers, collaborate with classmates, and engage in other activities.

All students (grades 9-12) report on Thursday, August 14th. Breakfast is served starting at 7:00am; classes start at 7:40am.

Parents/Guardians,

• Please drop off your students only in the student parking lot (north parking lot). The south parking lot is reserved for school buses.
• Students may begin entering the building at 7:00am. Once in the building, students must report to the MPC, Viking Center, or cafeteria. Breakfast is only served in the cafeteria.
• Classes begin at 7:40. It is the expectation that all students are in their A1/B2 class by 7:40 daily.

Students are dismissed at 3:05. If you are picking up a student, please do so only in the student parking lot (north parking lot). The south parking lot is reserved for school buses. The graphic below shows which lot is available for student parking, pickup, and drop off.

School starts at 7:40am and concludes at 3:05pm daily. Every minute of attendance counts.

• Please refrain from calling your student out of school early unless for an appointment.
• Please prioritize an on-time arrival to school daily.

Please note, attending extracurricular activities, such as school dances, is a privilege. Students are expected to demonstrate the values of being a Viking consistently. Therefore, students in good standing must meet the following expectations to attend:

• On track for graduation
• Passing a minimum of 6 classes
• Fewer than the equivalent of 5 unexcused absences
• No out-of-school suspension for any violation the week of the event

If students fail to meet these expectations after purchasing a dance ticket, refunds will not be provided.

Please read the document below for updated information on AP and Dual Enrollment information. Omaha Public Schools will pay the fee to take the Advanced Placement Exam in May for all Advanced Placement courses. Below is a message from our new Advanced Academics Coordinator, Clesta Stevens.

Dear North High Students and Families,

I am honored to join the North High team as the Student Support and Advanced Academic Coordinator and to help build upon the rich traditions and culture of academic excellence that make our school so special. After 20 years serving in the OPS district, I am proud to call North High my new home.

If I can help support your student in any way, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Phone: 531-299-4051 Email: clesta.stevens@ops.org

Let’s V Up! and ensure every Viking thrives!

Clesta Stevens Student Support & Advanced Academic Coordinator

Schools and communities must be prepared for a variety of emergency situations. Our school has established plans and has prepared for major emergency situations. We believe a person’s reaction to an emergency situation depends largely on their training and practice beforehand.

Omaha Public Schools uses the Standard Response Protocol (SRP), which includes five main drills: Hold, Secure, Lockdown, Evacuate, and Shelter.