Mockingbird Weekly Update

This newsletter contains Information on the following:

• Lost and Found
• Friday is Treat Day!
• Book IT! Program returning to Ralston
• 6th Grade Outdoor Education
• Preschool Fashion Show
• 5th Grade to the Zoo
• Trunk or Treat
• Student Verification
• Ralston Store
• Free or Reduced Price Lunch Applications
• Animals on School Grounds
• School Calendar and Hours
• Physicals and Vaccinations

We have a LOT of clothing that has been left outside at recess. We have washed all of it and dried it and set it out so students can claim their clothing. The lost and found is located right in side the front entry. If you see anything that looks like it belongs to your child, please let someone know you would like to take a look and we will bring you inside.

Fridays are treat days at Mockingbird. Treats cost 25¢ and proceeds benefit activities for Mockingbird students and staff. Students should give their teacher their money first thing Friday morning. The treat of the week is posted around the building.

Exciting News: The BOOK IT! Reading Program Returns to Ralston Public Schools!

Ralston Public Schools is thrilled to announce the return of the Pizza Hut BOOK IT! reading program for all PK-6 students across the district. Running from October 1 through March 31, this program is designed to inspire a love of reading at home and celebrate student reading achievements.

How the Program Works

• Monthly Reading Goals: Students are challenged to read 20 minutes a day for at least 15 days each month.

• Monthly Reading Logs: Printed reading logs will be sent home with students at the start of each month for families to track reading time, have parents sign off on their student’s progress, and return the forms to school.

• Earn Delicious Rewards: Every student who meets their monthly reading goal will receive a Reading Award Certificate redeemable for a FREE One-Topping Personal Pan Pizza® from Pizza Hut!

All Reading Counts!

Reading habits come in many forms, and all of them count toward your student's daily 20-minute goal:

• Independent reading books and storybooks

• Audiobooks and read-alongs

• Comic books and graphic novels

• Cookbooks, recipes, and sports statistics

• Turning on closed captions during screen time
  
  

Keep an eye out for monthly reading logs coming home soon. Let's work together to build strong reading habits across Ram Nation!

Outdoor Education is quickly approaching for our District’s sixth-grade students. This highly anticipated yearly tradition takes their learning outdoors for two amazing days at the YMCA Camp Kitaki. The sixth-grade students will participate in outdoor activities including archery, fishing, hiking, canoeing, and a high ropes tower. They will also learn about the Nebraska environment, including wildlife, plants, and survival techniques.

September 28 & 29: Meadows and Wildewood Elementaries

October 5 & 6: Seymour & Blumfield Elementaries

October 19 & 20: Mockingbird & Karen Western Elementaries

Preschool parents we would love to see you for our preschool fashion show on October 22nd. Details are attached.

October 22nd is Don and Millies Night from 4:00-9:00. Take the night off from cooking and support Mockingbird at the same time.

5th grade will be taking a field trip to the zoo on October 23rd. Remember, all families must complete student verification prior to attending any field trips.

Trunk or Treat will take place on October 29th. Details will come out as we get closer to the event. If you can donate candy for the event we would greatly appreciate the donation. Thank You!

Having trouble completing student verification? Below is a step by step process for completing student verification.

You asked for it, and we were able to make it happen. Ralston Public Schools is excited to unveil our 24/7, 365 online district and individual school store - www.shopralstonschools.com.

The online store offers over 14,000 items that can be customized to feature district or individual school branding. Some items can also be further customized with a person's name, department, etc.

Top brands are featured include The North Face, Adidas, Nike, and Carhartt just to name a few. There are also budget-friendly items available.

This site is available to anyone: staff, parents, students, community members, alumni, etc.

Orders will be processed and shipped from Dallas, Texas and could take as little as two days to arrive at your home.

Time to show off your school and district pride, visit shopralstonschools.com today!

Please take some time to fill out a free/reduced lunch application.

While it is not mandatory to complete an application, we strongly encourage families to do so. There are numerous benefits for both families and our schools when an application is submitted. This is something you would need to do each year so even if you already filled one out last year, you would need to do it again this year.

Please click the following link to receive information on optional school supply lists for the 2025-2026 school year. Supply List Link - Click HERE

As a reminder, here are some key dates for the start of the 2026-2027 school year and a version of the calendar you can download.

• August 11, 2026: First day of school for only Pre-K, Kindergarten, 7th and 9th grade (1:30 pm dismissal).

• August 12, 2026: All students report. (Regular dismissal day)

• September 7, 2026: Labor Day No School

Click HERE to be directed to the calendar page on our website.

Don’t Wait, Schedule Your Sports Physicals, Vaccinations, Well-Checks through the OneWorld Mobile Health Center

The OneWorld Mobile Health Center is taking appointments for sports and school physicals, vaccinations, and well-being checks. Parents can schedule appointments by calling OneWorld at 402-880-4870.

In addition to their regularly scheduled days, the OneWorld Mobile Health Center will add some additional days in Ralston before the start of the school year.

Email: julie_sandiland@ralstonschools.org
Website: www.RalstonSchools.org/Mockingbird
Location: 5100 S 93rd St, Omaha, NE 68127
Phone: (402) 331-6954
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MockingbirdElementarySchool/