Specials Spotlight

It is always a bittersweet moment when the final library classes of the year wrap up! While I will miss seeing your students each week, the library remains a busy hub as we prepare for a fantastic 2026-27 school year.

Library Updates & Gratitude

This coming week, I’ll be hard at work collecting our 234 outstanding library books, weeding out-of-date titles, and reorganizing our shelves.

I am also thrilled to begin ordering new books for next year! This is made possible by two wonderful sources of funding:

• A Generous Private Donation: A heartfelt thank you to a former teacher of mine from Cathedral High School for a donation that will help refresh our collection.

• Book Fair Success: Thanks to your incredible support, our April Scholastic Book Fair saw a profit of $4,235. These funds have already helped purchase new library books and fulfill teacher "wish list" baskets. The remaining balance will be used this fall to help our new teachers build their own classroom libraries.

Keep Reading All Summer Long!

Just because our school library is closed for the season doesn’t mean the reading has to stop. The Omaha Public Library is a fantastic resource for the whole family! Their Summer Reading Program runs through June and July with activities for everyone from toddlers to adults.

Get Involved: Explore classes and sign up at omahalibrary.org/summer-reading-program.

Beating the "Summer Slide"

Research shows that "summer slide"—the loss of academic skills during the break—is a common challenge. The good news? Maintaining those skills is easier (and more fun) than you might think! Here are four simple ways to keep your child engaged:

1. Choice is Key: Let kids read what they love! Children gain much more from summer reading when they are genuinely interested in the material.

2. Make Time for "Smart Play": Puzzles and board games are excellent tools for brushing up on math and logic basics while having fun.

3. Explore New Scenery: A change of pace can spark curiosity. Try reading together at a local park or visiting an historic site.

4. Encourage Imagination: Whether through drawing, storytelling, or creative play, using imagination helps children expand their vocabularies and grasp new concepts.

Have a wonderful summer filled with great stories!

What a wonderful time we had last week! I hope you enjoyed the performances during Songfest as much as I did. It is so great to be able to put on a production like this and I am very thankful to our staff members for their help in making it successful.

Thank you also for the amazing thoughts and gifts as we celebrated teacher appeciation week! One of my favorite parts of working at St. Cecilia's is the wonderful community we have here and I am so thankful to be a part of it.

Field Day is right around the corner (Tuesday, May 19th). 7th grade students are preparing to lead stations throughout the day. PreK through 2nd grade will rotate across 9 activities in the morning while 3rd through 6th grade will be in the afternoon.

In preparation for Field Day, PreK through 2nd grade have been working with the parachute, and if time’s permitted scoops followed by scooters. 3rd through 8th grade are continuing to learn the rules of kickball while modeling great sportsmanship and encouraging their teammates.