McMillan Monthly

Greetings McMillan Families,

The 2025–26 school year is off to a fantastic start! We are excited to see students engaged in learning and activities. Stay up to date on events by following the McMillan School Calendar and the McMillan Athletics Calendar.

Attendance Awareness
September is Attendance Awareness Month, and at McMillan Middle School we know that every day counts. Starting the year strong with good attendance builds positive habits, helps students stay on track in their classes, and sets the foundation for success in high school and beyond. We encourage families to partner with us in making sure students arrive on time and ready to learn each day—because when students are here, they grow, achieve, and thrive as Monarchs.

Positive Supports at McMillan
Through MTSS-B, we continue to promote a safe and positive school culture:

• Hall sweeps to support safety

• Lion’s Loot rewards for positive behavior

• Daily announcements reinforcing expectations

• Focus on being Safe, Responsible, Respectful, and Academically Successful

Safety & Communication
This first week of September, we are reviewing safety procedures and conducting drills. In the event of a Standard Response Protocol, families will be notified at the end of the day—unless immediate action is required, in which case we will notify you in real time.

Academic Updates
Dr. Walters will run grade checks every two weeks starting at Progress Report time and communicate with families to support student success. Please encourage your child to stay on track by completing and submitting assignments.

Thank you for your continued support of McMillan Middle! If you have questions, call 531-299-2440 or connect with Dr. Walters at morning drop-off (7:20–7:40 AM).

Go Monarchs!
Dr. Walters, Proud McMillan Principal

The Mission of McMillan

The Mission of McMillan Middle is to academically challenge students and to promote student ownership of learning in a safe, diverse, and respectful environment.

The Vision of McMillan

• Collaborate with School, Family and Community-based partners
• Provide an Innovative, project-based, cross-curriculular school setting
• Integrate components of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math through Project Lead the Way. (PLTW)

School Learning Goals

• Raise our Reading Scores by 15% from 29.17% to 52.18% with a focus on student supports.

• NSCAS ELA and Math assessments will increase proficiency from 24.49% to 30.49%.

• Reduce Chronic Absenteeism rate of 55.24% to 44.19%.

• Increase English Language Proficiency, as measured by the ELPA 21 summative, from 28.81% to 43.81%.

School Climate, Equity/Respect for Diversity, Discipline, and Parent Involvement

Students learn the most when they attend school! The single most important factor contributing to student achievement is school attendance. During this time, it is especially important to attend and engage to be successful. Students are expected to attend on time and for the entire day (or as scheduled)

If your student is going to be absent, please contact school at 531-299-2446 before 7:40 am. Voicemail will be available to leave a message to include the student’s name and the reason for their absence. Check out our NEW attendance email address also: mcmillan.attendance@ops.org. This is to ensure that every student is accounted for and for their safety.

Attendance is an important life skill that will prepare students to excel in college, career and life. Help your child succeed in school: build the habit of good attendance early. Showing up daily is crucial to academic success. Thank you for helping us attend as much as possible at McMillan!

We are excited to introduce Ms. Maggie Peterson, our Social Worker at McMillan Middle School. Ms. Peterson is here to support students and families with social, emotional, and community needs, helping to ensure every student is set up for success both in and out of school. She is available to connect families with resources, provide support during challenging times, and partner with parents, teachers, and staff to strengthen our McMillan community.

Please see below for a list of community resources available to families.

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 Infinite Campus icon to access directions.

Zūm Parent App

With Zum app, you can better protect your student's safety by:

1. Tracking your student’s ride in real-time and receiving ride updates
2. Knowing the driver profile and vehicle assigned to transport your student
3. Viewing pick-up and drop-off time estimates
4. Starting real-time chat with our support team if needed
5. Canceling rides when necessary

Download the Zūm App (iOS) (Android) from your carrier’s App Store.

If you have questions or concerns about your child's transportation, their eligibility to receive transportation, a late bus or more, please call the transportation hotline at (531) 299-0140.

Archived Family Communication:

• August 1 Back to School Resources for Families

Links to McMillan Calendars:

• McMillan School Calendar
• McMillan Athletics Calendar

Mon, Sept 1 – Labor Day, No School (All Students)

Tue, Sept 2 – A Day

• 8th Grade to Auditorium by 1:30 about NCPA Scholarships, see Ballard email for more

Wed, Sept 3 – B Day

• Lock Down and Lock Out Drills during Pride with Police Presence.

• XC Meet @ Northwest HS (McMillan competes)

• P4K for 8th Grade, 3:15 to 5:00 in 103

Thu, Sept 4 – A Day

• iPad Check during Pride
• Fire Drill during Pride - procedures taught
• Drama Club First Meeting with Mr. Trask - Theatre - 3:10 to 4:30 PM
• Principal's Advisory for Students recruiting from Walters

Fri, Sept 5 – B Day

• Shelter Drill during Pride - procedures taught.

• Football: KSTM vs McMillan

• P4K for 7th Grade, 3:15 to 5:00 in 103

Mon, Sept 8 – A Day

• Math MAP Testing

Tue, Sept 9 – B Day

• Math Map Testing

• Volleyball HOME: McMillan vs Bryan

Wed, Sept 10 – A Day

• Math Map Testing

• XC Meet: McMillan vs L&C

Thu, Sept 11 – B Day

• Math Map Testing

• Volleyball HOME: McMillan vs Marrs

• P4K for 7th Grade, 3:15 to 5:00 in 103

Fri, Sept 12 –

• Football: Morton vs McMillan

Mon, Sept 15 – B Day

• Picture Retakes

Tue, Sept 16 – A Day

• Volleyball HOME: McMillan vs Morton

Wed, Sept 17 – B Day

• XC Bryan Middle Invitational: McMillan vs L&C

• Football: Hale vs McMillan

Thu, Sept 18 – A Day

• Volleyball HOME: McMillan vs Hale

Friday, Sept 19 - B Day

Mon, Sept 22 – A Day

• Football: Bryan vs McMillan

Tue, Sept 23 – Late Start, B Day

• Volleyball HOME: McMillan vs L&C

• P4K for 6th Grade, 3:15 to 5:00 in 103

Wed, Sept 24 – A Day

• XC Meet @ Norris (McMillan competes)

• P4K for 8th Grade, 3:15 to 5:00 in 103

Thu, Sept 25 – B Day

• Volleyball HOME: McMillan vs Bluestem

Fri, Sept 26 – A Day

• Football: McMillan vs L&C

Mon, Sept 29 – B Day

Tue, Sept 30 – A Day

• Volleyball HOME: McMillan vs Morton

Scholastic Photography took photos of all students in August and on Wednesday, September 15 we will have makeup photos. Check out the instructions on the flyer below if you still need to purchase school photos!

Health Information for 7th Grade Families

Welcome to the 2025–26 school year! A reminder that all 7th graders must have a physical exam and be up to date on required immunizations.

If your child has not had their physical or the Tdap vaccine, please schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider or the School-Based Health Center as soon as possible. If records have already been submitted, no further paperwork is needed.

Required documentation (per state law):

• Copy of physical exam

• Current immunization record, including:

  • 1 dose Tdap

  • 3 doses DTaP/DTP/DT/TD (one after age 4)

  • 3 doses Polio

  • 3 doses Hepatitis B (or 2 adolescent doses, age 11–15)

  • 2 doses MMR

  • 2 doses Varicella (or proof of disease with month/year)

Please send all health records to the nurse’s office.
📞 Nurse B: 531-299-2441 | Fax: 531-299-2459

Health Screenings
OPS provides free health screenings during the school year (hearing, vision, dental, height, weight) for grades EC, K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, and 10. Screenings are not diagnostic, but identify potential concerns. Families will be notified if follow-up is needed. Parents may opt out with documentation from a healthcare provider showing a screening was completed within the last 6 months.

Email: andrew.walters@ops.org
Website: https://www.ops.org/mcmillan
Location: 3802 Redick Avenue, Omaha, NE, USA
Phone: 531-299-3923
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OPSMcMillanMiddle

Twitter: https://twitter.com/OPS_McMillan