September 1

Message from Mr. Schmidt, Principal
Bears are Roaring to start to the 2025-26 School Year
Our Bryan Middle School Bears are off and running at the start of the 2025-26 school year. Our Bears continue to be respectful, responsible, safe, and their best every day. They worked hard on the Reading MAP test on August 26th and 27th, and I know they will put maximum effort into the Math MAP test on September 2nd and 3rd. We are looking forward to seeing their growth throughout this school year. Many of our student-athletes have started cross-country, volleyball, and football. Our after-school clubs are getting underway as well. There is something for everyone at BMS. Please encourage your student(s) to be active in something at Bryan Middle. In addition, regular attendance is crucial to success. Encourage healthy home habits that aid in students being at school and doing their best every day!
Stay Prepared & Updated:
Please ensure your student brings a fully charged iPad to school every day.
Check the Infinite Campus Parent Portal regularly for updates on grades, attendance, etc. Don't have the parent portal? Email lakresha.clark@ops.org to get your activation key. You can also check your student's Infinite Campus portal as well. It's on their iPad!!!
Reminders:
Regular attendance is key to academic success. Please make every attempt to have your student(s) attend school everyday.
If you haven’t already, please complete all back-to-school paperwork and update your Parent Portal account. This ensures we have the most current information for your student. See this Smore: https://secure.smore.com/n/4zvy9
We strongly encourage parents to register their children for the Boys and Girls Club. It’s a wonderful opportunity for after-school activities that support learning and development. Applications are available in the main office or at the Boys and Girls Club.
School pictures are coming up on Friday, August 22nd. Mark your calendars!
Consider joining our PTO to support the Bryan Middle community.
Stay Connected:
Follow us on social media for regular updates and important announcements throughout the school year.
Facebook: Bryan Middle
X: @OPS_BryanMiddle
Bryan Middle School saw growth in our state NSCAS scores for Reading, Math, and Science last year, as well as in our ELPA-21 proficiency. We look forward to continuing to working together on our path towards continued growth and success. It's going to be an outstanding year full of achievements and milestones to highlight!
Sincerely,
Anton Schmidt
Principal, Bryan Middle School
Important Uncoming Dates
September 1
- No school, Labor Day
September 2 and 3
- MAP Growth Math
September 23
- 2-hour late start (Doors Open at 9:10, School Starts at 9:40)
September 24
- Chipotle Fundraiser 4-8 PM (Bellevue location - 10403 S 15th St)
October 3
- No school for all students
October 10
- End of first Quarter
October 15 & 16
- Parent/Teacher Conferences
October 16 & 17
- No school for all students
October 28
- 2-hour late start (Doors Open at 9:10, School Starts at 9:40)
MAP Growth Testing
MAP Growth Testing is coming! MAP Growth is an adaptive achievement and growth test. It creates a personalized assessment experience by adapting to each student's learning level - precisely measuring progress and growth for each individual student. If your child correctly answers a MAP question, the computer assessment provides a harder question next. If they miss that same question, then an easier MAP question is asked. This provides essential information about what your child knows and is ready to learn.
MAP Growth Reading test: August 26th and 27th
MAP Growth Math test: September 2nd and 3rd
SWIM LESSONS STARTING SEPTEMBER 6
School Cash Online
Our district will now use School Cash Online for all school items and activity fees. School Cash Online reduces cash and check payments to our schools and lets families:
- Keep track of their students’ school items and activity fees
- Check their account history
- View and print receipts
- Pay for school fees with a simple click
Primary guardians will receive an invitation email from SchoolCash Online in the coming days with a link to register for an account and attach student(s) to their profile. Families can also register an account using the link above and the same email address used for Campus Parent.
Once the primary guardian has created an account, they can provide access to other caregivers of their choice.
See the Parent Help Desk for SchoolCash Online FAQ for additional details and troubleshooting information, or reach out to your student’s school with any questions.
We are excited about the opportunity to work together and support each of you on this journey!
7th Grade School Physicals/Immunizations - From the Nurse
Clubs and Activities
These clubs and activities will be starting in the coming weeks:
- MathCounts began August 26th and is every Tuesday
- Robotics (Competition Team) On Tuesdays and Fridays will begin in early September
- NJHS/Student Council will meet the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month
- Writing Club will meet the first and third Wednesdays of each month beginning in September
- Yearbook Club begins September 8th and meets during CUBS
- Anime Club will begin in October
- Unity Club will meet the first and third Thursdays (Check back for start date)
- Band room is open until 4PM Tuesday through Thursday after school for practice and help
- Dungeons and Dragons Tuesdays and Thursdays starting the first week in September
- Tutoring will take place Tuesday - Thursday. Tentative start date of September 9.
Students will need to pay attention to the morning announcements about when they start.
Check back as more clubs are announced.
Bryan Middle School Clothing and Gear
Get your Bryan Middle School gear from Sideline Sports! Click on the link below:
https://sideline.bsnsports.com/schools/nebraska/omaha/bryan-middle-school
Concert Calendar!
Follow this link for the full Calendar
First Semester dates to mark on your calendar:
October 2025
5:00 PM Friday, October 17 – 8th Grade Band Night at Bryan High School 6:30 PM, Thursday, October 23th – 8th Grade Band/Orchestra/Choir Hauntcert
November 2025
6:30 PM, Thursday, November 13th – 7th Grade Band/Orchestra/Choir
December 2025
6:30 PM, Thursday, December 4th – 6th Grade and Beginning Band/Orchestra
6:30 PM, Thursday, December 11th – 6/7/8 Winter Choral Concert
Expected Dress for concerts:
Order Form for Music Shirts (You can pay online with School Cash)
School Attendance
As we begin a new school year, we want to remind families of the importance of regular attendance, from day one. Students who attend consistently are more likely to succeed academically and socially. The first weeks are imperative because they lay the foundation for school and classroom rules. When our students are aware of their expectations they are more likely to be successful. We do understand that absences at times cannot be avoidable due to illnesses and emergencies. If your child must miss school, please inform the office and stay in communication with staff so we can support your students return.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding your child's attendance. Please do not hesitate to reach out to a member of our school attendance team. When we work as a team it sets our children up for success in the future.
Kelli Barrientos
School Counselor for last names A-Ga
531-299-9045
Marie Cusic
School Counselor for last names Ge-N
531-299-2316
Bibi Loeza
School Counselor for last names O-Z
Sara Riviera,
School Social Worker
531-299-2313
Kelley Lange
School Support Liaison
531-299-8524
Cell Phone Policy
The guidelines below aim to promote a focused and respectful learning environment while ensuring the safety and security of personal electronic devices and valuable items with the school.
- Personal cell phones and electronic devices, including headphones and earbuds, may only be used before and after school hours.
- Phones cannot be used during the school day.
- During this designated time, the use of electronic devices should not disrupt the school environment or create a hostile atmosphere.
- At all other times, during school hours, electronic devices must be powered off and safely stored away.
Confiscation and Intervention:
- If a staff member observes the use of an electronic device outside the designated times, the student will receive a warning and be educated about the specific electronic device policy and expectations. The student should power off and put the device away.
- If the student continues to utilize the electronic device outside the designated time, the staff member will confiscate the device for the remainder of the period.
- If the student fails to comply with the staff members’ direction, administration or security will be called and the device will be confiscated for the remainder of the school day.
Repeated violations will be subject to additional disciplinary action in line with the Student Code of Conduct.
Additional interventions for violating the electronic device policy may include, but are not limited to:
- Lunch or after school detentions.
- Daily phone check-in at the beginning of the day for an extended period.
- Parent pick up of the electronic device.
- Parent/Student conference held at the school to discuss the issue.
- Overnight hold of the electronic device, if a parent cannot pick it up.
Please Remember to Notify the Office of Absences
From Social Worker Sara Riviera
My name is Sara Riviera, and I am the School Social Worker at Bryan Middle School. My role is to be a resources for both your student and family. I understand that unexpected challenges can arise, and sometimes families may find themselves needing support. If you find yourself experiencing financial hardships and could benefit from assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out to me. We also recognize that the start of the school year can bring added expenses with school supplies, clothing, fees, and more. If this time of year is creating any financial strain for your family, please know that you are not alone. I am here to connect you with resource and support that may ease your worries. Our school has a pantry that is free to our families. This pantry contains food, hygiene supplies, clothing, and school supplies. Please reach out if this is something that would benefit you. Below is my contact information.
Sara Riviera
531-299-2313
text: 402-739-9235
Community Counseling Program
Mental health counseling services are available at Bryan Middle School through the Methodist Hospital Community Counseling Program. Please speak to your student's school counselor or school social worker if you are wondering if a referral to the program might be right for your child.
Tylinn Lewis, LIMHP, LMFT
First Volleyball Jamboree at The Volleyball Academy
This is the first year OPS has partnered with The Volleyball Academy (TVA), and all middle school volleyball teams were invited to participate in the clinic. Deb, the owner of TVA, introduced new drills for us to use throughout the season, helped the girls better understand rotations, and brought great energy to kick off the year.
Our season opener is a home game on September 9th against McMillan!
2025 Girls Volleyball Team
TVA Owner introduces new Drills
Working Through the Drills
Fall Sports Schedule
Join the Boys and Girls Club Today!
We want EVERY student at Bryan Middle School to become a member of the Boys and Girls Club. They have activities for grades 6 to 8, provide mentoring to our students, and are a safe place to stay if students need to wait for a parent after school. They are open from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on school days. There is NO charge for Bryan Middle School students. Just put a 0 in the box when it asks for payment. Click the link here for more information and click here to sign up. Stop by the Club to check it out! You can also contact Tim 'Daniel" Ybarra, Club Director for more information at 402-853-5125 or
dybarra@bgcomaha.org.
Parent Teacher Organization (P.T.O.)
PTO Mission Statement:
The Bryan Middle School PTO is an opportunity for parents and families to volunteer to support student focused initiatives, fundraise for specific goals, and drive engagement in our school community.
We are looking for family members to be on out PTO Committee. Please reach out to Karrie Goff if you would like to become a member and help with the following:
- Participate in and support school decision making.
- Sponsor multiple PTO initiatives (Fundraisers, Family Engagement Nights, Teacher Appreciation)
Volunteer Opportunities (School Celebrations and Sporting Events)
- September 18th (Thursday)
- October 9th (Thursday)
- November 13th (Thursday)
Sign up for the APP by clicking HERE so you know where the bus is and what time it will arrive!
Important Closing/Late Start Dates
(Los boletines anteriores de 2024-2025 se pueden encontrar aquí.)