McMillan Monthly

We're looking to finish the term strong at McMillan! Stay up to date on events by following the McMillan School Calendar and the McMillan Athletics Calendar.

We have a food pantry going right now at McMillan taking donations from families and teachers. We've had much success with our school canned food drive. If you could benefit from a bag of shelf stable food before winter break, please reach out to Maggie Peterson, School Social Worker.

As we move into December, we’re excited to share how strong our students are finishing the semester. Our school has seen steady improvement in grades, with more students staying on track and showing real growth in their classes. We’re proud of the effort they are putting in as we head toward winter break.

This month also brings an important academic milestone: MAP and State Testing in both ELA and Math. These assessments help us monitor student progress and plan for the second semester. Please encourage your child to get plenty of rest, arrive on time, and bring a fully charged iPad each day.

We’re also celebrating a positive trend in attendance, which is up for December. To keep this momentum going, we are launching our “12 Days of Attendance” celebration! From December 4 through December 19, students can participate in themed days designed to make showing up to school fun and engaging. Please check the attached flyer for the full list of daily themes.

Thank you for your continued partnership in helping students show up ready to learn every day. Let’s finish December strong together. We are proud of our students and grateful for our families.

• Finals Week in December:
• December 15 - B Day Finals Review, and Final Grade Check Reminders
• December 16 - A Day Finals Review
• December 17 - B Day Finals - 6th Grade Behavior Celebration during Pride
• December 18 - A Day Finals - 7th Grade Behavior Celebration during Pride
• December 19 - B Day Regular Bell Schedule - Finals Makeup, 8th Grade Behavior Celebration during Pride

Sincerely,

Dr. Walters - Proud Principal at McMillan

Snowy streets have returned earlier than expected this year. With that, comes the unexpected traffic issue on the hill by McMillan. Even if your car can handle an icy/snow packed hill, you are likely to become stuck. Avoid the hill between Martin Ave. and 37th Street. Instead, go an extra block and then circle back. See below.

When needed, our district will call a “School Closure.” On a “School Closure” day, there is no remote learning or activities assigned for students to do at home. While there are no virtual office hours on “School Closure” days, students and families may email teachers with questions.

On a “School Closure” day, the Teacher Administrative Center (TAC) may be open or closed. If it is closed, employees will work remotely. Omaha Public Schools employees receive a separate communication with that guidance.

Whenever possible, our district will announce changes to a daily routine the night before. We also know weather conditions and other emergencies can develop rapidly and a morning decision may be necessary. When that happens, we will communicate as early as possible.

We follow consistent communication routines. If weather, power outages or other circumstances force a change to our normal day, we communicate directly with impacted staff and families. That communication arrives through email, text message and phone call. Families should ensure their contact information is current in Infinite Campus. We also share the information on our website and through local news media.

TeamMates is a mentoring program which pairs students with caring adults who are screened through the mentor application process. Many employers will provide adults time off to be a mentor to a child in any school system, and at McMillan - we want to expand our program! The mission of TeamMates is to positively impact the world by inspiring students to reach their full potential through mentoring. Students interested in having mentor for a weekly or bi-weekly mentor/mentee match should contact the McMillan Social Worker, Ms. Peterson, at maggie.peterson1@ops.org or call 531-299-9678. Ms. Peterson will walk you through the process to join TeamMates this month.

At a recent visit by the DOE, we were able to showcase our growth as a school. It is a major celebration to see more students attending school, and more students passing their classes. Thank you for your partnership and promoting learning in your home!

Green is good - red is not so good. Note the change in the number of students who are passing all classes in %. The first line is this time last year, the second line is September 15, and the bottom line is November 21. Way to go McMillan!

Note also the improvement in attendance. The green represents students who have been to school 90% of the time or more. We have many more students attending knowing that EVERY MINUTE counts!

Ms. Maggie Peterson, our Social Worker at McMillan Middle School 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.

Monday, December 1, 2025

B Day
Board Meeting, 6:00–7:00 PM

Tuesday, December 2, 2025
A Day
P4K – 6th Grade, 3:05–5:00 PM

Robotics - 3:10 to 4:45 in the basemen with Ms. Clark - All are welcome
Boys Basketball – McMillan vs. Marrs @ McMillan, 3:30–5:00 PM

Wednesday, December 3, 2025
B Day
P4K – 8th Grade, 3:05–5:00 PM

Thursday, December 4, 2025
A Day
P4K – 7th Grade, 3:05–5:00 PM
Boys Basketball vs. Beveridge @ Beveridge, 3:30–5:00 PM

Drama Club after school in 166 with Trask

Friday, December 5, 2025
B Day
Choir Concert, 6:30 PM

Monday, December 8, 2025
A Day
Board Meeting, 6:00–7:00 PM

Tuesday, December 9, 2025
B Day
P4K– 6th Grade, 3:05–5:00 PM
Quiz Bowl Practice, 3:15–4:30 PM

Robotics - 3:10 to 4:45 in the basemen with Ms. Clark - All are welcome
Boys Basketball vs. Morton @ McMillan, 3:30–5:00 PM

Wednesday, December 10, 2025
A Day
P4K – 8th Grade, 3:05–5:00 PM
Principals' Student advisory council - Pride

Thursday, December 11, 2025
B Day
P4K – 7th Grade, 3:05–5:00 PM
Drama Club Rehearsal, 3:15–5:00 PM
Boys Basketball vs. Norris @ McMillan, 3:30–5:00 PM

Drama Club after school in 166 with Trask

Friday, December 12, 2025
A Day
Band Concert, 7:00 PM

Monday, December 15, 2025
B Day - Finals Review
Board Meeting, 6:00–7:00 PM
T2 Grading Window 12/15–12/19

Tuesday, December 16, 2025
A Day - Finals Review
P4K – 6th Grade, 3:05–5:00 PM

Robotics - 3:10 to 4:45 in the basemen with Ms. Clark - All are welcome
Quiz Bowl Quads @ UNO, 9:00 AM–2:00 PM
Boys Basketball Finals – TBD, 3:30–5:00 PM

Wednesday, December 17, 2025
B Day Final Testing for Term 1

6th Grade Celebration for Preferred Behavior during Pride
P4K – 8th Grade, 3:05–5:00 PM
Boys Basketball Finals – TBD, 3:30–5:00 PM\

Thursday, December 18, 2025
A Day - Final Testing for Term 1

7th Grade Celebration for Preferred Behavior during Pride
P4K – 7th Grade, 3:05–5:00 PM
Drama Club after school in 166 with Trask

Friday, December 19, 2025

8th Grade Celebration for Preferred Behavior during Pride

B Day - Finals Makeup

Hello Monarch Sports Fans! It's hard to believe but our season 2 sports are underway. We've also added some amazing opportunities for clubs and activities - see below!

Boys Basketball started Monday October 20, with final cuts being made Friday, October 24. Players must have the following to try-out for the boys basketball team:

1. A Physical turned into to the school.
2. No Current F's in any classes.

Thank you for your interest, and feel free to email Mr. Andrew Oberg, andrew.oberg1@ops.org, if you have any questions.

Please look for more information to come soon for Boys and Girls Wrestling, Boys Swimming, and Girls Basketball. Informational meetings for these events will happen in December for students, with tryouts and practice schedules distributed before the start of 2026.

Clubs meeting after school during the month of December:

Monday's:

• YMCA Lion's Pride
• P4K on given days Tre

Tuesday's

• Robotics - 3:10 to 4:45 in the basemen with Ms. Clark - see Ms. Clark if interested
• YMCA Lion's Pride
• P4K on given days with Tre

Wednesday's:

• Journalism Club - Room 258 from 3:20 with Mr. Pruisner - All are welcome

• Magic @ the MAC ​Card Club​, Room 155, 3:20-4:30​

• YMCA Lion's Pride
• P4K on given days with Tre

Thursday's:

• Drama Club - Room 166 with Mr. Trask from 3:15 to 4:30. All are welcome
• YMCA Lion's Pride
• P4K on given days with Tre
• Science Olympiad with Mr. Huber

Friday's:

• YMCA Lion's Pride
• P4K on given days with Tre

This Month: See opportunities for Quizbowl with Mrs. Dewitt

Alex Curran, McMillan Activities/Athletic Director

Students enrolled in Omaha Public Schools are provided free health screenings in accordance with Nebraska State Statute. Screenings are conducted throughout the school year and may begin as early as August. Students in early childhood, kindergarten, first, second, third, fourth, seventh, and tenth grades are screened for hearing, vision, dental, height, and weight per the rules and regulations set forth by the state of Nebraska. The screening is conducted to help identify health concerns in as early a stage as possible, in an effort to enhance learning. Screening is not intended to be diagnostic, but to identify students with potential problems. Findings that need further evaluation by a health care provider will be sent home. Per Nebraska State Regulations, a parent/guardian may supersede the mandated school health screening by submitting a statement signed by an authorized health care provider attesting that the required screening has been completed in the previous six months. An updated healthcare provider statement must be submitted each school year. Contact your school nurse for any questions regarding screening.

Exámenes de salud Los estudiantes inscritos en las Escuelas Públicas de Omaha reciben exámenes de salud gratuitos de acuerdo con el estatuto del estado de Nebraska. Las evaluaciones se llevan a cabo durante todo el año escolar y pueden comenzar en agosto. Los estudiantes de Educación a Temprana Edad, kínder, primero, segundo, tercero, cuarto, séptimo y décimo grado son evaluados en cuanto a audición, visión, dental, altura y peso según las normas y reglamentos establecidos por el estado de Nebraska. La evaluación se lleva a cabo para ayudar a identificar problemas de salud en la etapa más temprana posible, en un esfuerzo por mejorar el aprendizaje. La evaluación no pretende ser un diagnóstico, sino identificar a los estudiantes con problemas potenciales. Los resultados que necesiten una evaluación adicional por parte de un proveedor de atención médica se enviarán a casa. Según las regulaciones del estado de Nebraska, un padre/tutor puede reemplazar el examen de salud escolar obligatorio presentando una declaración firmada por un proveedor de atención médica autorizado que certifique que el examen requerido se completó en los últimos seis meses. Se debe presentar una declaración actualizada del proveedor de atención médica cada año escolar. Comuníquese con la enfermera de su escuela si tiene alguna pregunta sobre la evaluación

Please see Nurse B for questions or concerns.

- Nurse Bonacci-Lemay

• Phone: (531) 299-2441
• Nurse Fax: (531) 299-2459
• Nichole.BonacciLemay@ops.org

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-curricular school setting
• Integrate components of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math through Project Lead the Way. (PLTW)

2025-26 School Improvement Plan Goals: (The What)

• Raise our Reading Scores by 15% from 29.17u% to 52.18%.

• 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%.

Our focus on Culture to drive Improvement: (The How)

Safe
At McMillan, safety comes first. Through staff training and clear protocols, we create a caring environment where students and staff feel physically, emotionally, and socially secure every day.

Responsible
Responsibility means being prepared, making good choices, and learning from mistakes. We hold ourselves and each other accountable for actions, effort, and growth through feedback and the PDCA cycle.

Respectful
Respect is shown in how we treat people, our school, and ourselves. We value every voice, celebrate differences, and create a welcoming space for all.

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