Minne Lusa Happenings for the Week of March 2

 

Every student. Every day. Prepared for success.

It is the mission of Minne Lusa Elementary School, in partnership with families and community, to provide rigorous educational opportunities in a safe and secure environment.

Greetings Minne Lusa Families and Friends!! 

We have a new number! 

531-299-1840

We have loads of information in this week's newsletter to help your child get ready for staying healthy, preparing for testing, and summer school opportunities!

Conferences are this week, so here are a few reminders:

1. Make sure to sign up for a time to meet your child's teacher for this Wednesday or Thursday
2. Check in the nurse's office for any lost items
3. Now is the time to sign your child up for Summer School! 

Turnaround School Updates:

We are so excited for the opportunities and supports that are coming our way as our school has been identified as a turnaround school by the district. This designation means we will receive targeted supports for students in the forms of academics, social emotional learning, and building the positive culture of our school.

Please join me during our Family Engagement Meeting this Wednesday, March 4 at 9:00 AM in Room 102 to hear about all of the great things coming and how we will work together in the coming months. If you are unable to attend, please connect with me during conferences!

One major announcement is that our building will not host Summer School this June because we are going to receive some significant facility upgrades! The school was last renovated in the mid-1990's and we couldn't be more excited for the changes coming our way. 

Let's stay healthy!!

NSCAS Family Resources

Below is a link to resources that families can use to learn more about the Nebraska Student-Centered Assessment System (NSCAS) and ways you can support your child in preparing for the state assessments in reading, math, and science. 

https://www.smore.com/uwy05

Upcoming Dates

March 2: Read Across America - "The Cat in the Hat;" Wear your hat
March 3: Read Across America - "Sleep Book;" Wear your pajamas
March 4: Read Across America - "Fox in Socks;" Wear your crazy socks; Conferences 4:30 to 8:15; Family Engagement Meeting at 9:00 AM in Room 102; NO SCHOOL PreK and Head Start
March 5: Conferences 12:30 to 7:15
March 5 through March 15 No School for all students - Spring Break; School resumes Monday, March 16

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nx3z3B-leBo

 

1.    What is Here Comes the Bus?

Here Comes The Bus is an easy-to-use website and app* that will enable you to see the location of your child’s school bus on your smartphone, tablet, or personal computer.

2.    How does it work?

Here Comes The Bus uses global positioning system (GPS) technology to locate and track your child’s school bus.

3.    How does the app track my student?

The Here Comes the Bus tracking system is not a child tracker. It tracks your child’s bus ONLY!  It does not track your child’s activity or movement. 

4.    Will the Here Comes the Bus track the buses for Special Needs students?

At this time, the Here Comes the Bus app for the district will be tracking “Regular” Education buses only. 

5.    How do I sign up?

It’s quite simple.

1.    You can go to the Apple Store or Google Play to download the HCTB app or you can visit herecomesthebus.com. 

2.    Once the app is downloaded you click the “Sign Up” button.

3.    Enter the school code 73916 and Click “Next” followed by “Confirm”. 

4.    Complete the “User Profile” box.

5.    Under “My Students” Click “Add.” 

6.    Enter your child’s last name and student ID number.

7.    Once you confirm your information, you’re ready to begin! 

6.    What will I see on my phone with HCTB?

You will be able to see the real-time location of your child’s bus on a map. It will also show you the scheduled and actual bus arrival times at your child’s stop and when they arrive at school.  You will receive a confirmation notification of the bus’s arrivals at the bus stop, at school or both.

7.    How will I be notified of my child’s bus arrivals?

You will receive a “Push notification” and email alert when the Bus has entered the radius around the home stop, or if their regular bus has been substituted.  

8.    How secure is HCTB?

Here Comes The Bus uses HTTPS, just like a bank or online store, which means that all communications between your web browser and the site is encrypted and secure. (That’s what the S in “HTTPS” stands for – secure.

9.    Is HCTB available in different languages?

Yes. It is available in three languages (English, Spanish and French).  This can be located in the app under “Language Preference.”

10. Do I need separate accounts for each of my children? Or separate accounts if we want to be notified separately?

You will not need separate accounts as you and your children can access all the information about the buses you need using just one Here Comes The Bus account.

11. What’s the difference between the mobile app and the website?

The primary difference is how you access the data. The look and feel are different on a mobile device for better on-the-go use. You can use mobile and tablet apps anywhere you can use a mobile device.

12. Will all schools utilize the Here Comes the Bus application in the District?

At this time to best serve the district, we will be tracking High School and Middle School first with bringing in Elementary schools later in the school year. 

13. Do I have to use the Here Comes the Bus App?

No.  The Here Comes the Bus app is Optional not mandatory.  It is your preference if you want to use this bus tracking method or not. 

APP FUNCTIONALITY QUESTIONS FROM PARENTS

1.    How do you change the radius on HCTB?

Click the Notifications tab. The Edit Radius tab will appear and display the AM Stop radius. To make the radius bigger or smaller, click and drag the slider at the top of the map. To move the radius, click and drag the map.  Please note that smaller the radius is set will give you a more accurate indication of the bus’s approximate arrival time at your child’s stop. 

2.    Why am I not receiving my notifications?

You probably need to adjust your “Notification” settings.  You can do this by going into your app.  Under notifications select “Edit Notification Rules.”  Under your child’s name select the “Notification” drop down button and select which notification you want to receive (ie,… Stop Radius Entry or Exit).  Then look to see if you have selected the notification to go to your phone or to your email.  Under the “Stop” next to your address, make certain you have selected the AM or PM Notification. 

3.    Why can’t I log on?

Let’s look and see if the information you typed such as your email and student ID was entered correctly.  If you don’t remember it, I can assist you in resetting it. 

4.    My child’s Student ID and last name isn’t working?

Let’s look and see if the information was entered correctly.  You can start by selecting the “Students” tab on the Home screen of the app. This is where you can verify if the students name is entered correctly. Should this not resolve it, we will contact Student Transportation for additional assistance.    

Early Release Procedures

OPS Families: As winter continues, we want to remind you that we have two new options in our winter weather toolkit. The evening before a weather event, Omaha Public Schools may call for a two-hour late start or a two-hour early release if weather is predicted to affect part, but not all of a school day. We shared information about the new options earlier this year. OPS would communicate the schedule adjustment by phone call and email, so please be sure your student’s school has your current contact information on file. Please do not block calls or emails from OPS, as you may miss important messages in the future.

Familias de OPS: A medida que el invierno continúa, queremos recordarles que tenemos dos nuevas opciones para el clima invernal. La noche anterior a un evento climático, las Escuelas Públicas de Omaha pueden solicitar un inicio de clases de dos horas tarde o una salida anticipada de dos horas temprano si se pronostica que el clima afectará, pero no todo el día escolar. Compartimos información sobre las nuevas opciones a principios de este año. OPS comunicaría el ajuste del horario con una llamada telefónica y correo electrónico, así que asegúrese de que la escuela de su estudiante tenga su información de contacto actualizada. No bloquee las llamadas o correos electrónicos de OPS, ya que puede perder mensajes importantes en el futuro.

We are kicking off our Kids Heart Challenge program (formerly Jump Rope for Heart) on February 14th We are thrilled to participate as we work together to raise money for the American Heart Association and learn how nutrition and being active can help us live longer, healthier lives.

Through the Kids Heart Challenge, we are going to talk about three things:

1      Habits to keep our hearts healthy

2      How we can help others…Meet Finn

3      Encourage everyone to take the challenge to adopt one of three healthy habits

This year we are excited to welcome the Heart Heroes to our school.  Over the next few weeks, the characters will share important messages about keeping their heart healthy, building self-confidence and helping others.  The first step is getting your student registered and taking a challenge.  When they register, they will receive their free wristband and join the Heart Heroes!!!

1      Click Here register your student for our Kids Heart Challenge

2      Choose your challenge

a.     MOVE MORE

b.     BE KIND

c.     BE READY

3      Earn your free glow-in-the-dark Heart Hero wristband

4      Download the Kids Heart Challenge app to bring the wristband and any Heart Heroes to life.

Your student can earn the Heart Hero characters and additional gifts by asking friends and family to make donations in the support of the American Heart Association.

Thank you so much for supporting our school and the American Heart Association. Together we can do this!

Please consider supporting our STEM Club by purchasing items from our Amazon Wish List. Items can be shipped directly to the school (2728 Ida Street, Omaha, NE 68112). Please share the link with family and friends! Click here to access our list: Minne Lusa Wish List

Minne Lusa Daily Schedule

8:00 a.m. Administrators and Secretary on duty

8:30 a.m. Safety Patrols arrive at assigned posts

8:25 a.m. Teachers on duty

8:35 a.m. Grab and Go Breakfast begins

Students will not be allowed in the building before 8:35 a.m.

8:50 a.m. Tardy bell – Classes in session

8:50 a.m. Breakfast program ends

4:05 p.m. School dismisses

4:15 p.m. Patrols off duty

4:25 p.m. Teachers off duty

4:30 p.m. Administrators and Secretary duty ends

Parent Voice // Continuous Feedback

All Parent Voice surveys are available online!

You should have also received an email regarding the Parent Voice survey

on Monday, February 3. If you didn’t, please update your email in Infinite Campus.   

Short on Time?

·      Please provide your feedback when it is convenient.  Visit the quick link and choose from the six sections for feedback. 

·      Responses are collected throughout the year, so you can visit the link anytime!

Important Information

There are six sections of the survey. It is not necessary to complete all sections at once.  This is an ongoing feedback process, so you may revisit the survey and complete sections as you have different interactions at your child’s school.

www.TinyURL.com/OPSParentVoice

 

Title I Information 

Click here to contact Mrs. Denton if you are interested in serving on our school's School Improvement or MTSS Committees.

This Title I School-Parent Compact has been jointly developed with parents and outlines how parents, the entire school staff, and students will share the responsibility for improved student academic achievement and the means by which the school and parents will build and develop a partnership to help children achieve the State’s high academic achievement standards.  At the annual parent-teacher conferences, the compact shall be discussed as it relates to the individual child’s achievement.

As a school, we will:

1.  Provide high-quality curriculum and instruction in a supportive and effective learning environment to enable children to meet the challenging state academic achievement standards.

2.    Regularly communicate with parents on their child’s progress. 

3.    Demonstrate professional behavior and positive attitude.

4.    Teach in a way that embraces differences in learning styles.

5.    Create a supportive and effective environment where students are respected and feel confident to take risks as a learner.

6.    Provide opportunities for families to be involved in school decisions, volunteer in school functions, and receive strategies to help students be successful.

As a family, we will:

1.    Communicate and work with teachers and school staff on an ongoing basis to be involved and support my child’s learning.

2.    Support our child’s learning—attend conferences and school functions, volunteer in their classroom, participate, as appropriate, in decisions related to their education, and guide positive use of extracurricular time. 

3.    Make sure my child is at school every day and on time, unless he/she is ill.

4.    Support our child by monitoring his/her progress, checking regularly for school communication, and ensuring that all homework is completed.

5.    Work with the school to ensure that our child’s academic, social, and physical needs are being met.

6.    Maintain open communication with the school by asking questions about any areas of concern and informing the school about any pertinent student information that will help promote a productive learning environment.

As a student, I will

1.    Be at school every day and on time unless I am sick.

2.    Be safe by serving as a positive role model to peers and others by following all school expectations in and out of school.

3.    Be accountable for my own behavior.

4.    Be responsible by respecting and cooperating with other students and coming to school each day prepared with completed schoolwork and an attitude to learn.

5.    Read at home.

6.    Share my knowledge and news about my school experiences with my family.

Parent Right To Know Clause At the beginning of the school year, any District that accepts Title 1 , Part A funding must notify parents that they can request information regarding their child’s teacher and his/her qualifications, including certification and endorsements. Parents can also request information about paraprofessionals working with their children. Nebraska requires that Title I schools must also provide each parent a timely notice that their child has been assigned, or has been taught for four or more consecutive weeks by a teacher who is not No Child Left Behind qualified.

Click here to Like and follow us on Facebook!

Interested in volunteering?
Complete the application by clicking here