Viking News
October 2020 Special Edition
Principal's Greeting
Greetings Viking Family,
What a joy filled week the first week of in person learning was! We are so thrilled to have our Vikings back with us here at school. Our young Vikings have impressed us over the first week of school in person. They have done an OUTSTANDING job of being responsible and positive with their face coverings and our mitigation procedures: social distancing, mask wearing, and hand washing. A resounding thank you to the families at Crestridge; your work at home preparing our students for a safe and responsible return has paid off.
Given the numbers we are seeing from within our community, we fully realize that this remains an evolving situation, and we consider every successful day a victory as we inch forward through this pandemic school year. We heard from many families last week who chose to stream with us instead of sending their child to school, these families shared that their mindset was of erring on the side of caution and for this we sincerely thank you. Remaining open to serve our students will take each of us working together and making decisions with the Crestridge family in mind inside and outside of our school. I humbly ask everyone to please continue with all their efforts and cooperation. Every little bit helps.
As we move into a new week, we’d like to provide a kind reminder to families to please stay home if you or someone you live with are experiencing the following symptom(s)
* Two or more of the following - fever, chills, cold/shivering, muscle aches, headache, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
OR
* One of the following - new cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing and new loss of taste/smell
* You or someone you live with is waiting for test results for Covid-19
* You or someone you live with have been diagnosed with Covid-19
* You have been in close contact (6 feet or closer for 15 minutes or more) with someone diagnosed with Covid-19 without masks.
As we head deeper into fall, we know it is likely that we will deal with necessary quarantines along with the potential for Covid-19 within our school, and it could get more difficult before it gets easier. With that in mind, we realize that our protocols must remain in place, and while we have had remarkable cooperation from our students during the first week, it all needs to continue so we can give our best effort to stay on top of this evolving situation and to keep our school open. Our protocols and practices remind us that this isn't a typical school year, but each celebrated day also reminds us that we are maintaining an in-person on-campus experience along with remote learning options for all our Crestridge students.
We know we will make it through this time by supporting each other and practicing patience and unity. Working together, we will provide the encouragement and helpful direction to support a positive school year our students will cherish. We absolutely know there are things that are less than perfect, and we know there are frustrating moments. Let's never forget, flexibility and much grace will be the way we continue to navigate this year and still accomplish excellence at Crestridge.
If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out. Email me at valerie.varas@ops.org and I'll be sure to respond to you as quickly as possible. At the bottom of this electronic newsletter is a form entitled Family Voice Survey that seeks to learn parents questions, concerns, and to hear parent input.
#Crestridgeproud
#Vikingstrong
#Bettertogether
Go Vikings!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Valerie Varas
Principal
Crestridge Magnet
Omaha Public Schools
(531) 299-1280
District Response to COVID-19 in Schools
Our Vikings Learning and Leading
Mark Your Calendar
Upcoming Dates
Parade of Pumpkins
Is it Halloween already?! This year, we will be conducting a “Parade of Pumpkins”. This is an exciting event that your family can spend some quality time together sharing creative ideas with each other. Begin by getting a pumpkin, make a plan, and show off your imagination! Make sure to bring your pumpkin to Crestridge between October 12-16 to be entered in the event. The Viking family will be judging the creations from October 19-23 based on:
1. Being the scariest (without weapons)
2. Funniest
3. Most creative
4. Best of All, and more
Winners will be announced on October 28. We are looking forward to seeing all of the artistic pumpkin creations!
Virtual Parent Teacher Conferences
NO SCHOOL REMINDER
Harvest Parties
On Tuesday, October 27th (A-K cohort) and Friday, October 30 (L-Z cohort), Crestridge will continue with its tradition of Harvest Parties and a school wide parade. For families who choose not to partake in the festivities, please be assured that we will provide an alternate location and activity in order to allow you student to remain at school.
At Crestridge we work hard to ensure that students’ minds and bodies are ready for learning each day. For our school-wide celebration, individual apple slices prepared by the district will be provided. In accordance with district guidance, we will not be accepting snacks this year. The provided apple slices are consistent with the intent of the district’s Local School Wellness Policy and will promote healthful eating among our students. We are committed to making our school the healthiest it can be so our students can do their best work.
**Costumes: Students are welcome to wear their costumes to school or to bring their costumes in their backpack to change into later in the day. Costumes must be school appropriate (no weapons or scary items) and must not include makeup or be complicated so that students are able to independently wear the costume over their clothes with minimal teacher assistance.
Parade Details
• All parents are encouraged and welcomed for the parade! Face coverings MUST be worn at all times while on the Crestridge campus.
• Please arrive at school as close to 2:00 as possible to get situated for the parade. We are asking that all parents spread out around the outside of our track and that everyone adheres to physical distancing.
• Weather-permitting our parade will head outside around the Crestridge campus and around the track promptly at 2:15 PM
• If the weather is poor, the parade will be in the hallways and gymnasium for students only.
• The parade will be held first with a school-wide movie to immediately follow.
Special Notes
• To keep this event safe for our students and teachers, we invite families to join us on the grass around the track. Our parade route will be out through the front door, traveling southeast on the sidewalk, over to the track, around the track and back through the front entrance of the building.
• A reminder that Crestridge Road is a two way street until 3:30. We ask your assistance in allowing traffic to flow in both directions. Additionally, we ask Crestridge families to be courteous of neighbors by refraining from parking in or blocking driveways
• Due to local health conditions, we are unable to have volunteers to serve as a room parents.
Food Distribution Sites
OPS Meals 2 Go
Thanks to a waiver from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Omaha Public Schools is offering Meals2Go at no cost to students and community children, ages 1 - 18. Each bag contains school favorites, whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Milk is available as an option.
• All students will receive a breakfast and lunch, at no charge until USDA CARES Act funds are gone.
• Children ages 1-18, will have the opportunity to receive Meals2Go bags at all schools where we are currently distributing meals curbside. Students who are learning remotely as well as community children may receive meals. Additionally, students who will return to the classroom will receive breakfast and lunch at no charge.
• Parents/guardians who pick up the meals without children in the car will need to provide identification (report card, schedule, birth certificate, etc.) that the meals are for a child at home.
• Meals2Go bags will continue to be distributed on Mondays (Monday and Tuesday) and Wednesdays (Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday) at all of the schools where meals are currently distributed. Beginning Oct. 5, the meal distribution time will change to accommodate for staffing:
- Elementary: 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
- Middle and High Schools: 8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
- Program schools, early childhood locations and TAC programs will not distribute the Meals2Go bags. The parent/guardian may pick up the meals at any of the other sites currently open.
Omaha Public Schools is able to offer the meals at no cost to all children, ages 18 and under, through a short-term waiver issued from the USDA. After the waiver is over, our district will keep the community informed of all changes as they take effect.
Food Bank of the Heartland
A Map of Food Distribution by Address
Social Resources
Cox Connect2Compete Internet Access for Families
If you find yourself in need of assistance in attaining a home WiFi connection, Cox Cable offers their Cox Connect2Compete program for families in need. The program offers WiFi for $9.95 per month. Cox is offering special discounts for families due to the Coronavirus Pandemic.
Please see the link below:
211
People across our area face challenges every day and may not know how to find or access local programs that address them. That’s what 211 is all about: connecting our neighbors with nearby services that can help. If you are looking for assistance in finding a food pantry, paying for a utility bill, accessing safe housing or shelter, receiving counseling services and more, speak with one of our helpline specialists today. 211 is available 24/7 by phone or text. Your call is free and confidential.
Call 2-1-1 or text your zip code to 898211 to get in touch with a helpline specialist today.
Please see the link below for more information or to visit their website.
Want to Support the PTO?
The below are opportunities for you to give through your purchasing:
TAGG
Direct Donation
Amazon Smile
Other Resources for Families
District Level Support
If you have additional questions, please consider which of the following department below may best meet your needs.
Contact Student Information Services at SIS@ops.org for:
- Current or past student proof of education
- Pre-K and K registration or physicals
- Questions about summer school
Contact the Student Placement Office at StudentPlacement@ops.org for:
- Transfer requests
- Questions regarding home attendance areas