Nathan Hale Newsletter 3rd Q -- 2019: Home

Office

(531) 299 - 2360

Attendance

(531) 299 - 7027

Nurse

(531) 299 - 2361

Nathan Hale's THRIVE Club, sponsored by Mrs. Darling and Ms. Taylor, focuses on creating servant leaders. THRIVE students are collaborating to highlight their unique cultures during the THRIVE culture fair.  Many students will be sharing details about traditional cultural clothing, games, languages, and foods.  

The THRIVE culture fair is Thursday, March 28th from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in Nathan Hale's cafetria.  

If you like to play basketball, badminton, or bowling, join us for Nathan Hale's Family Sports Night.  It is Thursday, April 4th from 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at Nathan Hale Middle School.  

UNO and Creighton basketball players will help hoop it up!  

The great thing about the night is everything is FREE!  Attendees get a chance to receive a gift card and a pedometer.  Pizza and healthy snacks will be provided.  

Attendees can visit a variety of community wellness sponsors.

Adults must accompany their children. Athletic apparel must be worn with proper shoes.  

Check out the flyer on the Nathan Hale webpage.  

See you there!

Health Office Summer Checklist 

Incoming Sixth-Grade Students

* Physical NOT needed.

* Dental exam is highly recommended.

* Vision exam is highly recommended.

* Asthma/Severe Allergy, Diabetic, Seizure Action Plans filled out by physician.

* Permissions for medications to be taken at school from physician and parent.

Incoming Seventh-Grade Students

* Seventh-grade immunizations.  Must have 1 dose of Tdap (must contain Pertussis booster).

* Physical dated after 3/1/19.

* Dental exam is highly recommended.

* Vision exam is highly recommended.

* Asthma/Severe Allergy, Diabetic, Seizure Action Plans filled out by physician.

* Permissions for medications to be taken at school from physician and parent.

Incoming Eighth-Grade Students

* Catch up immunizations.

* Physical (only if participating in a sport) dated after 5/1/19.

* Dental exam is highly recommended.

* Vision exam is highly recommended.

* Asthma/Severe Allergy, Diabetic, Seizure Action Plans filled out by physician.

* Permissions for medication to be taken at school from physician and parent.

Outgoing Ninth-Grade Students

* Catch up immunizations.

* Physical (only if participating in a sport) dated after 5/1/19.

* Dental exam is highly recommended.

* Vision exam is highly recommended.

* Asthma/Severe Allergy, Diabetic, Seizure Action Plans filled out by physician.

* Permissions for medication to be taken at school from physician and parent.

 

 

Wrestling

Coach Elder, Coach Matthews and the wrestling team had many successes and showed tremendous growth throughout the year.  Several of the Patriot wrestlers placed in the top four wrestlers in the city at the OPS City Championships.

Girls Basketball

Nathan Hale's girls basketball team had a strong start to their season.  The bad weather and corresponding snow days, however, made it difficult for the girls to maintain momentum.  They ended the season with a 4 - 6 record.  Coach Wolf and Coach Lessley are both excited about the 2019 - 2020 season as a majority of the team is returning -- giving them a strong, core of eighth-grade leaders.   

Patriot Summer School, run June 3rd - June 28th from 7:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m., has a wealth of engaging and exciting programs for the 2019 session.  This four-week experience is an interactive learning adventure for incoming sixth-grade thru eighth-grade students.  It is designed to bolster skills needing improvement, while increasing current knowledge through in-depth and hands-on experiences.  

Incoming sixth-grade students will get their first taste of middle school life and all the possibilities that exist at Nathan Hale.  Students new to our school will have their anxiety eased, while becoming familiar with "everything middle school" and meeting new friends. 

Soon to be seventh-grade students and eighth-grade students will have a variety of opportunities to open doors to success as they transition to the next grade, whether it be additional practice in reading and writing or technology-based math classes.

All students will take math, reading, writing, and science.

If you are interested in having your student(s) attend Summer School, please contact Ms. Voss at kristina.voss@ops.org.

 

Please help us welcome Ms. Alexandrea O'Donnell to Nathan Hale.  She is a paraprofessional assisting in Ms. Moore's classroom.  Ms. O'Donnell will graduate this year with her BS in Child Protection and Juvenile Justice from Bellevue University.  She comes to Nathan Hale from Boys Town where she worked in the Intervention and Assessment program.  She is hoping to pursue her Masters Degree in education upon graduating.  Ms. O'Donnell is excited about the experience Nathan Hale will offer.  She went to MacMillan Middle School, and her favorite memory was her dad being a teacher there.  

The Patriots would like to know your thoughts about the newsletter.  Please email your comments and feedback to Mrs. Tetschner at angela.tetschner@ops.org.  Thank you.

Dear Patriot Community,

     The school year is moving along quickly, and I am deeply thankful for the talent and energy of our students and staff members.  Our students have demonstrated that they can and will learn in order to achieve greater success in the future.  Our students have represented themselves in the classrooms, at plays, concerts, club events, and at sports competitions.  I commend them on their behaviors in school and in the community. Because of our parents, students, and staff, Nathan Hale continues to be a tremendous place to learn.

     Our eighth-grade students have been working with the high school counselors on which classes they will take in high school.  Seventh-grade and sixth-grade students have been registering for classes for next year.  Our counselors will be visiting elementary schools for registration of our incoming sixth-grade students who will join us next year.  We are excited for all of our students as they prepare for the 2019 - 2020 academic school year. 

     As a reminder, we are still under renovations and are excited about the updates for our school.  We will have our ribbon-cutting ceremony on November 12, 2019.  We will be sharing more information about the ceremony in the near future.  Also, we began testing on March 19th.  Be sure and remind your child to get enough sleep the night before a test, listen closely to any instructions, read the test through before they begin working, and, of course, relax.

     As always, we are here to assist families with the academic and social needs of their children.  Feel free to contact us at (531) 299 - 2360.  I want to thank you for allowing us to educate and assist your young adults!

Darin K. Williams

Principal

 

 

Math -- During third quarter, Mrs. Quedensley and her Advanced Math students finished a unit on rational numbers.  Next, they moved on to algebraic expressions and inequalities.  The students were challenged to problem solve using Fermi Math and to create PowerPoints that demonstrated their questioning and thinking.  These PowerPoints challenged them to create a visual representation of their thought processes.  During fourth quarter, these mathematicians will rock their NSCAS and MAP testing to show their growth.  They will finish up the year with geometry and statistics.  Mrs. Quedensley's Math 6 students completed a unit on integers and coordinate planes -- even creating their own life integer timelines.  They also worked on algebraic expressions and inequalities.  During fourth quarter, these scholars will rock the NSCAs and MAP tests, and they will end the year studying area, geometry, and statistics.  Ms. Ross and her Math 6 students also were busy during third quarter.  They worked hard on multiplying and dividing fractions.  During fourth quarter, these students will work on integers and prepare for the NSCAS and MAP testing.  If you can't find X, ask Mr. Ohira and his math students.  They spent third quarter working on algebraic expressions.  Ms. Johnson's Math 6 students started learning algebra basics during third quarter.  During fourth quarter, they are heading into the realm of equations and exploring geometry.

English/Language Arts --  During third quarter, Mrs. Miller and her students worked on their "Making Our Voices Heard" unit in the Collections textbook.  They read the novels One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams Garcia and Bud Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis.  During fourth quarter, they will work on a unit called "Decisions that Matter" and read the novel Because of Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyea.  For third quarter, the students in Ms. Workman's classes worked on analyzing character traits and sensory details in fictional text. They also traced and analyzed arguments while reading informational texts.  For vocabulary/grammar skills, these scholars worked on using context clues to determine unknown words, punctuating dialogue, and distinguishing between homophones.  

Social Studies -- Ms. Johnson and her students packed their bags and traveled to Ancient Rome during third quarter.  They also traveled through Medieval Europe.  During fourth quarter, they will visit West Africa.  Bon Voyage, Patriots!  Ms. Wolf and her social studies students had the same "travel" itinerary.  They learned about Ancient Rome and Medieval Europe during third quarter, and will finished their travels in Medieval Europe during fourth quarter and journey to West Africa.

Science --  Biology was the name of the game for Mr. Novotny and his young scientists during third quarter.  They studied organisms, living things, and the biosphere.  During fourth quarter, they will study cells, cell function, and parts of cells.  During third quarter, Ms. Eltouny's students studied biotic and abiotic factors.  They investigated microorganisms such as bacteria and viruses, and they learned about cells.  Whew!  During fourth quarter, they will study cell division and body systems.

 

English/Language Arts --  Ms. Harvey's students spent third quarter reading and writing about nature and the environment.  They considered their responsibilities to the environment.  During fourth quarter, they will work on a unit called "Guided by a Cause."  Mr. Samson's and Mrs. Bridgeford's readers and writers also focused on nature using their Collections textbook and ancillary material.  During fourth quarter, his students will work on an inquiry project and read the novel The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton.  During third quarter Mrs. Foley and her scholars studied the concept of "Nature at Work."  The students read a variety of texts regarding the environment, making connections to their personal experiences in nature.  They also argued whether they believe they have a responsibility for the health of the environment in an argument paper.  During fourth quarter, in addition to NSCAS and MAP testing, they will be reading Triangle Factory Fire and be writing a paper about a person/theme related to the story.  The students will be learning the research process during this assignment.  Also, they will be reading the novel The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton and have a panel discussion about a theme from the story (friendship, family, class, etc.)

Science -- During third quarter, Mr. Clerc and his Science 7 students donned lab coats and goggles as they studied chemistry and the different systems of the human body.  His Physical Science students learned about physics and energy transfer.  Not a body was at rest!  During fourth quarter, the Science 7 scholars will study Earth's geologic history, and the Physical Science scholars will study weather, climate, and Earth systems.  During third quarter, Mrs. Swain's young scientists learned about chemistry, as well.  Their culminating activity was using their knowledge about chemistry to identify a mystery powder.  They will end the year "rocking and rolling" as they complete a unit on Earth's geologic history.  

Social Studies -- Third quarter in social studies found Mr. Garcia's scholars learning about global economics.  These Patriots participated in outsourcing and globalization activities.  They even had the opportunity to outsource their math homework to another class.  They also had to decide if the benefits of globalization outweighed the costs.  During fourth quarter, the students will choose two countries to research.  Based on their research, they will decide to "live or leave" their chosen countries.

Math -- The mathematicians in Mr. Stark's classes began third quarter learning how to solve equations, and they finished up the quarter with a unit on geometry.  Fourth quarter begins with measurements, and the school year ends with probability and statistics.  What are the odds of that?  Ms. Carver, Mrs. Price and their mathematicians have been working hard all school year.  During third quarter, however, their focus was on expressions and algebraic equations.  They will finish the school year with geometry, probability, and statistics.  Ms. Carver would like to ask parents to continue to encourage their students to work hard and to seek help in math when they need it.    

Math -- Angles, angles, and more angles!  During third quarter, Mr. Matthews and his Pre-Algebra students worked with protractors on parallel lines with transversals, and they finished learning the ins and outs of triangles.  Fourth quarter is the "opening" of testing season, and these Patriot mathematicians will work hard to prepare for the NSCAS and MAP tests.  Mr. Jensen and his Pre-Algebra students worked on transformations, parallel lines/transversals, and the Pythagorean Theorem.  During fourth quarter, these scholars will prepare for the NSCAS test and study congruence/similarity, volume, and surface area.  During third quarter, Mrs. Peters' algebra students solved systems of equations.  During fourth quarter, they will work with exponents and polynomials.

Science -- Shoot for the stars!  During third quarter, Mr. Elder and his students discovered the wonders of astronomy through projects that related to our solar system, galaxy, and universe.  During fourth quarter, they will study the theory of evolution and changes over time.  

Health and Human Growth & Development -- Mr. Clayburn's students learned about My Plate during third quarter.  My Plate is the current nutrition guide published by the USDA Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion.  It is a guide that help students build healthy meals and achieve a healthy weight.  These scholars also discussed alternatives to high-risk behaviors.  

Introduction to Careers --  During third quarter, Ms. King and her sixth-grade, seventh-grade, and eighth-grade students explored career options.  Her eighth-grade students also worked on financing their futures.  Show me the money!

English/Language Arts --  The eighth-grade language arts teachers (Ms. Carlson, Ms. Lee, Mrs. Ridgley, and Mrs. Kissinger) had their students explore the ideas of what it means to come of age and how challenges can lead to personal growth.  These ideas were demonstrated throughout the novel Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson.  This novel was read and analyzed during third quarter.  During fourth quarter, these readers and writers will turn their attention to a unit called "The Legacy of Anne Frank."

Spanish -- Hola!  Greetings from Mrs. Peters and her students in Spanish.  These linguists spent third quarter describing family and conjugating verbs.  During fourth quarter, they will use Spanish to describe chores, home, and likes/dislikes.  

Social Studies -- During third quarter, Ms. Benson and her students traveled back in American history and studied slavery and the Civil War.  Her students completed a Civil War project.  During fourth quarter, these scholars will learn about Reconstruction and Immigration.  During third quarter, Mr. Bedore and his scholars looked at the causes of sectionalism to the Civil War, and then they fought the Civil War.  During fourth quarter, they will be putting the country back together through Reconstruction and discussing the industrial revolution, urbanization, and immigration.

Vocal Music --  Ms. Sewell and her talented chorus students spent third quarter developing their part singing skills and vocal range in preparation for their spring concert.  The Spring Vocal Music Concert is Tuesday, May 14th at 6:00 p.m. at Northwest High School's auditorium.  The title for the concert is I Dream A World.  The eighth-grade chorus members also rehearsed for adjudication.  Ms. Boesch and her students began third quarter by studying the history of the Grammys.  They followed along with this year's nominations and winners, as well.  The ended third quarter by learning about the Blues.  During fourth quarter, they will study the history of Rock and Roll.  They will end the year by studying Hip Hop.

Physical Education --  Ms. Kowal and the athletes in her classes worked hard during third quarter to hone their badminton skills.  The birdies were flying through the air with ease!  Depending on the weather, fourth quarter may include activities like floor hockey, fitness, frisbee, and flag football for these girls. Mr. Hansen and the athletes in his classes covered fitness activities, including the PACER and circuit training during third quarter.  The boys also continued to work on their teamwork and communication by playing team games such as basketball, handball, soccer, kickball, and scooterball.  Fourth quarter will hopefully allow these Patriots to get outside -- where they will work on muscle endurance and doing activities such as baseball, football, soccer, and kickball.   

Computer Applications --  During third quarter in Computer Applications, Ms. Voss' students learned the ins and outs of Microsoft Office with a major focus on Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.  Students were able to create independent projects to express their creativity and understanding of each concept.  Students also took a major focus to typing by improving their daily speed and accuracy.

ESL --  Third quarter found Ms. Darling and her students working on their reading skills and test-taking skills for ELPA.  During fourth quarter, they will work on reading fiction and identifying literary elements.  During third quarter, Ms. Taylor and her American Studies students worked on a Big 6 research project.  Each student selected a country to research.  This culminated in a PowerPoint presentation to their peers.  Ms. Taylor's writing students worked on irregular verbs and past tense verbs -- all the while, focused on making a difference.  Ms. Taylor's ESL B Reading students worked on reading and summarizing instructional level text.  They also engaged in academic conversations with their peers.  

Instrumental Music -- During third quarter, the orchestra had a great adjudication.  Mr. Karpf and his musicians worked hard during third quarter to prepare for the Spring Instrumental Music Concert.  This concert is Thursday, May 9th at 6:00 p.m. in Nathan Hale's gym.  

Reading --  Mr. Irvin and his reading students kept the pages turning during third quarter.  They worked on word recognition and comprehension.

BSP Affective Skills --  May I tell you about Ms. Moore's students?  During third quarter, Ms. Moore and her students worked on making requests, asking for help, and self identity.  They created murals that represented themselves.  These murals turned out great!  During fourth quarter, these Patriots will focus on character and leadership.

Leadership -- During third quarter, Ms. Benson and her seventh-grade leadership students learned about what leadership skills are.  They also studied the Founding Fathers from Washington to Monroe.  During fourth quarter, these scholars will study the presidents from Van Buren to Polk and complete a Presidential project.  During third quarter, Ms. Benson's eighth-grade students learned how to apply leadership skills to personal life, and they began a business project.  They will finish this project during fourth quarter and participate in a leadership book study on Booker T. Washington.

Social Justice --  Ms. Skradski and her seventh-grade students were busy during third quarter.  They learned about political parties and how they impact the US government.  During fourth quarter, these civic-minded students will learn about laws and how laws are passed.  The students in Ms. Skradski's eighth-grade classes focused on the criminal justice system and how it works.  Also, they investigated the flaws in the criminal justice system and how they can help improve it.  

Art -- The objective for Ms. Konvalin and her sixth-grade artists is to acquire a world view of art.  To this end, they explore materials and art processes of countries and cultures within the art world.  During fourth quarter, they will focus on Egyptian art, origami, color theory, and archeology.  The objective for Ms. Kovalin and her seventh-grade artists is to find identity as an artist -- within in a group or a personal identity through art.  During fourth quarter, they will focus on Zentangle perspective cityscapes, color theory, and printmaking.  The objective for Ms. Konvalin and her eighth-grade artists is to learn about the American experience -- by looking at early and mid-century artwork and contemporary artwork.  They also focus on personal expression through the exploration of mediums.  During fourth quarter, they will learn about portraits, pop art, diversity collages, and printmaking.

 

Moving On Up!

The year is quickly coming to an end.  Eighth-grade students are excited about moving to high school.  Sixth-grade students and seventh-grade students are excited about moving up a level, and elementary students are also excited to move up to middle school -- though they are feeling a little anxious.

Here are several ways in which you can assist your child with transitioning to a new school next fall.  Here are some suggestions:

* Have a conversation about what things concern him/her about changing schools.

* Reassure your student that it is normal to be feeling a little anxious about the change.

* Let them know that every other student is feeling very much the same.

* Point out these 10 positive things about moving to middle school.

1. Making new friends

2. Making a fresh start

3. Learning interesting new things

4. Becoming more responsible

5. Having new opportunities for after-school activities including sports and clubs

6. Finding out their interests, skills, and career goals

7. Preparing for high school

8. Meeting new teachers, counselors, and administrators

9. Developing talents and abilities

10. Becoming a young teen

Summer Strategies

Important ways in which you can keep your child academically strong over the summer include...

* Make sure your student has a daily leisure reading plan of 30 minutes a day.

* Expose your child to new experiences.

* Ask your child questions about everyday experiences.

* Give them plenty of exercise and fresh air.

* Make family plans for a picnic, ballgame, concerts, or other summer activities.

* Plan some day trips to the riverfront, zoo, museums, and other venues.

* Spend quality time with each of your children separately.

* Share your values with them.

* Discuss your expectations for attendance, grades, and behavior in school.

* Have your student work on basic math facts, and show your child how math is used in the everyday world.

* Assign regular chores to your child expecting them to be done in a timely manner.

* Teach good time management skills -- practice scheduling after school hours in preparation for homework in the fall.  Have your child use an alarm clock.

* Teach your child the value of helping others.

Jump Start For Incoming Sixth-Grade Students

From Monday, June 3rd to Friday, June 28th, incoming sixth-grade students will be invited to participate in "Jump Start" to help them become familiar with Nathan Hale and transitioning to middle school.  This year's Jump Start will be held at Northwest High School due to renovations being completed at Nathan Hale.  Students will participate in activities to meet students and teachers, to learn how to use an agenda, to practice unlocking lockers, and to familiarize themselves with the Patriot Way.  Be on the lookout for more information on how to sign up your incoming sixth-grade student.  We look forward to meeting them!

 

 

Nathan Hale's Student Council created festive door hangers with UNO students for Children's Hospital.

The Patriots Quiz Bowl team had a great time competing at the Brownell Talbot Quiz Bowl competition.

Honors Special Projects classes completed primary and secondary source research on their History Day projects.

Put your fingers together and "snap" for the five Nathan Hale eighth-grade students who spent a wonderful day at a Poetry Slam workshop and perfected their slam skills.

Nathan Hale's Book Blasters team had a great day at the Middle Level Book competition.  The members of the team read all the books, worked hard, and competed well.  

Kudos to Mrs. Ridgley, Nathan Hale's Gifted and Talented Facilitator and all these amazing scholars!

 

Come One. Come All.  

Nathan Hale's Drama Club is presenting their spring play on Thursday, April 18 at 6:00 p.m. in Northwest High School's auditorium.  

The play is Rideshare Overshare by Don Zolidis.  

Synopsis

When Mike and Elaine each call a car to get to their blind date, they find themselves paired with the weirdest drivers on the road, from a "semi-licensed" therapist, to a thief engaged in a high-speed chase, to a rapper more concerned with sharing her original music than obeying the rules of the road.  Will Mike and Elaine make it to their date on time?  With drivers like these, they'll be lucky to get there at all!

The Drama Club is sponsored by Ms. Workman.

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Omaha Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, age, genetic information, citizenship status, or economic status in its programs, activities and employment and provides equal access to Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups.  The following individual has been designated to address inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies.  Superintendent of Schools, 2315 Cuming Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68131, 531-299-0220.