“What the best and wisest parent wants for his own child,
that the community must want for all its children.”
—John Dewey, 1899
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High academic expectations are an absolute part of the mission and vision of the Omaha Public Schools and are essential to ensuring high achievement for every student in the school district. The theme and district mantra for this school year is High Expectations – High Achievement – For All Students. The challenge of providing quality instruction and a learning environment where each child can and will perform to his or her highest potential is not limited to the classroom. Every member of the school community—parent, teacher, administrator, support staff, patron—shares equally in the responsibility to support schools and educational programs that will provide the best possible learning opportunities for every child.
The society of the twenty-first century is and will become more diverse and more complex where high learning standards and the vision of educational success for all students are the goals to be met by public school districts across America. In this rapidly changing, technological world, students will need to acquire a varied set of skills that will help them achieve success in school and in life. From policies and procedures at the district level to lesson planning and implementation at the school site, high expectations and high achievement for all students is the framework within which every decision must be made. The operating assumption for decision-making at all levels is that every student—regardless of economic status, racial or language backgrounds, physical or mental limitations—is expected to achieve to their highest potential.
The school district is not alone in its efforts to ensure high achievement for children. The Omaha Public School District is fortunate to enjoy the outstanding support of the business community. These partners in the education of workers of the future have high expectations that their investment of personnel and material assistance will contribute to the high achievement of our young people. The education of our future citizens and leaders of this city, state and nation is a shared responsibility. The community can be proud of the many businesses, organizations, and benefactors who are assisting in multiple ways to help provide and maintain the highest quality education for all students.
Among the most ardent advocates of High Expectations – High Achievement – For All Students are the members of the governing body of the school district—members of the Board of Education. They dedicate many hours and share a wealth of expertise in the service of young people and families in the Omaha Public Schools. The community can be proud of the efforts of these public servants who give freely of their time to ensure the support necessary to enable all students to reach their highest potential.
With the total community working together, with involvement and commitment from all the citizens of Omaha, the vision of High Expectations – High Achievement – For All Students will be more than a theme or goal. High Expectations – High Achievement – For All Students will be a reality that ensures academic success for each student in the Omaha Public Schools.