Welcome to the Omaha Public Schools Academic Coaches Program for

To enhance the academic achievement opportunities for OPS students who participate in athletics, the Omaha Public Schools (OPS) Curriculum and Learning Department with the assistance of a generous donor have partnered together.

Purpose

· To enhance the academic achievement opportunities for OPS ninth grade students who participate in athletics.

· Help incoming freshman with the transition from middle school to high school.

· Emphasizes assisting 9^th grade student-athletes, but is open to student-athletes at all grade levels who are interested.

Overarching Goal

To establish a program that enhances communication among the student-athlete, classroom teachers, academic coaches, athletic coaches, and the parent/guardian that will promote success by the student-athletes in the classroom first and in the athletic arena.

Purpose

· To enhance the academic achievement opportunities for OPS ninth grade students who participate in athletics.

· Help incoming freshman with the transition from middle school to high school.

· Emphasizes assisting 9^th grade student-athletes, but is open to student-athletes at all grade levels who are interested.

Overarching Goal

To establish a program that enhances communication among the student-athlete, classroom teachers, academic coaches, athletic coaches, and the parent/guardian that will promote success by the student-athletes in the classroom first and in the athletic arena.

ACADEMIC COACHES

· Student-athletes in each of the seven OPS high schools will be assigned to academic coaches who will conduct after school tutoring sessions for a minimum of one hour per week during the student-athlete’s sports season.

· It is highly recommended that student-athletes continue to attend tutoring sessions throughout the school year.

· The Athletic Director and Academic Coaching Program lead teachers of each high school will select the academic coaches for each high school program.

· Ninth grade student-athletes will then be assigned to specific academic coaches.

LEAD TEACHERS
Benson: Jennifer Wittry

Bryan: Lisa Cook-Piccolo

Burke: Monica Dixon

Central: Katie Rude

North: Georgia O'Donnell

Northwest: Kelly Lesser

South: Stacy Rice

ACADEMIC COACHES

· Student-athletes in each of the seven OPS high schools will be assigned to academic coaches who will conduct after school tutoring sessions for a minimum of one hour per week during the student-athlete’s sports season.

· It is highly recommended that student-athletes continue to attend tutoring sessions throughout the school year.

· The Athletic Director and Academic Coaching Program lead teachers of each high school will select the academic coaches for each high school program.

· Ninth grade student-athletes will then be assigned to specific academic coaches.

LEAD TEACHERS
Benson: Jennifer Wittry

Bryan: Lisa Cook-Piccolo

Burke: Monica Dixon

Central: Katie Rude

North: Georgia O'Donnell

Northwest: Kelly Lesser

South: Stacy Rice

If you have any questions or comments about the Academic Coaches Program, please feel free to contact Bob Danenhauer (Director of P.E. and Athletes) or the Athletic Director at any of the seven OPS high schools.

Bob Danenhauer (Director of P.E. and Athletics)

Benson: Francis Szynskie
Bryan: Chris Loofe

Burke: Kyle Rohrig
Central: Darin Williams
North: Jim Savio

Northwest: Stephen Eubanks

South: Roni Huerta

Let’s make it a great year for OPS student-athletes!

If you have any questions or comments about the Academic Coaches Program, please feel free to contact Bob Danenhauer (Director of P.E. and Athletes) or the Athletic Director at any of the seven OPS high schools.

Bob Danenhauer (Director of P.E. and Athletics)

Benson: Francis Szynskie
Bryan: Chris Loofe

Burke: Kyle Rohrig
Central: Darin Williams
North: Jim Savio

Northwest: Stephen Eubanks

South: Roni Huerta

Let’s make it a great year for OPS student-athletes!

After School Academic Sessions for Student-Athletes

Academic and athletic coaches will have an initial meeting with student-athletes and review rules and responsibilities that will help ensure the student-athlete’s academic success.

The academic coaches will provide assistance to student-athletes in all of the following areas:

· study skills

· organizational and time management skills

· test-taking, ACT and note-taking strategies

· provide small group tutoring sessions

· monitor academic progress

· post high school opportunities and challenges

· help students achieve academic success during their experiences in high school

· assist them as they prepare for their post high school educational and athletic careers.

· explain college/university academic requirements

· review rules and regulations of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)