Recycling at Beals!
Beals is embarking on a new project.   Each classroom will be recycling paper to be used again.  There will be a container in the hall and each class will deposit their left over paper at the end of the day!  

                        Goals
At the beginning of January, each student set an individual goal to be achieved by the beginning of February.  The goals can be related to academics or content standards.   Each child decided what goal they would achieve.  The students have been working hard at completing these individual goals.  As we get the names in of those who accomplished their goals, be looking for stars next to their names in the display case in the hall.  Each star will indicate a different month!  We are already getting reports in that entire classrooms are reaching their goals!  

SCHOOL SELECTION FOR THE 2005-06 SCHOOL YEAR
The OPS Student Assignment Plan…
The OPS Student Assignment Plan provides every student with several school choices, including a neighborhood school, magnet school opportunities and option school choices.  School choices are based upon the student's residential address.  Elementary students who reside more than 1.5 miles from school will receive transportation, except those attending on a Special Needs Transfer.  
·    MAGNET SCHOOLS:  The magnet lottery is scheduled for February 10th, 9 am in the OPS Board.  The public is invited.  Lottery results will be mailed to all applicants later in February.
·    ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHOICES:  Parents of current 0K-5th graders may request a school Selection Form by contacting their school or the Student Placement Office at 557-2708 by February 18th.  Deadline for returning completed Selection Forms is March 16th.  Parents of current PK students will receive selection forms identifying your school choices in mid-February.  These are due back by March 16th.
MIDDLE SCHOOL:  6th graders who are currently attending a magnet school will have the opportunity to continue at the corresponding middle school magnet.  Current 6th graders who are attending an option school will have the opportunity to attend the middle school option associated with their present school, or they may attend the middle school in their home attendance area.  The remainder of next year's middle school students, if not selected for a magnet seat, will attend their home attendance area school.  

OPEN HOUSES / SCHOOL VISITS…
Information about magnet school Open Houses and opportunities to visit option schools will be included in the materials you receive about your choices.  You are invited and encouraged to visit schools prior to making a choice for your child(ren) for the 2005-2006 school year.

Special Needs TransferS …
Current Special Needs Transfer students do not need to re-apply each year.  These placements are reviewed annually and are not automatically guaranteed for the next school year.  While most Special Needs Transfers are renewed, circumstances may exist that would require some students to choose a new school for next year.  Parents of students whose Special Needs Transfer is to be revoked will be notified by principals prior to April, 2005.  In these cases, parents will have an opportunity to select another school, based upon the OPS Student Assignment Plan.

If you have questions about the Omaha Public Schools Student Assignment Plan,
you may contact the Student Placement Office at 557-2710.


                                                    Valentine's Day
Valentine's Day is always a special day we can show others we care about them!  It's the perfect day to do a random act of kindness for someone else--just don't tell them you did it!   We will be celebrating Valentine's Day on Monday, February 14th.   The morning prekindergarten will begin at 10:30 a.m. and all other classes will begin at 2:30 p.m..   A drink and treat will be provided by the PTA.  Thank you PTA!  

                                  Star Students!
Congratulations to the Star Students for January!  They are Bryan R., Tuyen N., Michael S., Olivia L., Vanessa S., Carlos H., Anna N., Collin M., Lourdes C., Jordan B., Stacy T., Myles B., Brian K., Anne F., Mark T., Emily S., Sara W., Katelyn S., Bradley R., Kara H., Netrian H., Whitney L., Giovanni A., Ally S., Jordan M., and Tai'Vian V..

                        Burger King Night!
Plan to eat dinner at Burger King on Tuesday, February 15th!  A percentage of your order will come back to Beals!  We appreciate your support!  Third grade should be having featured artwork!