Well we made it for four days without a snow day!  We told the kiddos we were aiming for four days and we made it!  Mother Nature sure threw us some “fancy” weather.  If the weather looks questionable, be sure to listen to the radio or TV.  They will announce or post the closing of the Omaha Public Schools.   Please keep in mind, too, that the TEARDROP DRIVE is for pick up of Prekindergarten and Kindergarten students ONLY!   We are having quite a traffic jam.  If there is a spot to pull to the side, please do so!   The center lane is not for having students “run to the car and get in”.  It cannot be blocked so others may be able to get out.   Please stay with your cars in the event we need to have you move up.  Please stay with your cars in the LOWER LOT as well.  

HyVee Receipts
Still have those December receipts from HyVee?  If you do, send them into the school office.  We have until the end of January to tally the December receipts!

Caring and Sharing
Tonight is Caring and Sharing night at Don and Millie’s!  Since the one on Saddle Creek had an unfortunate accident, the Don and Millie’s on 108th and W. Center Rd. will accommodate us!  Twenty percent of what is ordered is donated back to Beals.  Don’t forget to tell them you are from Beals!

Food Drive
We had a remarkable Food Drive during the month of November.  You provided enough items or donations to help about 20 of our families.  We like to thank you and thank our local businesses for their contributions!   We would like to thank:  
Cummins Great Plain, Inc.
Westlawn-Hillcrest Funeral Home
Jiffy Laser, Inc.
The Hornish company
A Girl’s Best Friend
Bag ‘N Save
Bakers on Saddlecreek
Ron’s Garage
Gerda’s Bakery
Donald H. Moore-State Farm Insurance
Presto X Company
McFly’s Center Street Tavern
Andersen Industrial Engines Company
ABC Furniture and TV, Inc.
Shannon Station, Limited-Barrett’s Barley Corn
Mizpah Lodge
Dingman’s Collision Center
Harkers BBQ
Pruitt’s, Inc.
Charlie Graham Body and Service Company
Gillem Insurance
Kubat Pharmacy
Access Elevators, Inc.
MBC Construction, Inc.
Milacek Monument
A special thank you to Mrs. Gosch’s for helping with the donations.  

Star Student Luncheon
[Image:1142005_121837_0.png]We had some terrific students have lunch with the Principal!  They were our Star Students for the month of January.  They demonstrated good citizenship, a caring attitude and a willingness to achieve academic goals.  They were:  Kayla H., Ronnie S., Treasure R., Owen L., Haley Z., Roberto G., Luis O., Liseth R., Alexander T., Lindsay B., Anthony M., Angelique G., Nicole A., Daniel W., Nyesha D., Doug B., Carmen O., Ryan B., Rachel R., Sydney M., Angela C., Eric S., Bryan T., Katie G., Brad A., and Miranda E..  We did have a couple who where absent, yet we hope they can join us next month.  

Second Quarter Report Cards
Report cards will be going home on Thursday, January 20th, 2005.  Ask your youngster now what you can be expecting to see on the report card.  Be sure to look for them in the back packs.

Goals
During the month of January students will be setting an individual goal for themselves.  They will be choosing a goal they would like to work on and be successful.  At the end of January, their teacher will be giving the office a list of who accomplished their goal.  A star will go after their name on the board in the hall.  Each time they reach a goal, a star will be added.  We will be keeping track of this for the remainder of the year.  Ask your kiddo about the goal they have chosen.  

NO SCHOOL
Reminder – there is no school on Friday, January 14th as this is a semester break day for teachers and no school on Monday, January 17th in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  


2005 Alice Buffett Outstanding Teacher Awards
The Alice Buffett Award was designed to recognize outstanding teachers in the Omaha Public Schools. These teachers make the Omaha Public School District one of the best in the nation. Over the past sixteen years, Omahans have submitted thousands of nominations for the Alice Buffett Outstanding Teacher Awards. If you know of an Omaha Public Schools teacher who belongs among these award recipients, please notify the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation, 222 Kiewit Plaza, Omaha, Nebraska, 68131. Nominations must be received no later than January 31, 2005.  We have some pretty terrific teachers here at Beals!   All it takes is a letter(it doesn’t have to be formal) telling about a teacher you think is wonderful and why.  


Winter Safety Tips For Families *Always be sure that your children come to school dressed appropriately for the current weather and the weather forecast for later in the day. Layers of clothing are a must for all age levels.

*Be alert to changing weather. Usually, area media announce school closures beginning at around 6:00 a.m. Your family plan should include emergency care for students when school is cancelled due to bad weather.

*Always be sure that your children come to school dressed appropriately for the current weather and the weather forecast for later in the day. Layers of clothing are a must for all age levels.

*Be alert to changing weather. Usually, area media announce school closures beginning at around 6:00 a.m. Your family plan should include emergency care for students when school is cancelled due to bad weather.
*Occasionally a winter storm hits during the school day. School district administrators must weigh the risks of keeping students in school with the need to get students home safely. Be sure the emergency contact information you have on file with your children's school is always up-to-date. When weather threatens, monitor the local media for announcements about school closures.

*Winter storms are inevitable, so making plans in advance will ensure your family is safe and prepared.

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 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:  Magnet recruitment letters were mailed to homes in early December, and magnet applications are mailed in early January.  Completed applications are due January 27, and the magnet lottery will be held on February 10th.  The lottery results will be mailed to all applicants later in February.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHOICES:  
ü    For current grades 0K–5:  In mid-February, students who are currently attending their Home Attendance Area school will receive a Selection Postcard in the US Mail.  If you wish to have your Option schools identified and receive a Selection Form, return the postcard to your current school by February 24th.  
o    Students currently not attending their Home Attendance Area school may request a Selection Form by contacting their school or the Student Placement Office at 557-2708 by February 18th.  
ü    For all current PK students:  You will receive selection forms identifying your school choices in late February.  
·    MIDDLE SCHOOLS:  Most middle school students attend their neighborhood middle school unless they are or have been selected by the lottery to attend a MAGNET MIDDLE SCHOOL.  Sixth grade option students sometimes have another middle school choice.  They may attend the middle school that their option peers attend, or they may attend their neighborhood school.   

OPEN HOUSES / SCHOOL VISITS…
Information about magnet school Open Houses and opportunities to visit option schools is included in the materials you receive about your choices.  You are invited and encouraged to visit schools prior to making a choice for your 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.


Check out the Beals website at www.ops.org/beals/.  It is neat!!