Welcome to the Norris Middle School site for Gifted and Talented services. My name is Mrs. Stacie Denning and I have been at Norris since November 2007. I love being at Norris. There are many opportunities for Norris students to get involved in activities that promote critical thinking and creativity. If you have questions about the Gifted and Talented program at Norris or would like more information, please contact me at
or call me at 557-4804.
Programs/activities offered at Norris include:
Honors Special Projects is a class that is available to those students who meet the criteria. It meets in place of a student's literature class. The course varies in curriculum but some activities include: Future Cities, learning styles and Socratic Circles.
Honor Society is offered to any 8th grader with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher at the end of their 7th grade year. The induction ceremony is held in early May of their 7th grade year and various service projects and activities follow every month for the rest of the year. We conclude the year with a party in May. Students who are in NJHS are invited to participate in a trip to New York City in the summer following their 8th grade year.
Leadership Program involves teacher-nominated students who begin the process during the second quarter of their 7th grade year and continue through their 8th grade term. Leadership styles and skills are studied, school service projects are conducted, and various field trips are enjoyed.
The Scholars Program is another teacher-nominated group(s) in which, minority students take part in a book club, learn about their personality strengths, and enjoy educational field trips to such places as The Gallup Organization.
Think Tank is an event sponsored by the Omaha Public Schools Gifted and Talented department. It provides an opportunity for students from all the middle school in OPS to compete in researching a specific problem and devising strategies to resolve the problem. Once strategies are formulated, the chosen students participate in a simulated game with student from all the other OPS middle schools that promotes creative thinking.
Future City Competition Students learn about city planning and engineering careers, and then form teams of three to develop a city of the future using the SimCity 4 computer simulation. Teams also build a small model of a portion of their city using recyclables. The winners of the school competition then work with an engineer mentor to further develop their city, build a larger model, and write a research paper for the Regional Competition. This competition is part of the Honors Special Projects course.
TIP (ACT/SAT Preparation)
7th graders who have been invited to enroll in Duke University’s Talent Identification Program (TIP) meet prior to the tests to learn test taking skills and prepare for the ACT or SAT.
Book Blasters
A team of students at each grade level is responsible for reading novels, and answering detailed questions before the district competition in March.
Spelling Bee
Students compete within their Language Arts classes. Our top twelve Norris spellers went on to compete at the regional level in January.
Pen & Inc.
This writing club meets after school. Students share their writing and have opportunities to publish their work in a variety of ways.
African-American History Challenge
Students study and prepare for this district-wide contest covering African-American history.
National Geography Bee
Students compete within their Social Studies classes for 30 spots in the school bee. The winner of this competition takes a test to qualify for the state competition in March.
Science Club / Flight Club
Designed for students with a strong interest in Science and aerodynamics. All activities will take place after school. This club will not have a set schedule, rather, it will meet at different times throughout the year.
Math Competitions / Math Club
All Honors Math students participate in the American Math Competition in November. Students may also compete in Math Counts and several area math competitions, which take place after school or on Saturdays throughout the year. Math Club will meet once-a-month for the year.
Honors Math Courses
Students are placed in Honors Algebra (7th grade) and Honors Geometry (8th grade) according to scores on the California Achievement Test, the Orleans Hanna Placement Exam, and classroom performance.
Norris Musical
Students may audition for a part in the school musical which takes place in the fall.
Drill Team
Auditions for this musical group take place during first semester. The group rehearses after school and performs in the spring and summer, culminating with the parade season. The Redbird Posse has won numerous awards and are really something to see!
Orchestra Club is for orchestra students may audition for this select group, which meets after school and performs throughout the school year.
Yearbook
Selected students meet after school to assemble the school yearbook. Students assist with photography and layout for the book.
Celebrate Creativity
Students are selected to attend a workshop at Joslyn Art Museum featuring various sessions in music, drama, and art. Sponsored by the Omaha Symphony.
Industrial Technology Competition
Students prepare for the district technology competition. This includes building and competing with hovercraft, Co2 and balloon-powered cars, catapults, and model air planes. Norris has finished 1st 7 years in-a-row!
Quizbowl
New this year!! Teams of four students will compete against students from other middle schools. It is a lot like "Jeopardy."