A roundup of the week in Omaha-area school news:
Alumni showcase: St. Pius X/St. Leo School is celebrating its talented graduates in the Alumni Showcase Benefit Concert (Take 2) on Dec. 30 at 7 p.m. at St. Leo Church. Expect a variety of musical selections from alumni including internationally acclaimed composer of liturgical music the Rev. Bob Dufford, flutist Amy Morris, local singer Karly Jurgensen and violinist Luke Witchger. For ticket information, contact Bob Nowaczyk at bob.nowaczyk@spsl.net or 402-551-6667. Visit the school website, www.spsl.net, for more information. Proceeds will go to the St. Pius X/St. Leo School tuition assistance program.
Trivia night: Omaha Mercy High School’s Monarchs Parent Club is sponsoring a Trivia Night — a networking and fundraising event on Jan. 10 at 6:30 p.m. at the McAuley Athletic Center, 1501 S. 48th St. It will feature 10 rounds of trivia and prizes for first and second place teams. Open to people 21 and over, tables of eight are available for $200; individual admission is $30. This fee includes dinner and drinks and the special game activities. Registration ends Dec. 22. Register at mercyhigh.org/trivia-night.
Soles4Souls: Shelby County Catholic School in Harlan, Iowa, is collecting shoes to help Soles4Souls fight global poverty. Used and new shoes can be dropped off at the school, 2005 College Place, through Jan. 5. The school hopes to collect 25,000 shoes. Soles4Souls is an international anti-poverty organization that uses used shoes and clothing to create sustainable jobs and fund direct relief efforts, including distribution of new shoes and clothing. Founded in 2007, the organization has distributed more than 22 million pairs of shoes in 127 countries. For more information, call 712-755-5634
Support for Project Search: Project Search was recently honored with a $2,500 check from Serta and Courtyard by Marriott Omaha-La Vista. The hotel received the $2,500 award as a runner-up in the recent nationwide ‘‘Serta Gives Back” campaign, and chose to present it to Project Search in a ceremony at the hotel attended by students, alumni and Serta executives. Project Search is an onsite class that runs for 30 weeks with on-the-job training in three departments for students ages 18 to 21 who have intellectual and developmental disabilities. The program is offered in partnership with the Papillion-La Vista School District and Nebraska Vocational Rehabilitation. The 2014 class graduated with 100 percent employment.
HIGH SCHOOLS:
Pilot program unveiled: Omaha North High School’s Magnet Academy of Finance showcased its new classroom set-up for the innovative Samsung School pilot program on Friday. Leaders from Samsung Telecommunications America, Samsung Electronics America, the National Academy Foundation, SOTI, Need These and the Verizon Foundation joined staff and students to mark the official debut of the program during a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The pilot program is the first of its kind in the region. Omaha North will use Samsung School — a fully integrated, one-to-one learning experience that combines the latest tablets and display technology — to create a dynamic classroom environment, deliver lessons and personalized learning.
Samsung provided software, 40 tablets, installation services, SOTI software security, and training for two teachers and 40 students on how to use the new resources. The Verizon Foundation has been providing teachers with training and support so they can use these new technologies effectively.
MIDDLE SCHOOLS:
Making connections: McMillan Magnet Center, in collaboration with the YMCA of Greater Omaha, will hold a Community Connections Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today. The fair aims to bring the north Omaha community together and give residents an opportunity to learn about available services.
A day of fellowship: More than 120 students from 12 middle schools and the Integrated Learning Program participated in the recent A+ OPS Fellowship Games at McMillan Magnet Center. Middle school special education students participated in “A Day of Dance” and built friendships with other students from other schools.
Lot of robots: McMillan Magnet Center hosted its first VEX Robotics event on Dec. 6. Teams from 30 area middle schools competed to prove who was the “fittest of the fittest.” VEX reaches more than half a million students each year in robotics competitions with robotics that challenge students’ brainpower and teamwork skills.
Lending a hand overseas: Lewis and Clark Middle School presented a check for $1,438.31 to Aqua Africa on Thursday. All students at Lewis and Clark have been reading “A Long Walk to Water,” a book about two teens in the Sudan who search for water for their families and the trials that they go through. Students learned about the need for clean water and some of the diseases that are caused by unclean water. A speaker from Aqua Africa discussed efforts to improve water quality in the Sudan.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS:
Ready, Set, Fit! University of Nebraska Medical Center students presented the program “Ready, Set, Fit!” to St. Cecilia School fourth graders. The program focused on how kids can stay fit, both emotionally and physically. Suggestions for emotional fitness included talking to a parent or teacher when you are feeling angry, sad, or scared, as well as doing an activity that you enjoy such as reading or playing soccer. Physical fitness includes staying active and eating healthy foods. The group played a game of “Simon Says.” Students cut out pictures from grocery ads to create their own example of a healthy meal.
St. Nicholas’ story: First-graders at St. Bernard School recently learned the history of St. Nicholas and made hats to wear. They also put their shoes in the hallway in anticipation of his visit.
Home sweet home: Columbian Elementary School kindergartners and their parents made gingerbread houses on Friday. The candy, crackers and frosting used to create the houses were donated by Columbian parents.
Holiday music: Choir students at G. Stanley Hall Elementary will perform holiday tunes at 11 a.m. today in the main entrance of the Durham Museum.
Historical wax museum: Third-grade students at Portal Elementary School will hold an “Immigrant Wax Museum” Tuesday. The students studied immigration to the United States in the early 20th century, and they will portray immigrants entering the U.S. through Ellis Island. Museum guests will need to pay 25 cents to hear the story of each immigrant. The money will be donated to the Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation.
Star-spangled singers: Patriot Elementary School Pride Choir and OSHE students will sing the national anthem at the University of Nebraska at Omaha men’s basketball game Wednesday. The students will sing just before the 7:05 p.m. tip-off at Ralston Arena.
History comes alive: Parkview Heights Elementary School fifth-graders will open the doors to a wax museum of historical Americans such as Amelia Earhart, George Washington and Henry Ford on Thursday. Museum guests will press a button at each exhibit to have the wax statues “come to life” and talk.
Christmas cheer: Members of the Patriot Elementary School OSHE group will visit Monarch Villa Thursday. The students will sing carols and donate gifts collected from the school’s “Giving Tree” project where families picked ornaments that had a list of items residents needed.
Musical entertainment: The Tara Heights Elementary School honor choir will perform winter songs for Cooperation BEST School business partners Thursday. The students will travel to Bank of the West, Welcov Assisted Living, No Frills Supermarket, Old Chicago and the Salvation Army.