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- Elementary Principals' Newsletter
- 2011-12 Elementary School Supply Lists
- Parent Teacher Organization (PTO)
The staff at Ogallala Elementary Schools are dedicated to the mission of the district that states, “Ogallala Public Schools will educate students to become skilled, knowledgeable, responsible citizens in a global society”.
To accomplish these ideas, a comprehensive plan encompassing curriculum and personal development has been implemented to benefit all students in our schools. The student population consists of 403 racially homogenous but economically diverse students. Ogallala Elementary embraces the concept of grade specific attendance centers. West 5th houses our pre-school program and the full-day kindergarten classes, Progress is home to the first and second grade students and Prairie View includes the third, fourth and fifth grade students. This concept allows our teachers to work and plan together at each grade level and our students to foster new friendships and classroom relationships.
Our students are fortunate to benefit from a very child-centered environment with a clear focus on academic learning and high expectations. Students are immersed in a developmentally appropriate curriculum that is designed to meet the individual needs of the child supporting our motto of “Every child, Every chance, Every day”
At the primary level, Kindergarten through second grade, students develop a strong foundation of basic skills through the core curriculum. The comprehensive K-2 Reading program is phonic-based. Math and science instruction is presented in a “hands-on” fashion. Social Studies curriculum maintains a community based focus. Physical Education and Music are offered on a daily basis.
The upper elementary level curriculum for grades 3-5, is essentially an extension of the basic skills previously learned. However, there is an expectation that those skills will be honed to a much higher degree commiserate with the intellectual ability of each child. Music and physical education are taught by specialists in all grades on a daily basis. Band is offered for fifth grade students.
Character development is addressed in a variety of ways in the classrooms. The Boys Town Social Skills program compliments our program and serves as the basis of our school-wide discipline program. Recently staff members have received training in the Love and Logic strategies which are being infused in the discipline plan where appropriate.
Technology education at the Ogallala Elementary Schools is guided by a technology scope and sequence developed by our staff. Formal keyboarding instruction begins in the fourth grade. Students have access to the use of hardware items such as CD-ROMS, the digital camera, Alpha Smarts, computer programs, and interactive web sites. All teachers have LCD’s in their classroom and many use iPods for instructional enhancement. Teachers work to integrate technology into each of the four core subject areas, Language, Math, Science, and Social Studies.
Students are involved in a variety of unique learning projects including the Maranatha Project Adventure; a two day outdoor education program with trust building activities, St. Jude Hospital Math-a-thon; a fund raising program, community recycling, Trucker Buddy; a letter writing activity, and Sweet Shop; a fifth grade retail project. Students participate in the first grade Pumpkin Patch field trip, fifth grade Math and Science Day, fifth grade Leadership Day, 4-H Water Riches, Community Art Enrichment programs, eagle viewing at Kingsley Dam, e-pals, and selected students participate in Kids Can; a bullying prevention program. These students are the leaders in preventing bullying within our school. A presentation is made to the 1st-5th grade students.
In recent years, staff development has focused on Nebraska Standards and Assessments, 6 Traits of Writing, Curriculum Based Measurement and Math and Science activities. This year OES will concentrate on the AdvancEd Model for School Improvement with an emphasis on Language Arts and Reading, High Ability Learners and technology. The staff is encouraged to keep informed about current and effective educational practices keeping in mind equity for all learners. This helps create a climate that is conducive to student learning, is inviting and caring.
The Ogallala Elementary Schools have many great aspects. The educational, social and emotional climate of the school support and enhance the development of each individual student. This is clearly shown in the achievement of our children in the classroom and their behavior on the playground or within the community.