Message from Dr. Penke
Message from Dr. Penke
Welcome Back!
It is a new year according to the calendar, but at school we have just reached the halfway mark. As educators, it is our time to reflect on the first semester, celebrate the accomplishments and continue the process for improving student achievement. Our focus is always on student learning and there is a lot to celebrate! We have an amazing staff that is dedicated to each child and their growth. We are looking forward to 2024 and watching your children continue to grow!
Report Cards:
Report cards are coming home today! We are so proud of how much our students have learned during the first semester.
Assessments:
Our fifth graders will be taking the MPS Math Placement assessment on January 10th. Please make sure your child gets a good night of sleep and a good breakfast so they can do their best!
New Kindergarteners
Do you live in the Aldrich attendance area and have a child starting Kindergarten in 2024-2025? Or do you know anyone else that does? Please view this document, and fill out the necessary forms listed on it to help us begin to gather information.
Inclement Weather:
We know that the weather changes quickly around here. We live in Nebraska! Here is the District link for the Inclement Weather information.
Thank you!
Thank you to the Omaha West Optimist Club for supporting our school and helping us bring in our guest author, Quinn Metal Corbin, next week.
Have a great weekend!
Dr. Penke
One Book One School-Frindle
Over the next five weeks we invite you and your family to join us for our very first One Book One School event. As a school community, we will be reading the book Frindle by Andrew Clements. Each family will receive a book in your youngest child’s backpack today along with a packet with more information.
Throughout the next five weeks we will celebrate with school-wide trivia challenges, spirit days, and more. We encourage you to find time each week to read the weekly chapters as a family. Please email Mrs. Svacina at sasvacina@mpsomaha.org with any questions. Thank you!
Click on the links below to hear an Aldrich teacher read this week’s chapters:
Chapter 1 read by Mrs. Svacina, Library
Chapter 2 read by Mrs. Rezac, 1st Grade
Chapter 3 read by Mrs. Bertagni, 2nd Grade
Chapter 4 read by Mrs. Safary, 3rd Grade
FRINDLE FRIDAY! January 12th is Hawaiian day! Please have your student dress up in Hawaiian gear! (Grass skirts, leis, floral shirts, etc.)
24.25 IB Incoming Parent Information Night Letter .pdf
BIRTHDAY BOOK CLUB
Evelyn Dupree, “Diary of a Pug #9: Pug the Prince”
Victor Angelov, “Fox Tails: The Great Bunk Bed Battle”
Gabe Werner, “Stuntboy: In the Meantime”
Ana Jurisevic, “Finally Seen”
Chloe Nelson, “Unicorn & Yeti: Cheer Up!”
Eli Oropeza, “Northwind”
Luke Atwell, “I Survived the American Revolution, 1776”
Alexis Atwell, “Four Eyes”
Haley Jack, “The One and Only Ruby”
Rubi Meyer, “The World’s Best Class Plant”
Alice Smith, “Be Glad Your Dad…(Is Not an Octopus!)”
Emmett Oropeza, “All the Lovely Bad Ones: A Ghost Story Graphic Novel”
Aarav Senthilkumar, “Magic Treehouse Graphic Novel #5: Night of the Ninjas”
All Star Staff Members of the Month
This weeks All Star Staff Member is Mrs. Gates! Susann Gates was nominated by Lauren Allen. She writes, “Susann is an important part of the Aldrich team and we wouldn't be able to run smoothly without her! Whether it's making copies in the workroom, keeping our supplies stocked or working in the lunchroom she does it with a smile and positive attitude! She is also always happy to help out in other areas around the school when needed and we all appreciate her willingness to help! She is the true definition of an All Star!”
Thank you for making Aldrich a better place to learn and work!
Volunteer Opportunities
LUNCHROOM
Parent volunteers are encouraged to help throughout the year during lunch periods (11:10am-12:30pm) or for as long as you are able during that time slot. Volunteers help students open their food, wipe down tables, clean up spills and assist our custodian. You can volunteer as often as you like via our Sign Up Genius link:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050B49AAAC23A1FB6-lunchroom
MEDIA
Parent volunteers are encouraged to help throughout the year in the library restocking books. You can volunteer as often as you like via this Sign Up Genius link:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050B49AAAC23A1FB6-library
WALKING CLUB
Parent volunteers Volunteers can enter the building just prior to 7:55 and sign in at the front office. They will then go to their volunteer assignment if helping with the front door or hallway. Please do not attempt to enter the building prior to 7:50.
You can volunteer as often as you like via this Sign Up Genius link:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0545AFA823A3FA7-aldrich2
Hello All Star Families,
Happy New Year! I hope you had a great winter break! Thank you to all that contributed to the holiday gift donation to our amazing Aldrich teachers and staff. They were all so grateful for your generosity.
Having issues with PTO directory access? You can find a "how to" video for navigating the website by following the link here. If you still need help, please email aldrichptotech@outlook.com for a resolution. Teachers are unable to help, as this is a PTO led directory, so this email will be your quickest solution to access. Thank you!
Interested in volunteering?! Check out for the following PTO volunteer opportunities:
We are not getting many lunchroom or media center volunteers so would love to see more volunteers. In the lunchroom, you can volunteer for the entire timeframe or whatever time you have available!. The link to volunteer is in the newsletter above.
Quickly approaching PTO dates to add to your calendar:
PTO meeting January 23rd, 2024 in the school art room and on zoom.
Friday, January 19th Aldrich Night at the Omaha Lancer's
All items can be found in the new PTO website. https://runpto.com/u/aldrich_mps
Please email any questions and/or issues with PTO registration to aldrichptopresident@outlook.com
To access the directory, paid members will login at: https://www.runpto.com/pto/login/
Our org ID is: Aldrich_MPS.
Please email aldrichptotech@outlook.com with any questions or issues accessing the directory.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Jacquelyn Alexander
PTO President
Bridge to Early College Information Meeting January 2024.pdf2024 Future Chefs Invitation.pdfJanuary How Sick Is Too Sick Newsletter.docx.pdfElementary December Winter Months Newsletter.pdf
Please use the following link to pre purchase admission and dessert tickets: https://events.ticketspicket.com/agency/4333fd1b-d309-4900-bba7-d7bfb903749c/events/2bd2a36f-d42e-4f22-9bab-b121845c3260
Tickets can also be purchased at the door!
lunch times
Kindergarten 11:20-11:40
First Grade 11:45-12:05
Second Grade 12:10-12:30
Third Grade 12:00-12:20
Fourth Grade 11:35-11:55
Fifth Grade 11:10-11:30
Bakers community rewards.pdfHyVee TAGG.pdfBoxtop_Overview with office option.pdf
MPS Board Members
Dr. John Schwartz, Superintendent
Amanda McGill Johnson, President
Linda Poole, Vice President
Mike Kennedy, Secretary
Mike Pate, Treasurer
Stacy Jolley, Board Member
Lisa Schoenberger, Board Member