Central High students are walking out to protest LB574 & LB575,
#neleg
bills targeting trans youth. NE’s Planned Parenthood rep will be there.
“We refuse to tolerate the NE legislature’s continued attacks on transgender youth.”
Deleted prev tweet b/c of student contact info.
The protest and walk out at Central High School is happening! More than a hundred students are out on the lawn right now. Community members and parents are trickling in. This event is for
#TransDayofVisability
& to protest anti-trans bills in
#neleg
.
BREAKING: Lisa Moody, a special education teacher at Jefferson Elementary in OPS, has won the national Milken award. She is the only Nebraska educator to receive the award this year and gets $25,000.
The OPS board voted tonight to keep two library books, 'All Boys Aren't Blue' & 'Tricks', in age-appropriate schools after multiple community members challenged them. The district's review committee said the books "help students feel seen, heard & valued."
There’s definitely not enough room for the hundreds of people hoping to hear from Charlie Kirk. Still many outside, but the event is still set to start at 7 p.m.
Last year, 1,400 teachers left their Omaha jobs. The year before that: 900.
While this year is lower, more resignations might be received after deadline.
“We just have very traumatized kids that we’re unprepared to help,” one elementary teacher said.
BREAKING: Nearly 700 OPS teachers are not returning for the 2022-23 school year.
585 teachers are resigning. That's up 80% from last year, when OPS had 325 resign.
Plus, 99 teachers are projected to retire.
Read more about the exodus below:
"This, she said, is the first time anyone has written her off based on her origin. And it was broadcast, over the air, by the governor of Nebraska."
Disgusting words from our own governor about one of Nebraska's best journalists. We are so, so lucky to have her here.
New at FFP: A column from Exec Director Matt Wynn about comments Gov. Jim Pillen recently made about FFP investigative reporter Yanqi Xu.
Listen to Pillen’s comments, during which he raises Xu’s Chinese nationality and says “what more do you need to know?”
Plattsmouth school board member Terri Cunningham-Swanson has been recalled after a second attempt to remove her from her position.
Watch for a story later tonight to learn more. Results below:
I’m at Central High School, where students have organized a walkout to protest gun violence following the mass shooting in
#Uvalde
. I will be live tweeting to give updates.
Tuning into Sen. Dave Murman's hearing on parental involvement, social emotional learning & ESSER dollars in schools. There is a lot of misinformation about education being thrown around. I'm going to point out below some big (FALSE) points said (a thread) 🧵
BREAKING: New Nebraska assessment scores show students are rebounding to pre-pandemic levels in English, math & science.
Last year, students dipped below 50% in proficiency. Now, with double-digit gains, they are passing 2017-18 scores. Story below:
With a 5-3 vote, the Nebraska State Board of Education voted against Kirk Penner’s proposal to prohibit sexually explicit materials in school libraries:
This video will make ANYONE smile on a Monday. Teachers from an Omaha education program picked students who inspired them & told them why. Below are their reactions!
The program aims to spread positivity & boost teacher retention in the metro. More here:
BREAKING: Following the mass exodus of teachers at OPS, officials have announced they will be paying ALL staff a stipend for the next two years -- up to $4,500.
A press conference is scheduled in about an hour. I'll be there and give updates when possible, w/ story to follow.
Some news: After 2 wonderful years with
@NorfolkNews
, next week I'll be joining
@OWHnews
as its K-12 education reporter, covering
@OmahaPubSchool
.
It's been a blast covering schools among 24 counties in Northeast Nebraska. I'm thrilled to continue to do what I love in Omaha!
Does anyone in Omaha, Lincoln or elsewhere in Nebraska have thoughts or feelings about this ruling? If you have student loans, know someone who does, have already paid them off or just have strong feelings about it, I would love to hear from you for a story! DMs are open! 👋
The criticism focused on the Prism Club, which provides support & resources to LGBTQ+ students.
These clubs have been in schools for years, but some conservative parents & politicians are alleging w/o evidence that GSA clubs are sites of indoctrination.
I’m waiting for Charlie Kirk’s rally to start at Lords of Hosts Church in Omaha. He’s advocating for the winner-take-all electoral vote system in Nebraska. Already a long line forming for the 7 p.m. event. I’ll post any updates in this thread.
There were also rumors of this floating around last summer at a school district I used to cover. All I had to do was make a phone call to school officials to verify it was false. It can take 30 seconds to prevent spreading misinformation.
58% of trans and non-binary youth in Nebraska have contemplated suicide this year, said Jane McGill, Central student.
“These bills have no place in our schools. We are witnessing a paradigm shift in NE politics. The future of trans rights are entirely in our hands.”
I reviewed
#COVID19
plans and contacted superintendents from each of Nebraska's 244 public school districts to figure out how many are requiring masks. The results — only about 5% of them are.
Harley Lawton, a junior at Central High, asks for the public to fight for trans rights. They are talking about coming out to their Nana in the beginning and they thank the senators against LB574 & LB575 in the
#neleg
.
We’re getting reports of students still waiting to be released from Omaha schools.
“I heard they are watching the movie Ice Age and that they watched Wild Kratts earlier. They are hunkering down in the basement and hanging out.”
Live updates here:
This is why we don't report it. Or reveal our identity. Or come forward at all. Because people, including those with power & authority, will respond like this. Every. Time.
Spoke w/ Former Omaha Mayor Hal Daub, who's endorsed Herbster.
He questioned the timing of the story, the Ricketts apparatus that he believes pushed it, says it's a hit job.
Says he wants to put Sen. Slama on the witness stand.
"I'd like to ask her what she was wearing."
The World-Herald is losing 12 staff to layoffs/buyouts & now this happens at the Journal Star.
When people ask why "journalism is dying", I say corporations like Lee. All people see is what papers are missing, not the journalists trying to keep the ship from completely sinking.
Several of our Lee Enterprises colleagues across the country were laid off last week.
Today, the rest of us were notified we'll be furloughed for two weeks this year.
New state data shows there were 908 unfilled teaching jobs in Nebraska this year, up from 769 in 2022. But with fewer districts participating in the survey, the number is likely a lot higher.
One in four unfilled teaching jobs were in special education.
I’ve been working on this since November & am so happy it’s out:
Families are fighting for years, some spending thousands, to get their children the services they need in a statewide system that can’t support them. And many don’t get services at all.
Example of Nebraska's early ed crisis: A provider in Overton, pop. 595, is running out of funds. It has no chamber of commerce & few businesses to partner with. Grants are written & fundraisers are launched but the $ isn't enough. If it shuts down, parents don't get child care.
If you need some reasons why social emotional learning isn't the same thing as critical race theory (CRT), click below. Nebraska schools aren't teaching CRT, period.
Jacob Eitzen, Nebraska
@Milken
Educator Award recipient from Bellevue West High School, calls his wife, Sara, to tell her the news of the award and $25,000 prize:
Yvonne Johnson was inspired by the bus of a coworker, who has since retired.
But instead of simple window stickers or trim, Johnson said she goes overboard each year to make the bus environment as welcoming as possible.
From
@LaurenWReports
:
Lisa Moody, who was born with cerebral palsy, knows what it's like to struggle in a world not built for her.
"I wanted to show them that yes, you're dealt a card that might not be easy to deal with, but that doesn't have to define who you are."
Student misbehavior is increasing in OPS, hindering learning & staff retention. Teachers being assaulted & threatened. Weekly fights, daily drugs & more, reflecting a nationwide problem. Myself &
@emily_nitcher
have been working on this a long time:
Good morning bright & early from the State Board of Education meeting, where 3 candidates will be interviewed today in the search for Nebraska's next education commissioner. Interviews are today w/ selection tomorrow. Stay tuned for updates about each candidate as they interview!
Murman talks "media" interviewing Westside superintendent Mike Lucas. (Was actually a secret recording made by right-wing media not from NE). He references Westside's equity & SEL lessons as critical race theory. These things aren't CRT & never have been.
These cuts will leave holes in coverage that can’t be 100% made up, no matter how hard we try.
My colleague Joe Dejka was moved to business/development, so I am now covering all metro school districts plus the State Board of Ed. As always, feel free to DM with tips or ideas!
One month ago
@LeeEntNews
gutted our newsroom with layoffs & buyouts in an unprecedented cut of 25% the guild. We're still hurting & struggling to re-organize after these losses, but we're still fighting to bring Nebraskans the news coverage they expect & deserve from
@OWHnews
UPDATE:
@aaronplasLCS
is Bennington's next superintendent. The school board selected him among three other finalists after interviews this week.
Plas has been leading the Lakeview Community Schools district in Columbus since 2016.
"I support the LGBTQ community. I also respect that Mr. Penner and I have different opinions on Drag Queen Story Hour," Jones said. "However, his actions have caused defamatory statements to occur."
An education committee member asks Murman, "Have you had an opportunity to view SEL tactics used in our schools? What was concerning in that regard?" She says it's not controversial.
"There are still elements of CRT and comprehensive sex ed in SEL," he said. (This is false).
A press conference featuring Sen. Conrad, Preston Love Jr., Paul Feilmann & other advocates will be @ 12pm @ the Gov's mansion. It's the last plea for Gov. Pillen to express interest in this program w/ a deadline of Jan. 1.
Latest update from
@stoddardOWH
:
Over 5,000 Nebraskans have signed the petition telling Gov. Pillen to reverse his decision to deny $18M in grocery benefits to Nebraska children this summer.
Thanks to those who have signed! If you haven’t, will you join them?
Sign by 12/29 at 9 AM CT:
Brian Maher, the state's new commissioner, said the following work is what's important to focus on in Nebraska: Reading by third grade, math achievement in the middle school, CTE, reduction in chronic absenteeism, addressing systems-involved youth & the teacher shortage.
Good evening from the OPS board meeting! The agenda is FULL, with a big proposal on the table: a contract change to hike compensation for experienced teachers, give stipends to special educators w/ high caseloads & increase paychecks for paras. A $33mil investment, OPS says.
Murman's CRT definition: "Everything is viewed through a racial lens instead of a 'we're all human beings type' lens."
Comm. member: "It's a legal theory that's typically regulated to grad or law school courses but not utilized in elem or secondary education, particularly in NE."
Students are saying they don’t care about getting grounded or reprimanded from the school because gun violence is a bigger issue. Sophomore Bowen Ferguson speaks to while we’re waiting:
Mike Pate, a Millard board member, said parents already have control over their child's education. They can opt their child out of certain curriculum, can view all curriculum, can view what's in school libraries, etc. This is also true in other districts.
@Profesora_Anita
@owhguild
@LeeEntNews
Keep your subscription and keep sharing our work! Losing subscribers over this further damages the paper. Thank you for subscribing.
He says "SEL" is an ideology & uses "framework that is culturally responsive". He said schools teach SEL thru a CRT-lens. This is NOT true. Schools have been using SEL for decades, but the term is just now being politicized. More info on SEL in Nebraska: .
Senator Conrad referenced a "long-standing state law developed in the '90s that demands Nebraska develop multicultural education."
NE is required to teach multicultural education. Here is more information on that:
Lisa’s speech is below. Some guests today include Deborah Frison, deputy education commissioner, past Milken award winners, Matt Ray, OPS deputy superintendent & Rep. Don Bacon (who also presented the amount Lisa will receive with some students). Look for a story soon
@OWHnews
!
Merry Christmas 🎄 I'm excited for this story in today's edition! Cousins Mohammad Wali & Mohammad Idrees let me learn more about their lives previous to Nebraska & what they deal with now, in the state's largest school district, w/o knowing English. Story:
I’m at Omaha’s rally for
@AMarch4OurLives
in Memorial Park, where teachers, students, city officials & community members will be advocating for the end of gun violence. The event is sponsored by the Omaha Education Association. It starts at 11 a.m. so people are still filing in.
Today is the first day of school for the
@OmahaPubSchool
district & I was able to spend the morning in Ms. Hensley’s kindergarten classroom at Franklin Elementary. Hensley has been in the same classroom & school for ✨ 41 years ✨
Look for a story later today to learn more!
ICYMI: Michelle Settlemyer is resigning from her role as OEA president.
Michelle has faced so much adversity over the last year representing OPS teachers. I've seen school board members lie to her face during mtgs & officials continuously treat her w/ disrespect.
Greenwald: SEL companies advertise SEL improves classroom behavior but "in fact, they don't." "From what I have seen, the longer you have SEL, the worse behavior & reading gets."
Here are some studies that prove that SEL improves student behavior/health:
Penner: "SEL allows them to bring CRT in through teaching. 1 example is the porn in the libraries."
Even if parents think library books are inappropriate, they don't contain CRT & have nothing to do with SEL, which teaches kids skills like responsibility & self-management.
Sue Greenwald with Protect NE Children Coalition said that 20% of ESSER dollars (federal COVID aid) was required to be spent on SEL. This is not true. 20% of ESSER money is required to focus on learning loss in Nebraska schools.
I've worked at outlets that had this perspective/bias and constantly felt that I & the rest of the town's LGBTQ+ community was viewed as less than.
Pride shouldn't be viewed as an "issue" and something that has "both sides."
A Grand Rapids TV station reportedly told its staff to cover less Pride events because of conservative viewers.
A memo said “If we are covering Pride events, we need to consider how to make the story balanced and get both sides of the issue.”
Cheesy post ahead: Two years ago, I looked up at this building for the first time & took this video. Still feel so lucky to report on my passion every day 🥹
Also: subscribe to your local newspaper!!
Murman mentions sexual health education being present on the NDE website in its HIV/AIDS section. This section references the National Sexuality Education Standards, which aren't Nebraska's standards, but a national recommendation.
Currently at Central High School where ~1,500 students are attempting to break the record for the world’s largest water balloon toss (last record was about 900 people in 2014). Lots of talented balloon athletes out here!!
BREAKING: The State Board of Education has decided to offer Brian Maher a contract to be Nebraska's next education commissioner.
Maher recently resigned from the South Dakota Board of Regents. He was also a superintendent in many Nebraska school districts.
Today, hundreds of people celebrated the opening of the new school at
@BoysTown
, which will house all students, grades 4-12. We got to tour the $30mil facility and it was partly designed by students. Look for a story later today to learn more & explore the space through photos!
Penner said organizations like NEA & Planned Parenthood have "ulterior motives to bring things into public schools that do not belong in schools."
The NE Department of Ed, state board (which Penner is a part of) & local districts are the only agencies that control NE's education
Today
@OPS_BensonHigh
industrial tech teacher Rhonda Sherman received the local outstanding mentor award from
@ACEMentor
& is also one of 5 teachers in the U.S. nominated for the program’s national award. She was surprised with the news this morning:
Good morning from the Nebraska State Board of Education meeting! There are a variety of items on the agenda, from approving school safety funds to discussing nonpublic schools & a statewide dress code policy. Watch live here & as always, updates on this 🧵
Murman is questioning some professional development regarding DEI (diversity, equity & inclusion). He said often DEI is "discriminate, exclude and indoctrinate."
A lot of DEI professional development is geared toward higher education. Example:
Yesterday, I was able to sit down with Matt Ray, incoming Omaha Public Schools superintendent, for a Q&A. We dove into his thoughts on staffing shortages, instruction, his self-doubt & why he wanted to lead Nebraska’s largest district. Read for more! ⤵️
Today, I joined my fellow association presidents from Bellevue, Omaha, Papillion-LaVista, Ralston, and Westside in calling for the city councils of Omaha and our surrounding communities to implement mask mandates to keep us safe and let us safely teach our kids.
So proud of
@austin_svehla
for being named the Outstanding Young Nebraska Journalist of the Year Runner Up today! I’ve always been a proud girlfriend but I’m so happy that everyone is also getting to recognize your talent & hard work.
Lillian Nero, an
@OPS_NorthHigh
2022 grad, is one of 30 paid student interns at this location for the summer. Nero said even though she can see how hard the education field is right now for teachers, she still wants to continue on that path to help impact younger students.
“We didn't talk about how to teach students to read.”
Reading Lessons is a series I’ve been working on since last summer. Excited the first story is out, w/ more to come.
First, some NE teachers never learned how to teach children the right way to read:
Don't forget the value of local reporting — from weeklies to small daily papers — which often don't get recognition. This story has been picked up nationally but outlets continue to get key facts wrong as Norfolk's paper has been reporting on it since June.
I'm at
@OPS_Fullerton
today with third graders who are being introduced to curling with
@UNOmaha
and
@Omaha_Sport
. They are learning more about the sport before heading to the Olympic Curling Trials at Baxter Arena this week.
Penner, w/o citing info/sources: "we do a lot in the state board of education that isn't allowed in state statute. There's a lot of things in education we could do that we haven't done. There are things written in statute that we are not doing."
Not sure what he's referring to.
Jamie Bonkiewicz: "Political ideology should not be an issue for board membership. Kirk has offered no suggestions for how libraries should be resourced & instead makes a redundant porn ban. Kirk's sexualization of children's books & denial of the internet's risks is disturbing."
Good morning from the NE State Board of Education meeting! Today we're at the board's new permanent location at 500 S. 84th St.
On today's agenda:
- Discussion on content standard process, ESSA & new computer science standards
- Action on school security, health safety rules
UPDATE: Omaha school districts are losing 30-70% more educators than last year.
"People really feel like they don't care if we leave," one teacher said.
OPS is losing 600+, but what about the other Omaha districts? And why are they leaving? More below:
Good morning from the NE State Board of Ed meeting! I'm tuning in @ because it's in Gering.
Some important items: teacher shortage presentation, Isanti Community Schools progress plans, Rule 21 revisions & more. You can keep up w/ updates in this 🧵:
The Reader and El Perico will cease operations by the end of August.
"Due to life circumstances, I can no longer do what’s best for myself or those closest to me by being a local media owner and operator," writes publisher/co-founder John Heaston.
Today is the first day of summer school, called Next Level Learning, at
@OmahaPubSchool
. I was able to visit Fontenelle Elementary this morning to see the first session kick off with students, teachers and student interns.
If you’ve heard of a fake school shooting call in Nebraska today, it’s something that’s been happening across the state all morning. Prank calls have been made in Omaha, Lincoln, Columbus, Hastings, Gering, Valentine and more.
Good morning from the Nebraska State Board of Education work session! Members have gathered on this rainy day with new commissioner, Brian Maher, to discuss his performance objectives. Since it's not a business meeting, there is no livestream, but you can watch for updates here.
While reassignments happen every year, Robert Miller, president of the Omaha Education Association, said the district’s method of selecting & notifying teachers for reassignment was “questionable.”