• TK - 8: Wednesday, August 19 (noon dismissal Aug 19-21 for TK-8, no lunch served)
• Preschool (3 day) & PreK (5 day) First Day: Monday, August 24
• Preschool (2 day) First Day: Tuesday, August 25

• Kindergarten Experience Day: Event held Thursday, July 23, click here to view slide deck
• Back to School Week: Tuesday, August 11-Monday, August 17 (Visit school.stephen.org/backtoschool for more details)
• Curriculum Night: Thursday, September 3 (will be a virtual event)

• At-Home Pre-Screening: Parents will receive information about their role with pre-screening their children before sending them to school.
• Water Bottles: Students will be expected to bring their own water bottles because water fountains will most likely be disabled.
• Lunch: The hot lunch program will be available starting on August 24. It has not yet been determined where students will eat lunch.
• Recess: Students will still have recess.
• Specials: Students will still have specials.
• Mass: Students will attend mass (schedule and frequency TBD, based on social distancing requirements)
• Illness at School: Our front office staff will receive professional development from the health department about best practices when students are sent to the office “feeling sick”. Until conditions change, if a child comes to the office feeling ill, we will not depend on a specific temperature as to whether or not the child will need to be picked up. Parents will be expected to pick-up their child if they receive a phone call from the office.
• School Visitors: visitors for lunch or other activities may be restricted or not allowed
• Drop Off & Walking Club: No walking club in the morning. Students will be dropped off and proceed to their classrooms. We will have three drop off areas and traffic procedures will come soon.
• School Dismissal: Students will exit out their assigned doors and will need to proceed to their vehicle that will have an assigned area.
• There will be no gathering outside before or after school.
• Students leaving school early: Families will notify the school in writing if they need to pick-up a child early. When you arrive, you will call the school and your child will be sent out.

• Students may or may not be required to wear masks.
• We have asked for parents to purchase 2 masks in the event that they are required. Masks do not need to follow uniform colors/plaid, but should not display anything inappropriate or in conflict with our Catholic beliefs.
• We hope if students must wear masks, it would be temporary and only at certain times or in certain areas of the building.
• Current information suggests that if we ensure distancing and schedule our day with students remaining in their cohorts most of the day, masks would not need to be worn throughout the entire day.
• Discussions continue with the guidance of health professionals, state/local school leadership, and our own pandemic-safety committee members. We will abide by the state decisions and guidance.

• Teachers are working to arrange their classrooms for social distancing, and they are creating cohort schedules.
• Scheduling changes for classes and cohorts are being worked on to ensure limited traffic in the hallways and unnecessary exposure to excessive numbers of students at one time.

• Dan Koenig, SSM Director of Operations, is working with maintenance on cleaning schedules, safety and wellness protocols, and other air circulation concerns that may arise (HVAC system, open windows, etc)
• Classrooms will have the proper cleaning supplies and hand sanitizing stations.
• Hand sanitizing stations at all entrances to the school and classrooms will be added.

• Our Technology Committee is putting together information for our CARES consultation and assessing our school technology and digital needs for both in school instruction and remote learning.
• Training for teachers, students, and parents on technology and digital platforms is being developed.
• Committee is ensuring we have the right equipment that will enhance “in class” instruction and also provide for a seamless transition if we have to move to remote learning at some point (hybrid plans or short-term home learning).
• Staff is putting together videos for families to learn about how to navigate digital platforms that will be used both in the classrooms and during remote learning if we need to return to elearning for a short time period during the year. These videos will be available on the website once they are created.

Did you know St. Stephen the Martyr School accepts students from all areas within greater Omaha? We've seen an increase in inquiries as area schools announce plans for reopening in the fall. We have limited openings available - but perhaps just the opportunity for your child! Schedule a tour by calling (402) 896-0754 or email Dr. Joe Greco, assistant principal.