Whitetail Creek Elementary

Dr. Kendra Schneider Named New Director of Special Education
Gretna, NE – December 9, 2025

Gretna Public Schools is thrilled to announce Dr. Kendra Schneider as the new Director of Special Education, effective July 1, 2026, following Paul Duin’s retirement. Dr. Schneider has served as Assistant Director since 2021, leading program supervision, compliance, and professional learning initiatives.

“I’m extremely excited to serve as the Director of Special Education for Gretna Public Schools,” Dr. Schneider said. “Paul Duin has been an incredible mentor, and I’m honored to build upon the strong foundation and high-quality programs established by him and Deb Siemers, the previous Director of Special Education. I look forward to working alongside our talented special education team, collaborating with families, and ensuring every student receives the support they need. Gretna Public Schools’ commitment to excellence in special education is evident, and I’m eager to contribute to our continued growth and success.”

Superintendent Travis Lightle added, “We are excited to announce Dr. Schneider as our new Director of Special Education. Her leadership over the last five years has led to positive changes in our district, and our department’s retention rate remains the envy of the state because of it. Dr. Schneider’s experience and genuine dedication to Gretna Public Schools make her the ideal person to continue advancing our programs.”

Dr. Schneider brings more than 20 years of experience in special education and also serves as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Nebraska-Omaha. She holds a Doctorate and two Master’s degrees from the University of Nebraska and is actively involved in statewide initiatives advancing special education.

about 18 hours ago, Gretna Public School District

photo of Kendra Schneider and text reading New Director of Special Education

Gretna Public Schools Board of Education Attends 2025 NASB State Education Conference

The Gretna Public Schools Board of Education spent two days at the 2025 NASB State Education Conference—Nebraska’s largest annual gathering for school board leaders. The event provides valuable training and collaboration on key topics such as legislative updates, emerging educational trends, student well-being, school safety, school finance, and effective district governance.

By participating, board members bring back insights that support informed decision-making and strengthen the long-term success of Gretna Public Schools. We appreciate their dedication to professional growth and continued service to our students, staff, and community.

19 days ago, Gretna Public School District

The Gretna Board of Education and Superintendent posing for a picture at the NASB State Conference

a selfie of the Gretna Board of Education at the NASB 2025 State Education Conference

The Annual Community Report is Here!

Our school district’s Annual Community Report is now available on our website! It showcases our achievements, financial stewardship, and goals for the year ahead. We encourage all staff to take a few moments to review this important update and stay informed about our district’s progress.

View full report on our website https://tinyurl.com/5n8u3jk5

30 days ago, Gretna Public School District

Image of a bell and text reading Community Report - Available online visit our website under About or use the link below to view the full report.

What Students Wish Adults Knew — Tonight at Gretna High!
Join Gretna Public Schools for an evening with Stephen Mackey, co-author of The Locker Room.
Exhibits begin at 6:00 PM and the presentation starts at 7:00 PM.

Come listen, learn, and connect with your community.
Tonight’s the conversation you don’t want to miss.

about 1 month ago, Gretna Public School District

Stephen mackey speaks photo standing with arms crossed and city behind him

Community Opportunity Tailgate & Food Drive
Date: October 24 | Time: 6 PM
Hy-Vee tailgate available for purchase!
Come hang out, enjoy some food, and support the Gretna Backpack Program. Make an impact in our community!
#GretnaBackpack #CommunityUnity #BeGretnaGreat

2 months ago, Gretna Public School District

Community Food Drive October 24 at 6pm Requested Donation items: 16oz box spaghetti noodles, 24oz jar pasta sauce, 16 oz creamy peanut butter (plastic jar), 30oz jelly, 14oz box instant rice, canned chicken canned chicken noodle soup, bbq sauce, 14.5 canned vegetables, 14.5oz canned fruit 12 oz. boxed cereal, 8ct fruit and grain cereal bars(e.g. Nutri Grain) 6.6 oz bags of Goldfish crackers

Today Superintendent Lightle stepped into a new role as school bus driver. From elementary to high school, students were surprised to see him behind the wheel. Our elementary students showed their approval with big smiles and a thumbs up. It was a wonderful reminder that leadership means being ready to help wherever needed. Thank you to Superintendent Lightle and all of our dedicated staff who make sure students arrive safely every day. #BeGretnaGreat

2 months ago, Gretna Public School District

Superintendent Lightle sitting at the driver seat on the bus all smiles waiting for the students to drive them home for the day

Superintendent Lightle and elementary student smiling on the bus as he gets ready to drive them home

Middle School student waving as he gets on the bus Superintendent Lightle is driving

Students boarding the school bus on their way home with Superintendnet Lightle driving

Bus full of elementary students giving a thumbs up as Superintendent Lightle speaks to them from the driver seat

This morning, all Gretna Public Schools librarians came together to collaborate, share ideas, and prepare for the start of the school year. It was great to see them working, chatting, and catching up. This dedicated group is passionate about connecting students with books, resources, and opportunities to learn. We are so fortunate to have such talented individuals who are excited to welcome students back and inspire a love of reading. #BeGretnaGreat

4 months ago, Gretna Public School District

Middle School and High School librarians gathered in Gretna High School library posing for a picture

Elementary librarians sitting at a table in the library collaborating and smiling at the camera

This morning, Gretna Public Schools staff gathered at Gretna East High School to enjoy breakfast, great company, and the chance to reconnect before the new school year begins.

In the auditorium, Superintendent Travis Lightle reminded us of our WHY, the reason we show up, connect, and make a difference every single day. Every interaction is an opportunity to create a lasting memory for a child and to give them the most powerful gift we can: unconditional acceptance.

He reminded us that the students who challenge us the most are often the ones who need us the most. Our mission this year is clear: ensure EVERY child feels seen, valued, and accepted.

We also celebrated staff for their years of service and recognized those who received letters for outstanding work. What a wonderful way to begin the year together.

Thank you to Ranae Duncan for capturing these moments.

#RememberYourWhy #BeGretnaGreat #EveryChildEveryDay

4 months ago, Gretna Public School District

Gretna East auditorium filled with all staff gathering for speech for new year

a group of staff members sitting in auditorium seating at GEHS smiling for camera

Gretna East cafeteria tables filled with staff members gathering for breakfast

circle of 4 staff members laughing and talking with each other

Superintendent Travis Lightle shaking hands with a staff member earning 20 years of service award

GPS board members in cafeteria talking to staff members

two staff members sitting in auditorium seating smiling at the camera

staff members seated in the auditorium waiting for speech to start

a long table in cafeteria filled with staff members laughing together and talking

board member with staff members talking in groups in cafeteria

This morning, our incredible District Office staff gathered in the parking lot before heading to the all staff workshop at Gretna East High School. These behind-the-scenes leaders work tirelessly to keep the district running smoothly and when things don’t go as planned, they’re often the first to take the brunt of it. Still, they show up with smiles, solutions, and a strong spirit of collaboration. Their work is often underappreciated, but their impact is immeasurable. We’re grateful for every one of them. #BeGretnaGreat

4 months ago, Gretna Public School District

a group of nine district office staff members who are all smiles standing in the parking lot of the district office headed out to the all staff meeting

Gretna Public Schools Parents/Guardians,

We are currently experiencing high traffic on NebSIS Family as many parents/guardians are logging in to view schedules and letters. As a result, some users may notice that their documents are loading slowly. They should appear once system traffic decreases.

If you have already completed Student Verification, please do not submit it again. We kindly ask for your patience and recommend trying again later. If schedules or letters are still not loading after a few hours, please feel free to contact us for assistance.

Thank you so much for your understanding, and we apologize for the inconvenience this may cause.

Gretna Public Schools Administration

4 months ago, Gretna Public School District

New staff continued their training this week with a focus on foundational reading skills. Led by our incredible district reading specialists, teachers explored practical strategies to help students become confident, capable readers. #BeGretnaGreat

4 months ago, Gretna Public School District

Large group of new teachers gathered for training on new reading techniques all smiles and collaborating between desks.

classroom of new teachers sitting at desks all eyes on presenter at the whiteboard showing reading techniques

group of seven teachers sitting in classroom at desks collaborating and smiling with each other

Presenter speaking to new teachers in front of classroom while staff is sitting at the student's desks

Large classroom of teachers laughing and sharing ideas with each other

District Leaders Gather at DLR to Prepare for the New School Year
This week, all building administrators came together at DLR for a district-wide leadership meeting. The day focused on collaboration, strategic planning, and student-centered goals. These meetings provide a valuable opportunity for our leaders to align efforts, share insights, and prepare for a successful year ahead.

We are grateful for their continued leadership and dedication to building strong school communities.

#BeGretnaGreat

5 months ago, Gretna Public School District

photo of GPS administration sitting at tables with laptops at DLR for back to school planning

photo of GPS administration at DLR for back to school planning

This week, we’ve been welcoming new team members to Gretna Public Schools as they begin their onboarding and orientation process. Whether in the classroom, administration, support roles, or operations, these dedicated professionals are learning about our district’s mission, values, and commitment to student success. We’re proud to grow our team with passionate individuals who play a vital role in building a strong foundation for a lifetime of success for every student. #BeGretnaGreat #NewStaff #GretnaPublicSchools #BuildingOurFuture #TeamGretna

6 months ago, Gretna Public School District

New Staff Members learning about technology at Gretna Public Schools

New Staff at Gretna Public Schools in a large conference room learning about technology provided to students and staff

New GPS staff at tables with their laptops learning about technology during onboarding

Bright new staff faces at the onboarding at the administration building

New GPS Staff getting one on one help as needed during onboarding

Televisions on wall in conference room with several new staff members learning about GPS technology during onboarding

New Staff at Gretna Public Schools getting hands on with their technology equipment

Attention All Gretna Residents! Thank you to everyone who has already completed the annual Census. If you haven’t yet, please take a moment to complete it by June 18th. Your participation is vital—it helps shape the future of Gretna and supports the growth of our school district. There are four easy ways to complete the Census: • Fill out the form directly. • Scan the QR code. • Use the postcard you received in the mail. • Visit www.gpsne.org and click on “GPS Census.” We appreciate your time and help with this important community effort! Census Form: https://tinyurl.com/n4hrvuj6

6 months ago, Gretna Public School District

Whitetail Creek Summer Hours We hope everyone’s summer is off to a great start! Whitetail Creek will be open throughout the summer, Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and Fridays from 7:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. If you plan to stop by, we recommend calling ahead to ensure someone is available to assist you. Wishing you an enjoyable rest of your summer!

6 months ago, WHITETAIL CREEK ELEMENTARY

WES Summer Hours - Mon-Thu 7:30 AM - 3:00 PM and Friday 7:30 AM - 1:00 PM, with a decorative picture of Whitetail Creek in the background.

We’re proud of our young artists. Eight talented Gretna Public Schools students in grades 3–5 entered the Optimist Club’s art contest, creating pieces based on the theme “Bringing Out the Best.” The Optimist Club selected the top three entries, and today those winners were invited to share their artwork at the Optimist Club breakfast. Each student received a set of notecards featuring their artwork on the front, and the Optimist Club will use additional printed sets as Thank You notes. Congratulations to our winners (pictured left to right): Cora Michalski, 3rd grade, Whitetail Leah Pedersen, 3rd grade, Palisades Harper Doeden, 3rd grade, Whitetail #BeGretnaGreat #StudentSuccess #GretnaPride #BringingOutTheBest

7 months ago, Gretna Public School District

the three winning students holding their artwork for a "Bringing Out the Best" contest

Attention all residents of Gretna! You will soon receive mail from the Gretna Public School District regarding the census, which must be completed as soon as possible. The great news is that you don’t have to wait for the mail! You can complete the census using one of the following three methods: • Go directly to the form at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScS7yXo4YjhWgSZw-9dII8BaAAcqckBlQE0o6RQfyztsi-z8w/viewform • Scan the QR code. • Visit www.gpsne.org and select “GPS Census”.

7 months ago, Gretna Public School District

For more than 15 years, Gretna Public Schools' third graders have participated in a one-of-a-kind tradition: a history tour of Old Gretna led by the Superintendent. From the original jail and blacksmith shop to the first schoolhouse site, students explore key pieces of the town’s past while gaining pride in their community. #BeGretnaGreat #GretnaGuardians #GPSHistoryTour

8 months ago, Gretna Public School District

Superintendent Travis Lightle leaning over the front of a bus seat speaking into a mic talking to the elementary students on the bus tour of Gretna

photo inside a bus tour of Gretna of students raising their hands

Superintendent Travis Lightle speaking to a bus full of students on the history tour of Gretna

Meet KC, the therapy dog at Whitetail Elementary. Since starting in December, KC has brought comfort, joy, and calm to students and staff. Whether she’s listening to a student read or simply brightening someone’s day with a walk through the halls, KC is making a real difference. KC spends much of her time in the third grade classroom with Mrs. Roberts, but we’re continuing to find ways for her to connect with even more students. Her presence is just one more way Whitetail is helping students thrive. As they read with KC, sit beside her during class, or calmly offer her comfort, Whitetail students are showing what it means to Be Gretna Great—by practicing empathy, building connections, and learning with compassion. #BeGretnaGreat

8 months ago, Gretna Public School District

student sitting on the floor hugging dog laying on the floor

student sitting at desk reading with hands under desk holding dogs head while dog lays on the floor

student and dog laying on the floor next to each other holding paw in hand

student with face covered with a book sitting on the floor while dog lays in lap

student sitting at desk reading with hand out petting dog happily sitting next desk

Important Update for Gretna Families Starting in the 2025-2026 school year, Gretna Public Schools will implement a new 10-point grading scale and transition to an A-F reporting system. This change is part of our District Strategic Plan and is backed by research from our K-12 District Grading Committee. Read the full news article on the district and any school website. New Grading Scale (2025-2026): A: 90-100 B: 80-89 C: 70-79 D: 60-69 F: Below 60 Why the Change? • Better alignment with colleges and other schools • Clearer representation of student achievement Timeline: • Fall 2025: New grading scale begins • 2025-2026: Ongoing updates to grading practices What about past grades? Grades earned before 2025-2026 will remain the same and not be adjusted. We’re committed to ensuring a smooth transition for all! For more details, read the full news article on any district and school website or reach out to your school administrator. #BeGretnaGreat #BuildingAFutureTogether #GradingUpdate

9 months ago, Gretna Public School District