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

10 days 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

11 days 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

11 days 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
12 days ago, Gretna Public School District
Gretna Public Schools logo with a "G" and text reading NebSis delays high traffic alert

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

19 days 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

24 days 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
2 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
20D18713-5FBC-4B7E-B932-9F010AE56F78
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
2 months ago, Gretna Public School District
GPS logo with a "G" and text reading 2025 Census Please Respond ASAP
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!
2 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
3 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”.
3 months ago, Gretna Public School District
Gretna Public Schools logo with QR code to Census link and text reading Please Respond ASAP
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
4 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
4 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
5 months ago, Gretna Public School District
Text Reading new 10-Point Grading Scale with the Gretna Public Schools logo. Image of grading scale can be read in the article below.
The school board has approved updated middle school boundaries for the 2025-2026 school year with the opening of Giles Creek Middle School. These changes help balance enrollment and maintain strong educational opportunities. You can read the full article here: https://www.gpsne.org/article/2048704. Please visit our website and click Boundary Map on the header. View the interactive map and select “Middle 25-26” to see where your student will attend next year: https://www.gpsne.org/page/boundary-map.
6 months ago, Gretna Public School District
Gretna Public Schools logo with a G and text reading Middle School Boundary Update
NO SCHOOL TOMORROW: Due to the forecasted extreme cold during arrival time, Gretna Public Schools will be closed tomorrow, Wednesday, February 19, 2025. As previously scheduled, there will also be no school on Thursday and Friday. Elementary conferences planned for tomorrow will be rescheduled, with schools providing updated information at a later date.
6 months ago, Gretna Public School District
Gretna Public Schools logo with a G and text reading Important Message
School Closure Notice: Due to the Winter Storm Warning and forecasted hazardous conditions, Gretna Public Schools will be CLOSED tomorrow, February 12th. Stay safe.
6 months ago, Gretna Public School District
Gretna Public Schools logo with a G and text reading important message
This week, our students were treated to a fantastic performance by the Gretna East High School choirs. They captivated us with their singing, dancing, and instrumental performances, leaving everyone delighted!
6 months ago, WHITETAIL CREEK ELEMENTARY
Elementary students are sitting on the floor in the gym while watching a group of high school choir students perform. Choir students were dancing and moving in unison with their arm movements.
Elementary students are sitting on the floor in the gym while watching a group of high school choir students perform. The choir is gathered closely in a group moving their arm.
Elementary students are sitting on the floor in the gym while watching a group of high school choir students perform. The choir is standing in a line looking at their director.
Elementary students are sitting on the floor in the gym while watching a group of high school choir students perform.
Elementary students are sitting on the floor in the gym while watching a group of high school choir students perform. One choir student is signing in the microphone.
Elementary students are sitting on the floor in the gym while watching a group of high school choir students perform.
Last Friday, during Guardian Groups, students took part in a directed drawing activity that revealed our book selection for the One School, One Book project. They drew "Roz," one of the main characters from The Wild Robot. We hope you’ll join us in reading along!
7 months ago, WHITETAIL CREEK ELEMENTARY
Students are standing on the stage in front of the projector screen with the cover of "The Wild Robot" on the screen. Students are holding their drawing of "Roz" from the book "The Wild Robot".
Students are sitting at a lunch table drawing and/or coloring the character Roz from the book The Wild Robot.
Students are sitting at a lunch table drawing and/or coloring the character Roz from the book The Wild Robot.
2025-2026 GPS School Calendar 2026-2027 GPS School Calendar For the first time ever, we are excited to announce that the school calendars for the next two years, 2025-2026 and 2026-2027, are now available! A special thank you to the Calendar Committee for their time and effort in making this possible. These calendars will allow families to plan vacations and time away well in advance, ensuring students can avoid missing valuable school days. You can find the calendars under the "Parents" section on all school websites and are available in Printable Flyers for your convenience.
7 months ago, Gretna Public School District
photo of two calendars links in the article