
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

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


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!


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


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”.


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


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






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


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.


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.


School Closure Notice: Due to the Winter Storm Warning and forecasted hazardous conditions, Gretna Public Schools will be CLOSED tomorrow, February 12th. Stay safe.


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!







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!




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.


ANNOUNCEMENT: District office will be closed January 1, 2025


Tonight’s the Night!
Join us at Gretna High School for the Community Parent Forum starting at 6 PM! Connect with local organizations dedicated to supporting youth and families.
Don’t miss the presentation by Jay Martin, NDE Director of School Safety and Security, on Youth Mental Health.
It's not too late to discover valuable resources for your family! We look forward to seeing you there!
Location: Gretna High School
Time: 6:00 - 8:00 PM
#GretnaPublicSchools #CommunityForum #FamilyResources


Dear Parents, Guardians and Community Members,
Gretna Public Schools would like to give you a friendly reminder about the upcoming Community Parent Forum, an event we highly recommend for all parents and families in our community.
Event Details:
Date: Tuesday, November 19, 2024
Time: 6:00 - 8:00 PM
Location: Gretna High School, 11335 S 204th St, Gretna, NE 68028
What to Expect:
6:00 PM – Information booths featuring local organizations that provide valuable resources for youth and families.
7:00 PM – Special guest speaker Jay Martin, NDE Director of School Safety and Security, will deliver an insightful talk on the impact of digital platforms on youth mental health.
This forum is a fantastic opportunity to connect with community resources and gain important insights into supporting our youth in today’s digital world.We encourage you to attend and take advantage of this valuable event. We look forward to seeing you there!
Please see the attached flyer and share with anyone who can benefit from this event.


Our 3rd graders have been learning their multiplication facts through engaging games and fun songs!





Our 4th graders delivered a beautiful performance at last night's Veterans Day program. They did a fantastic job teaching us about the significance of Veterans Day and honoring those who have served.











Our students had the opportunity to participate in a pumpkin decorating contest, where they showcased their favorite book characters. It was delightful to see the creativity and imagination in their creations. We’re excited to celebrate our winners!
