May 2026

Matthew Ray

Superintendent

Omaha Public Schools

A Community of Care

Senior Finds Support After Life-Changing

Health Scare

Two years ago, on what was a normal school day at Buena Vista High, Trent Burton attended classes, chatted with friends and worked through assignments. But during PE class, while standing on the track, he knew something wasn’t right.

Trent approached the closest adult on the track, Omaha Public Schools substitute Ryan Reese, and asked for help.

“His speech was slurring, and he had this frightened look on his face,” said Reese. “I didn’t know exactly what was going on, but I knew something was very wrong.”

Trent was displaying stroke-like symptoms. With the help of another staff member, Reese quickly got Trent to the nurse’s office. From there, he was taken to the hospital, where the doctors ordered a CT scan.

The results revealed a tumor in the middle of his brain. In an instant, everything changed.

Trent and his mom, Deb Burton, spent the next eight months at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Tennessee, where he received treatment.

“He forgot how to walk, talk and eat,” said Deb. “We made it our mission that we’re going to come home, and when we get back home, we’re going back to school.”

In the early stages of rehab, Trent was primarily using a wheelchair as he worked to rebuild strength and relearn basic skills. When he returned to Buena Vista High at the start of this school year, he set a goal to be walking with a walker after winter recess.

Joseph Coil, Buena Vista High track coach, began working diligently with Trent in the weight room and on the track during and after school. They focused on practicing walking, lifting weights and using a stationary bike to improve his mobility.

“We started out very basic to figure out what was safe and right for him to do, and what was appropriate for his development,” said Coil. “To take someone from ground zero and build them up to where he is, will probably be one of the best things I’ve ever done.”

By Thanksgiving, Trent wasn’t using a walker at all. In April, he ran in a unified track meet.

“I love track, and I love running,” said Trent. “Coach Coil is very positive with me, and I just told him, ‘You can get me in the right place, so get it done.’”

This February, Trent reunited with Reese and thanked him for his role in getting him help.

“Trent has this huge, bubbly personality and spreads positive energy, which the world could use a lot more of,” said Reese. “Being the first point of contact that day and seeing what that did for him in his life, I don’t take that lightly.”

Trent says he’s grateful for the support and care he’s received from the staff at Buena Vista High.

“I feel great at Buena Vista High,” said Trent. “The teachers here are the best, that’s all you can ask for.”

For his mom, Deb, that support has been a key part of his progress.

“We’ve had great teachers who make an effort to keep pushing him,” said Deb. “They continue to let him be Trent regardless of his abilities or disabilities. They just welcome him in with open arms and love him.”

Two years after Trent’s life changed, he’s preparing to walk across the stage at graduation on his own. He hopes to attend college, coach sports and one day enter the medical field.

“Trent is loved on such an intense level here by everyone. He gives lots of hugs and is just so positive,” said Carrie Carr, Ed.D., Buena Vista High principal. “I hope this sends a message that our students are going to be taken care of by our staff in every unit.”

Omaha Public Schools Senior Heroes

We are spotlighting a senior from each of our nine comprehensive high schools and sharing how Omaha Public Schools shaped their journey.

Trent Burton's Senior Heroes: Achieving Excellence story, and many more, will be available on Omaha Public Schools social media pages or our YouTube playlist.

Building Futures

Omaha Public Schools High Schools Earn

National Recognition

A middle school project on levees sparked Isabella Saxton’s interest in engineering. That interest led her to join North High’s Engineering & Design Academy. Now, as she prepares to graduate, she says the program helped guide her next steps.

“After graduation, I’ll be going into biomedical engineering,” said Saxton. “It led me towards more of my specific choices on what I’m going to do within engineering,” said Saxton.

The National Career Academy Coalition (NCAC) recently recognized North High’s Engineering & Design Academy as a Model Status Academy with Distinction. It’s the highest level of recognition from the organization.

“It shows the hard work that our teachers and faculty are putting into this program and what the students have been able to accomplish,” said Saxton. “It not only shows that North High is growing, but the hard work of all these individuals put into making it the best program it can possibly be.”

“The courses build upon the principles behind engineering,” said Mendoza. “No matter what engineering discipline you’re choosing, you’re going to have a design process, and you’re going to be asking, ‘What are we making this for?’”

Mendoza says his teachers encourage creativity.

“Our teachers give us the freedom of thinking about how to do it first, rather than making us do it their way,” he said.

The academy offers our students a one-of-a-kind opportunity to dive into engineering at a young age. It’s designed to inspire and prepare students for future success in college, career and life.

For Saxton, the program has had an even deeper impact.

“Three out of four of my teachers are women,” she said. “That shows me that there’s a place in engineering for women, and there’s a place for me in the future.”

Celebrating Omaha Public Schools Staff

During May, we celebrate Staff Appreciation Week. It is an important opportunity to recognize each of our nearly 9,000 employees and their dedication to students, families and our community. 

As one of Nebraska’s largest employers, every person throughout our district is essential in preparing more than 52,000 students for success. Click the image below to see staff spotlights, achievements and more!

2026 Summer Opportunities

Omaha Public Schools is committed to providing year-round learning support. As we work towards our Moonshot goal of all students reading on grade level by 2030, we want to share summer reading opportunities for your student.

• Elementary students have the opportunity this week to check out one to two books for the summer.
• Each Wednesday in June, Next Level Learning site libraries will be open from 10 a.m. to noon. Librarians will host story time from 10:15-10:45 a.m.
• All students will have access to e-books through Sora.
• Families are encouraged to participate in the Omaha Public Library Summer Reading Program.

Our district also offers performing arts opportunities this summer, including instrumental and show choir camps. Visit our website for more details.

Summer Meals and Locations 

Omaha Public Schools proudly sponsors the Summer Food Service Program, providing more than 225,000 healthy meals to children 1-18 years old, free of charge each summer.

Summer locations, dates and times can be found on our website or text FOOD or COMIDA to 304-304 or call 2-1-1. 

Celebrating Omaha Public Schools Class of 2026

Congratulations, Class of 2026!

Graduation ceremonies for our comprehensive high schools will be held May 18-22 at Baxter Arena.

Livestreams for each event will begin approximately 15 minutes before the ceremony. Links can be found on our website, along with graduation information for each of our programs.

Calendar Reminders

The last day of school is right around the corner. Here are a few reminders as you plan for summer:

• Last day for all students is May 20. 
• Next Level Learning (NLL) runs from June 1 to July 1. 
• There is no school for NLL students on June 19. 

Our Community Opportunities section is our digital bulletin board where families can find information about upcoming events and activities available in our area. New flyers are posted at the beginning of each month. This month's flyers include:

• Bellevue University Basketball Camp
• Summer Soccer Camp
• Camp Adams
• Northwest All-Star Camp
• MYMA Art Camp

Superintendent Matthew Ray extends

congratulations to...

… to the North High robotics team for becoming world champions at the CREATE Foundation U.S. Open Robotics Tournament.

... to Kristine Murray, Gomez Heritage Elementary technology teacher, for winning the CREATE U.S. Open Robotics Championship 2026 Teacher of the Year Award.

… to Isaiah Hernandez of King Science & Technology Middle for qualifying for the Nebraska Junior Academy of Science State Competition.

… to all the Omaha Public Schools students who placed at the 2026 Metro Science and Engineering Fair.

… to Andrea Chapparro, of Bryan High, for winning the Boys & Girls Club of the Midlands 2026 Youth of the Year Award.

… to Buena Vista High, South High and Westview High for being ranked among the Top 10 schools for the 2025-26 Nebraska State Colleges Multi-Activity Student Award.

… to Jordan Farmer of Westview High and Sierra Thomas of North High for being selected as First Responders Foundation 2026 Awards of Excellence honorees.

… to Hunter Thomas and Hanson Duke of Burke High for winning the Best Presentation Award at the FNBO Datathon Competition.

… to Kevyn Adjevi and Ke’Vaun Roper of Burke High for winning the Best Message Award at the FNBO Datathon Competition.

… to Arieana Jackman, Faith Koranda and Zach Babic of Westview High for winning the Best Use of Data Award at the FNBO Datathon Competition.

... to North High’s robotics team for winning the Sportsmanship Award at the 2026 Vex Robotics World Championship.

… to Harper Hoshaw, Lewis & Clark Middle eighth grader, for being selected as a runner-up in Nebraska’s Letters About Literature writing contest.

… to Michaela Dailey, North High girls’ basketball coach, for being selected as Coach of the Year by the Metro Basketball Coaches Association.

… to Central High’s Esports team for becoming state champions at the Nebraska Schools Esports Association State Tournament.

… to Westview High’s boys and girls track teams for winning the Omaha Public Schools Track and Field Invitational.

… to all Omaha Public Schools students who were recognized at the Journalists Education Association National Student Media Contests.

… to all Omaha Public Schools students who medaled at the 2026 Nebraska SkillsUSA State Leadership and Skills Championships.

To see a complete list of student names, visit our website.

Your Opinion Matters