We are proud to showcase artwork created by talented students from across Gretna Public School District. These pieces are now on display at the District Office for our community to enjoy. We rotate artwork often, so stop by and see the creativity of our students in person. Amazing work!
#BeGretnaGreat
2 days ago, Gretna Public School District
a framed watercolor of a rabbit with ears upright wearing a black jacket, white shirt with black dots and a big blue bow tie
a chalk drawing of a bear with the title Grin and Bear It in a frame
a framed watercolor of a frog in a oversized green sweater wearing orange socks and brown converse shoes
A framed watercolor painting of half a lions face in light browns, blues and pinks with dark brown eye
framed artwork of a colorful dragon eye in red, oranges and blues
a framed watercolor of a blue turtle with splotches of colors in browns and tans making it look like wet sand
A framed artwork of an eye with red streaks
a framed chalk artwork of cowgirl brown boots with flowers design and fresh flowers in the boots standing upright on a dirt ground
The School Board approved the 2027-2028 school year calendar at last night’s meeting. To help families plan ahead, we are sharing the 2025-2026, 2026-2027, and 2027-2028 calendars early so vacations and appointments can be scheduled with minimal impact on learning.

As we plan for future school years, we also want to remind families why attendance matters. Missing 10 percent of the school year, about 18 days, can significantly affect student success at all grade levels. In the early grades, strong attendance supports reading development. In middle and high school, regular attendance is closely connected to academic progress and graduation.

Improving attendance is a shared responsibility, and small habits make a big difference. Planning vacations and appointments outside of school days, maintaining consistent routines, and staying connected with your child’s school all help students succeed.

Every day in class builds learning, confidence, and connection.

Every Day Counts. Attendance Matters.

2025-2026 Calendar - https://tinyurl.com/mrmc9d6n
2026-2027 Calendar - https://tinyurl.com/ck3td335
2027-2028 Calendar - https://tinyurl.com/3s8y3s24
5 days ago, Gretna Public School District
Gretna Public Schools logo with a "G" and text reading School Board Approved 27-28 calendar with an image of a calendar

NO SCHOOL TOMORROW

Due to forecasted cold temperatures and safety concerns during morning arrival time, Gretna Public Schools will be CLOSED tomorrow, January 23, 2026. Any activities and events will be communicated directly by buildings, coaches and sponsors.

Please stay warm and safe.

10 days ago, Gretna Public School District
Gretna Public Schools logo with a "G" and text reading Important Message
6th-grade Visual Spatial HAL students had the opportunity to attend an animation seminar on Tuesday. They learned about the history of animation and made their own animation tools such as thaumatropes, zoetrope strips, flip books, and stop motion animation on their iPads.
10 days ago, ERICA WALSH
Photo of four female students sitting at a table holding up their creations of images of circles attached to the end of pipe cleaners.
Photo of four female students sitting at a table holding up their creations of images of circles attached to the end of pipe cleaners.
Photo of four male students sitting at a table holding up their creations of images of circles attached to the end of pipe cleaners.
Photo of three male students sitting at a table holding up their creations of images of circles attached to the end of pipe cleaners.
Photo of two female students sitting at a table holding up their creations of images of circles attached to the end of pipe cleaners.

Gretna Public Schools educators participated in a districtwide Professional Development Day featuring breakout sessions on instruction, technology, wellness, and leadership, concluding with a keynote by Stephen Mackey on school culture and educator impact. Read more at https://www.gpsne.org/article/2642761 #BeGretnaGreat

13 days ago, Gretna Public School District
Superintendent Travis Lightle and Former Board Member David Gulizia speaking to GPS staff about negotiations
Four GPS Administration staff sitting in classroom waiting for teachers to attend their breakout session during GPS PD Day
teachers in front of classroom acting out different words and phrases
GPS staff on PD day spinning clay
GPS staff sitting in classroom learning for PD day
GPS staff on PD day learning coaching techniques
Speaker Stephen Mackey talking to GPS staff about what makes you different?
GPS staff sitting in a classroom learning on PD day
Mike Sortino speaking to GPS staff at PD day
The 8th-grade Teen Cuisine class made Monkey Bread in FCS today! Yum!
16 days ago, ERICA WALSH
Photo of two female students rolling chunks of biscuit dough into balls.
Photo of a male student and a female students dropping chunks of biscuit dough into a cinnamon sugar mixture.
Photo of three students cutting their monkey bread to serve it.
Photo of three students sitting at a table enjoying their finished monkey bread.
In science class today, 8th graders tested Newton’s 2nd Law.
17 days ago, ERICA WALSH
Photo of two students on the ground with a track and ping pong balls testing Newton's 2nd Law.
Photo of students on the ground using a track to test Newton's 2nd Law.
7th graders worked on finishing their T-shirt pillows.
17 days ago, ERICA WALSH
Photo of four students sitting at a table working on their pillows. Two are sewing. One is cutting, and the last is stuffing the pillow.
Photo of five female students holding the pillows they sewed for class.
Photo of two rows of 7th grade students holding the pillows they sewed for FCS class. There are three students in the front row and six students in the back row.
Want to come support the ACMS Show Choir, Accelerando? Check below for this season's competition schedule! Search online or contact Ms. Pulte with questions on attending.
18 days ago, ERICA WALSH
Graphic of a show ticket with text saying: A Night at the Movies. Accelerando competition schedule. 1/16 - Gretna High School. 1/23 - Gretna East High School. 1/31 - Elkhorn North High School. 2/7 - Millard South High School. Contact Ms. Pulte at ppulte@gpsne.org with questions.
Life Skills 101 was in session for our 7th graders today! Students learned how to tackle stains, wrap gifts, address envelopes, navigate conflict, and even (digitally) unclog a toilet. Practical skills, lots of learning, and a few laughs along the way!
about 1 month ago, ERICA WALSH
Photo of students looking at their iPads to start the life skills activity. On the board in the front of the room is an image of Santa holding a post card next to a mail box.
Photo of students at tables around the classroom trying to wrap books.
Photo of 12 students lined up in two rows holding wrapped presents.
Come watch our 8th graders perform Beetlejuice Jr. at 5:00 today in the commons!
about 2 months ago, ERICA WALSH
Graphic with a purple background. At the top, it says, "Aspen Creek Middle School presents Beetlejuice Jr." Below that, it says, "Bring your friends and family! Join us on December 18 at 5:00 PM in the commons for a musical you won't forget." There are beetles on the page, and a black and white Beetlejuice character in the bottom right corner.
Our 6th graders are having a little fun before break!
about 2 months ago, ERICA WALSH
Photo of two male students standing in front of a green and red backdrop holding holiday-themed glasses to their faces.
Photo of a female student standing in front of a green and red backdrop holding holiday-themed glasses to her face.
Photo of two female students standing in front of a green and red backdrop holding holiday-themed hats on their heads. One is also holding a beard up to her face.
Photo of two male students standing in front of a green and red backdrop holding holiday-themed glasses and hats to their heads and faces. One is also holding an arrow that says naughty and is pointing to his friend.
Photo of two female students standing in front of a green and red backdrop holding holiday-themed reindeer noses to their face. One is holding a green arrow that points to herself an says nice. The other is holding a red arrow that points to her friend and says naughty.
Photo of a male student standing in front of a green and red backdrop holding holiday-themed glasses to his face.

Attention: We Are Hiring School Bus Drivers!

Our school district is looking for caring, dependable individuals to help transport our students safely to and from school each day.

If you enjoy working with children and want a meaningful role in your community, we’d love to have you on our team! Apply at www.gpsne.org

about 2 months ago, Gretna Public School District
Gretna Public Schools logo with photo of school bus "We Are Hiring - Drivers Part-Time 20+ Hrs per week CDL & Non CDL 19.60-29.40 Per Hour High Quality Vehicles Vehicle Technology Paid Training PTO & Sick Leave Apply at GPSNE.ORG
Eco Club created bookshelves using secondhand books. They felt lucky to have the help of Mr. Gatewood and a lesson on using a drill!
about 2 months ago, ERICA WALSH
Photo of three female students holding their bookshelves made from recycled books.
Photo of a male student stringing twine through a book to make his bookshelf.
Photo of three female students working together to drill holes into their books.
Photo of a female student stringing twine through a book to make her bookshelf.
Photo of a female student drilling a hole in her book while two others watch her.
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 2 months ago, Gretna Public School District
photo of Kendra Schneider and text reading New Director of Special Education
7th-grade students had a rock, paper, scissors tournament in the gym this morning before school. Congrats to our winners!
about 2 months ago, ERICA WALSH
Photo of several pairs of students standing around the gym playing rock, paper, scissors.
Photo of two female students battling in rock, paper, scissors. Other female students are gathered around. Some are watching the battle and others are looking at the camera.
Photo of 7th grade students gathered around a boy and a girl facing off in a rock, paper, scissors battle.
Over the weekend, Mrs. Rindone and 11 other social studies teachers from Gretna Public Schools traveled to Washington, D.C. to attend the NCSS Conference. While there, our teachers collaborated with educators from across the nation, explored new strategies for engaging students in social studies, visited some of the nation’s most iconic landmarks, and even had the chance to meet Carl Azuz — the host of the popular middle school current events show “The World From A to Z with Carl Azuz”.
about 2 months ago, ERICA WALSH
Photo of six social studies teachers standing in front of the Capitol Building. There are three female teachers in front and three male teachers behind them.
Photo of Mrs. Rindone standing in front of the Capitol Building in Washington D.C.
Photo of Mrs. Rindone on the left standing next to Carl Azuz on the right at the social studies convention.
Today, the ModAc Group from Gretna High visited the District Office to spread holiday cheer! Their wonderful performance brightened our office and filled us with festive joy for the season. We’re always delighted to welcome carolers.
about 2 months ago, Gretna Public School District
Large group of singers in board room singing with sheet music and dancing
Group of singers in board room singing with sheet music
students singing in the board room with sheet music and some with reindeer antlers
Large group of singers in board room performing with santa hats and reindeer antlers
Our caroling crew is hard at work preparing for their performance at the Gretna Hy-vee this Thursday! Need some groceries? Music Maniacs and Crescendo Choir would love to perform for you while you shop!
2 months ago, ERICA WALSH
Photo of multiple rows of choir students sitting in chairs looking at sheet music to practice singining.
8th graders started building roller coasters today as a part of their kinetic energy unit.
2 months ago, ERICA WALSH
Photo of a classroom full of students. They are gathered around tables working together to build roller coasters.
Photo of a classroom full of students. They are gathered around tables working together to build roller coasters.