More Than Hashtags

More Than Hashtags - Ep. 17

In this episode you will hear a few of the many incredible speeches given at the Top Seniors 2026 Recognition Event. Top Seniors celebrates two seniors from each high school and one senior from each program, selected by school leaders for their leadership, academic performance, role modeling for other students and community service. Members of the Board of Education, Omaha Public Schools Foundation, district leadership, high school principals and program directors attend, along with students’ family members, to honor their accomplishments throughout their career at Omaha Public Schools.

More Than Hashtags - Ep. 16

In this episode of More Than Hashtags, Omaha Public Schools celebrates 25 years of its Dual Language program. Serving about 4,000 students across ten schools, the program provides instruction in both English and Spanish while supporting strong academic outcomes. Hear from district leaders and educators as they discuss how the program works, the benefits of bilingual learning, and the impact it has had on students, families, and the community over the past 25 years.

More Than Hashtags - Ep. 15

In this episode, leaders from Omaha Public Schools discuss the development of the district’s new strategic plan and the shared work behind it. They talk about why strategic planning matters, how a singular focus on literacy guides decision making, and the importance of belonging for both students and staff. The conversation highlights collaboration across the district and a long-term commitment to ensuring all students are reading on grade level by 2030.

More Than Hashtags - Ep.14

The OPSProud Podcast [https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/baa3316/2147483647/strip/false/crop/1563x1563+0+0/resize/528x528!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F3a%2F53%2F8536f45745f796041730501c47b6%2Fmore-than-s.png](Topher Booth) In this episode of More Than Hashtags, we explore a significant achievement within Omaha Public Schools. The Legion of Valor Bronze Cross is one of the highest recognitions given to Senior ROTC and JROTC cadets across the country. Fewer than 100 cadets receive the award each year, and this year six OPS students earned that distinction. We speak with two of those recipients, Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Jamie Jordan of Westview High School and Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Sydney Sainovich of Benson High School. They share how JROTC has shaped their growth as leaders, what the Legion of Valor honor represents to them, and how they hope to carry these experiences into their lives after graduation.

More Than Hashtags - Ep. 13

The OPSProud Podcast [https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/baa3316/2147483647/strip/false/crop/1563x1563+0+0/resize/528x528!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F3a%2F53%2F8536f45745f796041730501c47b6%2Fmore-than-s.png](Topher Booth) In this episode of "More Than Hashtags - the OPSProud Podcast" Omaha Public School's Superintendent Matthew Ray [https://www.ops.org/domain/118] talks with 2nd Grade Teacher Keairra Watson. Keairra shares how the "Science of Reading" shapes her approach to literacy in the classroom setting. Additionally how this method connects to the wider OPS Moonshot for all students to be reading at grade level by the year 2030.