Preparing for School

By July 31, we ask that one parent update student and parent information so that we can contact you or your son quickly and efficiently, especially in case of an emergency. We also need to know that you've read the Student-Parent Handbook and agree to its terms. 

Start by logging in to PowerSchool and selecting “Annual Update” in the left column under each son's name. If you have multiple sons at Prep, the update must be completed for each one. Email the high school office (HSO) with any questions.

ANNUAL PHYSICAL

All students participating in a NSAA or club sport must have an annual physical on file in the high school office. To be valid for the 2024-2025 school year, the physical must be dated on or after May 1, 2024. Most doctors have experience conducting sports physicals and will provide you with a signed report.

If your son is planning to play fall sports, he must have a completed physical on file by the start of that sport. Fall sports physicals must be dropped off, mailed or emailed to Liz Vokal in the high school office (HSO) by Friday, August 9, 2024.

Physicals turned in later for these sports will likely delay participation. Please arrange a physical through your family physician or at a facility such as Urgent Care or Midwest Minor Medical.

To clarify: 
Grades 10-12 - Football: Due Friday, August 9
Grades 10-12 - Cross Country, Tennis: Due Friday, August 9
Grade 9 - Cross Country, Football, Tennis: Due Friday, August 9

ATHLETIC PARTICIPATION FEE

Starting this coming school year, there will be a $200 fee for participation in any of our 11 NSAA-sanctioned sports. 

1. Unified Fee Structure: This fee will replace most fees that were previously charged and collected by individual athletic coaches. By consolidating these fees, we can provide a more consistent and transparent financial structure for all families. Note: A limited number of sport-related activities, such as out-of-state travel, summer camps / clinics / leagues, are not covered by this fee and may result in additional fees being charged for your student’s participation.  
2. Simplified Payment Process: The fee will be charged through FACTS, our tuition system. This integration will simplify the payment process, eliminating the need for families to write multiple checks to coaches throughout the year.
3. Automatic Discounts: To ensure accessibility for all students, the athletic participation fee will be automatically discounted at a rate equal to the percentage of your family’s tuition adjustment on tuition and fees. If you receive a tuition adjustment, the same percentage discount will be applied to your athletic participation fee.

Thank you for your understanding and continued support of Creighton Prep’s athletic programs. 

Cross Country

• The summer cross country camp for incoming freshmen will be at Memorial Park from Monday, July 8 through Thursday, July 11 from 9:30-11 a.m. each day.  Please click HERE for more information about the camp and to register.
• If you are an incoming freshmen and you are unable to attend the camp but plan to go out for cross country this fall, then please email Coach Dan Tietjen as he prepares for the upcoming season.
• The first day of practice will be Monday, August 12 from 3-5 p.m.  Student-athletes in grades 9-12 who plan on going out for cross country will meet in the Criss Auditorium at 3 p.m. for a meeting. Freshmen will attend the meeting, get assigned an athletic lock and locker, and have a freshmen meeting before they are done for the day. They will NOT have a workout. Sophomores through seniors will practice after the meeting, and must dress appropriately for practice when they come to the meeting.
• Freshmen pickup the first week of practice will be 5:15 p.m.
• Click HERE for this fall’s cross country schedule.
• Peak Performance (four locations in the Omaha area) will take 10% off your son’s running shoes if you mention Prep cross country at the time of purchase. They will perform a gait analysis and have FREE T-shirts (while supplies last) for student-athletes who buy a pair of running shoes prior to the start of the season.
• Cross country runners will be required to wear a watch at practice.
• Please email Coach Tietjen with any questions.

Football

• Summer conditioning for freshmen: June 3-August 2 - M, T, Th, F - 9-10:30 a.m.

• Summer conditioning for sophomores, juniors and seniors: June 3-August 2 - M, T, Th, F - 6:30-8 a.m.

• Freshman football camp is July 16-18 from 6-8 p.m. in Leahy Stadium. Student-athletes should wear a T-shirt, shorts and cleats, and bring a water bottle.

• Varsity, JV and reserve team camp is July 22-26 from 8:15-10:15 a.m. in Leahy Stadium. Student-athletes should wear a helmet, T-shirt, shorts and cleats, and bring a water bottle.

• Freshman football equipment checkout  is on Friday, July 26 from 9-11 a.m. This will take 60-90 minutes. 

• The first day of practice for freshman football is Monday, August 12 from 3-5:30 p.m. Practices will be from 3-5:30 p.m. each day.

• Fall practice for all grade levels and teams starts Monday, August 12 from 3-5:30 p.m., and concussion testing will take place that day, too.

• Student-athletes should wear a helmet, T-shirt, shorts and cleats for the first two days of practice.

• Varsity, JV and reserve football parents meeting: Wednesday, August 14 at 6:30 p.m. in the Sullivan Center.

• Parents of student-athletes trying out for freshman football can email either Coach Ryan Luther or Coach Jerry Lovell with any questions, including for information on summer conditioning if their son is not already participating in it.

• Parents of student-athletes trying out for the reserve, JV or varsity teams can email Coach Tim Johnk with any questions, including for information on summer conditioning if their son is not already participating in it.

Tennis

• Tryouts for all levels start Monday, August 12 at 3:30 p.m. at Dewey Tennis Center, 550 Turner Blvd., where practices will also be held this season. Sports physical reports by must be accepted by Liz Vokal in the high school office (HSO) prior to tryouts.

• Expect tryouts to consist of drills and a double-elimination tournament. 

• Please email Coach Jerry Kowal if you plan on trying out or have any questions.

We invite students to participate in our Before & After School Meal Program – a cost-effective and efficient way for students to grab food outside of our lunchtime service. You can choose from one or two meals per day for a set price each semester.

• Convenient: Students stay on campus to eat before and after school.
• Cost-Effective: Cheaper than eating at Cane’s, Freddy's or Chick-fil-A, while saving 40% compared to purchasing à la carte snacks at Prep.
• Cash-Free Transactions: No need to dole out cash each day for your son to pay for snacks. Now you can pay once a semester through your FACTS account. 

What's on the Menu?

The menu changes from time to time, but students can usually count on breakfast croissants, breakfast pizza, scrambled eggs, sausage, and juice or milk in the morning. After school, pizza, cookies, chicken fingers and mozzarella sticks are student favorites.

COST & DETAILS

• One meal per day for one semester at $225

• Two meals per day for one semester at $325 

• After school starts, your son will receive a student ID that is scanned each time he wants to eat. 

• All fees will be charged to your FACTS account.

SIGN UP

Students enrolled in a meal plan in the spring of 2024 will be automatically enrolled for the same meal plan for fall 2024 unless an opt out form is completed. 

Use this form to sign up for the meal plan of your choice for the fall semester by Friday, August 9.

À LA CARTE OPTION

Breakfast and after school snacks also can be purchased by your son with cash. Breakfast is served in the commons from 7:00-8:15 a.m., and after school snacks are served from 2:45-3:10 p.m.

QUESTIONS

• Learn more about our lunchtime meal service.

• Email Jacqui Warren in the Business Office or call her at (402) 548-3859.

Most courses utilize digital resources that are iPad-compatible. Those items are covered in the standard Technology, eTextbook & Supplies Fee for each student that is billed through your FACTS account. Materials covered by this fee will be noted on the Textbook and App Requirements page.

Here’s how to review these items:

1.     Review your son's class schedule in PowerSchool.

2.     Visit our Textbook and App Requirements page to review course materials and purchasing options.

3.     Review each course for the teacher's name, the title and the ISBN of the textbook to determine whether the item is covered by the school fee or you purchase it.

4.     Purchase books and apps that are not covered by the school fee.

If you have questions about textbook and app purchasing, please email Library Director Diane Sands.

You can see the complete list of activities and events for the 2024-2025 school year on our website. Here are a few key dates to keep in mind:

• Sunday, August 11 - New Families Mass & Orientation
• Monday, August 12 - Student Registration and Pictures
• Monday, August 12 - First Day of School for Freshmen (lunch will be provided)
• Tuesday, August 13 - School for All Students - C-Day schedule
• Wednesday, August 21 - Activity Fair
• Friday, August 23 - Welcome Dance
• Tuesday, August 27 - Curriculum Night, Early Dismissal

Download a PDF of Prep’s 2024-2025 Major Dates Calendar highlighting special dates of interest throughout the 2024-2025 school year.

Class schedules will be available for review in PowerSchool after July 4.

Select "My Schedule" and then the "Matrix" tab. If you believe there are scheduling errors, please review the information below prior to submitting a course change request. Counselors will prioritize and attempt to address these requests beginning August 1. The course change period runs through the first six days of class. After that, no other courses may be added. The course catalog can be reviewed, if needed.

Please note that our scheduling process prioritizes students, beginning with seniors, for classes that fulfill graduation requirements. This includes elective courses. Although Creighton Prep would like students to receive all of their requested electives, there inevitably will be conflicts that include class size limits, conflicts with other classes, or the need to fulfill graduation requirements. These conflicts may prevent a student from receiving a requested elective. This is especially true with Fine Arts classes like Basic Art and Design, Photography I and Filmmaking I. Please keep in mind that younger students will have an opportunity to take these elective classes in the future.

Additionally, please remember that Creighton Prep will not change schedules for any student based on teacher preference. Accommodating these requests would ultimately make scheduling impossible.

We try to ensure that each student’s schedule is correct, but inevitably errors do occur either in the entry of course requests or in the scheduling process itself. One common point of confusion is two lunch periods listed on the schedule. This is not an error as it is one lunch for an A Day and one for a B Day on our block schedule.  

If there are scheduling errors, please submit a course change request. Again, counselors will prioritize and attempt to address these requests beginning August 1. Priority for schedule changes will go to error corrections or approved placement changes. Discretionary changes will be made after scheduling errors are corrected. All requests will be processed through the student’s counselor, so please do not send schedule change requests to faculty or administration.

Creighton Prep uses the SchoolMessenger service to notify families about school closures, schedule changes or other urgent updates. These notifications take place through text, voice and email messages. Please take a minute to sign up or confirm that you are signed up to receive these important notifications.

Opt In for New Users

If you are a new user, opt in for text messages by texting "yes" to 68453. You will receive a reply confirming your registration.  If you receive an error message instead, you may need to contact your carrier to enable this kind of text messaging.

Confirming that You Have Already Opted In

You can confirm that parent mobile phones are registered with our emergency text notification service by texting "yes" to 68453. It is okay to repeat this process each year if you’re not sure you are registered.

Opt Out for Discontinuing the Service

To opt out of all text messages from SchoolMessenger, text "STOP" to 68453.

Additional Information

Although Prep does not charge you for this service, it does not pay for text message charges that you may incur for sending or receiving text messages. Check with your wireless carrier for possible charges. If you have any questions about emergency notifications, please email the dean of students' office.

We invite all Prep parents and students to check out Creighton Prep and visit the Jay Mart, our school spirit store where 100 percent of the proceeds benefit the faculty, staff and students. The store sells dress code-approved apparel such as quarter-zips along with many other items.

The Jay Mart is located in the Smith Atrium just outside the Heider Center, and hours are 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on regular school days and 9-11 a.m. during finals week. Please park in the west lot and check in at the high school office desk inside the building's west entrance. The receptionist will direct you from there.

To shop online, visit www.cpjaymart.com. Follow the Jay Mart on Instagram and Facebook for the newest items and sales. We look forward to helping you with all of your CP Jr. Jay's needs! For questions or additional information, contact Molly Sengstock.

Prep is seeking motivated students to fill maintenance and front desk positions beginning in mid-August at the start of the 2024-25 school year. Students will not be required to work every day, and may request seasons off to participate in athletics or other activities.

Maintenance positions pay $12 per hour and involve daily cleaning of classrooms and common areas, outdoor landscaping maintenance work, and any other duties as assigned after school from 3:00-6:00 p.m. with Saturday shifts possible. Use this link to apply for a maintenance position. Contact Facilities Director Kevin Flint.

Front desk positions pay $12 per hour and involve monitoring all entry points to the building and answering and routing phone calls to the school. Front desk position shifts run from 3:00-5:00 p.m. during the school year, with full day shifts available during winter, spring and summer breaks, and any other weekdays when school is not in session. Half-hour lunch shifts on school days will also be available. Use this link to apply for a front desk position.

School Lockers & Padlocks

All students will find their individual school locker assignment on PowerSchool a few weeks after class schedules are published.

Incoming freshman students will be provided with a Prep-issued, gray-faced padlock at no cost. Returning students who need to replace a lost Prep-issued, gray-faced padlock should purchase one during registration ($5 cash).

After classes begin, padlocks will be available for purchase in the dean of students' office during school hours.

Locker Room Lockers & Padlocks

School-issued, blue-faced padlocks for locker room lockers are available through your son's coach or P.E. teacher for $5. All items in the locker room should be secured.

Families of new students (incoming freshman and transfer students) are invited to campus to kick off the school year and celebrate Mass as a community. After, students and families will enjoy lunch and socialize, before hearing from Creighton Prep administrators. Plus, our Jay Mart will be open on this day! 

This event is for incoming freshmen and new transfer students and their parents.

Learn more and RSVP here.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 11
Park on either side of the building, east (Heider Center Entrance) or west (Sullivan Center Entrance).

10:30 A.M.
Jay Mart will be open

11 - 11:45 A.M.
Mass in the Heider Center

11:45 A.M. - 12:30 P.M.
Lunch and Socializing

12:30 - 1:30 P.M.
Presentations in the Sullivan Center

REQUIRED iPad Orientation

iPad orientation will be held on Wednesday, July 31. If your son is unable to attend, please email Anne Hefflinger to reschedule if you have not already done so and to obtain more information. Here's an overview of what will be covered at the orientation on July 31:  

Jay Squad leaders (sophomores, juniors and seniors) will assist your son in this orientation. Students will be grouped with other students of all grade levels to create brotherhood and a sense of community during their time at Prep. This first Jay Squad event will not only include this orientation but start the process of making a smooth transition to high school for your student.

Drop-Off and Pickup (1 p.m. - 4 p.m.): Please arrive on the west side of the school to enter through the Sullivan Center doors. Pickup will also be on the west side.

Before Arrival: We ask that students set up their own Apple ID prior to this event. This Apple ID will need to be the student's own, not shared with another family member, as personal and academic content will be tied to it. Parents will still be able to monitor and manage a student's App Store content using Family Sharing. A parent's guide to a student's Apple ID can be found here.

If a student does not have his own Apple ID, then the owner of the account will be receiving several prompts during the iPad setup time (1-2 p.m.) asking to approve the download of apps, etc. Your son will need a verification code from you for each of these prompts. This can slow the orientation process significantly.

Also, students should come prepared with one strong password in mind for all of their new accounts (e-mail, PowerSchool, Canvas, etc.).

What to Bring: Students will receive their Creighton Prep-issued iPad, a case with a keyboard and a stylus pen at this event. Students will also receive a drawstring bag to take these items home with them. A reusable water bottle is also always a good idea!

Event Agenda: Upon arrival at the Sullivan Center, students will check in with Jay Squad members, receive their iPad and accessories, spend time setting up their iPad with the help of Jay Squad leaders and go through student applications. After setup, Jay Squads will have some team-building activities for students to understand their new technology and become familiar with campus. Snacks and water will be provided.

Dress: There is no dress code for this event. Please make sure any clothing has appropriate logos or sayings. Students will spend a portion of time outside at the end of their orientation for a fun activity, so they should dress appropriately.

Time: 1p.m. - 4 p.m.  

1. All students who drive to Creighton Prep must register their vehicle(s) with the school and have a parking permit. The cost of a parking permit is included in the school Technology, eTextbook & Supplies Fee.
2. Students must use their Creighton Prep Gmail account to register their vehicle(s) at this link prior to Friday, August 9 at 11:55 p.m. To register a vehicle after this time, students must visit the dean of students' office.
3. When registering, each student should know the make, model, color and license plate number of all vehicles that he may drive to school.
4. Students should keep the emailed receipt and bring it when picking up the parking permit at registration.
5. See the Student-Parent Handbook for complete details on vehicle registration and student parking.
6. Permits for new drivers can be obtained anytime throughout the year in the dean of students' office.

picture order form for all students

School pictures for all students will be taken at registration on Monday, August 12. Parents can order photos online now through Jeremy Johnson Photography. To get the best possible price, all orders MUST be placed by 11:59 p.m. on Monday, August 12. Orders placed after that day are not at the discounted price and will be charged shipping. Order date information will be included on the proof insert sent to those who had their picture taken. 

pictures for seniors

As your son's last year of high school approaches, we want you to be aware of two important senior photo items.

1. All seniors are required to wear a shirt and tie to registration on August 12. Click here to learn more about appropriate dress for formal senior photos. Prep will not accept a senior photo from outside photography studios. 
2. You do not need to schedule a senior picture appointment to fulfill the senior yearbook requirements.

yearbook pickup for sophomores, juniors and seniors

All sophomores, juniors and seniors will be able to pick up their 2023-24 yearbooks at registration. Every Prep student receives a yearbook. Parents/guardians did not need to order one in advance. Recent graduates (the class of 2024) can pick up their yearbooks at the high school office.

All Student Registration

All students are required to attend this day to take school pictures, purchase replacement locks if needed for $5 cash (freshman locks are provided), pick up pre-registered parking passes and get settled into lockers. No parking passes will be sold this day. Unless you are purchasing a lock, sophomores, juniors and seniors do not need to bring anything else. Freshmen should review the information in the Freshman First Day section below for what to do and bring to school. The first day of school freshmen is Monday, August 12 after registration. The first actual day of school for sophomores, juniors and seniors is Tuesday, August 13.

Please arrive and enter the upper Heider Center entrance in dress code, including hair and facial hair as outlined in the Student-Parent Handbook. A reminder that seniors must be in formal dress code (a dress shirt and tie along with the rest of the items outlined in the dress code). Here is the schedule for registration:

freshman first day

Registration for freshmen opens at 10:00 a.m. Please drop your son off at the Heider Center entrance in the east parking lot. Freshmen should begin registration no later than 10:15 a.m. to ensure they’ve completed the process before their classes begin at 11:05 a.m. Students should bring their iPad, pen, pencil, notebook and anything they’d like to put in their locker. The class schedule for the day is below. Lunch will be provided.

emergency medical action plans

If a student has a life-threatening condition such as severe asthma, allergies, diabetes or seizures, submit the applicable action plan form to the dean of students' office. Below are examples of action plan forms that may be used, or the student’s physician may use a different, preferred form.

• Asthma and Severe Allergy Action Plan
• Seizure Action Plan
• Diabetes Action Plan

If  a student needs to take prescription medication while at school, ask your son’s physician to complete one of the applicable forms below that requires a physician’s signature. Return the form to the dean of students' office.

• Medication Authorization Form - For all prescription meds that are administered at school
• Self-Management Form (for those with emergency action plans only) - Stating the student will carry and self-administer his Epi-Pen, insulin or inhaler.  All other prescription medication must be kept in the dean of students' office.

These forms are also available on the Medical Information page and in the dean of students' office, and should be submitted before the start of school. It is the parent’s responsibility to notify the dean of students' office if changes occur. If you have questions about these forms, email the dean of students.

Read over the Student-Parent Handbook with your student and make sure one parent agrees to its terms by logging in to PowerSchool and selecting Annual Update by July 31.

The summer reading book “Discovering Wes Moore” by Wes Moore was distributed in English classes and at Freshman Registration Night. Students are expected to complete the book before the first day of class and should expect a quiz in the first few days of school. Click here for a link to the summer reading review guide.

This is the description of the book:

From the governor of Maryland comes a story of two fatherless boys from Baltimore, both named Wes Moore. One is in prison, serving a life sentence for murder. The other is a Rhodes Scholar, an army veteran, and an author whose book is being turned into a movie produced by Oprah Winfrey.
 
The story of “the other Wes Moore” is one that the author couldn’t get out of his mind, not since he learned that another boy with his name—just two years his senior—grew up in the same Baltimore neighborhood. He wrote that boy—now a man—a letter, not expecting to receive a reply. But a reply came, and a friendship grew, as letters turned into visits and the two men got to know each other. Eventually, that friendship became the inspiration for Discovering Wes Moore, a moving and cautionary tale examining the factors that contribute to success and failure—and the choices that make all the difference.
 
Two men. One overcame adversity. The other suffered the indignities of poverty. Their stories are chronicled in Discovering Wes Moore, a book for young people based on Wes Moore’s bestselling adult memoir, The Other Wes Moore. 

For questions about the summer reading book, please contact English department chair Ms. Barb Hake at bhake@creightonprep.org.

Creighton Prep offers two online resources that help you track your son's academic performance, homework and course planning. Access to these sites requires separate logins with separate usernames and passwords. For problems accessing these sites, contact the high school office.

PowerSchool for Academic Performance

• Access current course grades and specific assignment grades and comments.

• Review attendance history including a summary of reasons for absences.

• Check discipline history, including demerit and Jug (detention) totals and obligations owed.

To learn more about PowerSchool, see this tutorial.

Canvas for daily class activities

• View assignments such as homework, tests and long-range projects.

• Follow course links with information such as syllabi, daily agendas, readings and notes.

• Note that assignment and course grades are official in PowerSchool only and what you may see in Canvas may not always reflect the actual grade.

To learn more about Canvas, see this tutorial.

Parents should look for the "Parent of a Canvas User?" link on the top login page. You will need your son's username and password to register. 

Creighton Prep and Marian have partnered with Chief School Bus to pick up students each morning at 16 locations across Omaha. You can sign up each semester for $250. For those receiving a tuition adjustment, we’ll adjust the prices based on the percentage of aid received.

bus Routes & Schedules

Costs & Details

$250 per semester.

The price will be adjusted based on the percentage (rounded up to the nearest 10%) of financial aid received compared to total tuition and fees for the 2024-25 school year. For example, a $4,000 financial aid package rounds up to 30% of total tuition and fees; thus a 30% discount will be applied to the bus pass fee.

All fees will be charged to your FACTS account.

Bus pass fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.

Participation in this program can save you from making a 20+ mile round trip commute every morning, with the potential to save thousands of miles’ worth of fuel and depreciation on your vehicle!

Sign Up 

Use this form to sign up by Friday, August 9. 

Transportation Program Guidelines

Creighton Prep / Marian uses Chief School Bus to service these routes.

At drop-off sites, parents must stay with students (or leave students with another trusted adult) until the bus arrives. Students are not permitted to leave the designated drop-off zone or enter the school at private school sites. In inclement weather conditions, students should stay in their parents’ vehicles until the bus arrives.

Bus stop times shown represent the departure time. Buses will not leave the drop-off site prior to the time shown, but they may arrive a few minutes prior to departure.

Once the bus has departed the drop-off site, it will not return to pick up students who arrive late to the site. If your student misses the bus, it is your responsibility to transport your student to Prep.

Each route has a limit of 42 seats. If you purchase a bus pass for a route, you may use either of the bus stops on that route. You may not use bus stops on other routes. If a route has more than 42 students sign up, we will give preference to the families who live furthest away from Prep / Marian.

Students will be required to present their Creighton Prep / Marian student ID upon boarding the bus to verify the bus pass purchase. Until IDs are distributed after the first week of school, students will provide their name to the bus driver who has a list of those assigned to a particular route.

In the unlikely event of a bus “no show,” it will be your responsibility to transport your student to Prep / Marian, which is why we recommend that students stay in their parent’s vehicle until the bus arrives. In this scenario, you will be refunded a pro-rata portion of your bus pass fee.

After signing up, we will send you more information regarding your specific stop instructions and designated drop-off zone.

Questions

If you have any questions, please contact:
Creighton Prep: Alex Zimmerman; azimmerman@creightonprep.org; (402) 548-3850.
Marian: Kris Hennings; khennings@omahamarian.org; (402) 571-2618 x1132

carpooling

Creighton Prep students often carpool to school from different parts of the city. If you would like to explore carpooling options, complete this form to indicate whether your son needs transportation or can provide transportation. After August 1, a list of students with carpool requests will be shared with parents who have completed this form so they can contact each other.