The students in Mrs. Kudlacek's 5th grade class were able to play BINGO with our friends from APACE today. Everyone was excited when a special visitor came to visit!
9 months ago, Gretna Elementary
Group of students in a cafeteria sitting at tables playing bingo.
Group of students in a cafeteria sitting at tables playing bingo with their hands raised.
Group of students and adults in a cafeteria sitting at tables with Santa standing in the center of the room.
Group of students and adults in a cafeteria sitting at tables playing bingo.
Group of students and adults in a cafeteria sitting at tables playing bingo with their hands raised.
Group of students and adults sitting at a white table playing bingo with red and blue tiles.

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

9 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
Third graders celebrated completing their 2nd quarter reading incentive with a hot cocoa and movie party today!🎥☕️📚❄️
9 months ago, Gretna Elementary
Group of girls sitting on chairs holding coffee cups up.
Large group of students in a room, some sitting on the floor while others are sitting on chairs or sitting on desks.
Group of boys sitting in a classroom around a table.
Group of students sitting in a classroom, some on the floor and some in chairs eating items from styrofoam cups.
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.
10 months ago, Gretna Public School District
photo of Kendra Schneider and text reading New Director of Special Education
Mrs. Kuzel’s 2nd grade class is trying out their boat making skills! They crafted boats out of tin foil and are seeing how many pennies they will hold before they sink. The winner was a tie between Kash and Clay at 108 pennies each!
10 months ago, Gretna Elementary
Four students standing around a table with a black tub present with aluminum foil and pennies.
Two students standing around a counter with a black tub present with aluminum foil and pennies.
Three students standing around a counter with a black tub present with aluminum foil and pennies.
Kindness club decorated coffee sleeves for The Beanery today! If anyone goes to purchase a warm beverage the next few weeks, they might be lucky enough to receive some extra holiday spirit from GES kids🥰
10 months ago, Gretna Elementary
Group of students sitting and laying on a gym floor working on an art activity.
Girl holding a coffee sleeve that says You are Loved.
Boy holding a coffee sleeve that says Merry Christmas.
Boy holding a coffee sleeve that says Merry Christmas.
Girls holding a coffee sleeve that is decorated for Christmas.
Girls holding a coffee sleeve that is decorated for Christmas.
Boy holding a coffee sleeve that is decorated for Christmas.
Our 4th grade students of the month for gratitude! Nominated by their peers and teachers for their positive attitudes and genuine thankfulness!
10 months ago, Gretna Elementary
Three students standing in front of a whiteboard that says "Gratitude" while holding certificates.
Mrs. Hirsch's 3rd grade class used Cheez-Its to measure and learn about the area of shapes!
10 months ago, Gretna Elementary
Group of kids sitting at desks with a paper in front of them and cheese its as well doing a math activity.
Group of kids sitting at desks with a paper in front of them and cheese its as well doing a math activity.
Group of kids sitting at desks with a paper in front of them and cheese its as well doing a math activity.
Group of kids sitting at desks with a paper in front of them and cheese its as well doing a math activity.
Happy Thanksgiving from Ms. Buffington's Kindergarten class!
10 months ago, Gretna Elementary
Group of students, some sitting, some kneeling, and some standing, along with their teacher in front of an arch made of Thanksgiving colored balloons.
Happy Thanksgiving from our Kindergarten team!!
10 months ago, Gretna Elementary
Three women standing in front of an arch made out of Thanksgiving colored balloons.
Happy Thanksgiving from our AM and PM preschool classes!
10 months ago, Gretna Elementary
Group of preschool students wearing turkey hats with adults standing behind them in front of an arch made of Thanksgiving colored balloons.
Group of preschool students wearing turkey hats with adults standing behind them in front of an arch made of Thanksgiving colored balloons.
Happy Thanksgiving from Mrs. Johnson's 3rd grade class!
10 months ago, Gretna Elementary
Group of students, some kneeling and some standing in front of an arch created out of Thanksgiving colored balloons.
Happy Thanksgiving from our amazing Pre-K team!
10 months ago, Gretna Elementary
4 women standing around an arch made of Thanksgiving colored balloons.
Ms. Boeselager's kindergarten class is so ready for Thanksgiving Break!
10 months ago, Gretna Elementary
Group of students kneeling and standing around an arch made of Thanksgiving colored balloons.
The 4th graders had an awesome day showing off their talents to us during their Thanksgiving Parade and Flash Mob!
10 months ago, Gretna Elementary
Group of students, many of them wearing black, sitting and standing for a photo in a gym with green walls.
Happy Thanksgiving from Mrs. Kuzel’s 2nd Grade!
10 months ago, Gretna Elementary
Group of students and their teacher standing around a balloon archway decorated for Thanksgiving!

Gretna Public Schools Board of Education Attends 2025 NASB State Education Conference

The Gretna Public Schools Board of Education spent two days at the 2025 NASB State Education Conference—Nebraska’s largest annual gathering for school board leaders. The event provides valuable training and collaboration on key topics such as legislative updates, emerging educational trends, student well-being, school safety, school finance, and effective district governance.

By participating, board members bring back insights that support informed decision-making and strengthen the long-term success of Gretna Public Schools. We appreciate their dedication to professional growth and continued service to our students, staff, and community.

10 months ago, Gretna Public School District
The Gretna Board of Education and Superintendent posing for a picture at the NASB State Conference
a selfie of the Gretna Board of Education at the NASB 2025 State Education Conference
Mrs. Johnson’s 3rd grade WIN group performed a Thanksgiving play for the preschool class!
10 months ago, Gretna Elementary
A boy sits on a stool while smiling next to a younger girl who is standing next to him.
Group of students standing at the front of a classroom holding papers to read while other students sit on the floor around them.
Group of students standing at the front of a classroom holding papers to read while other students sit on the floor around them.
Group of students standing at the front of a classroom holding papers to read while other students sit on the floor around them.
Mrs. Kuzel’s 2nd grade class is hard at work doing research for their “All About” books that they are writing. They have each picked a topic that they are interested in and are using resources on their iPads to learn more about the topic and take notes. They will then compile the notes into an informational book about the topic!
10 months ago, Gretna Elementary
Group of 2nd graders sitting at their desks working with their headphones on and working on their iPads.
Group of 2nd graders sitting at their desks working with their headphones on and working on their iPads.
Group of 2nd graders sitting at their desks working with their headphones on and working on their iPads.
Group of 2nd graders sitting at their desks working with their headphones on and working on their iPads.
Group of 2nd graders sitting at their desks working with their headphones on and working on their iPads.
Group of 2nd graders sitting at their desks working with their headphones on and working on their iPads.
Group of 2nd graders sitting at their desks working with their headphones on and working on their iPads.
These awesome 2nd graders from Mrs. Bertolini's class have earned the art gemstone, the golden tech class, and the library award!!! Keep up the great work, 2nd graders!!
10 months ago, Gretna Elementary
Group of second grade students, some standing, some kneeling, and some standing, holding awards in a school hallway.