BBQ shows off Northwest High

Bill Kingston showed off his dance moves Thursday night while a DJ spun music at the Northwest High School community barbecue.

Kingston, a Northwest teacher, said the event allowed students to see school as a fun place and to interact with teachers in a setting different from the typical school day.

“It’s very comfortable, and that’s what we want it to be,” he said.

Northwest, 82nd Street and Crown Point Avenue, also opened its doors for tours, allowing parents, students and community members to see what the school has to offer. The south lawn was jammed with people eating and socializing.

“We want to make a connection with the community, and we want to bring people in to see the positive things going on and the kind of students we have,” Principal Herman Colvin said.

Northwest is starting a new magnet program in the fall that will focus on law, government and international diplomacy.

Freshmen will participate in the magnet program this year, and next year it will expand to include the entire school.

Colvin said some new faces stopped by to learn about Northwest’s programs.

Northwest has the smallest high school enrollment in the Omaha Public Schools and was in the middle of the pack districtwide in recent state-reported assessments. Colvin said enrollment for this year is about 1,100 students.

Colvin expected about 900 people to attend the barbecue.

About 60 staff members, all wearing red Huskies T-shirts, volunteered their time. The cheerleading team cheered, the jazz band performed, and the DJ entertained the crowd.

“They’re all here because they are proud,” Colvin said.

Damon Benning, head football coach, said the barbecue was a way to highlight Northwest’s strengths.

“For the school in general, the perception has been a bit misconstrued,” Benning said. “So we like to focus on the things we do well, and we want to showcase it with a picnic. Our doors are open, and we have nothing to hide.”

Colvin said planning the barbecue was a lot of work but worth it. It’s the second year for the barbecue, and Colvin plans to hold it every year he’s principal.

“It increases awareness of what we are and what we are about,” he said.

Teacher Donna Ross described the gathering as a big party that allows teachers to catch up with students during summer break.

“It makes us more personable and open for everyone to observe what we do and evaluate it,” Ross said.

The OPS school year begins Aug. 16.

Kim Jones said the picnic was a great way for her incoming freshman son to get familiar with the school.

They took a tour and spoke with staff members, and her son had a chance to meet some new friends.

“It’s neat,” she said. “It shows they care.”

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