Two years ago, we introduced the Bishop Neumann Teacher Wish List, which was met with tremendous support and success. We are pleased to reintroduce this initiative again this year.

The items included in the Wish List extend beyond regular department budgets, and our teachers and staff have identified how these resources would enhance their classrooms, benefit students, and strengthen our school community. Please note that items will not be purchased until they are fully funded.

We are deeply grateful for your continued generosity and support.

*The items are in no particular order.

Math – Mrs. Katie Sieck

Request: New Desks for Math Classroom

• Why Needed:
  • Current desks are too small, leaving students without enough space to use a binder, calculator, and textbook at the same time. This forces them to stack materials, making it harder to stay organized and focused.
  • The slanted desk surfaces cause items to slide off easily, disrupting lessons and causing frustration.
  • The attached chairs are cracked and worn. Students often complain of discomfort and even getting pinched, which takes attention away from learning. Constant repairs to these desks take up valuable time and resources.
• Benefits of New Desks:
  • Larger, flat workspaces provide more room for materials.
  • Flexible classroom arrangement (rows, pods, or group work) to better support collaboration.
  • Separate desks and chairs are more durable and easier to repair or replace individually.
  • Dry-erase tops allow for interactive problem-solving and increase student engagement.
• Estimated Cost: $10,000 (30 desks, including shipping)

Family & Consumer Sciences – Mrs. Wonka

Requests:

1. New Oven – FUNDED
2. Pots & Pans – FUNDED
3. Yardsticks (5) – $200 total
   
   • Essential for sewing and design projects, but the current yardsticks are broken, warped, or unusable. Students need accurate measuring tools to complete assignments correctly.

Business Office – Mrs. Jennifer Benes

Request: File Cabinet Replacement

• Why Needed:
  • The office currently uses filing cabinets that either don’t lock or are broken. With sensitive student and financial information stored inside, this poses a serious security risk.
  • Locking cabinets are required to maintain confidentiality and compliance with school and diocesan policies.
• Estimated Cost:
  • Phoenix Fireproof Cabinet – $3,049

Maintenance – Mr. Roger Benes

Request: IPC i-mop® Lite Upright Floor Scrubber

• Why Needed:
  • Current cleaning equipment is outdated and inefficient. Bathrooms and bleachers require frequent deep cleaning, and mopping by hand is not only labor-intensive but less effective at sanitizing.
  • The i-mop provides quicker, more thorough cleaning, reduces staff strain, and creates a cleaner environment for students and guests.
• Estimated Cost: $5,100

Campus Ministry & Community System – Ms. Gery Kenney

Requests:

1. Spotlights for Adoration – FUNDED
2. Portable Bluetooth Speaker w/ Microphone – $170.93
   • Useful for retreats, student trips, outdoor Masses, and school events. Helps ensure all students can hear talks, instructions, and music.
3. Advent Wreath for Chapel – FUNDED!
4. Recreation Equipment – $3000
   • Cornhole, Spikeball, Ladder Ball, Kan Jam, and Volleyball Nets. Recreational activities are essential for retreats, community-building events, and campus life. These games help students form friendships, relieve stress, and connect faith with fellowship.

Theology Department

Request: Student Bibles – NABRE (New American Bible) Liturgical Edition, For all students and staff first year. Then, for new students, 7^th grade, and new staff following year.

• Why Needed:
  • While students receive Word on Fire Gospels, they lack access to the complete Bible. This limits their ability to follow lessons, complete assignments, and deepen their faith. We are presuming that all have complete Bibles, but the fact is that they do not all have them.
  • Bishop Neumann once had a tradition of gifting each 7th grader a Bible to carry with them until graduation. Restoring this tradition reinforces the school’s Catholic identity and provides consistency in Theology education.
• Estimated Cost: $4,000 to start and cover the entire school with some left over for next year.
• Please note: We will hold these funds to purchase the new NABRE Liturgical Edition, projected release 2027.

Wellness Committee – Mrs. Sullivan

Request: Filtered Water Stations

• Why Needed:
  • Students frequently report the water “tastes chemical” or “doesn’t taste good.” Poor taste discourages proper hydration, which affects concentration, energy, and overall health.
  • Clean, filtered water encourages more students to refill their bottles and drink throughout the day. Supporting hydration is a simple but powerful way to impact student wellness.
• Estimated Cost:
  • Initial Filter Kit: $348
  • Replacement Filters (6 total): $105

Science – Mr. Gerdes

Requests:

1. Bench Top Incubator Oven – $641
   • Current incubator is over 30 years old and unreliable. An updated unit ensures accurate results for lab experiments, particularly in biology and microbiology courses.
2. PCR Unit –$2,000
   • Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) is a cutting-edge biotechnology tool. Adding this equipment gives students real-world lab experience, prepares them for college-level science, and strengthens the school’s science curriculum.
3. Microscopes – $480 each
   • Current microscopes are aging and lack advanced magnification. New scopes allow students to see details at up to 1000x magnification, improving lab quality and learning outcomes.

Library – Mr. Swanson

Requests:

1. Furniture Updates

• Items: A nice couch and a nice coffee table.
• Why Needed: The goal is to create a welcoming reading area where students can relax and engage with books outside of class time. A dedicated reading space encourages a culture of literacy, provides an inviting environment for study, and helps make the library a hub for both academic growth and quiet reflection. This can either be donated or purchased.

2. Books – $900

• Items: 40+ titles, cross-referenced with the Institute for Catholic Liberal Education (ICLE) recommended list. Examples include works by J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, G.K. Chesterton, Charles Dickens, Jane Austen, and Catholic saints’ writings.
• Why Needed: Our current collection is dated and lacks many foundational Catholic and classical works that shape critical thinking, moral imagination, and cultural literacy. Building a robust library of great literature not only supports the theology and English curriculum but also provides students with access to timeless stories and Catholic voices that foster deeper understanding of faith, virtue, and humanity.

3. Magazine Subscriptions – $20-$50 each

• Items: National Geographic, Smithsonian, Bloomberg, Time, and others.
• Why Needed: Periodicals help students connect classroom learning to the real world. They support research projects, keep students up-to-date with scientific discoveries, global cultures, current events, and economic trends. A diverse set of magazines ensures students have access to credible, engaging resources beyond textbooks.
• Estimated Cost: $687 annually

4. Newspaper Subscriptions

• Items: Omaha World Herald, Lincoln Journal Star, and The New York Times (Sunday edition).
• Why Needed: Newspapers provide primary sources for current events, civics, and government classes. They help students learn to evaluate information critically, compare different perspectives, and engage responsibly with civic issues. Access to both local and national news strengthens their awareness of community, country, and world affairs.
• Estimated Cost: $1,815 annually

Total Library Wish List Cost: $3,405

Kitchen

Request: Pasta Roller Machines

• Items: Met Lux Pasta Machine And Motor
• Why Needed: The kitchen staff has begun making noodles and pasta in-house to improve meal quality and provide fresh, healthier options for students. A pasta roller ensures consistency in noodle size and texture, which improves both presentation and cooking results. Having three machines allows for more efficient production, helping the staff prepare larger batches quickly and maintain uniformity in the meals served. This upgrade not only saves time but also enhances the overall dining experience for students.
• Estimated Cost:  $125.
  
  

You can either donate by clicking the button below or sending checks to Bishop Neumann High School with the attention to the Development Office. Please include a note one where you would like your funds directed.

Thank you for all your support!