The Wildcat News
Western Hills Magnet Center - October 21, 2019
Principal's Message
Happy Fall! Isn’t fall a great time of the year! Every year about this time, I’m reminded how beautiful the trees are and how lucky we are to enjoy the changing seasons in
Nebraska. I certainly wish we could continue with the warm temperatures we have been having but I know that with the month of November soon upon us, cooler weather is
in sight. Please make sure your children are dressed appropriately for school. Western Hills’ students go outside for recess unless it is raining, snowing, or subzero weather! Coats are a necessity for cooler weather. Thanks for your help.
This fall has been filled with expeditions to Fontenelle Forest for our students in Grades 1, 3 and 5. We are excited to continue our partnership with the forest and this outdoor learning opportunity for our students. Please make sure you know what days your students are going to the forest and to dress appropriately.
We hope you’ve marked your calendars and plan on joining us at First quarter Parent-Teacher conferences which are this week. If you haven’t signed up for conferences, please contact your child’s teacher. Please note the following date and information:
Wednesday, October 23rd 4:15 - 7:45 PM
Thursday, October 24th 12:30 -7:30 PM
***No school for all students Thursday October 24th and Friday, October 25th****
Ever thought about volunteering at Western Hills? We love to have guest partners in our classrooms to read with or to practice problem solving! If interested, sign up online and contact the office. Any questions call 531-299-2240.
Our annual Harvest Festival will be held on Thursday, October 31st from 2:30-3:45 pm. If you are interested in helping please contact the PTO or the Western Hills office.
Enjoy the fall weather as we move into winter soon! Grab a good book or practice those math skills at the grocery store in the next couple of weeks!
Happy October! Ms. Harbison
Welcome to our new Kindergarten Teacher!
Welcome Mrs. Grassmeyer! Mrs. Grassmeyer said “I think I always knew I wanted to be a teacher, but while working as a paraprofessional in preschool, I decided teaching was the perfect profession for me. I went back to school to earn my Masters of Education and teaching credentials from Creighton University.”
Mrs. Grassmeyer grew up in the tiny town of Edgerton, Minnesota with a population of only 1,100 people. Her school had only 125 students in Kindergarten – 8th grade, so she made best friends throughout her school years and stayed with them until she graduated high school.
This is Mrs. Grassmeyer’s first year teaching but she worked two years as a para with preschool aged children with hearing loss. When asked what her favorite thing is about teaching at Western Hills, she replied ”the students, especially the Kindergartners! I also enjoy getting to work with some of the best teachers in the district. It is great being on a team where everyone works as hard as they can everyday to help students succeed.” Mrs. Grassmeyer believes her teaching superpower is multitasking, and believes it is a requirement for all teachers!
Outside of school Mrs. Grassmeyer loves to read, cook and ride her bike. She and her husband are expecting their first baby in February so now her free time includes a lot of napping.
Lost and Found - FINAL NOTICE
First Quarter Report Cards
Helpful Tips for Discussing your Child’s Report Card
First Quarter report cards are coming home soon with your child and it’s one way teachers communicate with parents and students. The following tips may be helpful to you in discussing your child’s report card.
1. Meet privately with your child, without distractions.
2. Start with a review of what the child has learned in each subject during the past grading period.
3. Ask your child to tell you how the report card grade was determined in each subject. Tests? Homework? Reports? Class participation?
4. Ask your child to tell you if he/she is satisfied with the grade? If not, what could they do to improve the grade?
5. Review other indicators on the report card. Teacher’s comments, absences, effort grades.
6. Discuss your child’s goals for the 2nd quarter.
7. Help your child plan the next steps. Should your child talk to the teacher or ask for more help? Should he/she study more at home?
Harvest Party and Red Ribbon Celebration
Our Harvest parties will be held on Thursday, October 31st beginning at 2:15 pm until 3:45 pm. The Red Ribbon Healthy Walk parade will start at 2:00 pm with all students and teachers walking one lap.
Students may wear their costumes to school for “Drugs are a Nightmare” theme and for the afternoon Harvest party.
Costumes should be school appropriate and child friendly and must not include real or fake weapons or masks.
We will parade outside on the walking track around the playground if the weather cooperates. Parents and siblings are invited to watch the parade and help with the Harvest Party.
Attendance Calls
Western Hills Book Fair
Get ready for the Bookfair, AN ARTIC ADVENTURE, during Fall conferences October 23rd and 24th.
Come visit the Book Fair located just outside the Library (2nd floor)
Check out our Book Fair page and shop online!
https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/westernhillsmagnetelemsch
Does Your Child Attend Kids Club? Consolidated Site and Date Information
6:30 AM to 6:00 PM
October 24th & 25th
Children Must Bring Their Own Lunch and Drink
****PAYMENT DUE AT TIME OF REGISTRATION***
Interested In Paying for Lunch Online?
Did you know you can pay for your child’s lunch online? If you have access to a computer visit the OPS webpage... Select Parents and then select Pay for Lunch. Once there you can create a new account and begin.
Is there an Omaha Public Schools teacher that deserves recognition?
A great teacher can turn a geography lesson into an exciting adventure or make a passing conversation become a life lesson. Our Western Hills community is fortunate to have so many great teachers! It’s why the Alice Buffett Outstanding Teacher Award was created more than 25 years ago—to recognize those teachers who have gone above and beyond to help their students in the classroom and in life. Nominate an OPS Teacher for this award, and tell us what he or she has done that has made a difference. Make your nomination by January 15, 2020 at http://buffettoutstandingteachers.org/
News From the Counseling Corner
Red Ribbon Week - October 28 - November 1 - Healthy Mind, Body and Spirit Week
- Monday - Bee Cool-- Bee Kind-- Bee Healthy - (Wear Yellow and Black)
- Tuesday - Be All You Can Be Drug Free & Healthy - (Wear Camouflage)
- Wednesday - Wild About Being Healthy - (Wear Animals or animal print clothing)
- Thursday - Drugs Are a Nightmare, Be Healthy (Bring your Halloween costumes to wear in the afternoon at the Harvest Festival)
- Friday - Follow your Dreams by Living Healthy - (Wear your pajamas)
Western Hills Optimist Clubs - Students of the Month
Western Hills has a wonderful relationship that has been going on for years with the Optimist Club. They sponsor a luncheon four times a year to celebrate students that are kind, positive, enthusiastic, and role models for others. We ask staff members to nominate students that resemble the Optimist Club's creed and represent our school well. The selected students attend a luncheon in their honor and receive a certificate and a copy of the creed. The Western Hills Students of the Month for September and October are Jeremiah Ridgebear and Mason Gabrie. Congratulations to them and their families!
The Optimist Creed
Promise yourself:
To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind
To talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet
To make all your friends feel there is something in them
To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true
To think only of the best, to work only for the best, and expect only the best
To be just as enthusiastic about the success of other as you are about your own
To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future
To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile
To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others
To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear and too happy to permit the presence of trouble
Boo Grams
Send a message and a treat to your favorite Wildcat. Boo Grams are sold during lunch for 25 cents ($.25) Parents may also buy during Conferences. Boo Grams can be purchased from October 14th to the 23rd. They will be delivered on Halloween.
Fabric Wanted!!
Mrs. Jaeke - "I Get By With a Little Help From My Friends"
Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program
October's fresh fruit and vegetables are all ORANGE! How fun is that?!?!?
Orange Fruits and Vegetables improve immune function, reduce the risk of heart disease, promote eye health, and more. Orange and yellow fruits and vegetables are rich in vitamin C and carotenoids, including beta-carotene
10-29 squash
10-31 tangerines/cuties
Students will learn interesting facts, nutritional information, and how fruits and vegetables help us to be better learners. Ask your child about what they are learning.
Helpful Tips for Cold and Flu Season
COLD AND FLU SEASON IS HERE!!!
Please remember to keep your child home if he/she has had a fever of 100 degrees or higher, nausea, diarrhea or vomiting or a persistent cough. within the last 24 hours. Thank you for your help in keeping our children healthy and preventing the spread of colds and flu in the classroom.
We have set up a Kinsa App that includes a free thermometer for your family. Text FLUENCY to 555888 to register to get your Thermometer sent to school by October 31. There was a misprint in the flyer that came home so please note the correct deadline.
Western Hills PTO - Activities and Information
R.O.A.R. PLEDGE
Did you know that every morning students recite our Western Hills pledge?
I am a Wildcat
I Respect people, places and things,
I Only use kind words and actions,
I Always do my best, and
I am Ready and willing to learn,
I am a Wildcat,
Hear me ROAR!!!
Ask your child to practice saying the ROAR pledge and ask what the pledge means to them.
Vala's Pumpkin Patch - Pre-K
Tuesday, Oct 22, 2019, 09:15 AM
Vala's Pumpkin Patch & Apple Orchard, South 180th Street, Gretna, NE, USA
Harvest Party and Red Ribbon Celebration
Thursday, Oct 31, 2019, 02:15 PM
Western Hills Elementary School, Western Avenue, Omaha, NE, USA
School Portrait - Make Up Session
Wednesday, Nov 6, 2019, 08:30 AM
Western Hills Elementary School, Western Avenue, Omaha, NE, USA
Omaha Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, age, genetic information, citizenship status, or economic status in its programs, activities and employment and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following individual has been designated to address inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Superintendent of Schools, 3215 Cuming Street, Omaha, NE. 68131
531-299-9822