Westside Elementary
October 2023 Newsletter
Important Dates
October
- 6th: Spirit Day (Wear Westside or Panther apparel)
- 6th: Fun Run Fundraiser begins
- 12th: End of First Quarter
- 13th: NO SCHOOL
- 16th: Report Cards go home
- 16th: P/T Conferences and Book Fair (4:00-7:00 pm)
- 17th: Picture Retakes
- 17th: P/T Conferences and Book Fair (4:00-7:00 pm)
- 19th: Westside Fun Run (9:30 am)
- 19th: 11:30 Dismissal
- 19th: P/T Conferences and Book Fair (1:00-4:00 pm)
- 20th: NO SCHOOL
- 23rd: NO SCHOOL
- 24th: Fun Run Fundraiser ends
- 31st: Fall Room Parties
- 31st: Halloween (No costumes at school)
Westside Families,
October is full of special dates. We have Conferences, the Book Fair, the Fun Run Fundraiser, days off, early dismissals, and of course...Halloween.
It will go fast.
We look forward to seeing (or hearing) you at conferences. We do understand that emergencies come up. However, please make every attempt to meet at the time you will be scheduled. Our days will be scheduled with very little wiggle room.
Mr. Lichty
Principal
Parent Survey
I would like to ask for your help in completing a survey that will be administered during the month of October.
The survey is designed to capture your thoughts and feelings as a parent or guardian about our school. Your participation in this survey is very important to us. Results of the survey will enable our school to identify strengths and weaknesses for continuous improvement.
It will take approximately 10 minutes of your time, and all responses will remain anonymous. On October 6th, you can access the link at this address:
https://perceptualsurvey.education.ne.gov/#//survey/2197
A Spanish translation of the parent survey is available using the button located at the top right of the screen of the survey.
The survey link will be active starting on Friday, October 6 until Thursday, October 19.
Third and Fourth grade students will participate in a similar survey at school. If you do not want your child to participate in this survey, please contact Mr. Lichty prior to October 6 to excuse him/her. If you would like to review the survey questions before you or your student participate they are available by following the link below.
https://www.education.ne.gov/apac/perceptual-survey/
We are are always wanting to improve the school experience for our students and their families. This survey will give us valuable information to help build some goals. Thank you in advance for your participation.
Mr. Lichty Westside Principal
School Pictures
The school picture proofs for your student have been sent home. All orders are done online at
Your password is located on the proof form.
Please contact Penny (at Westside office) if you lost your password.
All orders are due by October 11, after that date there is a $10.00 late fee.
Picture retakes are October 17th.
Bucket Fillers of the Month
For the month of September we focused on Behavior Expectations in the Classroom.
The Classroom Behavior Expectations are at the bottom of this newsletter.
We had some visitors at our assembly. A few of the Pink Panthers came and talked about Pink Panther Dance Day on October 28th. (Forms went home with interested students.)
They also did a few dances for us.
We also added an extra feature to our Bucket Filler Assembly. Any student who earned a bucket filler slip this month had their name put in a hat. We chose four students from that list of bucket fillers. Those four students competed in a "Minute to Win It" game.
Parent/Teacher Conferences
Oct 16th (from 4-7 pm)
Oct 17th (from 4-7 pm)
Oct 19th (from 1-4 pm)
A note with your conference time was given to your child on September 29th.
On October 19th, we have an 11:30 dismissal. You should have also received a note with the P/T Conference form regarding lunch on that day. If you are wanting to order a lunch on October 19th, that note should be back by October 6th.
Scholastic Book Fair
If you would like to sign up to help work the Fair, please see the sign up HERE.
Westside Fun Run
August and September Birthdays
Westside Social Media
Westside Twitter page. (maintained by Westside Elementary)
Westside Facebook page. (maintained by Westside PTO)
Drug free zone
Free and Reduced Lunch Applications still need to be filled out!
If you qualified for free or reduced priced lunches in the past (in the Norfolk Public Schools), you must fill out a new application every year. However, you may have had a new application mailed to you with info already filled in to make the task easier. Kindergarten and new students to the district will need to fill out a new form. If you have multiple students in our district, your family will only need to fill out one packet. If you lost your form, you can fill out a new one as well. Please fill these and all other forms out completely and remember to sign and include all Social Security numbers. This paperwork is also used for other programs and purposes like fee waivers for activity cards and fees for athletics participation.
Westside Calendar
https://www.norfolkpublicschools.org/calendars/
7:50 am - All students go to the blacktop in the back of the school. Breakfast served in gym.
8:05 am - Tardy bell rings
3:15 pm - Dismissal bell rings (M, T, Th, F)
2:00 pm - Dismissal bell rings (W)
Change of Information
If you have had a change of address, phone number, or place of employment, please send a note or contact the office at 402-644-2561 so we can keep our emergency information updated. This is for the safety of our students.
Thank you!
Classroom Rules
Prepackaged Treats
The safety of our children is of utmost importance. We have many students with a wide range of severe, life threatening allergies to various food products. To keep our children safe we are asking that any food products that are brought into the classroom as treats are prepackaged items with ingredients listed.
Thank you for your support in keeping our kids safe.
Toys, Trading Cards, Etc.
Box Top App
We have been asked if Box Tops are still a thing...well they are!
Box Tops has changed how they collect the Box Top. The new and improved Box Tops mobile app uses state-of-the-art technology to scan your store receipt, find participating products and instantly add Box Tops to your school's earnings online.
How does the new program work?
At its core, the program structure and purpose remain the same – to help schools get what they need. The main difference is how you’ll earn – instead of clipping, all Box Tops will be earned digitally via receipt scan.
You’ll now download the new and improved, user-friendly Box Tops app, register and select a school, and then scan an eligible receipt containing Box Tops products. You’ll earn 10 cents for each Box Tops product purchased plus extra earnings for any Bonus Box Tops opportunities. The app will automatically add Box Tops to your school’s earnings online, giving visibility to see how you are supporting your school in real-time.
Our family often shops online; how will that work?
Great news! If you shop for groceries online, you can now submit your email receipts from select retailers to earn Box Tops for your school. To ensure that earnings are properly credited to your account:
1. Make sure you have a Box Tops for Education account (you can create one via the Box Tops app or website)
2. Forward your email receipt to receipts@boxtops4education.com using the same email that’s associated with your BTFE account
3. Box Tops will be credited within 10 business days – view your earnings detail in the MY EARNINGS section of the app or website
A little humor...
Fox Trot by Bill Amend
Westside Elementary School
Email: TracyLichty@npsne.org
Website: http://www.norfolkpublicschools.org/schools/westside-elementary/
Location: 1703 Phillip Avenue, Norfolk, NE, United States
Phone: (402) 644-2561
Twitter: @WestsideElem