Westside Pride
October 2021
Message From Board of Education President, Doug Krenzer
Hello Westside!
One of the many gratifying things about serving on your school board is the engagement, support and passion of the community for our schools. I mention this because it is decision time for the levy override. Ballots have been mailed to registered voters living in the district. They are due by October 12. You can return them by mail, with proper first-class postage ($0.58, or a "forever" stamp). You can also drop them off at the following locations: the Douglas County Election Commission at 12220 West Center Road, in the southwest end of the parking lot, the Ralston Police Department at 7400 Main Street in Ralston, or in the parking lot of the Asian Market at 321 North 76th Street. If you haven't already, please participate in this election, for our staff, for our students, and for the "W"!
Thank you!
Doug Krenzer
WESTSIDE STRATEGIC PLAN PROGRESS
GOAL: Student Achievement & Well-Being
“We are absolutely thrilled to receive this honor, but more importantly, to continue to see achievement and profound positive impact in our students and staff,” said Jennifer Harr, Principal of Swanson Elementary. “We work every day to ensure when children come to school they feel loved and are happy, and that they are supported in every way possible to reach their full potential.”
GOAL: Community, Collaboration & Partnerships
"It makes us happy to think about the joy and the smiles those educational supplies and toys are going to bring to teachers, principals and kids. That's what it's all about," Michelle Johnson, Director or Corporate Communications for Oriental Trading told KMTV.
THANK YOU to this amazing community partner: Oriental Trading Company!
Click here to watch KMTV's story on the donation, featuring Westgate Elementary!
GOAL: Supported & Engaged Staff
Congratulations to Ms. Palmesano, and because behind every great employee there is a terrific team, all of her coworkers at Paddock Road received a visit from Joe on the Go, thanks to community partner Callie Yrkoski with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate! THANK YOU, Callie, for supporting our team!
The Westside Royalty Cup was created in August of 2019 to reward staff members who make our students, families and coworkers feel like royalty. Each month, a staff member, department or group is selected based on nominations by students, parents and colleagues.
Click here to nominate a Westside staff member!
Would you like to be a Royalty Cup sponsor? Please email communications@westside66.net!
Download the Westside Community Schools App!
CLICK HERE to download the FREE APP for Westside Community Schools!
In one click, you can personalize the information important to you and your family including which schools to follow, important district news and updates, PowerSchool access, and MySchoolBucks - all in one place! You can also search for the app - Westside Community Schools - in the Apple Store and via Google Play.
WESTSIDE DISTRICT NEWS
Is Your Student Attending A Football Game?
While we welcome all students at our Westside High Football Games, we want to ensure families and students know the rules, to ensure the safety of all involved.
- All elementary students attending the game will need to attend the game with a parent and sit with a parent.
- No footballs or other balls allowed in the stadium
- Middle school students will sit in the bleachers in the SE corner of the end zone. Middle school students will buy a ticket at the main gate and enter from the student game.
- Middle school students will use the upper concession stand and portable restrooms in the southeast corner of the stadium.
Students who do not follow these rules will be asked to leave. Thank you for your help to make sure our game atmosphere is positive for all who attend!
Levy Override Ballots Due October 12
Reminder: levy override ballots should have arrived in your mailboxes in September. These mail-in ballots are due back via US Postal Service OR Douglas County Election Commission dropboxes by October 12th.
Mailed ballots must be marked appropriately and the voter must sign the envelope where required. To mail, a standard letter first class stamp ($0.58), such as a “forever” stamp is required.
Otherwise, voters can drop their completed ballots and envelopes in Douglas County Commission Dropboxes at the following locations:
- Douglas County Election Commission 12220 West Center Road, Southwest end of Parking Lot, under light pole
- Ralston Police Department 7400 Main Street, Ralston, southwest corner of building
- Asian Market, 321 North 76th Street, West End of Parking Lot
We encourage all registered voters to vote in this election.
Digital Citizenship Forum
We will hold another event October 21 at 6:30 at Westside Middle School.
HOMECOMING PARADE ROUTE
AWARDS & HONORS
Gretchen Nelson, Omaha Fashion Week Designer
Westside student Gretchen Nelson was selected to showcase her designs at Omaha Fashion Week, one of the youngest designers chosen for this prestigious production. Nelson, a senior, is also applying for college in the fall with hopes to major in Fashion Design; she has already launched her own company with the help of the Westside High School HATCH program!
CLICK HERE to check out Gretchen's story from Isabella Basco and KMTV!
CLICK HERE to check out Gretchen's show, featured by Jack Scioli and Westside Wired!
Ruxin McBride, Outstanding Young Philanthropist Award
Sierra Buffalohead, 1st Place in first Native Arts Contest
WESTSIDE OPPORTUNITIES
COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITIES
Metro Transit Offering Free Student Rides
As students are getting back into the classroom, we at Metro Transit wish to also welcome them on board with our K-12 Rides Free pilot program!
K-12 Rides Free is a pilot program that offers free access to bus, MOBY, and ORBT services for kindergarten through 12th-grade students in the Omaha region during Metro’s regular service hours. The program started on May 10, 2021 and will run until June 1, 2022. All K-12 students in the Omaha metro and surrounding area are eligible.
High school students must show a valid school-issued ID when boarding. For those who do not have a school-issued ID, Metro will provide one. Identification is not be required for elementary and middle school students. Details can be found at ometro.com/k-12.
Metro operators are highly trained in safe driving techniques and helping riders navigate the Metro system. Cameras monitor all ORBT stations and Metro vehicles. Masks are required to board any Metro vehicle, which are cleaned daily and regularly disinfected.