The Wildcat News
Western Hills Magnet Center -April 13, 2020
Principal's Message
This newsletter is a special edition during these special times with the intent to provide a place for families to find both academic and social resources to support families in this time of need. I want to reassure all our families that the staff and I are here to walk this journey with you and our students. This is tough, but so are we and together we will get through this because that's what the Western Hills’ family does. Thank you for your patience and flexibility during these challenging times. We hope the following provides you with resources to help your student remain engaged in learning.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or need further information. Currently I am working also from home, so email (heather.harbison@ops.org) is the best way to reach me. We are here to serve and help.
Love, Mrs. Harbison
Starting with this newsletter the Western Hills Team will be posting weekly, At Home Learning Instruction for each grade level as well as Specials (Art, Music, Library, PE) for you to use at home. At Home Learning Instruction for families will be sent in this weekly newsletter and also are posted on the Western Hills website every Monday morning. These documents are guides for weekly instruction and are based on curriculum students would be working on at this time in school.
Each week these plans will be updated and provide you a focus for learning. We encourage you to check out your student's grade level information as well as the Specials information each week...for other learning opportunities also access individual specials (music, art, PE and library). As always feel free to contact your child's teacher if you have any questions or need further assistance or information.
The Digital Support Website listed at the end also provides you access to the online resources the district has provided. Please click into this to find the district learning packets (Academic Resources) and online learning (OPS At Home Learning Resources) for other supports to use at home.
News From the Counseling Corner
Mindful Kids
Mindfulness means paying attention, with kindness and patience, to what's going on inside and outside of you right NOW. The term “monkey mind” means feeling restless, agitated and distracted. A goal of mindfulness practice is to calm the constant chatter of the monkey mind. Mindfulness is the practice of paying attention, on purpose and without judgement, to the present moment.
How Do I Become Mindful?
You can be mindful by noticing your breathing, focusing your attention, expanding your awareness and by being patient even when things are hard.
Using the Mindful Activity Cards
Each week, I will have a couple cards for you to try. There are no rules for these cards, only guidelines. You can chose to do both activities or just one. You could do it daily or a few times a week, whichever works best for you. If you find one you really like, you can continue to use it and also try the new ones posted each week.
Modifications
Anyone can learn mindfulness. Your body need not limit you. So don’t worry if an exercise includes something that is not possible for you or feels unpleasant ( this might be standing up, balancing on one leg, wiggling your toes, raising your arms, keeping your body still or using your eyes or ears). You can still use the general idea and just explore ways that work for you. This might mean trying it seated or asking someone to help with the movements. You could also modify a specific activity to best suit your needs.
Let’s get started Kind Friends!!!
Meal Support for Families
Meal Support for our Community
On Monday, April 6 at 11 a.m., Omaha Public Schools will again provide grab-and-go packages with meals for students. Four locations will participate:
Benson High (5120 Maple Street)
Gateway Elementary (5610 South 42nd Street)
Skinner Magnet (4304 North 33rd Street)
South High (4519 South 24th Street
With a focus on health and safety, families will drive through to pick up food. One package with five breakfast meals and one package with five lunch meals will be available per student/child in the vehicle. We hope to continue this service depending on the health conditions and guidance in our community. If additional dates will be available, we will communicate those weekly.
Food Bank for the Heartland hosts drive-through food distributions across the community. Several pantry partners also provide food for community members.
- For a list of upcoming distributions, please click here.
- For a map of pantry partner locations, please click here. Please confirm their hours as some may have changed.
Western Hills PTO - Activities and Information
To remain in compliance with the Social Distancing Guidelines PTO has been suspected until further notice.
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.
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