News & Notes
March 2020
Mark your Calendars: All Staff Appreciation Week is March 30 - April 3!
CONGRATULATIONS to the 'Dream Team' of Administrators at Westside Middle School, winners of the Westside Royalty Cup for January! This year at WMS: math scores are up, tardies and office referrals are down, and multiple students, parents and staff members have noted a focus on efforts by administrators to improve culture, achievement, and positive energy at Westside Middle School.
Westside Middle School now holds the Royalty Cup! Who's next?
SCHOOL BOARD APPRECIATION WEEK!
February 9 -16 was Board Member Appreciation Week! THANK YOU to our devoted team of #Westside Board of Education members who give so much to our learners, staff members, and schools!
Want updates on Board of Education meetings? CLICK BELOW for a summary of what was on the agenda February 17, 2020. The next Board of Education meeting will take place Monday, March 2, 2020 at 6:30 at the ABC Administration Building. CLICK HERE for a copy of the agenda when available.
FOUR BOARD CANDIDATES ADVANCE TO MAY ELECTION
Dana Blakely, John Brian, Edgar Hicks and Beth Morrissette will each move forward in the election for the Westside Board of Education. The four candidates took part in the 2020 Westside Community Schools Caucus Tuesday, February 4, 2020 at Westside High School.
Voting results:
- Dana Blakely, 155
- John Brian, 58
- Edgar Hicks, 57
- Beth Morrissette, 120
Caucus rules dictate voters at the caucus will select the top four candidates to move on to the May election. As only four candidates submitted letters of intent to run, all four will advance. CLICK HERE for additional details.
WESTSIDE FOUNDATION BRAVO AWARDS
The Wetside Foundation is currently accepting nominations for the BRAVO Teaching Awards!
This honor recognizes certified teachers who have been in the District more than three years and who:
- skillfully and successfully tap into the unique academic, social, emotional and/or physical talents of students.
- inspire students to fully engage in school and/or community life. Previous recipients will not be eligible.
Winners will receive $500 and be officially recognized by the Westside Foundation in March, June, October and December. Any certified staff member or administrator in the District may nominate certified teachers for this award. Teachers only need to be nominated one time in an academic calendar year. All teachers nominated but not selected will be considered for future awards. No late nominations will be accepted.
Please send all nominations either by email to ziskey.christina@westside66.net or to Westside Foundation President, Laura Iliff at iliff.laura@westside66.net. You can also mail your application to the Westside House, 909 S 76th Street, Omaha, NE 68114.
A Selection Committee of three appointed by the Westside Foundation President or designee will review all applications and identify recipients.
Thank you, and good luck!
CULTURAL AWARENESS SESSIONS
The District will be offering 2 more one-hour sessions on Cultural Awareness.
- Tuesday, March 17, 2020 - POSTPONED
- Tuesday, March 31, 2020 - Speaker: Angela Cooper, Topic: Diversity and Inclusion (RSVP to HR by: Tuesday, March 24th)
All Sessions will be held at ABC from 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm. These sessions are on your own time and prize drawings will be given at each session. We hope to see you there!
BABY NEWS!
Congratulations, Kari and family!
STAFF HIGHLIGHTS
GET TO KNOW AN ADMIN!
WESTSIDE MIDDLE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
HOMETOWN: Papillion, NE
EDUCATION:
- Secondary Social Science (UNL)
- Masters in Curriculum and Instruction (Doane)
- Masters in Administration (Doane)
DESCRIBE YOUR JOB AT WESTSIDE: I get the opportunity to work with an amazing staff and to help students be the best they can be during the crazy time of middle school.
CAREER HIGHLIGHT: Anytime I get to see students be successful, whether that be an everyday task or a long term accomplishment like graduation. I love running into former students and finding out what they are doing in life now.
INTERESTING FACT: I can do the worm... I am not really that interesting :)
FAVORITE BOOK and/or MOVIE: Ferris Bueller's Day Off
COWORKER WHO HAS INSPIRED YOU: The staff that I work with every day. Their hearts and determination are amazing and I couldn't be more proud to work alongside them.
BEST MOMENT AT WESTSIDE: Becoming Principal of Westside Middle School. It is such a huge honor to know that the District trusts and believes in me to guide staff in order to have the best school possible for our students.
CONDOLENCES
STAFF OPPORTUNITIES
Westside Senior Art Show
Warrior Girls Golf Camp
Little Warrior Theatre Camp
Hillside Garden
Hillside is looking for anybody who would care to donate seed packets or empty paper egg cartons for the Hillside Garden. Please drop off at Hillside Elementary, or pony items to Hillside c/o Erik Mueller.