Westbrook News & Updates
December 2018
Westbrook Elementary
Email: muck.catherine@westside66.net
Website: http://westbrook.westside66.org/
Location: 1312 Robertson Drive, Omaha, NE, USA
Phone: 402-390-6490
From the Desk of Mr Hottovy...
Westbrook Families,
We are continuing our focus of everyone getting on the same bus and focusing on the positive. The fourth rule of the energy bus is Love Your Passengers. The more love you put out, the more that comes back to you. Be kind, help others, and make a difference. When you show love and kindness, you attract it right back to yourself like a magnet. Love is something that needs to be nurtured. When you love someone, you want the best for them.
Please take some time to talk to your children about the importance of being kind. The metro area school districts this year have all adopted the message of “be kind” to emphasize the impact that our actions have on one another. A simple act of kindness for someone else can go a long way toward making our school a better place. We are fortunate to be a part of a school where kindness happens everyday. Imagine the impact we can have on one another when focus on the good that we can all do for each other day in and day out at Westbrook.
Tyler R Hottovy, Westbrook Principal
From the Desk of Mrs Poell...
At Westbrook we are creating safe, respectful and responsible students through teaching expectations and social skills. We follow a proactive teaching approach to behavior called PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports). PBIS is “A proactive strategy for defining, teaching and supporting student behavior resulting in academic and social gains and a positive school environment.” Since 2016, Westbrook has been working with the State of Nebraska PBIS coaches for training and implementation support. Recently, the state conducted an evaluation of Westbrook’s implementation of these methods. Results show we have made a lot of growth and this year we are over the goal of 80%. This success can be seen with an improvement in a positive school environment and students being safe, respectful, and responsible. Way to go!
From the Main Office...
Welcome to WINTER. As the temperature drops and the snow falls I just want to remind parents that breakfast is served from 8:10am-8:25am and for those students that do not eat breakfast the school opens at 8:30am. This is important to know so your child is not standing in the cold temperatures for an extended period of time. School begins at 8:40am. If your child needs breakfast but doesn't arrive until after 8:25 then they may pick up a grab and go breakfast from the office on their way into school.
Thank you for your cooperation. Have a great holiday season. Many blessings!
Mrs. Muck
Administrative Assistant
Mrs Lowe's Lookout... Help for the Holidays and Other News
Need a coat?
The Westside coat closet is full of winter coats, hats, and gloves. These are available free to any student. We have several coats available at Westbrook as well. Please have your student stop by the counseling office if they would like to get a coat or contact Mrs. Lowe for more information.
Holiday Assistance
As we near the holiday months, there are several school and community programs that are taking registrations for assistance. If you are interested in learning, check out this holiday resource list or contact Mrs. Lowe at 402-408-8519 or lowe.jessica@westside66.net.
Holiday Assistance Programs
When applying to one of these organizations, they will require documentation from the family. The number of Christmas presents to pass out is limited, so the charities that offer these resources do their best to ensure it goes to those that most need it.
● Applicants should bring proof of residency, income, any government benefits and driver's license.
● The Omaha household needs details on their children as well, such as a birth certificate. Other information may be needed too.
If approved, the charity may offer a free holiday present. It may be a game, article of clothing, or some other toy that the child can open on Christmas morning. Note that many of these Omaha agencies also offer free food baskets, including at Thanksgiving.
Omaha area Toys for Tots
This is available for income qualified residents in Douglas and Sarpy County. There are several applications sites in the community, and some of them are below. Otherwise a family can register for a free gift online.
Together We Achieve Miracles is located at 1941 S 42nd St. Dial (402) 991-0777.
Heartland Family Service in Papillion at 302 American Pkwy. Phone - (402) 339-2544. M.O.R.E. Is located at 5620 Ames Ave in Omaha. Dial (402) 999-8344.
South Omaha Boys and Girls Club – Address is 5051 S 22nd St, Omaha, NE 68107. Call (402) 733-8333.
Church of the Living God - 2029 Binney St. Phone (402) 451-4742.
Together We Achieve Miracles – Address is 2505 N 24th St. Phone (402) 557-8945.
Omaha Housing Authority - 4401 N 21st St. Phone (402) 651-9696.
North Omaha Boys and Girls Club - 2610 Hamilton St. Call (402) 342-2300.
First Baptist Church Gymnasium, 23rd & Hancock St, Bellevue in Sarpy County.
KVC Behavioral Healthcare Nebraska – Location is 11550 I St Ste 100. Telephone - (402) 498-4700.
Set Free Church, 1030 S 24th St. Call (402) 346-4584.
Westside Boys and Girls Club – Address is 1414 Robertson Dr in Omaha. Phone (402) 932-6477.
There are a few other other intake sites that change yearly if one is not close to a resident. The Toys for Tots website can provide more details.
Heartland Hope Mission Christmas For South Omaha
Location is 5218 S 21st St Omaha, Nebraska Call (402) 733-2077 The non-profit covers Douglas County. They may offer 1 or 2 free Christmas toys for children under the age of 17. Referrals may be given to other programs, including holiday meal sites. Registration is during November.
Council Bluffs Goodfellows
535 W Broadway in Council Bluffs Dial (712) 328-1811
Catholic Charities
The holiday assistance is available as part of Operation Others in Douglas and nearby counties. Based on donations, toys, games, winter attire, food baskets, and other help is offered at Christmas. Call the church at (402) 829-9236.
Together Inc. Holiday Gift Store
1616 Cass St, Omaha, NE Telephone number is (402) 345-8047
Open Door Mission Project Santa Garland Thompson Men’s Center, 2705 N 20th Street E Omaha, Nebraska 68110 (402) 422-1111. Hot Christmas meals are served to the homeless and families in poverty. There may also be small Christmas gifts or vouchers for children.
Salvation Army Christmas Cheer
Address is 3612 Cuming St Omaha, Nebraska 68131 Phone - (402) 898-6023
Senior citizens over the age of 60 from the Douglas County are can get help. Meals, holiday food baskets, gifts, clothing, and more may be provided. More on Salvation Army Omaha assistance programs. The charity will try to provide Christmas gifts for children 16 & under and food, such as a holiday Turkey, for the entire family. Adopt a Family is used in Douglas County as well as a program called Toyland. Another location which may give food vouchers is at 715 North 16th Street, Council Bluffs. Phone (712) 328-2088.
Operation Others Holiday Food Basket
Food baskets provided for Christmas (402) 957-1328
Notes from the Library...
Band Buzz... From Mrs. CJ
Attention Fifth and Sixth Grade Band and String Parents - Mark your calendars because our concerts are coming! Concerts are a musicians reward for hard work and effort on their instrument. Please help reward your child by making their first concert a priority for your entire family! We can't wait to see you at these events to celebrate your child's accomplishments!
5th and 6th grade Band students: Monday, December 17
6:00 practice, 7:00 performance at the Westside Middle School Auditorium
6th grade String students: Tuesday, December 18
6:00 practice, 7:00 performance at the Westside High School Auditorium
5th grade String students: Thursday, December 20
6:00 practice, 7:00 performance at the Westside High School Auditorium
What is Happening in the Family Enrichment Center...
We have story time every Tuesday at 9:30am. Just come to the main entrance at Westbrook and we will buzz you in, get you a visitor pass and send you down to some amazing ladies that will entertain you and your child for story time!
We have parent play time every Thursday at 9:30am.
See the pics above of our new mirrored wall for modeling independent skills such as feeding, toileting, and social expressions.
Bring your preschoolers in to practice with us in room 119.
We welcome everyone so spread the word.
We can't wait to see you at Westbrook!
BoxTops/Hyvee Receipts/Pop Tabs
NO Community Club Meeting in December!!
Tuesday, Dec 4, 2018, 12:00 AM
Westbrook Elementary School, Robertson Drive, Omaha, NE, USA
Holiday Shop every day after school for 1 hour
- Hello Parents!
As a reminder our school will be hosting a holiday shop next week through December 21st – students will be allowed to visit the shop before and after school to purchase gifts for their loved ones. Most gifts range anywhere from .50 cents to a few dollars. Students will be coming home this week with an envelope for cash as well as more information. If you do have any questions regarding our shop please feel free to reach out to our Community Club at westbrookcc66@outlook.com!
Happy Holidays from Community Club!
Wednesday, Dec 12, 2018, 03:30 PM
Westbrook Elementary
CHICK- FIL- A Sprirt Night
Wednesday, Dec 12, 2018, 05:30 PM
Chick- Fil- A on Rose Blumpkin and Dodge
Band and Strings Concert
Friday, Dec 14, 2018, 02:45 PM
Westside Elementary
5th and 6th grade Band Concert
7pm concert
Monday, Dec 17, 2018, 06:00 PM
Westside Middle School
6th grade Strings Concert
7pm Concert
Tuesday, Dec 18, 2018, 06:00 PM
Westside High
5th grade Strings Concert
7pm Concert