Panda Press
Paddock Road Monthly Newsletter
November 1, 2019
calendar events
Nov. 3, 2019 - DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME ENDS
Nov. 5, 2019 - Community Club Meeting 6:30pm
Nov. 7, 2019 - SPIRIT DAY
Nov. 7, 2019 - Gallup Night 6-7PM - 6th Graders
Nov. 11, 2019 - Veteran's Day Celebration - 2:30pm
Nov. 14, 2019 - Westside Unified Activity 5:30-6:30pm Loveland Elementary
Nov. 18, 2019 - 5-6th Grade Band Concert WMS 7:00pm
Nov. 26, 2019 -Don & Millie's Night
Nov. 27,28,29 - Thanksgiving/Fall Break NO SCHOOL
Family Nature Night
Lots of Fun Crafts - NRD
We had a huge crowd
Everyone Enjoyed Fontanelle Forest's Table
Gifford Farms
NRD
City of Omaha
Unified Activities - Unified Fall Festival
What Are Unified Activities?
The Special Olympics Unified Schools Program is a fast growing initiative that brings students with and without intellectual disabilities together. This year we are excited to bring a Unified Fall Festival opportunity to our schools.
Westside Community Schools is excited to offer our next Unified Activity this year, a Unified Fall Festival.
Where: Loveland Elementary, 8201 Pacific St, Omaha, NE 68114
When: Nov 14th, 2019 - 5:30-6:30
What: An opportunity for fun and friendship aimed at partnering peers with and without an intellectual disability. There will be activities, games, and crafts for kids to enjoy. Craft projects will benefit the residents at Ambassador Health of Omaha.
RSVP Needed for Participation
If you and your child(ren) are interested in participating, please complete the RSVP Form. This helps us plan for how many to expect at the event. https://tinyurl.com/WCSUAR1920
Show Choir Opportunity
Our Halloween Parties were So Fun
Thank you all so much!
A huge thank you to all families who donated to the fall clothing drive!
The Closet continues to benefit from the kindness of Westside students, teachers, and staff. Our recent coat and clothing drive was a big success and we would like to thank all of the families who participated. Your donations will help keep your fellow students warm this winter. Another big thanks goes out to those who donated during professional development day.
We will hold another drive in the spring for warm weather clothing but until then, if you are looking for a way to help throughout the year, please remember that toiletries and new-in-package underwear (youth and adult sizes) are an ongoing need and may be donated through your school’s social worker at any time.
As always, Closet volunteers are available to pull clothing for any family in need and deliver it to your school or families may opt to visit The Closet with their social worker.
Sincerely,
Marci Crone and Veronica Martinez
Clothing Closet Chairs
5th & 6th Grade Music Program
Rules For Snow Play
Scott Becker
I wanted to remind families of the recess procedures regarding days with snow cover. To help maximize instructional time, students may dress out in snow boots and snow pants on Fridays to access areas of the playground other than the blacktop with snow cover. Teachers who are giving brain breaks during the day will use their discretion for allowing students to dress out in snow gear Monday through Thursday. Classroom teachers will communicate days in which students should bring snow gear.
Kindergarten Field Trip & Picnic
Notes from the Counselor
Dear Parents/Guardians,
As your school counselor, I am also a contact person for several community programs that may be of interest to you. Please note that the following programs are in place again this year:
● Westside Clothing Closet is a resource to help families ( adult and children) with clothing needs year round.
● Westside Coat Closet is another resource that can provide a professionally cleaned, gently used jacket or coat to children. Some coats are also available for adults. The Coat Closet is open year round.
● The Omaha Food Bank offers The Backpack Program to students at our school. The Backpack Program provides ingredients for healthy meals for children for the weekend. The food is delivered to the school for children to bring home in a bag on Fridays and have for the weekend.
● District Food Pantry is a resource for families in need of food during the school year and summer.
● Holiday Assistance During the winter holiday season there will be more opportunities for assistance. We have several churches and organizations that help our Paddock Road families with gifts during the Holiday season.
I encourage you to contact me if you are interested in these services, or with any questions.
Sarah Lieske, NCC, LMHP
Paddock Road School Counselor
402-408-8836
To Support the Read-A-Thon
Giving Thanks
Counselor’s Corner…
November is about more than turkey.
The holiday many of us celebrate this month is a perfect time of year to talk about and teach gratitude. It’s in the name Thanksgiving = giving thanks. Here are a few simple ways to instill thankfulness in young children:
· Ask your children about the highs and lows of their school day. What went well? What went right? Focus on appreciating the positives.
· Thank your children often, even if they’re doing required chores or activities, you requested of them. Let them know you notice and appreciate their efforts!
· Say “thank you” to your spouse, your friends and your family in the presence of your children.
· Generate an attitude of giving. Ask your children to gather and donate old toys or clothes to other children who may be in need.
· Encourage your children to write or draw thank you notes or pictures to family, friends, teachers, etc.
· Point out how others have helped your children – someone holding the door open, a friend helping your child tie his/her shoe, a teacher giving extra time to make sure your child understood the lesson, etc.
For more information and ideas about teaching your child gratitude, please visit http://www.pbs.org/parents/special/article-ten-ways-raise-grateful-kid.html.
Sarah Lieske, NCC, LMHP
Paddock Road School Counselor
402-408-8836