Westbrook News & Updates
November 2019
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,
Winter is on the way! In Westside, we will always go outside for recess if the wind chill is above 10 degrees. We believe that children are at their best when they have an opportunity to play outside, so we will follow this policy with fidelity. Please make sure that your children come to school dressed for the weather. If you need any help with getting warm clothes and coats for your Wildcats, please let me know or see below for more information. We have a district coat closet available to families and we can help connect you with other resources as well.
As the weather is changing, I also want to remind families that students should not be dropped off for school before 8:20 in the morning unless they are eating breakfast at 8:10. We routinely have students at school waiting before 8 am. We do not have supervision outside until 8:20 and even on cold days, students are not allowed to wait inside until that time. If you are in need of help finding before school care, please reach out to us.
One last reminder, students are not allowed to play on the playground before or after school without a parent present. We currently have many students that are playing on the playground before 8:20 and after school instead of going straight to boys and girls club. Without adult supervision on the playground, this is not an option for our students
Mr. Tyler Hottovy
Westbrook Principal
402.390.6490
From Mrs. Poell
At Westbrook we strive to reinforce and encourage safe, respectful and responsible behaviors with 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.” As part of this work, we have procedures to consistently implement our PBIS goals across all school settings. Some of these procedures include WOW Card and Positive Office Referral recognition, concern notes, Wildcat assemblies, a matrix to define being safe, respectful and responsible, and much more! Westbrook’s PBIS team examines, modifies, and (hopefully) improves practices throughout the school year. If you have any feedback for the PBIS team to consider please email me at poell.megan@westside66.net. Thank you!
What is a student concern note? Student concern notes are a method for students to report incidents to school staff. Students may draw or write about the incident. If your child comes home and shares a concern, please encourage him or her to document this on a concern note and share with the teacher. Our goal is that all students at Westbrook feel safe and we want to be aware of any concerns students have.
Megan Poell
Teacher Leader
Westbrook Elementary
Library Line Up
Thank you to all the families that came to the Book Fair! With your support we raised $1,900 for the library to purchase new books and supplies! Thank you to all the parents, students, and staff that helped make this event a success!
Health Office Hot Spot...
It's that time of the year again when you should all have a talk with your students about helping prevent the spreading of germs at school. Handwashing is very important and covering your cough or sneeze helps keep the spreading of germs to a minimum. If your child does happen to have a cold or flu symptoms please keep them home. Students who do become ill at school or have a fever that is 100.0 or higher will be sent home from school and will be asked not to return for 24 hours or until the are fever free for 24 hours. This will help keep the spreading of germs at school.
If you have any questions please call Laurie Beatty, Health Assistant at 402-390-6490.
Community Club Corner...
Westbrook Families,
Pop tab collection results from last year netted 511,250 pop tabs! While the pop tabs may seem like a small item they have a huge impact. This collection supports services at the Ronald McDonald house. Thank you for helping us make a difference.
HY-VEE RECEIPTS
Please save HyVee receipts from both grocery and gasoline purchases. They need to be dated between September 1-December 31, 2019. Send them to school with your child who will turn them in to classroom teachers. The Community Club will earn money to use for school projects by redeeming those receipts by January 6, 2020. Please encourage other family members, friends and neighbors to collect them as well. The maximum dollar amount we can earn is $2000—which we have never done. Let’s aim for that this year. Thank you to HyVee for this opportunity to easily earn money for our school. So don’t throw out those receipts.
Also... PLEASE SAVE YOUR BOXTOPS!!
Need some help... Westbrook families have a great resource when needed... see below.
Did you know Westside has a Food Pantry and Clothing Closet??
Who: Any family with a student attending a Westside school can receive items from the food pantry and clothing closet. Families can receive assistance as needed.
How: Call to schedule a pick up or delivery or a time to come to the clothing closet. Summer pantry and closet hours will be available.
To learn more or to request assistance:
Contact April Anderson, School Social Worker
Office: (402)-408-8914 Cell: (402)-680-2409
What is Happening in the Family Enrichment Center...
We have pre-school story time every Tuesday at 9:30am in the Early Childhood Center starting Sept 10th. You can pull in the lot off Western and follow the driveway that runs all the way back behind the school. There is an Early Childhood entrance there for your convenience.
We have parent play time every Thursday at 9:30am. Please stop by the main office and we will get you a visitor pass and directions to the Family Enrichment Center.
Parent group times for this upcoming year, from 10-11 am in room 119.
You are welcome to come any time.
Nov 19
Dec 17
Jan 28
Feb 25
March 24
April 28
We welcome everyone so spread the word.
We can't wait to see you at Westbrook!
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
Fall Clothing Drive
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
Spelling Bee Results 2019
On Thursday, October 24th, students participated in the Westbrook Spelling Bee. All students in grades 4-6 took a written test prior to this event to determine who would compete. Congratulations to Cadence B., our school winner, and Joe M., who placed second in the competition! Mackenzie H. and Max K. tied for third place. Cadence and Joe will move on to the Westside School District Bee, which will be held on November 15th at the Westside Middle School Performing Arts Center. We wish them much luck!
Here is a list of the finalists that competed in the Westbrook Spelling Bee! Congratulations to all of these fine spellers!
1st Place: Cadence B.
2nd Place: Joe M.
3rd Place: Mackenzie H.
3rd Place: Max K.
Tea C.
Alex S.
Max K.
Robin W.
Cadence B.
Madilyn H.
Coco R.
Camille J.
Braylon S.
Mackenzie H.
Joe M..