Weekly Update
11/20/20
Thankful
Families,
There are days that seem bleak and situations that are really hard....especially right now. But, I am truly thankful for so many things. The staff and students make me proud each day. But, I wanted you to have a glimpse of the tiny things that make my job wonderful. Here are just a few of the little things that make me smile each day (no particular order):
1. Golden Ticket Videos (Ask your kids about these--there are instruments and costumes. They are awesome!)
2. Preschool centers--the students are learning so much and don't even know it.
3. Morning drop-off. I have great conversations with student in the mornings.
4. Afternoon pick-up. Younger siblings in cars are always SO excited to see the siblings that have been in school all day.
5. Basketball skills in PE--WDS students have some great skills!
6. Patterned turkey feathers in art. What great artists we have!
7. The yearbook cover contest--All of the entries were amazing and showed togetherness and unity in pictures.
8. Tune Up Tuesday-I really like making the videos and recognizing students that do the little things every day that make a big difference.
9. 3rd Grade Multiplication Licenses
10. The staff snack cart-I love snacks....and really appreciate that the PTO is so wonderful to the staff!
11. Composition Lab- Mrs. Parker is having students to AMAZING things to compose songs.
12. The 1st grade turkey project. I love the creativity of each and every student. I can't wait to read the stories.
13. 5th grade--the whole grade level has really showed character and grit. They not been able (hopefully yet) to do some of the things that 5th graders typically get to do....but I hear no complaints. They take things in stride and are great leaders for the school.
14. 2nd grade research writing--WOW! If you want to know about insects...ask a 2nd grader. I am truly impressed with their ability to research, take notes, and write.
15. Kindergarten writer's workshop--the students in kinder are already authors and illustrators! They can write sentences with capital letters, finger spaces, and punctuation. Truly remarkable!
16. 4th graders are starting to get REALLY GOOD at finding text evidence and writing responses for text-dependent analysis questions. I am floored when I hear all of the components needed for a RACE response.
17. The District Spelling Bee--we had a great representative. I was so proud!
18. Watching Mrs. Ghannam with both in-person and online learners is fun...I learn something every time.
19. Progress monitoring--watching students make growth is what we are all here for!
20. Books...books...and more books. Thanks to Mr. McAllister sharing a love of books with all of the students at WDS.
21. All of the teachers that make sure students get individualized support and instruction--you are the masters of schedules and finding solutions.
22. Mrs. Petersen--she keeps the ship moving forward.
23. Laughing in the office
24. Clean windows
25. Guidance lessons that help students navigate this world that doesn't always make sense.
The list got a little long...but there are just so many good things happening.
Together we can.
Together we will.
Mrs. Brittany Sidders
West Dodge Station Principal
Screening Children
School Breakfast Hours
Water bottles
Please remember to send your students with water bottles that can be refilled at school. The water fountains remain closed at WDS for student and staff safety. But, we do have bottle fillers a way students can get water throughout the day.
Pick-Up, Drop-Off, and Traffic Tips
**Please pull your car forward if you are able.
*If you are getting into the 2nd moving lane, please make sure to only be in the pick-up lane or the 2nd late--not both.
Important Dates
November 24th - Mid-Quarter Reports
Remote Learner Supply Pick-Up (9:00-11:00)
PJ and Popcorn Schoolwide Party - To celebrate Fun Run Success!
November 25th - NO SCHOOL Teacher Inservice (calendar change)
November 26th-27th - NO SCHOOL Thanksgiving Break
November 30th -December 4th - Remote Learning Week
December 8th - Celebration of Giving gifts delivered to school
Schoolwide PJ and Popcorn Party
Tuesday, Nov 24, 2020, 08:00 AM
West Dodge Station Elementary, California Street, Elkhorn, NE, USA
Counselor Corner
The week of November 20 through December 4 will be distance learning for the Elkhorn students. I will have guidance lessons online for kindergarten, first and second grade students on Friday afternoon and lessons for third, fourth and fifth grade students on Monday afternoon. Participation in these lessons is not required, however I thought I would share my plans. Both lessons are based on children’s books. Mrs. Parker, our music teacher, and I are using the same books for our lessons but we are each putting a different focus on the books. The book I’m using with younger students is called “Sticks” by Diane Alber. The book for older students is “Drum Dream Girl” by Margarita Engle. Both of these lessons are about perseverance and working through frustration as well as adversity. No supplies are needed and you will be able to find the link to my lessons on Google classroom under specials. I hope you will encourage your child to participate!
Mrs. Jean Herold
402.289.2773
District Information
PTO News
Celebration of Giving
This holiday season, we hope you’ll consider helping an Elkhorn family in need! Elkhorn Elementary and Middle Schools are sponsoring a gift drive for families within the Elkhorn community with the annual “Celebration of Giving” project. Last year this project helped serve over 125 families in our school district, and we hope to help even more this year.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c044ea4a923a2fa7-celebration
Wrapped gifts, with a tag attached identifying the item inside and the letter/number associated with the gift, should be returned to school no later than TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8th.
Please join us in making a difference in the lives of some Elkhorn families, and in making a lasting impression on our own children!
Questions?
Please click on the flyer below for more details OR
Contact: Misti Bausch 402-616-3746 misti_o@hotmail.com
Our next PTO meeting will be November 9th, 2020 at 6:30pm. This meeting will be held via Zoom videoconferencing and all WDS parents and staff members are invited to attend. If you would like to attend, please RSVP to wds.pto@gmail.com and we will send you the Zoom participation information.
WDS PTO Website:
We still have quite a few families who need to visit our new website to create their account and review their online directory and publish preferences. If you haven't yet done so, you can create your account at:
https://westdodgestationpto.membershiptoolkit.com/home.
WDS Sprit Store:
We've re-opened the WDS Spirit Store just in time for the holidays. We've also added some new cold-weather items so your family can show your school spirit while bundling up this winter. The order deadline is Monday, November 9th! All orders will ship free to the school in early December and be distributed and sent home with your students. If you are ordering items for your child as a gift, make sure to include the word "GIFT" after your students name in the "Order Naming" box when placing your order. Items that are gifts will be available for parent pick up in the vestibule in the front of the school. Check out the school store and place your order here:
http://coachsassistant.gtmsportswear.com/WDS
Contact Information
Please feel free to contact me any time if you have questions, concerns, feedback, or want to share your great news. ~Mrs. Sidders
Email: bsidders@epsne.org
Website: https://www.elkhornweb.org/westdodgestation/
Location: 18480 California Street, Elkhorn, NE, USA
Phone: 402-289-2773
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElkhornPSWD
Twitter: @ElkhornPS_WD