Westside Pride
Westside Community Schools, October 2019
From The Superintendent
This week provided several reminders of how lucky I am to get to work in Westside Community Schools. I attended my first choir concert at Westside High School, completely blown away by the talent and professionalism of our outstanding students and our vocal music educators. Wednesday, I walked alongside our Board of Education and Senior District Leaders, tossing out #WeAreWestside bracelets to hundreds of students and their families attending the Westside Homecoming Parade. The smiles, the energy, the sheer pride in this District were infectious. I came back to the office to another exciting day, planning the Dedication and Steel Cutting ceremony at our new state-of-the-art Westside Welding, Fabrication and Manufacturing Lab happening at Westside High School October 3. I opened my social media and saw countless photos of 6th graders experiencing Outdoor Ed, thanks to the generosity of the Westside Foundation.
Folks, these things don’t happen everywhere. What we have here - from learning opportunities to community involvement to sheer passion for our district - is very special. Let’s keep it going! There is always something going on at our schools, and we encourage everyone to be part of it. Follow your calendars (and if you don’t have one, let us know and we’ll send you one!) and find something to attend and support. Warrior Theatre presents 9 to 5 The Musical October 17-20. Fall sports like golf, softball and tennis are all moving into district and state competition. Our elementary schools are all working hard with activities to raise money for their community clubs. WE are Westside - all of us - and we hope you join us for every exciting, special day here at Westside Community Schools.
#WeAreWestside
Westside Homecoming 2019
Westside Board of Education Meeting: Monday, October 7
THANK YOU Westside Foundation!
In the fall of 2016, the Westside Foundation, District leadership and Westside High School teachers had the dream and vision for a state-of-the-art, expanded welding lab for a new generation of trade professionals. That dream is now reality: the Westside Welding, Manufacturing and Fabrication Lab opens Thursday, October 3. Among the guests unveiling this incredible new facility are Tyler Owen of Owen Industries and Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts.
This $1.2 million dollar facility is possible thanks to the Westside Foundation and our community, securing donations from industry leaders to help develop a talented new workforce stemming from our students. We are so grateful, and excited, for the future at Westside High School!
THANK YOU, Westside Foundation, for your continued support of our students, educators, and school district!
Gallup Parents Night Set for 6th Graders & Families
Westside 6th grade students had the opportunity to take the Gallup Strengths Explorer during first semester. We encourage all parents to meet with their children to discuss their top three strengths and learn more about how students are discussing these at school.
All Westside 6th graders and parents are invited to an interactive evening to further explore this tool and all children’s strengths. A Gallup representative will facilitate this event, and parents will receive their child’s full report along with a Parent Playbook. Families can enjoy discussing the report together. If a child is unable to attend, parents are welcome to come alone.
The Gallup Parent/Child Nights will be held from 6:00 to 7:00 in the Westside Middle School cafeteria. Please contact your child’s school counselor if you have any questions. We hope to see you there!
Tuesday, October 22nd
- Hillside, Loveland, Oakdale, Sunset Hills, Swanson, Westbrook
Thursday, November 7th
- Paddock Road, Prairie Lane, Rockbrook, Westgate
Westside 7th Grade students are thriving thanks to Warrior Walkabout. Click below to learn more!
NEW: 2-Hour Late Starts Possible in 19/20
Westside Community Schools is adding a "2-hour late start" to winter season options. This change allows us to call a snow day, a 2-hour late start, or a regular full day, depending on the weather. A 2-hour delay prevents us from losing an entire day of instruction while providing extra time for street clearing, parking lot and sidewalk snow removal, and less crowded roads for young drivers. Many districts around the state have used these for years.
As always, we will remain diligent in tracking weather, analyzing road conditions, and doing our best to make informed decisions with the most up-to-date information we can access. PLEASE remember that YOU are always your child’s #1 decision maker. If we ever have a full day of school or a late start on a day that YOU think we should have cancelled, please do what YOU think is best for your child.
Attached below is an informational sheet with 2-Hour Late Start details, including school hours, Club 66, transportation and nutrition services, and more. We will also post this on our website, and send out more winter weather information later this fall.
New Website Supports EL Learners & Families
The English Learner Project was created to personalize professional learning opportunities within Westside Community Schools. With the help of a personalized learning collaborator, we merged our District EL website with the EL Project. Families can find information on EL teachers, English practice websites, and school calendars by choosing the "I want to learn" option.
CLICK HERE if you would like to contribute to the EL Project! Go to the home page, scroll down, and click on the submit button to begin!
Parents: Please Accompany Younger Students To Games
We continue to ask for your help in ensuring all elementary and middle school students have parent/adult accompaniment and supervision at Varsity Football games at Westside High School. We continue to face safety concerns that have developed specifically due to younger, unsupervised students.
The expectation is that students sit in the stands to watch the football game and not loiter in front of the concession stand, courtyard or walkways. If students are not following rules, they will be given one warning to sit down, and if the behavior continues, they will be directed to sit by their parent/adult that accompanied them or asked to leave. A final reminder: all students must remain in stands until the opposing players have left the field.
Please help us ensure every football game is a positive, safe environment for all who attend. Thank you for your help!