Westbrook News & Updates
MARCH 2020
Westbrook Elementary
Email: dean.chynna@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,
Our school is one of my favorite places in the world. Each day a team of dedicated educators walks through the doors of our school ready to give each child the unique support that they need. One of the strengths of our school lies in our diversity. We welcome all students regardless of race, culture, language, disability, privilege, and background. We work hard at Westbrook to recognize and celebrate these things that make us different, but that is not enough. At Westbrook, we strive to create an inclusive community.
Creating an inclusive school means that all people, regardless of their race, culture, status, backgrounds, abilities, and disabilities have the right to be accepted, respected, and appreciated as valuable members of our school community. We must go beyond recognizing and celebrating our differences. We must see our differences as strengths and honor the unique contributions that each person brings to our school. Sometimes these differences are visible, sometimes they are not. We cannot truly call ourselves an inclusive school until we can see each other for who we truly are, inside and out.
For this reason, I am asking for you and your children's help in celebrating inclusion week March 16-20 (see the calendar below). This will be a fun week full of special themes each day. The first step in creating an inclusive school is to define inclusion and bring awareness to each person's strengths. During this week, our students and staff will celebrate their unique superpowers, come together as one team, and dress for their future career. These activities are meant to show us that no matter what our differences are, each person brings value to our school. Please help your child prepare to participate in this week in any way that you can. Even the smallest gesture these days will be a positive step forward in creating an inclusive school.
Mr. Tyler Hottovy
Westbrook Principal
402.390.6490
From Mrs. Poell
March brings Westbrook’s second round of parent-teacher conferences. Parent-teacher conferences provide the opportunity for teachers to share more in depth information about what students are learning and how they are performing in the classroom. They give teachers and parents an opportunity to discuss each student’s strengths and areas to improve. Conferences also provide the time for families and teachers to work together to help students have a successful rest of the year. Below are some tips to help have a successful conference with your child(ren)’s teacher.
Before the Conference:
Think about any questions or concerns you might have. Write them down and bring them to the meeting. Possible questions may include
Is my child turning in work on time?
How does my child do with attending in class?
How does my child do with the safe, respectful, and responsible expectations at school?
Does my child seem happy in class?
Is there anything I can or should be doing at home to help?
Include your kiddo! Ask your child how school is going and what questions or topics they want discussed at conferences.
During the Conference:
Arrive to conferences with an open mind.
If you hear some negative information, try to remain calm and remember that you are part of the educational team. We can work together to solve problems and make improvements!
Ask for clarifications on information you do not understand and don’t forget to ask your questions.
After the Conference:
Share with your child what was discussed. Make sure to give positive feedback from the teacher, but also bring up ideas for how to improve.
Follow through with any action steps that were discussed in conferences.
If you think of additional questions, do not wait until another conference. Your child’s teacher is always available to answer questions or problem-solve.
Thank you for taking the time to attend conferences! This shows your children that school is important and that we will work together as a school/home team to help each child be successful!
Megan Poell
Teacher Leader
Westbrook Elementary
Library Line Up....
Please help your student remember to return their library books! Books can be checked out for 2 weeks and then they are overdue. If books are overdue for more than a month, it goes into the checkout system as "lost". If students have a "lost" book, they are unable to check out until it is returned!
Thanks for helping your students be responsible for library materials!
Please enjoy Westbrook's library newsletter: https://www.smore.com/mky9f-check-it-out?ref=email-content#w-7688452937
Health Office Hot Spot...
Please continue to 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 without medications. This will help keep the spreading of germs at school. The health office is also in need of smaller kids clothes. If you or someone you know has any extra pants and shirts for kids K-2 please bring them to the front office. Thanks!
If you have any questions please call Laurie Beatty, Health Assistant at 402-390-6490.
Community Club Corner...
The Westbrook Community Club would like to thank everyone who contributed HyVee receipts from September through December! We nearly doubled the dollar amount that was turned in last year. Thank you to the classroom teachers for keeping track of all of those receipts. Way to go, Wildcats!!!
PLEASE SAVE YOUR BOXTOPS AND POP TABS!!!!
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.
March 24
April 28
We welcome everyone to spread the word.
We can't wait to see you at Westbrook!
Touring for middle school!
ASCD
ASCD Cont....
The ASCD conference was a great opportunity to connect with other professionals that value early childhood education.
Westside is on the cutting edge of what most successful schools are doing!
BAND AND STRINGS PARENTS....PLEASE TAKE NOTE!!!!
Band-o-rama:
Strike up the band because our BAND-O-RAMA EXTRAVAGANZA is quickly approaching! Band-o-rama will feature our district wide fifth grade, sixth grade, seventh grade band students as well as our award winning WHS Concert Jazz Band! Students will have a rehearsal during the school day for this event on March 26 and the concert will be the same day at 7:00 pm at Westside High School. Detailed information will be sent home about this concert as the date approaches. For now, please mark your calendars and make this evening a priority for your entire family. Please let your child's band teacher know if you have any questions!
String Solo and Small Ensemble Night:
Sixth grade string students have an optional performance opportunity on Monday, March 16! The event will be held at Westside Middle School at 6:30. More information from your strings teachers will be emailed to you. Please let your strings teacher know if you have any questions and if your child will be performing on this event!
BATTLE OF THE BOOKS
GOOD LUCK to all students participating in the Battle of the Books!
The Battle will be held Saturday, March 21, at 8 a.m., at the Westside Middle School.
All ten elementary schools will be represented--for a total of 60 teams comprised of 260 4th-6th graders.
Since last summer and fall, students have been busy reading the ten Nebraska Golden Sower Chapter Book nominees and meeting with their teams to discuss the books.
Thank you to the many parents, librarians, teachers, and other staff who have encouraged students to participate in this quiz-bowl style competition that celebrates reading and fosters team spirit.
The Battle is sponsored by the Westside Community Council. You can find more details on the Battle of the Books website:
https://sites.google.com/view/westsidebotb
The Battle of the Books requires nearly 100 volunteers! Please consider giving your time to help make this event a success:
Adults: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0e4caeaf28a6f94-battle
Teens: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0e4caeaf28a6f94-battle1
9th Annual Westside Soccer Pancake Feed and Youth Soccer Clinic
9th Annual Westside Soccer Pancake Feed and Youth Soccer Clinic be held on Saturday, March 7, 2020. Pancakes are served by The Pancake Man in the Westside Café from 8–11am. The Soccer Clinic will be held on Westside Phelps Field, 10:30am -12:00pm (or inside if inclement weather). Proceeds benefit the Westside Soccer programs. The Pancake Feed is open to everyone of all ages, regardless of participation in the Clinic. The Clinic is for Girls & Boys Grades 3rd - 8th & will be soccer drills, scrimmages & fun games run by the WHS Varsity Soccer players. Please wear appropriate soccer or athletic clothing. Cost is $10 for Pancakes, $20 for Clinic (includes shirt). Sign up at the event.
***IMPORTANT*** Enrollment Information for 2020-2021 School Year is here!
Student In-District Transfer Requests for the 2020-2021 School Year
If you are a District resident who would like your K-6 child(ren) to attend an elementary school other than the school that serves your attendance area for next school year, you must submit a completed In-District Transfer (IDT) Request form to the Office of Student Services for review.
The District gives priority to families living within the District prior to placing Option Enrollment applicants who reside outside the District. We must receive a Student In-District Transfer Request form no later than 4:00 p.m. on March 15, 2020, for your request to be considered prior to our placement of Option Enrollment students.
IDT forms are available at the ABC Building and our District website. Click here to complete the form electronically. An IDT request form must be completed for any child starting kindergarten next year who has one or more siblings currently attending a school outside their home attendance area. Transfers are approved or denied based on available space and other resources. If you have questions about the indistrict transfer process, please call the Welcome Center at 402-390-2100.
Kindergarten Enrollment for District Residents:
January 20th - February 28th Do you live in the District and have a child who will be ready for Kindergarten this fall? Do you know of other Westside residents with children who will be ready to start school in August?
Kindergarten enrollment for 2020-2021 begins January 20, 2020. Parents of eligible students should go to westside66.org to begin the enrollment process as early as possible on or after January 20th.
Students entering kindergarten for 2020-2021 must be five years old by July 31, 2020. Parents may opt to hold their children out of kindergarten for an additional year. However, Nebraska state law mandates that a child who reaches six years of age prior to January 1 of the then-current school year must be enrolled in school.
If you have questions, you may call the Westside Welcome Center at 402-390-2100.
Requirements for Early Admission to Kindergarten
In accordance with Nebraska Statute 79-214, the Westside Community Schools allows for admission of children residing in the District as early entrance kindergarteners through a locally designed testing program. Children of District residents who wish to be tested for early entrance must turn five between August 1 and October 15, 2020. For further information regarding early entrance to kindergarten, please call 402-390-3303.
Kindergarten Enrollment for Non-District Residents:
If you live outside the District and have a child eligible for kindergarten who has a sibling currently attending a Westside elementary school through the Option Enrollment program, you must submit an Option Enrollment Application. Westside’s Office of Student Services must receive Option Enrollment Applications no later than 4:00 p.m. on March 15, 2020. The application form is available at the ABC Building (909 S. 76th Street) and our district website. Click here to complete the form electronically. Under Option Enrollment statutes, first priority for admission is given to siblings who seek to attend in the District where an older sibling is already enrolled, provided an Option Enrollment form is submitted by March 15 and provided that there is space available in a requested building and grade level. In you have questions, you may call Julie Fumagalli at 402-390-2107.
Web Links:
Student In-District Transfer Request: https://westside66.org/student-services/enrollment-registration-and-records/
IDT online form: https://forms.gle/1SL4Xxo5U9tn3Umo8
Option Enrollment Application: https://westside66.org/student-services/enrollment-registration-and-records/
Option online form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSddV5NTL_YhlI1Vgki4sy7WoGzNtZeaXLGYqv1aXRLacUgP2w/viewform