Kindergarten 2021-2022
Class of 2034
Mission
The mission of Loveland elementary school, in partnership with our actively involved community, is to promote excellence and instill a desire for learning by challenging each individual within a safe, supportive environment.
Loveland's Expectations
Be Safe
Be Respectful
Be Responsible
Dear Incoming Kindergarten Families,
As principal of Loveland School, it is my pleasure to welcome everyone to our school and community. It is our goal to help every child feel welcomed, connected, and be an active learner at our school. We are excited to have you join our school family.
Your children receive the best education when you and our dedicated teachers work as a team. It is a parent’s enthusiasm, support, and involvement that inspires children to do their best, and a teacher's ability to teach what they need to learn. Together we can achieve wonderful things.
There is a lot of excitement ahead of us, including new books to read, new friends to meet, and new skills to master. I look forward to you sharing in those exciting times with you and your child.
Ms. Hornung-Principal
Loveland’s Sneak-A-Peek Spectacular
Thursday, August 12th 5:30PM to 6:30PM
Visit classrooms
Meet your teacher
Play on the playground/Bounce House
See daily schedule
Deposit lunch money at the office
Club 66 Before/After School registration • Community Club Committee sign ups
Stephanie Hornung-Loveland Principal
My name is Stephanie Hornung and I am the Principal of Loveland School. I come from a long line of educators in my family. My father was a school administrator for 40 years. As a child, I was frequently at school after hours and on the weekends with my father as he was working. I always knew I wanted to be a teacher and administrator. I enjoy being an instructional leader for teachers, students, and parents. My favorite part of my job is being around children and helping families. I look forward to getting to know you and your child in the upcoming school year.
Stephanie Hornung
Hornung.Stephanie@Westside66.net
402-390-6455
Val Carlson-Administrative Assistant
Hi! My name is Val Carlson and I am the administrative assistant at Loveland Elementary School. I have been working for Westside Community Schools for 13 years, and I am the face you will see when you come to the office. My job is to answer the phone and door throughout the school day, greet all guests, take attendance, take lunch money and more. I am excited to see all of the new faces next year!
Val Carlson
carlson.valerie@westside66.net
402-390-6455
Jessica Schuemann-Kindergarten Teacher
Hi, my name is Jessica Schuemann. I am one of the kindergarten teachers at Loveland Elementary. I am going into my eighth-year teaching at Loveland Elementary. I have been teaching for a total of ten years. I taught fifth grade my first year of teaching and then have been teaching Kindergarten for nine years. I absolutely love working with the younger students! They teach me something new every day! I tell people if I won the lottery I would still work with kids. It is truly the most rewarding job! During my free time I enjoy spending time with my husband and son!! We have a large extended family and enjoy spending time with them. I like to play any type of games from yard games to board and card games, sit around bon fires, and go on vacations during the summer!
Jessica Schuemann
schuemann.jessica@westside66.net
402-390-6455
Nancy McCann-Kindergarten Educational Assistant
Hey kindergartners and kindergarten parents…my name is Mrs. McCann and I am one of the Educational Assistants for the kindergarten teachers at Loveland Elementary School. This fall will be my 9th year working for the Westside Community Schools. I graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Back in the day I taught elementary physical education and coached high school volleyball and track & field. My husband and I have 3 children. Our oldest, Max, is 33 years old, our daughter Madeline, is 25 years old and our youngest, Chase, is 24 years old. My “baby” is our dog, Conan. He is a multi-poo and he just turned 14 years old! Before I took the job as an EA, I was the Director of Children's Education at my church. When I am not at school I enjoy traveling with my family, riding my bike, working out and taking walks. I also like to watch old movies and read books. I really enjoy working at the “Land of Love”!
Dani Dickel-Kindergarten Teacher
My name is Dani Dickel. I was born and raised in Omaha. I went to Swanson, but Loveland always had the best ice cream social! I went to University of Kansas for my undergrad and then got my Masters of Education from Creighton. I taught kindergarten in OPS for 5 years before coming to Loveland. This is my 3rd year at Loveland. It has been such a great experience teaching here and the community is wonderful. My husband is a middle school guidance counselor and we have 3 children, Charlie (5) Busy (3) and George (1). They definitely keep me on my toes. We have a silver lab named Egon (my son loves Ghostbusters) who goes to school with my husband. In my spare time I love to be outside, go to spin class and spend time with my family and friends. I absolutely love teaching kindergarten and can’t wait to meet your child!
Dani Dickel
dickel.danielle@westside66.net
402-390-6455
Jordan Harlow-Kindergarten Educational Assistant
Hello, my name is Mrs. Harlow (formally Ms. Young). I am one of the kindergarten assistants at Loveland Elementary and also the Lead Teacher at Loveland’s Club 66. I have been working in kindergarten for six years and working at Club 66 for eight years. When I’m not at Loveland, I love to spend time with my husband, draw and paint, read books, write in my journal, and play with my pets (I have one dog and two cats). I also take online classes to work on my bachelor’s degree in education. My goal is to be an elementary art teacher! My husband and I love to travel, go camping, and see live music together. We can’t wait to go on our honeymoon when it’s safe to travel again!
Kim Streff-Reading Teacher
My name is Kim Streff and I am the Reading Coordinator at Loveland. My job includes: teaching small reading intervention groups, assisting teachers in planning reading lessons, supporting teachers with professional development, and collecting and analyzing student reading assessment data. I also spend an hour each day in Kindergarten during small group reading time! I look forward to meeting your Kindergartner next fall!
Kim Streff
Streff.Kimberly@Westside66.net
402-390-6455
Kate Geiger-Special Education Teacher
Kate Geiger
402-390-6455
Susie Sloup-English Learner Teacher
My name is Susie Sloup, and I teach English Learners at Loveland Elementary school. I help students whose first language is not English, and build upon their English vocabulary and grammar. I love to see the growth in my students’ English while I learn about their languages and cultures!
Susie Sloup
402-390-6455
Courtenay Gnader-School Psychologist
Hi, my name is Courtenay Gnader. I have worked at Loveland for the last twelve years. I attended Creighton University and then University of Nebraska - Lincoln for my Educational Specialist degree. At Loveland, I work as both the school psychologist and school counselor. My role in the building and part of the school team is to support students' ability to learn and teachers' ability to teach. I apply my skills in mental health, learning, and behavior to help students academically, socially, behaviorally, and emotionally. I will come into the classroom to teach skills to all children. Some children may work with me in a small group or individually for more specific help with skills. I often work with teachers and parents to help children at both school and home.
Courtenay Gnader, Ed.S., NCSP
School Psychologist
gnader.counrtenay@westside66.net
Office: (402) 408-8868
Beginning of the Year Kindergarten Schedule
Letters will be sent in July to all kindergarten families informing you of your child’s placement in either Group A or Group B. As a reminder, please see the schedule below:
Kindergarten students in Group A - Attend school on Tuesday, August 17th and Wednesday, August 18th (3 pm dismissal).
Kindergarten students in Group B - Attend school on Thursday, August 19th and Friday, August 20th.
Attendance
Each school day begins with taking attendance. It is very important that students be in their classrooms by 8:30 a.m. so they are not missed during this procedure. We also take attendance immediately following the lunch recess. Mrs. Carlson will call home or work of parents who have not called in and reported their child’s absence. Please help by calling the office at 402-390-6455 by 8:50 a.m. when your student is not coming to school or will be late for school. Safety is our main focus in making this request.
School Arrival
Our school day begins at 8:30 a.m. Students may enter the building at 8:20 a.m. We ask that students not arrive before 8:20 a.m., unless:
Participating in a school activity
Serving on Safety Patrol
Working with a teacher
Attending Club 66 Before & After Care program
Teachers are involved in team meetings, staff meetings and individual planning from 8:00-8:20 each morning.
Morning Drop-Off Procedures
All students need to be dropped off in the morning along Ridgewood Avenue. We ask that no students are dropped off before 8:20 a.m. Students needing to be dropped off before 8:20 a.m. must enroll in the morning Club 66 Program. We ask that all parents please stay in their cars and use the drop-off lane in the morning. The 6th grade safety patrol, Mrs. Streff, and Mrs. Sloup will be outside on Ridgewood Avenue helping children out of their car and they will be keeping traffic moving safely. Please have your child get out on the passenger side of the car. Remember, we have these procedures in place to ensure the safety of all the students.
Morning Drop Off TipsWhen dropping off your child in the morning, pull forward as much as you are able to allow more than one car to drop off at the same time. If you need to enter the building for any reason, you must find a space in the lot or neighborhood, and walk your child into the building. Please do not accompany your child to the classroom at this time.
Please DO NOT park in the handicap spaces unless you are entitled to do so by having a sticker or a placard visible.
Afternoon Pick up Procedures
Kindergarten and 1st grade pick up is located on LOVELAND DRIVE - ONE WAY NORTH.
Mrs. Schuemann and Mrs. Dickel will accompany all Kindergarten students to Loveland Drive. We will provide all families name cards to be displayed in your windshield to help identify vehicles quickly and safely. Parents are to drive through and wait for teachers to help students get into the cars. Parents, we ask that you do NOT get out of your car during pick up time. Please don’t park on both sides of Loveland Drive or in private driveways. Please remember to never leave your car unattended.
When picking up at the end of the day, stay in your car and pull forward as much as possible. Your child will then be permitted to enter your car with a teacher escort. Once again, if you need to enter the building or get out of your car for any reason, you must find a place to park in the lot or neighborhood.
Wednesday Early Dismissal
Club “66” is dedicated to making extended school time a safe, fun and enjoyable experience. Arts and crafts, physical activity, center time, group activities, music, free movement and computers are among the many activities we offer. Children will be encouraged to participate in activities, but may choose to read, listen to music, do homework, or just have some quiet time to themselves. One of the goals for this program is to create a structured environment with many options so the children feel free to participate in any activity they choose. We strive to make Club 66 a place where children can’t wait to come to every day. Staff use a facilitative approach; encouraging and guiding when necessary.
All 10 elementary locations operate a Before & After School Program (Club 66)
Hours of operations: 6:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. & 3:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday on school days; 6:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. on pre-register care days and snow days
Open during Fall/Spring Intersessions, school breaks, snow days and provide a Summer Program
Licensed by the State Nebraska’s Department of Health and Human Services
Safety Protocols
Westside Community Schools use a safety protocol at the K-12 level called the SRP (Standard Response Protocol). Area schools and local law enforcement agencies have adopted this language across the metro.
Key Terms:
- Lock-out: During a lock-out situation, there isn’t an immediate threat inside the building, rather there may be a reasonable threat in the area. During a lock-out situation, school will remain in typical operating procedures (inside) but no one will be allowed to enter or exit the building.
- Lockdown: During a lock-down situation, there is an immediate threat inside the building. Students and staff are instructed to lock the classroom doors, shut off the lights, and move to a secure area of a classroom that cannot be seen from the hallway.
- Reunification location: In the unfortunate event of a crisis resulting in an evacuation of our school, the reunification location is at the Community Conference Center at 108th and Grover. School buses will take our students to the reunification center where families will be waiting.
Medication/Health Information
Letter From the Nurses
Medical Requirements for Initial Enrollment
Immunization Rules and Regulations
Snacks and Birthdays
Westside Community Schools recently adopted a new safer and healthier snacks policy. Please view this policy, as well as a list of approved snacks and candies, located in this newsletter or on the district website.
Birthdays are a special time for families and friends to celebrate. We enjoy celebrating birthdays at school as well, however, we are also charged with the education of all students and that takes precedence. Please communicate with your child’s teacher for their own preference regarding birthday celebrations. The snack and candy policy applies to any snack you choose to bring. We ask that you not bring any snacks or candies to share that are not on that list. Loveland does not allow balloons, flowers, or presents, as that distracts from the learning environment.
Joining Your Children for Lunch
Visiting Procedures
School safety is very important to us at Loveland. All visitors must ring the bell outside the main entrance in order to enter the building. Parents and visitors may be asked to show ID if we do not recognize you or if we are unsure of your identification. Visitors must report directly to the main office to sign in and receive a visitor’s pass. These procedures allow for a safe learning environment for our students. We thank you in advance for your cooperation.
Questions
If you have any questions or concerns about any information we shared in our newsletter, please do not hesitate to contact us. Click here to share your questions with our Loveland team. Thank you and we look forward to meeting you soon.
Sincerely,
Steph Hornung
Val Carlson
Jessica Scheumann
Dani Dickel
Jordan Harlow