Hillside News Brief
October 21, 2022
Important Upcoming Dates for You
Halloween Trunk or Treat at Hillside
Friday, October 28, from 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Collaborative Community Club Meeting (Clubs in the district convene)
Tuesday, November 1, from 6:00-7:30 p.m. at Westside High in the LIttle Theater
One World Health Mobile at Hillside
Wednesday, November 2, from 8:00-3:00 p.m. (make an appointment at (402) 880-4870)
Hillside's Veterans' Day Assembly
Friday, November 11, from 8:50-9:20 a.m. in the North Gym at Hillside
Picture Retake Day at Hillside
Tuesday, November 15, starting at 8:30 a.m.
5th/6th Grade Music Program
Thursday, November 17, 6:00-7:30 p.m. at Westside Middle School auditorium
Spirit Day at Hillside
Tuesday, November 22 (wear blue and orange OR Hillside spiritwear)
Thanksgiving Break
Wednesday, November 23-Sunday, November 27 (no school)
6th Grade Strings Concert
Thursday, December 1, from 7:00-8:00 p.m. at Westside High School's auditorium
Halloween Information
Halloween will soon be upon us, and we want to make sure everyone knows how we have fun together on this fun and "costumey" day for our students. Of course, if you and your family do not recognize Halloween or are not familiar with or comfortable with this event, we offer alternatives. Please read below:
Parents/Guardians and Families
Parents/guardians and families may wait out in front of the building (if the weather is decent) with cameras, etc. This makes it easier to take photos and avoids too much indoor traffic during the parade, which will proceed in Hillside's hallways. In the case of inclement weather, we ask parents to station themselves in the main hallway, and we will proceed through there instead of outside.
Parade
The students in the parade will exit Door #2 out front. We parade down the sidewalk and into the circle drive in front of Hillside. We will take a few minutes there so that adults in attendance can take the pictures they would like to take. Then, the parade will proceed back into the building via the main entrance and back to classrooms.
Fall Festival
What if a student does not/cannot celebrate Halloween? We have a fall festival for those students. We will have this activity in the library. Two of Hillside's teachers will organize and run this activity.
Halloween Parties/Activities
Grade level teachers have decided what kind of activity they would like to do on the afternoon of Friday, October 28. If you would like to assist, please access this Sign-Up Genius to see what kind of help each grade level needs:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0f4da5a922a0f49-halloween1
Costume Guidelines
We ask every student who chooses to wear a costume to delete the mask and any semblance of a weapon. Masks obscure a student’s vision, and we are climbing up and down stairs during the parade. Masks can be worn at the Trunk or Treat activity that night, and students can also include any props at Trunk or Treat. Elaborate makeup during the school day will be discouraged, as it can take a very long time to accomplish this. Students will have about 20-25 minutes to get changed and ready for the parade.
If you are need of a costume for your student, please contact our school counselor, Mrs. Victor, at victor.jennifer@westside66.net
Unified Events are Coming!
Westside Earns National Honor
Westside Community Schools is proud to share that all 12 District 66 schools have been named National Banner Unified Champion Schools for 2022. This honor, recognizing an organization’s commitment to inclusion by achieving ten set standards of excellence developed by leaders in education and Special Olympics, including ongoing efforts to connect students with and without intellectual disabilities. Westside is the first district with elementary schools who have earned this honor, believed to be the first multi-school District in the state to receive this honor, and possibly the first multi-school District in the country to receive this honor.Dr. Kami Jessop, Director of Special Services for Westside Community Schools, worked closely with Special Olympics to apply for and earn this honor. Examples of inclusivity implemented by District 66 include:
Monthly Unified activities including fishing, movie nights, and bowling, intended to partner students with and without intellectual disabilities
WHS Unified Sparkles Cheer, a cheerleading program involving students with and without intellectual disabilities, the first ever selected to perform at an NSAA State Championship
Unified Clubs and Sports opportunities available at each level of learning
Project SEARCH, a transitional program providing internship and job placement opportunities for young adult with special needs
Creation of Arts For Me program, providing teenage students with special needs access to art training and creation, with opportunities to display their work at professional galleries
“It is exciting, humbling, and affirming that the work we are doing is setting a precedent for what is possible in public education, allowing all learners to thrive and belong,” said Dr. Jessop. “This is evidence of the literally hundreds of dedicated people, working together every day, to research and implement things we know will improve not only the achievement and independence of our students with unique needs, but our entire community’s acceptance and celebration of all learners.”
All of Westside’s 10 elementary schools, Westside Middle School and Westside High School have been awarded this distinction. Westside formally celebrated this honor by recognizing students from every school at the 2022 Homecoming Pep Rally on Friday, October 7. The entire community, as well as all students, families and staff, packed the stands at Phelps Field to celebrate this honor.
“We hope this celebration allowed our entire Westside community to take part in this achievement and recognize its importance and impact on students and families,” said Dr. Jessop. “This is truly something our entire community should be proud of.”
Sign Up for Trunk or Treat!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4DA5A922A0F49-trunk3
It's a great way to spend a Friday night with kids!
Hillside's Parent/Teacher/Student Compact
Music Programs for Hillside Families
One World Mobile Medical Clinic at Hillside
Holiday Assistance
It’s hard to believe but the holiday season is right around the corner. As part of the Westside Community Schools family, we are fortunate to have some groups and organizations that are generous in many ways, especially when it comes to helping children.
Each year, several churches in the community, community service clubs and individual donors offer to help students whose families may be experiencing some temporary financial setbacks due to the tough economic times. These groups often donate a food basket, clothing and/or gifts. These items are meant to assist you in what you are already providing for your family.
If your family is not receiving assistance from other organizations, we are here to provide support. If you need assistance during the holiday season, please contact your school counselor Mrs. Victor. Her email is: victor.jennifer@westside66.net
Mentoring Opportunity
Consider donating one lunch time each week to be a TeamMates Mentor
Hillside is looking to expand our TeamMates program. Mentors are matched with a student, and “matches” meet once a week (usually during lunch/recess) in school during the academic year. Mentors and mentees usually play board games, shoot hoops, do a craft, or just talk. Each mentor has shared how the experience has changed THEM. To learn more about TeamMates, contact Mrs. Victor. Here are some thoughts on mentoring from a mentor who has been coming to Oakdale weekly for over two years:
Mentoring a young boy has provided me with the opportunity to appreciate how blessed I was to be the beneficiary of the thoughtful kindness and guidance I received from my own father and a singularly influential coach, both of whom were instrumental in influencing the man I was to become. Inspired by the impact these two men had on my life, I’m determined to emulate their example through my interactions with my mentee. My mentee, in turn, is blessing me with his youthful exuberance and innocent perspective as a creative and energetic young boy.
Please consider giving your time to impact Hillside student lives! If you are interested please reach out to Mrs. Victor at victor.jennifer@westside66.net.
Join Hillside's Community Club! All meetings except Nov. 1 begin at 6:00 p.m. in Hillside's Library
Special Community Club DISTRICT Meeting at WHS on November 1!
PBiS at Hillside and the Skill of the Week
The Skill of the Week, 10/24-10/28/22 is:
Working With Others
When you work with others, you:
- Identify the task or assignment to be completed
- Assign tasks to each person
- Discuss ideas in a calm, quiet voice and let everyone share their ideas
- Work on tasks until completed
We will be working on the above skill all week!
Hillside Elementary-Westside Community Schools
Email: bailey.cynthia@westside66.net
Website: hillside.westside66.org
Location: 7500 Western Avenue
Phone: 402-390-6450
Facebook: facebook.com/hillside66
Twitter: @hillside_tigers