TIGER TIMES
9503 Walnut St Omaha NE 68124 402-390-6480
Sunset Hills Elementary Newsletter
February 1, 2019
Mission Statement
Calendar Reminder
Feb 5 Lego Club 3:30
Feb 5 Art Club 3:30
Feb 5 Community Club Mtg 6:30
Feb 7 Music Program for 1st & 2nd Gr. 6:30
Feb 12 Lego Club 3:30
Feb 12 Strings 6th Grade Solo/Ensemble @ WMS 7
Feb 14 Valentine's Day Party 2:30
Feb 14 Art Club 3:30
Feb 18 Presidents' Day - No School
Feb 19 Lego Club 3:30
Feb 19 Don & Millie's Night 4-9
Feb 21 Art Club 3:30
Feb 22 Art & Soup Night 6-8
Feb 28 Art Club 3:30
Mar 5 Spring Pictures
Mar 5 Art Club 3:30
Mar 6 Health Screens K-4th
Mar 7-13 Book Fair
Mar 7 Conferences 4-8
Mar 11 Art Club 3:30
Mar 12 Conferences 4-8
District Approved Snack List
The Westside Safer & Healthier Foods Committee met this summer to revise the District Approved Snack List. This list provides dozens of choices for parents and families who wish to provide snacks and treats for their child and others in class or for school-related events. As a reminder: this list applies to all elementary schools. Secondary schools may bring in any commercially prepared items. No homemade food items or items including nuts are allowed. Click here to download the District Approved Treat Options List.
'No One Can Draw Like You'
Students Draw and Paint with Julia Mason
In January, artist Julia Mason visited Sunset Hills for an all-school assembly then returned for art lessons with each grade. Her visit was sponsored by the Community Club’s ArtPALS committee.
Ms. Mason started drawing in college. She shared how she was lucky to study aboard and after living in Costa Rica for four months realized her passion for painting. During travels to England, Scotland, and Latin America she took sketchbooks to record her personal experiences. Now she is creating compositions of neighborhoods, landmarks, and projects by request. “Everything around us can be an inspiration.” She is inspired by buildings and cityscapes, and lives in Omaha’s Little Italy neighborhood where from her window she can see the buildings she enjoys drawing. Her website is https://www.juliamasonart.com
Students worked closely with Ms. Mason to create their own painting of a historical Omaha building through the process of pencil, marker, and watercolor paint. Ms. Mason reminded them to “draw light until you get it right.” The first step was to draw a horizon line, then the shape of the building (a rectangle or square), then add lines and details, such as windows, stairs, and trees.
As the students focused on their drawings, Ms. Mason offered tips and praise, “Remember, we want to be proud of our work, so go slowly over the lines, show good craftsmanship.” The children were asked to choose warm colors or cool colors for their painting, and took home their own watercolor palette. “We all have a different style, so embrace your style,” she reminded the kids. “Be proud of your art -- no one can draw like you.”
Thank you to to the many parent volunteers who helped during her visit. Ms. Mason is creating an original drawing of Sunset Hills and prints and other items will be available for purchase at Art & Soup on Friday, February 22. Many volunteers are needed for Art & Soup, please look for more details to come!
2nd Semester SGA Officers and Reps
6th Grade
Alex Ingvoldstad - President
Cora Dietrich - Vice President
Grade Greenwald - Secretary
Hunter Camenzind - Treasurer
5th Grade
Lucy Adkins
Miah Ford
Claird Nordquist
Lily Adkins
Nevaeh Fox
4th Grade
Graham Hoffert
Whitney Ingvoldstad
3rd Grade
Mallory Liakos
Skye Bermel
1st and 2nd Grade Music Program
The 1st and 2nd grade music program will take place on Thursday, February 7th at Sunset Hills in the gym. The program will begin at 6:30 pm. The students will need to arrive no earlier than 6:15 and no later than 6:25. When they arrive they can go on up to the risers to sit. School appropriate attire (business casual)
Congratulations to Mrs. Lindsey Jagels Teacher of the Week!
Enrollment Information for 2019-2020
Student In-District Transfer Requests for the 2019-20 School Year
If you are a District resident who would like your K-5 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, 2019, for your request to be considered prior to our placement of Option Enrollment students.
IDT forms are available at the ABC Building and on the District website. 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 in-district transfer process, please call 402-343-2603.
Kindergarten Enrollment for District Residents: January 10th - February 15th
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 2019-20 begins January 10, 2019. Parents of eligible students should go to westside66.org to begin the enrollment process as early as possible.
Students entering kindergarten for 2019-20 must be five years old by July 31, 2019. 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 402-343-2603.
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, 2019. 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. Option Enrollment Applications must be received by Westside’s Office of Student Services no later than 4:00 p.m. on March 15, 2019. The application form is available at the ABC Building (909 S. 76th Street) and at westside66.org.
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.
Back to School Update
Battle of the Books Update
We have sent out a couple communications in the last few weeks. If you are a team parent and did not receive them, please be sure to check your spam folder and mark us as a "safe sender."
Wondering what the battle will be like? There is a lot of information on our website. We will be updating this information as the event gets closer. If you have a question that is not answered, please send us an email.
Consider Being a TeamMates Mentor
This past month was Mentor Recognition month with TeamMates of Nebraska. The positive impact of TeamMates Mentoring on a student/mentees’ levels of hope, engagement in school, and well-being has been well researched. In a recent school year,
* 75 percent of TeamMates mentees had fewer unexcused absences
* 84 percent of TeamMates mentees experienced fewer disciplinary referrals
* 55 percent of TeamMates mentees improved their academic performance
Please consider making a 1-hour a week commitment (meeting at school, only during school calendar) to make an incredible difference in a child’s life. TeamMates prefers mentors to be able to commit to the program for at least 3 years to make a lasting impression. If you are interested in learning more about TeamMates Mentoring, contact Kris Bivens (402-408-8725 Swanson. 402-408-8522 Sunset Hills). The comments below from mentees reveal how this touches a child’s life:
"Thank you so much for coming and seeing me each week. I'm so happy that you're my mentor. I love spending time with you. I will do anything to make you proud. I won't ever let you down.” - TeamMate Mentee
“"Thank you for being a teammate of mine. I enjoy spending my time every week to talk about how I am. You're like a pal to me.” - TeamMate Mentee
STRIKE UP THE BAND BECAUSE BAND-O-RAMA IS COMING!
Fifth and Sixth Grade Band students will present a district wide musical extravaganza on Thursday, March 28 at 7:00 pm! Please mark your calendars and help reward your child for their hard work by making this event a priority for your entire family. Students will attend a rehearsal during the school day and will need to report to Westside High School no later than 6:30. A detailed letter about the days events will be e-mailed to band parents, and a hard copy will be sent home with band students prior to the event. Questions about this event or anything else band related, feel free to connect with Mrs. CJ at carpenter.gail@westside66.net.
Elementary Unified Activities - Floor Hockey
What Are Unified Activities?
The Special Olympics Unified Schools Program is a fast growing initiative that brings students with and without intellectual disabilities together. This year we are excited to bring a Unified Floor Hockey opportunity to our schools.
Westside Community Schools is excited to offer our fourth Unified Activity this year.
Where: Sunset Hills Elementary 9503 Walnut St, Omaha, NE 68124
When: Saturday, February 9th at 11:00am
What: Come enjoy a variety of hockey activities. You can try shooting, dress like a goalie, play tabletop hockey, play a game of floor hockey, or do a craft.
RSVP Needed for Participation
If you and your child(ren) are interested in participating, please download the following linked informational flyer to learn more and to let us know if you are planning to attend.
Upload Yearbook Pictures
Dear Parent or Student,
Get your pictures in the yearbook! The Yearbook Staff invites students and parents to submit photos for the yearbook. If you've got great photos of school and community events or you and your friends just having fun, we'd like to see them. Our photographers can't be everywhere. Help us get as many photos as possible to create a terrific book everyone will want to have.
Here is how you can submit photos online:
- Go to: https://images.schoolannualonline.com/411323673.
- If it does not automatically log you into the site, enter username: 411323673
- Browse to select the photo(s) you wish to upload.
- Enter information about the photo and provide contact information in case the staff needs additional information.
- Click "Upload Chosen Images"
It's that easy! Submit your photos today!
Sincerely,
Yearbook Adviser and the 2019 Yearbook Staff
If they want to submit through the RePlayIt App on their phone, attached is the parent flyer with instructions. Your school is password protected so when they log in, the password is: Sunset18
Thanks!
Brooke Haines Customer Account Representative
Phone: 800-436-6030 Ext 36014
Fax: 800-436-6048
brooke.haines@schoolannual.com
FIND US ONLINE!
The Importance of Being on Time for School
The late bell rings at 8:40am every morning.
Students who arrive on time have many advantages over those who arrive even a minute late. Students who arrive on time have the luxury of settling in, preparing their class materials and focusing their minds on the upcoming day. Students who arrive on time are able to hear important announcements, hear the social skill of the day and are able to participate in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Thank you for your efforts in preparing your child(ren) for their day!
Be Safe, Be Respectful, Be Responsible
During the month of February, the following skills and expectations will be reinforced:
February 4: Accepting Feedback/Asking Permission
February 11: Following Instructions/ Arrival & Dismissal
February 19: Asking for Help
February 25: Assembly/ Asking Permission
Asking for Help Accepting Feedback
1. Look at the person. 1. Look at the teacher
2. Ask if they have time to help you 2. Raise your hand
3. Explain the kind of help you need 3. Wait until the teacher says your name
4. Thank them for their help 4. Ask your question
Asking Permission Following Instructions
1. Look at the person. 1. Look at the person
2. Use a calm and pleasant voice 2. Say ok
3. Say ‘May I please…?” 3. Do what’s asked right away
4. Accept the answer calmly 4. Check back