News & Notes
January 2019
Message From the Superintendent
As the Board of Education enters the final stages of the selection of the next Superintendent of Westside Community Schools, I wanted to convey my thoughts on transitioning to a new leader. As you know, the selection of a superintendent is the most important responsibility of any Board of Education, and I will be working to help provide a new leader with a very positive entry into our wonderful school district.
For any new district leader, it is important to introduce them to the staff, students, families and community members they will be collaborating with during their tenure as superintendent. I am certain that he or she will want to meet with as many of you as possible. This entry into our community will begin a process of getting to know our district and, more importantly, our culture. I am committed to help lead that process with whomever the Board selects as the next Superintendent of Westside Community Schools.
It is equally important that each of you realize the important role you have in the success of the next Superintendent. By reaching out and welcoming a new leader, you assist them in quickly becoming a member of the Westside team. Further, you help them gain an understanding of our district and how we approach teaching and learning. Please prepare to share your thoughts and ideas with the new Superintendent, what you see working well within the district and what might need attention to maintain our excellence.
You know firsthand the challenges facing our district over the next 3-5 years. A new leader will need your best thinking, along with your many talents and strengths, to co-create the next iteration of Westside’s Strategic Plan. Over time, as they collaborate with staff and stakeholders, they will put their own stamp on the district and build upon the outstanding work we see happening today in all of our classrooms.
I am certain the Board will select a person who aligns well with our culture as a District. While I look forward to retirement and spending time with my wife and family, I am reassured that Westside’s excellence will continue well into the future because of the people who work and live here. During my career, I was able to lead two of the country’s best school districts, and I know firsthand how committed our stakeholders are to the success of a school district such as Westside.
We still have a semester together and I look forward to finishing strong with each one of you. And with a transition beginning this semester, know that I am here to help you, as well as the next person who will assume this awesome position of Superintendent of Westside Community Schools. Do not hesitate to call or email me with any questions or concerns moving forward.
Yours in Education,
Blane
Staff Awards & Honors
Michelle Dallmann, Westbrook
THANK YOU Westside employees!
Our caring employees helped raise $1270 in 'Jeans Week' donations for the Westside Food Pantry. THANK YOU for your generosity!
Snapshots Across The District
How #BeKind Lives At Oakdale
The following message was shared recently by a staff member at Oakdale Elementary...
A couple of first graders have "emerging" self-control habits which need daily "shaping." For the last couple of weeks, these pumpkins would come down to the front office FOUR TIMES a day to check in, get an unconditional 3-minute physical activity release, and (if they had earned it) an activity reward (i.e., playdoh, 3-min dance party, stickers, High Five). When I or Mr. Jagels have been out of the building, Oakdale's school secretary Mrs. Rands, our health office assistant Kim Reagan, and our beloved maintenance engineer Brian Turner stepped up to the plate. Rumor has it that all three staff members recently stopped what they were doing in their already busy schedule and to do lists to CELEBRATE with a 3-minute Kids Bop dance party in the health office when both kiddos earned their reward at the SAME time.
That is what an Oakdale culture of care LOOKS like.
That is what Maslow's hierarchy SOUNDS like.
That is how Oakdale's #BeKind LIVES.
Westside Community Schools Wellness Plan
We are asking ALL employees to earn 100 points by 12/31/19 in order to receive your incentive (including completion of a health questionnaire). Incentive includes FREE Family Medical Insurance for those who qualify. If points are not earned employees will be deducted for family Medical starting in January 2020 paychecks.
Points can be earned the following ways:
· Education Modules (30 points max)
· Wellness Events/Challenges (30 points each)
NEW SIMPLYWELL QUICK Login Steps:
· Visit connect.simplywell.com
· Select Register (Bottom Left)
· Enter your last name and date of birth (DOB)
· Enter your identifier: WCS+Employee ID (WCS12345)
· Enter registration code: Westside
· Then follow the prompts to complete registration
Get To Know An Admin!
Director of Technology
HOMETOWN: Malmo, Nebraska
EDUCATION:
- District #36 (1977, 2-room school house in Malmo, NE)
- Wahoo High School (1981)
- Bachelor of Science in Education. Physical Sciences (1986, University of Nebraska-Lincoln)
- Master of Education. Instructional Technology (1997, University of Nebraska-Lincoln)
- PhD. Educational Studies-Instructional Technology (2012, University of Nebraska-Lincoln)
WHAT YOU DO AT WESTSIDE: Director of Technology
CAREER HIGHLIGHT & BEST MOMENT AT WESTSIDE: Expanding our district's 1:1 program to K-12.
INTERESTING FACT: Though we really had no previous experience or knowledge regarding it, my wife and I have remodeled almost our entire house since the last of our 4 kids 'left the nest'. NO PROFESSIONALS!
FAVORITE BOOK and/or MOVIE: The Idea Factory: Bell Labs and the Great Age of American Innovation (Jon Gertner)
COLLEAGUE YOU ADMIRE AND WHY: Dr. David Brooks, retired professor of education at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, recently passed away and had a great impact on my life. He was my introductory Chemistry professor, then my Masters advisor, then my Ph.D. advisor. Great person to have on your side but never try to put sloppy thinking past him - he never sugar coated anything.
Baby News!
Mercy Noelle Bramley
Born December 18 to Nathan Bramley, Social Studies Teacher at Westside High School
Carter Matthew Sabin
Born December 12 to Stephanie Sabin, 1st Grade Teacher at Westbrook
Classroom Opportunities with the Omaha Storm Chasers
For Your Classroom Calendar
1/14 8th Grade Information Night, 7:00pm @ WHS
1/14 PR, RB, LL Concert, 7:00pm @ WMS
1/15 Westside Connection Debut Night, 7:00pm @ WHS
1/15 Westside Boys Basketball vs. Creighton Prep, 7:15pm @ WHS
1/17 Westside Wrestling Senior & Alumni Night, 4:00pm @ WMS
1/17 Board of Education Superintendent Finalist Interviews, 6:15pm & 7:30pm @ ABC
1/18 Westside Basketball vs. PL South, 5:15 & 7:30 @ WHS
1/18 Sunset Hills Pizza & Bingo Night, 6:00pm
1/19 Little Warrior STEM Camp, 8:30am @ WMS
1/21 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday
1/21 NO SCHOOL - Professional Learning
1/21 Board of Education meeting, 6:30pm @ ABC
1/22 Westside Swim/Dive vs. Elkhorn South, 4:30pm @ WHS
1/22 Oakdale Music Program, 7:00pm @ WMS
1/22 8th Grade/Warrior Band Concert, 7:00pm @ WHS
1/23 I Love Public Schools Day
1/24 Westside Swim/Dive vs. Lincoln Southeast, 4:30pm @ WHS
1/24 Paddock Road Music Program, 7:00pm @ WMS
1/25 Hillside PBiS Assembly, 2:45pm
1/25 WAC Spirit Night/Westside Girls Basketball, 5:30pm @ WHS
1/25 Hillside Family Event Night, 6:00pm
1/25 Oakdale Winter Dance, 6:30pm
1/26 Competition of Excellence @ WHS
1/29 Westside Jazz Festival
1/29 Westside Wrestling Triangular, 7:00pm @ WHS
1/29 Prairie Lane Music Program, 6:30pm @ PL
1/31 OD, RB & Unified STEAM Night, 6:00pm @ OD
2/1 WHS Student Assembly, 9:30am
2/1 Prairie Lane Pizza & Bingo Night, 5:30pm
2/1 WHS Improv Comedy Bash, 7:00pm @ WHS
Westside Unified STEAM Night - January 31
Westside is proud to host our fourth Unified Activity this month! Unified activities involve students with and without intellectual disabilities, bringing all together for fun and friendship.
Our next event is a Unified STEAM Night (STEAM stands for Science Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics), being hosted at Oakdale Elementary at 6:00pm on Thursday, January 31st. Click here to download a flyer!
If you are interested, please make a reservation online using our reservation form. This provides us with your updated contact information directly as we plan for this event.
Unified Activity Reservation Form - https://tinyurl.com/WCSUAR1819
Condolences
Barb Goehring, an assistant for Westside for 35 years, most recently serving students at Prairie Lane, died December 16. Her daughter, Valerie Muller, is a Special Education Assistant at Westside Middle School. Click here for a tribute to Barb.
Arlanda Hanks, wife to Tyrone Hanks who has worked with Westside for 13 years, died last month. Click here for a tribute to Arlanda.
Tammy Welch, a Special Education Educational Assistant at Westside High, lost her father, Anthony Gomez, on December 11. Click here for a tribute to Anthony.
Thank you for keeping all of these colleague and their loved ones in your thoughts.
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Thank you for all you do. Here's to a terrific Spring at Westside!
Brandi Paul
Director of Communications & Engagement
Email: paul.brandi@westside66.net
Website: westside66.org
Location: 909 South 76th Street, Omaha, NE, USA
Phone: 402-390-2131
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WestsideCommunitySchools/
Twitter: @Westside66