Hillside News Brief
Friday, May 5th, 2023
Upcoming Dates
May 8th - 3 Grade Rose Theatre Field Trip
May 8th - Ms. Lewis visits Hillside
May 9th - 4th Grade Durham Field Trip
May 9th - Hillside Community Club Meeting @ 6:00
May 11th - Ms. Lewis visits Hillside
May 12th - 3rd/4th Field Day
May 12th - 6th Grade Warrior Walkabout (PM)
May 16th - 5th/6th Field Day
May 19th - K-2 Field Day
May 22nd - Ms. Lewis visits Hillside
May 23rd - Staff V 6th Grade Kickball (PM)
May 24th - 6th Grade Rockets (AM)
May 24th - Hillside Stride Blacktop Dance Party (PM)
May 26th - 6th Grade Promotion
May 26th - Last Day of School - Early Dismissal
Active Listening
1. Look at the person who is talking and remain quiet.
2. Wait until the person is finished talking before you speak.
3. Show that you heard them by nodding your head, saying, 'Okay,' or 'That's interesting.'
A Message from Ms. Lewis
Hello Hillside Families! My name is Kerri Lewis and I am excited to join the Hillside Tiger Team next year as Assistant Principal. I just finished my 16th year teaching first grade at Paddock. After I graduated from Westside, I went to University of Nebraska-Lincoln. I have my Masters in Curriculum and Instruction as well as my Masters in Leadership from Doane. I have been summer school admin for a long time - at Hillside & Westgate! I love going to live sporting events. Go Bluejays, Cubs and Bulls. I spend time volunteering in the community and love to read. I will be at Hillside on May 8, May 11 and May 15 for the day and I look forward to meeting the students and hope to meet many of you! I can always be reached at lewis.kerri@westside66.net. Early Arrival at Hillside
If your student is coming to the Hillside campus very early in the morning (well before 8:15), it is important to know that we do not have adult supervision outside at that time. We do have some students who are arriving at our campus around 8:00 a.m. Please be sure your student is aware that we want to keep everyone safe at our campus; early arrival is not desirable! Thank you.
Lunch Account Balances
Families, please make sure to check your student's backpack for a sheet of paper that indicates if you have a negative balance on your lunch account. All account balances should be paid by the last day of the school year. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
End of School Year Reminders for Families
We are just a few weeks away from the start of summer break 2023! While this time of year brings excitement and anticipation, it can also lead to feelings of anxiousness and uncertainty for students and their families. The Child Mind Institute reports that kids, particularly those students with mental health issues, benefit from structure. The school year provides this structure and routine naturally, whereas the summer months tend to be more relaxed and flexible. While the break is often enjoyable, it can also lead to frustration, panic, and the always popular, “I’m bored.” Luckily, there are some simple ways to merge structure and routine with fun and spontaneity while also keeping students’ bodies and minds healthy and prepared for the upcoming school year. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Child Mind Institute outline several ways to make this happen including setting goals, giving students new responsibilities, and creating fun opportunities for learning. The Child Mind Institute article also includes suggestions for students with disabilities and/or mental and behavioral health challenges. A "Summer Bucket List" graphic is also attached. Please visit the links below to learn more.
https://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/features/active_summer.htm
https://childmind.org/article/strategies-for-a-successful-summer-break/ Summer Reading Opportunities
Summer Reading Programs
Throughout the school year, as part of Westside’s Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) process, students are assessed in reading and provided with strong instruction to support their needs. To engage families and extend the learning for students, we are sharing ways in which you can support your child with their reading. As we enter into summer, it is important to encourage practice in the area of reading so that students maintain the skills they learned this year.
Below are some available programs in the community or resources that can be used at home.
*Top priority is simply having your child read every day.
This can include times when someone reads to or with them.
Nebraska Reads: The Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) has provided an extensive list with many online literacy activities.
Free Summer Opportunities for Reading
Free Online Resources:
Reach has interactive lessons for reading skills for grades Kindergarten through 3rd grade, as well as videos/lessons for all grade levels across a wide variety of topics including reading, math, science, and social studies.
Storyline Online is a website that has celebrities reading stories aloud and includes activity guides for parents. Reading aloud to children has been shown to improve reading, writing and communication skills, logical thinking and concentration, and general academic aptitude, as well as inspire a lifelong love of reading.
Storynory is a website that has audio books. It has some original stories, as well as classics, fairy tales, and myths.
EPIC is an app that has both audio and digital picture books and chapter books. There is a wide variety of both fiction and nonfiction.
Wonderopolis is a website that encourages children to explore the wonders of the world. A student picks a topic that intrigues them and there is an informational text that can be played auditorily, as well as a video to go along with the topic. Topics range from “What is Dragon Fruit?” to “Why Do People Like Bubble Wrap So Much?”
Summer Opportunities at Family’s Cost
Hillside Elementary - Westside Community Schools
