Westside Pride
November 2018
A Message From The Superintendent
This week, we recognized seven outstanding alumni who graduated from our schools, and have gone on to achieve incredible success in a variety of career fields. Among them: a globally respected doctor with the Centers for Disease Control; a financial expert, overseeing a billion-dollar annual budget; and a technological visionary whose work is behind some of culture’s biggest entertainment and scientific breakthroughs. We also honored five individuals as Lighthouse Leaders, community members who have gone above and beyond to support our schools.
As I looked around the room at the Hall of Fame dinner on Thursday evening, I thought: what an incredible gathering of people. We all have one thing in common: we are invested in Westside Community Schools. I want to congratulate all of our honorees, each of whom has impacted our District in unique ways, understanding their many talents and developing them into strengths that led to their success.
AWARDS & HONORS
Kaitlyn Hanna, Westside High School
Jeanette Kleppinger, Westside High School
Westside High School Business Teacher Jeanette Kleppinger has been named the 2018 Entrepreneurship Educator of the Year by the Nebraska Entrepreneurship Task Force. The group, also known as NETForce, recognizes educators who have made significant contributions toward the organization, implementation, development or evaluation of entrepreneurship education in Nebraska. Kleppinger was a key figure in the creation of the Nebraska Furniture Mart School of Entrepreneurial Thinking, a groundbreaking $150,000 partnership between Westside Community Schools and Nebraska Furniture Mart. In addition to overseeing this pilot as the new Teacher of Entrepreneurial Thinking, Kleppinger is also a leader in the award-winning Westside High School Business Department.
Girls Cross Country, Westside Middle School
8th Grade Information Night
Please mark your calendars: all current 8th grade students and their families are invited to attend the 2019 Westside High School Information Night on Monday, January 14th at 5:30pm.
- 5:30 Presentation in the WHS Auditorium including details about curriculum, departments, electives and activities
- 6:15 Tour of Westside High School
This event is key for any and all students planning to attend and graduate from Westside High School. We hope to see you on January 14th!
Photo courtesy Emily Bauer for Westside Journalism
THIS MONTH AT WESTSIDE
Hillside Puts 'Kind' in Kindergarten
Westside Middle School Helps United Way
Guest Readers at Oakdale
WHS students attend UNO conference
Introduction to Education students and Educators Rising club members visited UNO in October for the Educators Rising Fall Leadership Conference. Best of luck to these future teachers, learning more about the education profession!
6th Graders Experience Outdoor Ed
Packed Crowds Enjoy Sister Act
Photo by Yousra Abdulrazig for Westside Journalism
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
Westside ACT Scores 1.4 Points Higher Than State Average
Assistant Superintendent of Teaching & Learning
The 2018 graduating class is the first across the state where all students were required to take the ACT as their state test, which added students to the profile who had not previously taken the exam. As a point of comparison, in 2014, 353 students (80% of the graduating class) took the ACT exam while this year, 466 students (99% of the graduating class) took the exam. That is more than 100 additional students!
With almost all students taking the test, the state average composite went from 21.2 in 2017 to 20.1 in 2018 (-1.3). At the same time, the District composite went from 22.2 for the class of 2017 to 21.5 for the class of 2018 (-.7). In 2017, we were .8 points above the state average, and even though our composite decreased in 2018, we were 1.4 points above the state average. While we are always looking to get better, it is a point of celebration to see our district’s distance widen from the overall composite state average in overall ACT.
Two additional notes: the ACT, while important, is just one test on one day. Also, seeing students be successful at the high school level like this is a result of everyone’s hard work. Students don’t just “get it” at the high school level independently of what occurred in the years prior. Without strong elementary, middle, and high school programs and outstanding educators and support staff, continued success for our graduates would not occur.
Click here to read Dr. Weichel's full breakdown of ACT Test Scores.
Join the Westside Team!
Westside Community Schools has immediate openings for
Part-Time Education Assistants / Paraprofessionals
Are you or someone you know looking for a flexible way to put some extra money in your pocket? Would you enjoy flexible hours that would fit into your busy schedule? Are you interested in being on the same work schedule as your children’s school schedule? If so please apply! Applications can be submitted online through Recruit & Hire found BY CLICKING HERE!
Help us help others!
From now until November 6th, Westside Middle School students are raising money for an adaptive tricycle for a Westside elementary student with a mobility disability. If you'd like to help, CLICK HERE, then "Order Online Now" and enter our school code which is WES345. You will have the option of shipping items directly to your home, or have it delivered to you by the student. This is a great option for friends and family that are out of town.
All checks should be written to Westside Middle School, with Bova Genius Time as the memo. The group will also be taking donations from anyone who would prefer to donate as opposed to buying something from the catalog. To ask questions or to donate, please email Mr. Matt Bova at bova.matt@westside66.net.
YOU ARE INVITED: Westside Unified Carnival!
Westside Community Schools is excited to offer our third Unified Activity this year. This is part of our Special Olympics Unified Schools Program, a fast growing initiative that brings students with and without intellectual disabilities together.
Where: Westbrook’s gym (1312 Robertson Drive)
When: Thursday, November 29th from 5:30pm-6:30pm
What: A carnival will be set up in the school gym. Enjoy ring toss, fishing over curtains, can toss, bean bag toss, sucker pyramid and much more!! We will also have rock painting, and dancing in separate rooms. Come and experience the Westbrook Unified Carnival!
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.
UPCOMING EVENTS
11/3 Loveland Haunted Hood GURLS Fun Run & 5K, 9am
11/4 Westside Cabaret, 3-5pm & 7-9pm @ WHS
11/5 Board of Education meeting, 6:30pm @ ABC
11/8 Paddock Road Fall Learning Celebration, 5:30pm
11/8 BOUNDARY PROCESS PUBLIC FORUM, 6pm @ SWANSON/SWING SCHOOL
11/8-11/9 WMS Fall Play: The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon, 7pm
11/9 Veterans Day Celebrations at PR, RB, SH, SW, WB & WG
11/10 Westside High School Craft Fair, 9am-4pm
11/12 Veterans Day Breakfasts at Hillside & Oakdale
11/12 Westgate 4th-6th Vocal Music Concert, 7pm @ WMS
11/13 Bond Oversight Committee meeting, 6pm @ ABC
11/13 8th Grade Band/Chorus Concert, 7pm @ WMS
11/15 Westbrook 3rd-4th Grade Music Programs
11/16 Community Council meeting, 9:15am @ ABC
11/16 District Spelling Bee, 9:15am @ WMS
11/16 Westgate Family Night, 5:30pm
11/17 Warrior 5K Run, 10:30am @ WMS
11/19 Board of Education meeting, 6:30pm @ ABC
11/20 Grandfriends Day at Prairie Lane & Swanson
11/20 Oakdale Turkey Trot, 2:45pm
11/21-11/23 NO SCHOOL - HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
11/24 Westside Alumni Basketball Tournament @ WHS
11/27 7th-8th Grade Strings Concert, 7pm @ WMS
11/28-11/30 Project 66 Showcase, 7pm @ WHS
11/29 Boundary Committee meeting, 6pm @ Swanson/Swing School
11/29 Unified Carnival, 5:30pm @ Westbrook
11/29 Varsity Basketball games & Sparkles performance @ WHS
11/29 Hillside 5th-6th Grade Vocal Music Concert, 7pm @ WMS
11/30 Hillside Family Night, 6pm
Paddock Road Kindergarteners Ready For Veterans Day!
Westside Safe Schools Hotline Available 24/7
Westside families now have another safe, easy-to-reach outlet for sharing their concerns and getting help when they need it. The Westside Safe Schools Hotline is now available at 402-390-2118. This hotline number is printed on all WHS student ID badges and can be used by anyone who has concerns about safety, bullying, depression, suicide, substance abuse, relationship issues, or anything else that could threaten someone’s physical or emotional well-being.
The Westside Safe Schools Hotline connects callers with trained Boys Town National Hotline counselors who are available 24/7, 365 days a year. Callers are not required to give their names. We encourage parents to talk with their children about this service should they ever need it. Thank you for your help in keeping all students safe and supported at Westside Community Schools.