Westside Middle School
August 8, 2021
Did your student miss orientation?
If your student was not able to attend orientation, they may come up to school and get their schedule, locker and find their classes. The building is open from 8:00-4:00 Monday through Friday. On Monday, August 9th the building will be closed until 11:00 am for an all staff district meeting. The schedules will be available through Monday, August 16th.
If you need to sign up for in-district busing please call or email Brian Stevens at 402-390-6494 or stevens.brian@westside66.net
We will have picture retakes on Friday, August 20th for any student who needs a photo.
First Day Of School
This year our first day of school for 7th graders will be Tuesday, August 17th. 8th grade students will not attend until Wednesday, August 18th.
Tuesday, August 17th
First Day of School 7th Grade ONLY
From 8:00-12:00
Wednesday, August 18th
First Full Day of School for both 7th and 8th Grade
8:00-2:44
**Wednesday's school is dismissed at 2:44. Every other day it is 3:15.
Please bring a backpack the first day of school.
Important Information from the Nurse
By law, all incoming 7th graders must present evidence of having a complete physical examination, updated immunizations (Tdap is required by state law), and a dental exam prior to entering school. For missing immunizations, state law allows us to accept only valid medical exemption forms, signed by a physician or notarized religious exemption forms. A signed waiver form from parents/guardian refusing to provide physical exam documentation is also required. All forms are available from the District’s ABC Welcome Center on the westside66.net website under the Departments tab > Student Services > Health Forms section.
Physicians may print out results of the physical exam and immunizations on their forms (must have a MD signature) or you may print off a form on the Westside Middle School Website under Health Forms, a visit summary is not a physical form. Exams must be completed anytime after March 1, 2021, and before school starts in the Fall. Students planning to participate in sports must have a physical dated after May 1, 2021.
If your child has a chronic condition such as asthma, allergy, diabetes, or epilepsy, a health action plan is required. All action plans must be completed and signed by a doctor and may be found on the westside66.net website under the Departments Tab > Student Services> Health Forms section or can be picked up from the WMS main office. I will be checking my email periodically during the summer. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me or contact the main office at WMS for general information.
Prescription medications required to be given at school must be brought in the original labeled prescription bottle with a medication authorization form signed by a physician AND a parent/ guardian. All over-the-counter medication (including cough drops) must be brought in the original, unexpired, container accompanied by a parent/ guardian-signed medication authorization form.
Counseling Department
Each student is assigned to a counselor to help them with scheduling classes, problem solving, and peer conflicts. If you have any concerns,you may contact your student's counselor at any time, they will be happy to help. Below is list of counselors and to which students they are assigned to.
Last Name starting with A-G = Sarah Lieske
Last Name starting with H-O = Doug Hauserman
Last Name starting with P-Z = Mike McCann
If you have any questions about your student's schedule or classes, please contact their counselor!
After School Library Program
Westside Middle School offers after school library hours. This opportunity allows students to have a quiet work space to complete homework with adult supervision.
After School Library will begin on Monday, August 23rd and run throughout the school year.
After School Library hours are as follows (please note that Wednesday Library hours are only until 4:00) :
Monday - 3:15-5:00
Tuesday - 3:15-5:00
Wednesday 2:44-4:00**
Thursday 3:15-5:00
Friday 3:15-5:00
The library will be closed on the following school days so please arrange a different plan for your student:
Parent/Teacher Conferences - October 13
November 22 and November 23
December 20 and December 21
Parent/Teacher Conferences - March 9
Friday, May 13
Last day of After School Library: Friday, May 20
**After School Library will not be offered during the last week of the school year.**
In order to supervise and track student attendance accurately, we are requiring parents/guardians to fill out the registration found at this link. Each student needs to be signed up in advance.
If you have questions, please contact Corrie Philo. We look forward to another great school year!
Corrie Philo
Dean of Students
402-408-8670
TAGG
Westside Middle School participates in TAGG. TAGG has a growing list of participating businesses who will donate a portion of what you spend there to our school. WMS uses these funds to help support our school PBIS store and extra supplies teachers need throughout the year.
This is a fast and easy way to help our building without fundraising. Watch this video to see how it works. https://youtu.be/WS2u4s1J63c
Below is a list of business that participate in TAGG. Remember to select Westside Middle School!!
Information on Athletics
With the beginning of each school year, numerous questions arise concerning athletic programs at WMS. I hope that the information that is attached below is useful in answering some of these questions.
Athletic Program Information
The attached welcome has a list of our athletic programs, general length of each season, and coaching contacts. Coaches will conduct tryouts to determine team placement for football, volleyball and basketball. We want our students to try new things and participate in athletics! All coaches listed can be contacted at 390-6464 or through district email.
Athletic Physical Examinations, Parental Consent Form, and Athletic Participation Fee
Each student athlete must have a Physical Examination and Parental Consent form completed and signed by all necessary individuals prior to the beginning of athletic practice. For 7th grade students, the physical examination requirement has likely been met as part of the WMS enrollment process. 8th graders, however, will need to have a current Athletic Physical Exam on file with the Athletic Director dated after May 1, 2021.
A Parental Consent Form is attached below and can be printed, signed, and returned at student orientation. Students not completing the consent form at orientation, will need to have this form completed prior to the 1st practice of the season.
Free and Reduced Forms
If you are interested in filling out the paper work for Free and Reduced Lunch, please go to the District Website (westside66.org), click on meals, scroll down until you see My School Apps Logo. Under the logo click on Free and Reduced application and begin entering your information.
If you have questions you may contact Michele Divoky at 402-390-3382 or email her at divoky.michele@westside66.net.
Parent AHERA Notifications for 2021-2022 School Year
Annual AHERA Notice
The Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act of 1986 (AHERA) requires each public school district to annually notify parents, staff, and employee groups of its asbestos management plans. A management plan is in place for Westside Middle School and is available for review either at the school building or at the Westside Service Center, 9437 J St. Omaha, NE.
This school building was originally inspected in the1980’s and re-inspected by a certified inspector every three years thereafter. The three-year re-inspection and a ceiling tile inspection was conducted in 2019, and periodic surveillance will be conducted as required. No abatement activities are currently in progress or scheduled for the 2021-2022 school year at this building.
The Designated Person responsible for managing the District’s AHERA compliance and the contact person for questions or to review a management plan is the Director of Facilities, Russ Olsen (402) 390-8331.
