Westside Middle School

2022-23 WMS Administration:

Kim Eymann - Principal eymann.kimberly@westside66.net

Jordan Rhodes - Assistant Principal (Dean 7C, 8A). rhodes.jordan@westside66.net

Jenni Allen - Assistant Principal and Special Services Department Chair. allen.jenni@westside66.net

Dan Carlson - Dean and Athletic Director (Dean 7A, 7B, 8C). carlson.daniel@westside66.net

Kellon Johnson - Dean (7D, 8B, 8D). johnson.kellon@westside66.net

Community Club Meeting: Thursday, February 9th

No School: Friday, February 10th

No School: Monday, February 20th

Exciting things are happening here at Westside Middle School next year. Our goal is to continue to find ways to ensure our students are engaged, challenged, and achieving academically so they are prepared for high school. One change for next year is the structure of our 8th grade language arts class. We will be moving to a double block format, just like our 7th grade language arts class. This school year, some of our 7th and 8th grade teachers, as well as teachers in elementary schools across the district, piloted a rigorous, knowledge-building curriculum that we will be implementing next year. The increase in language arts class time for 8th grade allows our 8th grade students the opportunity to fully participate in the rich learning experiences that are a part of the curriculum. I wanted to share this information with you prior to your student going through the registration process since course selections will look different than they have in the past. Students who want to take two year-long electives, such as music and a world language, will still have the opportunity to do so. Please reach out to any administrator or counselor if you have any questions.

Community Club meeting on Thursday, February 9th at 6:00pm in the library at WMS. Check out the community club website (wms-cc.org) to see how you can help!

The mission of the Community Club is to provide support to the Teachers, Staff, and Students of Westside Middle School and our new website will be the primary conduit through which we will convey our programs, events and fundraising efforts. Our new site has many features including an online directory so that you can connect to other WMS students and families and a mobile app so you can connect on-the-go.

February 6 - 10 is National School Counselors Week. This week is designed to focus public attention on the unique contribution of school counselors within U.S. school systems and how students are different as a result of what school counselors do. National School Counseling Week highlights the tremendous impact school counselors can have in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career. School counselors are certified, experienced educators with a master’s degree in school counseling. The combination of their training and experience makes them an integral part of the total educational program. The counseling department at the middle school would like to take this opportunity to thank all the parents and caregivers of our students for supporting the work we do and the students we all serve.

Drop off and pick up can be a little crazy here at WMS. Please make sure you are following all traffic laws!! Below is a map to show traffic flow.

• No cars will be allowed to enter the circle drive to drop off or pick up, unless this has been pre-arranged with your student's IEP case manager.
• You may drop off your student on Arbor Street. Arbor street is one way from the parking lot entrance going east to 85th Street.
• There will be no parking in the bus lane on Arbor Street.
• When you drop off in the parking lot please make sure you are following the arrows as the aisles are one way!
• If you come up the drive from Center Street, please pull forward as far as you can before having your student get out. It is important that you do not stop right in front of the PAC entrance because it backs the drive up.
• Remember Alpine Drive (curvy road from Center Street by football field) is 2 way traffic!!
• Please Drive SLOW in and around the school.

Help us raise money for our PBIS Warrior Buck Store by eating at Don & Millies Monday Night!

We will start using SchoolStatus as a platform to communicate with families. Please be aware the first time you get a call/text/email, it will say it's from SchoolStatus. Also please check your SPAM folder for emails from SchoolStatus

OneWorld Medical Mobile will be stationed at Westside Middle School on February 22nd. The Clinic provides preventive care screenings, well child checks, school/sports physicals, immunizations (including flu or Pfizer Covid-19 vaccines), asthma action plans, diabetes, sick visits for earaches, pink eye, UTI's, etc, behavioral health and emotional support services.The mobile clinic features two exam rooms and a room for counseling.

During appointments, parents may join in person or over the phone. Appointments can be billed though insurance or Medicaid, and if the child or teen lives in a family with low-income and is not covered by insurance, OneWorld will slide the fee to $0, and help the family apply for Medicaid and the Market Place Insurance.

Parents or guardians may call 402-880-4870 to schedule an appointment.

None of us want to lose our 7th and 8th grade memories to the past. To save these precious memories, buy your yearbook now! A yearbook is only $25. Tap the link to remember this year forever! https://shop.yearbookmarket.com/westsidemiddleschool/products/4861

Westside Middle School's Future Educator Club is for aspiring educators to connect and learn about careers in education. Students will meet on the last Friday of each month during Warrior Time. They will learn and discuss the steps to developing a lesson plan, work on various projects, and learn about course offerings and extra-curricular opportunities within the education pathway that are offered at Westside High School. Please reach out to Mrs. Rohwer at rohwer.meredith@westside66.net to sign up.

Newsletter: https://www.smore.com/q67ht

Polar Plunge: #BeBoldGetCold because it's time to register for the Polar Plunge. Polar Plunge is a fundraising event organized by Special Olympics which supports WeSide Unified Activities in Westside.

Attached you will find information on how to register as a plunger and information you can share on how to donate to support Westside’s Unified Activities. The WeSide newsletter will also be updated with links to register to plunge and/or donate. All plungers must register and sign a waiver to plunge and are asked to have a minimum goal of $50 for donations. The $50 is a goal but not required in order to plunge.

General Event Info:

Date: February 11, 2023

Time: Check-in: 9:30am, Plunge: 11am

Location: Lake Zorinsky

156th and F St, Omaha, NE 68137

Post-Plunge Party: Brewsky's Food & Spirits

15350 Weir St

Polar Plunge Instructions 2023

This week students will be competing a Black History Month Activity!

Another way our students use their Warrior Bucks is in drawings for $5 gift cards. Popular places include: Any coffee place, Smoothie King, any fast food restaurant.

We are reaching out to parents who may be able and willing to donate to our store either with goods or gift cards. You may bring your donations to main office labeled PBIS.

Thank you in advance for any help with these items!!

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 2022-2023 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.

W-CLUB: JOIN TODAY

Make a gift that is meaningful to you to show you are proud to be part of Westside Community Schools. Funds raised through the W-CLUB get redistributed back into all Westside Community Schools. Every teacher has the opportunity to apply for W-Club grants annually. Westside Middle School has received funding for robots, traveling exhibit for German Class, and cameras for our journalism club in the past.

Donating to Westside Middle School

To make a tax-deductible donation please donate through the Westside Foundation. You can specifically note that funds should be designated to Westside Middle School community club, fun run, etc. Your gift is not tax deductible if it comes directly to our school. If you have questions, please contact Westside Foundation at foundation@westside66.net.