News & Notes
October 2019
SIMPLY WELL - SNACK ATTACK CHALLENGE
Sign-up for Snack Attack
Date Range: Oct 1, 2019 - Oct 28, 2019
Here’s how it works: Visit connect.simplywell.com
- Award yourself one point for each day you eat at least one healthy snack from the following food groups:
- Whole grains (Examples: whole-grain bread, brown rice, high-fiber cereal, etc.)
- Protein (Examples: eggs, peanut butter, low-fat meats, low-fat milk, low-fat cheese, cottage cheese, yogurt, etc.)
- Fruits and vegetables (Example: 100% fruit juice, whole fruits and vegetables, low-sugar canned fruits, low-sodium canned vegetables, frozen fruits and vegetables, etc.)
- The goal is to reach 30 points by the end of the challenge (daily max points: 1 per day). So eat up and have fun!
Remember if you receive FREE family health insurance you will need to earn 100 points before December 31, 2019.
CONGRATULATIONS to the Sunset Hills Special Education team, winners of the September Westside Royalty Cup! This amazing team received SIX nominations for their kindness, hard work, and impact on Sunset Hills families and coworkers. ALL staff at Sunset Hills win a pizza party thanks to the Westside Foundation!
SUNSET HILLS ELEMENTARY holds the Royalty Cup this month!!! Who will win next??
BOARD MEETING SUMMARY
Want updates on Board of Education meetings? CLICK BELOW for a summary of what was on the agenda October 7. The next Board of Education meeting will take place Monday, October 21 at 6:30 at the ABC Administration Building.
PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES GUIDELINES
Conference Dates: October 14-16, 2019
- Elementary conferences will be Monday and Wednesday evenings.
- Middle School conferences will be Tuesday and Wednesday evenings.
- High school conferences will be Monday and Tuesday evenings.
Guidelines for Elementary Conferences:
- ALL teachers and specialists must be available for conferences from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM on the two days designated for elementary conferences.
- Elementary conferences should be scheduled for a 20-minute block of time.
- Conferences should be scheduled between the hours of 4 PM to 8 PM on the two days designated for elementary conferences, unless parents request otherwise. If a parent cannot meet during these hours, teachers will accommodate the parent’s need by conferencing at another day/time within their contracted hours.
Our primary goal is to accommodate parents as needed. Please be positive and communicate your willingness to be flexible to any parent who requests a different time.
- If a parent needs to meet at a time outside of a teacher’s contracted hours, the teacher will work with the building principal to schedule an appropriate time; the teacher will be paid for this time.
- Elementary staff should schedule break/dinner/lunch time on both days. Teachers should attend their own children’s conferences at WMS/WHS on the day designated for secondary conferences. Teachers should attend their own children’s elementary conferences at a time outside the hours of 4 PM to 8 PM on the two designated days. Teachers can schedule their conference time either the week before or after conferences; they may leave at 3:30 PM on the day that their conference is scheduled.
- Specialists who teach in two buildings should spend four hours in each building. (For part-time specialists/teachers, extra duty pay will be approved to accomplish this, if needed.)
- Any staff member that misses conferences for any reason (illness, bereavement, coaching obligations, etc.) is responsible for communicating with parents and making up those conferences.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
NEW: SUB FOR A SUB!
GET TO KNOW AN ADMIN!
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL AT WESTSIDE HIGH SCHOOL
HOMETOWN: Exira, Iowa... 31 in my graduating class!
EDUCATION: Waldorf College AA, Dana College BA, Doane College MEd
DESCRIBE YOUR JOB AT WESTSIDE: Currently Assistant Principal at WHS. Previous Dean at WHS and before that, Language Arts Teacher at WMS. In my current job I get to help students and families to be successful at WHS. I also have the lead on testing within WHS involving testing and accommodations, and making data available to students, parents and teachers to inform instruction.
CAREER HIGHLIGHT: Gosh, there are so many! Getting hired as a teacher, then as a Dean, then as Assistant Principal. The best part is helping students and families through challenges and seeing their successes, having students pop into my office with huge smiles and stories of their 'wins', and getting to be around amazing students every day!
INTERESTING FACT: I student-taught at Westside and I wish I could go back in time to tell the 'student-teaching me', "I know you love this district. I promise you will get to come back, and you won't believe the journey!"
FAVORITE BOOK and/or MOVIE: Legally Blonde or My Big Fat Greek Wedding
BEST MOMENT AT WESTSIDE: Watching my own children learn and grow and graduate from WHS, as well as my 13 nieces and nephews :)
SEND VIRTUAL CONFETTI!
Want to let a coworker know they are appreciated? Send them confetti kindness! Use the link below to spread the word: Kindness... It's Personal. #WeAreWestside
WESTSIDE SPEAKER FACES BRAIN SURGERY
CONDOLENCES
Our thoughts are also with Chris Turner as his mother, Nancy Turner, died September 25. Chris is a 6th grade teacher at Hillside. Services took place in New York. Click here for a link to Nancy's obituary.
Our condolences are with Charity Andrews as her husband, Doug Andrews, died October 10. Charity has taught at Westgate, Paddock Road, and Loveland. A visitation will take place Monday October 14 from 6pm-8pm at Forest Lawn Funeral Home, and a Celebration of Life service will take place Tuesday October 15 at 10am, also at Forest Lawn. Click here for a link to Doug's obituary.
Thank you for keeping these coworkers and and their loved ones in your thoughts.