Westside Middle School
July 15, 2019
Welcome to WMS
I hope everyone is enjoying the summer break. It’s hard to believe, but it will not be long before your student will be getting ready to return to school. I would like to extend a sincere welcome to any new students to WMS and to our new incoming 7th grade students and families. On behalf of the staff, we are glad you’re joining the WMS family.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions. The administration team is happy to help answer any questions.
Kim Eymann - Principal
eymann.kimberly@westside66.net
402-390-8211
Brian Stevens - Assistant Principal
402-390-6494
Jenni Allen - Assistant Principal & Special Services Department Chair
402-408-8589
Dan Carlson - Dean & Athletic Director
402-390-8669
Corrie Philo - Dean
402-390-8670
Important Dates
Monday, July 29th - 8th Grade Orientation 1:00-7:00 pm
Thursday, August 1st - 7th Grade Orientation 1:00-7:00 pm
Wednesday, August 14th - First Day of School 7th Grade ONLY from 8:00-12:00
Thursday, August 15th - All WMS Students attend from 8:00-3:15
Thursday, August 22nd - 7th Grade Curriculum Night 6:00 pm
Tuesday, August 27th - 8th Grade Curriculum Night 6:00 pm
Incoming 7th and 8th Grade Orientation
- Pick up their schedules and find their classrooms
- Get their lockers
- Turn in an health/physical forms
- Find out about WMS Sports
- Put $$ into their lunch account and get their finger scanned (7th Grade Only)
- Sign up for in district buses
- Get their Picture Taken (please download the picture form below before coming)
First Day of School
The first day of school will be exclusively reserved for 7th grade students only. Seventh graders will spend the morning of August 14th , from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. School buses will run their normal times for the morning run; however, only the 7th grade students will be on those buses. Lunch will be served for 7th grade. The buses will return the 7th grade students home between 12:15 - 12:30 pm
Eighth graders will not be attending school on August 14th. Rather, 8th grade students first day of school will be Thursday, August 15th.
Thursday, August 15th, all students will have a full day from 8:00-3:15.
Physicals & Immunizations
All incoming 7th graders are required to have a physical on file in the health office before starting school in August. Please turn in your school physical forms and updated immunization documentation. The Tdap (pertussis booster) or valid religious or medical waiver is required before beginning 7th grade. All incoming 8th graders participating in sports will need a sports physical dated after May 1, 2019.
Melissa Smith, RN, BSN, BS
Westside Connection Show Choir Auditions
Auditions for the award winning Westside Connection show choir will be held on Saturday, August 24th in the WMS vocal music room. Any WMS student enrolled in Music 7 (semester one or semester two) and/or Chorus 8/Band/Strings Chorus is eligible to audition. Any student not enrolled in a music course will need to make schedule changes prior to auditions. Interested students should attend the learning clinics each day (Monday, Aug. 19-Friday, Aug. 23) at 7:00 AM in the vocal music room. During clinics, students will learn and practice the audition material as well as be given opportunities for feedback and instruction. Watch for more details coming in the August Update. Formal auditions will be held on Saturday, August 24th between 8:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. Students will not be needed all day but will sign up for a time session.
Contact Mr. Djernes with any questions you may have at djernes.nicholas@westside66.net
Good luck!
Computers at WMS
Parents please visit https://area66.westside66.org/techforms/ for instructions about filling out the computer forms. Students who do not have this paper work completed by August 1st, may have a delay in getting their computer when school starts.
Curriculum Nights
WMS is offering two curriculum nights for 7th and 8th grade parents. The 7th grade curriculum night is Thursday, August 22nd and the 8th grade curriculum night is Tuesday, August 27th . The Principal’s presentation will begin in the Performing Arts Center at 6:00 p.m. At approximately 6:30 p.m. parents will have the opportunity to move throughout the building, listen to team presentations, and using the remaining time to visit with teachers and view classrooms.
News from the Athletic Director
WMS Athletics Information
Greetings! I hope you are having an enjoyable and relaxing summer. With the beginning of each school year, numerous questions arise concerning athletic programs at WMS. I hope that the following information is useful in answering some of these questions.
Athletic Program Information
The following chart lists our athletic programs, general length of each season, and coaching contacts. Coaches will conduct try-outs to determine team placement for football, volleyball and basketball. We want our students to try new things and participate in athletics! All coaches listed below 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, 2019.
To assist in meeting this requirement, we are offering athletic physical examinations at Westside Middle School on Tuesday, August 6th from 6-8 p.m. No appointment is necessary. The charge is $30 and we will be prepared to handle large quantities of students.
Coaches will distribute Parental Consent forms and schedules in the weeks prior to the beginning of each sport’s season. Please read, sign, and have the student promptly return the forms.
All students who participate in interscholastic sports at Westside Middle School must pay an athletic participation fee. The cost of this fee is $25.00 and will cover all sports for the entire school year. Students who qualify for free and reduced lunch will be provided a waiver application to complete, these waiver forms are available at school. Athletes participating in a fall sport will need to pay this fee by September 1, 2019. Athletes playing a winter or spring sport as their first sport at WMS will need to pay this fee prior to the start of the season.
If you have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to call me at 408-8669. We are looking forward to a successful year!
Dan Carlson, Athletic Director
Communication from WMS Community Club
Dana Zeiss, WMS Community Club President
Hello Westside Middle School Families! I hope you are having a wonderful summer. It’s hard to believe it is already time to start thinking about the upcoming 2019/2020 school year. I’d like to invite you to participate in our Westside Middle School Community Club! We are looking for parents to assist with our sponsored events, and also serve on our various committees.
The WMS Community Club is a volunteer group of parents who work closely with the administration, staff, and other members of the WMS community. Our mission is to support the students and staff throughout the school year. The Community Club is also a great way to meet other middle school parents, and keep current with what is happening at WMS.
Our sponsored events include providing meals to the staff during Parent-Teacher Conferences, organizing Staff Appreciation Week, helping with student athletic and academic recognition events, and selling WMS logo wear! The Community Club will have tables set up at the upcoming orientation days so be sure to look for us. Eight grade orientation will be held on July 29th from 1p-7p, and seventh grade orientation will be on August 1st from 1p-7p. We will have sign ups available to volunteer for any or all of the above events, and be selling our logo wear.
Parent involvement is what keeps our Community Club strong! Please consider assisting with your time, talents and treasures. The volunteer and donation forms are attached below. Forms may be emailed to myself at dana.zeiss@alegent.org or returned to WMS.
Enjoy the rest of your summer. We look forward to seeing everyone soon! If you have any questions, or need any additional information, please feel free to email me.
Dana Zeiss
School Suppies
For the upcoming school year, we are once again asking families to consider donating school supplies. By donating school supplies, the district will save approximately $25,000 annually. Below you will find a list of school supplies needed for our building however, once school starts teachers may request specific materials for their class. As you are purchasing supplies, please consider purchasing a few additional items for those families who are unable to provide these supplies for their children. We will have a collection box available in the guidance office for this purpose. We will continue to provide supplies for all children who do not wish to voluntarily contribute.
Generic School Supplies:
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Binder with zipper
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Notebooks and Folders - 1 for each class
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Loose-leaf notebook paper
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Drawing Sketch pad if taking an Art class
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Pens
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Pencils
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Highlighters
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Headphones
Westside Middle School
Website: http://wms.westside66.org
Location: 8601 Arbor Street, Omaha, NE, USA
Phone: 402-390-6464
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WMS66/