Westbrook News & Updates
March 2019
Westbrook Elementary
Email: muck.catherine@westside66.net
Website: http://westbrook.westside66.org/
Location: 1312 Robertson Drive, Omaha, NE, USA
Phone: 402-390-6490
Be the friend that cares...
Ninjas are awesome... be a kindness ninja!
You are all of these...Right here at Westbrook
From the Desk of Mr. Hottovy...
Westbrook Families,
I want to take a few moments to tell you about an important upcoming event here at Westbrook. Each year, our 3-6th graders take the Nebraska State Exam in English-Language Arts and Mathematics. Additionally, our fifth graders will take the state Science Exam. These tests are called the Nebraska Student Centered Assessment System, and you may hear is called the NSCAS and we will take them in April. At the beginning of next school year, you will receive the results of these exams. The results will indicate if your child is “developing” the skills necessary in these areas, “on-track” to meet our Nebraska Career and College Ready Standards, or that they have already met the “CCR Benchmark”.
At Westbrook, we take a lot of pride in educating the whole child and understanding that there is more to a child’s education than an assessment score. However, we also know that these scores are often how we are judged by the public and the state. For this reason, we really want to make sure that every student has an opportunity to perform at their best. Please watch carefully for communication from your child’s teacher so that you know the dates of testing for your child. You can also help them do their best by following these guidelines:
Please make sure that your child gets a good night’s sleep the night before their exams. Elementary school aged children should be getting at least 10 to 11 hours of sleep a night.
Ensure that your child either eats a good breakfast at home, or eats breakfast at school the morning of their tests. It is difficult to concentrate when you have an empty stomach.
Talk with your child about the importance of trying their hardest. It should take the average student about 90 minutes over two days to complete each exam (60 minutes for science). Last year, we had a large number of students finish in 30 minutes or less. Take some time to talk with your student about giving their best effort and follow up with them after they have taken each session as well.
Make sure that your child attends school on the days of their exam. We obviously want you to keep them home if they are ill, but you can help us stress the importance of these exams by making sure that your child is not missing school over trivial matters.
If your student is not old enough to take the exam, please take a few moments to talk with them about how they can encourage the older students in our school and about how they can take responsibility to make sure that the hallways are quiet for all of our students testing.
We are looking forward to seeing all of our students give their best effort in April on the NSCAS exams. If you have any questions about the exams, or you want to know more about how the results are used to guide our instruction, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Thank you again for your help in ensuring that your child does their best!
Tyler R. Hottovy, Westbrook Principal
From the Desk of Mrs. Poell...
March brings Westbrook’s second round of parent-teacher conferences. Parent-teacher conferences provide the opportunity for teachers to share more in depth information about what students are learning and how they are performing in the classroom. They give teachers and parents an opportunity to discuss each student’s strengths and areas to improve. Conferences also provide the time for families and teachers to work together to help students have a successful rest of the year. Below are some tips to help have a successful conference with your child(ren)’s teacher.
Before the Conference:
Think about any questions or concerns you might have. Write them down and bring them to the meeting. Possible questions may include
Is my child turning in work on time?
How does my child do with attending in class?
How does my child do with the safe, respectful, and responsible expectations at school?
Does my child seem happy in class?
Is there anything I can or should be doing at home to help?
Include your kiddo! Ask your child how school is going and what questions or topics they want discussed at conferences.
During the Conference:
Arrive to conferences with an open mind.
If you hear some negative information, try to remain calm and remember that you are part of the educational team. We can work together to solve problems and make improvements!
Ask for clarifications on information you do not understand and don’t forget to ask your questions.
After the Conference:
Share with your child what was discussed. Make sure to give positive feedback from the teacher, but also bring up ideas for how to improve.
Follow through with any action steps that were discussed in conferences.
If you think of additional questions, do not wait until another conference. Your child’s teacher is always available to answer questions or problem-solve.
Thank you for taking the time to attend conferences! This shows your children that school is important and that we will work together as a school/home team to help each child be successful!
From the Main Office...
March Madness is upon us! Not just in the basketball world but also in our school realm. We have a lot to do in the last few months of school and we are on the home stretch! There are so many events and activities that are coming up please be sure to watch your newsletter and your child's backpack for important dates and activities here at Westbrook. We appreciate all of your help and participation. This engagement from parents is what helps us thrive here at school. Both our students and our staff love to see parents participating in our day to day activities.
Last week was our Winter Blues week. It is a week that staff get to celebrate each other and we had some great treats and fun days. We all want to take a moment to send a HUGE shout out to LIGHTHOUSE PIZZA for providing our staff lunch last friday. It was amazing pizza and we all enjoyed lunch together! Thank you all again for your support of Westside Schools.
This week has been our Read Across America week and we have had so many guests that have come to read with our classes and the students have enjoyed seeing new faces participating in classroom discussions and reading to them or with them. Thank you to all of you! Even our Superintendent Dr McCann came in to read to several of our classes.
Spring break falls this month and so do conferences(see below for dates and times).
As always if you ever have any questions please feel free to call us here in the office and we will try to answer any questions you may have.
Mrs. Muck
Administrative Assistant
Mentor A Wildcat...
Consider being a TeamMates Mentor
January was Mentor Recognition month with TeamMates of Nebraska. The positive impact of TeamMates Mentoring on a student/mentees’ levels of hope, engagement in school, and well-beinghas been well researched.
In a recent school year,
§ 75% of TeamMates mentees had fewer unexcused absences
§ 84% of TeamMates mentees experienced fewer disciplinary referrals
§ 55% of TeamMates mentees improved their academic performance
Please consider making a 1-hour a week commitment (meeting at school, only during school calendar) to make an incredible difference in a child’s life. TeamMates prefers mentors to be able to commit to the program for at least 3 years to make a lasting impression. If you are interested in learning more about TeamMates Mentoring, contact Mrs. Lowe (402-408-8519). The comments below from mentees reveal how mentoring touches a child’s life:
"Thank you so much for coming and seeing me each week. I'm so happy that you're my mentor. I love spending time with you. I will do anything to make you proud. I won't ever let you down.” - TeamMate Mentee
“"Thank you for being a teammate of mine. I enjoy spending my time every week to talk about how I am. You're like a pal to me.” - TeamMate Mentee
National Honor Society News ...PASTA FOR PENNIES and SPIRIT WEEK
Pasta For Pennies
Benefiting The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
The LLS is the world’s largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding
blood cancer research and providing education and patient services. Westbrook will be
joining other schools across Nebraska in raising money for the LLS. Westbrook students
received a box for collecting change for the next two weeks. The class that collects the
most money between March 4 th -March 15 th , will win a pasta party catered by Olive
Garden. So, do extra chores and ask friends and family to donate. If you fill your box,
bring it to school to dump it into your class box and try to fill it again. During the week of
March 11 th -March 15 th , the National Elementary Honor Society will also host a Spirit
Week to raise money for the LLS. More information about the Spirit Week will be
coming. Good luck!!
The Week of March 11 th -15 th :
Monday: Hat Day
Tuesday: Unhealthy Snack Day
Wednesday: Pajama/Slippers Day
Thursday: 80’s Day (Dress like the 80’s)
Friday: Movie/Disney Day (Dress like your favorite movie character)
Thank you,
NEHS
Family Game Night RESCHEDULED
Family game night has been rescheduled to March 29th. We hope you will join us from 6-7:30 in the Westbrook Elementary Gym. Please sign up at the link below. We will have hot dogs and chips and will be raffling some board games.
RSVP below by March 15th.
Library News...Battle of the Books Update.
Battle of the Books Update
The Battle of the Books is less than 2 months away! We are looking forward to seeing all of the teams on the morning of Saturday, March 30th at the Westside Middle School!
We have sent out a couple communications in the last few weeks. If you are a team parent and did not receive them, please be sure to check your spam folder and mark us as a "safe sender."
Wondering what the battle will be like? There is a lot of information on our website. We will be updating this information as the event gets closer. If you have a question that is not answered, please send us an email.
What is Happening in the Family Enrichment Center...
We have story time every Tuesday at 9:30am. Just come to the main entrance at Westbrook and we will buzz you in, get you a visitor pass and send you down to some amazing ladies that will entertain you and your child for story time!
We have parent play time every Thursday at 9:30am.
See the pics above of our new mirrored wall for modeling independent skills such as feeding, toileting, and social expressions.
Bring your preschoolers in to practice with us in room 119.
We welcome everyone so spread the word.
We can't wait to see you at Westbrook!
Band Buzz...
Congratulations to Westbrook students Ryleigh S. and Karen B. for representing our school on the District Strings Solo and Ensemble Concert Night. They all performed FANTASTICALLY! We are very proud of you!
STRIKE UP THE BAND BECAUSE BAND-O-RAMA IS COMING!!!!!!
Fifth and Sixth Grade Band students will present a district wide musical extravaganza on Thursday, March 28 at 7:00 pm! Please mark your calendars and help reward your child for their hard work by making this event a priority for your entire family. Students will attend a rehearsal during the school day and will need to report to Westside High School no later than 6:30. A detailed letter about the days events will be e-mailed to band parents, and a hard copy will be sent home with band students prior to the event. Questions about this event or anything else band related, feel free to connect with Mrs. CJ at carpenter.gail@westside66.net.
Bingo Night
Friday, Mar 1, 2019, 06:30 PM
Westbrook Elementary School, Robertson Drive, Omaha, NE, USA
Pasta For Pennies Drive( Send us all of your pennies)
Pasta For Pennies
Benefiting The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
The LLS is the world’s largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding
blood cancer research and providing education and patient services. Westbrook will be
joining other schools across Nebraska in raising money for the LLS. Westbrook students
received a box for collecting change for the next two weeks. The class that collects the
most money between March 4 th -March 15 th , will win a pasta party catered by Olive
Garden. So, do extra chores and ask friends and family to donate. If you fill your box,
bring it to school to dump it into your class box and try to fill it again. During the week of
March 11 th -March 15 th , the National Elementary Honor Society will also host a Spirit
Week to raise money for the LLS. More information about the Spirit Week will be
coming. Good luck!!
Monday, Mar 4, 2019, 09:00 AM
Westbrook Elementary School, Robertson Drive, Omaha, NE, USA
Community Club Meeting
Tuesday, Mar 5, 2019, 06:30 PM
Westbrook Elementary School, Robertson Drive, Omaha, NE, USA
4th Grade Field Trip
Wednesday, Mar 6, 2019, 09:00 AM
Omaha Symphony Association, Harney Street, Omaha, NE, USA
Parent/Teacher Conference night
Tuesday, Mar 12, 2019, 04:00 PM
Westbrook Elementary School, Robertson Drive, Omaha, NE, USA
Parent/Teacher Conference night
Thursday, Mar 7, 2019, 04:00 PM
Westbrook Elementary School, Robertson Drive, Omaha, NE, USA
Zio's Pizza Night
Tuesday, Mar 12, 2019, 05:00 PM
Zio's Pizzeria, Dodge Street, Omaha, NE, USA
1st 2nd Grade Music Program
Thursday, Mar 14, 2019, 02:30 PM
Westbrook Elementary School, Robertson Drive, Omaha, NE, USA
1st and 2nd grade Music Program
Thursday, Mar 14, 2019, 06:00 PM
Westbrook Elementary School, Robertson Drive, Omaha, NE, USA
Spring Pictures
Friday, Mar 15, 2019, 09:00 AM
Westbrook Elementary School, Robertson Drive, Omaha, NE, USA
Spring Break
Monday, Mar 18, 2019, 05:00 AM
USA
Spirit Week
The Week of March 25th -29th :
Monday: Hat Day
Tuesday: Unhealthy Snack Day
Wednesday: Pajama/Slippers Day
Thursday: 80’s Day (Dress like the 80’s)
Friday: Movie/Disney Day (Dress like your favorite movie character)