Back To School!
Westside Community Schools, 2019-2020
From The Superintendent
Hello, Warrior Nation! My name is Mike Lucas and I am truly honored to be the Superintendent of Westside Community Schools. Since my tenure began here back in June, I have seen firsthand the dedicated staff we employ, the amazing support from our families and community, and the tremendous amount of pride and passion many have for District 66. Now, it is time to get our awesome students back into school so we can have an amazing school year.
Westside is known for innovation, community, and excellence and we will keep pushing for - and expecting - MORE. We will celebrate what makes each of our schools individual, but unite as one powerhouse, groundbreaking district. We are innovation. We are community. We are excellence. #WeAreWestside.
Please feel free to reach out to us with what's important to you as part of this community. I encourage you to follow me on social media (@Lucas4Westside on Twitter or Mike Lucas for Westside on Facebook) as I visit students and events throughout our district, and share details about the issues impacting you and your family. How can we best serve our learners? How can we best serve you? How can WE serve WEstside?
I can't wait to begin this incredible year. Go Warriors!
Show your Westside Pride!
CONGRATULATIONS!
Heuertz & Foster Named Schrager Distinguished Teachers
Tyler Foster, Engineering and Technology Teacher at Westside High School, has served Westside students for 11 years, developing into an elite classroom teacher, team leader, colleague and overall educator. He has developed and implemented several new courses at Westside High School, including introductory curriculum exposing students to all major areas of engineering, design and essential board drafting. His creativity has fueled his commitment to excellence outside the classroom as well, as he actively engages his students in real-world scenarios. Tyler was a crucial contributor to Champions Plaza at Westside High School, the Student Mentoring Program at Westside High School, and the Westside Engineering Lab expansion opening this fall. Westside High School’s Engineering & Technology Department has been honored with the High School Excellence Program Award from the Nebraska Association of Skilled and Technical Sciences Educators, and our program continues to draw community and corporate support and sponsorship through his leadership.
Winter Heuertz, 4th grade Teacher at Westbrook Elementary School, is also a leader and collaborator constantly pushing herself and fellow educators to improve. The results of Winter's focus on personalized learning are clear through research and data; Winter’s students consistently score the highest in the school at the end of the term, and show the most growth. Winter is now teaching that same model to all other Westbrook staff members, leading Westbrook’s Reading Design Team, coaching teachers in classroom management, and helping her colleagues develop a new system for teaching communication in mathematics through math talks. This is all in addition to Winter’s work with several professional learning organizations in Nebraska, private efforts as a small business owner, and her contributions as a community servant with efforts extending to Ethiopia, Guatemala, India and Nepal.
Congratulations to these incredible teachers who, through exemplary teaching and devoted service, have positively influenced the lives of countless young people.
Rockbrook Principal Named 2019 Administrator of the Year
Garret Higginbotham, Principal of Rockbrook Elementary, has been honored with the 2018-2019 Dr. Jim Tangdall Beacon Award for Administrator of the Year at Westside Community Schools. Mr. Higginbotham receives $2,500 thanks to Dr. Jim Tangdall’s family, longtime supporters of District 66. CLICK HERE to learn more!
Mr. Higginbotham was nominated by multiple colleagues, parents, and staff members for his leadership, dedication, and talents in building relationships throughout his school and the community. The award is named for Dr. Jim Tangdall, who served Westside for nearly four decades as a math teacher, basketball coach, principal and superintendent.
“As a parent, I want a principal who truly cares about my children and is a proven leader and advocate for their school and students,” said a nominator. “As an administrator, I want a principal who is constantly promoting their building and Westside in positive ways. Garret Higginbotham is all of this. He is a collaborative educator, a team-player always willing to do more, a leader in technology and story-telling, and a man who goes above and beyond to ensure children and staff members grow in his school and love every moment.”
Congratulations, Mr. Higginbotham!
2019-2020 Snack List Now Available!
Completed Your Technology Forms?
With the first day of school just around the corner, please take a moment to complete the required technology-related forms for your student(s) as soon as possible. This year the forms are in MySchoolBucks which can be accessed through your parent PowerSchool account. CLICK HERE for more detailed information.
If you are having trouble completing these online forms and need help, the Westside Technology Team will be available inside the front of Westside High School (8701 Pacific) on Tuesday, August 6th, from 5PM-7PM. If you have already completed this important process, there is no need to do it again. Thank you for your help!
Student Calendars Available
Lunch Menus, Accounts & Free/Reduced Meal Applications All Online
Sports Physicals: July 31 & August 7
Each student-athlete must have an Athletic Physical Exam and his or her Athletic Participation Form completed and signed by all necessary individuals prior to the beginning of athletic practices. All sports physicals must be completed after May 1, for the coming school year. PLEASE NOTE: The Athletic Participation forms include the athletic physical form and three consent forms – the Athletic Participation Form, Parent/Guardian Consent Form, Activities/Clubs/Athletic Code of Conduct card and Student/Parent Concussion Acknowledgement Form. All forms must be completed in their entirety, and all required signatures must be included prior to a student being allowed to participate. This is a Nebraska School Activities Association (NSAA) requirement as well as a Westside High School regulation. All forms are kept on file at Westside High School.
Sneak-A-Peeks: August 12
Mark your calendars! All Westside elementary schools will open to students and families on Monday August 12 to allow our learners to meet their teachers and principals, and see where they will learn this school year! Please refer to your building newsletter for more details.
HILLSIDE: 6:00pm, Sneak-A-Peek Night
LOVELAND: 6:00pm, Sneak-A-Peek
OAKDALE: 5:30pm, Sneak-A-PeekPADDOCK ROAD: 5:30pm, Meet & Greet
PRAIRIE LANE: 5:30pm, Sneak-A-Peek & Open House
ROCKBROOK: 6:00pm, Sneak-A-Peek, Safe Walk To School & Open House
SUNSET HILLS: 6:00pm, Sneak-A-Peek & Back To School Picnic
SWANSON: 6:00pm, Meet Your Teacher & Curriculum Night
WESTBROOK: 6:30pm, Back To School Night
WESTGATE: 6:00pm, Back To School BBQ & Sneak-A-Peek
Recycling Updates
Earlier this summer, Westside Community Schools was notified by our contract waste provider, Premier Waste Solutions, that they would no longer accept “single-stream” recycling from commercial businesses as of July 1; only cardboard would be accepted. Our Facilities team immediately began researching other providers to determine how we could responsibly continue recycling in our schools and district buildings. Costs have consistently skyrocketed for recycling services across the nation, and most options were simply not financially feasible. However, thanks to the diligence of the Westside Facilities team, we have found an option that is both cost efficient for our district, and will allow us to continue some recycling efforts in our buildings this year.
For the 2019-2020 school year, students and staff will only be able to recycle cardboard and paper in our schools. This allows us to continue to recycle in some capacity, at a responsible cost to our district. We will also continue to encourage and support other conservation efforts, including compositing, community gardens, and general education with our learners.
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