SUPERSTAR NEWS
Swanson Elementary School February 2020
Sixth Grade String Concert Date Change:
Sixth Grade String Parents - please note that the date of our Solo and Small Ensemble performance opportunity has been changed from Feb. 18 to Monday, March 16. The event will be held at Westside Middle School at 6:30. More information from your strings teachers will be emailed to you. Please let your strings teacher know if you have any questions!
Strike up the band because our BAND-O-RAMA EXTRAVAGANZA is quickly approaching! Band-o-rama will feature our district wide fifth grade, sixth grade, seventh grade band students as well as our award winning WHS Concert Jazz Band! Students will have a rehearsal during the school day for this event on March 26 and the concert will be the same day at 7:00 pm at Westside High School. Detailed information will be sent home about this concert as the date approaches. For now, please mark your calendars and make this evening a priority for your entire family. Please let your child's band teacher know if you have any questions!
Valentine Parties! February 14th at 2:40 p.m.
Class parties at Swanson are a fun time for our Superstars, but they can't happen without help from YOU! Please email Tia Carlson below to see how you can help. It's easy and fun, and you don't want to miss this chance to be a part of your child's Swanson memories.
Class parties are coordinated through our parent run organization - Swanson Community Club. Please direct any questions to Tia Carlson at 402-639-7562 or tmcurls@gmail.com
A Superstar Valentine's Day!
At the Valentine’s Day class parties, students will be invited to make individual Valentine care packages of the items we’ve collected for the young people served by YES. To fill the care packages, the Community Club is collecting the following items for Youth Emergency Services (YES)*. (Students can begin bringing in these items starting on Monday, February 3rd until Valentine’s Day):
-Individually wrapped snacks (granola bars, chips, crackers, etc.)
-Lip balm
-Single serve juice and water
*YES is the sole organization in the Omaha metro area focused exclusively on helping youth ages 12–21 who are experiencing homelessness or near-homelessness. YES offers a continuum of services for vulnerable youth: from meeting their immediate need for shelter, food and safety, teaching them essential life skills which empower them to become self-sufficient. YES is inclusive of all youth, ages 12–21, who access services regardless of race, culture, ethnicity, gender identity and expression and sexual orientation. For more information about YES, please click here.
Conference Forms Going Home Today!
Scholastic Book Fair March 6th - 11th
Friday, March 6th 3:30-5:30 pm
Monday, March 9th 3:30-8:00 pm
Tuesday, March 10th 3:30-5:30 pm
Wednesday, March 11th 3:30-8:00 pm
Swanson's Scholastic Book Fair will be held March 6th - 11th in the school library. Proceeds from the book fair go directly to the school to purchase classroom and library books. Please support Swanson by shopping online and in person.
Lots of volunteers are needed!
Please sign up below!
Kindergarten Enrollment for District Residents
Do you live in the District and have a child who will be ready for Kindergarten this fall? Do you know of other Westside residents with children who will be ready to start school in August?
Kindergarten enrollment for 2020-2021 begins February 15th, 2020. Parents of eligible students should go to westside66.org to begin the enrollment process as early as possible on or after February 15th. Students entering kindergarten for 2020-2021 must be five years old by July 31, 2020. Parents may opt to hold their children out of kindergarten for an additional year. However, Nebraska state law mandates that a child who reaches six years of age prior to January 1 of the then-current school year must be enrolled in school.
If you have questions, you may call the Westside Welcome Center at 402-390-2100.
Requirements for Early Admission to Kindergarten
In accordance with Nebraska Statute 79-214, the Westside Community Schools allows for admission of children residing in the District as early entrance kindergarteners through a locally designed testing program. Children of District residents who wish to be tested for early entrance must turn five between August 1 and October 15, 2020. For further information regarding early entrance to kindergarten, please call 402-390-3303.
Student In-District Transfer Requests for the 2020-2021 School Year
If you are a District resident who would like your K-6 child(ren) to attend an elementary school other than the school that serves your attendance area for next school year, you must submit a completed In-District Transfer (IDT) Request form to the Office of Student Services for review. The District gives priority to families living within the District prior to placing Option Enrollment applicants who reside outside the District. We must receive a Student In-District Transfer Request form no later than 4:00 p.m. on March 15, 2020, for your request to be considered prior to our placement of Option Enrollment students. IDT forms are available at the ABC Building and our District website. An IDT request form must be completed for any child starting kindergarten next year who has one or more siblings currently attending a school outside their home attendance area. Transfers are approved or denied based on available space and other resources. If you have questions about the in-district transfer process, please call the Welcome Center at 402-390-2100.
Kindergarten Enrollment for Non-District Residents
If you live outside the District and have a child eligible for kindergarten who has a sibling currently attending a Westside elementary school through the Option Enrollment program, you must submit an Option Enrollment Application. Westside’s Office of Student Services must receive Option Enrollment Applications no later than 4:00 p.m. on March 15, 2020. The application form is available at the ABC Building (909 S. 76th Street) and our district website. Under Option Enrollment statutes, first priority for admission is given to siblings who seek to attend in the District where an older sibling is already enrolled, provided an Option Enrollment form is submitted by March 15, 2020 and provided that there is space available in a requested building and grade level. In you have questions, you may call Julie Fumagalli at 402-390-2107.
Talent Show Try Outs!
Talent Show Auditions February 18!
Calling all singers, dancers, actors, musicians, comedians, magicians and all other talented superstars!
Mark your calendars to take the stage for the 2020 Swanson Talent Show, “Where are the Superstars?” on Friday, March 20 at 6 p.m. at the Westside Middle School auditorium.
Auditions will be held on Tuesday, February 18 starting at 3:45 p.m. at the Swanson Elementary gymnasium and the dress rehearsal will be Tuesday, March 17 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Westside Middle School auditorium.
Click here to download and print the audition form, which is due back to school by Friday, February 14.
We can’t wait to see all our Swanson Superstars shine this year!
Questions? Email Ashley Wegner at ashley.wegner@hotmail.com.
Kindergarten and 1st Grade Music Concert
6:30 pm
Westside Middle School
Too Sick for School!
Here are a few reminders for students and staff to stay healthy during these winter months.
Wash your hands: Children and adults with the flu can infect others before their symptoms even show up. Washing your hands regularly with soap and water helps prevent the spread of germs.
Cover your cough and sneeze: Cough or sneeze into your elbow or a tissue, this helps stop the spread of germs.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth: Doing so can spread germs from your hands.
Practice healthy habits: Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home, work or school, especially when someone is ill. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritious food. Having a healthy lifestyle is one of the best ways to fight illness.
If your child is feeling sick, here’s some information to help you decide whether they’re up for going to school:
Clothing Drive - Thank You!
Dear Swanson Elementary SGA, Students, Teachers, and Staff
Due to your recent SGA drive the racks at The Closet are full, and the bins of socks, underwear, and toiletries are fully restocked. What an accomplishment! A huge thank you to everyone who participated in January’s drive. You are a vital part of our mission to keep families in District 66 warm and dry throughout the year. Be proud!
As always, Closet volunteers are available to pull clothing for any family in need and deliver it to your school. Please reach out to your teacher or social worker if you or a friend are in need.
Sincerely,
Marci Crone and Veronica Martinez
Clothing Closet Chairs
Polar Plunge
“Polar Plunge is Coming” it’s time to #BeBoldGetCold to support Special Olympics Nebraska and Westside Unified. February 8th is the Omaha Polar Plunge, put on by Special Olympics Nebraska. Westside Unified will be represented with a team of “Polar Plungers” and funds raised and designated for the Westside Unified Team will be used to support the Unified Activities programs in Westside Community Schools such as our K-8 Unified Activities Program, WHS Unified Bowling, WHS Unified Track, WHS Sparkles, and much more. With your support, we hope to continue to expand these opportunities across our district and community.
You can show your support in several ways…
Join us to Plunge (we are requesting Polar Plungers be 16+yrs old, be sure to join the Westside Unified Team if signing up)
Join us to Cheer and Support - Join us at Lake Zorinsky on Feb 8th to cheer on the team!
Make a Donation - Click here to make a donation to the Westside Unified Team
Student in the News!
Congratulations, Irish!
~The EY Team
Unified Activities - Unified Bowling
What Are Unified Activities?
The Special Olympics Unified Schools Program is a fast growing initiative that brings students with and without intellectual disabilities together.
Westside Community Schools is excited to offer our next Unified Activity this year, Unified Bowling.
Where: Mockingbird Lanes, 4870 S 96th St, Omaha, NE 68127
When: Feb 24th, 2020 - 4pm-6pm
What: A bowling event unlike any other! Come and enjoy a free game and shoes sponsored by Westside Unified Special Olympics.
RSVP Needed for Participation
If you and your child(ren) are interested in participating, please complete the RSVP Form. This helps us plan for how many to expect at the event. https://tinyurl.com/WCSUAR1920
"The Swanson Community Club is a group of parents that partner with the school to support your children and help enrich their learning experience.
Upcoming Events:
- Valentine's Parties - Friday, Feb 14. Email tmcurls@gmail.com to volunteer
- Talent Show - Friday, March 20 at 6 p.m. at WMS (audition forms due by Feb 14)
- Scholastic Book Fair - March 6-10
- https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0b4daea629a3fd0-annual
Next Community Club Meeting is on Tuesday, March 3, 6pm at Swanson.
Shout Outs:
- A big thanks to Swanson parent Jenna Gabrial Gallagher for organizing a fun and successful Pizza Bingo Night!
- Thanks to all the TAGG app users for Swanson. We've raised $443 so far this year. Let's keep going!
- The proceeds from your Original Works purchases provided over $2500 in profit. That allowed the Swanson Community Club to fund "Flocabulary" reading software for all the classes and donate $500 to the Swanson Art Room.
Thank you for all your support!"
Join the Community Club Facebook Group!
Please consider joining the Community Club’s private FB group and encouraging other parents to join! https://www.facebook.com/groups/423276778606150/?ref=shar . This group is where we share Community Club news, photos from school events and other updates. Anyone in the group can post, so it’s a great way to participate in our community!
First Friday Spirit Day!
Each first Friday of the month is Swanson Spirit Day. On this day we all wear our Swanson logo wear or school colors, blue and white, to show our spirit. We begin our day by saying the Swanson Pledge together. It’s a fun day filled with terrific Swanson spirit! Our next First Friday Spirit Day is Friday, March 6!
9th Annual Westside Soccer Pancake Feed and Youth Soccer Clinic
TO REPORT ABSENCES...
CALL:
Office - 402-390-6485
(Available 24 hours a day)
You are welcome to leave a message with your child’s name and reason for the absence
Email is a great way to communicate with your child’s teacher. The Westside format is as follows:
lastname.firstname@westside66.net
Sample: harr.jennifer@westside66.net
Calendar Reminders
February 14 Valentine Parties, 2:40 pm
February 17 NO SCHOOL - Presidents Day
February 18 Variety Show Try-Outs @ 3:30 pm
February 20 2/3 Gr. Vocal Music Concert @ WMS, 6:30 pm
March 2 Staff Appreciation Week
March 3 C.C. Mtg., 6:30 pm
March 5 KG/1st Music program @ WMS, 6:30 pm
March 9&11 Parent/Teacher Conferences
March 9-12 Scholastic Book Fair
March 13 NO SCHOOL
March 16 5/6 Gr. Strings Solo/Group Concert @ WMS, 7 pm
Welcome to Swanson! Home of the Superstars!
The Mission of Swanson School, as a dynamic community alliance and model of innovative education, is to support and empower all learners to achieve academic excellence.
School Improvement
Swanson's school improvement goal is all students will increase reading comprehension.
Swanson's Expectations
- Be Safe
- Be Respectful
- Be Responsible
Email: harr.jennifer@westside66.net
Website: swanson.westside66.org
Location: 410 South 86 Street, Omaha, NE, USA
Phone: 402-390-6485
Facebook: facebook.com/SwansonElementary
Twitter: @swansonstars66