The Wildcat News
Western Hills Magnet Center - October 7, 2019
Principal's Message
Happy Fall!
This month is filled with our expeditions to Lauritzen Gardens for our 5th Graders and Fontenelle Forest for 1st grade. We are excited to continue our partnership with the forest and this outdoor learning opportunity for our students. Please make sure you know what days your students are going to the forest and to dress appropriately.
We hope you have marked your calendars and plan to joining us at First Quarter Parent-Teacher conferences which are right around the corner. If you haven't signed up for conferences, please contact your child's teacher. Reminders will be sent home next week.
Wednesday, October 23rd 4:15 - 7:45 PM
Thursday, October 24th 12:30 -7:30 PM
***No school for all students Thursday October 25th and Friday, October 25th****
Our Annual Harvest Festival will be held on October, 31, 2019 from 2:30 - 3:45 pm. If you are interested in helping with this event, please contact the PTO or the Western Hills office.
Enjoy the fall weather as we move into winter soon! Grab a good book or practice those math skills at the grocery story in the next couple of weeks!
Happy October!
Mrs. Harbison
Meet One of Our New 6th Grade Teachers - Ms. Baseler
She attended Laura Dodge Elementary in Omaha K-2 and Norris Elementary in Millard 2-6. Her favorite subject was math, she also remembers in the 5th grade joining the YMCA basketball team where she met some great friends.
This is Ms. Baselar's first year teaching in a school setting, but has found teaching and coaching to be a part of everything she has has been involved with. She knows she is "still learning" but her teaching superpower she believes is "being able to show students they can find something they like in any subject."
When asked what her favorite thing is about teaching at Westerns Hills, she responded "the people, staff and students! Everyone is so supportive and helpful." Outside of school Ms. Baselar loves to travel. Every year for the past four years she has taken a "Selfie Road Trip", in which she has driven as far as Maine, Washington, San Diego and Atlanta.
We are happy to have Ms. Baseler as part of our Western Hills family this year!
Lost and Found
Parent Check In Procedure
Does Your Child Attend Kids Club? Consolidated Site and Date Information
6:30 AM to 6:00 PM
October 24th & 25th
Children Must Bring Their Own Lunch and Drink
****PAYMENT DUE AT TIME OF REGISTRATION***
Western Hills Safety Procedures Letter
Dear Western Hills Parents,
The safety of your child and all children at Western Hills as well as the safety of the school staff and support personnel is very important to us. In order to maintain a safe environment for our children to study and learn, it is necessary that we practice our emergency and crisis response plans by having drills designed to exercise our procedures.
Due to the current national climate that we live in, we will be conducting various drills throughout the remainder of the school year. We will practice most of the emergency drills monthly during a “safety week”. During the school year, we won’t notify you of exact dates because we need our students and staff to practice procedures of emergencies and part of practice is knowing how to react when drills are unexpected. This letter is to help you understand the importance of this as well as to understand each type of drill. Our safety measures follow the Standard Response Protocol (SRP) created by the “I Love U Guys” Foundation. This protocol is implemented at Western Hills and all schools in the Omaha Public Schools as well as schools and districts across the state of Nebraska. On the back side of this letter is a Student Parent Handout which explains our SRP for emergency situations.
The students and staff at Western Hills will practice 4 primary emergency drills each year. Each type of drill is explained below.
FIRE DRILLS
Western Hills will conduct a “fire drill” each month that school is in session. This is a Fire Code requirement as well as a requirement for all Nebraska public schools. We want each student to understand and be aware of the importance of this drill and not be afraid when the fire alarm is sounded. By practicing they will know what to do and how to do it.
LOCKDOWN/LOCKOUT DRILLS
The school will conduct a Lockdown or a Lockout Drill periodically throughout each school year. These types of drills will secure the school building and safely shelter all students, staff and visitors inside the building. The purpose of these drills are to keep the students safe from any danger outside or inside the building. During a “lockdown or lockout drill” all of the perimeter doors to the school building will be locked and will remain locked until the danger or issue outside or inside the building is removed. To enable everyone to remain safe, no one will be allowed to enter the building or leave the building until the drill is completed.
SHELTER DRILLS
The “Shelter-in-Place” drill will be conducted each school year. The purpose of this drill is to be prepared to move to a safe location within the building in case of severe weather or other hazards when personal protection is necessary.
EVACUATE DRILLS
During an “Evacuation Drill”, students will be safely escorted along a designated evacuation route to our pre-determined evacuation sites in the neighborhood. At the conclusion of the drill, all students will be escorted back to the school.
Please remember these safety practice drills are done to help maintain our school as a safe place to learn and work. If you have any questions regarding any of these Safety Drills or other safety concerns, please contact the Western Hills office at 531.299.2240. Thank you,
Student Arrival
We need your help with our “early arrivals.” Students are not to arrive at school before 8:30 a.m. Our concern is one of safety for your children as there is no supervision until teachers are on duty beginning at 8:35 a.m. Students arriving after 8:50 a.m. must check in at the office and receive a tardy slip. Attendance will be taken each day and phone calls will be made by Mrs. Heckerman. If an absence can’t be avoided, we ask you to contact the school office as soon as possible by calling 531-299-2240.
Dismissal Procedure
School Ends at 4:05 PM. STUDENTS MUST BE PICKED UP AT THAT TIME. THE OFFICE CLOSES AT 4:30 P.M.
PLEASE SEND A NOTE TO YOUR CHILD’S TEACHER AND TO THE SCHOOL OFFICE IF/WHEN DISMISSAL PROCEDURES CHANGE. We ask that you help us keep your child safe and the best way to do that is to plan ahead!
Interested In Paying for Lunch On Line?
Did you know you can pay for your child’s lunch online? If you have access to a computer visit the OPS webpage... Select Parents and then select Pay for Lunch. Once you are there you can create a new account and begin.
Is there an Omaha Public Schools teacher that deserves recognition?
A great teacher can turn a geography lesson into an exciting adventure or make a passing conversation become a life lesson. Our Western Hills community is fortunate to have so many great teachers! It’s why the Alice Buffett Outstanding Teacher Award was created more than 25 years ago—to recognize those teachers who have gone above and beyond to help their students in the classroom and in life. Nominate an OPS Teacher for this award, and tell us what he or she has done that has made a difference. Make your nomination by January 15, 2020 at http://buffettoutstandingteachers.org/
Attendance Matters - Strive for 95
Did you know that students who miss less than 9 days of school each year are more likely to stay engaged, successful and on track for graduation?
Scheduling Appointments and Vacations
Remember that there are about 180 school days out of 365 total days in the year. Families are encouraged to take vacations during the ten weeks of summer vacation, two weeks near the holidays, or over the week break in the spring. Schedule appointments after school hours or on the weekend if possible. If you need to schedule an appointment during school hours, consult the school calendar to choose a day when students have the day off.
News From the Counseling Corner
Red Ribbon Week - October 28 - November 1 - Healthy Mind, Body and Spirit Week
- Monday - Bee Cool-- Bee Kind-- Bee Healthy - (Wear Yellow and Black)
- Tuesday - Be All You Can Be Drug Free & Healthy - (Wear Camouflage)
- Wednesday - Wild About Being Healthy - (Wear Animals or animal print clothing)
- Thursday - Drugs Are a Nightmare, Be Healthy (Bring your Halloween costumes to wear)
- Friday - Follow your Dreams by Living Healthy - (Wear your pajamas)
Boo Grams
Send a message and a treat to your favorite Wildcat. Boo Grams are sold during lunch for 25 cents ($.25) Parents may also buy during Conferences. Boo Grams can be purchased from October 14th to the 23rd. They will be delivered on Halloween.
Fabric Wanted!!
Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program
October's fresh fruit and vegetables are all ORANGE! How fun is that?!?!?
Orange Fruits and Vegetables improve immune function, reduce the risk of heart disease, promote eye health, and more. Orange and yellow fruits and vegetables are rich in vitamin C and carotenoids, including beta-carotene
10-10 oranges
10-15 orange peppers
10-17 nectarines
10-29 squash
10-31 tangerines/cuties
Students will learn interesting facts, nutritional information, and how fruits and vegetables help us to be better learners. Ask your child about what they are learning.
Western Hills PTO - Activities and Information
Western Hills Directory
Western Hills Student Directory
FINAL CHANCE!!!!!
Sign Up NOW to be included in this year’s student directory.
DIRECTORYS GOING HOW BEFORE WINTER BREAK
R.O.A.R. PLEDGE
Did you know that every morning students recite our Western Hills pledge?
I am a Wildcat
I Respect people, places and things,
I Only use kind words and actions,
I Always do my best, and
I am Ready and willing to learn,
I am a Wildcat,
Hear me ROAR!!!
Ask your child to practice saying the ROAR pledge and ask what the pledge means to them.
Lauritzen Gardens - Grade 5
Monday, Oct 7, 2019, 09:15 AM
Lauritzen Gardens, Bancroft Street, Omaha, NE, USA
Fontenelle Forest - Camp Brewster - Grade 1
Wednesday, Oct 9, 2019, 09:15 AM
Camp Brewster, Fontenelle Forest, Bellevue Boulevard North, Bellevue, NE, USA
Fontenelle Forest - Camp Brewster - Grade 1
Thursday, Oct 10, 2019, 09:15 AM
Camp Brewster, Fontenelle Forest, Bellevue Boulevard North, Bellevue, NE, USA
Vala's Pumpkin Patch - Pre-K
Tuesday, Oct 22, 2019, 09:15 AM
Vala's Pumpkin Patch & Apple Orchard, South 180th Street, Gretna, NE, USA
Omaha Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, age, genetic information, citizenship status, or economic status in its programs, activities and employment and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following individual has been designated to address inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Superintendent of Schools, 3215 Cuming Street, Omaha, NE. 68131
531-299-9822