Westgate Window
Westgate Elementary Monthly Newsletter
January 11, 2019
Office/Attendance 402-390-6495
mininni.patricia@westside66.net
Preschool/Club 402-390-8202
Calendar Reminders
January
7- School Resumes
8- CC Mtg. & Parent Advisory 6pm
10- 5/6 grade Band Concert @ WMS 7pm
18- Godfather's Slice of the Pie 5-9pm
21 -Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - NO SCHOOL
22- Planet Sub Night - 3-8pm
February
7- 2nd/3rd Vocal Music Concert @ WMS 7pm
12 -CC Mtg. & Parent Advisory 6pm
12 -6th gr. Strings Solo Concert @ WMS 7pm
14 -Spring Parties - 2:30pm
15 -Godfather's Slice of the Pie 5-9pm
18 -President's Day - NO SCHOOL
Monthly Reminders
3rd Friday of every month - Godfather's Slice of the Pie 5-9pm
4th Tuesday of every month - Planet Sub Night 3-8pm
Westside Community School Links
LUNCH REMINDER
Thank You
District approved Snack list
Food Safety
Please remember to follow the District Approved Snack List. Linked is the lists of what to bring for parties or birthdays. Thanks
Safety Patrol
Dressing Children Appropriately for Cold Winter Weather
When dressing children for the outdoors during the winter months, it is important to pay attention to both the actual temperature, and the windchill factor. Sometimes the actual temperature may not seem that cold, but once the windchill is factored in, the temperature is dangerously cold. Winter coats are the logical place to start when dressing your child, but don’t forget all the seemingly unimportant extras. Boots with plenty of insulation will help keep your child’s feet warm and dry. Don’t forget the mittens or gloves, scarf and a hat. Little fingers are especially at risk for frostbite, and the same goes for little ears. The goal is to have as little exposed skin as possible because exposed skin is always at risk for frostbite in cold temperatures.
Another important thing to remember is that, it is easy for your children’s winter clothing to get lost--mittens, gloves, hats and scarves are especially at risk for wondering off on their own when no one is looking. To help make sure that your child’s belongings return safely at the end of the day, remember to label each piece of clothing clearly.
Cough Drops Reminder
Students cannot have cough drops at school in their desk, or their pocket. Cough drops are considered a medication, so they need to be kept locked in the health office. Students need to bring a copy of the medication form with the cough drops. This is a matter of safety for your student and others in the building.
Medication at School
Medications at school: When sending medication to school for your child, it must be in the original container and the school nurse must have a Medication Authorization Form signed by the parent before anything can be given. In addition, prescription medication must have a physician’s signature before it can be given. Authorization for Administration of Medication Forms can be picked up at any time in the Health Office.
A Note from the Nurse
If your child is vomiting, has diarrhea, or running a fever of 100 or more, they need to stay home from school. The policy states the child should be symptom free for 24 hours before returning (symptom free without medication). Please remind your child the importance of hand washing. Have them sing happy birthday twice while scrubbing their hands!
Elementary Unified Activities - Unified STEAM NIGHT
What Are Unified Activities?
The Special Olympics Unified Schools Program is a fast growing initiative that brings students with and without intellectual disabilities together. This year we are excited to bring a Unified STEAM Night opportunity to our schools.
Westside Community Schools is excited to offer our fourth Unified Activity this year.
Where: Oakdale Elementary School 9801 West Center Road, Omaha, NE 68124
When: Thursday, January 31st at 6:00
What: S.T.E.A.M. stands for Science Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics. Join us for a fun evening of activities highlighting these key educational areas!
RSVP Needed for Participation
If you and your child(ren) are interested in participating, please download the following linked informational flyer to learn more and to let us know if you are planning to attend.
Band/Vocal Music Concerts
5th/6th Grade Band Concert
2nd/3rd Grade Vocal Music Concert
Kdg./1st Grade Vocal Music Concert
Student In-District Transfer Request for the 2019-20 School Year
If you are a District resident who would like your K-5 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, 2019, for your request to be considered prior to our placement of Option Enrollment students.
IDT forms are available at the ABC Building and on the 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 402-343-2603.
Kindergarten Enrollment for District Residents: January 10th - February 15th
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 2019-20 begins January 10, 2019. Parents of eligible students should go to westside66.org to begin the enrollment process as early as possible.
Students entering kindergarten for 2019-20 must be five years old by July 31, 2019. 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 402-343-2603.
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, 2019. For further information regarding early entrance to kindergarten, please call 402-390-3303.
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. Option Enrollment Applications must be received by Westside’s Office of Student Services no later than 4:00 p.m. on March 15, 2019. The application form is available at the ABC Building (909 S. 76th Street) and at westside66.org.
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 and provided that there is space available in a requested building and grade level.