Hillside News Brief
October 13, 2022
Important Upcoming Dates for You
Fall Break (no school for students)
Thursday, October 13 - Monday, October 17
(Teachers will have professional development on October 17)
Hillside Spirit Day (Dress in school colors blue/orange OR spiritwear!)
Friday, October 21
Hillside Halloween Parade
Friday, October 28, 2:00 p.m.
Halloween Festivities OR Fall Festival (for those who don't celebrate Halloween)
Friday, October 28, 2:30-3:15 p.m.
Halloween Trunk or Treat at Hillside
Friday, October 28, from 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Westside Earns National Honor
Westside Community Schools is proud to share that all 12 District 66 schools have been named National Banner Unified Champion Schools for 2022. This honor, recognizing an organization’s commitment to inclusion by achieving ten set standards of excellence developed by leaders in education and Special Olympics, including ongoing efforts to connect students with and without intellectual disabilities. Westside is the first district with elementary schools who have earned this honor, believed to be the first multi-school District in the state to receive this honor, and possibly the first multi-school District in the country to receive this honor.Dr. Kami Jessop, Director of Special Services for Westside Community Schools, worked closely with Special Olympics to apply for and earn this honor. Examples of inclusivity implemented by District 66 include:
Monthly Unified activities including fishing, movie nights, and bowling, intended to partner students with and without intellectual disabilities
WHS Unified Sparkles Cheer, a cheerleading program involving students with and without intellectual disabilities, the first ever selected to perform at an NSAA State Championship
Unified Clubs and Sports opportunities available at each level of learning
Project SEARCH, a transitional program providing internship and job placement opportunities for young adult with special needs
Creation of Arts For Me program, providing teenage students with special needs access to art training and creation, with opportunities to display their work at professional galleries
“It is exciting, humbling, and affirming that the work we are doing is setting a precedent for what is possible in public education, allowing all learners to thrive and belong,” said Dr. Jessop. “This is evidence of the literally hundreds of dedicated people, working together every day, to research and implement things we know will improve not only the achievement and independence of our students with unique needs, but our entire community’s acceptance and celebration of all learners.”
All of Westside’s 10 elementary schools, Westside Middle School and Westside High School have been awarded this distinction. Westside formally celebrated this honor by recognizing students from every school at the 2022 Homecoming Pep Rally on Friday, October 7. The entire community, as well as all students, families and staff, packed the stands at Phelps Field to celebrate this honor.
“We hope this celebration allowed our entire Westside community to take part in this achievement and recognize its importance and impact on students and families,” said Dr. Jessop. “This is truly something our entire community should be proud of.”
Sign Up for Trunk or Treat!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4DA5A922A0F49-trunk3
It's a great way to spend a Friday night with kids!
Music Programs for Hillside Families
One World Mobile Medical Clinic at Hillside
Holiday Assistance
It’s hard to believe but the holiday season is right around the corner. As part of the Westside Community Schools family, we are fortunate to have some groups and organizations that are generous in many ways, especially when it comes to helping children.
Each year, several churches in the community, community service clubs and individual donors offer to help students whose families may be experiencing some temporary financial setbacks due to the tough economic times. These groups often donate a food basket, clothing and/or gifts. These items are meant to assist you in what you are already providing for your family.
If your family is not receiving assistance from other organizations, we are here to provide support. If you need assistance during the holiday season, please contact your school counselor Mrs. Victor. Her email is: victor.jennifer@westside66.net
Mentoring Opportunity
Consider donating one lunch time each week to be a TeamMates Mentor
Hillside is looking to expand our TeamMates program. Mentors are matched with a student, and “matches” meet once a week (usually during lunch/recess) in school during the academic year. Mentors and mentees usually play board games, shoot hoops, do a craft, or just talk. Each mentor has shared how the experience has changed THEM. To learn more about TeamMates, contact Mrs. Victor. Here are some thoughts on mentoring from a mentor who has been coming to Oakdale weekly for over two years:
Mentoring a young boy has provided me with the opportunity to appreciate how blessed I was to be the beneficiary of the thoughtful kindness and guidance I received from my own father and a singularly influential coach, both of whom were instrumental in influencing the man I was to become. Inspired by the impact these two men had on my life, I’m determined to emulate their example through my interactions with my mentee. My mentee, in turn, is blessing me with his youthful exuberance and innocent perspective as a creative and energetic young boy.
Please consider giving your time to impact Hillside student lives! If you are interested please reach out to Mrs. Victor at victor.jennifer@westside66.net.
Student Focus and Technology
More and more, those of us who work closely with young people are noticing a marked lack of focus in their work at school. Many children are spending more and more time on technology and not enough time focusing on prolonged endeavors that require focus (reading, playing an instrument, doing art projects, gardening, etc.). This is a by-product of a world that seems more and more dominated by social media (Tik Tok, Instagram, Snapchat), video games, and media streaming. Too much screentime impacts young people and their ability to focus.
I have attached an article below that will give you some guidelines and ideas regarding technology and screentime. I hope you can take a few minutes to read the information below.
Mrs. Bailey, Principal of Hillside
Join Hillside's Community Club! All meetings except Nov. 1 begin at 6:00 p.m. in Hillside's Library
Special Community Club DISTRICT Meeting at WHS on November 1!
PBiS at Hillside and the Skill of the Week
The Skill of the Week, 10/18-10/21/22 is:
Staying on Task
When you stay on task, you:
- Look at the task or assignment
- Think about the steps needed to complete the task
- Focus all of your attention on the task
- Stop working only when instructed to do so
- Ignore distractions and interruptions from others
We will be working on the above skill all week!
Hillside Elementary-Westside Community Schools
Email: bailey.cynthia@westside66.net
Website: hillside.westside66.org
Location: 7500 Western Avenue
Phone: 402-390-6450
Facebook: facebook.com/hillside66
Twitter: @hillside_tigers