News & Notes
April 2019
Staff Awards & Honors
Beth Cosentino, Westside High School
Matt Bova, Westside Middle School
CONGRATULATIONS to Westside Middle School teacher Matt Bova, honored with the 2019 NASTSE Middle School Teacher Excellence Award! The Nebraska Association of Skilled and Technical Sciences Educators will present Mr. Bova with his award at the Nebraska Career Education Conference in Kearney this summer.
Lois Rasgorshek, Westside High School
We are pleased to share that Lois Rasgorshek will be the next Assistant Principal at Westside High School. Lois, who is currently a Dean of Students, will take over responsibilities currently held by Kim De La Cruz, recently named Director of Secondary Teaching and Learning effective this summer. Lois has been an educator for many years with the Westside Community Schools and builds strong relationships with both students and staff. We are excited to see her continue to positively impact our Westside community in her new role. Congratulations, Lois!
Get To Know An Admin!
Teacher Leader, Westbrook Elementary
HOMETOWN: Ashland, Nebraska
EDUCATION: Undergrad at UNL and Graduate School at UNO
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR JOB AT WESTSIDE? Great! I have many roles. Everyday at Westbrook is a little different. I love working with students and teachers! I feel successful when I am able to be a support and help others achieve their goals. I also love being able to work with a variety of people in my role as PBiS facilitator.
INTERESTING FACT: In my free time I like to make my own jewelry and kayak.
FAVORITE BOOK and/or MOVIE: I am a big fan of mystery books, with Sherlock Holmes books being my favorite. I love movies, but don't have a favorite.
CAREER HIGHLIGHT & BEST MOMENT AT WESTSIDE: Getting to go to Washington D.C. and represent Paddock Road in accepting the Blue Ribbon Award. So many people worked hard to earn this award and it was an honor to be a part of that!
COLLEAGUE YOU ADMIRE & WHY: II can't pick just one because it is every single teacher who shows up everyday to continue to make a difference in children's lives! Teaching can be very challenging and I admire the teachers who build relationships with students and help them be successful!
Teachers Serve Students & Community
Westside students, staff and community members have a long history of giving back to the community, shown in large numbers with the Junior League of Omaha! In this, the organization's 100th year of serving the Omaha metro area, at least seven Westside teachers are members, with Paddock Road's Kerri Palmesano serving as President-Elect! Members include Maggie Glogowski, Heidi Hansen, Brooke Hansen, Kim Johnson, Lauren Kestel, Breezy Parker and Gillian Tvrdik, as well as many past Westside teachers, Westside Foundation supporters, parents, and neighbors. Thank you to these staff members serving our students - and our community!
Baby News!
Easton James Essen
Grant & Award Opportunities
Accepting Nominations for Westside Foundation Outstanding Employee Awards!
The Westside Foundation is now accepting nominations for the 2019 Outstanding Employee Awards!! Ten $500 cash awards will be presented this year. This is a great opportunity to recognize outstanding employees who have made significant contributions to our schools and community.
Eligibility includes:
- staff who have been employed by the District for a
- minimum of two years
- staff who are employed for a minimum of 20 hours per week.
All of the following could be nominated!!
- Clerical
- Teacher Assistants
- Maintenance (Building Services)
- Food Services, etc.
Please scan the completed nomination packet (file included below) and e-mail to Christy Ziskey at ziskey.christina@westside66.net. If you prefer to send the nomination through District mail, we ask that you paper clip (no staples please) the nomination and accompanying endorsements together and submit to Christy Ziskey at the Westside Alumni House no later than Friday, May 3,
2019. You may contact Christy at (402) 390-2133 for further information.
Following the selection committee’s meeting, all nomination forms will be returned to the building principal. Nomination forms and accompanying letters may be presented to the nominee before school dismisses for the summer.
The winners will receive their cash awards and certificates of appreciation for their outstanding performance from the Westside Foundation at the all-staff gathering on May 24, 2019.
Thank you, and good luck!
Nominate an Administrator for the Jim Tangdall Beacon Award!
This year, District 66 will once again recognize one administrator with the Jim Tangdall Beacon Award. This award will be given to a person who demonstrates the qualities that Dr. Tangdall exemplified during his 25-year administrative career at Westside. Candidates must exhibit: positive relationships, administrative skills and dispositions, school/departmental effective leadership, service to community and commitment to young people, be a respected and ethical leader, and be a continuous learner. The recipient will be honored at our annual End Of Year Celebration. Please consider nominating an administrator who has impacted you - the application is attached below!
Teacher Internship Opportunity
The 2019 Summer Teacher Internship applications process is now open in partnership with Metropolitan Community College, the Omaha Chamber of Commerce, and Iowa Western Community College. A $600 stipend is available for teachers that spend a 40 hour week with one of our local businesses. Three Omaha businesses have opened up internships this summer for larger groups of teachers. Working in a larger group of interns may give you a view of how a big business works. 7-10 teacher interns will be placed in each business.
The three opportunities are:
· Omaha Public Power District (OPPD) (Week of June 3rd) (https://www.oppd.com)
· Lozier (Week of June 10th, 2019) (https://www.lozier.com)
· Metropolitan Utilities District (MUD) (Week of June 10th) (https://www.mudomaha.com)
The application deadline is two weeks from today, April 19, 2019. More details are included in the attached application packet. You can also get information athttps://www.mccneb.edu/Current-Students/Enrollment/Secondary-Partnerships/Educator-Interns.aspx.
Nebraska Teacher of the Year Award
For Your Classroom Calendar
4/11-4/13 WMS Musical: 'Annie', 7:00pm each night @ WMS
4/12 Hillside STEAM Night
4/15-4/19 Public Schools Volunteer Week
4/15 Unified Basketball @ Paddock Road, 5:30-7:00
4/15 Board of Education meeting, 6:30pm @ ABC
4/16 Swanson 3-4 Grade Musical
4/18 Westbrook Kindergarten Musical, 2:45pm
4/18 Sunset Hills Talent Show, 6:00pm
4/18 Loveland Kindergarten Parent Meeting, 6:30pm
4/19 NO SCHOOL
4/21-4/27 National Student Leadership Week
4/22 PR & SW Kindergarten Parent Meetings, 6:00pm
4/23 WHS Journalism State Championships
4/23 WHS National Honor Society Induction Ceremony, 3:30pm
4/23 RB & WG Kindergarten Parent Meetings, 6:00pm
4/23 Paddock Road K-2 Grade Music Concert 7:00pm @ WMS
4/24 WMS National Junior Honor Society Induction Ceremony, 3:30pm @ WMS
4/24 WHS Scholar Athlete Banquet, 6:30pm @ UNO Scott Conference Center
4/24-4/28 WHS Spring Musical: 'Get Smart'
4/25 Take Our Daughters & Sons to Work Day
4/25 Excellence in Design Senior Art Show, 5:15pm
4/25 Paddock Road Art Show, 5:30pm
4/25 HS & WB Kindergarten Parent Meetings, 6:00pm
4/25 Oakdale K-2 Music Program, 7:00pm @ WMS
4/26 National Arbor Day
4/26 Sunset Hills Kindergarten Round-up
4/26 Westgate School Carnival, 6:00pm
4/26-4/27 Loveland presents Disney's Aladdin Kids
4/29-5/2 WHS District Soccer Tournament
4/29 International Dance Day
4/29 Board of Education meeting, 6:30pm @ ABC
4/30 Metro Track & Field Meet, 3:30pm @ WHS
4/30 Mentor Recognition Reception, 4:30pm @ ABC
4/30 SH & OD Kindergarten Parent Meetings, 6:00pm
Westside Unified Basketball
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 Basketball opportunity to our
schools.
Westside Community Schools is excited to offer our sixth Unified Activity this year, Unified Basketball.
Where: Paddock Road Elementary, 3535 Paddock Rd, Omaha, NE 68124
When: April 16, 2019 - 5:30-7:00pm
What: An hour of fun and friendship aimed at partnering peers while developing basketball skills.
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.
Condolences
Our condolences are also with family and loved ones of John Ballue, who passed away Sunday, March 31. John's wife, Karen Campisi-Ballue, is a retired employee from Westside High School, and John's daughter-in-law, Jill Foster, is a Kindergarten Teacher at Hillside. Services for John took place April 6. Click here for a tribute to John.
We also remember Betty Slezak, who died April 4. Her daughter, Debbie Slezak-Glogowski, is an EA at Swanson, and Betty's granddaughter, Maggie (Glogowski) Person is a 1st Grade Teacher at Swanson. Click here for a tribute to Betty.
Thank you or keeping these coworkers as well as their loved ones in your thoughts.