Westside Middle School Newsletter
November 18, 2022
Happy Thanksgiving!
2022-23 WMS Administration:
Kim Eymann - Principal eymann.kimberly@westside66.net
Jordan Rhodes - Assistant Principal (Dean 7C, 8A). rhodes.jordan@westside66.net
Jenni Allen - Assistant Principal and Special Services Department Chair. allen.jenni@westside66.net
Dan Carlson - Dean and Athletic Director (Dean 7A, 7B, 8C). carlson.daniel@westside66.net
Kellon Johnson - Dean (7D, 8B, 8D). johnson.kellon@westside66.net
Important Dates
Thanksgiving Break - No school:
Wednesday, November 23
Thursday, November 24
Friday, November 25
End of 1st Semester:
Wednesday, December 21st
Winter Break:
December 22 - January 4th
2nd Semester Begins:
Thursday, January 5th
Food in Halls!
We are seeing a significant amount of students eating and having food in the hallways. Food is only allowed in the cafeteria!! The reason being is because it's making our hallways a mess, encouraging creatures to live in our building, and causing damage to the iPads. Absolutely NO FOOD or DRINK is allowed in the halls or classrooms. Students will be asked to throw them away. We are also seeing a trend of students bringing in large family sized bags of chips to share with friends, that sharing can only take place in the cafeteria!
If we can't keep the food in the cafeteria, then we will look at removing all the "extras" like chips, juice and the snacks and just providing the meals at breakfast and lunch. We are hoping students find a way to keep this privilege.
Thank you for talking to your student about taking pride in their school building and keeping it clean!
WMS Spring Musical Information
Information from the Nurse
Please remember to keep your student home if they are ill! Sending students to school when they are feeling ill contributes to spreading illness. We are seeing a lot of respiratory and GI bugs. Hand washing and staying home when ill will help prevent the spread. Students must be fever free for 24 hours before returning to school. If your student does not feel well, they are to go through the health office.
Traffic Flow
Please make sure you are following the traffic protocols when dropping off or picking up your student.
- Arbor Street is one way going East from the parking lot until 85th street.
- The parking lot aisles are one way! Please pay attention to the arrows painted on the cement!
- Alpine Drive (drive to and from Center Street to the school) is two ways! Please do Not park and expect cars to go around you!
- No parking in the bus lanes on Arbor Street and in the Circle Drive!
Thank you for following these protocols to help ensure our students and staff are safe coming and going to school!
This quarter, the counselor's will be teaching two classroom counseling lessons in homerooms.
- Social and Relationships = November 28 - December 2. The lesson will focus on healthy and unhealthy relationships.
- Managing Feelings = December 12 - December 16. Students will be learning how to manage their feelings in a way that is helpful for them and others.
Top 10 Reasons…Being in School is Cool
Instructional: Daily exposure to instruction provides children with the best that a school can offer. Even if the child gets perfect grades, frequent absences or tardies interfere with a child’s progress.
Social: Daily contact with classmates helps the development of social skills. Intermittent contact with classmates does not provide for good social development and makes the child feel isolated from those who attend daily.
Values: All parents want what is best for their children, including a good education. Insisting that children attend school every day emphasizes the parent’s belief that education is important.
Habits: Being on time and attending school regularly will establish good habits, which will carry into adulthood. If we establish bad habits in childhood, they are very difficult to change as adults.
Courage: Children have to learn to deal with minor aches and pains, which often disappear as they become involved in the day’s activities.
Parenting: Being consistent is an important parenting skill. Because the parent requires that the child go to school each day, the child learns that the parent means what they say in other expectations.
Priorities: It is as important for children to be at school on time every day as it is for parents to be at work on time every day.
Missed: Children are missed by their teacher and classmates when they are absent. Every child is a valued student at Westside Middle School
Emotional: Tardies and absences can cause anxiety and stress in children. Classmates and teachers cannot rely on students who are frequently late or absent.
Legal: It is the law. Society has an expectation that all children will attend school regularly and, therefore, supports the legal requirements. Truancy can lead to court involvement.
We-Side Unified Events
Check out the Unified Newsletter and Event happening next week!
PBIS Donations Needed
Another way our students use their Warrior Bucks is in drawings for $5 gift cards. Popular places include: Any coffee place, Smoothie King, any fast food restaurant.
We are reaching out to parents who may be able and willing to donate to our store either with goods or gift cards. You may bring your donations to main office labeled PBIS.
Thank you in advance for any help with these items!!
Holiday Assistance
It is hard to believe the holidays are right around the corner! Some families may find themselves in need of additional resources over the holiday season. Many Omaha area holiday resource programs begin their application process now and close at the end of the month. Please be sure to visit the Social Work Newsletter for options that may fit your family's situation. If you need assistance this holiday season, and are not receiving support from another organization, you can reach out to the School Social Worker, Kim Schenkelberg at 402-452-3147.
Homeroom Lessons
This week students will complete the No Place for Hate pledge!
Annual AHERA Notice
The Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act of 1986 (AHERA) requires each public school district to annually notify parents, staff, and employee groups of its asbestos management plans. A management plan is in place for Westside Middle School and is available for review either at the school building or at the Westside Service Center, 9437 J St. Omaha, NE.
This school building was originally inspected in the1980’s and re-inspected by a certified inspector every three years thereafter. The three-year re-inspection and a ceiling tile inspection was conducted in 2019, and periodic surveillance will be conducted as required. No abatement activities are currently in progress or scheduled for the 2022-2023 school year at this building.
The Designated Person responsible for managing the District’s AHERA compliance and the contact person for questions or to review a management plan is the Director of Facilities, Russ Olsen (402) 390-8331.
Student School Calendar
Westside Foundation
W-CLUB: JOIN TODAY
Make a gift that is meaningful to you to show you are proud to be part of Westside Community Schools. Funds raised through the W-CLUB get redistributed back into all Westside Community Schools. Every teacher has the opportunity to apply for W-Club grants annually. Westside Middle School has received funding for robots, traveling exhibit for German Class, and cameras for our journalism club in the past.
Donating to Westside Middle School
To make a tax-deductible donation please donate through the Westside Foundation. You can specifically note that funds should be designated to Westside Middle School community club, fun run, etc. Your gift is not tax deductible if it comes directly to our school. If you have questions, please contact Westside Foundation at foundation@westside66.net.