The Wildcat News
Western Hills Magnet Center - January 21, 2020
Principal's Message
BRRR! I think winter has arrived with the cold weather and snow! Thank you for your careful attention in making sure your child(ren) are properly dressed for the weather. We try to go outside for lunch recess daily unless the temperature is extremely low and the conditions are unsafe. Please know we do have a small supply of coats/hats/mittens/etc in the Main Office. Check out the Lost and Found also if your child is missing jackets, mittens, hats, and other items that have been misplaced.
Over the last couple of weeks, there has been numerous communications about school selection for next year. If you are making a change of schools and need a School Choice Application, please contact the Western Hills office. All School Selection Choice forms, especially sixth grade must be returned to Western Hills by January 28th. If you have any questions, please call the Western Hills office, (531) 299-2240.
The new year is off and rolling and we are already rocking at Western Hills. In addition to regular daily instruction, students and staff are continuing to focus and are taking a number of assessments (district and state). Students in all grades are taking the MAP (Measure of Academic Progress) test through the end of January and the NSCAS Reading, Math and Science Tests are coming up in March and April. As you can see, we are very busy each and everyday and we need your help to ensure students are on time and ready to learn each day! Thanks for your support! - Mrs. Harbison
Meet Our Band Teacher - Mrs. Diffey
Mrs. Diffey has been teaching band at Western Hills for 20 years and teaching for 38 years total! She is one of our teachers that has the longest history at Western Hills. Mrs. Diffey was born and raised in Omaha and started school at Corrigan Elementary, an OPS school which no longer exsists. One of Mrs. Diffey’s fondest school memories was when she joined the band and began playing the flute in 5th grade. She said, “I had wonderful teachers in elementary school and lots of good friends that I still have today.”
Mrs. Diffey had a favorite subject, and guess what it was-- instrumental music, she also enjoyed reading and writing. In deciding to become a teacher, Mrs. Diffey was influenced by a tremendous female band teacher she got to work with in elementary and middle school, she was a great role model. This teacher often had Mrs. Diffey come back to the elementary school to help her beginning flute players, planting the seed early.
Mrs. Diffey feels her teaching superpower is “the ability to give her students a creative outlet to explore their musical abilities in a safe and nurturing environment. I also know my students learn responsibility and teamwork by being in the band.”
When not at school Mrs. Diffey loves being with her family, reading, cooking, supporting Husker Football, knitting and watching her grand dogs, Toby and Karma.
All School Field Trip - Cirque Mechanics - January 22, 2020
Kindergarten Round-Up
Kindergarten Round-Up
Kindergarten Round-Up at Western Hills is scheduled for Thursday, January 23rd from 2:30—3:30 p.m. This event is for parents and students to attend. If you have a child who will be five years of age on or before July 31, 2020 and are planning on sending him/her to kindergarten next year, join us on the 23rd at 2:30 pm.
Please share this information with friends and neighbors in our community.
School Selection Forms
After Hours Voice Mail
Electives for 4th, 5th & 6th Grades
- Treasure Hunt
- Weird Science
- Etiquette / Manners
- Green Thumb Gardening
- Making the Move to Middle School
Fridays are a very fun time for our 4th, 5th and 6th grade kiddos!!
News From the Counseling Corner
Kindness Week At Western Hills
We would love for all of our students to join in as we celebrate "The Great Kindness Challenge", January 27th-31st at Western Hills. The Great Kindness Challenge is a nation-wide proactive and positive bullying prevention initiative that improves school climate and increases student engagement.
Great Kindness Spirit Week Activities...
- Monday - January 27th Be SUPER Kind – wear superhero clothing(capes, masks, costumes, t-shirts
- Tuesday - January 28th – Never Too Old for Kindness – dress like 100 years old for 100th day of school
- Wednesday - January 29th – Peace Love and Kindness – dress like a hippie or wear tie dye
- Thursday - January 30th – Crazy for Kindness – crazy socks and/or crazy hair
- Friday - January 31st - Kindness the Wildcat Way – Western Hills spirit wear or “kind” themed shirt
Kindness Station – There will be a Kindness Station set up in the Community Room during lunch where students will be able to make cards for anyone they want to using cardstock, markers, stickers, etc. In order to make the cards, kids are asked to make a small donation of any amount to the "Kind Coins for Mexico" campaign to build a school and friendship center in Mexico. We will give out passes during lunch to kids who have coins and they will go to the station manned by our Kindness Ambassadors to create their card. (If you have any supplies you want to donate we would love your scrapbook materials, old cards or art supplies you are no longer using.)
January Fresh Fruit Program
January 23 - Red Delicious Apples
January 28 - Lemons
January 30 - Mangos
As always we are excited to share these nutritional snacks with our Wildcats!
Western Hills PTO - Activities and Information
The Western Hills PTO is always looking for interested parents to join in and support activities at our school. You will find posted here upcoming events and activities.
Mark your calendars and come join us for our first 2020 PTO meeting of 2nd Semester. The PTO meeting will be held Sunday, January 26th at 2:00 pm in the Community Room at Western Hills.
Kindergarten Roundup
Thursday, Jan 23, 2020, 02:30 PM
Western Hills Elementary School, Western Avenue, Omaha, NE, USA
Pre-K Open House
Thursday, Jan 23, 2020, 04:00 PM
Western Hills Elementary School, Western Avenue, Omaha, NE, USA
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.
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