The Wildcat News
Western Hills Magnet Center - December 17, 2019
Principal's Message
Happy December! It is an exciting month for our Western Hills students and staff as we are busy, busy working hard to learn and finish up 2nd quarter. Our Holiday program is right around the corner on December 17th at 10 am and 2 pm...we hope you will be able to join us to see all of our students shine!
We were very fortunate to have such a beautiful fall. We have even been pretty spoiled in the weather department for the beginning of December with just some slight winter weather but we know the cold and snow will be here soon to stay! It is our school policy that we will take students outdoors for some fresh air as long as temperatures (including wind chills) permit, and it is not raining. Therefore, please help your child dress appropriately for the weather. Coats, hats, gloves and scarves are appropriate for cold and snowy weather. Long sleeved shirts, sweaters and sweatshirts are often needed in the classrooms and gym. Coats are not to be worn in school, so please be sure your child comes to school dressed properly. Thank you for your help!
The holiday season can be a very hectic time of year. Children also experience their own feelings of stress at home and school. One of the most important lessons that we can teach children at home and school is to be kind, grateful, compassionate, and empathetic towards others. Teaching children to “do for others” is a valuable lesson that will be with them forever! The holiday season is upon us and we hope that it will be the beginning of a wonderful year for your family! Happy Holidays! Mrs. Harbison
Welcome to our new 4th Grade Teacher - Mrs. Anderson
.Welcome Mrs. Anderson! Mrs. Anderson was born in Western Colorado but moved to Omaha when she was very young and started school at Fullerton Elementary. One of Mrs. Anderson’s fondest memories of being in elementary school was having lots of time to read and learn about how other people lived in the past, and her favorite subject was social studies. While in college Mrs. Anderson worked as a wedding planner but realized she cared more about what little people thought than what grownups did. This is Mrs. Anderson’s fourth month of being a teacher and she is settling in well with her classroom, where she feels her superpower is using experience-based learning to get kids excited about things.
When not at school Mrs. Anderson likes to spend most of her time outside, where she gardens and hikes. Some of her favorite things are enjoying adventure sports like snowboarding, wake boarding and camping with her husband and dog Ruby.
Helpful Tips for Discussing your Child's Report Card
Second Quarter report cards are coming home soon with your child and it’s one way teachers communicate with parents and students. The following tips may be helpful to parents in discussing a child’s report card.
1. Meet privately with your child, without distractions.
2. Start with a review of what the child has learned in each subject during the past
grading period.
3. Ask your child to tell you how the report card grade was determined in each
subject. Tests? Homework? Reports? Class participation?
4. Ask your child to tell you if he/she is satisfied with the grade? If not, what
could they do to improve the grade?
5. Review other indicators on the report card. Teacher’s comments, absences,
effort grades.
6. Discuss your child’s goals for the 3rd quarter.
7. Help your child plan the next steps. Should your child talk to the teacher
or ask for more help? Should he/she study more at home?
New Student Checkout Procedure
Student Drop Off
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 please plan to be here.
Please share this information with friends and neighbors in our community.
**NEW WINTER WEATHER** Late Start - Early Release
OPS Families: As winter continues, we want to remind you that we have two new options in our winter weather toolkit. The evening before a weather event, Omaha Public Schools may call for a two-hour late start or a two-hour early release if weather is predicted to affect part, but not all of a school day. We shared information about the new options earlier this year. OPS would communicate the schedule adjustment by phone call and email, so please be sure your student’s school has your current contact information on file. Please do not block calls or emails from OPS, as you may miss important messages in the future.
Welcome to our new Nurse - Mrs. Hyde
Mrs. Hyde grew up in Omaha and attended St. Joseph Elementary School. Mrs. Hyde liked playing outside and making lifelong friendships. Mrs. Hyde’s favorite subject was math and she enjoyed volleyball and kickball during recess. During college Mrs. Hyde started with the intention of being a teacher but changed to nursing when she realized the medical field was her real calling, this is her 25th year as a nurse.
Mrs. Hyde has enjoyed the students and meeting new people at Western Hills that are so dedicated to the students. As far as her nursing superpower, Mrs. Hyde likes the fact that she can make a child’s day with one piece of ice.
While not in school Mrs. Hyde enjoys spending time with her family, cooking out and camping.
After Hours Attendance Line
Is there an Omaha Public Schools teacher that deserves recognition?
A great teacher can turn a geography lesson into an exciting adventure or make a passing conversation become a life lesson. Our Western Hills community is fortunate to have so many great teachers! It’s why the Alice Buffett Outstanding Teacher Award was created more than 25 years ago—to recognize those teachers who have gone above and beyond to help their students in the classroom and in life. Nominate an OPS Teacher for this award, and tell us what he or she has done that has made a difference. Make your nomination by January 15, 2020 at http://buffettoutstandingteachers.org/
News From the Counseling Corner
December Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program - Citrus Fruits
Sweet, brightly colored citrus fruits bring a burst of sunshine into winter days. But citrus fruits are not only flavorful and pretty — they're also good for you.
This class of fruits includes lemons, limes, oranges and grapefruit, as well as many more hybrids and varieties.
They have a bunch of health benefits:
· Citrus fruits are very nutritious, offering a host of vitamins, minerals and plant compounds that help keep you healthy.
· Citrus fruits are good sources of soluble fiber, which helps lower cholesterol and aids digestion.
· Citrus fruits have been widely studied for their protective effects on a variety of cancer types.
· Citrus fruits and juices may help boost brain function and protect the brain from neurodegenerative disorders.
There are some great facts on citrus fruits found on
http://www.thefruitpages.com/citrus.shtml
12/18 – limes
12/19 – grapefruit
No MIss November
These students were really excited to accept their well deserved gift from Mrs. Jaeke.
This exciting challenge will be repeated in 2020, time TBD.
Winter Wishes
Send your friends off for break with a special wish and treat. Winter Wishes are being sold December 10th – 17th during lunch for .25 cents. They will be available for parents to purchase during the Winter Program and will be delivered on December 20th.
DJ NEXT ONE at Western Hills
On December 20th the kiddos will be dancing at our Sock Hop with time earned with ROAR rewards. DJ Next One will be putting on an amazing dance and we can’t wait!. Encourage your child to earn ROAR rewards and “buy” some time at the dance!
Western Hills PTO - Activities and Information
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