Westside Pride
January 2019
A Message From The Superintendent
To the Westside Schools Community,
I want to provide an update regarding the work of our District Boundary Committee as part of our Boundary Engagement Process. To recap: the goal of this committee has been to balance District enrollment between Loveland, Sunset Hills and Swanson, giving consideration to educational, financial, and community concerns, with the specific focus on optimizing new space at Sunset Hills. Throughout the five committee meetings and two public forums, I heard a lively and robust public debate regarding the modifications being discussed. As a father of five children, 7 grandchildren, and working as a school administrator for over 30 years, I certainly understand the emotion any boundary change discussion brings to a community.
AWARDS & HONORS
WMS Student Headed to National Battle of Books for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Ben Brooks, 7th grader at Westside Middle School, is part of a local team that qualified for the National Battle of the Books for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in Washington DC! This is the fist time an Omaha team has qualified for nationals; Ben thrived in independent competition, given only two minutes to prepare and present an answer to an impromptu question on one of three books assigned to his team. Ben and his team, Nebraska North, will compete at Gallaudet University in March - good luck, Ben!
WHS Freshman Makes School History
West Campus Junior Named Star Student
Congratulations to Marquasha Swift, junior at West Campus, who has earned 55 credits this semester! In addition to her own school work, Marquasha spends countless hours mentoring Kindergarten students at Swanson Elementary. "She is positive, upbeat, and always keeps a smile on her face," said Assistant Principal Ericka Payton. "Marquasha is very mature, students look up to her, and staff depends on her. We are happy to have her at West Campus!"
Westside BRAVO Award Winners
Three outstanding Westside teachers were surprised with BRAVO Awards thanks to the Westside Foundation! These educators were nominated and honored for their hard work in our schools, and presented $500 each. Our thanks to Dr. Enid Schonewise, Laura Iliff, and Sue Seline for their support of our teachers!
Meghan Martin, Rockbrook
Sherry Webber, Prairie Lane
Shelley Graves, Westgate
THIS MONTH AT WESTSIDE
Papio NRD Visits Rockbrook
Rockbrook 1st graders welcomed special guests this month - owls and Mr. Austin from the Papio Natural Resources District! Mr. Austin will return next semester with snakes, insects, and lots of information about nature!
Prairie Lane Visits KETV
Westbrook Rocks!
Girls Who Code
Westside Middle School students part of the STEAM Girls Group took part in a December workshop to program circuit playgrounds. 8th grader Hailey Kirchhevel calls this 'Rainbow'! This group is made possible thanks to award-winning teacher Kristeen Shabram and ESU3 Maker Innovation Lab!
WHS Students Pitch To Business Leaders
Oakdale's Hour of Code
Construction Updates
Westside Safe Schools Hotline
Winter Break is a time for all of our families and staff to spend time with loved ones, celebrate holidays, and refresh for another exciting semester. However, for many, this time of year also brings about stress, depression and emotional challenges.
Westside families now have another safe, easy-to-reach outlet for sharing their concerns and getting help when they need it. The Westside Safe Schools Hotline is now available at 402-390-2118. If you or someone you know needs help or simply wants to talk to a professional, please consider using this free service. It can be used by anyone who has concerns about safety, bullying, depression, suicide, substance abuse, relationship issues, or anything else that could threaten someone’s physical or emotional well-being.
The Westside Safe Schools Hotline connects callers with trained Boys Town National Hotline counselors who are available 24/7, 365 days a year. Callers are not required to give their names. We encourage parents to talk with their children about this service should they ever need it. Attached is an easy reference you can print and post somewhere at home.
Thank you for your help in keeping all Westide students, staff and families safe and supported throughout our community.
Westside Gear Makes Great Holiday Gifts!
Swing by The Colosseum at Westside High School to pick up a perfect gift for the Warriors in your family! OR - our students will mail it to you, and gift wrap for FREE!
All new merchandise, designed and pressed by Westside DECA members!
Today’s Deal!
Spend $25, save $5.
Spend $50, save $10.
Help support our program while wearing authentic Westside Warrior attire! CLICK HERE to shop now!
UPCOMING EVENTS
12/22-1/6 NO SCHOOL - Winter Break
12/22 Special Board of Education meeting, 2:00pm @ ABC
12/28-12/29, 1/2-1/3 Metro Basketball Tournament @ Ralston Arena
1/3 ATSC Premiere Night, 7:00pm @ WHS
1/5 WHS Basketball vs. Omaha Central, 3:30/5:15 @ WHS
1/7 SCHOOL RESUMES
1/7 WAC meeting, 7pm @ WHS
1/8 Bond Oversight Committee meeting, 6pm @ ABC
1/8 WHS Girls Basketball vs. Marian, 7:15pm @ WHS
1/9 Warrior Theatre Competition Showcase, 6pm @ WHS
1/10 HS, WG, PL 3rd-4th Grade Music Concert, 7pm @ WMS
1/11 Westside Community Council meeting, 9:15am @ ABC
1/11-1/12 Metro Wrestling Tournament @ Ralston Arena
1/11 WHS Basketball vs. Omaha Burke, 5:30/7:15 @ WHS
1/11 LL Adults Night Out, 6pm
1/11 PL Family Movie Night, 6:30pm
1/14 8th Grade Information Night, 5:30pm @ WHS
1/14 PR, RB, LL 3rd-4th Grade Music Concert, 7pm @ WMS
1/15 Westside Connection Debut Night, 7pm @ WMS
1/15 WHS Boys Basketball vs. Creighton Prep, 7:15pm @ WHS
1/17 WHS Wrestling Senior & Alumni Night, 4pm @ WMS
1/17 Warrior Express Premiere Night, 8pm @ WHS
1/18 WHS Basketball vs. PL South, 5:30/7:15 @ WHS
1/18 SH Pizza & Bingo Night, 6pm
1/19 Little Warrior STEM Camp, 8:30am @ WMS
1/19 NSBA 8th Grade All-State Band Competition
1/21 NO SCHOOL - Professional Learning
1/21 Board of Education meeting, 6:30pm @ ABC
1/22 WHS Swim/Dive vs. Elkhorn South, 4:30pm @ WHS
1/22 OD 5th-6th Grade Music Program, 7pm @ WMS
1/22 8th Grade/Warrior Band Concert, 7pm @ WHS
1/24 WHS Swim/Dive vs. Lincoln SE, 4:30pm @ WHS
1/24 PR 5th-6th Grade Music Program, 7pm @ WMS
1/25 WAC Spirit Night & WHS Girls Basketball vs. Omaha South, 5:30pm @ WHS
1/25 HS Family Event Night, 6pm
1/25 OD Winter Dance, 6:30pm
1/26 Competition of Excellence @ WHS
Westside #BeKind Shirts Now Available
In the spirit of the districtwide theme, “Be Kind”, Westside High School HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) Club designed the “One District One Shirt” initiative in efforts to celebrate all Westside Community Schools and support our district as a whole. All orders will be delivered when students return from break (January 7). Proceeds from t-shirt sales will be donated to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). CLICK HERE TO ORDER!