Westside Pride
October 2018
A Message From The Superintendent
Recently, I reread Malcolm Gladwell's Outliers (2008) and I was struck by how he viewed success in the United States. We forget that much of individual success is built on hard work, with a focus on what we enjoy doing. We see successful people and call them lucky. Gladwell explains that many factors go into becoming a successful person, and Gladwell’s various stories and theories about success impacted me as an educator. In fact, it made me reflect deeply about how schools could increase the access and provide additional opportunities for all students to begin their work toward becoming an expert in an area of strength, talent, or interest. As educators, we can and should play a role in supporting students and their success.
Westbrook Reading Success Featured Across Omaha
AWARDS & HONORS
Sarah Weiss, Westside Middle School
Mary McPadden, Oakdale Elementary School
Congratulations to Mary McPadden, School Psychologist at Oakdale Elementary, who has been named the NSPA Outstanding School Psychologist of the Year! This prestigious award from the Nebraska School Psychologist Association is one of the highest honors school psychologists can receive. Several Westside administrators offered congratulations to McPadden, including Director of Special Services Dr. Kami Jessop, who described her as one of the most talented, driven, and dedicated professionals she has ever had the privilege to work alongside.
Samantha Gillotte, Westside Middle School
2019 Warrior Walkabout
We have scheduled the 2019 Warrior Walkabout for current 6th grade students for Friday, May 10 in the afternoon. All 6th grade students will be excused from their classes that day, and be bussed to Westside Middle School to learn more about classes, activities, our staff and their next chapter in a new school. 6th grade teachers will accompany their students during this trip, taking place from 11:45am - 2:45pm that day (students will have a sack lunch). Students will then return to their elementary schools by bus, and will follow normal dismissal.
Current 7th grade students will not have school on Friday, May 10th.
Current 8th grade students will attend Career Day activities on the morning of Friday, May 10th, and attend job shadow experiences in the afternoon.
Thank you for helping us make the Warrior Walkabout a great experience for our next class of Westside Middle School students!
THIS MONTH AT WESTSIDE
'Little Warriors' Shine At Cheer Clinic
Loveland Launch Raises Record Amount For School
Guest Readers at Rockbrook ECC
Student Council elections at Prairie Lane
NE Loves PS at Hillside
Journalist visits Sunset Hills
Swanson Teacher in the Spotlight!
UPCOMING EVENTS
10/1-10/6 Apply2College Week
10/1 Superintendent Search Public Forum & Board of Education meeting, 5:30pm @ ABC
10/3 Westside Homecoming Parade & Pep Rally, 6:30pm @ WHS
10/4 Westside Homecoming Tailgate, 6:00pm @ Alumni House
10/5 Westside Homecoming Football Game & Fireworks Show
10/6 WHS Homecoming Dance
10/8 WMS Open House, 6:00pm-8:00pm
10/9 Bond Oversight Committee meeting, 6:00pm @ ABC
10/11 Boundary Committee meeting, 6:00pm @ Sunset Hills
10/15-10/17 Parent-Teacher Conferences
10/15 Board of Education meeting, 6:30pm @ ABC
10/17 11th Grade College Planning Night, 6:00pm @ WHS
10/19 NO SCHOOL - Intersession
10/22 NO SCHOOL - Professional Learning
10/24 WHS Marching Band Concert, 7:00pm
10/25 Boundary Committee meeting, 6:00pm @ Swanson/Swing School
10/25-10/28 WHS Musical: Sister Act
10/26 Halloween Parties & Parades at HS, PR, SH, OD
10/26 Trunk Or Treat at WG, HS, WB
10/29 Warrior Baseball Spooky Halloween Slugfest, 6:00pm @ WHS
10/29 Love & Logic Class #1, 6:00pm @ Hillside
10/30 Fall Parties at Westbrook
10/30 WHS Orchestra Concert, 7:00pm @ WHS
10/31 Halloween Parties & Parades at LL, SW, WG, PL, RB
Westside Safe Schools Hotline Available 24/7
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. This hotline number is printed on all WHS student ID badges and 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. Thank you for your help in keeping all students safe and supported at Westside Community Schools.