Panda Press
Paddock Road Monthly Newsletter
February 7, 2020
Calendar
February 8 - Polar Plunge
February 13 - Spirit Day
February 14 - Valentine's Day Parties 2:30 pmFebruary 15-March 15 Kindergarten Enrollment
February 17 - No School Professional Learning Day
February 25 - Don & Millies Family Night
Polar Plunge is Coming
"Polar Plunge is Coming” it’s time to #BeBoldGetCold to support Special Olympics Nebraska and Westside Unified. February 8th is the Omaha Polar Plunge, put on by Special Olympics Nebraska. Westside Unified will be represented with a team of “Polar Plungers” and funds raised and designated for the Westside Unified Team will be used to support the Unified Activities programs in Westside Community Schools such as our K-8 Unified Activities Program, WHS Unified Bowling, WHS Unified Track, WHS Sparkles, and much more. With your support, we hope to continue to expand these opportunities across our district and community.
You can show your support in several ways…
Join us to Plunge (we are requesting Polar Plungers be 16+yrs old, be sure to join the Westside Unified Team if signing up)
Join us to Cheer and Support - Join us at Lake Zorinsky on Feb 8th to cheer on the team!
Make a Donation - Click here to make a donation to the Westside Unified Team
Unified Activities - Unified Bowling
What Are Unified Activities?
The Special Olympics Unified Schools Program is a fast growing initiative that brings students with and without intellectual disabilities together.
Westside Community Schools is excited to offer our next Unified Activity this year,
Unified Bowling.
Where: Mockingbird Lanes, 4870 S 96th St, Omaha, NE 68127
When: Feb 24th, 2020 - 4pm-6p
What: A bowling event unlike any other! Come and enjoy a free game and shoes sponsored by Westside Unified Special Olympics
RSVP Needed for Participation
If you and your child(ren) are interested in participating, please complete the RSVP Form. This helps us plan for how many to expect at the event. https://tinyurl.com/WCSUAR1920
Valentine Box Rules
Kindergarten Fun
A tower of three letter words.
Thumbs Up Arts & Crafts with 4th Graders
Thumbs Up Lunch in the Libraray
WHAT'S NEW? PBIS-2020
Counselor’s Corner… Helping Your Child Achieve in School
*Know what’s going on in the school:
1. Read our school newsletter which comes home on Fridays and is on the school website.
2. Have your child show you their schoolwork.
3. Call the school with questions or concerns.
*Be supportive of the school and education:
1. Emphasize to your child the importance of learning and an education.
2. Reinforce the importance of positive school behaviors.
*Provide a home study time:
1. Help your child set up a study center in a quiet area
2. Schedule a study time each day. If there is no assigned homework, your child can read.
3. Check assignment notebooks or book bags for homework that needs to be completed.
*Offer to help children review for tests.
*Help your child set goals for the school year.
Sarah Lieske, LMHP
Paddock Road School Counselor
402-408-8836
Some Fun In The Classrooms
1st Grade Earned Lunch in the Classroom
Puzzles!
Music Class
Attention Strings Parents
Sixth Grade String Concert Date Change:
Sixth Grade String Parents - please note that the date of our Solo and Small Ensemble performance opportunity has been changed from Feb. 18 to Monday, March 16. The event will be held at Westside Middle School at 6:30. More information from your strings teachers will be emailed to you. Please let your strings teacher know if you have any questions!
Strike up the band because our BAND-O-RAMA EXTRAVAGANZA is quickly approaching! Band-o-rama will feature our district wide fifth grade, sixth grade, seventh grade band students as well as our award winning WHS Concert Jazz Band! Students will have a rehearsal during the school day for this event on March 26 and the concert will be the same day at 7:00 pm at Westside High School. Detailed information will be sent home about this concert as the date approaches. For now, please mark your calendars and make this evening a priority for your entire family. Please let your child's band teacher know if you have any questions!
Kindergarten Enrollment
Student In-District Transfer Requests for the 2020-2021 School Year
If you are a District resident who would like your K-6 child(ren) to attend an elementary school other than the school that serves your attendance area for next school year, you must submit a completed In-District Transfer (IDT) Request form to the Office of Student Services for review.
The District gives priority to families living within the District prior to placing Option Enrollment applicants who reside outside the District. We must receive a Student In-District Transfer Request form no later than 4:00 p.m. on March 15, 2020, for your request to be considered prior to our placement of Option Enrollment students.
IDT forms are available at the ABC Building and our District website. Click here to complete the form electronically. An IDT request form must be completed for any child starting kindergarten next year who has one or more siblings currently attending a school outside their home attendance area. Transfers are approved or denied based on available space and other resources. If you have questions about the in-district transfer process, please call the Welcome Center at 402-390-2100.
Kindergarten Enrollment for District Residents: February 15th - March 15th
Do you live in the District and have a child who will be ready for Kindergarten this fall? Do you know of other Westside residents with children who will be ready to start school in August?
Kindergarten enrollment for 2020-2021 begins February 15, 2020. Parents of eligible students should go to westside66.org to begin the enrollment process as early as possible on or after February 15th.
Students entering kindergarten for 2020-2021 must be five years old by July 31, 2020. Parents may opt to hold their children out of kindergarten for an additional year. However, Nebraska state law mandates that a child who reaches six years of age prior to January 1 of the then-current school year must be enrolled in school.
If you have questions, you may call the Westside Welcome Center at 402-390-2100.
Requirements for Early Admission to Kindergarten
In accordance with Nebraska Statute 79-214, the Westside Community Schools allows for admission of children residing in the District as early entrance kindergarteners through a locally designed testing program. Children of District residents who wish to be tested for early entrance must turn five between August 1 and October 15, 2020. For further information regarding early entrance to kindergarten, please call 402-390-3303.
Kindergarten Enrollment for Non-District Residents
If you live outside the District and have a child eligible for kindergarten who has a sibling currently attending a Westside elementary school through the Option Enrollment program, you must submit an Option Enrollment Application. Westside’s Office of Student Services must receive Option Enrollment Applications no later than 4:00 p.m. on March 15, 2020. The application form is available at the ABC Building (909 S. 76th Street) and our district website. Click here to complete the form electronically.
Under Option Enrollment statutes, first priority for admission is given to siblings who seek to attend in the District where an older sibling is already enrolled, provided an Option Enrollment form is submitted by March 15 and provided that there is space available in a requested building and grade level. If you have questions, you may call Julie Fumagalli at 402-390-2107.