News & Notes

Westside Community Schools is proud to recognize World Mental Health Day on Tuesday, October 10th.

This year staff are invited to participate by purchasing a WCS Mental Health Matters shirt. When ordering a shirt you'll have the option to have the shirt delivered to your school building, or shipped to your home. The online store closes on Thursday, September 21st.

For those who purchase a shirt, we encourage you to wear it on World Mental Health Day, Tuesday, October 10. You can wear this gear with jeans.

It's back! Wellness Wednesdays are back this 23-24 school year. Once again, we'll take one Wednesday per quarter where staff can "dress like a PE teacher" and leave after their students are dismissed with no meetings, etc. Enjoy these fun days!

Wellness Wednesday 2023-24 School Year

September 27, 2023

December 13, 2023

February 14, 2024

April 24, 2024

Parade & Pep Rally

Wednesday, September 27

6:30 PM (start time)

The Parade will start and end at Westside High School. The route will start from the main parking lot, and head south on 85th Avenue. The parade will turn west at Hickory Street, and then take S 88th Street north to William Street. Taking William Street east, the parade will then turn north onto S 87th Street and end in the main parking lot.

The Pep Rally will take place at Phelps Field and will immediately follow the parade.

Be part of the parade! Parade Entry Form

Football Game

Friday, September 29

7:00 PM

The homecoming game is against North Platte.

We are excited to once again provide all staff with an additional day of paid leave for the 2023-2024 school year. This day is intented to provide each of you with an opportunity to take a well-deserved break, recharge, and/or focus on personal matters that require time off.

Please refer to the email from Human Resources on how to use your Westside Loves Me day.

Please remember we need to respect the privacy of all students. Each year during enrollment guardians are able to have their student opt out of directory information, including photos. Your building leadership should have the list of students who have opted out.

We MUST follow these requests. If you have questions please reach out to the communications team: communication@westside66.net

Westgate and Hillside Elementary Schools are hosting neighborhood meetings this month to listen to community members' thoughts and ideas and update the community on the status of the project, expectations, and projected timelines.

Many of the Phase II project teams have had their Architect meetings to interview and decide on the architect that best fits their school and needs.

Hillside Elementary Architect: APMA

Westgate Elementary Architect: Tack Architects

Westside Middle School Architect: BVH

Westside High School Architect: BVH

ABC Building: BCDM

Based upon a facilities task force that was completed in December of 2022, Hillside Elementary will be replaced by a new three-section school located on the same site as the current Hillside Elementary School (7500 Western Avenue, Omaha NE, 68114). The current Hillside Elementary School will be decommissioned and razed after the completion of the new school.

This new school will be approximately 64,700 sf and incorporate historical attributes and/or materials from the existing elementary school. It will include: a separate cafeteria and gymnasium, dedicated elective classroom space, improved drop-off and pick-up access, upgraded security and entrance vestibules, improved ADA access, and the construction of FEMA-rated storm shelters. The new elementary school will need to be designed to allow project-based learning areas. It must also provide a safe, healthy, and secure environment for educators, learners, and staff.

Based upon a facilities task force that was completed in December of 2022, Westgate Elementary will be replaced by a new two-section school located on the same site as the current Westgate Elementary School (7802 Hascall Street, Omaha NE, 68124). The current Westgate Elementary School will be decommissioned and razed after the completion of the new school.

This new school will be approximately 54,500 sf and incorporate historical attributes and/or materials from the existing elementary school. It will include: a separate cafeteria and gymnasium, dedicated elective classroom space, improved drop-off and pick-up access, upgraded security and entrance vestibules, improved ADA access, and the construction of FEMA-rated storm shelters. The new elementary school will need to be designed to allow project-based learning areas. It must also provide a safe, healthy, and secure environment for educators, learners, and staff.

Based upon a facilities task force that was completed in December of 2022, Westside Middle School will be renovated to expand the cafeteria and upgrade the mechanical systems in those spaces. Students will remain in the facility during the addition and renovation. The expansion will expand the seating capacity from 250 to approximately 375 students and will enhance natural light and views into the space. Existing energy systems and utilities will be modified as required for the cafeteria expansion.

Based upon a facilities task force that was completed in December of 2022, the Westside High School Building will be renovated to expand the cafeteria and upgrade plumbing systems. Students will remain in the facility during the addition and renovation. Renovations are being planned over the summer months. The expansion will expand the seating capacity to 550 students and will improve serving area flow. The new space will provide diversity in seating choices. Bathroom remodels will include new waste and vent piping and a new bathroom configuration.

Based upon a facilities task force that was completed in December of 2022, the ABC Building will be renovated to provide vertical circulation and upgrade the mechanical systems. Staff will remain in the facility during the addition and renovation.