News & Notes

On November 6, 2022, our Board of Education approved our 2023-24 and 2024-25 District Calendars for Westside Community Schools. Please note, these were formed after several weeks of discussion and collaboration with a committee including staff members, parents, and administrators.

CLICK HERE TO SEE 2023-24 and 2024-25 SCHOOL YEAR CALENDARS.

As you review, we want to share some of the key factors that played a role in our decisions to determine this calendar.

• We need to have 175-176 days for students each school year in order to meet/exceed school year hour requirements as outlined by the Nebraska Department of Education.

• We need to have 191 teacher contract days to stay in compliance with our negotiated agreement.

• To better accommodate new student orientations and transitions each August, we prefer to start with a partial week as opposed to the first day of school being on a Monday.

• This calendar allows us to have ample professional development and workdays throughout the school year for staff.

• The parents and staff members on the calendar committee unanimously agreed on the following components of our calendars:

• Be done with school by Memorial Day
• Have a full two weeks (10 weekdays) off for Winter Break
• Have the Wednesday of Thanksgiving Week off for students and staff
• Have a full week of Spring Break

Thank you to our Calendar Committee for their help, and thank you to all of our hardworking staff for your time and dedication to our district.

Each month, we will share another video showing the work being done in Westside Community Schools. This month: learn more about Rockbrook Elementary!

Westside Community Schools is a proud partner with Smore, an interactive newsletter with proven engagement results with families. If you want a free Smore account, please email paul.brandi@westside66.net! If you already have an account, adding you to our umbrella will increase your access without losing any of your newsletters you have already produced.

Happy Smor'ing!

THIS IS YOUR FINAL OPPORTUNITY to complete two challenges in 2022 as part of Westside Wellness!

The "Listen First" challenge will conclude Sunday, Nov. 20th; it's not too late to sign up!

Our Westside Wellness leaders have made this process, using our MyPulse app, easy for you with step-by-step instructions. Please click this link for more details: https://www.smore.com/am3s2-westside-wellness?ref=email-content#w-4608789438

Once you are in this current challenge, don't forget to click "YES" on 5 out of the 7 days. PLEASE NOTE: There is only ONE more challenge to join in December.

We ask ALL employees to complete TWO District sponsored Wellness challenges and complete the MyPulse Survey by 12/30/22 in order to receive your incentive. Incentives include FREE Family Medical Insurance for those who qualify. If District challenges (2) and the MyPulse survey are not completed, employees will be deducted for family medical insurance starting on the January 2023 paycheck.

If you have questions, please contact the Westside Wellness rep in your building. If you do not know who that is, please connect with your principal or department leader.

We are once again organizing a 2022 Holiday Sponsorship and Support program to ensure ALL Westside students feel loved and supported. If you are willing and able, your generosity will support those in our school community who may be in need of a little extra assistance this year.

CLICK HERE to learn how you can help!

Please note: this link is for families and/or staff who wish to donate/support students; if you or your student are in need of help, please connect with the dedicated social workers in your building and throughout our district, or click here for details and resources available to you.

THANK YOU in advance for your constant generosity and spirit of community, now and all year long throughout our district and community.

Congratulations to Abbey Painter, Speech Language Pathologist at Westside Middle School, who has welcomed a baby girl into her family! Charlotte Marie Painter was born 11/1/2022 weighing 8 lbs 4 oz, 21 1/2 inches long. Her big brothers Lincoln and Drake are loving her to pieces.

Congratulations, Abbey and family!

Elizabeth Raphael, 2nd Grade Teacher at Rockbrook Elementary, is devoting time outside of school to making all Ukranian students and families feel welcome in Omaha. Raphael has been tutoring students and families, and collecting furniture and clothing donations. KETV's Joey Safchik recently shared Elizabeth's story; you can CLICK HERE to watch!

Congratulations to Dylan Travis, Special Education Teacher at Westside High School and Asst. Boys Basketball Coach, who is now a world gold medalist! Travis is a member of the Team USA 3x3 squad invited by USA Basketball to compete in the 2022 AmeriCup tournament. The team beat out national teams from Canada, Brazil, Argentina, Jamaica, Mexico and more to win gold. From Team USA representatives: "The timing of this selection bodes extremely well for Dylan's chances to make the USA Olympic team for Paris 2024."

Congratulations, Coach Travis!

Do you have news to share, an event to promote, or an achievement to celebrate? Let us know! We have a variety of outlets to share positive news including social media, websites, our app, newsletters and media coverage. Please email us at communications@westside66.net (more than 24 hours in advance when possible.)

Our condolences are with Deb Saetveit as her husband died October 18. Deb is a Librarian at Westside Middle School. Services took place October 28-29; click here for a link to Nathan's obituary.

Thank you for keeping Deb and her children in your thoughts.

Our condolences are with family and friends of Robert Keuchel, who died October 23. 'Bob' was a longtime Custodian at Loveland Elementary. Services took place October 30-31; click here for a link to Bob's obituary.

Thank you for keeping Bob's family in your thoughts.

As part of our annual communications survey, our staff members were asked about best practices regarding obituary notices. Most indicated they would prefer condolences as part of this staff newsletter rather than individual emails. We will share most obituary information related to staff in our monthly News & Notes e-newsletter, while also sending details about services via email to that staff member's building. In the event of a death in which a staff member works/worked in multiple buildings, we may also send out an email via district announcements.