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Tiger Tracks
Oakdale Elementary's Monthly Newsletter | April 2023
Spirit Day Fridays
NEW - Teacher Feature!
Becca Kratky
- Position: 6th Grade Teacher
- Years at Oakdale: 14 years
- Years in Education: 19 years
- What would students be surprised to find out about you? I had emergency surgery as a newborn.
- What is one of your hidden talents? Decorating cookies.
- What is your dream vacation? African safari.
Alissa Magistretti
- Position: Special Ed Educational Assistant
- Years at Oakdale: This is my first year
- Years in Education: I have not worked in a school environment but I had my own daycare at home when my last child was born. I was blessed to take care of 6 -11 kiddos.
- What would students be surprised to find out about you? I am a Westside Alumni. I played softball for the Warriors in high school and I am on the record board in the high school hallway.
- What is one of your hidden talents? I do not have any hidden talents but one thing that I love to do is draw and paint on canvas. Bob Ross was an inspiration to me.
- What is your dream vacation? My favorite thing to do is camping. My kids and I like to go to many places in the summer to explore nature. It would be so amazing to be able to camp by the ocean someday.
Lorena Martinez
- Position: Teacher of English Learners (EL)
- Years at Oakdale: This is my first year at Oakdale
- Years in Education: 3 years as a teacher and 8 years as an educational assistant
- What would students be surprised to find out about you? I was born in Mexico and came to the UIS when I was 5 years old.
- What is one of your hidden talents? I am an excellent hair braider.
- What is your dream vacation? Taking a tour around Italy or Brazil.
Classroom Request Information
It is that time of year when parents begin thinking about making formal classroom requests for the next school year. During April and May, the teachers at each grade level, specialist teachers, and Mr. Jagels will begin building class lists for the next year using the following criteria:
â—Ź Male/female ratio
â—Ź Different academic levels of students including those in special education
â—Ź ELL, Academic Interventions, and the EY program
â—Ź Matching individual learning styles with teaching styles as best we can
â—Ź Keeping classroom dynamics in balance (behavior, social, emotional, and personality considerations among students)
As you can see, a great deal of thought and effort goes into making these class lists. Granting every request would undo the long process that has been carefully put together and jeopardize the integrity of that work. In addition, children need to work in and with a variety of circumstances now and in the future, both in terms of personnel and environment.
If you have some unusual circumstances that you feel you must address, please do the following:
● Make a formal request in writing to Mr. Jagels addressing your child’s learning style and the type, not the name, of the teacher that would benefit your child (email will suffice).
â—Ź If there has been a request made in a previous year that still applies, please make sure we are aware of the necessary details for placement in the 2023-2024 school year.
â—Ź Turn in the request by Friday, April 7, 2023.
â—Ź Turning in a request does not guarantee that it will be granted.
All teachers work as a professional learning community at Oakdale. In other words, all teachers come together to collaborate about all students in their grade level to discuss the best approaches to meet the needs of all students academically, behaviorally, socially, and emotionally. Each grade level at Oakdale also incorporates flexible grouping strategies that allow students to work with other teachers in that grade level. We appreciate your understanding of the process, and we look forward to a strong finish to this year and another terrific school year for 2023-2024.
Fall 2023 Enrollment
KINDERGARTEN ENROLLMENT FOR 2023-24
Kindergarten enrollment for District residents for the 2023-24 school is now live on the District website. Please check our website at westside66.org as soon as possible to start your enrollment online.
Children entering kindergarten must be 5 years old on or before July 31, 2023. Parents may wait to enroll their child(ren) in kindergarten for an additional year. However, Nebraska law requires that child(ren) who reach the age of six prior to Jan 1st of the then current school year must be enrolled in school.
For questions about enrollment, please contact the Westside Welcome Center at 402-390-2100 or enrollment@westside66.net.
KINDERGARTEN OPTION ENROLLMENT
If you live outside of the Westside district and have a child eligible for kindergarten in 2023-24 who has a sibling attending our schools through the Option Enrollment program, you must submit an option application for your kindergartener. The deadline to apply for Option Enrollment is 4:00 pm on March 15th.
In addition to kindergarten, you can apply for any other grade level by the same deadline, 4:00 pm on March 15th.
Option Enrollment forms can be completed using this link:
https://forms.gle/FvsmAEBqRpcePEKg9
Questions about Option Enrollment, please contact Student Services at 402-390-2107.
IN-DISTRICT TRANSFERS FOR 2023-24
Are you a District resident and would like your K-6 grade child(ren) to attend an elementary school in Westside other than the area where you live? The deadline to submit an In-District Transfer request for the upcoming school year is 4:00 pm on March 15th.
In addition to completing a kindergarten enrollment form, an In-District Transfer request form must also be completed for any child starting kindergarten next year who has a sibling attending an elementary school outside of their home attendance area. The deadline to submit this request is also 4:00 pm on March 15th.
In district transfer forms can be completed using this link: https://forms.gle/EHgruZWb9MH1UBtH8
Questions about In-District Transfers, please contact Student Services at 402-390-2107.
EARLY ADMISSION FOR KINDERGARTEN
Children of District residents who wish to be tested for early entrance to kindergarten must turn 5 years old between August 1 and October 15, 2023.
For further information regarding early entrance testing, please contact Early Admissions at
402-390-3303.
Monthly High 5 Drawing
For the month of March, students can take their chance to win Friendship Bracelet Making with 3 friends and Mrs. Gordman. Good luck!
Specialist Corner
Emotional Well Being
We know it is important to consider both the physical and social-emotional wellbeing of our students, families, and staff. We continue to be committed to providing regular instruction and support for studying in managing thoughts and feelings.
If your child is experiencing particular difficulties (whether related to the pandemic or other life circumstances) and you would like to explore options for additional support we encourage you to contact our School Psychologist, Mrs. McPadden (mcpadden.mary@westside66.net) who can help in coordinating additional support and resources.
Phase II Bond Issue
At the February 21, 2023, Board of Education meeting, members voted unanimously to authorize Westside Community Schools to pursue Phase II of the Facilities Master Plan initially established in 2013.
Representatives from Project Advocates will be on hand with Dr. Lucas at the Phase II Bond Issue meetings to help answer questions regarding Phase II projects. See the below graphic regarding informational meetings and building tours.
Ballots will be mailed to by the Douglas County Election Commission to District residents between April 17 and April 28, 2023
Ballots are due by May 9, 2023.
Oakdale Year-at-a-Glance Calendar
Linked you will find our year long Oakdale Calendar. Please know that this calendar is subject to change. We encourage you to access our Oakdale Calendar through our Website, the Westside Community Schools App, and to subscribe so that this information shows right up on your own calendar for iPhone, iPad, Mac, or any other Google Calendar subscribable platform.
Calendar Reminders
April
3-7 - NO SCHOOL, Spring Break
10 - Classes Resume, 8:30 am
13 - Don & Millie's Family Restaurant Night
13 - Student Council Meeting, 3:30
17 - New Kindergarteners Open House, 6:00 pm
18 - Community Club Meeting, 6:30
22 - WE-SIDE Multicultural Fair, 12:00 WHS
26 & 27 - 6th Grade to Outdoor Ed
27 - Pickleman's Family Restaurant Night
May
1 - NO SCHOOL for students
2 - District Band & Strings Solo & Ensemble, 6:00 WMS
3 - La Casa Family Restaurant Night, 11:00 am - 9:00 pm
4 - Student Council Meeting, 3:30
12 - Spring Fling, 6:00 Oakdale
18 - Student Council Meeting, 3:30
25 - Triple Be Celebration
26 - LAST DAY OF SCHOOL, 12:00 DISMISSAL
Community Club Information
Community Club Meeting
Don & Millie's Night
Community Club Website and Family Directory
This year you can gain FREE access to the family directory! So make sure to confirm or update your info on the Oakdale Community Club website details to get FREE access to the directory! Easily get contact info for birthday parties and playdates. See these helpful instructions for website assistance.
Don't Forget to TAGG
SHOP - Shop at participating local businesses.
SNAP - Snap a pic of your receipts with the TAGG app.
EARN - The business will donate a percentage to Oakdale!
Oakdale Elementary School
Our Expectations:
- Be Safe
- Be Respectful
- Be Responsible
- (Be Kind)
Email: jagels.glen@westside66.net
Website: westside66.org/domain/13
Location: 9801 West Center Road, Omaha, NE, USA
Phone: 402-390-6460
Facebook: facebook.com/OakdaleTigers66
Twitter: @oakdaletigers66