Westside Foundation Newsletter

We're glad you're here! Welcome to the Westside Foundation's Newsletter. We plan to send quarterly updates as a way to:

• INFORM donors, parents, alumni, faculty/staff and the entire District 66 community about the projects and initiatives the Westside Foundation is working on
• SHARE impactful stories and data on grants the Foundation funds
• CELEBRATE our donors. Without your support many incredible initiatives and projects would not be possible

VISION

To ensure academic excellence through private support.

MISSION

To generate and raise funds to enhance the District’s ability to meet the expectations of an exemplary education for every student.

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES

• To raise funds for direct contribution to the continuance of educational, artistic and athletic excellence for our children and the community
• To support programs for which district funds are not available
• To recognize excellence through student scholarships and teacher/staff awards
• To provide an outstanding early childhood program

In 2021 a few teachers at Hillside were brainstorming ideas about how to better engage special education students who were having a difficult time with social skills. Before too long, the Hillside Coffee Cart was born! This "small business" gives special education students the opportunity to work on money skills, social skills and job skills.

With the Foundation's support, the Hillside Coffee Cart is now in YEAR TWO and has a goal of becoming more unified- where special education and general education students will work together to run this business. Students are responsible for greeting teachers, taking orders, delivering drinks and snacks, taking payment and returning change. Through this experience the students learn how to run a business, work on math skills and receive direct instruction of social skills to better prepare them for real life conversations.

This has proven to be a great way for students to get to know staff members in the building that they might not know and also allows students to see old familiar teachers they may not have the opportunity to see as often. The students work on their social skills while learning to be confident leaders.

Way to go Hillside!

All teachers and staff members are invited to apply for Classroom Grants. The application process takes place in October.

Thanks to your support, the W CLUB raised $152,000 for our schools in 2022. These funds and VI VI funds support the District through Classroom and District + Schoolwide Grants.

In the past seven years the W CLUB has raised over $750,000 for the District. We are forever grateful for your support!

Special thanks to the 2022 W CLUB chairs:

• Annie & Ken Bird ('66)
• Nicole & Rick Kelley ('90)
• Sarah and Adrian Rider ('99)

Join a community of alumni, parents of alumni, current parents and friends who support the Future of Westside. Join the W CLUB today and make an impact on the future of students, teachers and education in District 66.

Many donors continue to support Westside students through Scholarship opportunities. If you would like additional information on how to support and/or start a scholarship please reach out to Westside Foundation.

VI VI is an annual celebration sponsored by the Westside Foundation. All proceeds from this event get redistributed back into Westside Community Schools for the betterment of the District. The theme this year is Life is Sweet in District 66.

VI VI (pronounced “vee-vee”) are the Roman numerals 6 6, and represent our District 66 name. The Roman theme relates to Westside High School’s Roman Warrior mascot.

VI VI was first held in September 2003. It has become an annual tradition that brings the entire Westside community together for an evening of friends and fun, while raising funds to benefit special school district projects.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Email: foundation@westside66.net
Website: https://wcsfoundation66.org/
Location: 1101 South 90th Street, Omaha, NE, USA
Phone: 4023902133
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WestsideAlumni
Twitter: @WCSFoundation66