SUPERSTAR NEWS

Thank you to Mrs. Angie Aliano and Mrs. Jess Corcoran for their hard work on organizing our first ever Field Day! It was a wonderful day full of events, fun and friends.

The Swanson staff would like to extend a special thank you to Sarah Troia, Community Club president, and the entire Swanson Community Club for the outstanding support throughout this school year. THANK YOU!

With the end of any school year, there are always sad goodbyes as students transition to the next grade, move to the middle school, or move out of Swanson. Additionally at times, the same thing happens with staff. This year, we will be saying goodbye to some of our staff as they transition to new ventures in their life. We wish them well as they move on, but we are also excited for new staff to join Swanson's team.

Leaving Swanson:

• Christine Olsen - First Grade Teacher moving to higher education
• Kari Veskerna- Special Education Teacher moving to Paddock Road
• Diana Hiatt- Media Specialist retiring
• Katie Boyle- Counselor moving to Lewis Central School District

New to Swanson next year:

• Emma White- First Grade
• Anna Barrios-Brady- Special Education Teacher
• Brooke Dowse- Media Specialist coming from Loveland

Are you ready for the summer, Superstars? We know you are ready to enjoy time away from school and take in the warm sunny weather in June, July and August. While you are out and about or at home, take time to continue reading, writing, and doing math. Join us in Swanson's Summer Bingo Challenge! Do a little work each day and fill-up your BINGO sheet. Return it to us at Open House on August 6th from 5:30-6:30 pm or the first day of school for 100 STAR TICKETS! Keep learning and having fun this summer and we will see you in August!

Here is another summer reading opportunity that has a sweet reward! Track your reading during the summer on this form (printable) and take it into Nothing Bundt Cakes for a bundtini. Keep reading!

Summer Reading Programs

Throughout the school year, as part of Westside’s Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) process, students are assessed in reading and provided with strong instruction to support their needs. To engage families and extend the learning for students, we are sharing ways in which you can support your child with their reading. As we enter into summer, it is important to encourage practice in the area of reading so that students maintain the skills they learned this year.

Below are some available programs in the community or resources that can be used at home.

*Top priority is simply having your child read every day.

This can include times when someone reads to or with them.

Nebraska Reads: The Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) has provided an extensive list with many online literacy activities.

Free Summer Opportunities for Reading

• Westside Summer Camp, June 10-21 and July 8-19, by invitation only

• NDE Read-at-Home Program

• Omaha Public Library Summer Reading Program & Kids Resources

• NDE freely available resources

• Imagination Soup: Free summer reading programs

Free Online Resources:

• Reach has interactive lessons for reading skills for grades Kindergarten through 3rd grade, as well as videos/lessons for all grade levels across a wide variety of topics including reading, math, science, and social studies.

• Storyline Online is a website that has celebrities reading stories aloud and includes activity guides for parents. Reading aloud to children has been shown to improve reading, writing and communication skills, logical thinking and concentration, and general academic aptitude, as well as inspire a lifelong love of reading.

• Storynory is a website that has audio books. It has some original stories, as well as classics, fairy tales, and myths.

• EPIC is an app that has both audio and digital picture books and chapter books. There is a wide variety of both fiction and nonfiction.

• Wonderopolis is a website that encourages children to explore the wonders of the world. A student picks a topic that intrigues them and there is an informational text that can be played auditorily, as well as a video to go along with the topic. Topics range from “What is Dragon Fruit?” to “Why Do People Like Bubble Wrap So Much?”

Summer Opportunities at Family’s Cost

• Metro Community College--College For Kids

• ABCmouse.com or Starfall.com

If your child will not be coming back to Swanson next fall because you are moving or transferring to another school, please let our office know as soon as possible. This is information is important to us as we prepare for fall classes.

We are asking families to consider purchasing school supplies again for the 2024/25 school year. Attached is the list of school supplies needed for your child’s grade level. If you choose to purchase supplies, please consider purchasing a few additional items for those families who are unable to provide these supplies for their children.

Hey parents!

I am happy to announce our continued partnership with 1st Day School Supplies. If there were ever a year to order your school supplies early, this is it! With all the supply chain issues, it makes back-to-school shopping easy and hassle free. Plus they have guaranteed our school the high quality brands you know & trust like Crayola, Ticonderoga, Elmers, Purell and Clorox. Your child's school supply box will be delivered directly to the school and will be waiting in their classroom on their first day, eliminating the need for you to shop and haul everything in. Click here to pre-order your box today!

INTEREST & TALENT DEVELOPMENT FOR ALL LEARNERS!

The Excellence in Youth (EY) Program at Westside Community Schools provides expanded learning opportunities for students with high ability, in addition to fostering and encouraging talent development in all students.

https://secure.smore.com/n/tp6cb

Jenny Henningsen

EY Coordinator

Sunset & Swanson

The Excellence In Youth Team is excited to showcase Oliver C., Alexander C., Arju A., and Teddy S.-C. from Swanson as the most recent recipients of the Digital Dozen award for the 23-24 school year! The Digital Dozen award is presented to WCS students who earn 12 of the digital badges from the EY Website (ey.westside66.org), which is available to students district-wide. It takes self-motivation, grit, and determination to earn these badges, and these star students should be proud of this accomplishment!

Check out Westside Community Schools Online Breakfast and Lunch Menu! https://schools.mealviewer.com/school/SwansonElementarySchool

Email is a great way to communicate with your child’s teacher. The Westside format is as follows:

lastname.firstname@westside66.net

Sample: harr.jennifer@westside66.net

wendelin.jessie@westside66.net

Visit our web page for current information on school happenings and activities during the year. Go to www.westside66.org and click on schools and then the Swanson link.

August 6 Swanson Open House, 5:30-6:30 pm

August 8 First Day of School, 8:30 am

Mission

The Mission of Swanson School, as a dynamic community alliance and model of innovative education, is to support and empower all learners to achieve academic excellence.

School Improvement

Swanson's school improvement goal is all students will increase reading comprehension.

Swanson's Expectations

• Be Safe
• Be Respectful
• Be Responsible

Email: harr.jennifer@westside66.net
Website: swanson.westside66.org
Location: 410 South 86th Street, Omaha, NE, USA
Phone: 402-390-6485
Facebook: facebook.com/SwansonElementary
Twitter: @swansonstars66