Hillside News Brief

Things don’t always go as I would like to them to go in my life as a school administrator. As an adult in elementary education, I often wish I could wave a magic wand to ensure our children are protected, safe, happy, and healthy at all times. Unfortunately, neither you nor I can ensure that completely, but we can work together to create the best environment possible so that good things happen for all of us with regularity.

This past week our community has experienced some challenges, and I want you to know that Hillside parents and guardians have been, as I expected they would be, an amazing group of people who care. Many of you have gone out of your way to express positive messages of encouragement to our district leadership on the Westside website. Every person I was in touch with this week, whether discussing concerns about Covid-19, happenings at school, or something else, has been incredibly supportive and helpful.

I always say that one of the best aspects of Hillside is its caring community, and never has that been more apparent than this week. I am grateful to you for being a partner with our school in order to create a positive experience for our students, our families, and our staff. I am blessed to be the principal of Hillside and to have the opportunity to work with you to educate children.

Cynthia Bailey, Principal

From Dr. Lee in our Technology Department:

Good afternoon,

As we prepare to send iPad devices home with our elementary students, I wanted to send out a quick reminder about the web filter.

We have our new filter, Content Keeper, set up and installed on all devices. When students connect to the internet at home, they will want to open up Safari FIRST before trying to connect with any other apps such as IXL or Clever.

The screen pictured below may appear in Safari depending on the speed of their internet access at home. When this happens, students have 2 options:

1. They can wait 30 seconds to 2 minutes for the iPad to pull the correct information. After this, when they go to other pages they will be able to browse normally.
2. They can enter their Westside username and password (i.e., smith123 and Abc123Def). These are located on their login cards.

That's it. Thank you!

Inclusion week in Westside is a special week. We spend each day celebrating inclusion of all students in our school and district communities. Below is the plan for inclusion week, which will begin Monday, March 16. Participation is fun and reminds us that Westside in an inclusive school district.

If you'd like to show your support by purchasing a t-shirt celebrating Inclusion Week, there is one available. Just go to this link: Inclusion T-Shirt - Online Order Form

Also, here is link with more information about inclusion week: https://www.smore.com/0dwr

Hillside's STEAM Night will also include a STEAM Expo! STEAM Night is Thursday, April 23, from 6:30-8:30 pm. For more information, you can go to this site:

Hillside STEAM Expo

Spring Break will be here sooner than we all realize! We will be on break from April 6-10. School will resume on Monday, April 13th.

Parents:

Community Club is planning a dessert bar for the Hillside staff for April 2. If you would like to donate a dessert, please access the link below.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4DA5A922A0F49-teacher3

We appreciate how much our families support our staff!

The BIG NEWS is that Hillside raised a grand total of $3,620.54 for the Kids' Heart Challenge fundraiser for the American Heart Association. Our fundraising efforts will make a tremendous impact and help millions of Americans through increased awareness of cardiovascular disease, important scientific research, and needed education efforts. Thank you for participating in our fundraiser for the American Heart Association!

The Nebraska State Testing window opens March 16 and will go through April 24 (makeups will be the week after that). Please watch your teacher's class newsletter for updates regarding when testing will happen in your student's grade. Please avoid making appointments during the day for your child if you can avoid it. We understand that extenuating circumstances occur, and we will make up missed tests for your student when necessary. Students do best, typically, if we can follow routines and stay on schedule for them. Sometimes missed tests can create stress for a young person, and we would like to have an organized and regular schedule for our students so that they can have a positive experience during testing. Thank you!

Parents and students are invited to join us for an evening of introductions and important information and, most importantly, to welcome the next 6th grade class to Westside Middle School. We are asking specific schools to come on an assigned night in order to create a more intimate and comfortable environment for your student’s first experience as a middle school student. If you cannot make your assigned night, please attend when you can. When you arrive, you will report to the Performing Arts Center (PAC)

Monday, March 23 (Hillside, Prairie Lane, Oakdale, Paddock, Swanson)

Tuesday, March 24 (Rockbrook, Sunset, Loveland, Westgate, Westbrook)

6:00 Welcome to WMS!

6:30 - 6:45 Breakout Session #1

6:50 - 7:05 Breakout Session #2

7:10 - 7:25 Breakout Session #3

7:30 Adjourn

Breakout Session Overview:

We are providing multiple, 15-minute breakout sessions so parents can personalize their learning about WMS. Parents and students are asked to select 3 sessions to attend. Below is a sneak peek of each one (the * represents breakout sessions that are invitation only):

● Middle School 101: Find out about dress code, expectations, bus, after school library program, computers. (FCS Room D205)

● 7th Grade Registration Help - Counselors will be available to answer questions about courses and the middle school schedule. There will be Powerschool help as well. (Library E205)

● Grading: Learn from teachers about grading at Westside Middle School (7C Team Area)

● Building Strengths in Your Student: During this session, staff will discuss how to use your students’ Gallup Strengths. Offered only in the first 2 sessions both nights. (7B Team Area)

● Athletics/Clubs/Activities/Involvement: During this session, staff will discuss the different opportunities for students at WMS. (Cafeteria)

● *Assisted Learning Special Education: If your student is in Assisted Learning Special Education, you can meet with staff to discuss co-teaching, talk about electives, and see a potential schedule. Invitation only session (C209)

● *EY: The Excellent in Youth provides expanded learning opportunities for students with high ability. Only offered at the first session both nights (6:30) Invitation only.

Westside Community Council is looking for representation from our elementary school for the 2020-2021 school year. WCC is composed of 2 to 3 members from each of the 12 schools in the District. The members plan and implement district-wide volunteer activities for the students in all grades. Each member serves on a minimum of 2 committees. Committees include:

*Westside Middle School Career Day

*Battle of the Books

*District Outreach/Advocacy

*Clothes Closet

*Westside High School Staff Appreciation

For additional information on the Westside Community Council or if you are interested in being a representative, contact Kim Sedivy in the Communications Department via email at sedivy.kimberly@westside66.net or phone (402) 390-2130.

Band-o-Rama is coming on Thursday, March 28! Come hear our amazing band students play with other band students throughout the district. We hope to see you there!

Please note that Boys' and Girls' Club will be closed on Friday, March 27. Please make other arrangements to pick up your student(s) on that day. Thank you!