From the Office
This week we had our first fire drill and lockdown drill. The students and staff did a great job. We will continue to practice our emergency drills throughout the school year. These drills are a vital part of our emergency preparedness plan and helps to create a safe learning environment for students and staff.
September is a very busy month for school activities. Please be sure to make note of all of the activities in the Important Events section of the newsletter. Fall into Books will be from 4:30 PM to 7:00 PM. The book fair will be open in the gym. We will also be serving a free hot dog dinner from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM. We hope that everyone will join us for this fun event!
Parent/Teacher Conferences will also be in September. Conferences will be held on September 24th & 25th from 3:00 PM to 6:30 PM. Students will be dismissed at 2:06 on both days. You will be able to signup for conferences online. More information will be sent home next week about how to signup for your conference time.
Please remember that there is no school this Monday due to Labor Day. Enjoy your holiday weekend!
Thank you,
Ryan Broshar
Principal- Westridge Elementary
402-289-2559, rbroshar@epsne.org
Important Events
September 2nd- Labor Day, No School
September 3rd- PTO Meeting @ 6:30 PM- Westridge Library
September 13th- Picture Day & Fall into Books
September 19th & 20th- Outdoor Ed (5th Grade only)
September 24th & 25th- Parent/Teacher Conference 3 to 6 PM, 2:00 dismissal
September 25th- Walk-a-thon Kick-off
September 26th & 27th- No School
October 1st- PTO Meeting @ 6:30 PM- Westridge Library
October 11th- Westridge Walk-a-thon
Subscribe to our calendar at- WR Calendar
Counselor's Corner
Dear Families,
We were excited to kick off the school year by talking about Kindness. Our definition of Kindness is acting with understanding, generosity, and care. We believe developing skills around Kindness will help us build a strong foundation for a great year of learning, connecting, and growing together.
In our current classroom guidance lessons, we are discussing Bullying and creating an environment of kindness and respect. Using this curriculum, students will experience a blend of anti-bullying methods with other important skills like empathy, communication, and resilience.
Check out our Family Letters for more information about our guidance curriculum. Watch for monthly newsletters like these that outline the skills we are learning and provide fun ideas to practice these skills at home.
Take care!
Kindness Kickoff Family Newsletter
Bullying Prevention Family Newsletter
Emily Woodson
School Counselor
Westridge Elementary, Elkhorn Public Schools
402-289-2559
EPS Senior Citizen Activity Passes
Per EPS Board Policy 1006.07, District residents aged 65+ are eligible for a free activity pass which admits the holder to District-sponsored events and activities. Passes can be picked up at the EPS Central Office at 20650 Glenn St. during normal business hours. Individuals must provide a valid driver's license showing a current address of residence with EPS boundaries to receive a pass.
Severe Weather Protocols
As was shared with all families in an email from Elkhorn Public Schools in early August, information regarding the resources utilized by Elkhorn Public Schools in the event of severe weather can be found at the link below.
EPS Severe Weather Protocols - August 2024 Letter to Staff and Families
Tech Tips for Parents: Screen Sanity
Let's flip the script - creating a sense of "JOMO (that's Joy of Missing Out) encourages students to be fully present and embrace being in the here and now! Check out Screen Sanity for more helpful tips and remember the importance of modeling being where your feet are!
Talented Wildcats
In music we are recognizing ways Wildcats use music outside of school. Do they...
- play an instrument?
- sing?
- Perform using music (dance, gymnastics...)?
- go to a concert?
- Enjoy music in another way?
Share it with Mrs. Colwin! Bring in a picture or email one (tcolwin@epsne.org) and she will put it on the music room fridge (bulletin board in the classroom)!
TeamMates of Elkhorn Information
TeamMates of Elkhorn is currently seeking additional mentors to fulfill our waitlist! Mentors spend 30 minutes a week building a lasting relationship and creating a positive impact that lasts a lifetime. Please consider volunteering your time to meet the growing need for mentors across our District. Apply now by clicking here!
Additionally, visit Runza on Tuesday, September 19, and support your local chapter of TeamMates! 10% of all Runza sales at the 204th and Maple location will be donated back to our Elkhorn chapter.
As was shared with all families in an email from Elkhorn Public Schools on July 24, updated cell phone expectations will be implemented at all EPS schools for the 2024-25 school year. Links to our student handbook and the EPS email that was sent to families can be found below.
2024-25 Elementary Student Handbook -- Cell Phone Policy found on Page 8
Elkhorn Public Schools Email sent to all EPS Families on July 24, 2024
Please take a moment ahead of the first day of school to review the updated expectations as outlined in the handbook, and discuss them with your student.
Westridge PTO Information
Hello Wildcats!
We hope everyone has had a wonderful first few weeks of school! Our next PTO meeting will be next Tuesday, September 3rd at 6:30pm. We will meet upstairs in the Westridge Media Center. Childcare will be provided. Please join us to learn about all of the many fun activities we will be doing for our students and staff as well as find out ways you can get involved. We love to partner with parents and families! Hope to see you there!!
Directory:
The Westridge Directory is available to use for the year! It is important to update your information if you are returning family and register for an account.
https://westridgeelementary.membershiptoolkit.com/
Again, everyone is considered outdated until they go into update their information and publish their directory preferences. We’ve attached some tip sheets to help you get started. Contact Andrea Bakenhus at bakenhusa@gmail.com if you need assistance or have any questions.
*Please see attached documents*
School Spirit Store is up and live until September 8th.
Be sure to grab your new Westridge apparel! Our spirit wear store is officially open! Many new designs including a Tie Dye Option that can be worn on many of Student Council’s Spirit Days!
https://www.specialteeomaha.com/produ.../westridge-wildcats/
How can you stay in the know? Follow us on Facebook at
http://www.facebook.com/westridgeelkhorn
For Reminders and updates that come straight to your phone, please TEXT @wewildcat to 81010
Megan Cain, PharmD
mlhedberg2@gmail.com
402-686-0618
New Directory Users
Returning Parent Users
August Minutes
All About Westridge...
Email: rbroshar@epsne.org
Website: https://www.elkhornweb.org/westridge/
Location: 3100 North 206th Street, Elkhorn, NE, USA
Phone: 402-289-2559
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElkhornPSWR/
Twitter: @ElkhornPS_WR