News & Notes

As we prepare for an extended break next week to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday with our family and friends, it is always a good time to take pause and consider the meaning of the word “thanksgiving”, which is: the expression of gratitude.

We really do have many reasons to be grateful. We live and work in a wonderful community that is engaged and supports our children and staff members. We have talented educators in our classrooms. We have transformational leaders in our buildings. We are able to provide our students with access and opportunity to amazing innovative classroom activities.

I know I am grateful for a career that has enabled me to impact the lives of children. During my 37 years in education, I have had the opportunity to meet educators from across the country. And what I know is that we all want the same things for our students. We all want to see our students grow strong and be prepared for life beyond school; that they know who they are and what they are capable of accomplishing during their lifetimes. I am proud of the work of Westside Community Schools, and grateful that I get to share with others what an extraordinary school district we have.

I am looking forward to celebrating another Thanksgiving with Marie, my wife of 38 years, and am grateful that we have shared our lives together. I am thankful for our five wonderful children, their spouses, and my six energetic, happy grandsons. My daughter Monica is preparing to have her third child and is due over the Thanksgiving holiday. I must admit, I am hoping for a granddaughter to spoil.

In this season of gratitude, it is important to think about all the things we have to be thankful for in our lives - big and small. When you gather with your families next week, play the “gratitude game.” Simply have everyone share four or five things they are thankful for: a person, a place, a thing, a memory or something of their choosing. Even the youngest family members can play, and we are reminded of what really truly matters in our lives… our families and being together.

I certainly hope you all were able to take a moment today to enjoy a slice of pie with your co-workers! Please enjoy the weekend… and I wish you all a safe and relaxing holiday next week with your loved ones.

Blane

Westside High School Business Teacher Jeanette Kleppinger has been named the 2018 Entrepreneurship Educator of the Year by the Nebraska Entrepreneurship Task Force. The group, also known as NETForce, recognizes educators who have made significant contributions toward the organization, implementation, development or evaluation of entrepreneurship education in Nebraska. Kleppinger was a key figure in the creation of the Nebraska Furniture Mart School of Entrepreneurial Thinking, a groundbreaking $150,000 partnership between Westside Community Schools and Nebraska Furniture Mart. In addition to overseeing this pilot as the new Teacher of Entrepreneurial Thinking, Kleppinger is also a leader in the award-winning Westside High School Business Department.

Westside Middle School Teacher and NEA 2018 Global Fellow Angela Madsen is now a published author! Madsen co-wrote the book Twelve Lessons to Open Classrooms and Minds to the World, offering advice to help students think critically about global affairs. The book is available for purchase on Amazon: click here!

Congratulations to WHS Math Department Head, Angela Mosier, who recently earned her Ed.D. in Curriculum Instruction and Assessment from Walden University. Dr. Mosier's research topic was Secondary Teachers Challenges in Implementing Personalized Learning in Their Content Area. The 2018 Schrager Distinguished Teacher and former Nebraska Teacher of the Year was recently featured by students with Westside Wired; click here to read more!

Congratulations to Assistant Superintendent Dr. Mark Weichel, recognized for 20 years of service by the Nebraska Association of School Administrators! Dr. Weichel was honored at the 2018 NASB State Conference this month.

Congratulations to the Westside Middle School Girls Cross Country Team coaches, who led their team to a state championship at the 2018 Nebraska Junior High Cross Country meet! Out of the more than 200 student athletes, two WMS students placed in the top 14 overall. Congratulations to coaches Emily Vlcek, Ashley Sams and Thomas Benedetto!

PayFlex will continue to be our Flexible Spending Account Service Provider for 2019. You must re-enroll in Flexible Spending each year. You may chose to enroll for Medical and/or Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts. If you do not re-enroll for 2019 your contribution will end with your December paycheck. Funds from 2018 must be used by March 31, 2019. Attached to this email, please find information about Flexible Spending Accounts, the Enrollment Form and the Claim Form. The maximum contribution allowed for 2019 are $5,000 for Dependent Care and $2,700 for Medical Flexible.

Please remember all of these forms are also available in the Human Resources folder in Google Drive. CLICK HERE to access those forms. If you have questions, please plan to attend a District informational meeting on November 28 and 29, both at 4:00pm at ABC

All enrollment forms must be returned to Human Resources by December 5th.

This year, the District will be offering an incentive to full-time certified staff members who provide us with early notification of their plans to resign/retire at the end of their 2018-19 contract.

While we of course hope that staff members intend to stay, we are offering this incentive for those who are able to let us know now if your plans are such that you will not be returning after this school year. This will help us as we look ahead and plan for our staffing needs. The giving of this early notification is entirely optional.

The incentive being offered this year is $500.00 (minus required withholdings) payable in your last paycheck.

Details/requirements about participation, including deadline for submissions, are attached below.

Please contact hrdept@westside66.net with any questions.

The Colosseum, our student-run store at Westside High School, is now online! Sweatshirts, tees, clothing, and more - all purchases over $40 include free shipping! CLICK HERE to shop now!

DR. GREG BETTS

Director of Professional Learning

HOMETOWN: Guthrie Center, IA

EDUCATION: Bachelors/Morningside College, Admin Masters/Doane, Curriculum & Instruction Masters/Doane, Doctorate/UNO

WHAT YOU DO AT WESTSIDE: Administer Educator Academy and Master Mentor Program, lead PK-12 Professional Learning, organize and support PK-12 Professional Learning Communities, lead Elementary Reading Coordinators, lead District Instructional Coaches, administer pre-opening activities, organize/plan Professional Learning calendar, serve on the Superintendent Council team, administer selected grants, assign K-12 student teachers, and support the curriculum, instruction, intervention, and assessment design process

CAREER HIGHLIGHT: Finishing my Dissertation

INTERESTING FACT: I earned my CDL license when I drove a dump truck for the Guthrie County roads department

FAVORITE BOOK and/or MOVIE: Book is Drive by Daniel Pink, movie is Legend of Bagger Vance

COLLEAGUE YOU ADMIRE AND WHY: Elementary Reading Coordinators and iCoaches because of their efficacy for student/teacher learning and continually holding themselves to high expectations

BEST MOMENT AT WESTSIDE: A few years ago, a parent reported to me that because of their child's experience in my class, they were thriving in college because they had learned to be organized

Our condolences are with Deb Hall as her husband, Bud Hall, died last month. Deb was a fourth grade teacher at Swanson for many years, retiring last spring. Click here for a link to more information in the Omaha World Herald.

Thank you for keeping Deb and her family in your thoughts.

In the spirit of the districtwide theme, “Be Kind”, Westside High School HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) Club designed the “One District One Shirt” initiative in efforts to celebrate all Westside Community Schools and support our district as a whole. Proceeds from t-shirt sales will be donated to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). CLICK HERE TO ORDER!

Delivery Location: Each participating school will have shirts delivered weekly by Westside High School CAPS students.

11/16 Westgate Family Bingo Night

11/17 Rockbrook Family Volunteer Day

11/17 Warrior 5K Run, 10:30am @ WMS

11/18-11/24 National Family Week

11/19 Board of Education meeting, 6:30pm @ ABC

11/20 Grandfriends Day Events at Prairie Lane, Swanson

11/20 Oakdale Turkey Trot

11/21-11/23 NO SCHOOL - Happy Thanksgiving!

11/24 Westside Alumni Basketball Tournament

11/26 Geography Bees at Prairie Lane, Rockbrook

11/26 Westgate 5th-6th Grade Band Concert, 7pm @ WMS

11/27 7th-8th Grade Strings Concert, 7pm @ WMS

11/28-11/30 WHS Project 66 Showcase, 7pm

11/29 Westside Unified Carnival, 5:30pm @ Westbrook

11/29 Boundary Committee Meeting, 6pm @ Sunset Hills

11/29 Hillside 3rd-4th Grade Vocal Music Concert, 7pm @ WMS

11/30 Hillside Family Event Night

YOU ARE INVITED: Westside Unified Carnival!

Westside Community Schools is excited to offer our third Unified Activity this year. This is part of our Special Olympics Unified Schools Program, a fast­ growing initiative that brings students with and without intellectual disabilities together.

Where: Westbrook’s gym (1312 Robertson Drive)

When: Thursday, November 29th from 5:30pm-6:30pm

What: A carnival will be set up in the school gym. Enjoy ring toss, fishing over curtains, can toss, bean bag toss, sucker pyramid and much more!! We will also have rock painting, and dancing in separate rooms. Come and experience the Westbrook Unified Carnival!

RSVP Needed for Participation

If you and your child(ren) are interested in participating, please download the following linked informational flyer to learn more and to let us know if you are planning to attend.