Hillside News Brief

Thursday, February 1 - 6:00-7:15pm Community Club Meeting at Hillside

Monday, February 5 - One School, One Book Kickoff!!

Wednesday, February 7 - American Heart Association Fundraiser Kickoff

Wednesday, February 14 - Valentines Day Card Exchange (various times in classrooms)

Wednesday, February 14 - 2:20pm K-1-2 Music Program "Dress Rehearsal" in the North Gym

Thursday, February 15 - 6:00 pm at Westside Middle School - K-1-2 Music Program

Monday, February 19 - Teacher Work Day (NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS)

Tuesday, February 20 - Professional Learning Day (NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS)

Friday, February 23 - Spirit Day (dress in orange and blue OR Hillside spirit wear)

Thursday, February 29 - 6:00-7:30 Hillside Literacy Night (celebrating One School, One Book)

Hillside Community:

We have an opportunity, as a community, to tour the Samuel Bak Museum at University of Nebraska at Omaha. Free parking is located in front of and behind the museum. Below is some information about the museum:

Samuel Bak Museum: The Learning Center offers a source of collaboration and opportunities to students, faculty and staff with the broader community around the subjects of art, Holocaust education, human rights and genocide. These opportunities of engagement will better prepare students with a sense of purpose, civic responsibility, critical thinking, inclusivity and cultural awareness. The center’s purpose is to be a partner and collaborator with all facets of the university, providing unique partnerships and opportunities aligned with internships, degree completion, workforce development, community engagement and social mobility of students, family and the community.

If you'd like to sign up, please access the link below:

Westside Community Walk Sign-Up

Each school year, Hillside participates as a school in reading a book together. Little ones who cannot read it themselves either ask an adult to read it with them OR access audio files we will provide so they don't miss any of it!

Please do participate with your student in reading the book we will provide for each household. Many families read this aloud together each evening; Hillside families who have experienced this have come to love it and anticipate One School, One Book each year.

We are the recipients of grant dollars, and tap into Community Club and Title I funding to assist with the expenses of a school-wide novel and activities to go with it. Please enjoy this year's novel!

KINDERGARTEN ENROLLMENT FOR 2024-25

Kindergarten enrollment for District residents for the 2024-25 school year begins approximately late February 2024. Please check our website at westside66.org to start your enrollment online.

Children entering kindergarten must be 5 years old on or before July 31, 2024. Parents may wait to enroll their child(ren) in kindergarten for an additional year. However, Nebraska law requires that child(ren) who reach the age of six prior to Jan 1st of the then current school year must be enrolled in school.

For questions about enrollment, please contact the Westside Welcome Center at 402-390-2100 or

enrollment@westside66.net

KINDERGARTEN OPTION ENROLLMENT

If you live outside of the Westside district and have a child eligible for kindergarten in 2024-25 who has

a sibling attending our schools through the Option Enrollment program, you must submit an option

application for your kindergartener. The deadline to apply for Option Enrollment is 4:00 pm on

March 15th. In addition to kindergarten, you can apply for any other grade level by the same deadline, 4:00 pm on March 15th.

Option Enrollment forms can be completed using this link:

https://forms.gle/FvsmAEBqRpcePEKg9

If you have questions about Option Enrollment, please contact Student Services at 402-390-2107.

IN-DISTRICT TRANSFERS FOR 2024-2025

Are you a District resident and would like your K-6 grade child(ren) to attend an elementary school in

Westside other than the area where you live? The deadline to submit an In-District Transfer request for

the upcoming school year is 4:00 pm on March 15th. An In-District Transfer request form must also be completed for any child starting kindergarten next year who has a sibling attending an elementary school outside of their home attendance area.. The deadline to submit this request is also 4:00 pm on March 15th.

In district transfer forms can be completed using this link: https://forms.gle/EHgruZWb9MH1UBtH8

Questions about In-District Transfers, please contact Student Services at 402-390-2107.

EARLY ADMISSION FOR KINDERGARTEN

Children of District residents who wish to be tested for early entrance to kindergarten must turn 5 years

old between August 1 and October 15, 2024. For further information regarding early entrance testing, please contact Early Admissions at 402-390-2142.

Westside's preschool program has three full day programs now ( for 4 & 5 year olds ) and six half day classrooms (for three and four year olds) available. The preschool program continues to grow; it serves roughly about 125 preschoolers currently! The preschool program is always looking for good peer models. The screening session is Feb 28th at 3:30 at Underwood Hills. See information below.

Which District 66 school has what it takes to be the ultimate POLAR PLUNGE team?! The school with the most points after the Polar Plunge on February 10th wins! Totals will be calculated after 6:00pm on February 10th.

Each Staff plunger - 50 points (certified or classified)

Each Administrator plunger- 75 points

Each Student plunger- 100 points

Each dollar raised for Westside Unified - 1 point

Each plunger will receive a Westside Unified stocking cap if you raise $100!

The winning building will win a Polar Plunge traveling trophy!

REGISTER HERE

February 1 from 6:00-7:15 pm

March 7 from 6:00-7:15 pm

April 11 from 6:00-7:15 pm

April 26 from 6:00-7:15 pm

May 2 from 6:00-7:15 pm

All Community Club meetings are held in Hillside's conference room. See you there!

We are a PBiS school! PBiS stands for Positive Behavior Support and Intervention. PBiS does more than just recognize those students who are doing the right thing. PBiS can also help students who need to develop the skills necessary to be successful in school. As a team, we develop and refine plans for students who need a visual, a structure, feedback, and rewards to develop the skills of positive behavior.

We work on a Skill of the Week every week as a school. Look below for next week's skill!