Dear Loveland Families,
Over the summer, like many of you, I packed in a fun-filled few months catching up on all the things I love. At the end of May, my husband and I had family members stay with us in Omaha to celebrate our niece’s graduation from Lincoln East High School. Then, in early June, we were lucky enough to visit Florida, where we spent a few days on the beach and collecting our favorite seashells. For the 4th of July, we headed to my parents' place on Woman Lake in northern Minnesota. Lake life was amazing getting out on the boat to fish with my dad and family is one of my favorite things to do. We also celebrated my grandma's 96th birthday! She’s still as active as ever, even attending her local bone builders fitness class. When a fellow class member remarked, “Can you believe a 96-year-old attends these classes?” my grandma humorously replied, “I thought I was the only 96-year-old that came to these classes!” She continues to live life to the fullest with a great sense of humor.
I hope your summer was filled with fun, relaxation, and amazing moments with family and friends.
As we kick off the new school year, I’m looking forward to seeing you all at Open House on August 5th from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM. This will be a wonderful opportunity to meet your child’s teacher, tour their classroom, and learn about the grade-level curriculum. Class placement letters will be sent out in late July ahead of Open House Night.
Please note that all Back to School events are listed in the newsletter and on the website calendar. If you're new to Loveland, we are thrilled to welcome you to our wonderful learning community!
See you soon!
Ms. Steph Hornung
Principal
AUGUST
5 Loveland Open House 5:30-6:30PM
5 Loveland Community Club Meeting 6:30PM (GYM)
7 School Begins - 8:30AM
23 Kdg Family Meet & Greet 9AM-11AM
28 Band and Strings Parent Meeting 6:30 PM WMS Auditorium
SEPTEMBER
1 Labor Day - No School
2 Professional Learning Day for Teacher/No school for students
8 CC Meeting 6:30 PM
9 Homecoming Float Decorating Party on the Playground 5:30PM
10 WHS Homecoming Parade
15-26 Loveland Launch Fundraiser
OCTOBER
3 School Picture Day
6 CC Meeting 6:30 PM (Mr. WIllits Room)
6-10 Book Fair
8 Conferences 4-8PM
9 Conferences 8AM-4PM-No School for Students
10 No School
13 No School for Students- Professional Learning Day
18 Donuts with Grown-Ups Playground/Gym 9AM-11AM
23 1st-4th Grade Health Screening/ Library
30 4-6 GR Music Practice WMS 9:30-11AM
30 4-6 GR Music Concert WMS Auditorium 7PM
31 Halloween Parade & Parties 2pm Parade/Parties follow
We know it takes a village, and we appreciate the participation and support we receive from families and friends of our school, such as yourself. Starting last spring, our district has updated the requirements around volunteers to include completing a background check. This additional step seeks to ensure that we have taken careful steps to support the safety and well-being of our students, families, and staff.
If you have signed up or plan to sign up as a volunteer at our school, during events, or for class field trips, it’s important to get a start on this process as it can take several weeks to receive results.
Background Checks are Required for…
Room parents for parties (We know parent schedules sometimes change at the last minute, so it may be important to have any adults who will volunteer in your household complete this.)
Field Day, Fun Run (on-site volunteers only), and other school-day events
School Club Sponsors and Volunteers
Field Trip Volunteers
Classroom Volunteers
Important: If you are uncertain if your role will require having a background check completed, please check with Ms. Hornung, allowing at least 3 weeks to complete the process if necessary.
Loveland will be hosting an Open House Night on August 5th from 5:30 to 6:30PM. This event combines what was previously Sneak a Peek/Meet Your Team and Curriculum Night into one informative and engaging evening. Join us to explore your child's classroom, meet their teacher, and see what your child will be learning this year.
Handouts outlining the year's curriculum, including topics and concepts, will be available in your child’s classroom. This is a great opportunity to connect with your child's teacher. Please feel free to ask questions during Open House, reach out via email, or schedule a more in-depth conversation.
We are committed to keeping you informed every step of the way. Families will receive regular updates from their child's teacher, highlighting what they've learned and what's coming up next, so you can best support their learning at home. We'll also hold two parent-teacher conferences throughout the year, providing further opportunities to discuss your child's progress and learning in more detail.
As always, please don't hesitate to contact your child's teacher anytime with questions or concerns.
* Please feel free to bring your school supplies with you that evening.*
Dear Loveland Families,
As we prepare to begin the upcoming school year at Loveland, we want to share an important update to our district cell phone and electronic device procedure for all elementary buildings (including smart watches). This change is the result of valuable feedback from teachers, staff, parents and, in alignment with our middle school, high school, and research. It is designed to help all students make the most of their learning time.
Starting with the 2025-26 school year, we will be implementing a “Bell to Bell No Cell” initiative. This means at the start of the day, when students enter the classroom, they will place their cell phones and smartwatches in a designated, locked area and will get them back during dismissal procedures at the end of the day.
Our goal with this new rule is to maximize instructional time and ensure that students can focus on their studies. We understand that this will be an adjustment, but we believe it is an important step to maintain a positive and productive learning environment.
A few important reminders:
During school hours (arrival until the final dismissal bell), student use of cell phones, smartwatches, and other electronic devices in classrooms and instructional areas is not permitted unless specifically authorized by a staff member or as outlined in a student’s IEP or Section 504 Plan.
Devices should be off and stored away during class time.
Students may use devices before and after school, unless otherwise directed by school administration.
Device use is not allowed if it disrupts the educational environment, involves illegal activity, violates school or district policies, goes against staff directives, creates safety risks, infringes on privacy, or involves inappropriate content such as “sexting.” Recording others without permission is strictly prohibited.
If you need to communicate with your child during class time, please contact the school office [phone number] and we will relay your message.
Your child will still be able to contact you during the day due to sickness, emergencies, dismissal questions, etc. via the school phones.
This includes off campus events and activities (i.e. field trips)
Devices used in violation of these guidelines may be confiscated and returned after school hours to the student or a parent/guardian. Additional disciplinary action may also be taken as outlined in the Student Code of Conduct (see Student-Parent Handbook, pages 44-45).
We appreciate your understanding and support as we work together to keep the focus on learning. If you have any questions or concerns about the new “Bell to Bell No Cell” initiative, please feel free to reach out to contact Ms. Hornung.
Thank you for your partnership in making Loveland a great place to learn!
We are providing a photo opportunity to start the 2025-26 school year the night of Open House. On August 5th, from 5:30PM to 6:30PM, we will have balloons and flowers next to the Loveland Elementary sign on the Loveland property along Ridgewood Avenue. Please feel free to come and snap a photo of your student in lieu of a first day of school photo. This will allow traffic to flow smoothly on the first day of school. We are excited to welcome you back to the 2025-26 school year.
For the 2025-26 school year, Loveland Elementary is committed to enhancing math achievement across all student subgroups. Our goal is to increase math scores by 5% for all learners. To achieve this, we will focus on strengthening math instruction and providing ongoing professional development to support teachers at all grade levels.
In addition, we will continue our emphasis on math fact fluency. Our target is to complete 2,000,000 math problems throughout the year, helping students develop fluency and confidence with basic math facts. Another key focus will be student engagement during large group math lessons across all grades, ensuring that every student is actively participating and mastering important math concepts.
We are excited to work together as a school community to achieve these goals and help all our students grow in their math skills!
Incoming kindergarten students will come to school during the week of August 7th according to the Kindergarten Group 1 or 2 letter that was sent to families in June. Please come to school on the days you were assigned according to the letter:
Group 1: August 7th and 8th
or
Group 2: August 11th or 12th
All Kindergarteners will report to school on Wednesday, August 13th. If you have questions or need a reminder if your kindergarten student is in Group 1 or Group 2, please call the office at 402-390-6455.
Loveland Families,
We are excited to announce the addition of a new staff member to our team this year. Please join us in giving a warm Loveland welcome to:
Mia Stiles, 4th Grade Classroom Teacher: We are thrilled to welcome Mia Stiles to the Loveland Elementary team! Mia joins us as a first-year teacher, having recently graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL). She completed her student teaching with Lincoln Public Schools in the Spring of 2025. Mia brings a fresh perspective and a passion for student success, and we are excited to see the positive impact she will have on our 4th-grade students this year. We are confident that Mia’s dedication and enthusiasm will make her a wonderful addition to the Loveland community!
Mia is excited to be part of the Loveland family and is eager to connect with our wonderful students and their families. We believe her addition will strengthen our commitment to providing an exceptional education and a supportive, nurturing environment for all students.
Please feel free to introduce yourselves and extend a warm welcome when you see her around the school.
We look forward to a fantastic school year ahead!
All families of returning students must complete Returning Student Registration prior to the start of the 2025-26 school year. This needs to be completed for each returning student in your family in order for your student to attend field trips, permission to take photos of your child/ren, update contacts, etc.
If you have not done so already, please CLICK HERE to complete this important process.
Enter your PowerSchool parent portal information to log in
Click Returning Student Registration near the bottom left side
If you have problems logging in, please email powerschool.support@westside66.net.
Dear Loveland Parents,
We are kindly asking for donations of white copy paper to help reduce our printing costs throughout the school year. Your contribution of just one ream of paper can go a long way in supporting our efforts to provide educational materials to our students while managing our resources efficiently.
Thank you in advance for considering this request. If you are able to donate, please drop off your donation at the office the night of Open House.
Check out Westside Community School's Online Breakfast and Lunch Menu!
https://schools.mealviewer.com/school/LovleandElementarySchool
Students in the Westside Community Schools are expected to dress in a way that is appropriate for the school setting. Students should not dress in a manner that is dangerous to the health and safety of anyone, or interferes with the learning environment or teaching process in our school. The following is a list of examples of attire that will not be considered appropriate; this list is not exclusive, and other forms of attire may be deemed by the Principal to be inappropriate for the school setting:
Clothing that shows an inappropriate amount of bare skin or underwear, clothing that is too tight, revealing or baggy, tops and bottoms that do not overlap, or any material that is sheer or lightweight enough to be seen through, or otherwise of an appropriate size and fit so as to be revealing or drag on the ground;
Shorts, skirts, etc. that do not extend downward as far as the student’s fingertips when the student is standing fully upright with arms relaxed at his or her side.
Sleepwear and slippers, including pajama bottoms, blankets, and costumes, unless part of a school-sponsored activity;
Clothing or jewelry that advertises or promotes beer, alcohol, tobacco, or illegal drugs;
Head wear including hats, caps, bandannas, hoods worn over the head, and scarves;
Clothing or jewelry which exhibits nudity, profanity, makes sexual references, or carries lewd, indecent, or vulgar double meaning;
Heavy coats and jackets.
Consideration will be made for students who wear special clothing as required by religious beliefs, disability, or to convey a particularized message protected by law. Westside Community Schools’ Dress Code guidelines have been developed to create safe and productive learning environments where all students are accepted, engaged, celebrated, and have the opportunity to thrive in school. The final decision regarding attire and grooming will be made by the Principal. In the event a student is uncertain as to whether a particular item or method of grooming is consistent with the school’s guidelines, the student or student’s parent/guardian should contact the Principal. If school staff determine that the student does not meet dress code, the student will be asked to change.
For more information regarding the dress code and code of conduct, please download and read the Elementary Student-Parent Handbook.
You are invited to BE A PART OF THE MUSIC! This fall, you will have the opportunity to do what so many successful students have done before you by being a part of Band and Strings! In the first three weeks of school we will be visiting all the buildings, demonstrating the instruments, and giving students the opportunity to select an instrument of their choice. We will have a parent meeting about our program on Thursday, August 28 at 6:30 p.m. at Westside Middle School. All are welcome to attend to learn about elementary instrumental music and meet the teachers. We are excited to introduce your child to the world of instrumental music!
The Elementary Instrumental Music Staff
Gail Carpenter-Johnson, Tommy Krueger, Viktoria Matheson and Jennifer Johansen
We encourage ALL students to have a durable set of headphones for the school year. All students will need to have their own set of headphones. These will be used daily for various classroom activities and testing purposes.
Purpose:
- Classroom Activities: Many of our lessons incorporate multimedia components, interactive learning tools, and educational videos. Having headphones will ensure that your child can fully engage with these materials without distraction.
- Testing: During individual and standardized tests, headphones are essential for sections that include audio components. They help maintain a quiet testing environment and support focused listening.
Please ensure that your child brings their headphones to school by the first day of classes. If obtaining headphones poses a financial hardship, please contact the school administration, and we will assist you.
When approaching the front door at Loveland, please ring the doorbell/buzzer on the left hand side of the building. Mrs. Knight will greet you over the intercom and direct you to the front office. All visitors will need to sign in at the office and receive a visitor’s badge/sticker. Please know it is our practice to ask for identification of visitors to ensure the safety for all students.
Loveland will continue to email monthly newsletters the first Friday of the month and post these important communication publications on school websites. This school year, we will send an upcoming event calendar each Friday. All students will still bring home flyers advertising various non-profit activities, along with a printed monthly school lunch menu. Please make sure we have your most current email address.
We are lucky in Nebraska to get to enjoy all four seasons. This also means that at times the weather gets in the way of our fun and plans. Below is a brief description of our procedures when the weather is not cooperating:
Warm Weather: We will stay indoors for recess and safety patrol if the air temperature or heat index is 95° or higher.
Cold Weather: So long as the air temperature or wind chill factor is 10° or warmer, students will be outside for recess and safety patrol.
Air Quality: If the air quality index (AQI) is 151 or higher, we will remain indoors for recess.
Rain: When rain is heavy enough that students would get considerably wet, or when there is thunder or lightning, students will be kept inside or brought inside. In addition, if conditions have been such that fields are muddy, access to dirt and grass areas may be restricted as well as playground equipment if it is deemed too slick for safe play.
Severe Weather: If the National Weather Service issues a Thunderstorm Warning students are kept inside. In the event of a Tornado Warning, students are moved to our area of refuge in the 6th grade classrooms.
If your child has prescription or non-prescription medication, inhalers, Epi-pens, etc. to be kept at school, please call the office and make an appointment to drop off any needed medication BEFORE the first day of school.
For your child's safety, and for the safety of others, all medication, including cough drops and/or throat lozenges, must be kept locked in the health office in its original package. The health office must have a written, signed and dated Medication Authorization form from the parent or guardian requesting that his/her child be given medication during the school day (prescription or over-the-counter). This form is available in the office or at this link or you can download a copy by clicking the button at the end of this article.
- All medication must be brought to school and taken home from school by a parent. It must be in the original container, labeled with the child's name, date prescribed, name of medication, directions for use, dosage information and the time the medication is to be given.
- All prescription medication forms must be signed by the doctor. Whenever possible, medication should be administered at home.
- Cough drops and any over-the counter medication must be in the original box/package, and a Medication Authorization form must be filled out. These medications are kept in the health office.
- Scrapes and cuts are washed and bandaged, if needed. We do not and cannot use any ointment or cleaning product on an individual. If an injury is severe or questionable, a parent will be contacted.
- All medication, including cough drops, must be picked up by a parent at the end of the duration. We will not send any medication home with a child.
If your child has any additional health needs, please be sure to turn in the appropriate forms and action plans so we can best support your child.
When is My Child Too Sick for School?
Send me to school if...
· I have a runny nose or just a little cough but no other symptoms.
· I haven't taken any fever-reducing medicine for 24 hours and I haven't had a fever during that time.
· I haven't thrown up or had any diarrhea for 24 hours
Keep me at home if...
· I have a temperature higher than 100 degrees even after taking medicine.
· I'm throwing up or have diarrhea.
· My eyes are pink and crusty.
Call the doctor if...
· I have a temperature higher than 100 degrees for more than two days.
· I have been throwing up or have diarrhea for more than two days
· I have the sniffles for more than a week and they aren't getting better.
· I still have asthma symptoms after using my asthma medicine (and call 911 if I'm having trouble breathing after using my inhaler.)
Can you believe it? Only one month until the first day of school! We’re buzzing with excitement and can’t wait to see all of you back in action. Our amazing team of Mr. Walt, Mrs. Ables, Ms. Teesha, and Mr. Sherman have been working tirelessly to get the school looking its absolute best, with fresh paint, clean carpets, and shiny floors that are ready to welcome you all.
This summer, several of our dedicated teachers—Mrs. Streff, Mr. Willits, Mrs. Dickel, and Miss Dippel have been busy fine-tuning our math and reading curricula to make this year the best one yet. Plus, Miss Cribbs and Miss Filip are going to a special education conference in Dallas in late July!
We can’t wait to hear all about your summer adventures and to dive into an amazing year together. Enjoy the final weeks of summer with your family and friends! You will need the energy for all the exciting things ahead!
Ms. Hornung