Excellence in Youth

The Excellence in Youth (EY) Program at Westside Community Schools provides expanded learning opportunities for students with high ability, in addition to fostering and encouraging talent development in all students.

The EY program website is the hub of communication for the EY Team. For our K-8 students, monthly challenges, seminars and events, as well as other learning opportunities are posted to the site on a regular basis.

All students are encouraged to participate in the opportunities posted, regardless of whether they have been identified for the EY Program. Students can participate independently by accessing the opportunities at home or during tech time at school. Teachers may also facilitate these whole and small-group enrichment opportunities for students in the classroom.

Click below to check out all our website has to offer!

Every student in Westside has the opportunity to begin earning badges. Working towards earning a badge allows students to dig deep into topics and explore individual interest areas. Badges can be found in various subject and interest areas.

Earn 12 badges to achieve the acclaimed "Digital Dozen" and earn a prize and recognition! Choose from hundreds of badge options on the EY Website or choose one below to get kick started!

The Excellence In Youth Team is excited to showcase Arlene U., Greta F., Leo H. and Christian N. from Rockbrook, Elizabeth M. and J H. from Sunset and Johan P. from Swanson as the most recent recipients of the Digital Dozen award for the 24-25 school year! The Digital Dozen award is presented to WCS students who earn 12 of the digital badges from the EY Website (ey.westside66.org), which is available to students district-wide. It takes self-motivation, grit, and determination to earn these badges, and these star student should be proud of their accomplishment!

In 2025, we're celebrating 100 years of the Scripps National Spelling Bee program! The 2024-25 WCS District Spelling Bee was held at WMS on December 13th. The top spellers from each elementary school, along with the top spellers from WMS competed to determine the 1st place speller in WCS.

These spellers were fantastic! After 8 rounds of spelling, Wesley W. from Oakdale was the second-place speller in the district, and Johan P. from Swanson came in first place! The championship word was “alimentation”.

Johan advances to Omaha Sports Commission Spelling Bee (regional). The 2025 Omaha Sports Commission Spelling Bee will take place on the campus of University of Nebraska Omaha on March 15, 2025. The champion of the Omaha Sports Commission Spelling Bee will advance to the 2025 Scripps National Spelling Bee that takes place May 27th-May 29.

Congratulations to these top spellers

District Overall Winners

1st Place-Johan P. Swanson

2nd Place-Wesley W. Oakdale

3rd Place-Alice H. Sunset, Joslyn O. Oakdale, Hazel H. WMS

Elementary Overall Winners

1st Place-Johan P. Swanson

2nd Place-Wesley W. Oakdale

3rd Place-Alice H. Sunset, Joslyn O. Oakdale

WCS District Spelling Bee Contestants

Ivan Palmer - Loveland

Joslyn Ostermeyer - Oakdale

Wesley Williams - Oakdale

Leo Adams - Loveland

Chris Stokes - Sunset Hills

Dakota Frost - Westbrook

Victoria Brown - Hillside

Hadley Nelsen - Prairie Lane

Hazel Hoffman - WMS

William DiDomenicis - Hillside

Rose Nesbitt - Westbrook

Jacob Alvarez del Castillo - Rockbrook

Alice Hewitt - Sunset Hills

Ellie Wilcox - WMS

Jason Montemayor - Paddock

Johan Pradheep - Swanson

Nia Strong - Westgate

David Newcomb - WMS

Olivia Moffitt - Prairie Lane

Abigail Leach - Rockbrook

Peter Broderick - Swanson

Amya Medeiros - Westgate

Quinn Richards - WMS

Dallas Cooper - Paddock

Mini Sparks are quick lessons that introduce learners to various topics. Sparks can be found under every subject area on the EY website. These activities require minimal supplies and make for a great family activity!

Geography

Are you curious about geography? Check out the Wonderopolis website for Wonders all about the world around us. Check out the specific Wonders below that will get your brain thinking about all things geography!

Learn More Here!

Hillside

Thursday, January 16th

Loveland

Friday, January 17th

Oakdale

Tuesday, January 14th

Rockbrook

Monday, January 13th

Paddock

Friday, January 17th

Prairie

Thursday, January 16th

Sunset

Monday, January 13th

Swanson

Tuesday, January 14th

Westbrook

Tuesday, January 14th

Westgate

Friday, January 17th

SIGMA is a mathematics league that promotes problem-solving through competition. SIGMA provides opportunities for students to apply their mathematical knowledge in a fun and engaging format.

Congratulations to our top scorers from each school. Way to go!

The public comment period for Rule 3, Regulations Governing High Ability Learning, public input draft is currently open. The comment period will be open until end of day on December 31, 2024.

To read the draft and provide comment, visit the following link:

• Swanson
• Sunset Hills

Email: henningsen.jennifer@westside66.net
Website: ey.westside66.org
Twitter: @JHenningsen

• Hillside
• Oakdale
• Rockbrook

Email: sindt.katherine@westside66.net
Website: ey.westside66.org
Twitter: @ksindt1972

• Paddock Road
• Westgate
• Westside Middle School
• Math 7 Honors Coordinator

Email: spady.lynn@westside66.net
Website: ey.westside66.org
Twitter: @LynnSpady

• Loveland
• Prairie Lane
• Westbrook

Email: thompson.megan@westside66.net
Website: ey.westside66.org
Twitter: @MegT_Westside