Tiger Tracks

Welcome back! I hope you and your families had a restful and joyful winter break. As we begin the second semester, I want to thank you for the continued support, partnership, and pride you show in our Oakdale school community.

January is a natural time for reflection and renewal. With a fresh semester ahead, we are recommitting ourselves to high expectations for learning, behavior, and mutual respect. Our goal is simple and unwavering: to ensure our school remains a safe, structured, and positive environment where all students can learn, grow, and succeed.

Our staff is energized and focused on providing engaging instruction, clear routines, and consistent expectations. When students know what is expected and feel supported, they thrive. We appreciate the role families play in reinforcing these expectations at home and working collaboratively with us when challenges arise.

Thank you for being an essential part of our school community. Together, we will make the second semester a time of growth, achievement, and continued excellence.

We are excited for what lies ahead—there’s no better place to be than Oakdale!

~ Mr. Jagels

As we begin second semester, this would be a good time to check your student's lunch account status. Anyone with overdue lunch accounts are sent daily emails and letters (in envelopes) are sent home weekly in student's backpacks. If you need assistance adding money to your student's lunch account, please reach out to our front office. An easy way to do this is through myschoolbucks.com, where it will automatically pull from an account of your choice (please call/email Mrs Rhyner for your student's ID if you need it to set up the lunch account). We would never have to bother you again!

Is your student missing a coat, favorite hoodie, lunch box or water bottle? Our Lost and Found is growing! Please remind your student to check lost and found near the cafeteria bathrooms.

Nebraska winters can get pretty tough at times. When snow accumulates and the bitter wind blows, Westside Community Schools shares with parents a concern for the safety of their children. Here are a few guidelines that should help us in working together to assure the safety of students, no matter how bad the weather.

Cold Weather: So long as temperatures are 10° or warmer, students will be outside for recess, arrival, dismissal, safety patrol, and other outdoor activities.

To ensure that students can both enjoy the snow and keep warm and dry once they come inside, we wanted to remind you of a few expectations for students wishing to play in the snow.

• Students need to wear proper coats, gloves, and hats. When temperatures are above 10º we will typically be going outside.

• If students wish to walk in deep snow, they will be expected to wear snow boots.

• For very deep snow or if students wish to roll and play in in the snow, students will need snow pants to ensure they stay warm and dry.

• If students wish to build with snow they must have gloves or mittens.

• When recess equipment is slick or wet, access may be restricted to promote student safety.

We appreciate your support in going over these expectations with your child. Teachers will do so as well so that students may have a fun and safe time during winter recess.

• If bad weather occurs you will receive phone, email notification and text-message if you have signed up, either the night before or that morning.
• We will also ask the local radio and television stations to make an announcement.
• You may also call the information line, 402-390-2299 for information about closings.

Talent Show Tryouts - Calling all singers, dancers, gymnasts, musicians, comedians, puppeteers, and all other talents...

The always popular talent show is coming up on February 20th, and we expect another spectacular show this year.

Tryouts: Wednesday, January 14th - Immediately after school (3:00 dismissal) in Oakdale Gym

Acts should be fully conceptualized at tryouts. We don’t expect perfection!

Sign up HERE (under the Information Forms section). Please sign up by January 11th so the audition schedule can run smoothly.

Performance Requirements:

• Length must not exceed 1 minute and 30 seconds
• Follow the Three Be's (Be Respectful, Be Responsible, Be Safe)
• Participation is limited to Oakdale students, one act per student (with the exception of 6th graders who participate in the group number)

Participation Requirements:

• Tryout on Wednesday, January 14th at 3:00 PM at Oakdale Elementary School (gym)
• Rehearsal date: February 18th from 6:00 - 8:00 PM at Westside Middle School (auditorium)
• Performance on February 20th at 7:00 PM at Westside Middle School (auditorium)

Donuts with Grownups is Saturday, January 31st. Mark your calendar for the Oakdale Community Club’s Annual Donuts with Grownups!

Oakdale students are encouraged to invite an important grown up (or two!) and enjoy a delicious donut on Saturday, January 31st from 8-9:00am. This can be a parent, guardian, grandparent, neighbor - you get the idea!

For your child’s safety and for the safety of others, all medication, including cough drops/throat lozenges, must be kept locked in the health office and must be in the original package. All medication needs to be accompanied by a medication form signed by the parent or guardian. All prescription medication forms must be signed by the doctor (or the doctor's office can fax it to us at 402.390.2164). Whenever possible, the medication should be administered at home.

Congratulations to Faith A. in Ms. Houston's 2nd grade classroom and Charlotte M. in Mrs. Di Lorenzo's 4th grade classroom for being randomly selected as December's High 5 Drawing winners! Their High 5 cards were picked in the drawing and they selected three friends to come with them to decorate mugs with our first grade teachers, Mrs. Bintz and Mrs. Pedersen. They will finish this task in January when they return. Be on the lookout for January's High Five Drawing!

We are so proud of Ivan L. from Mrs. Pedersen’s 1st grade class! During a school celebration on the playground and soccer field, one of our parents sadly lost her wedding ring and feared it was gone forever.

That’s where Ivan comes in. While attending Club after school one day, Ivan discovered the ring and immediately turned it in to an adult. His honesty and thoughtfulness are a wonderful example of doing the right thing, even when no one is watching.

Way to go, Ivan! You truly set a great example of what it means to be a caring Oakdale Tiger and a responsible member of our school community.

The Excellence In Youth Team is thrilled to shine a spotlight on our Star Student, Jaquith C., from Oakdale, the latest recipient of the Digital Dozen Award for the 2025-2026 school year! This award is earned by WCS students who complete 12 digital badge projects from the EY Website (ey.westside66.org), which is accessible to students across the district. It takes hard work, grit, and dedication to earn these badges, and this bright star should be proud of this shining accomplishment!

Westside Community Schools believes that all students should be able to have snacks that are free of most allergens and food sensitivities. This means eliminating homemade snacks and many prepared snacks from local establishments.

We ask that you use the District Approved Snack List linked below and send items to school in the original, sealed packaging bearing the ingredient label. Double-check ingredient labels at the time of purchase to verify that there are no peanuts or tree nuts (e.g. almonds and walnuts) or cross-contamination statements. Manufacturers’ ingredients can change without warning. As always, please coordinate with teachers and administrators before bringing snacks into PK-6 classrooms. This list does not cover all food allergens.

Linked you will find our year long Oakdale Calendar. This is not an all-inclusive calendar and is subject to change throughout the year. However, it will provide a general outline of events to pencil in on your calendar.

In addition, we encourage you to access our Oakdale Calendar through our Website, the Westside Community Schools App, or to subscribe so that this information shows right up on your own calendar for iPhone, iPad, Mac, or any other Google Calendar subscribable platform.

January

8 Don & Millie's Night

14 Talent Show Auditions, 3:00

16 NO SCHOOL - Teacher Professional Learning Day

19 NO SCHOOL - Martin Luther King Jr Day

31 Donuts with a Grownup, 8:00

February

10 Community Club Meeting, 6:30

12 Valentines Parties, 2:30

13 NO SCHOOL - Teacher Work Day

16 NO SCHOOL - Presidents' Day - Teacher Professional Learning Day

18 Talent Show Rehearsal @ WMS, 6:00

20 Talent Show @ WMS, 7:00

We know it is important to consider both the physical and social-emotional wellbeing of our students, families, and staff. We continue to be committed to providing regular instruction and support for studying in managing thoughts and feelings.

If your child is experiencing particular difficulties and you would like to explore options for additional support we encourage you to contact our School Counselor, Mrs. Mary McPadden (mailto:mcpadden.mary@westside66.net) or our School Psychologist, Mrs. Krystal Bauman (mailto:baumanfebus.krystal@westside66.net), who can help in coordinating additional support and resources.

Make a week of it and dine at Don & Millie's on Thursday, February 12th for the next family restaurant night! Take a night off from cooking to raise money for Community Club. Be sure to let them know you are with Oakdale. Don't forget to enter your student's name for a prize.

Pictured below are last month's winners who were randomly selected by Don & Millie's. They each received a Don & Millie's cinch sack and free kids meal!

Mark your calendar for the next the Oakdale Community Club meeting Tuesday, February 10th, at 6:30 pm in the Oakdale library! All are welcome to attend these meetings, where we will discuss current programming, upcoming events, volunteer opportunities, updates from Principal Jagels, & more! These meetings are a great way to connect and be informed!

The Oakdale School Community Club offers a FREE online family directory each fall containing the names of students and their parents, with their home addresses, phone numbers, and email information. Only families who submit information to the Community Club or give permission through the Annual Student Verification Process will be included in the directory. If you have not already logged in to the website, please log in and update your information OR new parents can create a new login.

Join the coolest team in town and take the plunge for inclusion on Saturday, February 14, 2026 at Lake Zorinsky! Every icy splash will support Westside Unified and our amazing student-athletes through Special Olympics. Click here to donate and/or sign up.

• Polar Plunge
• Saturday, February 14, 2026
• 9:30 a.m. Sign In
• 11:00 a.m. PLUNGE

Westside Community Schools does not discriminate on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, gender, race, color, national origin, religion, disability, age, marital/parental status, military/veteran status or any other category protected by law in its programs and activities or in admission or access to, or treatment in, hiring and employment, and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups.

The following District personnel have been designated to coordinate compliance and can address inquiries about the District’s nondiscrimination policies and procedures:

For questions or concerns by students, parents or others:

• Coordinator of Student Services/Title IX Coordinator – ABC Bldg. 909 So. 76th St. Omaha (402) 390-2100 E-mail: titleixcoordinator@westside66.net
• Director of Special Services/ADA & 504 Coordinator (disability/accommodation) ABC Bldg. 909 So. 76th St. E-mail: ADAcoordinator@westside66.net

For questions by District employees or applicants:

• Ass’t Supt. for Human Resources/Lead Title IX Coordinator - 909 So. 76th St. Omaha, NE (402) 390-2100 E-mail: titleixcoordinatorHR@westside66.net

For further information about anti-discrimination laws or to file a complaint of discrimination you may also contact the Office for Civil Rights (OCR), U.S. Dept. of Education, One Petticoat Lane, 1010 Walnut Street, 3rd Floor, Suite 320, Kansas City, MO 64106,
Tele. (816) 268-0550, Fax (816) 268-0599, (TDD) (800) 877-8339, or ocr.kansascity@ed.gov.

Mission Statement

At Oakdale Elementary, we foster an inclusive environment with high-expectations that promotes academic excellence, social-emotional well-being, and lifelong success, while celebrating the unique strengths of each student and preparing them to thrive in an ever-changing world.

Vision Statement

At Oakdale Elementary, our vision is to cultivate a community where every student becomes a confident, independent learner, equipped with the skills, values, and global perspective needed to succeed in a rapidly changing world. Our vision includes inspiring critical thinking, fostering lifelong learning, and empowering students to contribute positively to society as compassionate, well-rounded citizens ready to make a difference.

Oakdale's Expectations:

• Be Safe
• Be Respectful
• Be Responsible
• (Be Kind)

Email: jagels.glen@westside66.net
Website: westside66.org/domain/13
Location: 9801 W Center Rd, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
Phone: 402-390-6460
Facebook: facebook.com/OakdaleTigers66
Twitter: @oakdaletigers66