Tiger Tracks

Welcome to the 2025–2026 school year!

We’ve had a fantastic first two days—getting to know our new classes, reviewing familiar procedures and expectations, learning new ones, welcoming new friends, and diving right into teaching and learning. Thank you to all the parents and guardians who helped prepare your children for such a great start.

Several parents have asked about the background check process for volunteering at school events. At the end of last year, we received updated guidance on this process. Over the summer, the district made changes to make it more parent-friendly. While a few details are still being finalized, the process is not yet fully up and running. As soon as it is ready, I will send clear directions for completing background checks.

In addition, a new visitor sign-in system will be launching soon. Integrated with our new emergency management platform, Raptor, this system will require all visitors to check in at the front office using a kiosk. The kiosk will print a visitor badge to be worn while in the building. Our lunch visitor process has also changed—visitors will now sit with students at a designated lunch table rather than joining them in the class seating area.

These updated procedures are designed to enhance the safety and security of our building, creating the safest possible learning environment for your children. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we roll them out.

I know our teachers will be catching up on some much-needed rest this weekend after a busy week of trainings, classroom preparation, and welcoming our Oakdale Tigers back to their jungle. I hope your children can also recharge as we gear up for our first full week of school next week.

Have a wonderful weekend!

~ Mr. Jagels

Our breakfast program begins at 8:05 am and students may begin lining up at 8:00 am. We ask that no students arrive BEFORE 8:00 am for safety and security purposes as there is no supervision before this time. Students not participating in our breakfast program may begin lining up at 8:10 am. Doors will be opened at 8:20 am allowing students plenty of time to walk to classrooms, hang up backpacks, check in with teacher and peers, and be ready for those first important words for the start of our instructional day at 8:30 am. Give your students every advantage of a successful day by having them here at 8:20 am!

All students will enter the building at the East entrance (Main Entrance).

• 8:30 am Classes Begin

• 3:30 pm M, T, Th, F Dismissal

• 3:00 pm W Dismissal

We will have supervision outside the building starting at 8:05 am. We ask that students not arrive before 8:00 am unless:

• Participating in our breakfast program

• Participating in a school activity

• Serving on Safety Patrol

• Working with a teacher

• Attending Club 66 Before Care program

Why can’t we arrive early?

Teachers are involved in team meetings, staff meetings and individual planning from 8:00-8:20 am. Students may enter the building when the first bell rings at 8:20 am. Our school day begins promptly at 8:30 am. Thank you for your continued cooperation.

For the safety of all of our students, we ask that parents say good-bye outside of the school during arrival. Students are to independently arrive at their classrooms each morning. If students need assistance, Oakdale staff members are available to help.

Click on the buttons below for a brief introduction to our Specials teachers.

All families of returning students must complete the Annual Student Verification (formerly known as: Returning Student Registration) prior to the start of the 2025-26 school year. This needs to be completed separately for each returning student in your family in order for your student to attend field trips, allow Oakdale staff 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 Annual Student Verification near the bottom left side

If you have problems logging in, please email powerschool.support@westside66.net

Students will be dismissed every Wednesday at 3:00 pm. Please be prompt as teachers are scheduled each week to participate in professional learning communities.

As we settle into our new school year please take time to explore our online School Store and load your student's meal account and pay for your student’s school fees online at MySchoolBucks.com. If their account has fees that are due, you can securely pay for them using your credit/debit card or an e-check. If you need help with your student's ID, please contact Mrs Rhyner.

If you need assistance with your account, you can find helpful how-to videos and answers to commonly asked questions by visiting https://myschoolbucks.com. Or, you can contact MySchoolBucks directly by logging into your account to start a chat conversation or give them a call at (855) 832-5226.

If you think you may qualify or are interested in applying for Free or Reduced Price meal benefits, you can fill out an Application for Free/Reduced Meal Benefits (these benefits carry over to other opportunities including technology, camps, etc.). An application needs to be completed EACH year to qualify for free or reduced price meals. Please remember this status is always kept confidential and there is no way for other students to have access to this information. Also keep in mind extra servings that are not part of the original meal (fruit/vegetables, main entrée, etc.) are not included with free or reduced lunch accounts.

• Click here to learn more about meals and prices through Westside Community Schools
  

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.

August

13 New Parent Coffee, 8:30 am

14 Don & Millie's Night

28 Instrumental Band & Strings Parent meeting, 6:30 WMS

September

1 No School - Labor Day

2 No School - Teacher Professional Learning Day

9 Community Club Meeting, 6:30 pm

11 Don & Millie's Night

22 Oakdale Fundraiser Begins

30 School Picture Day

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.

It's never been easier to keep up to date on events in Westside and at Oakdale. The Westside Community Schools App is available for both iPhone and Android in the App Store. Using this app allows you to follow important information for our school and district, access calendars, and links to important resources. Be sure to download it and check it out!

Dine at Don & Millie's on Thursday August 14! Take a night off from cooking to raise money for Community Club. Be sure to let them know you are with Oakdale. Complete the form below and turn in to enter your student for a prize.

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 Returning Student Registration 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.

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