Westside Foundation Newsletter
Volume 13 | August 2026
Thank You Westside Community!
Westside Community Schools theme for the 2026-27 school year is WE SET THE STANDARD. This is a nod to our proud past and bright future. We know that because of all the wonderful people that have come through Westside since 1947 that we have different standards to live up to. Our dedicated and hard working staff remain committed to excellence, innovation, and community as those were the founding pillars of District 66. A recent educational report from Harvard, Stanford, and Dartmouth showed that Westside's 3rd-8th graders achieved the highest growth in the state on Nebraska State Math and Reading Assessments from 2022-2025.
We have over 6,100 students in our buildings and are nearing completion of $121 million worth of facility work throughout the district. It's a special time to be part of Westside Community Schools. We couldn't do it without the tremendous partnership we enjoy with the Westside Foundation. There's no better place to be than Westside!
GO WARRIORS!
Dr. Lucas, Superintendent
-Westside Community Schools
Foundation Grant Highlight: WMS Bee Club Update
Foundation funding is helping a student-centered bee and pollinator program continue to grow — quite literally!
This summer, the habitat surrounding the bee yard has expanded beyond its original borders, including a new garden space near the school’s main entrance. The additional native plants and pollinator-friendly spaces are creating an even richer habitat for bees, butterflies, insects and other important species.
And the bees are thriving! After coming out of winter healthy and strong, the two hives quickly began to grow. To keep the program intentionally small, the colonies were split and shared with local community members — although a few adventurous swarms had other plans and had to be rescued from nearby trees and rehomed!
This year's honey harvest is expected to reach around 20 gallons, an exciting reflection of just how healthy and productive the hives have become.
Most importantly, this growing outdoor space serves as a living classroom, giving students opportunities to learn about pollinators, ecosystems, sustainability and environmental stewardship through hands-on experiences.
We love seeing Foundation grants take root, grow and create new opportunities for students year after year. Thank you to our donors for helping make innovative learning experiences like this possible!
WESTSIDE ANNUAL WARRIOR TAILGATE
All ages welcome!
September 18, 2026
1101 South 90th Street, Alumni House Parking Lot
4:00-6:30PM
5:30 - Carriage House Dedication & Ribbon Cutting
Music, temporary tattoos, and yard games
Enjoy burgers, hot dogs, drinks, and cookies before heading to the stadium to watch the Warriors take on the Eagles at 7:00 P.M.
If you plan to eat, please RSVP through the link by September 13.
