Warrior Bulletin
November 25-27, 2026: Thanksgiving Break (NO SCHOOL)
December 7, 2026: Board of Education Meeting
December 17, 2026: 1st Semester Final Exam Day #1
December 18, 2026: 1st Semester Final Exam Day #2
December 18, 2026: Last day of 1st Semester
December 21, 2026 - January 4, 2027: Winter Break (NO SCHOOL)
AUTHOR VISIT
The author, Neal Shusterman, will be visiting Westside on Thursday, December 3, at Westside Middle School. We would like to get as many high school students to the middle school on that day as possible.
We will be taking a school bus to WMS at 8:15am on Thursday, December 3, and returning back to WHS after the visit. Students will be excused from their classes during the scheduled visit.
If you are interested, you can pre-purchase a signed copy of Neal Shusterman’s newest book, Rising Thunder, by bringing $20 to the library before November 20. Cash or check (made out to Westside High School) can be brought to Mrs. Gosnell.
Also, if interested in attending this author visit, you need to sign up for this field trip and complete a field trip form. The sign up link is here and indicates how many people are interested. Both the sign up link and the field trip form must be complete by November 20. The field trip form is on powerschool on the top left under forms. If you have any questions, please see Mrs. Gosnell in the library or email Gosnell.theresa@westside66.net.
DAILY ANNOUNCEMENTS
Daily Announcements are found on the PowerSchool Student/Parent Portal. The announcements are updated on a daily basis and will be an excellent place to keep up with all the latest news from Westside High School.
POWERSCHOOL PARENT PORTAL
The parent portal is an online portal accessible anywhere on the web that parents can log in to and see all of their children in one place, their grades, assignments, scores, attendance, schedules, and school bulletins for each school your children attend. If you have one student in middle school and one in high school, parents will see bulletins for both the middle school and high school. You can access the Student and Parent Sign In Portal by clicking this link.
TECHNOLOGY USE AT WESTSIDE HIGH SCHOOL
PURPOSE OF TECHNOLOGY
At Westside Community Schools, technology use will be intentional and educational, ensuring students are active participants in learning. From this guiding principle, we are committed to implementing high-quality tools that are purposefully designed to have a positive impact on student growth. Our approach is intended to put teachers in the driver's seat, support families with transparent information, and keep student wellbeing at the center of every decision we make.
WHAT WE DO
Westside Community Schools uses technology to improve learning outcomes, meet state established learning standards across the curriculum and provide experiences that wouldn't otherwise be possible. At Westside High School, students use the iPad across the curriculum to complete creative activities, engage with digital resources, review and practice key concepts, and complete assessments. This can allow more personalization to help meet each individual learner’s academic needs.
WHY WE DO IT
We believe every student deserves an exceptional education and the opportunity to reach their fullest potential. Technology supports this work by adapting to each student's learning level, reinforcing essential skills, and giving teachers real-time insights to personalize support. By combining expert instruction, purposeful technology, and a steadfast belief in every child, we ensure every learner is supported, challenged, and empowered to achieve more than they thought possible.
HOW WE DO IT
Technology use in our district is intentional and educational, ensuring students are active participants in learning rather than passive consumers. Every student in grades 9-12 has an assigned device they can use at teacher discretion. Each student also has access to a Logitech Crayon stylus for handwriting, note taking, drawing, and interactive learning.
We analyze our use of technology on an annual basis. Some adjustments we are making this school year include disabling YouTube Shorts on all K-12 devices. We will begin piloting alternatives to direct YouTube access for audio-visual content at WHS, limiting unrestricted access on school-issued devices. Students will continue to have access to teacher-approved instructional videos through approved platforms, ensuring educational content remains readily available while reducing access to non-instructional content.
SHARED RESPONSIBILITY
WCS is committed to being a thoughtful steward of your child's screen time during the school day, and we encourage families to carry that same intentionality into the home. With clear expectations, open conversations about media use, and a focus on balance, we can make sure technology serves our children well, inside the classroom and beyond. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) updated its guidance in January 2026, shifting focus from how long to the quality and context of digital media use.
Check out our Technology Use Guide using this link to learn more.
HEALTH OFFICE NEWSLETTER
Click this link to check out the latest Health Office Newsletter. This will help you stay up to date with what is going on in our School Nurse's Office.
COLLEGE & CAREER COUNSELING
As part of The Westside Foundation's Impacting Excellence campaign, WHS is excited to open the College & Career Readiness Center this fall. With this addition, we are reorganizing our counseling department to provide more individualized support to students as they near graduation.
As part of this reorganization, Dr. Vicki Londer will serve as our College & Career Counselor, supporting students and families as they navigate and plan for life after high school. This work builds on the strong foundation our counseling team has established over many years in helping students pursue a wide range of post-secondary pathways.
FAFSA GRADUATION REQUIREMENT
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is now a GRADUATION REQUIREMENT in Nebraska for all seniors (Neb. Rev. Stat. §79-729) and can be completed on the FAFSA website. The purpose of the FAFSA is to inform postsecondary institutions about student eligibility for grants, work-study opportunities, and student loans. In addition, some scholarship providers require information from student FAFSA’s to determine eligibility and award amounts. Financial aid awards based on submitting a completed FAFSA help students pay for educational expenses after high school, reducing barriers to postsecondary education.
Because the FAFSA requires both student and parent participation, the deadline for completing this graduation requirement is Friday, February 26, 2027.
STEPS TO COMPLETE THE FAFSA
Review the attached documents that provide information about the FAFSA.
Create your FSA ID. Student and a "contributor" parent will each need to have an FSA ID. FSA IDs can be created by using this link.
OPT OUT OF THE FAFSA GRADUATION REQUIREMENT
The FAFSA GRADUATION REQUIREMENT states that each public high school student must complete and submit to the United States Department of Education a FAFSA prior to graduating from high school unless the form HERE is completed. Completing the opt-out form now does not prevent students from completing the FAFSA later if they choose to do so; it is indicating that at this point in time the parents/guardians authorize the student to decline to participate in the requirement.
INFORMATIONAL DOCUMENTS
CLASS OF 2027 SENIOR INFORMATION
The Westside High School website has a page dedicated to senior information that can be found by clicking on this link. Families are encouraged to bookmark this page and return often for updated information.
TEAM/PROGRAM SCHEDULES
Want to see when your Warriors will be in action next? Download the free Bound app to set up a customizable feed that highlights your favorite Westside programs.
WTV LIVE STREAM
Can't make it to the game or fine arts performance? Warrior Television has you covered! Enjoy watching your Warriors from the comfort of your home thanks to our WTV Livestream.
ACTIVITY TICKETS
All students participating in an NSAA sanctioned sport will need to purchase an Activity Ticket. The cost is $70 and students can purchase with cash from the WHS business office or online via the Hudl ticketing platform (Purchase Activity Ticket Here). Students will have the Activity Ticket added to their digital ID and will be given free admission to all Westside home sporting events (excludes Jamborees, Metros, & Districts) during the 2026-27 school year.
EVENT TICKETS & ANNUAL PASSES
You can purchase tickets to events ahead of time via the Hudl ticketing platform (Hudl Tickets). You can also purchase seasonal or yearly Athletic passes via Hudl as well.
Asset 10: Safety
Combating fear, and growing up safe in an unsafe world
Young people who feel threatened, unsafe, or scared often spend a lot of time trapped in fear or in their attempts to protect themselves. They’re less likely to venture forth and take some healthy risks. On the other hand, young people who feel safe are more likely to feel secure enough to try new things. That’s why safety is an important part of feeling empowered. Fear, both imaginary and real, is a normal part of growing up. The key is learning to overcome it. Safety is Asset 10 of Search Institute’s 40 Developmental Assets, the qualities, experiences, and relationships that help young people grow up healthy, caring, and responsible.
Here are the facts
Research shows that young people who feel safe in their surroundings are more likely to make positive contributions. About 51 percent of young people, ages 11–18, say they feel safe at home, at school, and in their neighborhood, according to Search Institute surveys. The key to safety is to create and maintain an environment that minimizes fear and maximizes opportunities to take healthy risks.
Tips for building this asset
Media reports fuel reality-based fears, such as crimes and accidents. You may inadvertently add to young people’s insecurity by feeling anxious yourself and believing the world is dangerous. Young people pick up on adults’ attitudes and beliefs even if they don’t tell children how they’re feeling. Be aware of your behavior, body language, and words—and those coming from others. When you talk to young people about particularly upsetting or frightening events, remind them such occurrences aren’t common. Point out the many ways people take care of one another to be safe.
Also try this
In your home and family: Discuss with your child suggestions for how to remain safe in certain circumstances, and role-play situations. For example, create—and practice—an escape plan in case of a fire in your home. Identify a neighbor your child can go to in an emergency.
In your neighborhood and community: Donate your time, materials, or other resources to a local community center where children can safely play. If there isn’t a community center near you, work to establish one or create other safe activities for young people in your neighborhood.
In your school or youth program: Discuss with young people what it means to be safe at school or in your program. Encourage them to tell you—or other caring adults—if their safety ever feels threatened.
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Developmental Assets® are positive factors within young people, families, communities, schools, and other settings that research has found to be important in promoting the healthy development of young people. From Instant Assets: 52 Short and Simple E-Mails for Sharing the Asset Message. Copyright © 2007 by Search Institute®, 877-240-7251; www.search-institute.org. This message may be reproduced for educational, noncommercial uses only (with this copyright line). All rights reserved.
REDISCOVER YOUR ROOTS
Become a detective and rediscover your family history at “Rediscover Your Roots” at Omaha’s Central Library on Tuesday, December 8, at 5:00 p.m. Staff and their families are invited to a Westside Community Connections event for a free, behind-the-scenes library tour, an introduction to genealogy resources, and a fun, hands-on activity to get started exploring your family tree. No experience is needed, just curiosity! RSVP is required. Go to https://bit.ly/DecWCSCC to register.
WESTSIDE HIGH SCHOOL BUSINESS OFFICE HOURS OF OPERATION
- Monday: 7:30 am - 3:30pm
- Tuesday: 7:30 AM - 3:30 PM (Out of office from 10:00 am - 12:30 pm)
- Wednesday: 7:30 AM - 3:30 PM
- Thursday: 7:30 AM - 3:30 PM (Out of office from 10:00 am - 12:30 pm)
- Friday: 7:30 AM - 3:30 PM
WESTSIDE HIGH SCHOOL ATTENDANCE COUNTS
5 Absences or Tardies in a Class
Teacher contact to parent via SchoolStatus indicating that attendance is a concern.
10 Absences or Tardies in a Class
Assigned Administrator will consider placing the student on an Attendance Success Plan based on individual student circumstances.
15 Absences or Tardies in a Class
- Open Campus Privileges Revoked
- No extra-curricular activities (dances, athletic events, etc.) for remainder of the grading period
- Assigned ALL open mods
15+ Absences or Tardies in a Class
Student MAY BE dropped by administration from the class with a Withdraw Fail (WF) that will be reported on the student's transcript. This will be an administrator decision.
