Tiger Tracks

March is here, and with it comes the promise of spring, fresh energy, and exciting learning opportunities for our students! Even as the weather keeps us guessing, our classrooms are full of growth, curiosity, and hard work.

This time of year is always a busy one, filled with special events, celebrations, and important learning milestones. We are so proud of the effort our students continue to show each day and grateful for the partnership we share with you in supporting their success.

Thank you for being such an important part of the Oakdale community. We’re looking forward to a fantastic month ahead!

~ Mr. Jagels

We are excited to share that Oakdale has been awarded this year’s Westside Lighthouse Literacy Award! This is the second time our school has received this recognition, and no other school has earned the award more than once.

The award is based on student growth and progress from fall to winter using district assessments such as FastBridge and MAP. These assessments measure how much students improve in both reading and math over time.

Based on these results, Oakdale earned the highest score in Reading and placed third overall in Math. When combining results in both Reading and Math, Oakdale ranked second overall among all Westside schools.

We are incredibly proud of our students and grateful for the hard work of our teachers and staff who support their learning every day. Thank you to our Oakdale families for partnering with us to help students succeed. We look forward to continuing this great momentum as we head into the second half of the school year!

Don't forget to sign up for the March Parent Teacher Conferences. They are quickly approaching on March 18th and 19th. Click the link below for more information and to sign up for your conference.

Also, don't forget that there is no school on Thursday, March 19th and Friday, March 20th.

Martin Photography will be at Oakdale March 18 for Spring photos from approximately 8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. Bring your smile and your pre-paid picture order form! (Order forms will be sent home closer to March 18.) The photographer will only take pictures of students who have an order form in hand or completed an online order. These pictures are optional but a fun picture to have to see growth and changes throughout the year!

You have the convenience to place an online order for School Pictures. The order must be placed by midnight the night before your picture date on March 18 (or bring an order form to school on 3/18 since not every child will have an individual picture taken).

As we approach the exciting month of March, we are thrilled to announce a fun and engaging academic competition at Oakdale Elementary — iXL MADNESS!

Modeled after the excitement of March Madness, Oakdale will be hosting a school-wide iXL competition to identify our Top Grade Level through a bracket-style challenge. The competition will take place during the following weeks:

• Week 1: 2/23 – 2/27

• Week 2: 3/2 – 3/7

• Week 3: 3/9 – 3/13

• Week 4: 3/23 – 3/27

Please note: We will pause competition during Parent/Teacher Conference Week, but students can continue to increase their classroom's overall performance.

During each competition week, students in every classroom will use the iXL platform to demonstrate proficiency in grade-level skills. Proficiency is defined as achieving 80% or higher on a given grade-level skill. Teachers may assign specific skills or study plans, or students may follow any grade-level appropriate study plan.

Here’s how it works:

• The grade level with the highest average number of skills proficient per week will advance to the next round.

• If a grade level is eliminated, don’t worry! We are also recognizing the Top Class based on the same criteria — highest average number of skills proficient.

Students will have opportunities to work on iXL during school hours, but they may also log in from home to help boost their grade level and class standings.

Our goal is to encourage students to become more confident with grade-level skills, use iXL effectively, and strive for academic proficiency throughout this month of “iXL MADNESS.”

We encourage you to allow your child to spend a little time on iXL each evening to help their class compete for the title of Top Grade Level and TOP CLASS at Oakdale Elementary!

Thank you for your continued support in helping our students succeed. Let the iXL Madness begin!

We are proud to invite you to join us for the Oakdale/ Rockbrook Robotics Expo on Saturday, March 28th.

This event is a wonderful opportunity to witness the collaborative spirit and technical ingenuity of our students as they showcase their progress in robotics and STEM. Seeing the Tigers and Bulldogs work together to solve complex engineering challenges is a testament to the strong community and academic excellence we strive for across the district.

Event Details:

• Date: Saturday, March 28th

• Time: 8:30 AM – 11:30 AM

• Location: Oakdale Elementary School (9801 W Center Road)

Your presence would mean a great deal to our students and staff as we celebrate their hard work. This program is made possible through the generous support of the Westside Foundation, COX Charities, and KLUTE.

We also want to recognize the vital contributions of the Oakdale Community Club and the Rockbrook Community Club, whose support continues to enrich our students' learning experiences.

We hope to see you there to cheer on the next generation of Westside innovators!

Congratulations to Ariana L.P. in Mrs. Bruning's 3rd grade class and Liam B. in Mrs. Bintz's 1st grade class for winning the February High 5 Drawing! They were randomly selected from all the entries. They were able to pick three friends and join Mrs. Bauman, our school psychologist, for Hot Chocolate and Donuts to start the morning. What a sweet treat! Be on the lookout for next month's drawing for Theater Games with Mr. Garniss!

KINDERGARTEN RESIDENT ENROLLMENT FOR 2026-2027

Kindergarten enrollment for District residents for the 2026-2027 school year is OPEN! Please check our website to start your enrollment online.

Children entering kindergarten must be 5 years old on or before July 31, 2026. Parents may wait to enroll their child(ren) in kindergarten for an additional year. However, Nebraska law requires that children who reach the age of six prior to Jan 1st of the current school year must be enrolled in school.

For questions about enrollment, please contact the Westside Welcome Center at 402-390-2100 or enrollment@westside66.net

OPTION ENROLLMENT FOR 2026-2027

If you live outside of the Westside district and have K-12 grade child(ren) that you want to attend for the 2026-2027 school year you must submit an option application for each student(s). The deadline to apply for Option Enrollment is 4:00 pm on March 15th.

If you have a current student(s) attending our school(s) through the Option Enrollment program, you must fill out an option form for any new incoming student(s).

Option Enrollment forms can be completed using this link.

Questions about Option Enrollment, please contact Student Services at 402-390-2107.

IN-DISTRICT TRANSFERS FOR 2026-2027

Are you a District resident and would like your K-6 grade child(ren) to attend an elementary school in Westside other than the school in your home attendance area? The deadline to submit an In-District Transfer request for the upcoming school year is 4:00 pm on March 15th.

An In-District Transfer request form must also be completed for any child starting kindergarten who has a sibling attending an elementary school outside of their home attendance area. The deadline to submit this request is 4:00 pm on March 15th.

In district transfer forms can be completed using this link.

Questions about In-District Transfers, please contact Student Services at 402-390-2107.

EARLY ADMISSION FOR KINDERGARTEN

Children of District residents who wish to be tested for early entrance to kindergarten must turn 5 years old between August 1 and October 15, 2026.

For further information regarding early entrance testing, please contact Early Admissions at 402-390-2142.

It is that time of year when parents begin thinking about making formal classroom requests for the next school year. During April and May, the teachers at each grade level, specialist teachers, and Mr. Jagels will begin building class lists for the next year using the following criteria:

• Male/female ratio

• Different academic levels of students including those in special education

• ELL, Academic Interventions, and the EY program

• Matching individual learning styles with teaching styles as best we can

• Keeping classroom dynamics in balance (behavior, social, emotional, and personality considerations among students)

As you can see, a great deal of thought and effort goes into making these class lists. Granting every request would undo the long process that has been carefully put together and jeopardize the integrity of that work. In addition, children need to work in and with a variety of circumstances now and in the future, both in terms of personnel and environment.

If you have some unusual circumstances that you feel you must address, please do the following:

• Make a formal request in writing to Mr. Jagels addressing your child’s learning style and the type, not the name, of the teacher that would benefit your child (email will suffice).

• If there has been a request made in a previous year that still applies, please make sure we are aware of the necessary details for placement in the 2026-2027 school year.

• Turn in the request by Friday, April 3, 2026.

• Turning in a request does not guarantee that it will be granted.

All teachers work as a professional learning community at Oakdale. In other words, all teachers come together to collaborate about all students in their grade level to discuss the best approaches to meet the needs of all students academically, behaviorally, socially, and emotionally. Each grade level at Oakdale also incorporates flexible grouping strategies that allow students to work with other teachers in that grade level. We appreciate your understanding of the process, and we look forward to a strong finish to this year and another terrific school year for 2026-2027.

If you have any questions, or just want to check in, Mrs. Sindt will be at Oakdale for conferences on Wednesday evening (March 18th) from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m.. You can find her in her office on the 2nd floor. If she's away from her desk, she'll have a sign letting you know when she'll return.

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.

March

8 Daylight Savings Time Begins

12 STEAM Night, 5:30

16 Band-O-Rama @ WHS, 7:00

17 WestFest Strings Festival @ WHS, 7:00

17-19 Book Fair

17-19 Oakdale Art Fair

18 Spring Photos

18-19 Parent Teacher Communication

19-20 NO SCHOOL for students

26 Science Fair, 6:00

30-April 3 Staff Appreciation Week

April

3 Early Dismissal, 2:00

6-10 NO SCHOOL, Spring Break

21 Community Club Meeting, 6:30

23-24 6th Grade Outdoor Ed

27 NO SCHOOL, Teacher Professional Learning Day

28 Grades K-2 Music Program @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.

The Retro Roar Spirit Wear collection is back just in time for spring! Inspired by words from the historic building sign, this collection honors Oakdale's rich history. We've got some great styles perfect for warm weather, including tees, tanks, and polos—great for showing off your Tiger Spirit on the golf course.

But wait, there's more! With every purchase, $5 goes back to the Oakdale Community Club. We raised $280 from the long sleeve apparel sales, so it’s a win-win for everyone!

Don't miss out—order now! Our online store is open until Sunday, March 22.

Your spirit wear will arrive at Oakdale by April 3!

All Tigers are invited to enter our Art Contest! This year's theme is TIGERS AROUND THE WORLD.

Imagine our Oakdale tiger traveling the world! Where would it go? Another country, a famous landmark, a busy city, the mountains? What people, animals, plants, buildings, or cultural traditions would it see?

Submissions pages were sent home with students and are due by Monday, March 16th and may be returned to school with your student. Three winners will receive a prize!

This is it! Our Scholastic Book Fair is coming 3/17-3/19. Be sure your child doesn’t suffer Book Fair FOMO - get them prepared to shop at https://www.scholastic.com/bf/oakdaleelementaryschool4

Come visit us in person in the Oakdale Library or shop online from our homepage!

• Tuesday, 3/17 -- 3:30-5:30

• Wednesday, 3/18 -- 3:00-8:00

• Thursday, 3/19 -- 8:30-3:00

The Book Fair has gone cashless! Please make purchases with a credit card, eWallet, or another form of electronic payment. It is easy to set up your eWallet on our Book Fair homepage! https://www.scholastic.com/bf/oakdaleelementaryschool4

VOLUNTEERS

We are in need of volunteers to help work at the Book Fair. Check out the opportunities in this link and sign up to help make it a success! Spring 2026 Book Fair Volunteer Signup

Make a week of it and dine at Don & Millie's on Thursday, March 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.

The Science Fair is March 26th from 6:00 to 7:00 PM in the gym at Oakdale Elementary School. There will be many awesome projects on display, so please come and support your fellow Tigers!

Students (K-6) can participate individually or in a team with up to four students. Project information needs to be provided when registering (the question and purpose of study and a brief description of procedure).

Register by March 20th. Online registration is easy! Under "Information Forms" simply fill in the project information and name(s) of additional student(s), if participating in a team. Register for science fair →
[Make sure you are logged into the Oakdale Community Club website and then scroll to the bottom of the Forms page.]

Science Fair boards will be available for pick-up at the Oakdale Elementary School administrative office beginning March 4th.

Mark your calendar for the next the Oakdale Community Club meeting Tuesday, April 21st, 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.

The term “early intervention" is important because research shows that the first three years are the most important time for learning in a child's life. Providing developmental support and services early improves a child's ability to develop and learn. Also, it may prevent or decrease the need for special help later. The goal of early intervention in Nebraska is to “open a window of opportunity” for families to help their children with special needs develop to their full potential.

The Early Development Network-Babies Can't Wait can help you and your family support and promote your child’s development, within your family activities and community life. Nebraska’s Early Development Network supports children zero through three years of age who have special developmental needs. The Nebraska Early Development Network program “connects” families with early intervention services, such as occupational, speech or physical therapy, to help infants and toddlers grow and develop and help their families in this process. It is a voluntary program and does not discriminate based on race, culture, religion, income level, or disability.

If you have questions about the program or would like to see if your child would be eligible for these services, please contact the Westside Early Intervention team at EDN@Westside66.net or call 402-390-6472.

We'd like to invite you to be part of our 4th Annual Westside Multicultural Fair on Saturday, May 2, 2026, from Noon to 3 p.m. This event celebrates the diverse cultures and heritages that comprise our community, offering attendees a fun and engaging way to learn from one another.

The fair features tables with activities and foods from around the world, food trucks, and live performances, all FREE for the community to enjoy!

We’d love for you to share your culture or heritage at the event. You can host a table display, perform, or suggest another way to showcase your background and traditions.

Last year’s fair drew more than 400 attendees, and we’re excited to make this year even bigger. To accommodate the growth, we’re moving outdoors to Westside High School’s Track and Field area.

If you are able to participate, or interested in volunteering to help the day of, please fill out this form by March 31, 2026.

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Dani Herzog, Coordinator of District Special Projects.

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