Westside Middle School

Thanksgiving Break (No School)

Wednesday, November 25- Friday, November 27th

Winter Break (No School)

Monday, December 21- Monday, January 4th

Yellow Ribbon Presentation

On Thursday, November 5, 7th-grade students will have a presentation on the Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program. Teams 7A and 7C will have the presentation in the PAC beginning at 8:15. Students on 7A and 7C will be dismissed to the PAC from their 1st period class at 8:10 to report to the PAC. Students on teams 7B and 7D will have the presentation in the PAC beginning at 9:45. Students on these two teams will be dismissed from their 3rd period class at 9:40 to report to the PAC. The Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program is a nationwide program designed to help students and communities recognize warning signs of suicide, what suicide is and is not, and give students a way to ask for help.

Here is some more information on the Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program:

It is not uncommon for teens to think about suicide. Every year, nearly 1 in 5 teens seriously considers suicide, and youth will most often seek help from their peers. It is imperative that youth are provided the tools to recognize other youth who may be at risk for suicide and the knowledge of how to respond if they are concerned. Studies have shown that youth peer training is an effective practice for education for youth. Designated a National Best Practice program, Yellow Ribbon utilizes a unique community-based model that increases the competence and confidence of youth to recognize and respond to suicidal individuals. Modified to be age and culturally appropriate, the curriculum follows the recognized safe messaging prevention practices.

We recognize that this may be a difficult topic for some students. Our counselors are prepared to help individual students process this presentation if it is needed. Sometimes, the students for whom this topic is the most difficult are the most in need of hearing it. With that in mind, if you and your student believe it would be in their best interest not to be in the presentation, please contact your student’s assigned counselor.

Sarah Lieske - Teams 7A, 8A , 8B- email lieske.sarah@westside66.net, phone (402) 408-8618

Dan Hoffmann - Teams 7B, 7C, 8D - email hoffmann.daniel@westside66.net, phone (402) 408-8577

Mike McCann - Teams 7D, 8C - email mccann.michael@westside66.net, phone (402) 408-8591

WCS Unified Events

Sensory Make and Take

Join us for Sensory Make and Take on November 14 from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at Oakdale Elementary School, 9801 West Center Road, Omaha, NE 68124. Families will create personalized sensory tools, explore interactive stations, and take home their creations. Register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdXVX92IX3OSrfvZvYk0PZdRgg3Js25-duvUUx9qTX8l-lr2Q/viewform?pli=1

Westside Community Connections Event

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.

News from the Social Worker!

Applications for holiday assistance from community organizations are underway. It is important to be aware of their deadlines. Programs and deadlines can be found in the Social Work Newsletter.

Westside Community Schools now offers a student-focused food pantry and clothing closet called the Carriage House. Designed specifically for students at Westside Middle School (WMS) and Westside High School (WHS), the Carriage House is a convenient resource for students who need a little extra support. The food pantry offers small, ready-to-eat food items and snacks that students can take home, along with clothing and everyday hygiene products.The Carriage House is located on the Westside High School campus near the west parking lot. Students can request a visit by contacting their school social worker or completing the Carriage House Visit Request Form.

The Family Resource Center (FRC) will continue to be available to Westside Community Schools families. Located on the northeast side of Westgate Elementary School, the FRC offers a food pantry and clothing closet to help support families in our school community. Parents and guardians can request an appointment by contacting the school social worker, Kim Schenkelberg, via email or by calling 402-452-3147.

Warrior Buck Store Donations

Please consider Donating!!!

At Westside Middle School students earn Warrior Bucks for positive behavior, academic achievement and consistent attendance. They use the Warrior Bucks to purchase snacks or treats from the mobile store or by ordering an item through the Online Warrior Buck store. We want to thank the families who have donated items from our Amazon Wish List. Our students appreciate when there is a wide variety of items to choose. We are extremely low on the following popular items: Skittles, Airhead Extremes, Sour Patch Kids & Hershey Kisses. Our Wish List can be sorted from highest to lowest need if you would like to donate other items. Your donations are greatly appreciated!