Tiger Tracks

Welcome to October! Or, considering the weather at the moment, maybe it's still July! Either way, I am excited to see the change of seasons begin to happen this month. Hopefully sooner, rather than later.

Please take a moment to view the October newsletter. There are several important things happening this month. If you have not signed up for your parent teacher conference, please do so immediately! The sign-up link expires tonight! Additional sign-ups in this newsletter include our letter-writing campaign for Veterans Day. If you have, or know of, a Veteran, please complete the link to have a personal letter mailed to them thanking them for their service. The last sign-up in the newsletter is for our popular Robotics Club. Spaces are limited for that club, so sign up early.

We have a couple of restaurant nights next week, with the big one being Chipotle! Take a couple of nights off from preparing dinner for the family and enjoy a night out at Don & Millie's and Chipotle. Proceeds benefit our Community Club and our students!

Lastly, teachers are getting excited to see parents at conferences next week. This is always a great time to connect with teachers and see how school is going for your child(ren). It is a perfect time to reiterate how important school is for their future, set some goals, and celebrate some great reports! Don't forget to stop by the book fair before or after your conference.

Have a great weekend!

~ Mr. Jagels

Conference Scheduling Directions for Parents

Click the Oakdale Parent Teacher Conference Scheduler link provided here: https://pickatime.com/oakdaletigers or click the button below the directions.

Sign In

• Enter your email address and push the "Next" button.

• If you have previously registered, you will be prompted to enter your password. Then click "Sign In". If you have forgotten your password, you can select the Forgot Password button, then enter the email address and click on the Send Reset Link button, then the link will be emailed to you.
• Once you sign in, you will see a list of available events. Select the Fall Parent Teacher Conferences.

• If you are a new user, you will see the message "Your email address is not registered. Please click here to sign up." Click and a Sign-Up Form will appear. Enter your First and Last Name and your password and then click the "Create your Free Account" button to create your account. You will be signed in automatically.

Select Appointment Type

• Select if you want your conference to be “In-person” or “Virtual.”

Select Teachers

• Check the box next to the names of the teacher(s) with whom you'd like to book appointments. You can select multiple teachers if you have multiple children. Once you have finished, select "Filter Slots" at the bottom of the teacher list.

Scheduling

• In the top right corner, you can toggle between the two Parent Teacher Conferences dates, October 8th or October 9th.
• Each square with a plus sign represents an available meeting time.

• Click on a square to book that time.
• Type your student’s first and last name.

• Click "Create Appointment." Appointment will be booked and you will see the confirm message at the top which will disappear automatically.

Repeat until you have a time with each teacher you'd like to visit with.

You can click on the "Printable Schedule" link located on the left-hand side to print a copy of your schedule.

If you want to make appointment changes or cancel your appointment, click on the "My Appointments" link on the left-hand side. On the right side of each appointment, you will see three dots. Hover your mouse to see available options.

You will receive an email confirmation of your appointment(s) shortly after scheduling. You will also receive a reminder email 48 hours before your scheduled conference.

If you have any questions or need assistance in scheduling, please call the school.

Oakdale Elementary will hold our Halloween Parade and Party on Friday, October 31st. The parade will occur after the parties. As in previous years, for the safety and security of our students, we are asking that only Room Parents enter the building to hold the parties. If you are not signed up to be one of the room parents in a classroom, you will not be able to enter the building. We apologize for this inconvenience, but want to ensure the safety of all our students and staff. You are more than welcome to watch the costume parade on the playground around the back of the school.

Halloween Party and Parade

• 2:30-3:15 pm - Classroom Parties (room parents only)
• 3:15 pm - Outdoor Parade around the playground (all invited)

Parade

The parade will begin at 3:15 p.m. and start near the cafeteria doors. The students will walk around the outdoor classroom sidewalk and then re-enter the building through the preschool doors. We ask that you not take your child from the parade for dismissal in order to ensure the safety of all students. After students come back inside, we will proceed with our regular school dismissal. After the parade, please return to your cars so traffic can flow smoothly. The back parking lot (basketball hoops) will be open and the church has graciously agreed to allow parking at that time as well.

Costumes

Please remember we ask that costumes be on the fun and friendly side, free of scary or frightening masks or clothing with blood, gore, or weapons. Please reserve make-up for evening activities. If students bring a costume that includes any of these items, they will be asked to remove them or change. Students should bring their costumes at the beginning of the school day and should be able to get dressed in their costume without assistance. Thank you for honoring these requests.

Food Safety

Please remember to follow the District Approved Snack List. Linked is the lists of what to bring for parties or birthdays. Thanks for helping to make Oakdale a caring community for all of our students. We hope you have a fun and safe Halloween!

Please join us in honoring our Oakdale Community Veterans this Veterans Day with a special school assembly on Tuesday, November 11th at 9:30 AM. Please talk with your Tiger about the veterans who may be in your family or circle of friends to invite them to our special event! On this day all members of the Oakdale Community of Learners will be wearing red, white, and blue. Due to seating limitations, our assembly will include only our students, staff, and our special veterans and their families/guests.

In order to thank our service men and women, Oakdale students would like to send personalized thank you notes to Veterans. Please help us by clicking on the button below to fill out a form providing the name and address of a Veteran by Friday, October 31st. We will then send a thank you note via U.S. Post to the identified current or former service member. This activity has turned out to be one of our students' favorite activities as we frequently receive letters back from our veterans. The information, stories, dedication, honor, and perseverance they have shown is tremendous and inspiring to our students! Thank you for your assistance in honoring, celebrating, and thanking Oakdale's veterans.

Congratulations to Maebel I. in Mrs. Pontious's class, Cam B. in Mrs. Bintz's class, Baylee S. in Mr. Miller's class, and Hugo T. in Mrs. Schmitz's class. These four students were randomly selected for the September monthly High 5 Drawing. The 1st floor students received a prize package filled with fidget tools, a bracelet, and some Oakdale swag. The 2nd floor students received a prize package of a vintage Westside shirt, hat, foam finger, and a family pass to a Westside High School sporting event. Next Month's High 5 Drawing is free gym time with three of your friends!

Get ready to build, code, and compete! The Oakdale Robotics Club is an incredible opportunity for Kindergarten through 6th grade students to think critically, solve problems creatively, and collaborate in teams all while learning to drive, program, and strategize with VEX robots. Each week, students will work with their robotics team to prepare for the exciting Oakdale/Rockbrook Elementary Robotics Expo, where they'll showcase their skills in a fun, hands-on competition. Space is limited, so be sure to register by October 31, 2025. Please only sign up if your child can attend all weekly sessions and the Expo on March 28, as consistent teamwork is key to a successful season!

The Excellence In Youth Team is thrilled to shine a spotlight on Evelyn W. from Oakdale Elementary, the very first recipient of the Digital Dozen Award for the 2025-2026 school year! This award is earned by WCS students who complete 12 digital badge projects from the EY Website, which is accessible to students across the district. It takes hard work, grit, and dedication to earn these badges, and this bright star should be proud of this shining accomplishment! Congratulations!

The BEST DAY EVER is coming! Get ready for Oakdale's Fall Book Fair! Come visit us in person or shop online from our homepage!

In person dates/times:

• Monday 10/6 3:30-5:00

• Tuesday 10/7 3:30-5:30

• Wednesday 10/8 3:00-8:00

• Thursday 10/9 8:30-3:00

The Book Fair has gone cashless! Please make purchases with a credit card or eWallet. It is easy to set up your eWallet on our Book Fair homepage!

Book Fair Volunteers

We are in need of volunteers to help work the Book Fair. If you and your student would like to help, please check out the SignUp Genius link and sign up! All student volunteers must have an adult present with them.

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.

October

6-9 Book Fair

8 Parent/Teacher Communication, 3:20-8:00

8 Chipotle Restaurant Night, 5:00-9:00 132 & Center

9 NO SCHOOL for Students

9 Parent/Teacher Communication, 8:00-4:00

9 Don & Millie's Night

10 NO SCHOOL

13 NO SCHOOL - Teacher Professional Learning Day

18 Fundraiser Celebration, 6:00

23 STEAM Night, 5:30

31 Halloween Parties, 2:30

November

2 Daylight Savings Time Ends

11 Veterans Day Program

11 Community Club Meeting, 6:30

12 Fall Photo Retakes

13 Don & Millie's Night

13 Vocal Music Festival, 7:00 WHS

18 Grade 3&4 Music Program, 7:00 WMS

20 La Casa Pizzaria West Restaurant Night, 11:00 am-9:00 pm 82 & Grover

26 - 28 NO SCHOOL, Thanksgiving Break

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.

Get ready to Make Waves! The Community Club's ANNUAL CAMPAIGN to raise funds for activities and programs supporting Oakdale's teachers, staff, and students for the 2025-2026 school year is coming to an end! The campaign runs September 22-October 3! Be sure to make your donation now, before the campaign ends. Help support our school by participating in this annual event.

Join your friends at Oakdale's Chipotle Night after a day of fantastic news from Parent Teacher Conferences. From 5:00-9:00 pm on Wednesday, October 8th, Chipotle is donating 25% of every sale back to our Oakdale Community Club! Enjoy some great food and raise money for Oakdale! Two things to love in one night! Be sure to mention Oakdale when you check out and bring your flyer to ensure Oakdale receives the funds!

Make a week of it and dine at Don & Millie's on Thursday October 9th after conferences! 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.

For every Don & Millie's restaurant night, students are able to put their name in a drawing to win a free kids meal. Congratulations to our three winners below. Don't forget to put your name in on October 9th to win a free meal!

Join us the Oakdale Community Club meeting on Tuesday, November 11th, 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.

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