Tiger Tracks

What a wonderful first few weeks of school it has been at Oakdale! The building has been buzzing with energy, and it has been such a joy to watch our students settle into new routines, reconnect with friends, and dive into learning. Walking through classrooms, I see curious minds at work, kind gestures being shared, and teachers and students already building the positive relationships that make our school such a special place.

September is always an exciting time as we move from the start-of-school hustle into a steady rhythm. This is when students begin to feel confident in their classrooms, and teachers are able to dig deeper into the content and activities that spark growth and creativity. I want to thank you, our families, for your support and partnership—it makes all the difference when home and school work hand-in-hand.

For the month of September, please put the Community Club Meeting on your calendar to attend on September 9th, here at Oakdale. Also, don't forget school photos on September 30th. The calendar section of this newsletter also outlines important calendar events coming up in the next couple of months. As always, feel free to reach out if you have any questions. Have a great weekend!

~ Mr. Jagels

We are so proud of the nearly 90 students who participated in this year’s IXL Summer Challenge! To celebrate their hard work and dedication, students enjoyed a popsicle and an extra recess party on Monday, August 25th. What a fun way to recognize the effort they put into learning all summer long!

A special congratulations goes to our top three winners, who together mastered more than 600 skills in IXL!

• Quinn R. (Mrs. Pedersen’s 1st grade) – 125 skills proficient, earning a $5 Countryside Cones gift card

• Clark A. (Mrs. Pontious’s 2nd grade) – 210 skills proficient, also earning a $5 Countryside Cones gift card

• George B. (Mrs. Kopperud’s 5th grade) – 290 skills proficient, earning a $10 Countryside Cones gift card

Way to go, Tigers! Thank you to all students who challenged themselves this summer—you set a great example of what it means to be dedicated learners.

Congratulations to Harrison D. in Mrs. Houston's 2nd grade class and Damian E. in Mr. Miller's 5th grade class for being randomly drawn for the August High 5 Drawing. They were able to pick three friends and will be playing Knockout with our resident basketball guru, 6th grade teacher, Mrs. Schmitz! Congratulations! Be on the lookout for September's High 5 Drawing of different prize packs for the 1st and 2nd floor!

We are so proud of Claire H. from Mrs. Kopperud’s 5th grade class! While riding her bike home after school, Claire noticed smoke coming from behind a house in the neighborhood. Instead of riding past, she stopped, rang the doorbell, and alerted the homeowners.

Fortunately, the couple was already aware of the small fire in their backyard, but they were deeply touched by Claire’s quick thinking and concern for others. To show their appreciation, they delivered a thank-you card and a small gift to Claire.

Way to go, Claire! You set a wonderful example of what it means to be a caring Oakdale Tiger and a great neighbor.

Congratulations to Myla R. in Mrs. Schmitz 6th grade class for earning the EY Summer Bucket List award! She is the first student at Oakdale to turn her bucket list materials in - it looks like she had an eventful, educational summer! Congratulations to Myla!

Westside Community Schools continues the implementation of MTSS, which stands for Multi-Tiered System of Supports. MTSS in Westside assures that we regularly monitor student skills and follow-up with providing students what they need to be successful in learning. Beginning in August, this means that we first screen all students to determine their current skill levels and plan our instruction to meet their needs.

What is MTSS? MTSS is a framework for providing instruction and support to promote the academic and behavioral success of all children. Individual children’s progress & skills are measured, and these results are used to make decisions about further instruction and intervention. The MTSS process is flexible and allows for a continuum of supports designed to meet the needs of individual students. This support may be provided in a large or small group by the classroom teacher or other support staff, either within or outside the classroom.

What does this mean for my child? A key component of the MTSS process is that all children receive high quality instruction in their classroom. Universal screenings are brief tests used to measure the progress of all students and are given three times per year. As a result of the screenings, students may be identified as needing some degree of supplemental intervention in addition to the instruction they are receiving in their classroom. If your child is identified as needing intervention you will be notified. Please contact your child’s building principal with questions.

Nebraska Reading Improvement Act: The Nebraska Reading Improvement Act went into effect at the start of the 2019-2020 school year. The goal is that all Nebraska students are able to read at or above grade level by the end of third grade. This is accomplished by ensuring all students have access to high-quality instruction and for struggling readers to receive targeted support (intervention). Our current MTSS framework in Westside Community Schools already allows for us to meet these state requirements. Also, the more students continue to read, review math facts, and write/journal each day at home, in addition to their instruction from school, the more secure their skills may become.

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.

September

9 Community Club Meeting, 6:30 pm

11 Don & Millie's Night

18 Kindergarten Parents Night Out, 7:00 pm @ Public House

22 Oakdale Fundraiser Begins

30 School Picture Day

October

6-9 Book Fair

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

9 NO SCHOOL for Students

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

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

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.

On Friday, September 12th at 11:50-1:05, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of America will be coming to Oakdale to provide information and written materials about their organization to our students. Pursuant to Board Policy 6320, if you wish to opt your student(s) out of participation in this activity, please fill out and return 6320R - Form B (linked below) to Glen Jagels by Thursday, September 11th. Any student who has a completed and approved opt-out form on file will not participate in this Boy and Girl Scouts activity.

Get ready to Make Waves! It's almost time for Community Club's ANNUAL CAMPAIGN to raise funds for activities and programs supporting Oakdale's teachers, staff, and students during the 2025-2026 school year! The campaign runs September 22-October 3! Be on the lookout for more information the closer we get. Help support our school by participating in this annual event.

Dine at Don & Millie's on Thursday September 11th! 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.

Join us for our first Oakdale Community Club meeting on Tuesday, September 9th, at 6:30 pm in the Oakdale library for the first Community Club meeting of the year! 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!

*Childcare will be provided.

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 Returning Student Registration 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.

Click on the above Homecoming Parade pic to see more information on Homecoming Week activities.

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