Panda Press

August 8 - Open House 5:30-6:30 PM

August 10 - First Day of School

August 16 - Kindergarten Welcome Night

August 22 - Don & Millie's Family Night

August 30 - Band and Strings Parent Meeting at 6:30 WMS Auditorium

September 1 - No School Professional Learning Day

September 4 - No School Labor Day

October 5 - School Pictures

It's hard to believe that we are already in the middle of July. I hope this year's Summer Newsletter finds each of you enjoying some warm weather, fun, and family time.

This year will be my first year as the Principal at Paddock Road Elementary, and my seventeenth year at Westside Community Schools. I will be joining you from Hillside Elementary where I spent the last five years as their Assistant Principal. Some of you know me as a neighbor and mom, and I am so honored to also serve as your elementary school principal. Even though I am not in the classroom, I still get butterflies in my stomach as the new year approaches, similar to when I started teaching 7th grade Social Studies at Westside Middle School. It is such a privilege to be a part of Westside Community Schools as an educator and parent because our community is supportive of our students, families, and teachers who work together to see that each and every child grows, learns, and succeeds!

Joining our amazing team at Paddock Road this year, we have a few new staff members we are pleased to introduce to you. Each of them has written a brief introduction about themselves and they are so excited to join this community of educators and learners. The following newsletter will provide you with much needed information to make the upcoming school year safe, successful, and educational. As we near the beginning of the school year, please continue to look for information from me, your teacher, and the district offices. We appreciate your continued support and efforts to stay informed as a Paddock Road parent. Thank you!

Our Open House Night this year is on Tuesday, August 8th at 5:30 pm. We look forward to welcoming families back to our school and the excitement of the start of the new school year. Be sure to join us to meet your child's teacher, see their classroom, and learn a little about the curriculum. Class placements will be sent out prior to Open House Night. The first day of school will be Thursday, August 10th.*

Sincerely,

Mrs. McGuire

*Note: Remember for Kindergarten families you should have received a letter indicating if your child will attend the 10th and 11th, or 14th and 15th. Please call the office if you did not receive this note or are uncertain and we'll be happy to help you.

Hello Pandas!

I’m so excited to be joining the Paddock Road family this upcoming school year as Assistant Principal. I’m looking forward to meeting all of you and getting to know the students, staff and families. I can already see what a special place Paddock is and I can’t wait to be part of this wonderful community.

I started my education career as a middle school teacher who taught English/Language Arts for grades 6-8 in the Washington, D.C. area. I then completed my Master’s program at UNO in School Counselor and was a school counselor at Harrison Elementary School with Omaha Public Schools for six years. For the past two years, I’ve been an Administrative Intern at Harrison, MTSS-B Building Coach, and leader of our Social-Emotional Team, in addition to my counseling duties. I've had the great pleasure of helping students and families with their needs, supporting new teachers, and creating mentorship roles for our experienced staff. I look forward to bringing those leadership experiences into this new position.

I live in Omaha with my husband, two children, and a therapy dog who is more interested in sleeping than actually helping. My daughter is starting at Westside High School this year and in another year, my son will start at Westside Middle School. When I’m not working, I’m laughing with family and friends, eating too many cheesy puffs and writing children’s books. My first picture book is coming out in May of 2024! I'm originally from New York, where most of my family still lives. I'm from a very large Italian family full of cousins, and yes, my aunts really do pinch my cheeks when they see me.

I can’t wait to meet you all and get to know your families. I look forward to my first year as a Paddock Panda!

Best,

Danielle Herzog

Hey Paddock! My name is Anna Runnels and I am so super excited to be joining the Westside family to teach Kindergarten this school year. I am a born and raised Nebraskan, so happy to be living here with my husband and dog Alan. I am a big fan of long morning walks, time with my family, and getting outside whenever possible.

I spent four years in St. Paul, Minnesota gaining degrees in both Elementary Education and Theatre, and eventually a Masters in Teaching. While there I worked in schools throughout the St. Paul area and fell in love with teaching young children. After moving back to Omaha I taught second grade for one year and when offered the opportunity to move down to Kindergarten I took it without hesitation.

I believe the best part about my job is building a community within my classroom. A community of students who find joy in each other and their learning. I cannot wait to learn and grow alongside your students and the Paddock team!

My name is Sara Cushing and I will be joining the Paddock Road family as the School Social Worker. I am so excited to meet everyone and to be a support in any capacity.

I was raised in the Papillion/Omaha area. I obtained my undergraduate degree at Doane University and Masters at University of Nebraska Omaha. I enjoy traveling, sports, spending time with friends and family, exercising, and trying new restaurants.

Hope you enjoy the rest of summer and I look forward to having a great year!

Hello Pandas!

My name is Maggie Person and I can’t wait to continue my adventure as a Paddock Panda! I attended Paddock Road as a student 20 years ago! I’ll be teaching 1st grade and I am so excited to meet all of my fellow pandas! This is my 10th year at Westside and my 10th year in first grade. I taught my first 9 years at Swanson Elementary.

My husband and I both grew up attending Westside and currently live near Hillside with our 2.5 year old, Lucy! When we aren’t chasing Lucy around, we love to travel and go on adventures as a family. We spend a lot of time at the zoo and the library so maybe we’ll see some of you there! See you soon!

Hi Pandas! My name is Kasey Wurst and I will be the new second grade teacher!

I taught preschool at Oakdale Elementary for 13 years and then decided to go back to school to get my teaching certificate and Master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Doane University. I completed my student teaching with Ms. Lewis at Paddock Road two years ago, then I taught first grade at Hillside Elementary for the past year and a half.

I love spending time with my friends and family. I have two nieces and one nephew that keep me pretty busy. I am also a diehard Husker fan even though it's not easy. Maybe this year will be our year :). I am so excited to return to Paddock Road and see some familiar faces along with all the new ones!

Hi Pandas!

I am so excited to be joining the Paddock Road family as a 6th grade teacher this year! I graduated from UNO in 2023 with my Bachelor’s in Elementary Education and Special Education. Before joining Westside, I was with Bennington Public Schools as a Paraprofessional for 6 years.

In my free time, I enjoy traveling, reading, and spending time with my 4 nieces and nephews. I am looking forward to meeting all of the students and families at Paddock Road!

Hi Paddock Road!

My name is Brie Friis-Hansen and I am beyond excited to be joining the Panda family as the new Fourth Grade Teacher! The past five years I’ve had the privilege of being a Co-Lead in the Paddock Road Four Year-Old Program.

2023 has been a whirlwind of a year for me! I recently got engaged to my fiancé, Tyler, and moved into a new house in Papillion! We set the date for July 27, 2024!

I am also going to be an aunt for the first time at the end of September!

I am the oldest of three and grew up in Oakland, Nebraska. I have my degree in Elementary Education from Wayne State College, GO CATS! I have a four year old Newfoundland name Gia and she is the biggest, gentle bear you’ll ever meet. I am an avid Harry Potter, Star Wars, and MARVEL fan. I love to travel! When I’m not traveling I enjoy going to the movies, spending time with family and friends, trips to the zoo, and reading. I love Target, Starbucks, and Crumbl cookies. To balance out my Crumbl habit I like to stay active by running, weightlifting, and doing anything outside! I am looking forward to having some former students again, getting to know everyone at Paddock and continue to create lasting relationships with Paddock families!

Hello Paddock Pandas!

My name is Shaina Owen, and I am excited to be the new PE teacher at Paddock Road and Oakdale Elementary. I live in La Vista with my husband, James, and our bulldog, Rafiki.

I am coming from St. Cecilia Cathedral School in Omaha where I spent 11 years teaching PreK-8th grade PE. I am originally from Ogallala, Nebraska, and enjoy spending my summers on the white sandy beaches of Lake McConaughy. I received my Bachelor’s Degree in Health and Physical Education from Nebraska Wesleyan University, and I am currently working towards my Master’s Degree from York University.

My favorite thing about teaching PE is introducing students to a wide range of physically engaging games and activities. Outside of the classroom, I enjoy spending time outdoors with my friends and family. Some of my favorite activities are tennis, golf, paddle boarding, hiking, and playing sand volleyball. I look forward to meeting you all soon!

Hello Paddock Road Families!

My name is Angelica O'Brien and I am so excited to be working as the School Counselor at Paddock Road this year! I grew up in Michigan and graduated from the University of Dayton in 2017 with my degree in Early Childhood Education. After college, I moved to Omaha for graduate school at Creighton, where I earned my Master's in School Counseling and Preventative Mental Health. At my previous school, I had experience working as a classroom teacher and as the school counselor. I am passionate about students experiencing success in and out of the classroom and I cannot wait to work and learn with this community!

Hi Paddock!

My name is Ainsley Anderson, and I will be the new Speech Language Pathologist this year. I am so excited to support the communication development of our Pandas!

I am originally from Minnesota and have lived in Omaha for the past seven years. I have spent the past five years as an SLP in Ralston Public Schools. I just got married last November, and my husband and I live in the Rockbrook neighborhood. He is a zookeeper on the elephant crew at the Omaha Zoo. In my free time I enjoy baking, writing, running, and watering my plants.

The very best part of my job is building relationships with students and supporting their communication growth. I can’t wait to meet all of you!

Hi, my name is Hannah Poth!

This will be my third year as a certified Special Education Teacher, but it will be my eighth year working in the Westside District! I am so excited to become a member of the Paddock Road Pandas this upcoming school year! I will be working with students in Kindergarten, First Grade, and Second Grade. I can’t wait to meet you and your students!

A little about me, I graduated from Westside in 2016 and the University of Nebraska in 2021. My boyfriend Forrest and I have a German Shepard named Tikka as well as a cat named Moo! I enjoy spending time at home reading, watching new shows, or just hanging out with my animals! I can't wait for the upcoming school year!

Paddock Road Community Club is providing FREE t-shirts for all students this year. Also in the fall, families, staff and students will have an opportunity to purchase additional shirts (design might be different). Stay tuned for details.

Click here to submit your student's size.

Welcome Back Pandas!

Want to be “in the know” about all things Paddock Road?

About Paddock Road Community Club

The Paddock Road Community Club (PRCC), an organization like a PTA, is made up of

parents or guardians of Paddock Road students.

The purpose of the Community Club is to work cooperatively with school staff to provide

quality education for the students; to raise funds to improve the educational process for

the students; to be an organization that promotes family activities and involvement in

Paddock Roads’ success; and to keep abreast of Westside Community Schools and

community issues to serve and support Paddock Road staff and students. Check out

our webpage for more information!

Step by Step to Be “In the Know”:

Step 1: Sign up to receive emails here:

https://forms.gle/ENnxHuhD1ijTNoMn6

Step 2: Follow us on Facebook here:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/2273256422996660

(or search for Paddock Road Community Club)

Step 3: Come to our first meeting, Tuesday Sept. 5 th at 6:30 in the Library.

Don't forget to stop up at Paddock Road on Tuesday, August 8th for our Open House Night. Feel free to stop by at any time during the event to meet your child's teacher and catch up with some previous classmates. Curriculum handouts will also be available during this time for each grade level. We look forward to seeing you on August 8th!

August 8, 2023

5:30-6:30 PM - Open House Night

* Please feel free to bring your school supplies with you that evening.

Be sure to keep an eye on your inbox as we near the end of July and the beginning of August. Class assignments will again be sent to each family via email. If for any reason you have not received your child's placement notice prior to Open House Night on the 8th, please feel free to call the office. We can also help direct you the night of Open House if needed.

For kindergarten students, your placement will be determined after the first four days of school. Your child will enjoy getting to know both teachers the first couple of days.

All families of returning students must complete Returning Student Registration prior to the start of the 2023-24 school year. This needs to be completed for each returning student in your family in order for your student to attend field trips, allow Paddock Road staff permission to take photos of your child/ren, update contacts, etc.

If you have not done so already, please CLICK HERE to complete this important process.

• Enter your PowerSchool parent portal information to log in

• Click Returning Student Registration near the bottom left side

If you have problems logging in, please email powerschool.support@westside66.net.

Our instructional school day starts at 8:30 am. Doors will be opened at 8:20 am allowing students plenty of time to walk to classrooms, hang up backpacks, check in with teacher and peers, and be ready for those first important words of the day at 8:30 am. Give your students every advantage of a successful day by having them here at 8:20 am!

We will have supervision outside the building starting at 8:05 am. We ask that students not arrive before 8:10 am unless:

• Participating in a school activity

• Serving on Safety Patrol

• Working with a teacher

• Attending Club 66 Before Care program

Why can’t we arrive early?

Teachers are involved in team meetings, staff meetings and individual planning from 8:00-8:20 am. Students may enter the building when the first bell rings at 8:20 am. Our school day begins promptly at 8:30 am. Thank you for your continued cooperation.

Student Arrival Waiting Locations:

• Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd Grade - Students will stand outside near the front doors in designated areas. K-2nd grade students will enter through the front doors to go to their classroom.

• 3rd-6th Grade - Students will stand in designated areas on the blacktop. Students will enter the building through the South entrance.

• Breakfast - Any student eating breakfast will line up along the library windows. Students will enter the building through the front doors at 8:10am.

Arrival/Dismissal Times:

• 8:30 am Classes Begin
  

• 3:30 pm M, T, Th, F Dismissal

• 3:00 pm W Dismissal

For the safety of all of our students, we ask that parents say good-bye outside of the school during arrival. Students are to independently arrive at their classrooms each morning. If students need assistance, Paddock Road staff members are available to help.

In an effort to keep all of our students, families, and visitors safe, please review the procedures for student drop-off and dismissal.

While in the drive, please wait to have students enter/exit vehicles until you have reached any of the designated spots marked by cones.

• The drop-off/pick-up zones will be designated by cones inside of the Paddock Road drive.
• Vehicles are to pull ahead until all vehicles have stopped within the zone. At this point, all students will load/unload vehicles within the zone.
• Once students have all loaded or unloaded, vehicles will proceed forward and a new group will enter the drop off/dismissal zones.
• Please watch for Paddock Road staff to direct you during this time.

Please note that there is NO Off STREET PARKING along the West side of Paddock Road. This side of the street is marked with “No Parking” signs. There are no designated crosswalks directly across from the school, and we are asking that students/families are not walking across the street to cars parked in this location. There will be additional parking spots open inside of the drive so that parents may utilize these if they are wanting to drop off students and walk them into the building or wait for students who may be coming out later during dismissal.

Those picking up students after school may also want to consider using the parking lot located on the backside of the school. This area is supervised by staff after school. This option tends to have considerably less traffic and may be useful for some.

Morning Drop-off—We ask for all students to be dropped off in the drive in the front of the building. We will not have a Safety Patrol or Supervisor on duty in the back of Paddock for morning drop-off. Students will be asked to wait in designated areas. Staff supervision will be present at 8:10 a.m. Students will be let into the building at 8:20 a.m.

Afternoon Pick-up—We will have staff supervision for after school pick-up in the back of the building.

Thank you for your continuing support in making Paddock Road a safe and productive environment for all.

If you think you may qualify or are interested in applying for Free or Reduced Price meal benefits, you can fill out an Application for Free/Reduced Meal Benefits (these benefits carry over to other opportunities including technology, camps, etc.). An application needs to be completed EACH year to qualify for free or reduced price meals. Please remember this status is always kept confidential and there is no way for other students to have access to this information. Also keep in mind extra servings that are not part of the original meal (fruit/vegetables, main entrée, etc.) are not included with free or reduced lunch accounts.

• Click here to learn more about meals and prices through Westside Community Schools
  

Student Prices:

Student Lunch: $2.65

Student Breakfast: $1.70

Extra Main Item: $1.20 (as of the 2022-2023 school year)

Water or Extra Milk $0.50 (as of the 2022-2023 school year)

*Meals include one milk. Water is always extra.

BREAKFAST PROGRAM

Breakfast is served from 8:10 - 8:30 daily. Our breakfast program will be available beginning August 10th, the first day of school.

Running Late

Please let the office know if you are running late or have a morning appointment for your child. If your child plans on eating lunch from the cafeteria that day, PLEASE call and or email your child's lunch choice before 9 am.

LUNCH MONEY

• CASH OR CHECK - Breakfast and lunch charges come out of the same account. Each student in your family has a separate account, but you may send one check to be divided. Please make checks out to “Paddock Road.” You may also drop lunch money in the drop box at the office during our Open House Night or any other time. Be sure to include your child's NAME on the memo line.

• PAY ONLINE - You may also use MySchoolBucks.com to pay lunch charges. (You will need your student's ID number. Please call or email Mrs. Cordes after August 1 if you need that information.) We send an email to parents/guardians and/or a note in your child's backpack to any student whose account has become overdrawn. Please check your email, spam folder, MySchoolBucks account, or your child's backpack for your child's lunch balance. We need to have negative balances at zero or positive balances. This balance carries over to the next year. Start 2023-2024 year off right for your child's lunch account.

Pizza Hut

Students may purchase extra slices of pizza from their lunch accounts when Pizza Hut is on the menu if they have a positive balance in their account. Extra slices cost $1.20 (as of the 2022-2023 school year). Parents, make sure you let your child know whether or not you want them to have an extra slice. Extra slices are not included with free or reduced lunch accounts. You need to make sure your child has sufficient funds for the extra slice.

We will continue to allow visitors at breakfast or lunch during the school year. If an adult is planning to order a school lunch, please contact the front office by 9:00 am so we can make sure a lunch is reserved for you. Adult meals are $4.25 and include white/chocolate milk. A bottle of water is an extra $0.50. You may bring cash and if there is any change left over it will be deposited into your student's lunch account. You may also pay by check made out to 'Paddock Road'. Depending on seating availability in the cafeteria, you may be sitting at the table with your child's class or at an overflow table.

Birthday Treats are a special way for your child to celebrate with his/her classroom. Birthday treats are not required. They can be consumable or non-consumable. If you choose to bring in food, it must be an approved treat or snack from our District's Healthy Snack List (linked below).

Attendance Matters!

We want to know that all our students are safe. Please notify the office at 402-390-6465 (available 24 hours a day) or email our Administrative Assistant, Mrs. Kathy Cordes (cordes.katherine@westside66.net) when your student is not coming to school or will be late for school. If we have not heard from you, it is our policy to call.

Students arriving after 8:30 am must come to the office and check in. Parents picking up or dropping off their students during the day for appointments, illness, etc., must sign them in and out through the office.

Please remember after school plans should be made in the morning. Students are expected to go directly home and be off school grounds by 3:45 pm. Students going home with another child after school should make plans ahead of time.

Don't forget to notify the school if there is an unexpected change of after school plans for your child. If you know in the morning, a note to the teacher is always appreciated. We appreciate your cooperation in making sure your child is safe.

Approving a Child to Go Home with Another Child's Parent:

In the event that you would like to approve your child to go home with another child's parent we need contact from both you and the other child's parent. This can be in the form of a note, email, or phone call to the office. Staff will not dismiss your child to another child's parent without prior contact, preferably to the main office so that this can be communicated to others (Classroom Teacher, Club 66, etc).

It happens to all of us. We forget something we needed for school or work at home. Fortunately, sometimes parents are able to drop items off for their child. To keep student focus on learning we would ask that such items be dropped off to the office. We are happy to deliver these to your child or have your child’s teacher pick them up at an appropriate time.

We are lucky in Nebraska to get to enjoy all four seasons. This also means that at times the weather gets in the way of our fun and plans. Below is a brief description of our procedures when the weather is not cooperating:

Warm Weather: We will stay indoors for recess and safety patrol if the air temperature or heat index is 95° or higher.

Cold Weather: So long as the air temperature or wind chill factor is 10° or warmer, students will be outside for recess and safety patrol.

Air Quality: If the air quality index (AQI) is 101 or higher, we will remain indoors for recess.

Rain: When rain is heavy enough that students would get considerably wet, or when there is thunder or lightning, students will be kept inside or brought inside. In addition, if conditions have been such that fields are muddy, access to dirt and grass areas may be restricted as well as playground equipment if it is deemed too slick for safe play.

Severe Weather: If the National Weather Service issues a Thunderstorm Warning students are kept inside. In the event of a Tornado Warning, students are moved to our area of refuge in the shelters on the East side of the building. Families coming to the school during this time are encouraged to take shelter with us until the warning has passed.

We recommend that all students have a durable set of headphones for the school year. We use these daily in our classrooms.

Students are allowed to use the water fountains throughout the day. If you would like your child to bring a water bottle, you are more than welcome to have them do so. Our water fountains are equipped with water bottle fillers. The district and school does not provide students with water bottles.

Please mark these items with your child's name for identification purposes.

We understand that it's important for students to be able to contact their parents before or after school. Our expectation is that all cell phones are turned off and placed in a student's backpack or locked in a teacher's secure location while on school grounds. In the event students need to contact their parent, calls can be made from classroom or office phones.

Student use of smart devices such as watches, fitness bands, smart headphones, etc. are handled on a case by case basis. Typically students are allowed to have these devices as long as they are not a disruption to learning or used in a way that distracts the student. Note: During state testing and other assessments, students may be asked to store their smart devices at the teacher's desk to ensure they are not used as part of testing.

Students in the Westside Community Schools are expected to dress in a way that is appropriate for the school setting. Students should not dress in a manner that is dangerous to the health and safety of anyone or interferes with the learning environment or teaching process in our school. Following is a list of examples of attire that will not be considered appropriate; this list is not exclusive, and other forms of attire may be deemed by the Principal to be inappropriate for the school setting:

1. Clothing that shows an inappropriate amount of bare skin or underwear (midriffs, spaghetti straps, sagging pants) or clothing that is too tight, revealing or baggy, or tops and bottoms that do not overlap or any material that is sheer or lightweight enough to be seen through, or otherwise of an appropriate size and fit so as to be revealing or drag on the ground;

2. Shorts, skirts, etc. that do not extend downward as far as the student’s fingertips when the student is standing fully upright with arms relaxed at his or her side.

3. Sleepwear and slippers, including pajama bottoms, blankets, and costumes, unless part of a school-sponsored activity;

4. Clothing or jewelry that advertises or promotes beer, alcohol, tobacco, or illegal drugs;

5. Clothing or jewelry that could be used as a weapon (chains, spiked apparel) or that would encourage “horse-play” or that would damage property (e.g. cleats);

6. Headwear including hats, caps, bandannas, hoods worn over the head, and scarves;

7. Clothing or jewelry which exhibits nudity, profanity, makes sexual references, or carries lewd, indecent, or vulgar double meaning;

8. Clothing or jewelry that is gang related.

9. Heavy coats and jackets.

Consideration will be made for students who wear special clothing as required by religious beliefs, disability, or to convey a particularized message protected by law. Westside Community Schools’ Dress Code guidelines have been developed to create safe and productive learning environments where all students are accepted, engaged, celebrated, and have the opportunity to thrive in school. The final decision regarding attire and grooming will be made by the Principal. In the event a student is uncertain as to whether a particular item or method of grooming is consistent with the school’s guidelines, the student or student’s parent/guardian should contact the Principal for pre-approval. If school staff determine that the student does not meet dress code, the student will be asked to change.

For more information regarding the dress code and code of conduct, please download and read the Elementary Student-Parent Handbook.

While flip-flops and Crocs are very cute and popular, they present some safety challenges for our students out at recess and on gym days. If your student likes to be active at recess, please consider sending safer shoes for those recess/gym feet!

You are invited to BE A PART OF THE MUSIC! This fall, you will have the opportunity to do what so many successful students have done before you by being a part of Band and Strings! In the first three weeks of school we will be visiting all the buildings, demonstrating the instruments, and giving students the opportunity to select an instrument of their choice. We will have a parent meeting about our program on Wednesday, August 30th at 6:30 p.m. at Westside Middle School. All are welcome to attend to learn about elementary instrumental music and meet the teachers. We are excited to introduce your child to the world of instrumental music!

The Elementary Instrumental Music Staff

Gail Carpenter-Johnson, Michael Freeman, Viktoria Matheson and Jennifer Johansen

**If your child has prescription or non-prescription medication, inhalers, Epi-pens, etc. to be kept at school, please call the office and make an appointment to drop off any needed medication BEFORE the first day of school.

For your child's safety, and for the safety of others, all medication, including cough drops and/or throat lozenges, must be kept locked in the health office in its original package. The health office must have a written, signed, and dated Medication Authorization form from the parent or guardian requesting that his/her child be given medication during the school day (prescription or over-the-counter). This form is available in the office or at this link or you can download a copy by clicking the button at the end of this article.

• All medication must be brought to school and taken home from school by a parent. It must be in the original container, labeled with the child's name, date prescribed, name of medication, directions for use, dosage information, and the time the medication is to be given.

• All prescription medication forms must be signed by the doctor. Whenever possible, medication should be administered at home.

• Cough drops and any over-the counter medication must be in the original box/package, and a Medication Authorization form must be filled out. These medications are kept in the health office.
• Scrapes and cuts are washed and bandaged, if needed. We do not and cannot use any ointment or cleaning product on an individual. If an injury is severe or questionable, a parent will be contacted.
• All medication, including cough drops, must be picked up by a parent at the end of the duration. We will not send any medication home with a child.

If your child has any additional health needs, please be sure to turn in the appropriate forms and action plans so we can best support your child.

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, Ms. Angelica O'Brien (obrien.angelica@westside66.net) or our School Psychologist, Mrs. Sarah Rozniecki (rozniecki.sarah@westside66.net), who can help in coordinating additional support, and resources.

Office personnel will notify a parent/guardian when a student needs to be sent home from school due to illness. Conditions requiring a student be sent home include: temperature greater than 100.0°F, vomiting, diarrhea, unexplained rashes, or on determination by school personnel that the child’s condition prevents meaningful participation in the educational program, presents a health risk to the child or others, or that medical consultation is warranted unless the condition resolves.

Parents should complete the online Returning Student Registration Update each year to verify that emergency daytime phone numbers are current so that parents can be reached if their child becomes ill or is injured while at school. Parents should also inform the School Nurse or Health Assistant of health-related information they feel is important for each child’s safety and success at school.

When is My Child Too Sick for School

Send me to school if...

• I have a runny nose or just a little cough but no other symptoms.
• I haven't taken any fever-reducing medicine for 24 hours and I haven't had a fever during that time.
• I haven't thrown up or had any diarrhea for 24 hours.

Keep me at home if...

• I have a temperature higher than 100 degrees.
• I'm throwing up or have diarrhea.
• My eyes are pink and crusty.

Call the doctor if...

• I have a temperature higher than 100 degrees for more than two days.
• I have been throwing up or have diarrhea for more than two days.
• I have the sniffles for more than a week and they aren't getting better.
• I still have asthma symptoms after using my asthma medicine (and call 911 if I'm having trouble breathing after using my inhaler).

What if you only see your child a couple of times a week? You can still be involved in your child’s education.

• Inform the office of your current phone number, address, and email.

• Inform the teacher you would like to receive progress reports (this may be electronic), conference schedules (when appropriate), and notices about school activities.

• Provide your child with a special folder to save school papers for you. That way, you’ll see your child’s finished work as well as the teacher’s comments.

We want to make sure ALL of our students and families are set up for success for the coming school year. If you need help with food, utilities, clothing, or other support for your child and family, please reach out to our caring team of social workers - CLICK HERE.

This year we are again partnering with One World Health Centers to offer Back To School mobile health clinics. These offer parents a convenient way to complete school physicals, get immunizations, and receive treatment for certain issues. The mobile health clinics will all be located at Westside High School on the dates listed on the flyer below.

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.

Want to learn more about possible resources you may need for your family? Click here for the Social Worker's Newsletter https://www.smore.com/ec81ta-school-social-worker

Additional Resources: https://www.smore.com/6zbs5-community-resources

The mission of Paddock Road Elementary is to ensure a program of academic excellence that serves the unique needs of all learners in a positive instructional atmosphere where students are actively involved and supported by staff, family and the community.

Email: mcguire.quinn@westside66.net
Website: https://www.westside66.org/Domain/14
Location: 3535 Paddock Road, Omaha, NE, USA
Phone: (402) 390-6465
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Paddock-Road-Elementary-District-66-387637324662864
Twitter: @paddockroad66