Hillside News Brief
August 13, 2021
Important Dates for You
Tuesday, August 17: First day of school (Grades 1-6); first day for Kindergarten Group 1
Thursday, August 20: First day of school for Kindergarten Group 2
Monday, August 23: All of kindergarten attends school together
Tuesday, August 31: Instrumental Curriculum Information meeting from 6:30-7:30pm (this meeting will be held at Westside Middle School in the auditorium)
Message from the Principal
We are focused on caring for your children here at Hillside and, by extension, caring for their families. We want to teach, support, shape, and love all of our Hillside Tigers.
As we get started this school year, Westside's mask policy looks different from last year. I will outline a few points here:
- Students at the elementary level will be required to mask while indoors; all adults will mask while in the presence of children
- Unvaccinated adults, whether in the presence of children or not, are highly encouraged to mask when in our buildings
- Students may take off their masks when outside at recess (and they may choose to wear them); we will provide safety lanyards to those who want them (students can tuck the lanyard with the mask attached inside clothing to keep it out of the way); or, masks can be pulled down under the chin or worn on the wrist during outside recess
- Masks are optional when outside (arrival or dismissal, etc.); students will need to wear a mask if entering the building
- Visitors will be allowed in our building, provided they wear masks when in the presence of children
- Right now, we cannot have lunch guests in our cafeteria
- After-hours events (i.e., Community Club events taking place in the evening) are mask-optional
Please do take the time to read the district mask policy; the link is on the Westside website, and I have created a button below.
Community Club Needs YOU!
We are looking forward to events such as:
- Grandfriends' Day (September)
- The Hillside Picnic (September)
- Trunk or Treat (October)
- Winter Parties (December)
- Hillside School Dance (March)
- Science Expo (April)
- Field Day(s) (May)
- Various Family Nights throughout the school year
Last year, we set aside Community Club meetings and fundraising efforts in order to keep our community safe and to adhere strictly to district protocols.
We are looking forward to having parents, guardians, and volunteers back in our building this school year. Currently, the district protocol has yet to be announced; but, in anticipation of being able to resume meetings, it is important to let you know that Hillside lacks Community Club leadership! Running the Community Club could be a job that several people share throughout the year. Volunteers could share tasks so that no one person shoulders all the responsibility.
Please reach out to Principal Cynthia Bailey at bailey.cynthia@westside66.net if you did not get a chance to sign the sign-up sheet at Sneak-a-Peek and would be interested in joining in to help with Community Club efforts; our students and families love school events, and we very much want to make sure we organize gatherings as much as we are able.
Thank you for considering contributing some of your time to make our school a great place to learn and grow!
Free and Reduced Lunch Applications
This year, the federal government will continue to subsidize free breakfast and lunch for all students. While the meals are free, extra helpings and water bottles are not free. Also, there is a charge for milk if a student is buying that to go with a lunch brought from home.
If you think you might qualify, please complete an application for meal assistance (see below links).
Students who qualify for free or reduced meals may also qualify to receive discounted fees for other district expenses such as bussing or activities. All children in the district benefit in areas beyond the lunch program when qualified applications exceed a certain percentage of the district’s enrollment.
Health Room
Parent & Guardian Information for You
Below is a link to information about many aspects of our school; please take a moment to read through the information below. Thank you, and welcome to the 2021-22 school year!
To 5th Grade Parents and Students
You are invited to BE A PART OF THE MUSIC! This fall, 5th grade students will have the opportunity to do what so many successful students have done in previous years by being a part of Band and Strings! In the first three weeks of school, instrumental music teachers will be visiting all elementary buildings, demonstrating the instruments available, and giving students the opportunity to select an instrument of their choice. The instrumental music team will have a parent meeting about the program on Tuesday, August 31, at 6:30 pm at Westside Middle School. All are welcome to attend to learn about elementary instrumental music and to meet the teachers. The whole team is excited to introduce your child to the world of instrumental music!
The Elementary Instrumental Music Staff
Gail Carpenter-Johnson, Michael Freeman, Viktoria Matheson and Ken Meints
Water bottles
Carpool Lane Procedures at Hillside
Please:
- Stay in your vehicle
- Pull up as far as you are able to do so before stopping to drop off or pick up student(s)
- Pull into the parking lot and park in a space if your child(ren) require(s) you to get out, help them buckle or unbuckle, etc.
- Feel free to pull around those in front of you to exit if you are loaded and ready to go; there is a free lane in order to do so, and it keeps traffic moving
We have staff outside ready to help you and to direct drivers; please give them a smile and a wave! We are here to help you and to keep your student(s) safe.
Dismissal Plans and Information: IMPORTANT
Hillside Student Dismissal Survey 21-22
Please fill out one survey for each student attending Hillside. Thank you so much!
New Second Grade Teacher
We are very excited to welcome Ms. Kraft to Hillside, and we know it's going to be a great year!
New Speech Pathologist for Hillside
We are excited to meet and to work with Mrs. Culross; we know she will be a great addition to the Hillside staff.
AHERA Notice
The Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act of 1986 (AHERA) requires each public school district to annually notify parents, staff, and employee groups of its asbestos management plans. A management plan is in place for Hillside and is available for review either at the school building or at the Westside Service Center, 9437 J St. Omaha, NE.
This school building was originally inspected in the1980’s and re-inspected by a certified inspector every three years thereafter. The three-year re-inspection and a ceiling tile inspection was conducted in 2019, and periodic surveillance will be conducted as required. No abatement activities are currently in progress or scheduled for the 2021-2022 school year at this building.
The Designated Person responsible for managing the District’s AHERA compliance and the contact person for questions or to review a management plan is the Director of Facilities, Russ Olsen (402) 390-8331.