September 27 Family Fun Night 5:00-7:00
October 2 Parent Teacher Conferences
October 8 Parent Teacher Conferences
October 18 Food Distribution
October 22 Picture Retakes 4:00-5:30 at WL
Parent Teacher Conferences
Parent teacher conferences will be held on October 2nd and 8th from 4:00-7:00 pm. You should have received a yellow note from your teacher telling you what time your conference will be. If you did not receive that note you can call the office for your date and time.
Fun Night
On Tuesday, students were sent home information about our upcoming Fun Night. If you would like to skip the line, you can order wristbands in advance. If you buy a wristband, you can play an unlimited number of games.
West Lincoln Apparel Order
We have worked with ArtFX to put together a clothing store for West Lincoln. There are sweatshirts, stocking hats, sweat pants, and t-shirts. Mr. Mlady and his wife designed the logos. Part of the money from these sales goes to our PTO. Here is the link for you to order. https://stores.inksoft.com/westlincolnelementary/shop/home Orders must be made by September 30, 2024
Counselor’s Corner By Ali Bohlke
I hope your September has been going well and that your students are back in the routine of school. It can take a while for some of us to get used to the schedule again.
I wanted to briefly discuss the use of inappropriate language. Most students are very polite and talk appropriately with adults and peers. I have also noticed an increase in curse words and derogatory terms used when students are talking to each other at recess and lunch. Please talk to your children about appropriate language at school. We understand that there may be different norms at home. If you have any concerns or questions about this, do not hesitate to contact me.
Nurse Notes from Caroline and Michelle
Greetings from School Nurse Caroline and Nurse Michelle!
*We are fast approaching the immunization requirement deadline for school. All students must have immunizations completed by October 16th per Nebraska State law, to remain in school.
*We have received many immunization forms, health physicals, dental forms, eye exam forms, etc. Thank You!! Please continue to send these to school. Kindergarteners will need physical exam forms submitted. Students with asthma or seizure disorders should have a new physician and parental action plan every year. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the health office.
*The health office provides clothing for students who have spilled something on their clothes or who have torn clothing. If your student borrows clothing from the health office, please wash the clothing and return it as soon as possible. Any student returning borrowed clothing will be given a prize.
*The health office will be conducting health screens for students who need them, beginning in September. If you have any questions regarding this process, please contact us.
**Reminder: If your student has red eyes with drainage please keep them home from school or provide us with a physician’s note. Many eye conditions are contagious and we do not want to spread this amongst students. Thanks!
Social Worker Communication
If you or your student is in need of community resources for mental health, please reach out to me. As your school social worker, I can help explore and link you to community resources. There are many resources in our community that want to help with a variety of needs.
If you need help celebrating your student’s birthday, there is a community resource that will deliver a birthday cake to your home. Reach out the week of your student’s birthday, and I will help connect you!
Newsletter 9-9-24
September 9, 2024
PTO Meeting 10:00am Family Literacy Room Food Distribution 3:45-4:45 Door 13
Family Fun Night 5:30-7:00 Parent Teacher Conferences Parent Teacher Conferences
Every year, Lincoln Public Schools Elementary Principals Network organizes and distributes winter clothing through the Bubba’s Closet event.
Families who are in need of winter coats for their pre-school and elementary aged children are asked to fill out a form (bit.ly/2024RequestCoats) by Monday, Sept. 30, indicating the child’s size, age and school. Elementary principals cannot guarantee a new coat for every child, but they will do their best to fulfill as many requests as possible. Coats will be distributed to students through their school by late November.
Parent Teacher Conferences
Parent teacher conferences will be held on October 2nd and 8th from 4:00-7:00 pm. Please make sure that you fill out and return the blue conference note that was sent home so that we can get conferences scheduled.
Census Form
If you did not not complete your students online registration verification you will be receiving a form to do so. Please make sure you check your students Monday folder for this important form. It is important that you complete this form and return to the office so that we can make sure we have all of your current information.
Counselor’s Corner By Ali Bohlke
Hello West Lincoln Families,
I wanted to use this space to discuss the roles of the mental health workers here in our building. We share some similar duties as well as some different ones.
Ali Bohlke (me)– I am the School Counselor. My job is to provide lower-intervention support to students who need someone to talk to. This can be about challenges at school or home. I also go into the classrooms to teach lessons on social skills and teach skills in a small group setting.
Tiffany Kavanaugh is the School Social Worker. She works with students one on one and in small groups and gives them a higher level of emotional support as she has been trained to do so. She also works with families on whatever needs they may have. She is one to contact if you have any questions or needs at home.
Baudelio Abrica is the School Psychologist. He works with students on specific behavior plans after other interventions have been implemented and if students need continued support. He works closely with our Special Education teachers.
Call or email any of us with questions or concerns about your student. We would love to assist in any way we can.
Nurse Notes from Caroline and Michelle
**Reminder: Students requiring medication at school, will need to have their medications in the original bottle/box and a parent consent form must be submitted as well. Students are NOT allowed to have medications in their classrooms. All medications, whether they are prescription or over-the-counter medications, must be kept in the health office.
**We have received many immunization forms, health physicals, dental forms, eye exam forms, etc. Thank You!! Please continue to send these to school. Reminder, all students must have immunizations completed by October 16th per Nebraska State law, to remain in school. Kindergarteners will also need physical exam forms submitted. Students with asthma or seizure disorders should have a new physician and parental action plan every year. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the health office.
**The health office provides clothing for students who have spilled something on their clothes or who have torn clothing. If your student borrows clothing from the health office, please wash the clothing and return it as soon as possible. Any student returning borrowed clothing will be given a prize.
**The health office will be conducting health screens for students who need them, beginning in September. If you have any questions regarding this process, please contact us.
**Reminder: If your student has red eyes with drainage please keep them home from school or provide us with a physician’s note. Many eye conditions are contagious and we do not want to spread this amongst students. Thanks!
Social Worker Communication
West Lincoln has 2 unique community resources that we want families to know about! White Cane Foundation is a clothing distribution to students who are nominated by a West Lincoln staff member. They come weekly during school hours and help kids by providing 2 seasonal outfits, shoes, socks and underwear. Parents are contacted by staff to obtain permission and sizing information. White Cane Foundation
Food Fort is a non-profit agency that dedicates Tuesdays from 5:30-6:30 PM for the West Lincoln students and neighborhood to come enjoy a meal, tutoring and free seasonal produce! Look for the Food Fort bus and trailers parked at the front of the school on Tuesdays! Food Fort
August 29 PTO Meeting 5:30pm Library
September 2 School Not in Session
September 3 School Not in Session
September 5 Eisley Library Night 5:30-6:30
September 9 Picture Day
September 12 PTO Meeting 10:00am Family Literacy Room
September 13 Food Distribution 3:45-4:45 Door 13
Food From Home
We would like to share the rules about bringing food from home for lunch.
- Students may not bring a drink where the labeling indicates that the drink is not to be consumed by children under the age of 18.
- Students may only have water in the classroom.
- As always, students may not share any food at any time. If food is shared, it is to be confiscated immediately.
- Any extra food items must be in a lunchbox or lunch bag and cannot be carried around at recess. Lunch Boxes need to be left in the designated area on the playground.
Hand Book Correction for Lunch Schedule
The times for 4th grade and 5th grade lunch were switched around in our handbook. Here are the correct times for all lunches. We apologize for the inconvenience.
GRADE RECESS/LUNCH TIME
Kindergarten 10:40-11:30
1st Grade 11:15-11:55
2nd Grade 11:40-12:20
3rd Grade 2:05-12:45
4th Grade 12:35-1:15
5th Grade 12:55-1:40
Eisley Library Night
Our annual Library Night will take place on Thursday, September 5th at 5:30pm. Come out and enjoy stories read by West Lincoln Staff. Free pizza and lemonade will be provided. We hope to see you there!
ParentVue
Synergy ParentVUE is the “one-stop shop” for information about your student’s teachers and classes. In addition to providing parents/guardians secure access to student grades and assignments (secondary), attendance, and class information, ParentVUE is also the avenue to verify student enrollment in LPS. During the school year, parents can submit absences for their student(s) with just a few clicks! (see below) Parents of secondary students can also pay fees (Chromebook fines, yearbooks, etc.) via ParentVUE.
The District’s goal is to ensure at least one parent/guardian per household has activated
and uses their ParentVUE account. If you haven’t yet acquired an account, please contact Melissa Willits the school registrar 402-436-1168 option #1 for an activation key.
Student Absences via ParenVue
You can save yourself a phone call by using ParentVUE to report full-day absences (partial day absences still require a call to the school office to specify what time the student will be gone). There is also a place to add a note if more explanation or details are needed. The attendance office will view and process the information you enter.
If using the ParentVUE app (phones & tablets):
Select the appropriate student and click the blue “Report Absence” button to enter the date(s) and reason for the absence(s).
If using ParentVUE via the web:
Toggle to the appropriate student in the upper left hand corner. Next, click on the Attendance button and then the blue “Report Absence” button to enter the date(s) and reason for the absence(s).
Counselor’s Corner By Ali Bohlke
Hello West Lincoln Families,
During the month of September I will be going into the classrooms to discuss calming down strong emotions. I want to share the strategies with you that I will be sharing with them so you can work on them at home together:
- Deep breaths (breathe in through the nose, out through the mouth slowly 5 times). Closing your eyes while doing this will help calm the brain and body.
- When we find that we are angry at someone, count to 10 in our heads or out loud before responding to that person. We will have a kinder and more thoughtful response if we give ourselves time.
- Take a break. If we are upset, sad, or angry it could be helpful to walk away and be somewhere alone where we can gather our thoughts before we react.
- Eating healthy and exercising are also important ways to take care of our bodies. When our bodies are taken care of, our mind becomes healthier as well. A healthy mind helps us better deal with strong emotions.
As always, contact me or the school with any questions or concerns.
Nurse Notes from Caroline and Michelle
**Reminder: Students requiring medication at school, will need to have their medications in the original bottle/box and a parent consent form must be submitted as well. Students are NOT allowed to have medications in their classrooms. All medications, whether they are prescription or over-the-counter medications, must be kept in the health office.
**We have received many immunization forms, health physicals, dental forms, eye exam forms, etc. Thank You!! Please continue to send these to school. Reminder, all students must have immunizations completed by October 16th per Nebraska State law, to remain in school. Kindergarteners will also need physical exam forms submitted. Students with asthma or seizure disorders should have a new physician and parental action plan every year. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the health office.
**The health office provides clothing for students who have spilled something on their clothes or who have torn clothing. If your student borrows clothing from the health office, please wash the clothing and return it as soon as possible. Any student returning borrowed clothing will be given a prize.
**The health office will be conducting health screens for students who need them, beginning in September. If you have any questions regarding this process, please contact us.
**We hope everyone is having a great school year so far!
August 12, 2024
September 2 School Not in Session
September 3 School Not in Session
September 5 Eisley Library Night 5:30-6:30
September 9 Picture Day
September 13 Food Distribution 3:45-4:45 Door 13
WELCOME BACK!!!!
We are so excited to start the school year. Below are some important reminders to begin the school year.
Arrival Times
Students’ earliest arrival time is 8:40. Students will enter the building at 8:52, and will be served breakfast. School begins at 9:00.
Dismissal Time
Students are dismissed at 3:38. Please make sure your dismissal plan is communicated to your students’ teacher. If students are not picked up by 3:50 parent calls will be made. As a reminder we no longer have early dismissal days
Pickup and Drop Off
Please make sure that you follow these safety procedures. If everyone follows these procedures, it helps to make our dismissal faster and safer for everyone.
- Use crosswalks at all times
- Pickup and drop off students on the passenger side of the car.
- Follow the flow of traffic
- Do not park in parking lots, bus loading zones or in the curb cut.
A map of our traffic pattern is included with the handbook you received. Please call if you have any questions.
ParentVue Online Verification
Please log into your ParentVue account to verify your students’ information. This verification replaces the paper census that has been used at the beginning of the school year in the past and allows you to update contact information and emergency information, sign consent forms, etc. All families must do this required verification
On a personal computer or tablet, please visit https://synegyvue.lps.org to access and log into your Parentvue account (not the ParentVue app with smartphones) Once you have logged in, select the Online Registration button in the upper right corner and follow the prompts to update and verify your information.
Breakfast and Lunch
This year students at West Lincoln will receive free breakfast and lunch. Students who bring cold lunch may purchase milk for 60 cents. You can add money to their My School Bucks account or send money with your student.
Students who bring extra food or snacks must be in a lunch bag or sack and can only be consumed during lunch time.
New Staff
There are some new faces at West Lincoln this year. We are excited to have them as a part of our school. Please welcome the following staff.
Sarah Kerbs-Instructional Coordinator
Kasi Redfearn-4th Grade
MCKenzie Wiedel-4th Grade
Lauren Moncrief-4th Grade
Lauren Tamayo-5th Grade
Morgan VanAnne-5th Grade
Jessica Burry-EL
Esman Rodas Calderon-Band
Megan Gildersleve-Gifted Facilitator
Jayden Farias-CLC Coordinator
Hannah Ward will be substituting for Leah Richhart for the first quarter.
Counselor’s Corner
Hello West Lincoln Families!
My name is Ali Bohlke and I have been the School Counselor at West Lincoln since August 2018. I will have this section in the newsletter and I will discuss various topics about well-being and I will inform you about the topics I will be teaching in your kids’ classrooms. This time I will introduce myself and what I do.
As the School Counselor I am here to help students be successful in school. Sometimes things can get in the way of student success such as difficulty getting along with friends, current events, and many other stressors. I am here to talk to students about these concerns and find solutions to assist them in being successful at school. I do this by meeting one on one with students or meeting with students in small groups. I also teach in each classroom once a month and I discuss social skills and problem-solving with the students.
If you are concerned about your child or have any questions about my role, contact me any time! My contact information is below.
Nurse Notes
Greetings from School Nurse Caroline and Nurse Michelle! We hope everyone had a great summer!
**All kindergarten students and new students to West Lincoln will need to provide current immunizations and health physical forms. Being up-to-date on immunizations is required by the State of Nebraska. Please submit the immunization forms or a notarized waiver as soon as possible.
**School health screenings will begin at the end of August. If your student has seen a physician for a health physical, hearing screening, eye exam and/or dental work, please provide us with a copy of the report. Please provide the health office with any important medical forms needed to provide specific health care needs.
**Please provide the health office with needed medication consent forms, action plans for asthma, seizure, diabetes or other health concerns. Please contact us with any questions or concerns.
**If your student borrows clothing from the health office, please wash the clothing and return it as soon as possible. Any student returning borrowed clothing will be given a prize.
**We hope everyone has a fantastic and healthy school year!
