Westside students return Thursday for new school year

OMAHA, Neb. —

Westside Community Schools started the school year Thursday.

KETV Newswatch 7’s Melissa Fry was live at Westbrook Elementary as students prepared to return.

Westbrook opens with summer upgrades

Elizabeth Power, director of communications for Westside Community Schools, said Westbrook Elementary received new furniture, updated restrooms, and exterior improvements through bond work. She said the new awning and vestibule helped create a warm welcome on a rainy first day.

“Westbrook is so special,” Power said. “It’s safe and warm and comforting, and it’s wonderful.”

Westbrook uses cones to guide students in

Power said the cones helped students line up by grade level and get to the right place on the first day of school.

“At every elementary, we love to make sure those kiddos know exactly where they’re supposed to go, where they belong,” Power said.

She said the goal was to make sure everyone navigated the morning rain smoothly.

Westside focuses on classroom experience

Power said Westside continues to work on communication, technology, and the classroom experience districtwide.

She said the district also sent new updates home to parents this year to help explain small changes.

“We as a district are always striving toward excellence in everything that we do,” Power said.

Westbrook greets students with a red carpet

Westbrook Elementary Principal Brian Stevens said staff wanted students to feel welcome as they walked in Thursday morning.

He said the school will use a red carpet and have teachers at the door, with other staff to help create a calm, predictable start for students.

“When kids walk in our building, they feel a sense of calm, and they know that everything’s predictable for them,” Stevens said.

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