We have had a fantastic start to the 2019-20 school year at DC West! There are many changes that took place in our district over the summer, but the same pride, excitement, and sense of community remains. Each year we get better and better. Our theme this school year is
DC West Rocks and we aspire to continue providing a learning environment that inspires and creates passionate learners.
Dr. Melissa Poloncic
Superintendent
(402) 359 2583
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Pictured left to right:
Russ Ninemire, MS/HS Physical Education; Clint Lewis, 5th Grade; Nolan Zimmer, 6th Grade; Mike Troy, HS Science; Amber Pribyl, 5th Grade; Natalie Schmidt, Kindergarten; Britney Johnson, K-12 English Language; Danelle Brown, K-5 High Ability Learner
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As we have updated our educational spaces at DC West, we have focused on designing collaborative learning spaces for educators and students. Collaborative learning spaces can support the teaching and learning of skills needed for the interconnected world of today and tomorrow. By connecting teaching, technology, and space, we create spaces that promote social learning and maximum engagement.
All available areas in a school should be considered spaces for learning. Hallways can become meeting spaces for small groups, glass and windows can be transformed into writing spaces, and classroom walls can allow groups to visually map out thinking. Flexible seating allows for spaces to transform depending on the purpose of the lesson. Varied seating options, too, such as stools, rocking chairs, lounge chairs, and floor seating, give students choice and variability throughout the day.
These new learning spaces provide endless opportunities for collaboration and engagement, and, in effect, the world becomes the learning space of the classroom.
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5th grade students using their 1-to-1 iPads, journals, and books collaboratively.
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A small group of high school students work on a project.
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A teacher leads a lesson in experimental learning in a new collaboration space at DC West Elementary.
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Students find a comfortable setting in their classroom choosing from tables, chairs, even a small couch and stools.
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What's Next for DC West Facility Improvements?
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The DC West Community School District has a strategic goal to "improve and expand facilities and programs to achieve excellence". One of the Board of Education's leading principles is
"c
ontinuing to improve or build new facilities to enhance our student experiences and opportunities". We have been able to provide approximately $29 million in maintenance and capital improvements over the past four years all while keeping our tax levy at a neutral amount of $1.08.
Currently, we are demolishing the existing aged wing of DC West Elementary, while we retain the classrooms built in 1991. This project will conclude in December of 2019.
The Administration and School Board look ahead to create plans and determine financing options for future long term capital improvements such as:
- Maintenance of our outdoor complexes including fields, scoreboards, bleachers, and walkways
- Renovation of existing 1991 classrooms and a new addition for more middle school classrooms and educational space
- Renovation of existing middle and high school space for new ADA compliant locker rooms and weight room
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Congratulations to our 2019-2020
DC West Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees
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Ryan Roberts
Valley High School
Class of 1997
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Chad Sievers
Valley High School
Class of 2000
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Brandon Elwood
Waterloo High School
Class of 1998
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Whit Smith
Waterloo High School
Class of 2001
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During the month of October, HOSA is running a district wide community service project called
Socktober.
Over 500,000 people in America are homeless, and socks are the least donated item to homeless shelters.
Douglas County West Schools will have boxes in each classroom for students to donate to. We will also keep boxes in the offices of the Elementary, Middle and High School for members of our community to donate to. These boxes will be placed in each office by Tuesday, October 8th.
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Front left to right:
Zoe Sennett, Layne Thompson, Leah Bevington, Mazzy Johnson, Hannah DeLashmutt, Morgan Wilt
Back:
Gage Boardman, Jackson Billings,Trevor Seaman, Matthew Allen, Max Bruning, Jay Goldapp
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Monthly Mobile Food Pantry @ DC West Elementary
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Stay Current on
DC West Happenings
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Follow us to keep up with real time news and stories on Twitter or Facebook and at our school website
dcwest.org
for a calendar or important announcements.
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Thank you for being great supporters of DC West Community Schools! Stay informed with Community Connections each month.
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DC West Community Schools
401 Pine St, PO Box 378, Valley, NE 68064
PH: 402-359-2583
Fax: 402-359-4371
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