A publication of the
WESTSIDE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION WINTER 2016
Three-Generation Westside Families
Top row, L to R: Chris Hawkins (‘99), Kim Hawkins (‘72), Fred Hawkins, Sr. Bottom row, L to R: Ben, Colin, Hunter and Jack
If you take a look inside a classroom today at any of the schools in the district, chances are you know a child’s parent. There is even a chance you know the child’s grandparent! Westside Community Schools has been in existence for 68 years after a few small rural districts came together in March 1947 to form District 66. The goal of this district was to provide a high quality education for its students. Through the generations that return to the district, there is evidence this tradition of a quality education continues on. We reached out to a few of the three-generation families to talk with them about the District 66 tradition within their family. Mike Kroeger, (’68) has memories of the district before Sunset Hills School was completed. “The school was in a series of houses on 93rd Street that were later sold to different families.” Mike also has fond memories of the early years of modular scheduling, saying that it prepared him for college. When he and his wife Janet were looking for schools for their four children, they enrolled them at Swanson, believing
in the leadership of his former classmate and principal of the school, Jacquie (Adler) Estee (‘68). His oldest children Scott, (’94) and Amie (Kroeger) Schellpeper (‘98) have moved into the district. Scott and his wife Wendi (Sargent,‘95) chose District 66 for their children saying, “We share many of the same views on education as other families within the District. Knowing we are surrounding our family with like-minded families acts as an additional support structure for raising and educating our children.” Chris Hawkins (‘99), son of Kim Hawkins (‘72), and his wife Kayla (Monson,‘98) are proud members of the Loveland community. “We both had an extremely positive experience growing up in District 66 and knew we wanted the same opportunity for our kids”, says Kayla. “Our two oldest boys attend Loveland and their experience so far reaffirms our belief in the school. The education they are receiving, combined with the opportunities outside the classroom and the strong community support, are what has always made – and continues to make – Westside a special place.”
alumni.wcsfoundation66.org
Alexis (Birge) Boulos (‘99) has a son, Niko, who attends Oakdale. “I think it speaks to the tradition of excellence in education at Westside Community Schools. When we moved back to Omaha, we only looked in one school district. I knew my kids would get a great education here,”said Debbie (Panos) Birge (‘72), mother of Alexis and Niko’s grandmother. She too has noticed the many parents who return to the District to raise their families. Debbie senses their connection to the schools and their desire to raise their children in the Westside community. Although generations return for its tradition, there is a sense the District continues to evolve and move forward. Debbie, like Mike, attended Westside when it first introduced modular scheduling. Debbie states, “The school district, even back in the 60’s and 70’s, was ahead of the game. I was at Westside when it started using modular scheduling, and that was very innovative for the time. It’s wonderful to see the District continuing to put a priority on innovation in education.” Debbie volunteers in her grandson’s classroom; she describes the changes, “The type of technology in the classrooms is different, but technology and innovation have always been important.” Another change will be the new construction and large renovations at the elementary schools and the middle school. Recently, the District passed a bond issue for these physical improvements. “Oakdale hasn’t physically changed at all, which is why it is so (Continued on page 2)
IN THIS ISSUE 40-Year Reunion: Westside High School Class of 1975 Westside Expands DECA Store estside Community Schools W Begins Renovation of Schools