STAR GAZER GAZETTE
October 2021 Star Lake Newsletter
Greetings Star Lake Families,
Welcome to October! Wow, we have had a wonderful time this last month welcoming our scholars back to Star Lake! I am so proud of the hard work our teachers, paraeducators, office staff and specialists have put in to help our Eagles learn safety routines, recess and lunch procedures, and common area expectations. Our students are doing an excellent job demonstrating kind, safe and productive behavior, and they are earning many Star Lake Way tickets! We all know that this return to school has been very different than previous years, and I want to thank our families and students for being so positive and flexible. Every day I see children engaged in rigorous learning! I see them having great discussions with peers as they successfully navigate how to communicate through masks and social distancing. Children are so flexible and resilient; they are rising to these new expectations and routines and are doing well.
I do have a few reminders and pieces of information as I reflect on September.
1. Thank you to our families in the parent pick up loop for being flexible and patient. Our dismissal starts at 3:15 so you will actually end up waiting longer if you arrive too early. Arriving right at 3:15, or even 3:20 if you are picking up 3rd-5th grade students, is OK and you may end up getting through the line more quickly. Please remember to join the line (either side) when you arrive and please DO NOT park your car unless directed by a supervisor.
2. Our move from three to four busses has significantly decreased crowding on the busses (though they are still full.) Bus drivers are working on creating assigned seats, so please remind your child to sit where they are asked as this helps with contact tracing if that becomes necessary. We have had a couple reports of students not being safe at the bus stop, please remind your children to line up with social distancing, wear their masks, and keep hands, feet, and body to themselves.
3. Please do not send your child to school if they are ill. With strict Covid guidelines we are required to send students home if they have any Covid symptoms. This includes: runny nose, fever, upset stomach, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, cough, fatigue, shortness of breath, sore throat, congestion, and loss of taste or smell. And while we know many of these symptoms can be related to things other than Covid, we still have to send students home. Our nurse will contact you to discuss the details if your child is sent to her office or the isolation room with symptoms.
4. That being said, we have had a couple of students “fake” symptoms so they can go home. Please discuss the importance of school attendance with your child, and honesty, and we will do the same on our end!
Staff sure enjoyed seeing families and students last week at open house! Please be watching for an invitation to a parent zoom meeting coming from me later in October. These parent meetings give you an opportunity to provide feedback to me and to ask questions, and just gives us a chance to visit, which I love! We also have a PTA meeting coming up on October 20th, and we need you! Please watch for a zoom invitation. October is my favorite month of the year, and I am looking forward to celebrating family birthdays, pumpkins and fall weather. I hope your family has fun planned for this month as well.
As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or feedback you have!
Kris Rennie, principal
krennie@fwps.org 253-945-4007
For Working Together
Just as a reminder, we have approximately 2 Early Release days each month. Please watch the school calendar carefully for those days. School will get out at 1:45 pm on Early Release Days. Our school calendar is below.
Mark Your Calendars
OCTOBER
6 - Early Release - School ends at 1:45
8 - No School - Teacher Inservice Day
12 - Picture Day - Individual Photos
20 - Early Release - School ends at 1:45
22 - Crazy Hair/Hat Spirit Day
NOVEMBER
4 & 5 - Scholar Led Conferences - No School
11 - No School - Veterans Day
17 - Early Release - School ends at 1:45
19 - Pajama Spirit Day
2021-22 Childcare
Breakfast and Lunch
For the 2021-22 school year, breakfast and lunch will be provided to ALL FWPS scholars at no cost regardless of free and reduced eligibility status.
**Please remember to fill out your Free and Reduced Meal Applications to ensure our school qualifies for federal and state funding as determined by family qualification and will continue to be collected. Applications need to be completed by October 10th. See application below or one can be found at: https://www.fwps.org/Page/354
Health & Safety Guidelines
K-5 Learning Guides
The Learning Partnership Guide is a tool to assist parents and schools in being on the same page.
The guide was created with input from a committee of parents and family liaisons with the goal of helping parents and families know what their children should know and be able to do during the school year.
The guides are available for grades kindergarten through grade 8, grades 9/10, and grades 11/12, and in our top 8 languages. Please go to: https://www.fwps.org/learningpartnership
Enroll In Preschool
Federal Way Public Schools offers high quality and affordable preschool programs for children ages 3 and 4. There are both tuition programs and free programs for income-eligible children.
For more information go to: https://www.fwps.org/preschool OR contact Kim Erickson, Assistant Director of Early Learning
253-945-2296, kiericks@fwps.org
FCC Broadband Benefit Program
The FCC Broadband Benefit Program is offering families a discount up to $50 per month for broadband services, and a $100 discount for a device as long as the family pays $10. Sign-ups are now available at 833-511-0311 or online at https://getemergencybroadband.org. This program covers Comcast, CenturyLink, AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile and other Internet services.
ACADEMIC TUTORING AVAILABLE FOR ALL SCHOLARS IN GRADES 4-12
Dress for the Weather
Just a reminder that we go outside for recess every day. As it gets colder, remember to bring your jacket, hat and gloves. It’s always easier to layer down than to layer up.
For everyone's safety, we do not allow umbrellas on the playground.
October 12th is Picture Day
Remember to help your scholar's appearance look nice for their photos. These photos will be put in the yearbook.
Attend School Every Day
EVERY DAY COUNTS AND EVERY DAY MATTERS
Just a reminder that classes start at 8:45. This means students are Tardy (late to class) at 8:46. Breakfast is available starting at 8:25. Please try and arrive by 8:30 if your student needs breakfast so they can make it to class on time.
Reporting Your Scholar's Absence
There are two ways you can report your scholar's absence:
- You can go to the ParentVue home page and click on the blue button that says "Report Absence". It will bring you to a page like the one above and you can enter the beginning and end date of the absence, select the reason for the absence and add an explanation as well. You can even upload your doctor's note. And don't forget to click Save. Absences must be entered by 9:30 AM the day of the absence.
- The other option is to call our attendance secretary the day of the absence. Kathy Miller, 253-945-4000 or email her kamiller@fwps.org. If you had an appointment, please bring a note from your doctor on the day you return to school.
Library Learning
This month Star Lake Students will have library lessons on Internet Safety. Students will watch internet safety videos, listen to internet safety stories and play internet safety games.
Here’s some great safety tips to keep in mind:
· Students should always ask parents first to use technology at home.
· Students should only talk to people they know using technology. Don’t talk to strangers.
· Students should stick to kid friendly websites, apps and games. Parents please check out new websites, apps and games first.
· If students feel they are being cyberbullied:
Step away from technology. Take a break.
· Tell a trusted adult at home or at school for help. Adults can report and block uncomfortable situations.
· Go to kid friendly sites, apps, games.
· Pause and Think online: Do I feel uncomfortable about this?
If you have any questions about internet safety, please email or call Ms. Nelson at the Star Lake library.
Ms. Nelson
253-945-4010
Nurse News
Flu Season Is Here So Please Get Your Flu Shot
Flu activity last year was somewhat lower than usual because people were socially distancing, wearing a mask and washing hands. As well as staying home more than usual. Also, last season a lot of people got flu shots. The hope is that people will keep up some of these protections.
Now with influenza season revving up this month, health professionals are imploring patients to protect themselves and get the flu shot. Every year, the flu shot’s effectiveness differs, but doctors say that the overall positive effects (including reducing severe flu infections) make the shot worthwhile for most people.
There are plenty of reasons given as to why folks don’t get the flu shot, but here are some we hear the most often among our family and friends:
-It hurts
Pinch your arm right now. A shot feels exactly like that. The uncomfortable part lasts a couple seconds. Breathe.
-It costs too much
Most insurance companies cover the shot as a preventative measure. Don’t have insurance? The cost of a flu shot runs somewhere between $20-$40 and can be administered at a pharmacy such as Walgreens, Fred Meyer or Costco.
-I don’t have time
Do you have time to scroll absentmindedly through Facebook right now? Then you have time for a flu shot, which takes just seconds to administer
-I never get sick
There are those super humans among us who never fall ill. But it’s more likely what you mean is that you never get sick enough to not come to work/school. Meaning you’re the one in the office/class showing up with a slight fever, while hacking everywhere and leaving your used tissues around. It’s time you thought of others.
-Isn’t that just for old people?
It is true that the flu shot is highly recommended for older individuals, and people with compromised immune systems. But the shot is recommended for most other people, (six months and older)too.
As always, do consult your doctor before getting the flu shot.
“A version of this article originally appeared in Cleveland Scene. Used by permission of Laura Morrison.”
Bus Rider Expectations
With so many of our scholars riding the bus this year to our temporary location, our bus drivers are asking we share the common expectations we are using to teach our scholars about the expectations for riding the bus.
Please take a couple of minutes to review with your scholar the importance of a safe bus ride. These expectations are right out of our PBIS common expectations matrix. If you want to know more about our PBIS structures at school please email Mrs. Robinson tbiles@fwps.org or Mr. Geving tgeving@fwps.org
PBIS: SAFE, KIND AND PRODUCTIVE!
What an exciting first month it has been! I want to give a special shout out to ALL Star Lake scholars for their dedication to being safe, kind, and productive. Many Eagle Wings have been awarded, and classes are already celebrating with Comfy Cozy Days and Tech Free Time. Keep up the good work.
This week is an exciting week here! Scholars will get the opportunity to shop at Eagle Mart in person for the first time in over a year. They are all very excited to spend their hard-earned Star Lake Way tickets they have earned for being safe, kind, and productive! Let’s keep earning those tickets, Eagles! We are going to continue reteaching and reinforcing our common area expectations through October.
PTA Updates
We are looking forward to a great year and that means we need YOU! Get involved in fundraising, book fairs, spirit days and much more. Sign up for membership on our website at: starlakepta.memberplanet.com
The first PTA meeting will be on Wednesday, October 20 at 6 pm on Zoom. Here is the link:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89570088758?pwd=dVhBOHV0SDZZMVRjblpFMmgwbjFnZz09
Meeting ID: 895 7008 8758
Passcode: 109248
Star Lake PTA is looking for parents interested in being on the Executive Board for the 2021-2022 school year. If you are interested or have questions, please email us at: starlakepta@gmail.com.
PTA SPIRIT DAYS:
October 22nd- Crazy hair/hat Day
November 19th- Pajama Day
December 17th- Tacky holiday sweater/shirt Day
Join our Facebook page to keep up with the Star Lake PTA: https://www.facebook.com/groups/StarLakeElementary
* Remember that a successful PTA needs your participation. We appreciate your support! If you have any questions please email us at: starlakepta@gmail.com
Star Lake Building Progress
Language Access
English
Dear Federal Way Public Schools Parents and Guardians,
Did you know Federal Way Public Schools offers language services for families whose home language is not English? These services can be accessed in a variety of ways:
· By calling or emailing the school, teacher, school leader or district office
· Through district mailings, Synergy email, Remind, notices, and the district website
· Leaving a voicemail message on the district’s designated language hotline, 253-945-2198.
· Schools and the district office offer live interpreter services through a language services provider
If you have any questions about language access, please contact the Multilingual Services Department at 253-945-2094.
Spanish
Estimados Padres y Tutores de las Escuelas Públicas de Federal Way,
¿Sabía que las Escuelas Públicas de Federal Way ofrecen servicios de idiomas para familias cuyo idioma materno no es el inglés? Se puede acceder a estos servicios de varias formas:
· Llamando o enviando un correo electrónico a la escuela, al maestro, el líder de la escuela o la oficina del distrito
· A través de correos del distrito, correo electrónico de Synergy, Remind, avisos y el sitio web del distrito
· Dejar un mensaje de voz en la línea directa de idiomas designada por el distrito al 253-945-2198.
· Las escuelas y la oficina del distrito ofrecen servicios de interpretación en vivo a través de un proveedor de servicios de idiomas.
Si tiene alguna pregunta sobre el acceso a idiomas, comuníquese con el Departamento de Servicios Multilingües al 253-945-2094.
Russian
Уважаемые родители и опекуны учащихся школьного округа “Federal Way”,
Знаете ли Вы, что школьный округ “Federal Way” предлагает переводческие услуги для тех кому английский язык не является родным языком? Воспользоваться эти услугами можно следующим образом:
• Позвонив или отправив сообщение по эл. почте в школу, преподавателю, администрации или в офис школьного округа
• Через почту школьного округа, эл.почту “Synergy”, используя “Remind, notices” и веб-сайт школьного округа
• Оставив голосовое сообщение на “горячей линии” по тел. 253-945-2198.
• Школы и офисы школьного округа предлагают переводческие услуги в живую, пользуясь услуги переводчиков.
Если у Вас есть какие-либо вопросы, относительно помощи с переводом, пожалуйста, обратитесь в отдел “Multilingual Services”(языковые услуги) по тел. 253-945-2094.
Ukrainian
Шановні батьки та опікуни загальноосвітніх шкіл м. Federal Way!
Чи знаєте Ви, що загальноосвітніх школи м. Federal Way пропонують мовні послуги для сімей, яких не є англійська рідною мовою? Доступ до цих послуг можливий різними способами:
· Зателефонуйте або надішліть електронний лист у школу, вчителю, керівнику школи чи у офіс райвно.
· Через розсилки, електронну пошту Synergy, нагадування, повідомлення та веб-сайт райвно
· Залиште голосове повідомлення на гарячій лінії призначеній райвно 253-945-2198.
· Школи та офіс райвно пропонують послуги синхронного перекладача через мовні послуги.
Якщо у Вас є запитання щодо доступу до мови, зверніться до відділу багатомовних послуг за номером 253-945-2094.
Somali
Waalidiinta iyo Masuuliyiinta Dugsiyada Dadweynaha ee Federal Way,
Ma ogtahay in Federal Way Public Schools ay u fidiyaan adeegyo luqadeed qoysaska aan afkooda hooyo ahayn Ingiriis? Adeegyadan siyaabo kala duwan ayaa loo heli karaa:
Adigoo wacaya ama email u diraya dugsiga, macallinka, hoggaamiyaha dugsiga ama xafiiska degmada
Boostada degmada, emaylka Synergy, Xusuusin, ogeysiisyada, iyo websiteyada degmada
Ku reebista farriin cod-bixin ah khadka taleefanka ee loogu talagalay degmada, 253-945-2198.
Dugsiyada iyo xafiiska degmadu waxay bixiyaan adeegyo turjubaan toos ah iyada oo loo marayo bixiyaha adeegyada luqadda
Haddii aad qabtid wax su'aalo ah oo ku saabsan helitaanka luqadda, fadlan kala xiriir Waaxda Adeegyada Luqadaha-badan oo ah 253-945-2094.
Dari
والدین و سرپرستان گرامی مدارس دولتی فدرال وی ،
آیا می دانید مدارس دولتی فدرال وی
خدمات زبانی را برای خانواده هایی که زبان خانه آنها انگلیسی نیست ارائه می دهد؟ دسترسی به این خدمات به روشهای مختلف امکان پذیر است:
با تماس یا ایمیل به مدرسه ، معلم ، سرپرست مدرسه یا دفتر منطق•
از طریق نامه های منطقه ای ، ایمیل همکاری ، یادآوری ، اطلاعیه ها و وب سایت منطقه•
گذاشتن پیام پست صوتی در خط تلفن ویژه منطقه ۲۵۳۹۴۵۲۱۹۸.•
مدارس و دفتر منطقه خدمات مترجم زنده را از طریق ارائه دهنده خدمات زبان ارائه می دهند•
اگر در مورد دسترسی به زبان سؤالی دارید ، لطفاً با بخش خدمات چند زبانه با شماره۲۵۳۹۴۵۲۰۹۴ تماس بگیرید.
Korean:
페더럴웨이 공립학교 학부모와 보호자 여러분,
페더럴웨이 공립학교가 영어가 모국어가 아닌 가정에게 언어 서비스를 제공하는 것을 알고 계십니까? 이 서비스는 다음과 같은 다양한 방법으로 이용할 수 있습니다.
· 학교, 교사, 학교장 또는 교육구에 전화하거나 이메일로 전송
· 교육구 메일, 시너지 이메일, 리마인드(Remind), 통지 그리고 교육구 웹 사이트를 통해 제공
· 교육구의 지정 언어 핫라인, 253-945-2198에 음성 메일 메시지를 남기기.
· 학교 및 교육구 사무실에서 언어 서비스 제공업체를 통해 실시간 통역 서비스 제공
언어 서비스에 대한 질문이 있는 경우 253-945-2094로 다국어 서비스 부서에 문의하십시오.
Star Lake Elementary
Email: comments@fwps.org
Website: https://www.fwps.org/starlake
Location: 3600 South 344th Way, Federal Way, WA, USA
Phone: 253-945-4000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StarLakeFWPS