Totem Middle School
June 2020 Newsletter
Message From the Principal - Shana Watkins
Dear Thunderbird Families and Scholars,
It is hard to believe the school year is coming to a close. It feels unfished since we have not had the opportunity to engage in our traditional end of year celebrations. Added to this feeling of non-closure, we find ourselves wondering what back to school will look like in the fall. Will we be back in our building? Or will we still be learning remotely? At this time, we do not have an answer. In order to ensure we provide the absolute best education for your scholar in the fall a district committee, comprised of parents and staff, are working diligently on creating 3 models of instruction. The model implemented will be determined based on guidance we receive from the CDC, OSPI, and our Governor. As soon as we know what school will look like in the fall we will send out information to all of our community members. In the meantime, we are moving ahead with the closure of this school year.
Yearbooks are coming! Unfortunately, they expected arrival date is mid-July ☹. Since the building will be closed at that time, I have made the decision to hold the Yearbooks until we come back in the fall. Current 6th and 7th grade students who purchased Yearbooks will receive their book in the fall. Current 8th grade students who purchased Yearbooks will receive their book at their new High School. I will be delivering the Yearbooks to High Schools and working with the High Schools on distribution. We know this is not ideal, but we have to be flexible. Due to the business closures in response to COVID 19, all Yearbook companies lost time creating and shipping orders to schools. Please know they are working as hard and fast as they can to get the books out to schools. If you did not purchase a Yearbook and still want to, you can visit the website. Below are the instructions for purchasing yearbooks and paying any fees/fines owed.
How can I pay for fees & yearbooks online?
- Visit: www.fwps.org/ParentPortal, and click on the “pay online for fees” link
- Available in multiple languages, choose your selected language on the landing page (Make sure to use the most recent version of your web browser to view the translation feature)
- Use your ParentVUE username to log in
What can I pay for?
- Yearbook sales
- Outstanding fees and fines
- Summer school credit retrieval classes
- And more
Important details:
- Families can make a single payment for multiple students at different locations for different items
- There is no service charge to use this system
We know many scholars still have belongings at Totem that need to be picked up or they have IRLA/Library books that need to be returned. A district committee has created the following plan, allowing for students to pick up and drop off materials at Totem. Below is the designated day (by grade level) and designated time (by last name) to come to Totem. You will remain in your car, driving along the designated route and stopping at different stations. At the different stations, scholars will be able to return items and pick up items that might still be at school. At one of the stations, we will ask if your scholar has any athletic equipment in a gym locker. If they do, we will get the locker number and lock combination from you and a “runner” will collect the belongings and bring out to your car. Scholars who received a loaner laptop from district office may keep the laptop over the summer. If you know your scholar will not be returning to Totem next year, please bring the loaner laptop with you to turn in on your scheduled day. You will be receiving additional messaging from district communications regarding this plan. (see the below for the scheduled times).
To all of my wonderful 8th grade scholars, I leave you with a parting quote:
Around here,
We don’t look backwards
For very long…
We keep moving forward,
Opening up new doors and
Doing new things
Because we’re curious…
And curiosity keeps leading us
Down new paths.
-Walt Disney
I hope you enter the next stage in your education career full of curiosity, tackling new learn challenges with perseverance and determination. Never losing sight on your goals and striving to become the very best person you can be. I, along with the entire Totem community, wish you the best of luck!
Shana Watkins
Principal
Totem Middle School
Schedule to Retrieve Personal Belongs at Totem
Additional Information for End of Year Item Drop Off/Pick Up Schedule
As we near the close of the 2019–20 school year, we want to share with you the plan for pick up and drop off of items at your child’s school. This includes students who need to return school equipment such as books, instruments, and uniforms as well as students who need to retrieve items that were left behind at their school before the building closure.
The process for drop off and pick up items is as follows:
- Students are assigned times based upon their grade and last name.
- To ensure student, family, and staff safety, we will use a drive-thru model to ensure we meet public health guidelines. This will allow scholars and their families to return and retrieve items without getting out of the vehicle.
- Items in desks and lockers will be bagged and brought to your vehicle. If your scholar has items in a PE locker, you will need to come with combination or key to unlock it. If your scholar still has medication at school, it will be available for pick up at this time.
- Find your school’s assigned date, time, and pick up schedule here: www.fwps.org/ItemSchedule.
Students are allowed to keep loaner technology devices, such as laptops and Wi-Fi hotspots, to continue their learning WITH THE EXCEPTION of seniors and any student who will not be attending FWPS next school year (moving out of the district). They will need to return the district loaner laptop or Wi-Fi hotspot during the scheduled drop off/pick up times.
Students in grades K-11 with loaner technology devices can use them to learn over the summer with the district’s provided summer learning activities.
As a reminder, it is very important to follow these safety and social distancing measures:
- Arrive in your vehicle only with people who live in your household.
- Arrive on campus during your assigned time.
- Families and students must remain in the vehicle at all times.
2019/2020 Yearbooks
The Totem Middle School Yearbooks are tentatively scheduled to arrive in the middle of July. As you can imagine all businesses were shut down for some time so they are now working hard to catch up on printing and distribution. Due to the arrival date being mid-July, we have decided it will be easiest to hold onto the Yearbooks and hand them out when we return in the fall. For our 8th grade scholars who will be at the High School’s in the fall, we will be hand-delivering the Yearbooks to their school for scholars to pick up. If you know you are moving out of the district and purchased a Yearbook, please email Monica Nelsen at mnelsen@fwps.org with a forwarding address of your new residence and we will mail the Yearbook to you.
Want to still buy a yearbook?
Starting June 1, 2020 there is an online option to do so.
How can I pay for fees online?
- Visit: www.fwps.org/ParentPortal, and click on the “pay online for fees” link
- Available in multiple languages, choose your selected language on the landing page (Make sure to use the most recent version of your web browser to view the translation feature)
- Use your ParentVUE username to log in
What can I pay for?
- Yearbook sales
- Outstanding fees and fines
- Summer school credit retrieval classes
- And more
Important details:
- Families can make a single payment for multiple students at different locations for different items
- There is no service charge to use this system
Counselor's Corner
Gil Simmons- Totem Counselor
6th Grade - All
7th Grade Last Name A-M
Mr. Simmons gsimmons@fwps.org
Phone (253) 281-1955
Maria Otero- Totem Counselor
7th Grade Last Name N-Z
8th Grade - All
Mrs. Otero motero@fwps.org
Google Voice (619) 607-3405
Valley Cities- Free Family Support
Hello Totem families.
During this difficult time youth and families may need more support. Mental health is a key factor in a youth's well being. Valley Cities can help a youth dealing with new difficulties, youth that have increased symptoms, and families that need support with behavior and interaction patterns. Todd Petrowski is the school based clinician at your youth's school. Todd's focus for mental health counseling is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT looks closely at how we think and act in order to overcome both behavioral and emotional difficulties. Valley Cities is able to provide therapy at the Valley Cities Federal Way clinic, and to reduce barriers and maintain safety also through telehealth via video or by phone. Todd is able to assist with managing the student's behaviors at home along with common concerns such as anxiety and depression.
At Totem, Valley Cities has a contract to be able to provide services that do not require insurance and copays, making this service accessible to more youth and families. If you would like to discuss support please call Todd Petrowski at 206-572-0493. We look forward to talking with you.
June 11 Last Day for USDA Farmers To Families Food Boxes; LOCATION CHANGE
We’re changing the locations for the last day of the USDA Farmers to Families Food Boxes program on June 11 due to a scheduling conflict with the pick up/drop off schedule at the high school level.
Locations for June 11 are as follows:
- Lakota Middle School, 1415 SW 314th St Federal Way, WA 98023
- Sacajawea Middle School, 1101 S Dash Point Rd Federal Way, WA 98003
- Sequoyah Middle School, 3425 S 360th St Auburn, WA 98001
- Totem Middle School, 26630 40th Ave S Kent, WA 98032
The pick up time remains the same of 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. (or as long as supplies last).
For more information: www.fwps.org/FarmBoxes.
Summer Meal Program
With the school year coming to a close, the current FWPS meals program last day of service is Monday, June 15, 2020.
Consistent with years past, we will be offering a Summer Meals Program to children ages 18 and under, in partnership with the USDA. This begins June 29, 2020 and will be available at 13 locations throughout the district. Stay tuned, more information will be available next week!
Second Semester Report Cards Available June 19
Second semester report cards for all grade levels will be available in ParentVUE on June 19, 2020. Parents can log into their ParentVUE account to view their student’s report card on that day here: https://grades.fwps.org/.
Report cards for all grade levels will be mailed home later this summer. More details to come — stay tuned.
Are You Moving?
Have you moved?
Are you planning to Move?
New phone #?
If so, please contact Mrs. Clements, Totem Registrar at mailto:mclement@fwps.org
We want to be sure you are set up to get any information you will need for the beginning of next school year
Totem Middle School
Email: mnelsen@fwps.org
Website: https://www.fwps.org/totem
Location: 26630 40th Avenue South, Kent, WA, USA
Phone: 253-945-5100
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TotemFWPS/