Leopard Pride Newsletter
December 2021
Lockwood Mission
We provide a learning community that recognizes all students as capable learners. We promote high standards, expect accountability, and celebrate success. Cooperation, responsibility, and confidence promote our goals of life-long learning and responsible citizenship.
School Information
In This Issue
- Principal Message
- School Dates and Information
- District News
- PACE and PTA Information
Principal's Message
Dear Lockwood Families,
It's time to say hello to December. Let the spirit of the season surround you. The weather is feeling like winter and there is actually snow in the forecast. I want to start off by wishing everyone the happiest of holidays over all the celebrations that occur through the months of December through February. We are fortunate to live in such a diverse community where families can engage in so many celebrations.
I would like to take a moment to recognize our 4th and 5th graders. This year, they participated in the SBA in the fall to make up for missing last year. The students in these two grades were tested in their grade levels from last year (3rd and 4th). Preliminary scores have been shared with me and I am happy to report that, in general, students did very well. Official reports will be sent to families in late February once scores are finalized. Great job, students!
As I sit and write this message, two things come to mind - continued kindness and generosity. Knowing that there are so many things out of our sphere of control, these are two things we can control. We can continue to be kind to ourselves and others and we can show generosity. There are many things we can do over this holiday season to show both of these traits. For me, this looks like donating to my local shelter, to the school coat drive, and to Toys for Tots. What will you do to show kindness and generosity?
I would like to leave you with one final message, one of love. My heart loves the warmth December brings through sharing time with loved ones. May your December be filled with several opportunities to do just that.
In partnership,
Tamorah Redshaw
Proud Principal
School Dates and Information
Adjustment to Morning Drop-off
With shorter days and in wanting consistency with morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up, we are making a change to cars turning into the lot. Starting on January 3, 2022, cars will no longer be able to make a left turn into the parking lot from Lockwood Road in the morning OR afternoon.This is for safety as much as consistency. We have had several staff members in addition to students who have almost been hit by cars turning left into the parking lot AND by those driving around cars waiting to turn left.
Safety Reminder for Drop-off/Pick-up Line
With safety in mind, another reminder to families is to NOT back-up in the drop-off/pick-up line in the morning/afternoon. We understand that children can sometimes take a little time coming out of or getting into a vehicle. We ask that you remain patient and wait for the cars in front of you to pull away before you also pull away to exit the school property. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in this matter.
Winter Holidays & Celebrations
Knowing that Lockwood embraces diversity, we wanted to take this opportunity to acknowledge some winter traditions from around the world. We’ll start with the winter solstice. Did you know that this time of year is celebrated differently around the world and that after this date, days just get longer!
Winter solstice is the shortest day of the year and lands on December 21st this year. In Scandinavia, this day is called St. Lucia Day and is on December 13th (per the old calendar) and marks the start of the Christmas season. In Dongzhi, China, they have a thousands-years-old tradition on December 21st, 22nd, and 23rd where they have a family gathering and a big meal that has its roots in yin and yang. At Stonehenge, in England, people gather at Stonehenge early in the morning after the longest night to celebrate the rising of the sun as it filters through the stones. In Shab-e-Yalda, Iran, there is a Persian festival celebrating the end of shorter days and the victory of light over darkness marked by family gatherings, candles, poetry readings, and a feast.
In addition to winter solstice celebrations, we have other winter celebrations I would like to acknowledge. We have Christmas Eve/Day (Christian), Kwanzaa (Cultural), Hanukkah (Jewish), Bodhi Day (Buddhism), Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Christian), Vasant Panchami (Hinduism), Epiphany (Christian), Feast of the Nativity (Orthodox Christian), Guru Gobind Singh Birthday (Sikh), Dia de los Reyes Day (Cultural), Maghi (Sikh), World of Religion Day (Baha’i), Mahayana New Year (Buddhism), Chinese New Year (Confucian, Daoist, Buddhist), Nirvana Day (Parinirvana)(Buddhist), and Intercalary Day (Buddhist). To those who celebrate one of these days and others I may not know about, I wish you and your family all the best.
Lost and Found at Lockwood
The lost and found at Lockwood is at capacity. From now until December 17th, we are asking families to come and comb through the lost and found to claim anything that belongs to your child. During the break, anything left will be bagged and donated to a local shelter.
Champions Childcare Offering During Winter Break
Join the boredom-free zone at Champions while school is out! Our 2021 Winter curriculum is designed to appeal to students, while simultaneously addressing their social-emotional and cognitive learning through resilience, individuality, and community. Over the course of Winter Break, students will travel through time exploring what has come before, where we are now, and the possibilities that exist in the future. Along the way they’ll create Aboriginal-inspired art, communicate like Stone Age people, improve the Wright brother’s plane design, and complete many more time travel missions! These experiences will provide fun with friends AND build their confidence as they take a breather from school and prepare for entry into 2022.
Ready to Join? Go to discoverchampions.com, create a parent portal account, and enroll now for Winter Break at Lockwood Elementary! Please email mlarsen@discoverchampions.com with any questions!
December 20 – 23 | 7:30AM to 5:30PM | 1-2 day rate $135 | 3-4 day rate $225
Taking a Vacation on a School Day?
We understand that things come up on occasion (doctor/dental visits, weddings, funerals, birthdays, etc.). However, your child is expected to attend school every school day that school is in session. Some absences are "excused" (such as medical appointments, cultural/religious observances, school events, etc.) and some are "unexcused" (such as family vacations). This doesn’t mean you can’t take a family vacation—just that you should try to avoid taking them during school days.
In addition, your child’s teacher is not obligated to provide advance homework packets, and catching them up with the class can be difficult. That said, if there happens to be some overlap of your vacation and a school day, you’ll just get a letter reminding you that you shouldn’t take unexcused absences. After three unexcused absences, parents/guardians will be asked to meet with the principal to make sure this is not going to become a regular occurrence. If your child continues to have unexcused absences (5+), families will be asked to sign an attendance plan and only after that fails will next steps be taken. For all the NSD requirements, go here (https://go.boarddocs.com/wa/nsd/Board.nsf/files/ALZMGL4E59C5/$file/3122-ExcUnexcAbsences.pdf)
Possible Return to the Cafeteria
Knowing that elementary school age children are now eligible for vaccination, we would like to reopen discussion around students POTENTIALLY eating lunch in the cafeteria (with an outside option still available). This would not be considered to start until 2nd semester (February or March). Please fill out this School Lunch in the Cafeteria Survey to provide your feelings around your child eating lunch in the cafeteria for 2nd semester. We ask that you provide your opinion by Friday, December 17th.
1st Grade Reading Parent Nights
All parents of 1st grade students are cordially invited to join 1st grade teacher, Kimberly Morgenstern, for two evenings of practical strategies you can use to engage and support your emergent reader.
Kimberly has taught reading for 24 years and is excited to share some insights and tips with you. There will be time for interactive practice and Q & A. These sessions will be recorded for those who cannot attend.
Session One: Engagement and Accuracy
Wednesday, January 5, 2022
6:00-7:00pm in the Lockwood Library
Session Two: Comprehension and Fluency
Wednesday, January 19, 2022
6:00-7:00pm in the Lockwood Library
Questions? Please contact Mrs. Morgenstern at kmorgenstern@nsd.org
Lockwood Coat Drive
The Lockwood Leopard Student Council wanted to remind the community about the coat drive they are holding at Lockwood. Please see their message below:
Leopard Leaders (4th-5th grade student council) would like to have a coat drive the week of December 6th-10th. These coats will be donated to Clothes for Kids to help other students in the area during the colder season. If you have any new or gently used coats that you would like to donate, bring them to the main office.
School Climate Input Survey
As we move into a routine of school and learning, we are hoping to get perspective around the culture and climate of Lockwood. We would appreciate it if you would please take a few minutes to provide your anonymous perspective on Lockwood. The hope is to learn from our community on what makes this school such a special place and how we can work to make it even better. We appreciate your insight and voice. Please click on the link below to fill in the survey.
There are a few important dates and events you will want to mark on your calendar in preparation for the upcoming months:
District News
Building Better Together - Bonds and Levies
During the October 11 meeting, the Northshore School Board voted to place three funding measures on the Feb. 8, 2022 ballot. These three measures continue the work to build better together: modernizing schools, sustaining technology, and increasing opportunities.
This fall and winter, NSD will be sharing more information about the proposed projects and how they support NSD students and the district. In addition to presenting this important information at many PTA meetings, NSD will also hold public information sessions in the coming months. Those dates and times will be shared soon.
PACE and PTA Information
Parents Active in Cooperative Education (PACE) at Lockwood is an elective program located at Lockwood Elementary that provides an enriched educational experience for students in grades 1-5. PACE students benefit from additional support in the classroom provided by parent volunteers who assist with small group instruction and a variety of enrichment opportunities.
If you are interested in learning more about PACE at Lockwood, join us for a virtual tour. Please use the link below to sign up for a tour. Contact tours@paceatlockwood.org or membership@paceatlockwood.org for questions.
Tours are a requirement to apply for PACE. The PACE lottery for 2022-2023 school year will be held on February 5th and the last day to do a tour is February 9, 2021.
Sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F48A4AF2DA5F9C61-pace
PTA Pantry
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you. The “PTA Pantry” is now open. We’ll occasionally send out calls for donations when things are getting low, but don’t feel like you need to wait for the call to drop extra non-perishables off in the main office. Here’s how it will work: any teacher (or other staff member) can send a student to the nurse (or to anyone in the main office) with a referral to the “PTA Pantry.” The student will then be taken to the pantry to fill up a sturdy bag (that we provide) with food essentials. The huge benefit of going through the nurse/main office is that they have access to other resources from the district’s “Care Team” that they might be able to offer. If your child ever needs to access the pantry, just send a note to their teacher (or to the main office) asking them to be sent to the nurse for access to the pantry. The Lockwood community is here for you and your family. If anyone has any questions, let me know at president@lockwoodpta.org.