Totem Middle School
June 2021
Message from Principal Watkins
Dear Totem Middle School Parents and Guardians,
I am writing to share the news that I have accepted the role of Learning Improvement Officer in Federal Way Public Schools for the 2021-22 school year. I will remain as principal of Totem Middle School through June 30, 2021.
It has been an honor to serve as principal of Totem Middle School. I am proud of my time as principal and the gains that have been made for scholars academically as well as socially and emotionally.
I want to take this time to thank all of my families for their partnership over the past two years. With the voices of our families, Totem has been able to provide a safe and inclusive learning environment in which all scholars are being engaged in rigorous learning on a daily basis. It has been a point of great pride to say I am the principal of Totem Middle School and will take the feedback I have received from my scholars and families into my new position to ensure continued success.
The district is committed to ensuring each school has high quality teachers, as well as principals, in every building. The principal is integral in ensuring every student achieves success through building a strong community and ensuring high quality teaching and learning takes place each day. Superintendent Campbell takes the responsibility of hiring principals very seriously and finding the right fit for the school where there is an opening. Totem would like to introduce you to your new principal, LySander Collins. Principal Collins is currently the principal at Rainier View Elementary. Mrs. Watkins will be introducing Principal Collins at her next Parent Zoom session on Monday, June 14th at 4:00pm.
While I will miss the Totem community, I know the great work that has been accomplished will continue. The dedication of the Totem staff to ensure that each student is learning at the highest levels is, and always will be, the primary focus of our school. I will remain in my role at Totem until June 30, 2021 and look forward to continuing the great work underway on behalf of our scholars.
Sincerely,
Shana Watkins, Principal
Introducing Totem's new Principal Collins
Hello Totem Scholars and Families,
It is with great excitement that I write this letter of introduction to you as the new Principal of Totem Middle School. I am honored to have the opportunity to lead a school with such persevering scholars, an extremely dedicated staff, and a supportive school community. I feel very fortunate to be part of this school and to support the students and families. My official start date at Totem is Thursday, July 1, but Mrs. Watkins and I are working hard this month to make for a smooth transition.
I have been dedicated to the field of education for more than twenty years. I have worked with students ranging in age from Kindergarten through 8th grade in a variety of roles. I have taught 6th, 7th and 8th grade as a general education teacher, a middle school Instructional Coach, a middle school Assistant Principal as well as an elementary school principal. Most recently, I have served as the Principal at Rainier View Elementary School. I am thrilled to bring my skills as an educational leader to Totem Middle School and to work with you as a partner in education to ensure your child's success.
On a personal note, my husband and I live in the Federal Way area. I have two daughters they live in Dallas Texas. They both grew up here and are products of the Federal Way School district. I am proud to be part of the Federal Way School District, one that values high standards by providing rich learning experiences for all scholars.
I view education as a life-long process and expect that I will continue to learn much about the uniqueness of Totem this year and in the years to come. Most importantly, I bring a belief that scholars are at the center of all school-related decisions. I am excited to unite my experience, my openness to learn, and my child-centered approach to support our scholars. Because the relationships between families and the school are vital to the success of our students, I encourage you to become involved in every way possible.
I look forward to meeting you soon!
Respectfully,
LySander Collins
Principal Totem Middle School
8th Grade Celebration
Choice enrollment re-opening June 1st
The Choice enrollment application is re-opening for new requests to be added to the waitlist for the 2021-22 school year.
The online application and Choice timeline can be found at www.fwps.org/choice.
Families who applied during the lottery and received a waitlist number do not need to reapply. New applications will be added to the bottom of the current waitlist.
Parent Informational Night with Maria Otero
Please join Ms. Otero for this month’s parent informational session on Thursday, June 10th at 4:00PM. I will be sharing information about The Dual Language Program in Washington State and at Totem Middle School.
English 4:00PM (Zoom links will be sent the night before)
Thank you
Únase con Sra. Otero para la sesión informativa para padres de este mes jueves, 10 de junio a las 5:30 p.m. Compartiré información sobre Latina en STEM, en Ciencia, Tecnología, Ingeniería, y Matemáticas.
Spanish 5:30PM (Los enlaces de zoom se enviarán la noche anterior.)
Gracias
Parent zoom with the principal- meet next year's Principal LySander Collins
Join our last parent zoom session with the principal. Meet Totem's new Principal LySander Collins.
Monday, June 14th from 4pm-4:30pm
Join from a PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone or Android device:
Please click this URL to join. https://fwps.zoom.us/j/97098100148?pwd=L0E1UndNYVhUUitJNW9mT0Y1WUl3dz09
Passcode: 429767
Or join by phone:
Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
US: +1 253 215 8782 or +1 346 248 7799 or +1 669 900 6833 or +1 312 626 6799 or +1 646 558 8656 or +1 301 715 8592
Webinar ID: 970 9810 0148
Get your yearbooks NOW
Don't miss out on a yearbook. Yearbooks are a great way to memorialize a year that has been like none other than before. We have limited copies available, so order one now! Below are the many ways you can order your copy:
Purchasing cost - $20
● Pay online using the FWPS online payment portal - go to
https://wa-federalway.intouchreceipting.com/
CLICK HERE for instructions on how to use the online payment portal
● Call the office and speak with Ms. Veit to pay for a yearbook over the phone. (253) 945-5100
● Send a check in the mail with the student's name, ID#, and “yearbook” on the notes line: Totem Middle School, 26630 40th Ave S, Kent WA 98032
● Stop by the Totem office and pay with cash or check - wear a mask and mind social distancing rules
Immunizations required for school
All 7th graders require the Tdap vaccine. Per state law, 7th graders cannot attend in person school without this vaccine or an signed exemption form by a health care provider. Please make sure your child is up-to-date on all their required vaccines.
Also, if your child receives any immunizations during the year, please bring the office a copy of the vaccine report so we can update your file.
Fall Sports- Get your physicals early
When school starts, appointments may be hard to get. We don't want you to miss out on participating.
Materials drop-off dates
June 16-June 17 from 7:30am-3:30pm @ Totem Middle School: Laptop & hotspot collection with material/library books drop-offs for any scholars not returning to FWPS and any unused laptops or hotspots. Scholars can retain devices for summer programming and accessing district digital resources.
July 27-31, 10 am to 4 pm (Tuesday – Saturday) Drive by device return at ESC Admin building. Laptop & hotspot collection to occur after summer school for all remaining scholar devices and hotspots.
• August: Additional drive by device return at ESC building (dates tbd).
**All laptops must be turned in by August to be reprogrammed for the new school year**
EMERGENCY BROADBAND PROGRAM
The Emergency Broadband Benefit is an FCC program to help families and households struggling to afford internet service during the COVID-19 pandemic. This new benefit will connect eligible households to jobs, critical healthcare services, virtual classrooms, and so much more.
About the Emergency Broadband Benefit
The Emergency Broadband Benefit will provide a discount of up to $50 per month towards broadband service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price.
The Emergency Broadband Benefit is limited to one monthly service discount and one device discount per household.
Who Is Eligible for the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program?
A household is eligible if a member of the household meets one of the criteria below:
- Has an income that is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or participates in certain assistance programs, such as SNAP, Medicaid, or Lifeline;
- Approved to receive benefits under the free and reduced-price school lunch program or the school breakfast program, including through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision in the 2019-2020 or 2020-2021 school year;
- Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year;
- Experienced a substantial loss of income due to job loss or furlough since February 29, 2020 and the household had a total income in 2020 at or below $99,000 for single filers and $198,000 for joint filers; or
- Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating provider's existing low-income or COVID-19 program.
How to Apply
There are three ways for eligible households to apply:
- Contact your preferred participating broadband provider directly to learn about their application process.
- Go to GetEmergencyBroadband.org to apply online and to find participating providers near you.
- Call 833-511-0311 for a mail-in application, and return it along with copies of documents showing proof of eligibility to:
Emergency Broadband Support Center
P.O. Box 7081
London, KY 40742
After receiving an eligibility determination, households can contact their preferred service provider to select an Emergency Broadband Benefit eligible service plan.
You can learn more about the benefit, including eligibility and enrollment information by visiting www.fcc.gov/broadbandbenefit, or by calling 833-511-0311.
Contact Us
Email: mnelsen@fwps.org
Website: https://www.fwps.org/totem
Location: 26630 40th Ave S, Kent, WA, USA
Phone: 253.945.5100
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TotemFWPS/