Kenmore Elementary Paw Prints
May 2023
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Welcome to May, we begin this month celebrating our Kenmore Elementary staff. The amazing team that keeps Kenmore Cubs safe and thriving include our teachers, guest teachers, classified staff, school nurse, custodial, kitchen, office staff and bus drivers. We are ever so grateful for the work collectively done to make this an amazing team!
This week our 5th graders will be taking the Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science (WCAS), May 1-5. This assessment is taken in grades 5, 8 and 11. Following the WCAS, teachers will be administering the Smarter Balanced Assessment (SBA) in reading and math for grades 3-5, May 8-19.
Thank you to our families who completed the Kenmore Elementary Family Survey this past week. This anonymous survey made us realize that there are some assumptions made about our school that are inaccurate. To provide some perspective I would like to take this opportunity to clarify some concerns stated in your feedback.
Safety and ID request: Our office team is cognizant of who our families are and do an outstanding job matching parent and child. For this reason, your ID may not be requested when you are picking up your student, rest assured if you are new to our school or unrecognizable to our team, we will request to see your ID.
Volunteer information: If you are not a member of our fantastic KEPTA, you would have missed the multiple opportunities to volunteer at the many events they have organized this year. Join the PTA to get the weekly newsletter that announces volunteer opportunities. The PTA link is also included at the bottom of this newsletter.
Classroom Volunteers: Teachers will reach out to families should they need classroom volunteers. If you have not heard from your child’s teacher there may not be a need. However, feel free to contact your child’s teacher directly.
Save-the-Date: This past fall we shared the list of KEPTA sponsored events Save-the-Date sheet, in case you missed it here is the link to the KEPTA calendar. Our PTA has also uploaded the KEPTA-Year-at-a Glance events page.
You will also find volunteer requests on this site.
School sponsored events will be shared on the 1st of the month, or sooner in this newsletter, simply scroll down to “Important Dates.” We will also send reminders on ParentSquare.
The Buddy Bench-We currently have an unofficial one and will definitely include this with our school modernization and playground plans. Unfortunately, it isn’t as simple as buying a bench as it needs to comply with applicable state guidelines.
If you haven’t already submitted your survey response please do so by Friday, May 5th. Here are the links again:
This month we celebrate and acknowledge the contributions of Asian Pacific Islander Heritage month. To our families who identify as Asian or Pacific Islander we see you.
At Kenmore Elementary, as we acknowledge each others cultural heritage we would like to invite all of our families to celebrate Family Culture Night sponsored by KEPTA, on May 19th. If you would like to participate by sharing your culture please contact the organizers: Elisabeth Lepine or Betsy Kurcinka at elisabethlepine@gmail.com.
Till then, enjoy the great weather and I look forward to seeing you at Family Culture Night!
Geetha George-Shapiro
Principal
Modernization Update
IMPORTANT DATES
May 3rd - Early Release, 2:10pm
May 4th - Popcorn Thursday
May 5th - Burrows/Goodmon Field Trip to UW
May 8th-May 12th - Staff Appreciation Week
May 9th - Track & Field Meet, Kenmore Elementary, 5:00pm
May 9th - PTA General Meeting, 7-8:30pm
May 10th - Early Release, 2:10pm
May 16th - Track & Field Meet, Kenmore Elementary, 5:00pm
May 17th - Early Release, 2:10pm
May 19th - PTA Family Culture Night, 5:30-8:30pm
May 22nd-May 24th - 5th Grade Camp Cedar Springs
May 23rd - Track & Field Junior Olympics, Inglemoor High School, 5:00pm
May 24th - Early Release, 2:10pm
May 26th - Spirit Day: Backwards Day!
May 26th - Nature Vision Visits 4th Grade Classrooms
May 29th - NO SCHOOL: Memorial Day
May 31st - Early Release, 2:10pm
Celebrations & Observations
May 29th - Memorial Day
ATTENDANCE
Dear families,
You can’t plan for sickness, but you can plan for success.
Last month, attendance and tardy letters came home for some students. As educators, we know the impact of kids arriving late and students who miss multiple days of school. They miss fundamental reading and math skills as well as good habits that will carry them through college and work. They miss the start to a calm and focused morning.
Why are kindergarten and first grade so important? Well, 64% of kids with good attendance in kindergarten AND first grade can read on grade level by 3rd grade.
Is your child late but only by a handful of minutes? It adds up! 10 minutes a day is 50 minutes a week, and after 13 years of school it is nearly half a year.
Curious to learn more? Here is a link to some resources and more information about the importance of all students showing up on time, each day.
If you need support, try these tips:
Set an early bedtime and morning routine.
Lay out clothes and backpacks the night before.
Plan medical appointments and trips outside of the school day.
Have a back-up plan should something come up.
We love our Cubs and love having them here every day! Every minute matters!
Sincerely,
Team Admin.
ONLINE ENROLLMENT
Enrollment is now open for the 2023-2024 School Year!
Enrollment is needed for incoming kindergarteners and new students of all grades. See the NSD enrollment website to get started! https://www.nsd.org/schools/get-started/enrollment
*Timely kindergarten enrollment is very important as we plan staffing for the 23-24 school year.
ARE YOU MOVING?
Smarter Balanced Assessment (SBA)
Students in grades 3rd, 4th and 5th will be taking the Smarter Balanced Assessment (SBA).
*Fifth grade will begin testing next week with the Science assessment (WCAS- Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science).*
· 3rd Grade ELA SBA (Reading and Writing)- (May 8th, 9th, and 11th)
· 3rd Grade Math SBA- (May 15th, 16th, and 18th)
· 4th Grade ELA SBA (Reading and Writing)- (May 8th, 9th, and 11th)
· 4th Grade Math SBA- (May 15th, 16th, and 18th)
· 5th Grade Science (WCAS)- (May 1st, 2nd, and 4th)
· 5th Grade ELA SBA (Reading and Writing)- (May 8th, 9th, and 11th)
· 5th Grade Math SBA- (May 15th, 16th , and 18th)
-Set your child up for testing success by:
*Ensuring your child goes to bed on time the night before the test.
*Providing a healthy breakfast.
*Helping your child to remember to charge their Chromebook.
*Reassuring your child that trying their best is what matters.
**If you have any questions, please contact your child's classroom teacher or Kenmore's SBA testing coordinator, Emily Grossman at egrossman@nsd.org.
LIBRARY BOOKS
Last Library check-out day is Friday, May 26th.
All Library books are due no later than Monday, June 5th.
If your child has lost a book, please visit go.nsd.org/keqa.
Please contact Chris Brush, KE Library Teacher, with any questions. cbrush@nsd.org or 425.408.4812
Thank you!
EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
PRESCHOOL
Northshore preschool programs are now enrolling children, ages 3-5. The preschool years are among the most critical in a child's life that influence learning. The Northshore School District is committed to providing the support that our youngest learners need to prepare them to succeed in school, cultivate friendships, and create a sense of community and belonging. The district proudly offers a variety of inclusive general education learning environments. Classes implement the Creative Curriculum, a developmental whole child framework approach, and utilize the GOLD assessment tool to monitor student learning.
Available preschool programs include both FREE and tuition-based options.
FREE Programs: Head Start, ECEAP and Ready Start
Eligibility is determined by the child’s age, family income, and opportunity gaps. These programs are located at Sorenson Early Childhood Center, Woodmoor Elementary, and Kenmore Elementary. Spaces will be filled on a first come first serve basis for eligible families. Families are encouraged to complete an application as soon as possible. The information on the application is confidential and used only to determine a child’s eligibility for the programs. The District does not require, check, or report on immigration or DSHS status. View the applications for income-eligible free preschool.
Tuition Programming
The Ready Start programs are located at Sorenson Early Childhood Center and Woodmoor Elementary. Spaces will be filled on a first come first serve basis. Families are encouraged to complete an application as soon as possible. View the application for tuition-based programs.
To learn more about any of our district preschool programs, visit the Northshore Early Childhood District website. Families who have questions can call (425) 408-5517.
THANK YOU!!
Thank you so much to our PTA for sponsoring a Book Party for all of our students and for reminding us that reading is our superpower! Special thanks to Book Party Chairs Erin Quinn and Erin Welch for all of the hours spent planning this amazing event!