News from your North Beach PTA
January 31, 2020
Dates to Remember
- Tonight! Friday, January 31: Trivia + Spelling fundraiser at the Dane for 5th grade camp!
- Tuesday, February 4: First Special Education Resource Fair, 6:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, February 4: School musical info session, 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. in the cafeteria.
- Saturday, February 8: We Are Family Auction (purchase tickets here)
- Tuesday, February 11: PTA Meeting + RESCHEDULED Beyond the Birds and Bees talk
Wednesday, Sept 2: First of day of school for 1-5 (Wednesday BEFORE Labor Day)
Tuesday, Sept 8: First day of school for kindergarteners
A Note from Our Principal
Dear North Beach Families and Community,
This week we had a wonderful performance of “Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut” by author Derrick Barnes. It was brought to North Beach by Book-It Theater. All grades were able to enjoy the show, hands down, a great event. Thank you, North Beach PTA, for providing support for events like this.
Next week, our school, along with the rest of the district, will be celebrating and observing Black Lives Matter at School Week. Our commitment here at North Beach is to ensure that all students, families, and care-givers feel valued, feel heard, feel respected. We welcome everyone through our doors, and want to instill that feeling through our curriculum, our class activities, in our hallways and out on the playground. Last week the Seattle School Board adopted an annual resolution to a commitment to racial justice and recognition that the effects of structural and systemic racism continue to have lasting negative consequences for our communities.
Last year at this time I wrote about how learning about Edwin Pratt as an elementary student had a lasting impact on me. For those of you unfamiliar with him, Edwin Pratt was the Executive Director of the Seattle Urban League and fought to end discriminatory housing practices in the Seattle area until he was murdered outside his home in Shoreline. It is easy to understand the legacy of racist housing policies that still impact our city when reading through this interactive exhibit on Segregated Seattle: https://depts.washington.edu/civilr/covenants.htm. This is one of the reasons our teachers will be recognizing Black Lives Matter at School Week.
We will have our monthly community assembly next Wednesday, February 5, at 8:15 am. Our 3rd grade students have planned the assembly and will be reading poetry in honor of Black History Month and performing songs under the direction of Ms. Lacambra. Please join us if you can!
Finally, on Saturday, February 8th, I am looking forward to the annual North Beach Auction at the Nordic Museum in Ballard! I hope you will join us for a fun and entertaining evening, and a chance to give back to our school.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Kristine McLane, kemclane@seattleschools.org
Principal, North Beach Elementary
206-252-1510
From the Office
North Beach community:
We have over 400 students and very little space/parking. Please adhere to these guidelines when dropping your students in the morning:
- NO parking in the loading dock (driveway next to flagpole)
- NO parking in the drop off zone (curb directly in front of parking lot
- NO stopping in the street and letting your student out
- NO parking the wrong direction and letting your student out
Please take the time to get here a few minutes earlier and find a legal parking spot. Or utilize the drop off zone in front of the school. If everyone follows the protocol, you should pull into the drop off zone, your student(s) get out, and you move on. No getting out of the car, no bringing your student in. If you can’t do this, then please go find a parking spot. We will be inviting the Seattle Police Department back for a visit if need be.
AUCTION COUNTDOWN: See you Next Saturday!
If you purchased a ticket to the auction, we will see you at 6:00 p.m. next Saturday,
February 8th at the Nordic Museum!
Please be on the lookout for the auction catalog in Monday’s Kid-Mail—going home to
each family joining us at the “We Are Family” school auction. Happy perusing!
If you did not buy a ticket, we will miss you! We’ve officially reached capacity and have
already turned in our final catering count. Email us at auction@northbeachpta.org if
you’d like to be added to a waitlist in case we have any cancellations.
Family Fun Night WE ARE FAMILY Dance
Wow! What a turn out at the We Are Family Dance. Way to go North Beach Seals!
The coordinator would like to thank EVERYONE that offered to volunteer. This event couldn't be possible without people stepping up to make it a huge success.
Additionally, we would like to thank all of the families who helped with the cake walk. This is a huge attendance draw for the dance and a kid favorite every year.
Did you do the photo booth? If so go to https://northbeachpta.shootproof.com/gallery/11567732 to see your photos. Just put in your email address and the code, which you can get by emailing a request to tara.nessan@me.com
PTA Spotlight on Volunteers
Thanks again to all the parent volunteers who helped at Friday’s dance. It was a wonderful evening! And special thanks to members of our North Beach staff who helped with the event. Principal McLane kept a watchful eye on students; Ms. Bakker passed out Herbie meals; Ms. Niemeyer helped sell vouchers; Ms. Bailey, our ELL teacher, called families to make sure they knew about the event; and Mr. Ray stayed late to clean and lock up. He’s been working a lot of extra hours lately so be sure to say thanks the next time you see him.
PTA General Meeting, Tuesday, February 11, 6:30pm
We will have a brief meeting before next Tuesday’s Birds and Bees Speaker to discuss how you can help advocate for district and state support of counselors in schools. We will also be electing three nominating committee members. If you’d like to have a role in selecting PTA officers for next year, please consider volunteering for this important short-term position. You can contact me (Suzanne Hurley) at president@northbeachpta.org to volunteer. See you on Tuesday!
Beyond the Birds and Bees Rescheduled for February 11 PTA Meeting
NEW DATE: Tuesday, February 11th
6:30-7:00 PTA General Meeting
7:00-8:30 Parent Education Evening
Childcare for K-5 students is available! Kids will be in the Library and watch the movie Tale of Despereaux, have story time, and enjoy light snacks (please feed your child dinner before coming)- send a water bottle with your child. A limited number of childcare spots are available, signing up in advance is highly recommended. Sign up will display under your name, please sign up the number of times for children you need child care for (ex: if you have two kids coming sign up twice) and put their name and grade in the comment section. Check in will begin at 6:20 and childcare will end at the conclusion of the Birds and Bees presentation.
Sign up at: https://www.konstella.com/app/school/59bc8f8ce4b0996f734081bb/signups/5e140ac5e4b0131706441354
Beyond Birds and Bees: Bringing Home a New Message
to Our Kids about Sex, Love, and Equality
Now that the #MeToo movement and current events have parents and educators asking how best to raise young people with healthy, positive, shame-free and egalitarian attitudes about bodies, gender, sex, and relationships, Bonnie J. Rough, author of Beyond Birds and Bees: Bringing Home a New Message to Our Kids About Sex, Love, and Equality, will share the practical lessons she learned as a parent and journalist when she took a close look at the world-famous Dutch approach to sex education, instrumental in producing one of the most sexually healthy and gender-equal societies on the globe. With immediate takeaways for PreK-6 parents/caregivers and time for sharing and questions, this event will show how we can make the most of—and enjoy—life’s many opportunities to change the conversation with our kids as we empower them to build a more equitable and inclusive future.
About Bonnie J. Rough and Beyond Birds & Bees
Bonnie J. Rough is an American author, journalist, and speaker focusing on families, health, education, parenting and sexuality. Her latest book is Beyond Birds & Bees: Bringing Home a New Message to Our Kids about Sex, Love, and Equality, described as “a groundbreaking inquiry into how we teach our children about bodies, sex, relationships, and equality—with revelatory, practical takeaways from the world-famous Dutch approach.” Since its August 2018 release, Beyond Birds and Bees has seen coverage in many national, international, and regional outlets including The New York Times, Washington Post, Salon, Huffington Post, The Establishment, Chicago Tribune, Good Morning Washington, New York Public Radio, Wisconsin Public Radio, North Texas Public Radio, KUOW Seattle, King 5 TV News, New Day Northwest, and many other podcasts and media outlets. Bonnie has written recently for the New York Times on teaching young children about boundaries and consent as well as the value of childhood crushes, for The Atlantic on both the link between sex ed and gender equality and the case for comprehensive sex ed, for The Cut on raising kids without sexual shame, and for the Washington Post on gender and sex ed and how straight parents can raise kids to be allies with the LGBTQ+ community. Her previous books are The Girls, Alone and Carrier, winner of a 2011 Minnesota Book Award. Learn more at www.bonniejrough.com.
Special Education Resource Fair Tuesday, Feb. 4
The Special Education Department will hold a Resource Fair for all families of students receiving special education services. Special Education directors and staff, representatives from other Seattle Public Schools departments, and community groups will be onsite during this open-house style event. This is a great opportunity for families to learn, gather resources, and ask general questions regarding their student’s services, district programs, or to better understand the work of different organizations in the community. Childcare will be provided.
Tuesday, February 4, 2020, 6:30 –8:00pm
Robert Eagle Staff Middle School
1330 N 90th St Seattle, WA 98103
For more details, contact SpEdCommunications@seattleschools.org
The School Musical Starts Soon! Info Session on February 4th!
Join the singing, dancing, acting, stage craft! A big commitment or a little one, on the stage or off - we’ve got a part for everybody.
Questions or interested in joining? Nbschoolmusical@gmail.com
Baby Herbie Flash Sale
Baby Herbie mini stuffy $3.00
Baby Herbie mini stuffy, water, 2 bags of chips $5.00
Move over Baby Yoda! Baby Herbie is the cutest stuffy you will ever see. Sales will take place directly after school on Friday, February 7th. Cash or check only.
5th Grade Car Wash Fundraiser
Brown Bear Car Wash tickets ($10/ea) to support fundraising for 5th grade camp are still available!
Contact Jen Osborn for info or tickets which can be delivered via kidmail: jenosborn0@gmail.com.
LGBTQ2+ Photo Project: “Our Students, Their Stories”
Seattle Public Schools and local Seattle photographer, Nate Gowdy, are joining forces to highlight the stories of our amazing LGBTQ2+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, two-spirit, queer and more) students in Seattle Public Schools, as well as LGBTQ2+ staff in a photo book and portrait exhibit.
The “Our Students, Their Stories” project will showcase the strength, resilience, and unapologetic pride of queer and trans students. This project will also highlight the loving and supportive families of these young people, as well as shine light on some LGBTQ2+ staff who help lift up queer and trans youth in big and small ways every day.
We are seeking additional LGBTQ2+ students of all ages (and their family members) to participate. In addition, we welcome more queer and trans school staff. Photo shoots will be held in January and February, require a signed photo release form, and take approximately two hours.
More information can be found at the SPS Health Education website.
Morning Drop Off and Afternoon Pick Up
Mornings can be quite hectic around the school so please observe the following guidelines to keep our children safe:
- Do not park in the drop off lane in front of the school. This lane is for children exiting the car quickly. Have your child ready to go before you get in the line.
If you would like to walk your child to the front door or to their classroom, please park in a legal parking spot in the neighborhood. Do not park in the drop off lane.
Cross only at crosswalks. Do not cross in the middle of the street.
Speed limit in front of the school is 15 mph.
Parking around the school is limited. Do not park within 30 feet of a stop sign or within 20 feet of a marked or unmarked crosswalk.
No U-turns on 24th Avenue, or using 91st Street to make a U-turn.
No parking in the bus zone (even when no busses are present)
Parallel parking only in front of the house at the NW corner of 24th and 91st. Let's also be good neighbors and not block their mailbox.
No parking facing the wrong direction.
Do not leave your car running, if unattended.
Do not leave your child unattended in a running car.
Seattle Police regularly patrol the area and will issue tickets!
Support North Beach Elementary When You Shop!
Amazon Smile: 0.5% of eligible purchases back to North Beach!
https://smile.amazon.com/ch/91-1320831
Shutterfly: 8% of Purchases come back to North Beach!
Shop for cards and photos at www.NorthBeach.ShutterflyStoreFront.com and help contribute 8% to the North Beach PTA!
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Community News & Events (The programs below are not endorsed by either North Beach PTA or SPS, and are posted for informational purposes only.)
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Calling on girls grades 3-5th grades, Girls on the Run 2020 is here!
What is Girls on the Run?
At Girls on the Run we inspire girls to recognize their inner strength and celebrate what makes them one of a kind. Trained coaches lead small teams through our research-based curricula which includes dynamic discussions, fun activities and running games. Over the course of the ten-week program, girls in 3rd-5th grade develop essential skills to help them navigate their worlds and establish a lifetime appreciation for health and fitness. The program culminates with girls positively impacting their communities through a service project and being physically and emotionally prepared to complete a celebratory 5K event. Seeing hundreds of girls streaming across the finish line is beautiful!
Start Date: March 3rd, Tuesday and Thursdays right after school. Registration closes March 9th.
The 5k: May 17th at Memorial Stadium in Renton.
Check out this link to program details and registration resources:
https://www.gotrpugetsound.org/Program-Registration
https://www.gotrpugetsound.org/our-programs
If you have questions contact North Beach liaison:
Jeannette Kane
206-604-4121
Ballard High School Performing Arts presents: 61st Annual Spaghetti Dinner
Feb 1st, 2020 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Ballard High School Commons
This fundraiser is your one chance this year to hear every Ballard Performing Arts group perform! Yes, all 15 of them. This year's theme is music from the '90s. Plus, catch a sneak preview of the upcoming musical, Xanadu.
Tickets available online NOW. https://www.ballardperformingartsboosters.org/spaghetti-dinner-2020-1 or purchased at the door. $15 adults, $10 students, $22.50 for all you can eat.
Enjoy a spaghetti dinner with options of homemade meat or vegetarian sauce, regular or gluten-free noodles, salad, bread, drink, and dessert. Extra desserts are available at the bake sale. And don't miss our raffle with tickets pulled 3 times during the evening.
Before/After School Programs
Boys & Girls Club
Hours: 7:00 - 7:50 am and 2:25 am - 6:00 pm M-F
Questions? 206-582-3512 or choover@positiveplace.org.
Registration Information and enrollment paperwork is available at: http://positiveplace.org/locations/childcare/Pages/northbeachchildcare.aspx
Small Faces
The school-aged program at Small Faces serves kindergarten through fifth grade children. At the end of the school day, a school bus takes kids to Small Faces Center where they are greeted by teachers and offered a snack before the program activities begin. Doors close at 6pm. Contact Kathy Brockman with questions and to enroll: kbrockman@smallfaces.org
Illumination Learning Studio
Illumination Learning Studio provides After School Programs for children K-5. We provide transportation after school each day. This is an arts-focused educational program. Please visit our website for more information https://www.illuminationlearningstudio.com/.
Beachcomber Email
Article submissions for this newsletter are due by 5:00pm Wednesdays. Please send articles to beachcomber@northbeachpta.org
About North Beach Elementary
PTA website: northbeachelementary.org
School website: northbeaches.seattleschools.org
Email: beachcomber@northbeachpta.org
Website: northbeachelementary.org
Location: 9018 24th Avenue NW Seattle, WA 98117
Phone: (206) 252-1510
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/northbeachpta/
Twitter: @sealsnorthbeach