Kokanee Elementary School

August Family 2023 Memo

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Welcome to the 2023-2024 School Year

Welcome to the 2023-2024 School Year

Dear Kokanee Families,


Our team is hard at work preparing to kick off the 23-24 school year and we are so excited to welcome your student to Kokanee! It's going to be a wonderful school year!


We know many of you are trying to set plans for your August days and envision the coming months for the 23-24 school year. With this in mind, this newsletter is an effort to provide whole school updated information about how the school year will begin and some of the plans our team is working on to support a positive, joyful start to our school year!

Welcome to the 2023-2024 School Year

Back to School Events and Supports

We have some exciting back to school Events planned for all of Kodiaks! Please Read below:

Back to School Resource Fair

Thursday, Aug. 10th, 4-5:30pm

9809 Northeast 188th Street

Bothell, WA

The Northshore School District will host the Back to School Resource Fair from 4-5:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 10 at Pop Keeney Stadium.


This is an opportunity to learn about the resources provided by our community partners, and to also get information from a variety of District departments including, but not limited to: Transportation, Food & Nutrition Services, Student Services, Health Services, Highly Capable Services, and more.


For more information, please go to: https://www.nsd.org/back-to-school-fair
Get Directions

RSVPs are enabled for this event.

Community Serve DAY

Saturday, Aug. 27th 2022 at 9am-12pm

23710 57th Avenue Southeast

Woodinville, WA

Kokanee Elementary:

Kokanee Community Serve Sign up


Join families and community members to help ready schools for the start of the 2023 - 2024 school year! In an effort to reactivate volunteers and community partners, this event will be held on Aug. 27, 2023. Community SERVE Day will continue with elementary school and middle school participation, High school beautification will be evaluated as a separate event for future years.


Volunteers are needed to help improve the campus through painting, weeding and more! We welcome you to sign up and join in!
Get Directions

Supply Drop Off and Teacher Meet and Greet

Thursday, Aug. 31st, 5-7:30pm

23710 57th Avenue Southeast

Woodinville, WA

We are happy to announce our Supply Drop Off event on Thursday, August 31st from 5:00-7:30pm!


In order to ensure order and efficiency, we have varying drop off times for our Kokanee families by last name. The specific times are as follows:


  • A-G 5:00-5:30pm
  • H-P 5:45-6:15pm
  • Q-Z 6:30-7:00pm


Bring your supplies and meet your teacher in their classroom, then plan to stay for food and fun! Parents and guardians are allowed to enter school buildings and classrooms during back-to-school events. We will have several food & dessert trucks for you to enjoy dinner. Please bring your preferred payment method for the food trucks.

Get Directions

RSVPs are enabled for this event.

K, 4th & 5th Grade Curriculum Night

Tuesday, Sep. 12th, 5-6:30pm

23710 57th Avenue Southeast

Woodinville, WA

Get Directions

RSVPs are enabled for this event.

1st, 2nd & 3rd Grade Curriculum Night

Tuesday, Sep. 19th, 5-6:30pm

23710 57th Avenue Southeast

Woodinville, WA

Get Directions

RSVPs are enabled for this event.

CLICK HERE

23-24 School Year Calendar

Click Here
CLICK HERE

First day of school for 1st -5th Grade students

This year our first school day is on Wednesday, September 6th for all grades 1-5. This is a full day from 9:30am-4pm.

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL for Kindergarten

This year kindergarten students first day of school will be Monday, September 11th.


Families will have an opportunity to meet with their kindergarten teacher during a WAkids Family Connection Meeting on September 6th, 7th or 8th. Your teacher will be communicating with you soon to set up your WAKids conference date and time.

School Day Timing

Our school day runs from 9:30am-4:00pm. We will unload buses and cars for arrival beginning at 9:10am daily. On early release Wednesdays, we will dismiss at 2:30pm instead of 4pm. Wednesday, September 6th is a full day, and we will dismiss at 4pm. Wednesday, September 13th is our first early release Wednesday and we will dismiss at 2:30pm.

Recommended School Supplies

If purchasing school supplies creates a financial hardship, please seek assistance

from our office manager at 425-408-4900. Supplies will be provided.


In an effort to ensure equitable access to school supplies, reduce the amount of money and time parents spend purchasing items for school, and promote academic success for every student, the School Supply Advisory Committee developed the following expectations:

  • School supplies are requested but not required.
  • Teachers may also request additional supplies for their individual classrooms.
  • Items marked with an asterisk(*) may be pooled into classroom resources for all students.
  • If purchasing school supplies creates a financial hardship, please contact our office manager and supplies will be provided.
  • Exceptions to this list may be made for students in special education programs.
  • Information about the School Supply Advisory Committee recommendationsPDF download.
  • Want to donate supplies? Visit the Northshore Schools Foundation to learn more.


CLICK HERE for the 2023-24 School Supply Lists


CLICK HERE to order a School Supply Kit directly through the PTA (deadline August 15th).

Transportation

Bus routes for the school year will be available in late August. You will access this using your child's NSD student number.


23-24 Meal and Childcare Supports

Students can purchase breakfast and lunch each school day. Milk is included with breakfast and lunch or can be purchased separately.


The Y is proud to partner with the Northshore School District to provide high-quality, active learning opportunities designed to engage and expand young minds. Through our Before and After-School Enrichment (BASE) program, we provide a safe, caring, and fun environment where kids can participate in sports, arts, STEM, and other hands-on learning activities. Registration is open, you can check out this link for more information Northshore School District | YMCA of Greater Seattle (seattleymca.org) The Y also provides scholarships for families, to apply for a scholarship follow the instructions on the attached link or reach out to registration@seattleymca.org with any questions! We are looking forward to a great year with our Kokanee students and families!

Classroom Placement

Our team is in the final stages of classroom placement. We are making every effort to attend to the feedback and information provided by parents in our input surveys as well as considering ways to maintain connections for students with classmates they may have worked with in the last school year. We have an exceptional team of teachers and support staff poised to begin this teaching year. You can expect to receive a placement email by the end of the day on August 29th with your child's teacher name and contact information. No information showing in Parent or Student Vue is accurate at this time as our team still needs to input final lists.
23-24 Staffing (New Staff Bolded)

23-24 Staffing (New Staff Bolded)

Kindergarten

  1. Courtney Knox
  2. Erin Wilen
  3. Emma Williams
  4. Lauren Crabb
  5. Amy Pak


1st Grade

  1. Christina Caiker
  2. Stacy Hansen
  3. Val Kok
  4. Alicia Blankenburg (Morford)


2nd Grade

  1. Brittany Doyle
  2. Melissa Douma (Will teach 3rd Grade Math in a walk-to model for students qualified for highly capable services in math)
  3. Amy (Willis) Kostadinova (Will teach 3rd Grade Math in a walk-to model for students qualified for highly capable services in math)
  4. Kelly Leininger
  5. Lauren Fuhr (Piloco)


3rd Grade

  1. Colby Bishop (Will teach 4th Grade Math in a walk-to model for students qualified for highly capable services in math)
  2. Todd English (Will teach 4th Grade Math in a walk-to model for students qualified for highly capable services in math)
  3. Tiffany Hsieh
  4. Kim Woodard


4th Grade

  1. Michelle Gillebo
  2. Dawn Hamilton (Elementary Advanced Placement for qualified students)
  3. Colleen McIntosh
  4. Jen McNease (Elementary Advanced Placement for qualified students)


5th Grade

  1. Rich Butler (Elementary Advanced Placement for qualified students)
  2. Kaitlyn Flanagan
  3. Scott Liu
  4. Margie Muller (Elementary Advanced Placement for qualified students)
  5. Jordan Olson


Specialists:


Library:

  1. Jenni McKnight - 1.0 FTE
  2. Annie Fagundes - 0.4 FTE


Library Secretarial/Clerical Support:

  1. Susan Carr


Music:

  1. Michelle Bergmans- 1.0 FTE
  2. Sara Lee - 0.6 FTE
  3. Tamara Burnett - 0.4 FTE


PE:

  1. Greg Martin- 1.0 FTE
  2. Michelle Olson- 0.8 FTE
  3. Sara Lee - 0.4 FTE


Learning Center Certs

  1. Jessica Cottrill
  2. Ashley Hales


Learning Center Paras

  1. Tracy LeBel
  2. Ilinda Bills (Pennant)
  3. Lorie Trecker
  4. Cindi Thompson
  5. Frank Stevens
  6. Janani Sowmya Narayanan
  7. Claire Smith


Mid-Level Sensory Teachers

  1. Lorie Kleve
  2. Kris Harris
  3. Parveen Mohammad


Mid-Level Sensory Paras

  1. Amy Clark
  2. Emily Granberg
  3. Claudia Bridenbecker
  4. Molly Johnson
  5. Caludia Purdy
  6. Viral Trivedi
  7. Sameera Shaikh
  8. Tammy Mason
  9. Betsy Rosenbaum
  10. Manjula Senthilvelu
  11. Sheri Fralick
  12. Emily Kent
  13. Jana Abdurashidova
  14. Cyndi Lorkowski
  15. Thomas Vrhel


ELD and LAP Certs

  1. Brynn Bond 1.0 ELD
  2. Sally Bryan 0.8 LAP


ELD Paras

  1. Jen Brown
  2. Megan Anderson


Counselor

  • Sophie Happold (Nelson)


Mental Health Specialist

  • Annelise Sullivan


Office Staff

  1. Marne Nienaber- Office Manager
  2. Michael Surber - Registrar
  • Mr. Surber is on leave until February 1st, 2024


Nurse

  1. Lily Conahan


Psychologist

  1. Andrea Karch - 0.8 FTE


School Assistants

  1. Jenny Unruh
  2. Sara Casebeer
  3. OPEN - 12:00-2:30pm M,Tu,Th,F


OT/PT

  • Janet Prendergast
  • Andy Wojcik
  • Elizabeth Forman


SLP

  • Megan Larson - 1.0 FTE
  • Heather Ullrich - 0.8 FTE


STS

  1. Megan Arrivey Hall


Kitchen

  1. Kathy Tidwell - Kitchen Manager
  2. OPEN - Cook Assistant


Facilities

  1. Shane Bailey
  2. Ramon Velazco


Admin

  1. Joel Fagundes
  2. Icis Tirado
23-24 Staffing (New Staff Bolded)

Contact Us

Joel Fagundes - Principal

jfagundes@nsd.org

425.408.4905


Icis Tirado - Assistnat Principal

itirado@nsd.org

425.408.4913


Main Office

mnienaber@nsd.org

425.408.4900

Principal Joel Fagundes

Principal Joel Fagundes

Dear Kokanee Staff, Families and Friends,


My name is Joel Fagundes, and I am incredibly honored to introduce myself as the principal of Kokanee Elementary! This is my 10th year in administration at Kokanee and I'm excited to continue this wonderful journey. I graduated from Western Washington University with a B.A. in Elementary Education Studies. My journey in education began in the Sedro-Woolley School District where I taught for a few years before relocating to Bellevue. In Bellevue, I spent time as an Athletic Director at the Boys and Girls Club before returning to the classroom. While working as an athletic director, I completed my Master’s degree in Educational Administration and Leadership also from Western. In Bellevue, I taught at three different schools and completed my administrative internship.


My educational journey has given me the opportunity to work in a variety of positions in multiple schools. Although it is nearly impossible to communicate all I’ve learned along the way, my beliefs as an educator can be summarized by the following key ideas:

  • Inclusion - I believe ALL students have great potential and ALL students can learn at high levels.
  • Equity - I believe we must design learning that embraces the brilliance and lived experience and identities of each student who walks through our doors - black and brown students, learners with disabilities, English Learners, students who are economically disadvantaged, LGBTQ students, students who experience or have experienced trauma, and students who need more social, emotional, behavioral, or academic support than we currently provide.
  • Relationship - A basic human need is to know and be known. Valuing and understanding others is at the heart of all things. Our greatest opportunity for success can be found when we learn, support, risk, and celebrate TOGETHER!
  • Joy! – What could be more joyful than spending our days with enthusiastic learners? Not only do we get the opportunity to share in a substantial portion of our students’ “todays,” we get to significantly impact their “tomorrows.”


I am looking forward to helping guide your children in their journey at Kokanee Elementary!


In Partnership,
Joel Fagundes

Principal Joel Fagundes
Assistant Principal Icis Tirado

Assistant Principal Icis Tirado

I am excited and honored to join the Kokanee Elementary staff as an Associate Principal. A school with a rich history, high expectations and a focus on building community connections. I am looking forward to meeting and forming relationships with students, staff, parents, families and community members.


This is my 17th year in education, I have enjoyed the privilege of working with students as a special education teacher. I was born in Northern California, but have made Washington my home since the 8th grade. I graduated from the Lake Washington School District and spent my teaching career there. My experience includes teaching K-12 Special Education, serving as Special Education Department Chair and 504 Monitor. My education includes a B.A. in Education from Eastern Washington University , a M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction from Seattle Pacific University, and a M.S. in Educational Leadership from Western Governors University.

When I’m not at work, I enjoy exploring the Pacific Northwest, spending time with my children, Richard and Rochelle, and dog, Loki. Additionally, I enjoy reading and cooking.


I truly believe in and will work to support students academically, emotionally and socially. I’m humbled and honored to join a school focused on collaboration, community and service to students and families. I am looking forward to getting to know you and becoming part of the Kokanee community!


Icis Tirado

Assistant Principal Icis Tirado
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The purpose of this calendar is to address and support the diversity of students, staff, and families in K-12 education settings and beyond. We recognize that by increasing our understanding of diverse cultures, group experiences, traditions, values and beliefs, we can enhance our relationships with one another and hence, create culturally responsive environments where everyone feels valued and respected.