STAR GAZER GAZETTE
December 2020 Star Lake Newsletter
Greetings Star Lake Families,
We are quickly approaching Winter break and I would like to take this time to acknowledge the fabulous work that our students, staff and families have done during this first part of the school year! We have all been engaging in a continuous state of learning and implementation…always looking for a better, more efficient, or more engaging way to instruct and support our students. I am extremely proud of the dedication, persistence, and positivity our staff has demonstrated. They are an amazing team that goes above and beyond every day in service of students and families. We could not provide this high level of support and instruction to our students without the continued partnership from our families. We deeply thank you for all you are doing at home! Our staff enjoyed sharing student progress and goals with you at Scholar-Led Conferences last week.
Well, the big move is upon us! As I look around Star Lake, our building is packed with carts and crates full of items to move to Elementary 24. This adventure is exciting, yet bittersweet as staff, students and community members say goodbye to our current building. I find it even more disappointing because our students have not had the opportunity to say a proper “goodbye.” So, if you have a chance over break, drive on by…you will be amazed at the construction progress on the new school, and you’ll have a chance to say “farewell” to Star Lake. The building is slated for demolition near the end of January and we are slated to be housed at Elementary 24 from January 2021 until the fall of 2022.
Our Star Lake office will be up and running in Elementary 24 on January 4th. Our email and phone number contacts will be the same. Our new address is 3600 S 344th Way, Federal Way, 98001. Students will start school on January 4th remotely via zoom just the same as we have been doing, there is no change to that routine.
I wish all of our families a relaxing and healthy break! I hope you find ways to have fun with your families, watch some great movies, and read some great books…that sure is my plan…along with unpacking my office in the new school!
Best Regards,
Kris Rennie, Principal
Important Dates
Dec 18: Holiday Dress Up Spirit Day
Dec 21-Jan 3: NO SCHOOL, Winter Break
Jan 4: 1st Day Back to School - In New Building!!!
Jan 6: Parent Zoom Meeting, 6-7:00pm
Jan 18: NO SCHOOL, MLK Day
Jan 21: Parent Zoom Meeting, 10:00am
Jan 22: Favorite Sport Spirit Day
Jan 29: NO SCHOOL, Semester Break
STAR LAKE IS MOVING!!
New Location: 3600 S. 344th Way, Federal Way, WA 98001
Our gym is nice and big
This is one of our classrooms
Lots and lots of playground space
2020 Holiday Food Distribution
MSC will provide pre-packed boxes of holiday food for Thanksgiving and the Winter Holiday during regular food bank hours. Holiday food will be in addition to regular weekly food distribution.
Winter Holiday Distribution: December 14-18
9:30am-2pm Monday, Wednesday, Friday
11am-1pm Thursday for 55+ only
5-6pm, Thursday
If you have additional questions, please see their website at https://mschelps.org/gethelp/food/.
Computer and Laptop Care During Winter Break
We have checked out over 220 devices to our Star Lake scholars. We have been encouraging our scholars to properly care for these valuable pieces of technology through our Thursday morning announcements. Please reinforce with your scholars to keep the device in a safe location over winter break, and to have it charged and ready to go for school on January 4th, 2021.
As our video character Chromebook Kenobi would say to our scholars, “They are growing wise in the forces of keeping their laptop SAFE, BEING KIND to it, so they will be PRODUCTIVE!”
Choice Enrollment Available Jan 4—Feb 12, Lottery Open for all Grades
Parents of students living within the boundaries of Federal Way Public Schools may apply to “choice” their child into a school other than their resident area school for the 2021-22 school year.
The Choice Enrollment Lottery is available for all grades Jan 4 – Feb 12. The application is only done online now. For more information and to submit your online application visit: https://www.fwps.org/choice . All Choice Applications are due by 4:30 pm, Feb 12. Existing Choice families are not required to reapply.
For students living out of the district: applications accompanied by a Choice Transfer Request (release) from the student’s resident school district may be submitted to the ESC August 1-31, 2021.
Non-resident applicants will be placed on the wait list for the requested school and grade level, and will be accepted on a space-available basis after in-district applicants are placed.
For additional assistance: email choice@fwps.org or call 253-945-2098.
**Please remember that all Choice students provide their own transportation. For Jan. 2021 - Sept. 2022 we will be in our temporary location: 3600 S. 344th Way, Federal Way, WA 98001.
Parent Zoom Meetings
January 6th & 21st
We look forward to seeing you!
Let’s Meet That Bus Scholars!
Every Thursday is Star Lake’s School To You delivery day. Critical curriculum from our teachers is being delivered to our scholars. Please make every attempt to get into the Thursday routine to meet the bus.
Over winter break we will be moving to our temporary school, and picking up at our school will be a much longer drive. But we will have two curbside pick up dates at our new building, 9:00-3:00pm, dates TBD. Items from the previous week will be available. Pull up to the main office, you will see a sign, and honk or call and a staff member will be there to assist you.
Remember to listen to the weekly School To You callouts to keep you informed on what is going home. Our next Thursday delivery will be on January 7, 2021. This day will be extra important for all scholars to meet the bus. All scholars will receive another dry erase board, more dry erase markers, and pencils, along with some more free books. Please click the School To You icon on the launchpad for bus times and location.
Let’s meet that bus scholars!
If you have any questions please call our office.
School Meals
Federal Way Public Schools is dedicated to helping ensure students are well fed, so they are ready to learn.
· There will be multiple meal pick up times; the earliest starting at 9:30 a.m. and the latest ending at 6:00 p.m.
· Grab and go meal kits include: 5 breakfasts and 5 lunches. Scholars will have a choice between a microwavable kit or ready-to-eat kit.
· Parents may pick up for their children ages 18 or younger. Child does not need to be present.
For additional information visit: www.fwps.org/schoolmeals. If you have questions, please call 253-945-5561 or email nutrition@fwps.org.
Pick Up Locations Near Star Lake
Appian Way Apartments 25818 26th Pl S, Kent, WA 98032, 9:30 AM—10:30 AM
Apex Apartments 24810 45th Ave S, Kent, WA 98032, 1:30 PM—2:30 PM
Totem Middle School 26630 40th Ave S, Kent, WA 98032, 9:30 AM—11:30 AM
Thomas Jefferson High School 4248 S 288th St, Auburn, WA 98001, 4:00 PM—6:00 PM
Note: Due to Winter Break, no meals will be served on Wednesday, Dec. 23 and Dec. 30. The School Meals Program will resume Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021.
Free Farm Food Boxes
Available January 4th between 10:00am - 1:00pm as long as supplies last.
Location Federal Way High School. Remember to stay in your vehicle.
Wednesday IS a School Day!
In November 179 scholars had perfect attendance for the Month! The total represents 53% of our scholars. WOW! Each of those scholars receives 10 Star Lake Way tickets deposited in the BANK to spend once we are back in school! Our continued push for our scholars is to login on Wednesday! Wednesday is a school day and students must login to the launchpad, learn.fwps.org and complete their asynchronous work. Our 179 total for the month would be much higher if some scholars would login on Wednesday!
Every Day Counts and Every Day Matters!
To assure attendance is recorded properly, please be sure to log out of Launchpad every day. Then log in to learn.fwps.org to begin learning again the next day.
Nurses News
Out of compliance vaccine letters have been sent out. The District is changing how we manage student immunization records. We are now using the School Module, an online system provided by the Washington State Department of Health. If you have any questions about immunizations please use the contact information provided in the letter.
Becky Dorsett, MSN, RN
253-945-4047
Library Learning
Coding!
Coding Activities Choice Board grades 3-5 Click Here
PBIS: SAFE, KIND AND PRODUCTIVE!
Here Are Some Wonderful Learning Opportunities At Star Lake
i-Ready Learning
It is recommended in remote learning , your scholar should be spending 45 minutes or more each week on MyPath for each subject, Math and Reading for a total of 90 minutes or more weekly during Asynchronous time. Please ask your scholar's teacher if you have any questions or if you want to know how to check their weekly progress at home.
Scholars who pass 5 or more lessons in a week have an opportunity to be named on the weekly shout outs on our video announcements.
Counselor's Corner
Here is some information about our 'What's Up Wednesdays'. If you have any questions, please contact me.
Tiffany Williams, School Counselor
tiwillia@fwps.org, (619) 618-0711 (call or text)
PTA Reflections:
Reflections is a national PTA arts recognition program. Its purpose is to provide an opportunity for students to use their creative talents by expressing themselves through their own original works. The theme this year was "I Matter Because..."
The art categories included: (1) Visual Arts, (2) Literature, (3) Photography, (4) Film Production, (5) Dance Choreography, and (6) Music Composition.
Students were allowed to submit as many arts categories as they would like, however, only one entry per arts category was allowed. All students that placed 1st, 2nd and 3rd in a category will advance to the District Competion on December 4th.
Congratulations and good luck to the finalists that will advance to districts!
Primary
Nyomi L. (1st Visual Arts, 1st Literature, 1st Film)
Kaden S. (2nd Visual Arts)
Intermediate
Milani L. (1st Literature)
Romero L. (2nd Literature)
Logan N. (1st Visual Arts, 1st Photography, 3rd Literature)
Maeryn N. (2nd Visual Arts, 2nd Literature, 1st Dance, 1st Music)
Leighton S. (3rd Visual Arts, 3rd Photography, 2nd Dance)
We would like to thank our judges for donating their time to review our student's accomplishments:
Mara Fiksdal
Title: Museum of Flight, Membership Manager, Expertise: Literature
Wynne Nuernberg-Park
Title: Violin Private Teacher, Expertise: Music
Tonya Marie Warren Goodwillie
Title: Owner Allegro Dance Studio, Expertise: Dance & Theater
Nyomi - My Family Cares About Me
Milani - What Makes Me, Me!
Logan - Train of Steel
PTA Updates
Check out our website for info on meetings, events and membership!
* Virtual Spirit Days:
Dec 18 Holiday Dress Up Day
Jan 22 Favorite Sport Spirit Day
* Interested in our Spirit Wear store? Go to:
starlakeelementary.itemorder.com
* Remember that a successful PTA needs your participation. We appreciate your support!
If you have any questions please email us at:
Or check out our Facebook page at:
Our New Building Is Coming Along!!
Star Lake Elementary
Email: comments@fwps.org
Website: https://www.fwps.org/starlake
Location: 4014 South 270th Street, Kent, WA, USA
Phone: 253-945-4000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StarLakeFWPS