POLAR BEAR EXPRESS
SEPTEMBER 2022
OLIVIA PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Email: pencekc@mukilteo.wednet.edu
Website: https://www.mukilteoschools.org/Domain/670
Location: 200 108th Street Southwest, Everett, WA, USA
Phone: 425-366-3300
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oliviaparkelementary/
Principal Message - Mrs. Pence
Welcome to the 2022-2023 School Year!
What a busy August we had getting our school ready for the arrival of students and families. Teachers were preparing their classrooms for the new school year as well as participating in various trainings. Our district has adopted a new science curriculum and teachers took part in classes preparing them to implement it with your students.
We have welcomed seven new staff members this year, majority of them coming from other Mukilteo Schools;
Christen Kelly First Grade
Avery Anderson Third Grade
Andrea Toth-Nelson Fourth Grade
Kelly Rozario Fifth Grade
Ken Napier Fifth Grade
Donna Riviera Librarian
Darina Litvinchuk English Language Specialist
On behalf of the Olivia Park Staff, we look forward to meeting with our families on September 7th and 8th to foster important relationships between our families, students, and staff.
Please don’t hesitate to contact our school office if you have questions or concerns. 425-366-3300
Warmly,
Katie Pence
Principal
Assistant Principal Message - Welcome Mrs. Peters to Olivia Park Elementary!
Hello Olivia Park Families!
My name is Lynne Peters, and I am thrilled to be joining the Olivia Park school community as the Assistant Principal! It has been a joy and honor to serve students, families, and staff for over 20 years as an elementary, middle, and special education teacher; an instructional coach; and a school administrator. My desire is to live out my philosophy of “Every student, every day, whatever it takes,” as we work together to make sure students continue to be the center of all that we do.
On a personal note, my husband Glen and I moved to Mukilteo three years ago from the Chicago area. We have two adult daughters who live in Vancouver, British Columbia along with two cats and a dog. Outside of school, I love to read, cook, and explore our beautiful state.
As we prepare to begin a new school year, I am looking forward to getting to know our students and families. Please feel free to reach out if I can support you or your child in any way. You can reach me at PetersLM@mukilteo.wednet.edu or by calling the main office at 425-366-3323. If we work together to support our students, we can make 2022-2023 the best year yet!
Warmly,
Lynne Peters
IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES
September 7-8 - Family Engagement Conferences (1-5 grade only)
September 7-8 - WA Kids Conferences (K-only)
September 9 - First Day of School (1-5 grade only)
September 12 - First Day of School (Kindergarten Only)
September 15th - 5th grade Band and Orchestra Family Information Meeting - 11:30 am-12:30 pm
ZOOM
or
September 15th -5th grade Band and Orchestra Family Information Meeting -6:30 pm-7:30 pm
OP Music Room
September 22- PTA Meeting via Zoom (6pm)
September is Attendance Awareness Month!
Attending school each day is a stepping stone to academic success. When students attend regularly, starting as early as preschool and kindergarten, they have the opportunity to achieve academically and thrive.
#StayConnectedKeepLearning #SchoolEveryDay
Parent Square - New Communication Tool
Mukilteo School District uses ParentSquare as a communication platform for district, school and teacher communications. PARENTSQUARE replaced Blackboard in June 2022.
ParentSquare automatically generates an account for each parent/guardian, using your preferred email address or phone number, so you will receive communications from your school and the district. However, you must “activate” your account to use the two-way features of the tool.
By activating your account, you’ll be able to:
- Choose to receive information instantly or once a day at 6 p.m. (digest setting)
- Communicate in your preferred language
- Comment on school postings to engage in your school community
- Direct message teachers and staff with translation support
- Sign up for family-teacher conferences
- Sign forms and permission slips
- See calendar items
- Add events to your personal calendar.. and much more!
Follow the following link to a video on how to get started with Parent Square:
Have questions? Reach out to
Ms. Clara - Family Engagement Liaison
esparzavargascx@mukilteo.wednet.edu
425-366-3313
Safety at Olivia Park & Mukilteo School District
- All external school doors will be locked during the school day to the extent possible.
- Also, each staff member will wear their identification badge every day during work. This will help with identification. Visitors should always stop by office to get a visitor badge.
Thank you for keeping Olivia Park Elementary safe!
Darina Litvinchuk - English Language Specialist
Hello Olivia Park Families,
My name is Darina Litvinchuk, I am overjoyed to be joining the polar bears this upcoming school year. I have grown up within the Mukilteo School District and am blessed to continue my journey here as well. I immigrated to the states from Ukraine along with my great big family of eleven at the age of two. I hope to connect with families and bring my experiences to light when supporting our students, families, and staff.
I will primarily be work with our students who are second language learners as well as supporting all our wonderful teachers.
Excited for a wonderful year!Donna Riviera - Librarian
Hello OP Families- I am the new librarian! I am excited to help your child find new books to read this year and meet new authors! We have a fantastic collection of books in our library! I am always looking for help in the library, so if you are interested in volunteering, please contact me! I live in Snohomish with my husband and two sons. I enjoy kayaking, hiking, paddle boarding, traveling and reading! I LOVE meeting authors and bringing those experiences to students. Feel free to stop by the library and say hello!
Kelly Rozario - 5th Grade Teacher
Hello, OP Families! I'm so happy to join this sweet community as a new 5th grade teacher! For the last 5 years, I've been a 3-5 Title math and reading specialist just down the street at Challenger Elementary. I previously taught 4th and 5th grade in Oakland for 12 years. I moved here with my husband and twin 8 year-old boys to be closer to family and reconnect with my PNW roots. Besides teaching, I love to hike, cook and bake, read, dance, watch movies and play boardgames with my family. Please feel welcome to stop by P2 at anytime to say hello and see our kids in action!
Olivia Park Staff have been Busy Training for this year!
Join the PTA !!!
* We'd love for you to join us! Join the PTA by the online link or fill out the membership flyer if they need to use cash or check.
Online link: oliviaparkpta.memberplanet.com
STAY CONNECTED
Your Right to Know— Title I, Part A schools
Professional Qualifications of Teachers
Parents of children attending Title I, Part A schools have the right to request and receive information about the qualifications of the educators who teach students core subjects—reading, English language arts and mathematics.
At a minimum, the information given to you must explain these three essential components of an educator’s qualifications. Whether the student’s teacher–
1. Has met state qualification and licensing criteria for the grade levels and subject areas in which the teacher provides instruction.
2. Is teaching under emergency or other provisional status through which state qualification or licensing criteria have been waived.
3. Is teaching in the field of discipline of the certification of the teacher.
Qualifications of Paraprofessionals
Parents of children attending Title I, Part A schools have the right to request and receive information about the qualifications of the paraeducators who teach students in a core academic subject area.
Paraeducators must work under the supervision of a certified teacher. In schools that operate a schoolwide program, all paraprofessionals must have special qualifications. Schools that operate a Title I, Part A program must have a high school diploma or GED and completed the following:
1. Completed at least two years of study at an institution of higher education; or
2. Obtained an associate’s or higher degree; or
3. Meet a high standard of quality either through a) the ETS ParaPro Assessment; b) a paraeducator apprenticeship program approved by Washington State; or c) portfolio program.
Mukilteo School District Non-Discrimination Statement
Mukilteo School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: Civil Rights Coordinator and Title IX Coordinator Simone Neal (425-356-1319), nealsr@mukilteo.wednet.edu, Section 504 Coordinator Lisa Pitsch (425-356-1277), pitschla@mukilteo.wednet.edu, and the ADA/Access Coordinator Karen Mooseker (425-356-1330), moosekerkw@mukilteo.wednet.edu. Address: 9401 Sharon Drive in Everett, WA. Inquiries regarding ADA/Access issues at Sno-Isle TECH Skills Center should be directed to Wes Allen, Director (425-348-2220) allenwr@mukilteo.wednet.edu. Address: 9001 Airport Road in Everett, WA 98204.