News from your North Beach PTA
October 22, 2021
Dates to Remember
- Sunday, October 31: 2-3:30pm NB Costume Parade and Food Drive @ Soundview Park
- Tuesday, November 2: Last day to Vote
- Thursday, November 11: Veterans Day - no school
- November 22 - 26: Teacher/Parent conference & Thanksgiving Holiday - no school
North Beach Multicultural calendar - October
During October the North Beach community celebrates the following multicultural groups. We will highlight resources and opportunities to learn more about these groups during the month.
- Disability History and Awareness Month
- Dyslexia Awareness Month
- Filipino American History Month
- Indigenous People's Day (Oct 11)
Latinx Heritage Month (Spt 15- Oct 15)
LGBTQ History Month
A Note From our Principal
October 22, 2021
Dear North Beach Families:
Yesterday we participated in the annual Great ShakeOut earthquake preparedness day. We held an evacuation drill and followed it with going over how to respond if there is an earthquake while school is in session with students. The students did an excellent job with the evacuation drill. After last month’s actual fire alarm incident and our unexpected evacuation, we determined some areas we needed to improve on. Today the teachers and students showed they are well prepared in the event we have another incident necessitating building evacuation.
This week we also implemented our indoor lunch eating plan because of inclement weather. The students did an excellent job following directions to maintain safety while eating inside.
There have been some changes to how covid symptoms are being treated. These new charts/protocols are giving us a bit more flexibility. https://www.doh.wa.gov/Portals/1/Documents/1600/coronavirus/820-229-SymptomDecisionTreeCTChecklistSchools.pdf https://www.seattleschools.org/news/covid-19-symptoms/
Good news! We are now set up to monitor Covid testing at school. To give you a little insight, we won’t actually be giving the tests. We are here as monitors and information gatherers. The students/parents will actually be doing the swabbing and we will collect the samples and send them to the labs. We still don’t know exactly how long these results will take to obtain so we highly recommend those who can, continue to either go to local area test sights for free testing, or do the home tests.
Finally, we’ve learned that bus Route 726 should be reinstated within the next week. Families should be receiving communication soon regarding when the route will be started up again.
There were no COVID-19 notification letters sent out this week.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Kristine McLane
Principal
From the Office
Student picture day is here!
Student picture day will be held at North Beach on Monday, November 8th. Information will be coming out from teachers about what time your student’s class will have their turn. Information about ordering will also be coming home in the near future.
We need some parent help to make sure picture day goes smoothly. Sign up to volunteer here.
Sunday Oct 31st - Costume Parade & Fall Food Drive - volunteers needed
October 31st, 2-3:30pm @ Soundview Park
We need volunteers to help make this event a success!
Sign up here for these volunteer roles
- Parade and food drive volunteers
- Donate the use of a pop up tent for the event
- Help drive good donations to the Food Bank
Parade times*
Preschool - 2nd grade
2-2:20 pm = drop off donations, gather for parade.
2:20- 2:40 = Parade around Soundview.
3rd - 5th grade
2:50 -3:10 pm = drop off donations, gather for parade.
3:10- 3:30 = Parade around Soundview.
* Multiple kids that span both segments? Pick the cohort that works best for you!
** Not feeling like dressing in costume? No problem! Costumes are optional!
Food Drive: Donations will go to the Ballard Food Bank! Drop off food at the Soundview Parking lot along 90th St. Look for a tent and/or a decorated pickup! Food items currently most in need include soups, chili, cereal boxes, juice boxes, shelf stable milks, mac'n'cheese, and granola bars. For more details see their website: Donation Details | Ballard Food Bank
Parade: We will gather and walk around the lower park starting from the playground, very similar to what we did last year! Please make sure that your entire family is wearing medically effective masks.
If you don't have time to parade, but still would like to donate items from your pantry, feel free to drive through the parking lot and drop off your donations on the fly anytime between 2-3:30 pm!
Questions? Email Communications@northbeachpta.org
FROM the PTA
Free PTA Memberships still available!!!
We are about to submit our membership roster to the State PTA and would love to have your name on the list. You can SIGN UP HERE and become a voting member of our PTA. We're working hard to reboot our community after 18 challenging months. We'd love to have your voice. Scholarships are available for both families and teachers.
We did it! All the outdoor lunchtime seats are fully funded!
Thank you!!
Is your child interested in the 5th (& 4th) Grade Leadership Team?
Help us get this program re-started!
North Beach Elementary has a long tradition of providing leadership opportunities to our upper grade students. In the past, this has been just a 5th grade activity, but seeing that 4th & 5th grade classes are combined, we're open to this being an opportunity for all our upper grade students.
Previously, this group of student leaders has led volunteer work in the community and around the school, supported school spirit and school safety, helped create and launch new activities that matter to them, and raise up the student voice and needs within the school.
(There is no "application" process for this leadership group, only the request that students would be involved to the best of their ability. Space would only be limited based on the amount of adult volunteers.)
FYI - We are still figuring out how this group could work considering COVID precautions, so adult volunteers' first job would be working with school staff to understand constraints etc.
From the Library
Are you looking for a great way to celebrate your child’s birthday this year? If so, the North Beach Birthday Book Club may be the answer!
The celebration includes:
- A special label with your child’s name on the inside cover of the donated book(s).
- The student presents the book to their class and gets first check-out.
- All birthday books are placed on a special shelf in the library for students to access anytime.
All you need to do is purchase the book from our wish list and complete the birthday book online form. Complete details are listed on the North Beach PTA website in the Birthday Book Club section.
Vote by November 2!
This election is happening in what is called an off year - but what is on this ballot very much affects our day to day lives! We are electing a new mayor, county board members, city council members, and three new school board members.
There are three school board seats on this year's ballot - and you will vote for all 3. The Seattle School District is further divided by area into 7 districts, and only people in the smaller district vote in the primary. In the general election, everybody in the whole school district votes. Learn about the candidates here!
Ballots are in the mail, and you should receive yours soon. Check on your registration.
Filipino American History Month
Books
“Cora Cooks Pancit” by Corina K. Lazo Gilmore
“Filipinos in Puget Sound” by Dorothy Laigo Cordova
“Jack and Agyu” by Justine Villanueva
“Pedro’s Yo-yos: How a Filipino Immigrant Came to America and Changed the World of Toys” by Roberto Penas
Podcasts
This Filipino American Life Podcast that explores the nuanced experiences of Filipinos in the U.S.
Phlavor Profiles Podcast about the Filipino American experience through food.
Museum
October is Disability History & Awareness Month
Disability History and Awareness Month takes place during October to increase awareness, respect, and acceptance for people with disabilities, and to bring a greater sense of pride to people with disabilities. Check out these websites and resources:
A Brief History of the Disability Rights Movement
Rooted in Rights - Rooted in Rights uses accessible digital media to advance the dignity, equality, and self-determination of people with disabilities.
National Parks Disability History
Be an ally - recommendations on how to practice effective “allyship”.
Amazing by Steve Antony
You are invited to join a free online event presented by the PTSA.
A Community Conversation About Inclusion Tickets, Tue, Oct 26, 2021 at 7:00 PM | Eventbrite
Eventbrite - Seattle Special Education PTSA presents A Community Conversation About Inclusion - Tuesday, October 26, 2021 - Find event and ticket information.
School Musical Production Team
Are you interested in helping plan the 2022 spring musical? We have no idea what the musical will look like, but it is time to start figuring it out! Join the team planning how to make this fun tradition happen this year, email: nbschoolmusical@gmail.com
School Board Meetings are online!
Attending School Board Meetings no longer requires driving and parking downtown! The board meets for regular meetings twice a month, and special meetings throughout the month. Reopening plans, construction projects, curriculum - decisions are discussed and made. Email klabelle@gmail.com to learn more about attending a meeting to help us track what is happening. You can find out more here.
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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Ballard’s Oldest Cub Scout Pack Now Recruiting
Cub Scout Pack 100, operating since 1938 and chartered by Ballard’s Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, is now recruiting boys, girls, and parents for 2021-2022. Become a new Scout now!
Boys and Girls from first through fifth grade are invited to join Pack 100 and begin their quest to build the world’s fastest Pinewood Derby car, to have fun outside, to participate in service opportunities, and to earn special recognitions and awards.
Cub Scouting means "doing." Everything in Cub Scouting is designed to have the Cub Scouts participating in fun activities used to achieve the aims of Scouting—character development, leadership development, citizenship training, and personal fitness. When asked what she enjoys about scouting, one of our 1st grade Cub Scouts said “I love to go on adventures and be in nature!”
For more information, visit http://www.pack100ballard.com/, or send an email to join@pack100ballard.com.
School Programs
Boys & Girls Club
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
Washington Karate After School Program
Transportation is available up to five days per week from select Seattle Schools and the dojo is located conveniently near the Greenwood Fred Meyer. Students have snack and homework time and a one hour karate class, where they learn skills and discipline. For more details visit www.washingtonkarate.com or call (206)784-3171.
“The Washington Karate program is an excellent way for children to develop physical, mental, and emotional well-being.” ~Dr. Thomas Staiger, Medical Director, UW Medical Center.
Beachcomber Email
Article submissions for this newsletter are due by 5:00pm Wednesdays. Please send articles to communications@northbeachpta.org.
About North Beach Elementary
PTA website: northbeachelementary.org
School website: northbeaches.seattleschools.org
Email: communications@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