Bulldog Newsletter
February 19th, 2021
Dear Bulldog Families,
Thank you to all the families that attended our Family Zoom session last night! If you missed it, we recorded the session and it is https://youtu.be/q52_8dPXJr0.
As we near our transition to deliver BOTH the hybrid model and fully remote model of instruction, we have been working hard to prepare classrooms to be safe and ready for your child(ren). Hopefully, you have had a chance to review the FWPS Hybrid Family Guide! It is available at https://www.fwps.org/Page/8030 and provides many details of our plan.
The deadline for confirming Hybrid or 100% Remote Model is today: February 19th
As a reminder, the deadline for confirming your selection OR changing your selection is TODAY....Friday, February 19th. While we will make every effort to keep teachers and students together, recognizing we must adhere to social distancing guidelines and class size limitations and respond to parents’ choice of the model and staff accommodation requests, we must rebalance classrooms. This means your child’s teacher may change. We recognize changes are not ideal, and we’re doing what we can to maintain continuity as much as possible and school staff will be supporting the transition.
Return to Campus Reminder: Complete Daily REQUIRED Health Screening (attestation) Before Sending Your Child to School
- One of the most important things to remember is that you will need to complete on online health screening every day before you send your child to school.
- This is one of the important ways we are partnering with families to ensure our campus is safe and healthy. It will ask you a few questions and to verify your child is fever-free. Please visit www.fwps.org/healthscreening for more information.
Important Health and Safety Measures
Here is a preview of some of the safety measures we are taking:
- Daily health screening attestation and temperature checks that must be completed every day for all staff and scholars before they enter the school building
- Masks will be required for all school staff and students; if a scholar does not comply and wear their mask, parent/guardian will be called to pick them up
- Scholars will arrive on a staggered schedule to promote social distancing: what this means is that scholars arriving by bus or by car will remain in their vehicles until waved in by a staff member.
- Social Distancing will be practiced in all areas and there will be regular handwashing throughout the day
- Visitors will not be allowed on campus in order to minimize the number of people on campus
Kindergarten Back to School
We know that the first day of in-person learning for Kindergarten students is a big day! It is also a very different kind of day in the light of our health and safety protocols. For this reason, we will not be able to have parents walk students onto campus or into the classroom. We know this is not ideal, but we want to remind those driving or walking their children to school that you will have to say your goodbyes at the parking lot. We will welcome your little one with a smile and do everything we can to ensure they are comfortable and make a smooth transition!
I will keep you informed along the way and thank you for your patience and grace as we prepare for return to in-person learning! Let’s continue to do our part in our community to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 by wearing a face covering, practicing social distancing and washing hands regularly.
Important Dates
- Feb 24: TAF @ Saghalie Middle School Info Night 5:30pm
- Feb 25: Scholar Voice 12pm
- Feb 25: Illahee Middle School Info Night 5pm
- Mar 8: Bell Time Change Starts
- Mar 8: New Hybrid/Remote Starts
- Mar 16: SBA Info Night 6:30pm
- Mar 25-26: Scholar-Led Conferences
- Mar 31: STEM Exploration Night 5-7pm
- April 5-9: No School - Spring Break
School to You
The last date for School to You deliveries will be February 22nd. Wednesday pick-ups will continue twice a month through the end of the school year.
For the week of 2/22/21:
- The Schoolwide Drive-Thru will be Wednesday, Feb. 24th, 9am-3pm.
- Grades Kinder-5th grade = PE supplies (jump ropes and cups)
Supply bins outside on Wednesday until 5:00pm
Illhee Middle School Info Night
Hello future braves and brave families!
Please join us on Thursday February 25th from 5pm – 6pm for a virtual welcome introduction to the Illahee Middle School program for incoming 6th graders. This will be an event for students and their families to meet some Illahee staff members, learn about classes/electives, clubs, sports, registration process, and time at the end to answer questions. If you can’t make it we will be sure to record the session and also provide your current elementary school counselors with the power point presentation so you may go over it at your convenience. We hope to see you there! Go Braves!
Zoom link: https://fwps.zoom.us/j/93194110391
TAF@Saghalie Middle School Planning Night (For incoming 6th Grade Scholars)
Parents of 5th Grade scholars, if you are interested in learning more about TAF@Saghalie as an option for your son/daughter for next year, please join our Middle School Planning Night on Feb 24th, 5:30- 6:30pm. See zoom link below.
Change in Immunization Law
Due to this change, in order for scholars to return to in-person instruction, they must provide documentation of proof of immunizations.
Our school nurse has been working hard to reach out to families of scholars who are currently non-compliant. Reminder letters have been sent out and calls are being made.
The school office has a list of scholars who are currently non-compliant, if you have a question regarding your child's immunizations we can help you with the information you gave us upon registration.
Silver Lake PTA
PTA Meetings:
- March 4th from 6-7pm
- May 6th from 6-7pm
- June 3rd from 6-7pm
Zoom link and passcode was sent via email, or you may request it from silverlakepta2016@gmail.com
Electronic way to sign up for PTA: https://mp.gg/hn5mm
Membership form attached below
Additional Events to be added soon!
Email: silverlakepta2016@gmail.com
Nominate Today!
Pause for P.A.W.s
Follow the link to nominate someone:
Because of You Award
Calling all scholars in grades 3-12: Nominate a staff member for the Because of You Award!
Students in grades 3-12 are invited to nominate any Federal Way Public Schools staff member in the district they believe has positively impacted them, their school, and/or their community for the “Because of You” award!
Students can fill out a nomination form on the district’s website at www.fwps.org/BecauseOfYou. All nomination forms are due by end of month.
Parent Zooms and Scholar Voice
What is Parent Advisory?
Parent Advisory is open to all Parents and Guardians of Silver Lake students. It is a chance to speak with Principal Ellenbecker about what is going well with our school, areas of improvement, new ideas, how things are going with distance learning, information about upcoming assessments, etc. Parent Advisory is an ongoing meeting and you are able to join when you can. Hope to see you there!
Parent Advisory Zoom Meeting Dates/Times:
March 4th, 8:00-8:30am
- March 18th, 4-4:30pm
Scholars have a chance to share ideas with the administration, as well! What do you feel is going well? What ideas/goals for our school do you want to share? Let us know, join us!
Scholar Voice Meeting Dates/Times:
- February 25th, 12-12:30pm
- March 11th, 12-12:30pm
- March 25th, 12-12:30pm
Zoom link for all Parent Zoom and Scholar Voice meetings will remain the same.
School Picture Deadline Extended to February 28th
All FWPS parents should have received emails with instructions for submitting your child's photo. If you have not received this email, or have questions about the instructions, please contact info@classactportraits.com.
Please review the instructions provided in the email and submit your child's photo by Sunday, February 28. For more information, please visit www.fwps.org.
Battle of the Books!
Mrs. Haines will be having office hours to help any scholars or staff who need assistance with registering a team or have questions, during her office hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Week A
Tuesday, 10:30 - 11:00 & 12:30 - 1:00
Thursday, 11:00 - 11:30 & 1:00 - 1:30
Week B
Tuesday, 10:30 - 11:00 & 12:30 - 1:00
Come by and we'll read some of the books, discuss them and do some practice questions.
Book List
1. Restart by Gordon Korman (IRLA: Orange)
2. Wishtree by Katherine Applegate (AR 4.2)
3. Mrs. Smith’s Spy School for Girls by Beth McMullen (IRLA: Orange)
4. Mac Undercover by Mac Barnett (IRLA: Black) Sasquatch Nominees
5. Small Spaces (Also YRC) by Katherine Arden (IRLA: Orange)
6. Bob by Wendy Mass (IRLA: Black)
7. The Season of Styx Malone by Kekla Magoon (IRLA: Orange)Otter Award
8. Mia Mayhem is a Superhero! by Kara West (IRLA: White)
9. Stealing the Sword by Wendy Mass (IRLA: White) YRC Nominees
10. Wings of Fire: The Dragonet Prophecy – by Tui T. Sutherland(IRLA: Orange)
11. A Boy Called Bat by Elana K. Arnold (IRLA: Black)
12. Stef Soto, Taco Queen by Jennifer Torres (IRLA: Orange)
Wednesday: Meal Pick-Ups! Now Expanded to 7-Days Meal Kits
Silver Lake has meal pick-up every Wednesday from 12:30 to 2:30 pm.
--Families are welcome to pick up meals at any FWPS pick-up location. Please drive thru the pick-up lane in front of the gym.
--Menu can be previewed at https://www.fwps.org/Page/351
--For times and locations, visit www.fwps.org/schoolmeals.
--If you have questions regarding school meals, please call 253-945-5561 or email nutrition@fwps.org.
Support
Grades, Attendance, Messages from Teachers
- Do you need to report an absence?
- Want to know how your child is doing on assignments?
- Need to connect with your child's teacher?
Use the link below to access the ParentVue!
You may also call the school to report the absence or email Rayna at rmeuer@fwps.org.
Kindergarten Registration Now Open!
The following documents are required at the time of registration:
Your child’s birth certificate
- Proof of your address (rental agreement, purchase agreement, or utility bill)
- Your child’s immunization records for measles, mumps, rubella, polio, diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, hepatitis B, and varicella (chickenpox)
If your child has life-threatening conditions such as allergies, asthma, diabetes, and seizure disorders, a meeting will be scheduled with the school nurse to confirm that all medications, medical supplies, and health care provider orders are in place prior to the first day of school
It is also suggested that parents provide:
- Two emergency contacts, including addresses and phone numbers
- Physician, dentist, and child care addresses and phone numbers
Stem Film Festival
Federal Way Public Schools is hosting the STEM Film Festival at the Fourth Annual STEM Exploration Night on March 31, 2021.
This is YOUR chance to be a "Film Producer” and enter for a chance for your film to be shown live at the event!
By March 15, 2021, and if you choose to participate, you need to do three things:
- Login to Canvas from Launchpad to Learning.
- Enter the Canvas "STEM Film Festival" course that will guide you through the steps to plan, create, and submit your "STEAM (STEM+ARTS)" 2-minute film.
- Ask a teacher to sponsor your project. This may be your classroom teacher or another teacher at your school who will be your mentor. You will submit their name with yours to start the process of entering and creating. If you have a question, ask your sponsor teacher as they can contact stemexpologin@fwps.org .
Don't have a camera at home? No worries! You do not need any additional equipment like cameras either as the video program you will use to edit has photos, video, and music for you to choose from.
Note: You may also choose to use a video editing program that is one you already use. More info is in the Canvas course.
If you have questions, please contact stemexpologin@fwps.org .
Scholars selected to be shown at the STEM EXPO will be notified no later than March 19th.
We look forward to seeing your masterpiece!
About Us
Email: aellenbecker@fwps.org
Website: https://www.fwps.org/silverlake
Location: 1310 Southwest 325th Place, Federal Way, WA, USA
Phone: 253-945-3900
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SilverLakeFWPS/
Twitter: @SilverLake_FWPS
Non-Discrimination Statement:
Federal Way Public Schools does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of race, color, national origin or ethnicity, religion, creed, sex or gender, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, age, marital or family status, veteran or military status, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal. The district provides equal access to the Boy Scouts of America and other designated youth groups.
If you have questions or complaints regarding alleged discrimination please email one of the coordinators listed below, or call the district office at 253-945-2000 and ask for one of the coordinators listed below.
Civil Rights Compliance Officer, Dan Dizon, compliance@fwps.org
Title IX Compliance Coordinator, Dan Dizon, titleix@fwps.org
504 Compliance Coordinator, Dr. Jennifer Westover, 504@fwps.org
ADA Compliance Coordinator, Janet Hodson, ADA@fwps.org