Tiger Tales
Newsletter #5 - September 15, 2023
· Language Access: Español | 简体中文 | Pусский | Tiếng Việt | 한국어 | العربية
Dear Families,
Our youngest Tigers started this past Monday, and we are a full house from preschool all the way to fifth grade. Our hallways and classrooms are brimming with brilliance, potential, and joy.
Thank you for taking time away from your evening to spend it with us on Curriculum Night! We hope you found the presentations informative and enjoyed opportunities to connect with friends and families. If you weren't able to attend, please reach out to your teachers for any presentation materials or other information. A recording of the principals' presentation along with the slides will be posted on the Medina website by next week.
During this event and all the occasions over the past few weeks, we have appreciated getting to know you and continue to look forward to hearing your stories.
With admiration,
Betty and Kati
Upcoming Events
September 18- Hearing Screening for K-2 students (Grades 3-5 will be at a later date)
September 27 - Pastries with Principals, Library, 8:15-9:30am
October 6 - School Picture Day
October 13 - No school for students, Professional Development Day for teachers
October 14 - BSF Block Party, Bellevue Downtown Park, 11am-4pm
November 10 - No school, Veteran's Day
November 20, 21, 29 - Elementary Conference Days, early release for students
November 23, 24 - No school, Thanksgiving
December 20 - January 1 - No school, winter break
Important Reminders during Arrival and Dismissal
We are still noticing a big backup of traffic surrounding our parking lots. Please adhere to these expectations so that we have a smooth and efficient system in the mornings and afternoons.
For ARRIVALS:
- Before 8:00am, please remind students to go to their designated entrance areas.
- After 8:00am, all students should go through the main front entrance.
- Please do not drop off your student before 7:45am. We do not have staff supervision before 7:45am.
- If you are in the car loop, please do not leave your car. Pull all the way forward and your student will meet you. Please do not pause, try to look for your kid, and then wait for your kid to come to you. We need to keep the car loop moving. What takes a minute for each car adds up to stalled traffic in the neighborhood. Having car signs with your kids' names helps us connect your kid to your car, and our GSAs and teachers are getting really good at matching car to student.
Early Release Wednesdays
School ends at 12:20pm every Wednesday. Please make sure to let your child(ren) know how they will get home if you have a different arrangement on Wednesdays. Since traffic can get congested around that time, please plan for enough time to pick them up as soon as they are dismissed. Our staff have meetings soon after and there is limited staff to supervise students who are not picked up in time. Thank you in advance for your help.
Fire Drill Practice
Near the end of next week, our school will be conducting a required Fire Drill Evacuation. Students and staff will be practicing the procedures for a safe and orderly evacuation from the school to the field. The fire drill should last less than 30 minutes. Please expect to hear the fire alarm in the building for this scheduled drill.
Kitchen Assistant Needed
Due to the increased enrollment at our school, Nutrition Services is looking to hire a kitchen assistant to support our lunches. To learn more and to apply, please click on the link https://bsd405.tedk12.com/hire/ViewJob.aspx?JobID=5696. Please join our Staff Family!
BSD Texting App "Talking Points" to Use New Phone Numbers
The BSD texting app, "Talking Points," will utilize new phone numbers this year. Bellevue School staff use Talking Points to send SMS text messages to families. Our vendor has let us know that this school year, the sender’s phone number will appear different to families than in the past. This means that when you receive a text from staff, it will appear to be a new sending number. If you attempt to reply to an old number, you will receive a reminder that the number has been re-assigned. We apologize for any confusion this may create. You will continue to receive all texts from BSD staff, but you may notice a new phone number.
Mental Health Resources for Families
Did you know that the BSD website contains a Mental Health Services section, which includes mental health resources for students and families? School administrators worked in partnership with support staff to strategize, align and provide access to this information in a user-friendly manner, to support students and families. Students and families are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the content to better understand mental health topics including anxiety, depression, eating disorders, substance abuse and suicide prevention. Students and families are encouraged to reach out to school counselors and MHAT counselors for additional mental health support.
Learn about mental health topics and access support resources.
Bellevue Special Needs PTA Meet and Greet
Bellevue Special Needs PTAinvites families to attend their Meet and Greet on Saturday, September 23, at Crossroads Park. Learn how the Special Needs PTA promotes advocacy and education and empowers families. Meet families and share stories. Learn from the journeys of those who have parented students with 504 plans and IEPs. The event is open to all, and snacks will be provided!
Date: Saturday, September 23, 2023
Time: 10 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Location:Crossroads Park, southwest pavilions
Address: 16000 NE 10th St, Bellevue, WA 98008
View more information in the program flyer.
Power Truths: Understanding Our Bias to Build a Better Future
Monday, Sept. 18
1 p.m. PT
Free webinar
It can be tempting to think of our children as “colorblind." After all, they’re so young and innocent, what could they possibly understand about a complex issue like racism? It turns out… a lot.
Join ParentMap for this essential ParentEd Talks event with Khalil Gibran Muhammad, Ph.D., one of the nation’s leading scholars on race.
Learn how to:
- Spot the signs of bias in yourself and others
- Educate your children on race and racism in an age-appropriate way
- Teach your family the tools they need to overcome their own and others’ biases
- Advocate for anti-bias education in your community
About the speaker
Khalil Gibran Muhammad, Ph.D., is the Ford Foundation Professor of History, Race and Public Policy at Harvard Kennedy School and the director of the Institutional Antiracism and Accountability Project. He is the cohost of the popular “Some of My Best Friends Are ...” podcast.
The Math Agency Seeking Volunteer Math Coaches
The Math Agency is looking for adult volunteers to serve as math coaches to support the Stevenson and Lake Hills Elementary Math Agency programs. The Math Agency will provide all training and support volunteers to be successful coaches. No previous coaching experience is required — just an enjoyment of math! Your fundamental role is to provide motivation and adult guidance for students. Time commitment can vary from two to ten hours a week.
Learn more and apply on The Math Agency website. Contact Rachel Mateo rachel.mateo@themathagency.com to learn more.
Estamos buscando voluntarios para apoyar el programa de Math Agency de Stevenson y Lake Hills como entrenadores de matemáticas. The Math Agency le brindará toda la capacitación y el apoyo que necesita para ser un entrenador exitoso: no se requiere experiencia previa; ¡lo único que te pedimos es que disfrutes de las matemáticas! Tu papel fundamental es proporcionar motivación y orientación adulta a los estudiantes. El compromiso de tiempo puede variar de dos a diez horas a la semana.
Puede obtener más información en el sitio web de The Math Agency. Puede presentar su solicitud en línea o comunicarse directamente con Rachel Mateo en rachel.mateo@themathagency.com.
Bellevue 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 a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts of America and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination:
Civil Rights, Racial Discrimination, and Gender Expression or Identity Discrimination:
Civil Rights/Nondiscrimination Compliance Coordinator Nancy Pham, (425) 456-4040 or phamn@bsd405.org
Sex-based Discrimination, including Sexual Harassment:
Title IX Coordinator: Jeff Lowell, (425) 456-4010 or lowellj@bsd405.org
Disability Discrimination:
Section 504/ADA Coordinator: Heather Edlund, (425) 456-4156 or edlundh@bsd405.org
Mailing address for all three: 12111 NE 1st Street, Bellevue, WA 98005.