News from your North Beach PTA
October 30, 2020
Dates to Remember
- Saturday, October 31: REVERSE Trick or Treat Parade for Ballard Food Bank- a North Beach Halloween Event! October 31st 10am-1pm!
- Tuesday, November 3: Election Day!
- November 9th - 20th: Herbie's Hearts Scavenger Hunt
- Monday, November 9: Principal Q&A hour, 7-8 p.m.
- Tuesday, November 10: PTA Meeting, 6:30 p.m. ALL ARE WELCOME
- Wednesday, November 11: Veteran's Day - No School
A Note from Our Principal
Hello North Beach families,
November 3 is Election Day. As your child’s principal, I want you to know that regardless of the outcome of the election, our teachers and staff care about our students and we strive to create a safe, respectful learning environment. As always, we want students to know we expect they show each other kindness and empathy. Teachers will continue to begin the day with a class community check-in.
This important election comes at a time that none of us could have imagined a year ago. We are navigating a pandemic and remote learning while working to uphold our values as a district and commitment to becoming an anti-racist organization. It is normal for election outcomes to cause some level of anxiety – this year is truly unprecedented. This is an unusual election season, and it may take longer than normal for the votes to be tallied. This may cause additional apprehension and stress for students and your family. Please take care of yourself and your loved ones. The district has provided links to health and wellness resources from trusted community partners. Common Sense Media has provided resources for families to use for support with K-5, Middle School and High School students. https://www.commonsensemedia.org/blog/easy-ways-to-steer-kids-through-the-political-season.
If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out directly to your child’s teacher or you can contact me at kemclane@seattleschools.org.
SPL Tutoring
Seattle Public Library has launched free virtual tutoring in a variety of subjects for K-12 students. This service will be available 7 days a week and help is available in math, writing, science, history, foreign languages, college essay writing, AP courses, and more. Sign up for Library Link using your SPS student ID and get access to thousands of free tutors today. Live English and Spanish tutors are available from 2 p.m to 10 p.m. daily. Vietnamese tutors are available from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. For more information, go to https://www.spl.org/programs-and-services/learning/student-success/virtual-tutoring.
Information Advisory Technology Committee
We all know what a big role technology is now playing in our students’ education. The school district is currently seeking members for the Information Technology Advisory Committee (ITAC). The ITAC application is open until Monday, November 9, 2020. Selected members will be notified by November 30.
ITAC serves as an advisory committee for IT recommendations and future funding planning. Providing expertise and input, the committee includes students, parents/guardians, community members, teachers, and staff.
ITAC members are asked to commit to join monthly meetings for one year. The committee is currently holding virtual meetings, which are open to the public, through Teams.
Read more and apply online: https://www.seattleschools.org/district/calendars/news/what_s_new/information_technology_advisory_committee.
Finally, if you have questions about remote learning timelines, district guidelines, technology or other items, please join me for a Principal Q&A hour on November 9 from 7-8 p.m.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Kristine McLane
Principal
North Beach Elementary
From the Office
If you haven’t already, please come pick up your yearbooks! We still have several yearbooks left in the office.
Please continue to send in your Emergency Contact/Release form as well as your Ferpa form. If you need hard copies mailed to you, contact sbbradley@seattleschools.org or cmhostetler@seattleschools.org
Emergency contact/release
Ferpa
https://www.seattleschools.org/UserFiles/Servers/Server_543/File/forms/ferpa/Ferpa_pk_english.pdf
Counselor's Corner
How to talk to kids about the election
Many of us may be feeling increasingly anxious as the election draws near. The added uncertainty in an already uncertain and challenging year can quickly feel overwhelming.
I am finding movement, breathing and appreciating the beauty of nature helpful and hope that you are taking a few minutes for self-care this week - doing whatever it is you find calming and comforting. If you are feeling stressed, there's a good chance that your child is picking up on that, even if you think you're masking it. This week I'm sharing an article from Healthline with some tips to help guide your discussions about the election. As always, please let me know if you have concerns about your child. I'm here to help. Reach me by e-mail at arreid@seattleschools.org or leave a message for me at (206) 252-1535. You can also check out the North Beach Counseling Website at: https://arreid7.wixsite.com/nbcc.
REVERSE Trick or Treat Parade for Ballard Food Bank- a North Beach Halloween Event! October 31st 10am-1pm!
On Saturday, October 31st join your fellow Seals for a socially distant Halloween Parade at Soundview Playfield, and help the Ballard Food Bank while you're at it!
Here's how it will work:
-It's a socially distanced Halloween Parade, culminating in the 90th street parking lot of Soundview Playfield, where you will have the option to drop off food a donation of any size (from a soup can to a cereal box to a whole grocery bag) to benefit our neighbors at Ballard Food Bank. Volunteers with trucks/big cars will be loading the donations on-site!
-Time slots by grade and a break between grade slots will help spread out the kids.
-Wear costumes if you like, and please make sure that your entire family has medically effective masks, so even if your costume includes a mask, please ensure there is mask that compiles with local mask mandates in place underneath. If you aren't trick or treating this year, or don't like to dress up, feel free to show up in your favorite purple shirt and show some North Beach Seal pride!
(NOTE: If you live within walking distance, please consider walking to keep parking available for families who need to drive.)
-Parade will loop in the walking area around the football field. Begin West near the Soundview Playfield playground entrance off of 90th Ave NW . There is a paved path along the playground area, past the tennis courts, pass the baseball fields, towards Whitman parking lot, and back towards the parking lot along the outside of the football fields at Soundview Playfield.
-As you approach the 90th Street Parking area of Soundview, look for a decorated vehicle to drop off your donation!
-Please try and stick to your child's grade's time slot to help spread out the flow of kids! If you have kids in multiple grades, pick the time that works best for your family.
Timeslots by Grade:
Preschool/Kindergarten: 10am-10:20am
1st Grade: 10:30-10:50am
2nd Grade: 11am-11:20am
3rd Grade: 11:30-11:50am
4th Grade: 12pm-12:20pm
5th Grade: 12:30pm-12:50pm
Please make sure and keep 6 feet of distance between your family and others and thanks for supporting our neighbors at the Ballard Food Bank. For food items currently most in need see their website: https://www.ballardfoodbank.org/donation-details
-If you have questions OR if you'd like to pitch in to help make this event a success, please contact Mary Balmaceda (1st and 4th grade parent) or Beth Carman (2nd grade parent) via Konstella!
HOST A HERBIE! Herbie’s Hearts Scavenger Hunt Nov 9th - 20th.
HOST A HERBIE!
Herbie’s Hearts Scavenger Hunt Nov 9th - 20th.
15 families will have the opportunity to host and decorate a Herbie sign to be displayed at their homes.
Choose which sign up zone best fits your family (please see map) and complete the Host a Herbie information.
Please note:
Signs must be visible from the road in front of your residence
Signs measure 18" x 24" and will be delivered 11/7 or 11/8
All decorations must be school appropriate
You agree to host a Herbie poster for the entirety of the Herbie's Hearts Scavenger Hunt
SIgn up to Host a Herbie! Click here to sign up to Host a Herbie!
What is The Herbie’s Hearts Scavenger Hunt?
Join North Beach Families as they hunt for Herbie’s Hearts! Using easy to follow clues North Beach families can roam our geozone searching for 15 numbered Herbie posters! Any and all participation wins a prize and one lucky student comes home with a 2020 Herbie stuffie!
Interested in Helping North Beach?
Donate Today: If now feels right for your family to donate click here to contribute now.
Take advantage of 2020 tax breaks and corporate matching
Your donation is 100% tax deductible.
Match Your Donation: Did you know that many Seattle employers match, double match, or even triple match charitable giving? Return your The Big Give donation receipt to your company to have matching funds donated to the PTA. CLICK HERE for more information on corporate matching.
For more information about the PTA and The Big Give click here.
Join the LGBTQIA+ Group!
North Beach PTA is thinking of starting a group to support Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex, and Asexual kids (LGBTQIA+) and their allies by planning fun activites and helping to ensure a welcoming environment at North Beach. If you have kids who would be interested in the group, or you would like to know more, please contact PTA board member and North Beach parent Joanna Braden at joannab@windermere.com. Thank you!
Important Flu Shot Clinic Updates
The flu clinic will NOT be held at North Beach Elementary School this year. Instead, there are 32 Drive-Thru Flu Shot Clinics currently in session. In addition to accepting all types of medical insurance, Seattle Visiting Nurse Association (VNA) are now offering flu shots free of charge for the uninsured. Please click the link below for more detailed information:
https://www.seattleschools.org/departments/health_services/flu_clinics
You may also click the below link to schedule an appointment at a location near you.
https://schedule.seattlevna.com/home/158debe5-7cec-ea11-a817-000d3a31a6ee
Note: The scheduling system is a bit tricky and will only allow one person to be scheduled at a given time. Please make additional appointments (in the next time slots) for each person getting a flu shot. You do not need to wait for the next scheduled appointments. They will administer all flu shots at the same time.
Join the PTA!
Make your voice heard! The NBE PTA provides advocacy and funding for our students. By joining the PTA you say YES to counselors, tutors, art supplies, classroom technology, library books, and more. JOIN TODAY and while you’re at it donate to the school supplies fund!
Join the PTA here!
North Beach PTA’s Grounding Principles
Black lives matter,
Science is real,
Women’s rights are human rights
No human is illegal,
Love is love,
Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere, and
Kindness is never wasted
Denunciation of White Supremacy & Hate Speech
We condemn and denounce white supremacy, hate speech and actions against ANY individual or group of people.
SPS Meal Distribution Program is for EVERYONE!
**This resource is for EVERYONE! Please come and try out the great lunch options**
Free lunch at North Beach Monday-Friday from 11:15 to 1:15! The food is picked up just inside the front doors. You can pick up sack breakfasts and lunches prepared by the SPS central kitchen. Because of social distancing health guidance, families and students may not stay at school to eat. Meals are available for all students, parents and guardians. The USDA has approved free meals for all families!
The program is offered to ALL SPS students AND their families. Community participation is encouraged. Breakfast, Lunch and often dinner items through FareStart are available. Nearby sites include: North Beach Elementary (at main entrance of school on 24th ave NW), Whittier Elementary (entrance on 13th ave NW at covered playground) and Adams Elementary (site on north side of school on NW 62nd). Your participation in these programs keeps them viable for others who rely on them and helps job security for our wonderful nutrition services employees.
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.
Join Seattle Special Education PTSA!
If you have been considering joining the Seattle Special Education PTSA, now is the time! Please visit their website and do it now. www.seattlespecialeducationptsa.org.
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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Get Creative with Mode Music and Performing Arts!
You get to decide what works best for you and your family! Here are some examples of what you could learn with MMPA this year:
- Intro to Rock Guitar - Ballet 101
- Hamilton Play Creation
- Harry Potter Scene Study
- Broadway Dance Party!
- Yoga 101 - ...and SO much more!
To see a full list of both live scheduled classes and our flexible pre-recorded classes, please visit modemusicandperformingarts.org/classes. You can register for classes on our website. Scholarship opportunities available upon request. If you or someone you know would like to partner with MMPA to bring our enrichment classes to your school, please email us via education@modemusicandperfprmingarts.org.
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
Illumination Learning Studio
Illumination Learning Studio provides After School Programs for children K-5. We provide transportation after school each day. This is an arts-focused educational program. Please visit our website for more information https://www.illuminationlearningstudio.com/.
Beachcomber Email
Article submissions for this newsletter are due by 5:00pm Wednesdays. Please send articles to beachcomber@northbeachpta.org
About North Beach Elementary
PTA website: northbeachelementary.org
School website: northbeaches.seattleschools.org
Email: beachcomber@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