News from your North Beach PTA
December 13, 2019
Dates to Remember
- December 16-20: Sprit Week
- December 23 - January 3: Winter Break - NO SCHOOL
- Tuesday, January 14: PTA General Meeting, 6:30 - 7:00 p.m. and Parent Education: Birds & Bees author/speaker, Bonnie J. Rough, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
- Friday, January 24: We Are Family dance, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
A Note from Our Principal
Dear North Beach Families and Community,
At this morning’s Coffee with the Principal I shared information about our yearlong staff professional development plan. Our Building Leadership Team develops the plan each year to support our school improvement plan.
Every year we are required to facilitate a lockdown drill. A lockdown is the process of protecting students and staff from external and internal dangers. A lockdown is used when there is an immediate threat of violence in, or immediately around, the school. We will be conducting this drill after school next Wednesday. We have chosen to conduct our lockdown drills when students aren’t present due to the stress that this type of drill can cause for students. If you have any questions about the drill, please feel free to contact me.
You should have received your child's report card this week. Please remember to remove the contents, sign the envelope and return it to school. If you have any questions, please contact your child's teacher.
I am looking forward to Spirit Week next week, led by our 5th Grade Leadership team. They have planned a fun week for students to dress up and build community at North Beach. If you can visit the school, look for the decorated seals contributed by students around the school.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Kristine McLane, kemclane@seattleschools.org
Principal, North Beach Elementary
206-252-1510
From the Office
Lost and found is going to the Goodwill next week. It will be taken on Wednesday. It is now sitting in the front hallway so take a moment to browse next time you are in.
Sarah & Carolyn
Counselor’s Corner
This week I'm sharing a helpful article on simple ways to reduce stress for your kids (and, thus, you!) during this busy time of year. My number one take away is that it's okay to say, "no" to invitations and to the kids!
In addition to the tips below, you can encourage your kids to practice taking "meta-moments" when they're feeling stressed or tired or just because.
7 Ways to Reduce Your Child's Holiday Stress
Think the holidays are stressful for you? They can be just as bad for your kid. These strategies can help keep your child calm.
By Tamekia Reece, from Parents Magazine
The holiday season is all about fun and enjoying family—but the constant hustle and bustle can be just as nerve-wracking for kids as it is for adults. These expert tips can help decrease your child's stress and make this time merrier for everyone.
For starters, it's important to recognize if your child is stressed. Charlotte Reznick, Ph.D., author of The Power of Your Child's Imagination: How to Transform Stress and Anxiety into Joy and Success, says some signs of holiday stress may include:
increased irritability or anger
clinginess
more crying, whining, or complaining
sleep troubles (or sleeping too much)
physical symptoms like headaches and stomachaches
more or less eating
isolation and/or refusal to participate in activities
regressive behavior such as bedwetting or thumbsucking
To Reduce the Stress:
1. Stick to routines
We know things are crazy. You're going to this and that place to shop for gifts, attending parties, meeting Santa, planning meals and cooking, and possibly traveling to be with loved ones (or doing the hosting in your own home). But do your best to maintain some consistency. Children experience comfort through a routine, so as much as possible, stick to the same nap times, mealtimes, and bedtimes that are usual for your child, says Jared Heathman, M.D., a child psychiatrist at Your Family Psychiatrist in Cypress, Texas.
2. Give a heads up
Once you've figured out the family's plan for the day, provide your child with a schedule. "Older children can read times on a simple list, but young children can benefit from a picture schedule indicating what order they'll be asked to do certain things," says Celeste Coffman, a Licensed
Professional Counselor in Florence, Alabama. If you prefer not to create an actual schedule, it's still a good idea to let your child know in advance when specific things will happen. For instance, explain that the family will watch a favorite holiday movie after dinner. Or let her know the two of you will wrap Dad's gifts in the morning after he goes to work. "Simply being in the loop to prepare for what's coming is a huge stress reliever for children," Coffman says.
3. Schedule in downtime
When coming up with your day's events, pencil in some downtime. "Even a 15- to 30-minute break can help kids recharge and decrease the likelihood of emotional or behavioral problems later on," says Zachary Adams, Ph.D., a pediatric clinical psychologist at Riley Hospital for
Children at Indiana University Health, in Indianapolis. So set aside time to read, play games, talk, or even laze around with electronics. If you notice your child's anxiety building during other times of the day, let her take an impromptu break. Coffman says it's a good idea to explain
to your child beforehand that if she becomes overwhelmed, she can find a quiet room, take deep breaths, ask you to talk outside, or listen to music in headphones to help her feel better.
4. Let your child vent
Give your child permission to come to you if he needs to get something off his chest—even if it's only to complain about how Aunt Maddie keeps pinching his cheeks. Paper and pen (or crayon) also come in handy. "Give your child paper to draw or write about whatever is making him feel sad, mad, or upset," Dr. Reznick says. Allowing your child to express his feelings gives him a chance to release them, and labeling the emotion ("You feel sad because Uncle Johnny is away at the military") can help your child better understand what he's feeling.
5. Work up a sweat
Exercise causes the brain to release endorphins, the body's feel-good chemicals, which can reduce stress, Dr. Reznick says. So make sure your kids get lots of physical activity during the day, whether that's going for a walk, playing in the snow, or putting on music and dancing around the house.
Don't forget the exercise when you're traveling. If your child is expected to be in the car for more than two hours (or even less for younger kids), Coffman suggests incorporating a hearty dose of physical activity at intervals throughout the day. "For example, jump on a mini-trampoline before leaving, play a game of tag at a rest area, and lead the family in jumping jacks when you stop for gas," she says. Letting your child stretch her legs and burn off some energy can keep crankiness at bay.
6. Just say "no"
A major way to tame some of the craziness associated with the holidays is to skip out on some activities, Dr. Reznick says. You don't have to attend every gathering, and you and your kids don't have to see every single member of your family. Another option is to not drag your child along all the time. You and your spouse can take turns running errands while the other watches the kids. Or you could ask a family member or hire a sitter (use one your children already know; introducing a new one during this hectic time can cause even more stress).
7. Keep yourself in check
"Children of all ages look to their parents for cues about how they should think, feel, and act," says Dr. Adams. So make sure you manage your own stress. "Parents need downtime during the holidays just like children, so carve out some time, even if only a few minutes, to do
something calming or enjoyable for yourself," Dr. Adams says. Setting plans and making lists can help break down overwhelming holiday tasks into less stressful, more manageable ones, he adds. Also, practice healthy coping skills, such as writing in a journal, meditating, exercising,
or talking to a supportive family member or friend. Another tension-reliever is to simply enjoy the holidays. Take in the lights, sing some carols, and smell the wonderful aromas, Dr. Heathman says. Soaking in the holiday cheer can make the season more enjoyable for you and your child.
Winter Enrichment Program Registration is Now Open!
Sign-up for some great after school activities. Check out the options below and go to 6crickets for further details and registration.https://www.6crickets.com/schools/US/WA/Seattle/North-Beach-Elementary/4722?refer&school=4722&utm_medium=school&utm_source=schools&include_sold_out=&address=seattle,%20wa,%20US#programs
Monday
Yoga (3-5) | 2:30pm – 3:30pm
Tuesday
North Beach Chess Club (K-5) | 2:25pm – 3:30pm
Sing Along with Mode (K-2) | 2:25pm – 3:55pm
Wednesday
Creative Coding: Level Up! (3-5) | 1:10pm – 2:40pm
Yoga (3-5) | 1:10pm – 2:10pm
Thursday
Outdoor Wilderness (K-5) |2:25pm – 4pm
North Beach DebateAble Club (4-5) | 2:30pm – 3:30pm
Rainy Day Dinner Club (1-5) |2:25pm – 4:05pm
Art with Andrew (K-5) |2:30pm – 3:30pm
Friday
Spanish by Sponge Language Institute (K-5) | 2:25pm – 3:25pm
Creative Coding: Junior Coding (1-2) | 2:25pm – 4pm
Intro to STEM with LEGO® Materials (K-3) | 2:30pm – 4pm
5th Grade Leadership Presents... Sprit Week 2019 December 16-20
5th Grade Leadership Presents...
Sprit Week 2019 December 16-20
Building Community: We Are Family
Dress Up Days
Monday: Sports
Tuesday: Dress up as what you want to be when you grow up or your idol
Wednesday: Hat (may need to be taken off during class time)
Thursday: Pajamas
Friday: Tie dye or other bright funky colors
Please note: Dress up days should have no cost to do, please use what you have on hand.
Grab your Brown Bear Car Wash Tickets and Support the 5th Grade Annual Camp Fundraising
The 5th grade annual camp fundraising is in full swing and it's time to buy Brown Bear Car Wash tickets! Each ticket sold raises money to help cover costs of 5th grade camp this spring.
- $10 / ticket for a "Beary Clean Car Wash" at any Brown Bear location
- Perfect for holiday gifts, stockings, friends/family/neighbors/co-workers etc.
To purchase, contact Jen Osborn: jenosborn0@gmail.com.
Tuesday, January 14th 6:30-7:00 PTA General Meeting 7:00-8:30 Parent Education Evening / Secret Garden will have books for sale at the event
Tuesday, January 14th
6:30-7:00 PTA General Meeting
7:00-8:30 Parent Education Evening / Secret Garden will have books for sale at the event
Beyond Birds and Bees: Bringing Home a New Message to
Our Kids about Sex, Love, and Equality
Now that the #MeToo movement and current events have parents and educators asking how best to raise young people with healthy, positive, shame-free and egalitarian attitudes about bodies, gender, sex, and relationships, Bonnie J. Rough, author of Beyond Birds and Bees: Bringing Home a New Message to Our Kids About Sex, Love, and Equality, will share the practical lessons she learned as a parent and journalist when she took a close look at the world-famous Dutch approach to sex education, instrumental in producing one of the most sexually healthy and gender-equal societies on the globe. With immediate takeaways for PreK-6 parents/caregivers and time for sharing and questions, this event will show how we can make the most of—and enjoy—life’s many opportunities to change the conversation with our kids as we empower them to build a more equitable and inclusive future.
About Bonnie J. Rough and Beyond Birds & Bees
Bonnie J. Rough is an American author, journalist, and speaker focusing on families, health, education, parenting and sexuality. Her latest book is Beyond Birds & Bees: Bringing Home a New Message to Our Kids about Sex, Love, and Equality, described as “a groundbreaking inquiry into how we teach our children about bodies, sex, relationships, and equality—with revelatory, practical takeaways from the world-famous Dutch approach.” Since its August 2018 release, Beyond Birds and Bees has seen coverage in many national, international, and regional outlets including The New York Times, Washington Post, Salon, Huffington Post, The Establishment, Chicago Tribune, Good Morning Washington, New York Public Radio, Wisconsin Public Radio, North Texas Public Radio, KUOW Seattle, King 5 TV News, New Day Northwest, and many other podcasts and media outlets. Bonnie has written recently for the New York Times on teaching young children about boundaries and consent as well as the value of childhood crushes, for The Atlantic on both the link between sex ed and gender equality and the case for comprehensive sex ed, for The Cut on raising kids without sexual shame, and for the Washington Post on gender and sex ed and how straight parents can raise kids to be allies with the LGBTQ+ community. Her previous books are The Girls, Alone and Carrier, winner of a 2011 Minnesota Book Award. Learn more at www.bonniejrough.com.
"We Are Family" Annual Auction Coming on Saturday, February 8, 2020!
It’s time to prepare for our annual auction event, to take place on Saturday, February 8, 2020 at the Nordic Museum in Ballard. At North Beach Elementary, “We Are Family” and celebrate the strong commitment made by parents, teachers, neighbors, and our community to support the education of our children.
Year after year, North Beach’s PTA auction raises vital funds to help supplement the deficit of state funding for our school. What we raise during the auction will go toward the PTA’s general fund, which covers things like counseling, technology, tutors, author visits, teacher mini-grants, and so much more. These programs—which inspire our children today—help our children explore who they are right now and think about who they want to become tomorrow.
We are aiming for 100% participation from our school community for this event. It is one of the three main fundraising programs for North Beach—bringing in a large portion of PTA funding for important programs for our children. What’s more, it’s great fun—a hallmark of our friendly and very special community.
Here’s where we could use your help:
● Procure or donate an item! We are in need of restaurant gift certificates, gift cards of any value, pro sports team tickets, frequent flier miles, bottles of wine valued at $20 or more, desserts, and silent auction items valued at $150 or higher. If every family drums up just 1-2 donations, this auction is in the bag! Donate online at https://northbeachelementary.ejoinme.org/auction2020-procure.
● Attend the auction! Grandparents, neighbors, friends are invited, too. Buy tickets at https://northbeachelementary.ejoinme.org/auction2020-tickets.
● Sponsor the auction! If you are a business owner and would like to financially support the auction while advertising your business, we’d delight in your sponsorship. We have several sponsorship levels available, all of which offer great exposure to our community of families who attend North Beach as well as the auction. Complete the sponsorship form online at https://northbeachelementary.ejoinme.org/auction2020-sponsor.
● Host a table at the auction! Gather a group of other parents from your child’s classroom or from your block. The opportunities for bonding as you dine and bid together on auction night are priceless. Buy tickets for your table at https://northbeachelementary.ejoinme.org/auction2020-tickets.
● Volunteer at another school’s auction! We partner with several nearby schools for auction night staffing. Other schools send parents to help run our event, and we in turn need 20-25 volunteers to sign up to run one of the other schools’ auctions. Our Volunteer Coordinator will be sending out more information about this soon.
Tickets are on sale now! Tickets include: appetizers, dinner, beer, wine, specialty cocktails and an evening you will never forget. We offer multiple ticket prices to suit your budget. https://northbeachelementary.ejoinme.org/auction2020-tickets.
You may also donate an extra ticket for a teacher or parent in need. Please pay what works best for you, and/or contact one of the auction co-chairs at auction@northbeachpta.org if you wish to receive a donated ticket. It’s more important to the auction committee that this is an inclusive North Beach community event and we hope everyone will be able to attend!
We encourage you to dress up in the spirit of this year's auction theme: We are Family! Bring back the 70s by donning bell-bottoms, go-go boots, psychedelic prints, jumpsuits, wide collared shirts, and shades—the options are unlimited!
On behalf of the auction committee and the PTA, thank you for your top-notch support of North Beach Elementary students and staff!
Peggi Fu and Sara Easterly
Auction Co-Chairs
PTA Spotlight on Volunteers
A big thank you to all the families who donated to the Giving Tree! We are going to help many people in our community have a happy holiday season.
Would You Like to Help North Beach Get a District-Funded Counselor?
The school board is currently working on its budget for next year. North Beach is one of many elementary schools that does not have a district-funded counselor. We are looking for parents to help us persuade the school board to pay for a counselor for our school. (Currently, your donations to the PTA pay for the counselor.) If you’d like to help by writing letters to the school board or by appearing at a school board meeting, please contact me (Suzanne Hurley) at president@northbeachpta.org for more information. Personal stories of how having a counselor at the school has helped you family could have a big impact.
How to Speak at a School Board Meeting
The first regular school board meeting with the new board members will be on Wednesday, December 11, starting at 4:30pm, at the John Stanford Center. Public testimony begins at 5:30pm. The agenda for the meeting will be available on the SPS website on Friday, December 6. If you would like to speak to the board, here’s the process: email boardagenda@seattleschools.org or call 206-252-0040 between Monday, December 9, at 8am, and Tuesday, December 10, at noon, and provide your name, contact information, and topic you would like to address. Only 25 adults will be allotted time to address the board. All children who ask will be included. Children may speak for the entire two minutes, or after speaking for 30 seconds, they made cede their remaining time to a parent. If you would like to speak on an issue and this sounds too complicated, please contact me (Suzanne Hurley) at president@northbeachpta.org, and I’ll walk you through the steps. We will also have some advocacy training in the new year.
Yearbook Volunteers Needed
We need one Lead Editor (Looking for someone who is willing to commit for 2-3 years - you will shadow the outgoing editor) and a Classroom Editor for each room (that’s 21 volunteers) to help bring the yearbook together. Sign up on Konstella at https://www.konstella.com/cd/kwOOxf
If you have any questions about what’s involved please contact Phillipa at phillipasara@gmail.com
SPS Special Education Family Newsletter
To keep informed on information, resources, and news regarding Special Education please sign up to receive the SPS Special Education Family Newsletter at:
Global Reading Challenge for 4th & 5th graders!
Dear 4th & 5th Grade Families! It's time for the 2020 Global Reading Challenge! All 4th and 5th graders are invited to participate in this fun 3 month event that encourages students to work in teams reading a selection of 10 books. Teams then compete with other teams in a book trivia challenge. For more details on this fun event and how to have your student sign-up, please see visit the external here. To see the complete list of books, click here.
If you have any questions, please contact Librarian, Luci Bakker labakker@seattleschools.org.
New Car Seat Law - Effective January 1, 2020
A new car seat law goes into effect in WA on Jan 1,2020. Here is a link to a good breakdown of the new law:
https://wereparents.com/washington-state-car-seat-laws-2019/
The biggest change is that any child under 4'9" will need to be in a booster seat effective 1/1/20. Please check your child's total height as this may mean some kids going back into booster seats.
Morning Drop Off and Afternoon Pick Up
Mornings can be quite hectic around the school so please observe the following guidelines to keep our children safe:
- Do not park in the drop off lane in front of the school. This lane is for children exiting the car quickly. Have your child ready to go before you get in the line.
If you would like to walk your child to the front door or to their classroom, please park in a legal parking spot in the neighborhood. Do not park in the drop off lane.
Cross only at crosswalks. Do not cross in the middle of the street.
Speed limit in front of the school is 15 mph.
Parking around the school is limited. Do not park within 30 feet of a stop sign or within 20 feet of a marked or unmarked crosswalk.
No U-turns on 24th Avenue, or using 91st Street to make a U-turn.
No parking in the bus zone (even when no busses are present)
Parallel parking only in front of the house at the NW corner of 24th and 91st. Let's also be good neighbors and not block their mailbox.
No parking facing the wrong direction.
Do not leave your car running, if unattended.
Do not leave your child unattended in a running car.
Seattle Police regularly patrol the area and will issue tickets!
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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Free seminar - Mental Health and Our Kids
Free seminar - Mental Health and Our Kids
Monday, January 27, 2020 at 7:00 PM
Phinney Neighborhood Center Lower Building
Doors open at 6:30 for a social half hour
Join PNW Parent Education for a critical conversation on mental health and our kids. Jason Reid, CEO, author, and parent will share his story of heartbreak and hope. We’ll also have a mental health expert to provide practical and relevant information on how parents can help promote mental health in their children at an early age. Lastly, a local youth will share their personal experience and the tools that they use to help fight the stigma and symptoms associated with anxiety and depression.
In this important talk, you’ll learn:
- The right questions to ask and the best conversation starters to use with kids about mental health.
- How to identify early signs and symptoms of mental health problems such as anxiety and depression.
Register in advance to secure your free seat.
Attention Kindergarten and First Grade Parents
Before/After School Programs
Boys & Girls Club
Hours: 7:00 - 7:50 am and 2:25 am - 6:00 pm M-F
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