News from your North Beach PTA
October 23, 2020
Dates to Remember
- Monday, October 26: Deadline for Online & Mail Voter Registration
- Tuesday, November 3: Election Day!
- Tuesday, November 3: 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,
It can be challenging to be away from classmates and friends during this remote learning
period. Whether we are holding school remotely or on campus, our staff strives to create a
welcoming environment for all our students and families. I am grateful to have parent partners
in our community who are invested in learning, growing, and supporting all our students.
Earlier this week there was an announcement regarding the possibility of a new group
sponsored by the North Beach PTA aimed at supporting Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender,
Queer, Questioning, Intersex, and Asexual kids (LGBTQIA+) and their allies. Whether or not this
group is established at this time, Seattle Public Schools promotes safe, welcoming schools. And though we missed it, we would like to wish all LGBTQ+ members of our community a happy belated National Coming Out Day! National Coming Out Day happens on October 11th and is a time for LGBTQ+ people to celebrate being out. A reminder, our school is a place that supports all our staff and students, very much including our LGBTQ+ staff and students.
The North Beach PTA’s new Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee has begun work to
examine how the PTA can support the school in deepening educational experiences for
students, so they have more access to content that improves their understanding of historical
topics and current events. We look forward to partnering with parents on this important work.
Finally, while you’ve already heard this news from your child’s teacher, I want to officially
welcome Anna Eifert to our staff. Ms. Eifert will be our long-term substitute music teacher this year while Ms. Lacambra is out on leave. She started this week and has jumped right in with
classes. Welcome Ms. Eifert!
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
Introducing students to 3 key parts of the brain
A primary focus of our Social Emotional Learning (SEL) lessons this school year will be on emotion regulation and resiliency. During this stressful time, we will be helping students to understand what is happening in their brains and bodies when they experience strong feelings. We will help students develop and practice healthy coping strategies for managing those strong feelings to calm their minds and bodies. In preparation for this work, all students will start by learning about 3 key parts of the brain that are involved in emotion regulation. Today I am sharing this short video from the Australian Pause Program to explain what your students are learning. If you get the chance, ask your child what they know about the brain and about what happens when they "flip their lid."
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!
The Big Give is POSTPONED until 2021!
The Big Give is POSTPONED until 2021!
Let’s take a quick moment to talk about 2020:
It’s a year where we have all been tested, challenged, pushed up against wall after wall and still have to persevere and cheerfully ensure our students are logged into teams for that 8:30 start time. Is it easy? No. Can we do it? Yes! North Beach may not be meeting in person this year, but the teachers, staff, and PTA are working hard to ensure that our families are taken care of; that our students are active participants in their education, that our families understand the support systems in place for them, and that students and families learn to thrive in this unique, grit-inducing year.
We know and understand the economic strain the pandemic has wrought on our local, national, and global economy. That’s why the PTA has decided to postpone The Big Give until 2021. Now is not the time to fundraise, it is the time to come together and support each other and our children. Stay tuned for information on the Host a Herbie Scavenger Hunt November 9th - 20th.
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? Send your Big Give donation receipt to your company to have matching funds donated to the PTA.
Join The Big GIve Committee: The Big Give is a fun and quick way to help the students of North Beach Elementary. For more information email Beth Carman at bb.carman@greentab.net.
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.
October is Dyslexia Awareness Month
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