News from your North Beach PTA
September 18, 2020
Dates to Remember
- Tuesday, September 29 or Wednesday, September 30: Family Support Session , 7 p.m.
- Tuesday, October 5: PTA Board Meeting, 6:30 p.m.
- Friday, October 9: No School, In-Service Day
A Note from Our Principal
Dear North Beach Families:
Our first full week of school is complete, and we are so proud of how well our students are doing despite the less than ideal learning conditions. Technology challenges have been part of what we’ve experienced this week. We are determining solutions to these and working with the district to address any network or device issues that come up. We have completed a Remote Learning Guidebook for families that will be helpful for you to support your child while school is in session online. Our students are learning how to use new technology tools, and how to be good digital citizens. We are in the process of teaching expectations to them, just as we would if we were at school. Teachers have been discussing “The North Beach Way” in the remote setting with their students. These are our school-wide expectations for what it means to be Safe, Kind and Respectful. There is a copy of the North Beach Way in the Remote Learning Guidebook and we encourage families to review this with their children to reinforce what teachers have been discussing in class. Students are excited to see each other and their teachers, and one of the ways Microsoft Teams allows students to communicate is through the chat feature. We are establishing the expectation that the chat feature is only to be used as directed by the teacher. We would appreciate if this expectation were reinforced at home. The schedules you’ve received from your child’s teacher didn’t include music this week. Our music teacher, Ms. Lacambra, is taking a leave of absence. We will be filling her position with another music teacher. Until then, teachers will be utilizing the time their students were originally scheduled to attend music for different activities.
Have a wonderful weekend. Let’s all hope for rain and wind to clear the air!
Kristine McLane
Principal
206-252-1510
The link to the remote learning guidebook is https://seattleschools-my.sharepoint.com/:b:/g/personal/kemclane_seattleschools_org/EbqiV2i5U79KrQKrykxD-qwBzsX0wPEjUYjOTxuRoVz4Bg?e=jydMDO
PTA News
Thank you to all the PTA volunteers and to our North Beach families for your support and great ideas to move forward in this school year. We still need any help you are willing to offer. Volunteering for such positions as fundraising chair, room parent (for your child's class), organizing virtual recess (like a lunch club for Minecraft, art, sports etc..., board advising for each grade level, organizing alternatives to traditional PTA activities (like what could we do instead of harvest carnival, family literacy night, veteran's day etc.) are still open.
New members are always welcome. Please visit https://www.konstella.com/open/sales/ 5f452bddd afa88bd5bf1d2e5 to join.
Katie Gruver (vice president) and Debbie Wayne (secretary) are launching a Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Team for the first time this fall. We are brainstorming and discovering what our focus will be for this year, and we'd like to hear from you!
We know that in the past, not all voices have been heard at North Beach. We want to take responsibility for making sure that our school is welcoming to ALL families and that our PTA is working to meet the needs of ALL kids.
This is a hard year for all of us. And now more than ever, it's time for us to embrace opportunities to engage in rich and challenging conversations about justice, to provide education and resources for our children and families which celebrate the richness of our diverse histories and experiences, and to harness our collective strength and wisdom to create equity within our school and our broader community.
In our first PTA meeting, we shared the following ideas as possible starting points for the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Team: (We'd love to hear your ideas too!)
- Parent workshops on anti-racism and social justice
- Community Service Projects to support equity • Fundraisers that support educational equity
- Monthly diversity celebrations
- Listening sessions for BIPOC families to share their experiences at North Beach
- Book Club on anti-racism, equity and inclusion for families
- Examine inequity within our own PTA practices; make changes so that PTA is inclusive of ALL our families, particularly those furthest from educational justice. If you're interested in this work, we'd love to have you on the team. You can give as much or as little time as you have. We'd also love your feedback or ideas; please contact us at: katie.gruver@gmail.com and debbiewayne@gmail.com.
Karin LaBelle, the legislative representative, has started an Advocacy Social Group on Konstella to share current information the SPS boards are working on, how we can be involved, and having a voice for North Beach Elementary.
School Supplies There should be a second distribution of school supplies later in the year. If you are in need of additional supplies to those you received at pickup please email us at northbeachpta.org and we will do our best to get them to you.
Harvest Carnival This fall celebration will certainly be missed, but let's have fun school spirit virtually. Please share your ideas with us and let us know of events you have attended that were successful remotely. northbeachpta.org
From the Office
Parents: last week we sent a message with information on first day packets. If you need the information sent to you again, please let us know: sbbradley@seattleschools.com or cmhostetler@seattleschools.com
Office hours are:
8am -12pm Monday through Friday by appointment. To ensure we are keeping safe and following CDC guidelines, we ask that you don’t drop in. Please contact us for an appointment.
Counselor's Corner
I want to extend a warm welcome to families new to North Beach and a warm welcome back to those who are returning! For those who are new, my name is Alysa Reid, and I am the part-time school counselor at North Beach. This fall is anything but business as usual, but I want to let you know that I am still available to support students and families while we’re away from the building. My hours during remote learning are M-Th from 8:00 am to 12:45 pm. Working in conjunction with other North Beach staff members and families, my role is to support students in having a positive school experience and reaching their full potential.
If you have concerns about your child, please contact me by e-mail at arreid@seattleschools.org or leave a message for me at (206) 252-1535. I work with students in our classrooms, in small groups and individually (all virtually for now) and am available to consult with families and provide community resources and referrals as needed. I look forward to working together with you and your students to make this a great year at North Beach! Go Seals!
North Beach is a Meal Site!
Meals are picked up just inside the front door.
They give you lots of food!
North Beach Elementary is a Meal Distribution Site for Free Lunch
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!
It's hard right now. You are not alone. Please Join our Family Support Sessions
It's hard right now. You are not alone.
Please Join our Family Support Session - 9/29, 9-10am OR 9/30, 7-8:30pm
Dear Parents, Guardians & Caregivers,
We know this has been a tumultuous last 6 months. As a way to keep our community strong, especially during this challenging and uncertain time, we'll be offering ongoing opportunities to connect, listen, share resources, and help one another on this (often difficult) journey of caring for and guiding the young people in our lives.
To start, we're offering TWO Listening Sessions for NB Families (you talk, we listen). They will have the same content, but offered at multiple times so that more families can join. Sessions will be facilitated by Alysa Reid (North Beach School Counselor) and Katie Gruver (VP of PTA & Parent Educator) with support from Annabel Bailey (North Beach ELL Teacher).
What: Family Listening Sessions (**THIS IS A FREE EVENT!**)
When: When: Sept 29th, 9-10am OR Sept 30th, 7-8:30pm
Who: All parents, guardians, family members or caregivers (nannies, grandparents and other supports) of North Beach students (*This will be a conversation exclusively for adult family members
Where: Via Teams (link coming soon!)
* Please note, to ensure access for all our families, this and ALL future conversation will be closed captioned and have translation services available.)
Agenda: (7-8pm)
- Connection - Small group listening sessions: "What's keeping you up at night?"
- Support - Group brainstorming: What's been helpful?
- Reflection - What would be helpful to you at this time? (survey & discussion)
"After-party" 8-8:30pm (Facilitators will stay on for Q & A and additional support)
If you have any questions or concerns you want to make sure we address, please contact Katie Gruver (katie.gruver@gmail.com) or Alysa Reid (arreid@seattleschools.org)
Join the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Team!
Our PTA is launching a Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Team for the first time this fall. We are brainstorming and discovering what our focus will be for this year, and we'd like to hear from you!
We know that in the past, not all voices have been heard at North Beach. We want to take responsibility for making sure that our school is welcoming to ALL families and that our PTA is working to meet the needs of ALL kids.
This is a hard year for all of us. And now more than ever, it's time for us to embrace opportunities to engage in rich and challenging conversations about justice, to provide education and resources for our children and families which celebrate the richness of our diverse histories and experiences, and to harness our collective strength and wisdom to create equity within our school and our broader community.
In our first PTA meeting, we shared the following ideas as possible starting points for the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Team: (We'd love to hear your ideas too!!)
- Parent workshops on anti-racism and social justice
- Community Service Projects to support equity
- Fundraisers that support educational equity
- Monthly diversity celebrations
- Listening sessions for BIPOC families to share their experiences at North Beach
- Book Club on anti-racism, equity and inclusion for families
- Examine inequity within our own PTA practices; make changes so that PTA is inclusive of ALL our families, particularly those furthest from educational justice.
If you're interested in this work, we'd love to have you on the team. You can give as much or as little time as you have. We'd also love your feedback or ideas; please contact us at:
katie.gruver@gmail.com and debbiewayne@gmail.com.
Debbie Wayne & Katie Gruver
PTA Secretary | PTA Vice President
Co-Chairs of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Team @ North Beach Elementary
Voting begins in less than one month!
October 16 is the start of the 18-day voting period (through Election Day). Ballots are mailed out and Accessible Voting Units are available at voting centers.
Make sure your registration is set and ready to go.
School Board Meeting 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 our website and do it now. www.seattlespecialeducationptsa.org.
2019-2020 YEARBOOKS
If you have a 2019-20 5th grader or a student no longer attending North Beach Elementary you are welcome to pick up your book from school Monday-Friday 8am -12noon. We ask that you don’t drop in, please make an appointment by contacting Ms. Bradley sbbradley@seattleschools.org or Ms. Hostetler cmhostetler@seattleschools.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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Registration for Girls on the Run is now open but closes on September 25!
Registration for Girls on the Run is now open but closes on September 25!
Lucky for us, North Beach Elementary girls grades 3-5 have the option of doing a fall VIRTUAL program! Having taken the sample class, it is clear that GOTR has worked hard to transition their program into an easily accessible but fun online program.
What is Girls on the Run?
At Girls on the Run we inspire girls to recognize their inner strength and celebrate what makes them one of a kind. Trained coaches lead small teams through our research-based curricula which includes dynamic discussions, fun activities and running games. Over the course of the program, girls in 3rd-5th grade develop essential skills to help them navigate their worlds and establish a lifetime appreciation for health and fitness. The program culminates with girls physically and emotionally prepared to complete a celebratory (virtual) 5K event.
What better time to teach our girls these skills?
Scholarships are available.
The fall program starts September 28 and runs through November 16, with the end of season virtual "K Your Way" on November 14-15.
Check out this link to program details and registration resources:
https://www.gotrpugetsound.org/Program-Registration
https://www.gotrpugetsound.org/our-programs
If you have questions contact North Beach liaison:
Kathy Reif
617-763-7136
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