Picnic Point Elementary
April Newsletter
Ms. Dodson's 3rd grade class
Ali Williams, Principal
Dear Picnic Point Families:
In March, the district invited staff, students (grades 3-12) and families to participate in a social emotional and well-being survey again this spring. The survey is open through April 8.
Many of our 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders had an opportunity to complete the student survey in class. If your student did not have a chance to complete the survey in class, they can complete it on a computer or device at home (using their student ID to login when prompted).
We also would like all our families to participate in the anonymous family survey to help us learn more about family perception of the work we are doing at school and at our district.
Thank you for your time and input!
Surveys open until April 8th
Family survey (all families grade K-12): https://surveys.panoramaed.com/mukilteo/familyspring22/surveys
Student survey (grades 3-12): https://surveys.panoramaed.com/mukilteo/login
Saying goodbye is always hard.
They all made him cards and posters and we had a lovely mini parade send off for him.
We wish him well in his new endeavors.
Rhya Milici, Dean of Students
A note on daily dismissal changes for our students-
Thank you so much for your patience and flexibility this year as we continue to perfect our dismissal process. We strive to accommodate every family’s transportation needs and recognize that there may be times when families need to change dismissal plans for a particular day.
We are sending out a gentle request to try to standardize dismissal procedures for your child whenever possible and to contact our office as early as possible to notify us of any changes. Coordinating the dismissal of more than 400 students is a large undertaking each day. As teachers hand off students to dismissal staff, it can become quite complicated when students have various dismissal changes multiple times per week or changes called in near the end of the day.
If you would like to change the daily plan for dismissal for your child for an extended period, please let us know, as that will help us limit daily lists of dismissal changes back and forth with teachers.
We have added additional layers of confirmation to our system, and we endeavor to have every student in her/his accurate dismissal location each day.
As a reminder, we do need to hear from a guardian about any dismissal changes, as we have learned that children can sometimes have trouble remembering exact days and plans. Thank you for your help in this process and for all the ways you support your student(s).
Trimester Awards
If you would like to watch, click on the link below.
Kindness Days at Picnic Point
Mrs. Williams, our Principal, Miss Milici, our Dean of Students and Ms. Wendy and Mrs. Snow, our front office ladies got into the spirit of Kindness and all wore their "Kindness is Cool" t-shirts!
This trimester our character trait is "Honesty".
Bethenee Grant, Elementary Student Support
A frequent topic of enjoyment for many of our students often includes games they play online. During the past two years in particular, many children have used the internet and online gaming as ways to feel connected to others, to explore forms of social relationships, and to have fun.
However, online games---even those geared for younger children such as Roblox, have risks. Recently, one of our Picnic Point students received pornography from a ‘friend’ on Roblox. The student had developed a ‘friendship’ with a ‘little girl’ who asked information such as a phone number, where the student lives, and they traded ‘pictures’. The student began receiving very upsetting phone calls as well.
We know that many of you work in tech fields, and you likely have discussed potential risks with your student and restricted their internet access. But at the same time, I am frequently surprised at the scope of involvement many of our students have with social media and gaming communities. Parents---please sit down with your student and discuss with your student what it’s like to have a “gut feeling” about an uncomfortable situation. Help your student think through potential scenarios (e.g., if someone asks for a photo, talks about inappropriate things, asks them to keep anything a secret, bothers them, says something that makes them feel uncomfortable, upset or embarrassed), and explain the boundaries of what can and can’t be shared. Review your privacy settings and be specific with your student about engaging with ‘friends’ that they do not specifically know from school, church or sports, etc. We are finding that several of our students in grades 3-5 have made ‘online friends’ that they do not actually know in any capacity. Please make yourself aware of the challenges that this can bring and discuss this with your student.
Also--- it’s also good to consider that uneasy situations could happen with people your child knows or sort of knows. Encourage your students that it’s absolutely okay to end conversations and log off the Internet at any time, and to not let shyness or embarrassment prevent them from talking to a parent or family member if they get into an uncomfortable situation.
We have discussed cyberbullying during our Bullying Prevention lessons, and more than half of our students report seeing this online. We hope you’ll take some time to review things you may have already discussed with your student. The internet can be a tremendous resource for learning, growth and community—but children really need their parents to be alert and aware about the potential risks as well!
In this together,
Bethenee Grant
ESS/School Psychologist | Mukilteo School District | Picnic Point Elementary
Lost and Found
Please stop by after school and check out the Clothing Rack and see if you can find items that your student is missing.
Dulce Estrada - Parent Liaison
A few reminders:
· We going to have parents’ group on Friday April 8th at 6:00pm if you have any questions or concerns, please let me know.
· Remember that if you need help with kindergarten registration or have questions, I can help you.
· If you need any resources, please let me know. I can look for the information you need.
· Spring is around the corner and if you are looking for activities or camps, let me know.
Please complete this survey: Take the family survey and take the student survey
Please feel free to contact me at any time.
PTA News
Happy Spring!
We are currently looking to fill our board and coordinator positions for the ‘22-’23 school
year. To get more info click this link —> https://forms.gle/wzCL5pc6U7vG6dKS8
PTA Updates:
● We hope everyone submitted their High Trek Reading Logs and earned the free ropes
course
● We won the Mathnasium contest and they came and stocked the staff fridge and pantry
full of healthy goodies to show their support!!
● We are sending home a spring flower watercolor project and we’ll be displaying all of
them in the front office
● Our next meeting is April 28th and we’ll be electing our new board members. Be on the
lookout for zoom meeting information
● We are so excited that campus has opened up a bit and we’re brainstorming ideas of
how to best support our students these last few months of school - STAY TUNED!
Facebook Page: Picnic Point Elementary PTA (private group)
Membership Link: https://pppta.cheddarup.com
Free Meals for all Students!
- Meals for all students are free of charge regardless of Free/Reduced Status for the 21-22 school year.
- We encourage you to complete free/reduced applications, as you do need that completed to receive other benefits that are available (P-EBT Cards).
- Hot food will be served daily by Miss Kathy!
- April Lunch Menu
Message from our librarian, Troy Miller
The 3rd Trimester has started, and the library schedule has changed too. Check below for your child’s library day:
Monday: Rooney, Crawford, Tollefson, Kraft, McGinnis, Manselle
Tuesday: Nguyen, Dodson, Addicott, Shubert
Wednesday: Price, Jenson, Bowen, Purkey, Im-Hamper, Veenendaal
Thursday: Oglesby, Miles, Hutchinson, Naficy, Gerasimchuk (every-other-week starting 3/31)
Friday (every-other-week starting 3/25): Rooney, Jenson, Chamberlain, Kraft, Sidhu (every week), Gersimchuk, Manselle
Sno-Isle will have two online events during spring break that your children may be interested in. You do not need a library card to participate.
Drawing Robots Tuesday, April 12, 4-5pm
Virtual Crime Lab Wednesday, April 13, 2 Sessions: 4pm and 5:30pm
The Scholastic Book Fair is coming May 2-6! More information will be coming after April 12. We will be having a Family Night on Thursday, May 5, from 5:30-8:00 pm. If anyone would like to coordinate volunteers, please let me know.
Volunteers are now welcome in the library and/or at the book fair! All volunteers need to fill out the WSP application form. You will need to be fully vaccinated as well and show Susan Snow your card. Applications are available in the school office.
Theresa Dixon, School Nurse
The Nurse Hotline will be in communication with the school nurse and front office regarding attendance and when your child can return to school.
The hotline number is 425-366-7745 and is open 8-8pm Monday through Friday.
Noon to 5pm on Saturday and 3-7pm on Sunday.
Kindergarten Registration
We will have Kindergarten orientation in person again this year! It will be held on Thursday, May 19th from 6:30 - 7:30pm in our school gym. Come and meet with Picnic Point Principal, Ali Williams along with our kindergarten teachers, Ms. Addicott, Mrs. Kraft, Mrs. Naficy and Ms. Purkey.
Mukilteo ECEAP Preschool
ECEAP Preschool is located at 3616 South Road C#4, Mukilteo, WA 98275. Please call 425-356-1312 for more information or email us at mukilteoECEAP@mukilteo.wedne.edu
Girls on the Run
Hello Parents of Picnic Point Girls:
I am very excited to bring Girls on the Run to Picnic Point this spring! I will be coaching with Leslie Prewitt and Samantha Kelleher. Together we are reaching out to you to help spread the word to girls in grades 3-5 who would benefit from this amazing program. Here is the link if you are unfamiliar with the program and how helpful it is for the social, emotional and physical health of girls in this age range. https://www.girlsontherunsnoco.org
Our practices will be held from 3:30-5:00pm Tuesdays and Thursdays at Picnic Point in the outside covered play structure beginning Tuesday, April 19th. Our final team event will be a 5k run on June 11th at Willis Tucker park. Please note that transportation is not part of the program.
This is a fee-based program, but there are scholarships available so that any girl that wants to can join.
If you have any questions please let me know.
Kerry Richter
206-334-6597
Quote of the Month!
Spring is a wonderful time to begin!
Mukilteo 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 trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: Civil Rights Coordinator and Title IX Coordinator Dan Dizon (425-356-1319), dizonds@mukilteo.wednet.edu, Section 504 Coordinator Lisa Pitsch (425-356-1277), pitschla@mukilteo.wednet.edu, and the ADA/Access Coordinator Karen Mooseker (425-356-1330), moosekerkw@mukilteo.wednet.edu. Address: 9401 Sharon Drive in Everett, WA. Inquiries regarding ADA/Access issues at Sno-Isle TECH Skills Center should be directed to Wes Allen, Director (425-348-2220) allenwr@mukilteo.wednet.edu. Address: 9001 Airport Road in Everett, WA 98204.