News from your North Beach PTA
September 10, 2021
Dates to Remember
- Tuesday, September 14: 6:30pm General PTA Meeting
- Monday, September : 7:00pm Principal Q&A
- Thursday, September 30: 7:00pm Curriculum Night
- Tuesday, October 12: 6:30pm PTA meeting
- Friday, October 8: No school, State In-Service day
- Monday, October 18: 7:00pm Principal Q&A
A Note From our Principal
Hello North Beach families,
All North Beach Seals are finally together at school! Our preschoolers and kindergartners had a great first couple of days learning new routines and finding out where different areas of the school are. If you are dropping your child off or going by the school, you’ll notice we now have a large tent on our playground! The tent was delivered yesterday and will support our all-outdoor lunch plan. Students will be eating in the covered play court or under the tent. You can see the tent in the southeast corner of our playground behind portables 7 and 8.
We’ve received several questions about changes we’ve made to how we structure recess, lunch and specialists. After several days of using the current set up, the Building Safety Team has met and discussed all points to consider including safety, logistics of scheduling, as well as moving kids in and around the building in a manner to maintain social distancing. There are many factors that are considered in our decision-making process. Putting together a master schedule to accommodate Kindergarten – Fifth grade student academic and social emotional needs, teacher availability, adult supervision, and student safety is a daunting task. Our safety team considered several options as we approached the school year and the schedule we are utilizing best meets the school’s needs. Going forward, as we receive new information from Public Health, SPS, as well as the CDC, we will revisit and modify when the need arises.
This is a stressful and hectic time and I recognize there are strong feelings about some of the changes you are noticing so I thank you for your patience. Please remember we are making changes to keep students safe and healthy. Thank you for keeping your child home if they are sick. Requirements for schools to contact parents regarding students exhibiting signs of illness have grown much more stringent during the 2021-22 school year. If you are on the fence and not sure, it is better to keep them home.
Kristine McLane
Principal
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! It’s so wonderful to be able to see your children in person again! I’ve missed them! For those who are new, my name is Alysa Reid, and I am the part-time school counselor at North Beach. This is my 8th year at North Beach! I am also an SPS mom of two – one 8th grader and one 11th grader. I am in the building all day on Tuesdays and Thursdays and on Wednesday mornings. Working in conjunction with other North Beach staff and families, my role is to support students in reaching their full potential. I am here to support all students through our Social Emotional Learning programs in addition to seeing students for short-term individual or small group counseling.
My goal is for each student to have a positive school experience. If something is preventing that from happening or 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. In addition to providing direct services for our students, I am also available to consult with families and provide community resources and referrals as needed for anything from community counseling to basic needs. I look forward to working together with you and your children to make this a great year at North Beach! Go Seals!
From the Office
Attention North Beach drivers:
Please adhere to these laws set up by Washington State:
- No U-turns in a school crosswalk
- No crossing over the road to park the wrong direction for drop off
These are extremely dangerous in our school zone with 360 students coming into our building, plus neighbors commuting. The good thing is, we have a good friend who works in parking enforcement who will be happy to come out and help keep our community safe. Parking is limited but taking an extra minute to either drive around through Olympic Manor or leave home a little earlier so you have time to park up the hill and walk down will prevent accidents.
Reminder - Breakfast and lunch are provided at no cost for all students this year. You can find the September menu here:
https://www.seattleschools.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Lunch-Menus-ADA.pdf
North Beach is seeking parent support as we implement outdoor lunch for our students.
Please complete this form if you are interested/available to commit to 2 hours (10:40-12:40) every other week (4 hours per month) to help out at lunch/recess.
Thank you!
Online payment for student devices
https://www.seattleschools.org/departments/dots/support-training-forms/schoolpay/
Sign up for Konstella and stay informed!
Go to Konstella.com and click 'Find Your School'. Type North Beach Elementary and enter your information then click 'Submit'.
Join the PTA, purchase school supplies and pre-pay for yearbooks!
The North Beach Elementary 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. And we want to know your ideas, concerns and solutions for 2021/22 school year.
Check Kid Mail (folders that go back and forth to school with your kids) for our Welcome Letter next week which will also serve as our paper membership sign up form.
If you prefer, you can purchase your PTA membership, sponsor teacher PTA memberships, purchase school supplies and pre-pay for yearbooks through Konstella now.
Please join us! Our first PTA meeting of the school year is Tuesday, September 14th.
Topic: PTA General Meeting Tuesday 09/14
Time: Sep 14, 2021 06:30 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81929416913?pwd=YmlBcW5MVDQ1V0pWMGhUMGF1S1ovdz09
Meeting ID: 819 2941 6913
Passcode: 520445
Dial by your location
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
Volunteer at North Beach
North Beach has a long tradition of incredible parent and community support. We'd love to have you join us. Even small commitments make a great impact on supporting our students and school. We’ll help you find something that meets your schedule and skills! You can do anything from event planning to student leadership, from food drives to facilities improvement, from legislative advocacy to social media, and from to fundraising to after school enrichment! We welcome parents, guardians, caregivers, grandparents and other community members to get involved.
Sign up to volunteer!
Family Affinity Groups
We've also created a way for families to meet one another and build additional community! This year, we're offering family affinity groups. A few such groups will be Families of Color, LGBTQIA families, Military families, Families with single parents, Families New to North Beach, Multi-lingual families, White-identifying families looking to be better anti-racist allies and more!
CALL FOR ROOM PARENTS
Consider signing up to be a room parent! Responsibilities include:
- working with your teacher to plan parties
- find volunteers for classroom needs
- coordinate teacher gifts
- help plan fun activities for your child's grade level
- welcome new families
Don't want to do it alone? Grab a buddy to help you. Ideally each classroom will have 2-3 room parents. This is a great opportunity to get to know your child's teacher, classmates and other families.
Sign up here:
Join The Big Give committee
Looking for a fun way to make a huge impact on our school? Join The Big Give Committee!
Quick Big Give Facts:
● The Big Give is a quick and fun two-week PTA fundraiser in November
● Committee meetings are held according to the scheduling needs of the group
● The committee is fun! We think of dynamic ways to encourage and include all families and students to make a difference in the classroom, school, and community.
● The Big Give Committee needs volunteers to help in every aspect of the campaign: be it stuffing envelopes, data entry, big picture thinking, planning amid the challenges of the pandemic, decorating, and general shenanigans!
Questions? Feel free to contact biggive@northbeachpta.org
Family Connectors University
Seattle Public Schools (SPS) families are invited to join North Seattle College’s Family Connectors University (FCU) class, a family-focused online course designed to help parents support their child’s learning and growth.
In partnership with North Seattle College and SPS Family Partnerships Department, topics include:
· Helping your child with learning
· Social Emotional Learning ideas for home
· Becoming a supportive partner at your school
· Helping your child with ‘big emotions’
· Supporting your child with reading and math
· Talking to kids about race, racism, and antiracist actions
Take this course in real-time or attend offline at a time that works for you. Check out video here and course details here.
Participants report that this year's pandemic-informed curriculum has been immensely helpful to families during remote learning:
“The Family Connectors University class was a wealth of practical ideas, and definitely worth the time investment!”
“…the conversations about self-care, supporting our kids' social emotional growth, dealing with "big feelings" and recommendations on supporting reading and math were fantastic.”
The class takes place online via Zoom for 10 weeks beginning Tuesday, September 28th at 6-7 pm. Parents can participate synchronously or asynchronously, as sessions will be recorded.
Course is facilitated by NSC Parent Education Instructor Lea Evans, Principal Janine Roy, SPS Family Partnerships Coordinator Asosa Sailiai, and special guest speakers.
The cost for the 2-unit class is $39.42 and some scholarships are available. Email Asosa Sailiai to enroll or find out more information: amsailiai@seattleschools.org.
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.
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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Ready Set Scout - Pack 827
Come Join Us!!
The Ballard Elks Lodge Cub Scout program is open to Boys and Girls in grades K-5th. Cub Scout Pack 827 holds meengs on Monday evenings at the Ballard Elks Lodge throughout the schoolyear. Meengs and acvies are led by trained parents and adult leaders. Cub Scouts is a family-based program focused on guiding and teaching the fundamental tenants of the scout oath and law (Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thri,y, Brave, Clean, Reverent.) while having fun and making friends!
PACK 827 – OPEN HOUSE AND JOINING MEETING
Games, Activities, and Information
MONDAY SEPTEMBER 27TH 6PM TO 7PM
Ballard Elks Lodge located at 6411 Seaview Ave.
Northwest Boychoir- SING WITH US!
We are scheduling online auditions for fall enrollment. Boys 6-8 years old who enjoy music and singing are welcome to tryout! No prior musical training is required – just musical aptitude and obvious enjoyment of music.
We are located at the University Heights Center in Seattle but are currently holding our classes online over Zoom. Financial aid is available.
For more than 45 years we have helped young people discover the joy of singing, self-discipline and teamwork!
Watch the video below to see what the audition process is like.
Auditions - Northwest Boychoir & Vocalpoint! Seattle (nwchoirs.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/.
Washington Karate After School Program
Transportation is available up to five days per week from select Seattle Schools and the dojo is located conveniently near the Greenwood Fred Meyer. Students have snack and homework time and a one hour karate class, where they learn skills and discipline. For more details visit www.washingtonkarate.com or call (206)784-3171.
“The Washington Karate program is an excellent way for children to develop physical, mental, and emotional well-being.” ~Dr. Thomas Staiger, Medical Director, UW Medical Center.
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