News from your North Beach PTA
October 2, 2020
Dates to Remember
- Tuesday, October 6: PTA Board Meeting, 6:30 p.m.
- Friday, October 9: No School, In-Service Day
- Thursday, October 15: Curriculum Night, 7 p.m.
A Note from Our Principal
Dear North Beach Families:
This week has been challenging for our community as we learned that we would need to reduce the number of classrooms we currently have. Some of you have been through changes in classroom teaching staff after the beginning of the school year and know it can be difficult and disruptive. In the past, these changes have usually occurred because our enrollment has grown.
This year because of our loss in enrollment we not only feel the disruption of a school year already begun, but the changes we need to make are more difficult because we need to say goodbye to a staff member.
Ms. Tomsett joined the North Beach staff early this summer and quickly became a valued member of our kindergarten team. She demonstrated a high degree of collaboration with her colleagues, supported other staff members with technology issues, and enthusiastically took on the challenges of setting up her remote classroom. She will be missed, and we hope she will have the opportunity to return to North Beach at a future date.
There are several dates I would like to make sure are on your calendar. The district is encouraging all families to complete the Student Data Verification Form on The Source by October 8. More information can be found at https://www.seattleschools.org/district/calendars/news/what_s_new/student_verification_form.
Next Friday, October 9 is a non-school day. Our staff will be engaged in all-day professional development. The following week, on October 15, we will have our annual Curriculum Night. Please plan to join your child’s teacher to learn what will be covered in core academic subjects this year as well as in specialist classes.
Have a wonderful weekend,
Kristine McLane
Principal
The remote learning guidebook can be found at: https://seattleschools-my.sharepoint.com/:b:/g/personal/kemclane_seattleschools_org/EbqiV2i5U79KrQKrykxD-qwBzsX0wPEjUYjOTxuRoVz4Bg?e=jydMDO
From the Office
If you haven’t done it yet, please fill out and return these first 2 forms. The 2nd 2 are very important as well and time sensitive but not necessary for everyone. If you need hard copies mailed to you, please contact Sarah or Carolyn in the office:
206 252-1510
cmhostetler@seattleschools.com
Ferpa privacy form:
https://www.seattleschools.org/UserFiles/Servers/Server_543/File/forms/ferpa/Ferpa_pk_english.pdf
Emergency contact/release form:
Advanced Learning information:
Free and reduced meals application and instructions
PTA News
Please join us on Tuesday, October 6th at 6:30 pm for our second PTA meeting this year.
Katie B is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: PTA Meeting 10/6
Time: Oct 6, 2020 06:30 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86815063558
Meeting ID: 868 1506 3558
Thank you Alysa Reid and Katie Gruver for hosting the first parent listening sessions on
Tuesday and Wednesday. The meetings were well attended and provided support and
connection as we navigate difficult times.
Help us set up some fun walking hunts around North Beach. As we have seen the teddy
bear’s displayed, please put a picture or stuffed animal seal in your window to represent Herbie
and the North Beach way- safety, kindness, and respect. The children will find comfort in seeing
their North Beach family is around the neighborhood. See this inspiring article.
https://www.inc.com/minda-zetlin/teddy-bear-hunt-tammy-buman-stuffed-animals-in-
Just a reminder we share information via Konstella please sign up and check your messages.
Download the Konstella iOS/Android app, tap on register, enter invitation code: BOWDVD, tap
on JOIN in your email. Or at konstella.com, click the top right “find your school” and enter in
North Beach Elementary.
Counselor's Corner
Nobody's perfect - how to help our kids accept this simple truth so they're free to learn.
I was so glad to see those of you who were able to join us at our first Family Support Sessions this year. A common theme we heard from some parents was how easily their children become frustrated or simply give up when a school task is difficult. If this is something your child is struggling with, this article from Anxiety of Canada may help. Helping Your Child Overcome Perfectionism
Curriculum Night
The North Beach Curriculum Night will be Thursday, October 15 at 7 p.m. Please plan to join your child’s teacher to learn what will be covered in core academic subjects this year as well as in specialist classes. Sessions will be recorded for those unable to attend.
There will be only one session so parents with more than one student will need to access the recorded sessions for all their students. Teachers do have family communication time built into their daily schedules for follow-up questions.
Join The Big Give Committee!
Looking for a quick and fun way to help out the students and families at North Beach? Join The Big Give committee! This quick, direct giving fundraiser is a great way to flex creative talents, organizational acumen, and communication skills. Anyone willing to have a good time while helping our community is welcome!
Questions or interested in joining? Contact Beth Carman at bb.carman@greentab.net
PTA Advocacy!
The PTA was founded as an advocacy organization. The Washington State PTA (WSPTA) continues that tradition, in part with the annual legislative assembly. Representatives from school PTA’s across the state gather at the legislative assembly to discuss and vote on the organization’s priorities. Check out the principles up for discussion and voice your opinion on what issues the WSPTA should prioritize.
The Assembly is online this year. Are you interested in attending and voting? Contact klabelle@gmail.com
Enrichment Class! Dinner Club for Parents & Kids!
Dinner Club for Parents & Kids!
Rainy Day Dinner Club- Online: Parents and kids will work together to make a delicious dish that feeds a family of 4-6! Students will join our teacher in walking through and completing our easy to understand steps-by-step meals! Students will be working with knives or knife alternatives (kitchen shears, box graters, or peelers) and will be doing some stove-top cooking or oven-baking during parts of class, so adult support is needed. For the safety of our staff and your family, all ingredients will need to be purchased and prepped by parents prior to class.
Grades: 1st – 7th
Day: Wednesday
Time: 3:30pm -5:30pm
Dates: Oct 14th – Dec 16th (no class on 11/11 or 11/25)
Price: $230 (for 8-wks) PRICED PER FAMILY, so siblings can work together on the meal!
Register: http://www.rainydaydinnerclub.com/online-classes.html
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!
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
October is Dyslexia Awareness Month
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.
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 TODAY!
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