News from your North Beach PTA
March 12, 2021
Dates to Remember
- Friday, March 12: Early Literacy Screener WA State Law General Session 6-7:30 p.m.
- Saturday, March 13: St. Patrick's Parade & Food Drive at Soundview Park
- Sunday, March 14: DEI Committee meeting, 1 p.m.
- Tuesday, March 16: Special Education PTSA Meeting, 7 p.m.
- Wednesday, March 17: Regular School Board Meeting, 3:30 p.m.
- Friday, March 19: Library Checkout resumes!
- Monday, March 29: *Tentative date* Return to in-person schooling for Special Education Intensive Service pathways
- Thursday, April 1: Yearbook Photos Due!
- Tuesday, April 6: PTA Meeting, 6 p.m. **ALL ARE WELCOME**
- April 12-16: Spring Break **NO SCHOOL**
A Note from Our Principal
Hello North Beach families,
It has been a full year since schools were shutdown statewide, first for six weeks, and then for the rest of the 2019-20 school year. Wednesday, at our Principal Q&A event, parents of our youngest students shared the frustration felt from being told school would be opening March 1st, then for some students March 11, and now there is another delay. Parents of 2nd-5th grade students are understandably frustrated there is no start date communicated for when our older students are returning to in-person instruction. However, this morning Governor Inslee announced that all students must have an option to return to in-person learning by April 19th. Because this information has just come out, we will have to wait to learn more about the details of what this means for our students, but I know this is good news to many of you!
As I shared on Wednesday, I want to acknowledge how difficult the shifting reopening plans have been for our families. At the same time, the district and Seattle Education Association have made significant progress toward reaching a tentative agreement on the return of students enrolled in Intensive Services Pathways programs. At North Beach this includes our students enrolled in our Focus and Developmental Preschool programs. I am hopeful we will be welcoming these students back to school on March 29, and our K-1 students shortly thereafter. Additionally, our staff have been excited to receive their first vaccine doses. The reassurance this provides all of us working inside the school is significant.
When we do have students return to in-person instruction, teachers will provide information to families about how and where to drop students off and pick them up. We will share daily schedules for your child’s classroom, procedures for picking students up early from school, and protocols for health and safety.
The district has posted a COVID-19 Dashboard, with links to district health and safety information, information about cases of COVID in the district, and updates to plans for returning to in-person learning. Finally, parents who expressed interest in contacting the district:
Email to just the School Board Directors: spsdirectors@seattleschools.org
Email to the School Board, Superintendent and Senior Staff: schoolboard@seattleschools.org
Complete the Let’s Talk form, which will be routed to the appropriate district department.
Finally, author/illustrator Ben Clanton (best known for the Narwhal and Jelly books) will be joining us for a virtual visit for all 1st – 5th graders on Wednesday, 17 March at 10:15-11:00 to talk to us about writing and illustrating books, how he does it and tell us where he gets his inspiration. Please contact Ms. Bakker at labakker@seattleschools.org for more information.
I hope you can join in on the fun at the PTA sponsored parade tomorrow at Soundview Park!
Kristine McLane
Principal
North Beach Elementary
From the office
Families, I made an error last week in regards to changing your students designation from remote to in-person. The cutoff was 3/5 to change and going forward if you would like to change from remote to in-person, you must file an appeal with the district.
I apologize for the error and any confusion following.
Sarah Bradley
Office administrator
North Beach Elementary
206-252-1510
PTA Update
Please join the Nominating committee to help the North Beach PTA create our board for next year! Contact North Beach PTA President Katie Buchanan at president@northbeachpta.org to join. In particular, we'd love representation for current Kindergarten, 1st and second grade families.
The PTA Budget Committee is currently reviewing the budget and making a plan for 2021-2022 school year. If you have a line item you'd like to see included in the budget, please contact PTA Treasurer Charlie Davis at Treasurer@northbeachpta.org with your ideas or proposal by March 22, 2021.
Sat 3/13: "Grade-By-Grade Parade" St Patricks Day to benefit Ballard Food Bank! Time slots between 10-1pm.
Join the fun for a socially-distanced parade on Saturday at Soundview Playfield (the weather is supposed to be nice!). Look for a tent near the Soundview playground with St. Patty's "swag" for the NB Seal paraders, dress up in Green or Purple or come as you are! We will be collecting any pantry donations like canned soup, Mac & cheese, cereal boxes etc for Ballard Food Bank. For those who came for Halloween, it will be similar! See Full details on Konstella!
Timeslots by Grade are 20 minutes each:
Pre-K/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 message Mary Balmaceda via Konstella with any questions!
Join the Communication Committee!
This easy volunteer team helps communicate PTA messages and important school information via the Beachcomber, Konstella and Facebook. Members are needed to keep communications going next year!
If you are interested in joining or have questions email Rebecca Mongrain at communications@northbeachpta.org
Early Literacy Screener WA State Law Regarding Dyslexia at SPS!
Early Literacy Screener WA State Law Regarding Dyslexia
Family Information Sessions Join us to learn about the Early Literacy Screener that will begin for students in grades K-2 in the 2021-22 school year. Information will be provided about the recent state law regarding dyslexia and what this means for your students.
Family Information Sessions February - March 2021
General Sessions, All Families
- General Session: Friday, March 12, 6-7:30 p.m.
Community Sessions
- Asian Family Community: Tuesday, March 16, 6-7:30 p.m.
- Latinx Family Community: Friday, March 19, 6-7:30 p.m.
- Native American and Pacific Islander Family Community: Tuesday, March 23, 6-7:30 p.m.
- Somali and Oromo Family Community: Friday, March 26, 6-7:30 p.m.
- Amharic and Tigrinya Family Community: Tuesday, March 30, 6-7:30 p.m.
There is no registration required. Simply join the meeting during the session you would like to attend.
Yearbooks are happening at North Beach this year!
You can BUY YOUR YEARBOOK on Konstella for $15.33/yearbook
Submit your child's yearbook picture! PHOTOS ARE DUE 4/1/21.
GOING TO THE ST. PATRICK'S DAY GRADE BY GRADE PARADE AT SOUNDVIEW PARK ON SATURDAY 3-13?
NORTH BEACH YEARBOOK TEAM WILL BE THERE TO TAKE YEARBOOK PHOTOS FROM 10AM-1PM!
There will be no Lifetouch portraits taken at school this year. Instead, portraits will be submitted by the child/family. (You do not need to buy a yearbook in order to submit your child's portrait for the class yearbook page.)
Here are the two ways to submit your child's yearbook photo:
1. Use the Lifetouch + Shutterfly app to submit a photo of your child (you can also purchase portrait packages here)
OR
2. Email a photo of your child to rhondae33@yahoo.com. Use your smartphone or digital camera for photo.
Subject line: student name, classroom number, teacher name, and grade.
Photo Requirements:
- Max 200MB/file.
- Photo should be at least 640 X 800 pixels for best image quality.
- Photo formats: JPEG, PNG, or SVG for image uploads.
· Portraits show the child from mid chest to top of head. No hats please.
By submitting this photo you are giving permission for it to be used in the 2020-21 North Beach yearbook. The yearbook will be hard copy only and photos will not be used in any electronic media.
ORDER YOUR NORTH BEACH ELEMENTARY 2020-2021 YEARBOOK NOW YEARBOOK SALES OPEN UNTIL 5/1/21
The yearbook team has been working hard to create the 2020-2021 yearbook. The yearbook will include all 20 classes, the 5th grade baby photos, and the NB staff photos.
Send in your student's portrait to the yearbook editor at: rhondae33@yahoo.com. See Konstella and the Beachcomber for photo requirements.
If you are interested in purchasing a NB yearbook, please see click here.
https://www.konstella.com/app/school/59bc8f8ce4b0996f734081bb/sales-sheets/5f452bdddafa88bd5bf1d2e5
Yearbook cost: $15.33 per book. If you would like to order additional yearbooks for donation to other families, please indicate that on your order form.
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!
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!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Community News & Events (The programs below are not endorsed by either North Beach PTA or SPS, and are posted for informational purposes only.)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rowland Studio - Available for Yearbook Photos
Locally owned Rowland Photo Studio is available for school portraits this year. With safety protocols in place the staff is efficient, skilled, and caring. Bonus: They will send a digital image directly to the school for use in the Yearbook!
INFO:
Rowland Studio
6900 Roosevelt Way NE
Seattle, WA 98115
206-522-7171
www.rowlandphoto.comUW Summer Youth Programs Registration is Open!
Summer Registration is Open!
UW Summer Youth Programs is excited to announce remote enrichment courses for
4th and 5th grade students who want to keep learning over summer break.
Debate for Kids
Explore the Ecosystems of Washington State
Visit our website for registration information and course details!
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