Welcome to February! Phew what a busy and productive January we have had here at Star Lake!

Our teachers have been working hard on updating data and finishing mid-year assessments as they prepared report cards. Please watch for your child’s report card to come home this Friday, February 3rd. We are excited to share the growth our students have been making, and are so proud of their stamina and progress. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to your child’s teacher with any questions you may have after reading your child’s report card. Our goal is to always partner together to help our scholars learn and grow.

Our staff is always analyzing data and reviewing our School Improvement Plan goals, professional development and progress. Our staff PD during the first semester was focused on creating strong learning routines within our classrooms and providing structures for productive student talk. We all learn by practicing and talking about our strategies and learning with each other. Our teachers have done a fabulous job asking great questions for students to ponder and discuss, providing time for them to work on math problems together and discuss strategies, and build meaning with each other. A great educational saying is, “The one doing the talking is the one doing the learning!” And, that is so true!

During our early dismissal next Wednesday, our staff will be looking at attendance, discipline, family survey and student survey Panorama data to determine growth and celebrations and areas where we can continue improving. I will share this information at our coffee with the principal session on Tuesday, February 14th from 2:00-3:00. I hope you will join me and provide your insights and input. Each month we are having our coffee houses at different times of the day to provide options for families.

I wish your family a great month and, if you celebrate, a Valentine’s Day filled with love (and a little bit of chocolate too!)

Best Regards,

Kris Rennie, principal

krennie@fwps.org

253-945-4007

February BLACK HISTORY MONTH/ AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH in the United States and Canada, was designated in 1976 to remember the contributions of people of the African Diaspora.

February 1 National Freedom Day commemorates the signing of the 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery in 1865.

February 15 Susan B. Anthony Day is a commemorative holiday to celebrate the birth of Susan B. Anthony (1820–1906) and women’s suffrage in the United States.

February 18 Maha Shivaratri also called Shiva Ratri, the Great Night of Shiva, is a Hindu festival in reverence of the god Shiva. The festival is celebrated at the 13th night or 14th day of the waning moon in the Hindu calendar (month of February or March of the English calendar).

February 20 World Day of Social Justice is a United Nations day to recognize efforts to achieve fair outcomes for all through employment, social protection, social dialogue, and fundamental principles and rights at work.

February 21 Shrove Tuesday is a Christian day of penitence as well as the last chance to feast before Lent begins. Also known as Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday and Carnival Day, this day is observed in many ways worldwide.

February 22 Ash Wednesday is the beginning of Lent in the Christian faith. As a display of atonement, ashes are marked on worshippers. Lent, observed during the seven weeks prior to Easter, is a time of reflection and preparation for the Holy Week and is observed by fasting, charitable giving, and worshipping.

February 25– March 1 Ayyám-i-ha or Intercalary Days or “Days of Ha” are devoted to spiritual preparation for the fast, with hospitality, charity and gift giving. They are celebrated the four days, five in leap year, before the last month of the Bahá’í year by inserting days into the calendar in order to maintain their solar calendar.

No admission fee, but donations will gladly be accepted at the door.

COVID-19 infections remain active in our community. Both COVID-19 and influenza (flu) rates are currently moderate in King County. The CDC recommends a 3-step approach to minimize the spread:

1. Get a flu shot and COVID-19 vaccines and boosters. It’s not too late!
2. Stop the spread of germs by washing hands often; avoid touching eyes, nose, & mouth, clean frequently touched items; covering coughs & sneezes.
3. Stay home if you are sick. Get tested if you have COVID-19 symptoms or have been in close contact with someone who tests positive. Contact the school right away if your scholar tests positive. Get FREE at-home COVID-19 test kits at www.sayyescovidhometest.org.

*Scholars with fever over 100 must stay home until they have been fever-free for a full 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication. Scholars who have been vomiting or having diarrhea must stay home for a full 24 hours after it has as stopped.

Thank you for your support in keeping scholars safe and healthy! Still wondering if your scholar is healthy enough to come to school? Please contact the school nurse or your healthcare provider.

Becky Dorsett, MSN, RN

bdorsett@fwps.org

Sybel Johnson, RN

syjohnso@fwps.org

Reminder, school starts at 8:35am. Please drop your scholar off in the parent loop between 8:15 and 8:35am. If you are later than 8:35, please park and come sign your scholar in at the office. If your student arrives after 9:05, this is considered a Half Day absence . If your student leaves school before 2:35 this is also considered a half day absence. This is a State Attendance Law.

Last week the 5th grade was awarded Eagle Wings as the grade level with the highest weekly attendance average. Way to go 5th grade scholars! This is one way we discuss and reward the importance of attendance at Star Lake as a part of our school wide Tier 1 incentives.

Classes may also earn Eagle Wings for spelling out the word EAGLE and PRIDE on a class poster for all scholars who are in attendance and on time to class on any given school day. Once classes earn 10 Eagle Wings, they decide on a class treat. Recently a kindergarten class wore pajamas and brought a stuffed animal to school. A 3rd grade class voted to get extra PE time with Mr. Mullins. While a 4th grade class wanted a few more minutes of recess for their hard earned efforts.

In addition, scholars with monthly perfect attendance, earn a bonus coupon to spend at our Eagle Mart. In January we had 86 scholars with perfect attendance. Each month starts fresh, so if you are at school everyday in the month of February, you will earn the bonus ticket and get your name on the morning announcements.

Our attendance team noticed during the months of November and December due to the awful cold and flu going around, our attendance numbers took a dip. In January, those numbers were back up to their historical trends. Let’s see if we can make February a new attendance high! As we prepare for our second half of learning and testing to follow, let’s make every effort to be at school.

Every Day Counts and Every Day Matters.