STAR GAZER GAZETTE
June 2022 Star Lake Newsletter
Greetings Star Lake Families,
Well, can you believe we are here in June with only a few days left in the school year? And, again, it has been a year of twists, turns and revisions; and again, I feel we have all done a pretty amazing job! I am so proud of our students and their hard work, flexibility and resiliency. We have been able to remain face to face in school all year, and have engaged in rigorous learning. As always, our staff has wrapped their hearts around our students and school community and provided strong social emotional structures and supports.
All of this has resulted in a year to be proud of. Right at this time we are finishing up end of year testing so I don’t have results for all grade levels yet. Here are a few examples of the great growth our students are making…especially after coming off of a year of remote learning!
IRLA reading: 30.4% on target in October-------------------------------------- 53.8% on target in May
iReady reading 1st grade: 18% on grade level in Fall -------------------- 51% on grade level in Spring
5th grade: 22% on grade level in Fall ---------------------------------------------54% on grade level in Spring
iReady math 1st grade: 5% on grade level in Fall --------------------------54% on grade level in Spring
5th grade: 15% on grade level in Fall ---------------------------------------------58% on grade level in Spring
And we are already outperforming the typical annual growth for iReady as a school and we haven’t yet finished testing!
At this time, we are beginning to pack for our move to the NEW Star Lake building.
We will be moving the weekend of June 18-19 and our office will be in the new school on Tuesday, June 21st (although we won’t be unpacked yet!)
We are looking forward to inviting families to tour the building in August! Stay tuned for information coming later in the summer about “meet your teacher” events and tours. We can’t wait to show you around! Families will have access to class placements for next year in late August, after you have completed your online verification; again stay tuned for more info.
Due to our packing, and lack of space, we will be having our end of year assembly via zoom on Thursday, June 16th at 9:30am. Please watch for an invitation to join the zoom if you would like. You won’t be able to see students faces on the zoom very well as they will be in their classrooms, but you will be able to hear names of students being recognized. Again, we are looking forward to welcoming families back into the building next year for fun family events!
I wish your family a summer filled with adventure, rest, joy, reading and sunshine!
Take care and we will see you soon!
Kris Rennie, Principal
Mark Your Calendars
JUNE
7 - Book Up Summer Reading Celebration on zoom @ 6:00
8 - Early Release - School ends at 1:45
10 - Tropical Spirit Day
14 - Kindergarten & 5th Grade Celebrations
15 - Field Day - during recess
15 - Yearbooks going home
16 - Last day of school, Early Release Time: 11:15
17 - Summer Vacation Begins
21 - In Our New Building
30 - Office Closes For The Summer
AUGUST
24-31 - Office Open For Registration
SEPTEMBER
6 - First Day of School
2022/23 School Calendar
Our New Building Address: 26812-B 40th Ave S, Kent, WA 98032
Summer Reading Celebration
Important Year End Information:
* Second semester report cards will go home with scholars on June 16th. You can also access them after that on ParentVUE: https://grades.fwps.org/
* In August you will be notified when it is time to update your Online Verification. This needs to be completed every August to make sure all student and parent information is accurate and up to date.. Verification must be completed before August 24th so you will be able to see your scholar's new teacher. Teacher assignments will be released at the end of August. Family Income Surveys also need to be completed at this time. This can be done while you are updating your ParentVUE and Student information! https://grades.fwps.org/PXP2_Login.aspx.
* If you will not be attending Star Lake next year, please notify kamiller@fwps.org. This will help us with structuring our classrooms for the fall.
* Please check the 2022-23 school calendar as you begin to plan vacations for next year so that you don't miss vital classroom time. https://www.fwps.org/schoolcalendar
* 2022-23 Bus routes will be available and posted on the district's website at the end of August. Please make sure you know your correct bus stops and times. https://www.fwps.org/domain/199
New Adventures Ahead
Mrs. Virdi
Mr. Robb
Mrs. Nugent
Mrs. Hall
They have been invaluable to our staff and students and will be greatly missed! We wish each and everyone of you happiness and fulfillment in this next chapter of your life.
Track
To our Eagle Track Stars from your Proud Coaches,
Thank you so much for an awesome season! We had a blast learning the different track events this year while also getting to be in a community together and supporting each other as teammates and coaches! The Eagle Track Stars ran the 100 meter dash, the 800 meter dash, and also learned how to do the Turbo Javelin throw, and the Standing Long Jump field events! We are so proud of all of our athletes, and their hard work this season.
Thank you to all of the parents and families who supported your students so they could attend practices and the first meet. We are excited and looking forward to the upcoming track meet as well as another awesome season next year.
Sincerely,
Your Star Lake Track Coaches: Mrs. Nelson, Mrs. Baisch, Mrs. Withrow, Mrs. Thomason, and Mrs. Miller
Library Learning
Please Return All Library Books
Now is the time to look around for all library books and return them to Star Lake library. Star Lake library books have a Star Lake library barcode on the front of the books. We will take back any library books from any schools in the Federal Way district. Also look around for any reading books from classrooms that might have gone home this year. Many have a color IRLA sticker on the spine and some have barcodes on the back. Please return reading books to classroom teachers. Thank you.
Summer reading programs are here!
Keep your students reading all summer to prevent the “summer slide”. Summer slide can happen in September when students fall back in their reading levels because they took time off from reading during the summer. Summer reading programs are fun and important. Keep them reading!
KCLS (King County Library System) Summer Reading Challenge is June 1 – August 31. Students will be bringing home a KCLS summer reading log to track their 20 minutes of reading each day. Prizes are given out at 500 minutes and 1,000 minutes at any KCLS library. Minutes can also be tracked on the Beanstack app on kcls.org/summer. Students may listen to books and read books for their minutes. KCLS is also offering many free programs at the libraries including legos, magic shows, Stem maker activities, arts & crafts including rock painting, story walks and more.
Barnes & Noble: Every summer, Barnes & Nobel bookstores offer a summer reading incentive. Print a reading log sheet at https://dispatch.barnesandnoble.com/content/dam/ccr/h/summer-reading/2022/126443-06BNJournalSheetPrintable.pdf for English and https://dispatch.barnesandnoble.com/content/dam/ccr/h/summer-reading/2022/126443-06BNJournalSheetPrintable.pdf for Spanish. After completing daily reading, students bring in their reading log to any Barnes & Noble bookstore to receive a new free book.
Half Price Books: Half Price Book stores offer a free Summer Reading Camp of craft activities, book recommendations, coloring sheets and reward stickers on a variety of fun summer themes. Visit https://b.halfpricebooks.com/summer-reading/ to register your student for free fun all summer. This is an online program.
Chuckie Cheese: Chuckie Cheese offers a year around reading incentive program. Visit https://www.chuckecheese.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/LSM_Reading-English_Calendar_22-1.pdf to print a reading calendar. Each month students may earn 10 play points for reading every two weeks.
Sub Zero Ice Cream: This ice cream shop offers a yummy reading incentive. Pick up a reading log bookmark at the Federal Way store. Students read and track their reading and bring the bookmark in for free ice cream.
University of Washington Real Dawgs Read: Students will be bringing home a reading log from UW! Students track their minutes and when finished, mail in the reading log (postage is paid) to UW for a choice of a free UW baseball hat, free UW cinch backpack or free UW warm beanie hat.
Star Lake Battle Team Competes at District Battle of the Books
The Moon Readers, Star Lake’s battle champions, tied in fourth place with a few other school teams. Congratulations to Brielle, Maty, Harlow and Aisha, from Mrs. Blair’s class.
2023 Battle of the Books List
The reading list of Battle books for next year is here! Battle of the Books is for all students in grades 3 through 5 in our district. Students can start reading them over the summer and have next school year to read them, too. Our Star Lake Battle competition will be in April 2023. See below for the books for next year.
Happy Summer Reading!
Ms. Nelson
253-945-4010
Counselor's Corner
Here are some great free activities you and your child can do over the summer:
Free Resources for Elementary | Second Step
Second Step® Community Rebuilding Unit. A series of five lessons, aligned with Second Step® Elementary, to help foster a sense of community among students and staff—perfect to use at the beginning of the school year, after holiday breaks, or after any extended closure.
90+ Free Social Emotional Learning Activities - Centervention®
90+ Free Social Emotional Learning Activities. Welcome to our Social Emotional Learning Activities page. Below you will find free resources – lessons, activities, and printables – in the following skill areas: Communication, Cooperation, Emotion Regulation, Empathy, Impulse Control, and Social Initiation. These resources are age-appropriate for elementary and middle school students. www.centervention.com
Emotional ABCs: Award-Winning Social Emotional Learning Program
Empowering Children with Better Emotional Skills. Emotional ABCs is an evidence-based, interactive program that helps children understand and manage their emotions.
Social & Emotional Life Skills Lessons & Videos - Flocabulary
Build social and emotional learning skills with videos, printable worksheets, and comprehensive lesson plans. www.flocabulary.com
Social Emotional Learning | Rethink Ed
Rethink SEL provides a comprehensive social emotional learning solution that includes professional learning modules for adults, K-12 multi-tiered grade level curriculum, SEL assessments, behavior tracking and home support tools all in one web-based platform.
Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Program, Activities & Curriculum - Harmony
Harmony SEL is a social and emotional learning program for Pre-K-6 grade students, accessible online and at no cost. Harmony fosters knowledge, skills, and attitudes boys and girls need to develop healthy identities, create meaningful relationships, and engage productively by providing SEL learning resources, tools, and strategies.
Social & Emotional Learning (SEL) | Edutopia
Find and share resources for creating a healthy school culture by helping students develop skills to manage their emotions, resolve conflicts, and make responsible decisions.
Online K12 SEL Curriculums and Programs | EVERFI
Our free SEL curriculum equips educators with online SEL lessons and activities for elementary, middle school and high school students. http://everfi.com
100+ Free Social Emotional Learning Resources - The Pathway 2 Success
Share via: Facebook 336 Twitter Print Email More Social and emotional learning, often known as SEL, is the process that helps kids learn critical skills, attitudes, and mindsets for social and emotional success. These skills cover five major areas: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationships, and responsible decision-making.
Tiffany Williams, School Counselor
(253) 945-4005
PBIS: SAFE, KIND AND PRODUCTIVE!
Can you believe we made it to June? What a memorable year it’s been. Our Star Lake family has so many reasons to celebrate. We want to give a special shout out to all our scholars for working extra hard at being safe, kind, and productive this past year. Let’s take one last look at those EAGLE WINGS earned by our amazing Eagles:
Mrs. Baisch: 38
Mrs. Baune: 35
Mrs. Gregory: MYSTERY
Mrs. Clark: 49
Ms. Thomason: 46
Mrs. Hall: 72
Ms. Richards: 58
Mrs. Catabay/Crawford: 8
Mrs. Baker: 48
Mr. Friedman: 42
Ms. Jamison: 41
Mrs. Decker: 55
Mrs. Nelson: 49
Mrs. Blair: 54
Mrs. Robinson: 64
Mrs. Withrow: 36
Wow! What an amazing display of how safe, kind, and productive our scholars were this school year. The PBIS team hopes you all have a fantastic summer and we can't wait to catch you being safe, kind and productive in our new building!
Nurses News:
Parents, if your child has medication here at school, please make sure to stop by the health room on the last day of school to pick it up. You can sign the form that was sent home to have us bundle them up in an taped envelope and put in your child's back pack but we must have permission first!
Just a reminder that families who need medication at school next fall, or need vaccinations, please make your appointments now so that you can see your doctor and get your new forms signed BEFORE school begins in September.
For Free Covid Vaccine Clinic options, go to: https://www.fwps.org/Page/8337
Summertime Activity Options:
Please check online for Covid closures/hours before visiting these places!
Parks Around the Area:
West Fenwick Park- 3824 Reith Rd, Kent, WA
Glen Nelson Park- 3216 South 268th Street
Town Square Park- 31600 Pete von Reichbauer Way South, Federal Way, WA
Steel Lake Park-2410 S 312th St, Federal Way, WA
5 Mile Lake Park- 36429 44th Ave S, Auburn, WA
Celebration Park- 1095 S. 324th Street, Federal Way, WA
Museums in the Area:
Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture- Free first Thursday of every month. (10am-5pm)
Bellevue Arts Museum- Free first Friday of every month. (11am - 8pm)
Center for Wooden Boats- Free always. (10am - 8pm Daily)
Duwamish Longhouse & Cultural Center- Free always. (Tuesday - Saturday 10AM - 5PM)
Frye Art Museum- Free always. (Tuesday – Sunday 11 – 5, Open Later Thursday 11 – 7)
Henry Art Gallery- Students always free. (11am-9pm)
Klondike Gold Rush Museum- Free always. (9am-5pm)
Loghouse Museum- Pay What You Wish always (Friday-Sunday, Noon-4pm)
Museum of Flight- Free first Thursday of every month (5-9pm)
Museum of Glass- Free third Thursday of every month (5-8pm)
Museum of History and Industry- Free first Thursday of every month. (10am-8pm)
Seattle Art Museum Downtown- Free first Thursday of every month (10am-9pm)
Seattle Children's Museum- Reduced payment programs. (10am-5pm)
Seattle Public Library Museum Pass- Free always, Seattle Public Library cardholders reserve and print free admission tickets to Seattle museums.
Tacoma Art Museum- Free Third Thursdays, (5-8pm)
Children’s Museum of Tacoma- Pay-As-You-Will/ Free. (10am-1pm & 2-5pm)
Washington State History Museum- Free Third Thursday (3-8pm)
Enroll In Preschool
Federal Way Public Schools offers high quality and affordable preschool programs for children ages 3 and 4. There are both tuition programs and free programs for income-eligible children.
For additional information go to: https://www.fwps.org/preschool
CHOICE Post Lottery Open
Post Lottery Application for Out-Of-District applicants is open August 1-31. Applications must be accompanied by a Choice Transfer Request. This form can be filled out at the link below, or by visiting the scholar's resident district office. Click below to fill out the form:
For further information please go to: https://www.fwps.org/Page/434
Register For Kindergarten
If your child will be age 5 by Aug 31st, you can begin the registration process by visiting: http://www.fwps.org/kiosk
If this is your first student attending Federal Way Schools, then please click on Student Registration and Create a New Account.
If you currently have or have in the past had a student registered in any Federal Way Public School , this includes Preschool & ECEAP, then you already have a ParentVue account. Just click on “ParentVue” to access your family's information. If you forgot your password you can click the “More Info” button. DO NOT make a new account for each student. If you need help recovering a forgotten User ID, please contact Kathy Miller at 253-945-4002 or kamiller@fwps.org. If you need additional information please go to: https://www.fwps.org/Page/7199
PTA Updates
Last PTA meeting will be on Wednesday, June 8th at 6 pm on Zoom. Zoom link will be sent out closer to the date. Help shape what the next school looks like- we will discuss fundraisers, budget, assemblies, field trips and the new board. All attendees will be entered into a raffle for a gift card!
Star Lake PTA needs a new Executive Board for next year! If you are interested please email us at starlakepta@gmail.com
PTA SPIRIT DAYS:
June 10- Tropical Day
Join our Facebook page to keep up with the Star Lake PTA: https://www.facebook.com/groups/StarLakeElementary
Summer Activities and meet-ups will be posted on our Facebook page.
* Remember that a successful PTA needs your participation. We appreciate your support! If you have any questions, please email us at: starlakepta@gmail.com
Staff List:
Volunteer Applications:
Star Lake Elementary
Email: comments@fwps.org
Website: https://www.fwps.org/starlake
Location: 3600 South 344th Way, Federal Way, WA, USA
Phone: 253-945-4000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StarLakeFWPS