News from your North Beach PTA
December 17, 2021
Dates to Remember
- December 20 - 31: Winter Break, no school
- Monday, January 3: Back to school - Happy 2022!
- Thursday, January 6: School Picture make-up day
- Friday, January 7: Last day to purchase discounted NB Auction tickets
- Monday, January 17: MLK day, no school
- Saturday, February 12: North Beach Auction, 6-11pm @ The Nordic Heritage Museum
North Beach Multicultural calendar - December
During December the North Beach community celebrates the following multicultural groups. We will highlight resources and opportunities to learn more about these groups during the month.
- Nov 28-Dec 6: Hanukkah
- Dec 3: International Day of Persons with Disabilities
- Dec 16-24: Las Posadas
- Dec 25: Christmas
- Dec 26-Jan 1: Kwanzaa
A Note From our Principal
December 17, 2021
Hello Seals,
We made it! We can officially say goodbye to the 2021 school year and welcome in 2022! We all deserve a rest and so I hope that all of you are able to do that over the next 2 weeks. Everyone has worked very hard and we are all so proud of how well our students have persevered through a difficult year.
A few things to address before I sign off for December, I want to acknowledge the situation surrounding a recent email from the district regarding social media. We want to assure you we do everything in our power every single day to keep our students safe. We have a close relationship with the security department at the district and get regular visits from our representative whether it’s for an actual emergency, or just stopping in to see how we are doing. I know a few of you noticed emergency response vehicles in front of the building yesterday and we do acknowledge this may cause some worry. Please know that there was never any danger to any of your students. If at any time there is a threat made to the safety of students and staff at the school, word will be sent out immediately.
At the PTA meeting Tuesday night, we discussed the upcoming adoption of elementary math curriculum for next year. The district is currently asking for feedback from parents on the choices being considered. Please click on this link and research curriculum:
Open houses will be coming up in the new year. They will continue to be virtual for the time being.
Thursday, January 27 at 7pm
Tuesday, February 1 at 7pm
I did not send any COVID-19 notification letters out this week.
Happy New Year, Seals!
Kristine McLane, Principal
Need a New Year’s resolution?
How about: “Get great stuff for the North Beach auction”?!
It’s more feel-good than starting a meditation practice. And way more fun than a new workout routine.
We’re looking for fun experiences, kids parties/camps, vacation getaways, high-value services like massages or facials. The list goes on. You can get more ideas AND donate right on the auction website: https://northbeachelementary.ejoinme.org/2022donate.
The auction is just two months away so there really is no time like NOW to show your school spirit.
We’re counting on you! And we appreciate your support.
P.S.
Bought your tickets to the party yet? Get ‘em while they’re hot (and discounted until January 7): https://northbeachelementary.ejoinme.org/2022tickets.
From the office
No school - Monday, December 20th through December 31st. School will resume Monday, January 3rd
Lost and found! Please put your students name in their clothing so that we may return it to them when it is lost.
We hope everyone has a very pleasant and restful and safe break. We’ll see you all in 2022!!
Highlights from Dec PTA meeting
- Passed a $350 Minigrant for Speech & Language team to get the "Super Flex" curriculum for their students
- Launched a successful Giving Tree to support North Beach families and families at Northgate Elementary School.
- Families supported each staff member with an end-of-year gift of a cozy North Beach sweatshirt!
- Artwork that was donated to North Beach has been re-installed in the building. The artist is Bit Vejle. Her website is https://papercutart.no/. (See image to the left)
- White tent that was used for lunch this fall will be removed over winter break. Students are eating inside over the winter season.
Wishing everyone happy holidays and a peaceful winter break! See you in 2022!
Virtual Book Fair
This is a great opportunity to stock up for winter break reads! If you would like your order to arrive before the holidays, it is advised to order as early as possible.
Questions? Email labakker@seattleschools.org
Last Chance! Join the 4/5th grade Leadership team!
The 4/5th Leadership team is re-launching!
We have a list of students who want to participate in the Leadership Team and we wanted to make sure that everyone who wants to participate has the opportunity. We will have a Kick-Off Online Meeting on January 12 at 6:30 p.m. for parents and students. IF your student wants to join the leadership team, please email Rebecca Mongrain at reebecki@gmail.com.
More Information: North Beach Elementary has a long tradition of providing leadership opportunities to our upper grade students. In the past, this has been just a 5th grade activity, but seeing that 4th & 5th grade classes are combined, we're open to this being an opportunity for all our upper grade students.
Previously, this group of student leaders has led volunteer work in the community and around the school, supported school spirit and school safety, helped create and launch new activities that matter to them, and raise up the student voice and needs within the school.
Even in this unusual year, we'd love for our student leaders to have the chance to be active in their community.
(There is no "application" process for this leadership group, only the request that students would be involved to the best of their ability.)
Vaccine Information for Children 5-11 & Covid Dashboard
If you're looking for a vaccine for your child (or yourself, here are the two best resources to get an appointment):
- Washington’s Vaccine Locator
- UW Medicine website or call 844-520-8700
To find out the most recent activity regarding Covid cases in SPS, use this link:
https://www.seattleschools.org/resources/covid-19-dashboard/
Safety Reminders from staff & Building Leadership Team:
1) Watch kids carefully at pick up and drop off! We've had some close calls... please ONLY cross at cross walks.
2) NO food is allowed to be shared or passed out among kids at school (for birthdays or other special events). We know you love sharing treats, but we can't allow them this year for COVID safety reasons. (Don't make us toss out your cupcakes!!)
Kwanzaa - December 26-January 1
Each of the days of the celebration is dedicated to one of the seven principles of Kwanzaa: unity (umoja), self-determination (kujichagulia), collective responsibility (ujima), cooperative economics (ujamaa), purpose (nia), creativity (kuumba), and faith (imani). There also are seven symbols of the holiday: fruits, vegetables, and nuts; a straw mat; a candleholder; ears of corn (maize); gifts; a communal cup signifying unity; and seven candles in the African colours of red, green, and black, symbolizing the seven principles. On each day the family comes together to light one of the candles in the kinara, or candleholder, and to discuss the principle for the day. On December 31, families join in a community feast called the karamu. Some participants wear traditional African clothing during the celebration.
Books to learn about and celebrate Kwanzaa
Together for Kwanzaa, Juwanda G. Ford
Seven Spools of Thread: A Kwanzaa Story, Angela Shelf Medearis
Support North Beach Elementary When You Shop!
Amazon Smile: 0.5% of eligible purchases back to North Beach!
___________________________________________________________________________________
Community News & Events (The programs below are not endorsed by either North Beach PTA or SPS, and are posted for informational purposes only.)
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Parent Education Opportunities
- January 4: Sibling Support: 7 Simple Strategies for Parents to Connect with Their Typically Developing Kids With Emily Holl
Description: Siblings of children with disabilities play important roles in their families, and often experience similar concerns and opportunities as parents. This interactive session will present some common issues that siblings experience, and share seven simple ways that parents can help minimize sibling concerns, and maximize opportunities to build close bonds with their typically developing children.
- January 8 10am-2pm: Early Learning Symposium
- January 29 Illuminating Autism: Celebrating Artists
- Learning For Justice
- National PTA has developed a fantastic series of podcasts on a variety of topics to share information with parents.
- Don't limit the STEM fun to school—bring the STEM excitement home and get the whole family involved in the fun. National PTA and Bayer have developed a series of hands-on activities families can do.Learn at Home Activities require common household items that you likely already have available within your home.
- Real World Listening Study - UW study looking at how children learn to hear speech and music in noisy environments such as classrooms and play grounds. Children between 7 and 10 years old and have a diagnosis of autism are eligible to participate.
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
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 communications@northbeachpta.org.