Leopard Pride Newsletter
February 2022
Lockwood Mission
We provide a learning community that recognizes all students as capable learners. We promote high standards, expect accountability, and celebrate success. Cooperation, responsibility, and confidence promote our goals of life-long learning and responsible citizenship.
School Information
In This Issue
- Principal Message
- School Information and Dates
- District News
- PACE and PTA Information
Principal's Message
Dear Lockwood Families,
We are now officially over half way through the school year. Although for many of us February is a cold and wet month, there are still ways to find enjoyment, continue to grow as a person, and live intentionally. One of my favorite things is hearing the laughter and seeing the joy of the Lockwood students every day. Find that one positive thing that brings you joy when it feels like we're almost at the end of winter, but not quite there yet.
Thinking about the students of Lockwood, there are tips that parents can incorporate into their daily lives that will foster social and emotional learning at home. Here are those tips:
- Focus on strengths: When your child brings home a test, talk first about what they did well. Then talk about areas of growth.
- Ask your child how he/she feels: This shows the importance of being a good listener and helps children feel heard in a way that fosters a strong parent-child relationship.
- Be willing to apologize: You'll show how important it is to apologize after hurting someone and how to work through problems in a respectful way.
- Give your child choices: Givings children ways to express preferences and make decisions shows their ideas and feelings matter.
- Help your child solve problems: When you hear your child has a problem, it's tempting to step in and take over. This can harm a child's ability to find solutions on their own. It's helpful to ask questions to guide them.
These tips are being practiced daily with staff with students every day. We know that in growing a child's social and emotional skills will also help to grow that child's self-confidence and independence.
For February, I challenge you to practice more kindness, more love, more understanding toward others and toward yourself. Spread some extra warmth and light during this final month of winter. As Helen Keller once said, "The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched - they must be felt with the heart."
In partnership,
Tamorah Redshaw
Proud Principal
School Information and Dates
Traffic Reminder for Drop-off/Pick-up Line
The morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up procedures have improved traffic flow and safety for both staff and students. So, thank you for adjusting so quickly and ensuring everyone's safety. With that in mind, there has been one additional request, please DO NOT use the neighboring streets to perform u-turns. It has been reported that in one particular cult-de-sac that cars have been driving above the speed limit while performing u-turns. We ask that you respect the neighbors who live near the school. We greatly appreciate your understanding in this ask.
Taking a Vacation on a School Day?
We understand that things come up on occasion (doctor/dental visits, weddings, funerals, birthdays, etc.). However, your child is expected to attend school every school day that school is in session. Some absences are "excused" (such as medical appointments, cultural/religious observances, school events, etc.) and some are "unexcused" (such as family vacations). This doesn’t mean you can’t take a family vacation—just that you should try to avoid taking them during school days.
In addition, your child’s teacher is not obligated to provide advance homework packets, and catching them up with the class can be difficult. That said, if there happens to be some overlap of your vacation and a school day, you’ll just get a letter reminding you that you shouldn’t take unexcused absences. After three unexcused absences, parents/guardians will be asked to meet with the principal to make sure this is not going to become a regular occurrence. If your child continues to have unexcused absences (5+), families will be asked to sign an attendance plan and only after that fails will next steps be taken. For all the NSD requirements, go here (https://go.boarddocs.com/wa/nsd/Board.nsf/files/ALZMGL4E59C5/$file/3122-ExcUnexcAbsences.pdf)
1st Grade Reading Parent Nights
All parents of 1st grade students are cordially invited to join 1st grade teacher, Kimberly Morgenstern, for two evenings of practical strategies you can use to engage and support your emergent reader.
Kimberly has taught reading for 24 years and is excited to share some insights and tips with you. There will be time for interactive practice and Q & A. These sessions will be recorded for those who cannot attend.
Session One: Engagement and Accuracy
Wednesday, February 2, 2022
6:00-7:00pm in the Lockwood Cafeteria*
Session Two: Comprehension and Fluency
Wednesday, February 16, 2022
6:00-7:00pm in the Lockwood Cafeteria*
*Based on how the Omicron variant is proceeding, this MAY turn into a virtual event.
Questions? Please contact Mrs. Morgenstern at kmorgenstern@nsd.org
Family Volunteer Information
Are you interested in being a volunteer in your child's classroom or at the school? Take a few minutes to view the video below. This video outlines what it means to volunteer at Lockwood as well as expectations, guidelines, and how to sign up.
School Climate Input Survey
As we move into a routine of school and learning, we are hoping to get perspective around the culture and climate of Lockwood. We would appreciate it if you would please take a few minutes to provide your anonymous perspective on Lockwood. The hope is to learn from our community on what makes this school such a special place and how we can work to make it even better. We appreciate your insight and voice. Please click on the link below to fill in the survey.
There are a few important dates and events you will want to mark on your calendar in preparation for the upcoming months:
District News
Building Better Together - Bonds and Levies
Have you voted yet? Northshore School District has three measures to support our students on the February 8 ballot.
Watch a video explaining the ballot measures or learn more by visiting https://www.nsd.org/our-district/overview/bond-levies. If you have any final questions, please let us know at bondlevy@nsd.org.
Want to know more about how to register to vote, where to drop off your ballot, or what to do if you lost your ballot? Check out Snohomish County Elections at https://snohomishcountywa.gov/224/Elections-Voter-Registration or King County Elections at https://kingcounty.gov/depts/elections.aspx
PACE and PTA Information
Parents Active in Cooperative Education (PACE) at Lockwood is an elective program located at Lockwood Elementary that provides an enriched educational experience for students in grades 1-5. PACE students benefit from additional support in the classroom provided by parent volunteers who assist with small group instruction and a variety of enrichment opportunities.
If you are interested in learning more about PACE at Lockwood, join us for a virtual tour. Please use the link below to sign up for a tour.
Contact tours@paceatlockwood.org or membership@paceatlockwood.org for questions.
Tours are a requirement to apply for PACE. The PACE lottery for 2022-2023 school year will be held on February 11 and the last day to do a tour is February 9, 2021.
PTA Pantry
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you. The “PTA Pantry” is now open. We’ll occasionally send out calls for donations when things are getting low, but don’t feel like you need to wait for the call to drop extra non-perishables off in the main office. Here’s how it will work: any teacher (or other staff member) can send a student to the nurse (or to anyone in the main office) with a referral to the “PTA Pantry.” The student will then be taken to the pantry to fill up a sturdy bag (that we provide) with food essentials. The huge benefit of going through the nurse/main office is that they have access to other resources from the district’s “Care Team” that they might be able to offer. If your child ever needs to access the pantry, just send a note to their teacher (or to the main office) asking them to be sent to the nurse for access to the pantry. The Lockwood community is here for you and your family. If anyone has any questions, let me know at president@lockwoodpta.org.