STAR GAZER GAZETTE
June 2021 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? Remember back to a year ago when we were all saying, “Now what is this thing called Zoom?” and “How on earth are we going to teach our students if they are fully remote?” And, while I know there have been many twists and turns, bumps and restarts, I think we all did a pretty amazing job! Our staff, our families and our students put our heads and our hearts together and did our best to support each other and provide engaging instruction for our students.
I want to deeply thank our families for giving us grace, and for helping our students at home this year. I want to thank our teachers and staff for their optimism, flexibility and strong drive to do everything needed to teach our students. And, I want to thank our students for digging in, trying hard, and being so independent as they learned, studied and grew this year!
We look forward to seeing our students and families next week during our drive through events. Please see the details included in this newsletter regarding times to pick up and drop off books, and for our kindergarten and 5th grade drive through celebrations.
We also hope you will come out and wave at us as we drive through our Star Lake neighborhood on Thursday, June 17 from 12:30-1:30. We have truly missed seeing our remote students face to face, and this is a fun time for our staff to smile and wave and wish you a happy summer! We all deserve some time to rest and rejuvenate in preparation for the great learning that will start again in the fall.
Please stay tuned over the summer for messages regarding our schedule and procedures for face to face school in the fall. As soon as these details are finalized they will be shared with you.
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
Parent Zoom Meeting: June 10th, 6:00pm
We look forward to seeing you!
Mark Your Calendars
JUNE
10 - Parent Zoom Meeting, 6:00pm
14 & 15 - Regular School Days
16 - Asynchronous Day + Drop Off/Pick Up Supply Day + Kindergarten & 5th Grade Drive Through Celebrations
17 - Drop Off/Pick Up Supplies + Staff Parade in the Star Lake Community
30 - School Office Closes for the summer
AUGUST
16 - School Office Reopens
16-18 - Kinder & 1st Camp, 9-12:00
SEPTEMBER
1 - School Begins
7 - Kindergarten Begins
Perfect Record!
In May, we had 123 students earn 10 Star Lake Way tickets for perfect attendance. This represents a 17 scholar increase from last May! Way to go Eagles.
Currently, we have 38 scholars with Perfect Attendance for the entire school year! Those scholars will be presented with a plaque and their names will appear in our end of year Video Announcements on June 15th.
Let’s finish the year strong Eagles!
Every Day Counts and Everyday Matters!
END OF SCHOOL FESTIVITIES
Tuesday, June 15:
Last day of synchronous/in person classes
Wednesday, June 16:
Last day of asynchronous work along with Kindergarten and 5th grade drive through celebrations AND student pick-up/drop off of supplies.
8:30am-10:00am Students in grades 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th can drive through the Star Lake parent drop off parking lot (3600 S 344th Way) to drop off IRLA books, library books, and any curriculum books they have at home (see list below). Scholars will get a treat for every book they return! Pick up: FREE books for the summer and any certificates.
10:00-12:00 KINDERGARTEN CELEBRATION DRIVE THROUGH Families of kindergartners can drive through any time between 10:00-12:00 to drop off any books you have at home and to receive a special kindergarten gift, say hi to your teachers, and stop at our "photo" station to take a memory picture. Families if you want to decorate your car for the drive through, please do!
11:30-1:00 5th GRADE CELEBRATION DRIVE THROUGH Families of 5th graders can drive through any time between 11:30-1:00 to drop off any IRLA, library, and curriculum books you have at home and to receive a special 5th grade memory book, say hi to your teachers, and stop at our "photo" station to take a memory picture. Families if you want to decorate your car for the drive through, please do!
1:00-3:30 Students in grades 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th can drive through the Star Lake parent drop off parking lot (3600 S 344th Way) to drop off IRLA books, library books, and any curriculum books they have at home (see list below). Scholars will get a treat for every book they return! Pick up: FREE books for the summer and any certificates.
If you have students in multiple grades, you can pick up/drop off for all your students at the same time; but if you have a kindergartner or 5th grader be sure to come at the celebration time!
Students may KEEP loaned computers through the end of July! This gives them access to many summer learning opportunities like recorded lessons, Myon, Epic, iReady and more. If your child is leaving the Federal Way School District please return your computer on June 16th or 17th. The district will be sending information later regarding the return process for computers in August. Fines may be assessed for any missing or broken parts.
Thursday, June 17:
9:00-11:00 Students in grades 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th can drive through the Star Lake parent drop off parking lot (3600 S 344th Way) to drop off IRLA books, library books, and any curriculum books they have at home (see list below). Scholars will get a treat for every book they return! Pick up: FREE books for the summer and any certificates.
12:30-1:30 Star Lake Staff Parade in the Star Lake community. Staff will be driving through the Star Lake community and waving to our students and families. We are excited for the chance to say "hi" and see our students face to face and celebrate the great work they have done this year. (See below for parade route) We hope to see you out on the street waving at us as we go by!
Important Year End Info
* Second semester report cards will be mailed home on June 17th. You can also access them after that on ParentVUE: https://grades.fwps.org/
* In August you will be notified it is time to update your Online Verification. This now needs to be completed every August. Please complete this before Aug 25th so that you will be able to see your scholar's new teacher. This is also when you need to complete your Free and Reduced Lunch form. This can all 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.
* Please check the 2021-22 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
* 2021-22 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
Farewell & Thank You!
Retiring:
Cristee Ellis
Tricia Baker
Patti Cox
Leaving for New Adventures:
Mary Peggins
Enjoli Washington
Rachele Gentry
Jordan Sevier
We wish you well and want you to know how grateful we are for your years of dedication working with our scholars and in the Federal Way School District. You have impacted us all. We will greatly miss you In our Star Lake community!!
Another big SHOUT OUT goes to these staff members who helped get us through this year. We couldn't have done it without you:
Melanie Broadbent
Angie Crawford
Melissa Spencer
Andrew Robb
Daljit Bains
Christy Jamison
(We are excited Ms Jamison will be joining our staff next year!)
Our Star Lake Virtual Family Night Was A Success!!
A big THANK YOU goes to BNB Construction and their subcontractors for their generous donations of 2 bikes and 2 $50 gift cards to Barnes and Noble. They were fabulous prizes for our scholars!!
And we can’t forget to thank our author, Kelly Cook, who took time to visit with us and read her book “The Mighty-Fine Adventure of Piper & Floyd”, as well as donated 160 copies of her book to Star Lake scholars.
We would also like to thank all those families who participated in our Family Night. Here are some fun photos from that event.
We had lots of scholars attend!
Author, Kelly Cook, shared her book with us
This breakout room drew Pizza Steve
Summer Meals Program Begins June 28
Funded by the United States Department of Agriculture, “grab and go" summer meals are available for FWPS scholars and children ages 18 or younger for no cost at 16 sites across the district.
For more information visit: www.fwps.org/summermeals. The schedule is below.
Choice Post Lottery Enrollment
Choice is open for All in District scholars June 1st-Aug 31st and out of District Aug 1st-Aug 31st
Choice forms are time and date stamped so the sooner you complete your form online at
www.fwps.org/choice the better your chances. Please remember to register at your home school now.
If you get into your Choice school we can then make the transfer.
Any questions please call 253-945-2098 or email choice@fwps.org
Register For Kinder
To begin the registration process go to: https://www.fwps.org/Page/7199.
Please note: these instructions can be translated to most languages by clicking the words "Translate Language" in the upper right corner.
**Also please mark your calendar for Aug 16-18 for Kinder & 1st Grade Camp, 9-12:00. Registration must be completed BEFORE Aug 16th. Please see the email that Mrs. Rennie sent this week to current and incoming kindergartners.
Summer Childcare Available for Grades K-5
Act now to sign-up for Right At School summer childcare which offers high-quality and flexible care.
With Right at School there is:
- An array of childcare options, including full and half-day care for K-5 students June 28 – August 20, 2021, between 7 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- Two locations: Valhalla Elementary and Sherwood Forest Elementary.
- Flexibility to build a schedule for the days and parts of the day that families need care.
- 40% District subsidy: RAS Summer Camp offered at $135 a week.
- A weekly billing option, and they accept state subsidies.
To register visit https://rightatschool.com/summer-camp/ or call 1-855-287-2466.
Register For Preschool
Will your child be three or four-years-old by August 31, 2021? Consider enrollment in one of our preschool programs!
More information can be found at: https://www.fwps.org/Page/2211, by phone at 253-945-2379, or email at preschool@fwps.org.
Click tab below for the registration form.
PTA Updates
Please attend our Virtual Book Fair, June 14-27th. It is a great way to get books your scholar will love reading this summer plus all purchases will benefit our school! http://www.scholastic.com/bf/starlakeelementaryschool
We will be posting on our Facebook page summer reading opportunities and other fun activities in our area so please make sure to watch our Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/groups/StarLakeElementary
Star Lake PTA is looking for parents interested in being on the Executive Board for the 2021-2022 school year. If you are interested or have questions, please email us at: starlakepta@gmail.com.
Check out our website for additional info on meetings, events and membership!
* Remember that a successful PTA needs your participation. We appreciate your support!
If you have any questions please email us at:
Star Lake Library Updates
As we are coming up on the end of the school year, I just wanted to update you on a few things.
1. If you have any library books still at home (checked out in Winter/ Spring of 2020), please return them to the school ASAP. There are still have 152 books checked out! Please check around your house for books with a Star Lake Barcode on them. If you need to know what you have checked out, please send an email to: jnelson@fwps.org.
If you have a remote student, you may drop off library books on the drop off/pick up days, June 16 and 17.
2. Check out my Canvas page for many summer reading resources, the Battle of the Books list for 2022, Ms. Nelson’s fun padlets of activities, etc
Library Canvas Page: https://fwps.instructure.com/courses/64116
3. Check out the Star Lake Library Homepage at https://fwps.follettdestiny.com/common/servlet/presenthomeform.do?l2m=Home&tm=Home
for tons of free, fun learning resources including Ms. Nelson’s Create art padlet, Graphic Novels padlet and websites, math and science websites, authors/ book series websites, typing agent and more.
4. Congratulations to Star Lakes’ Battle Of the Books team Kids in Black (Milani, Fernanda, Justin F., Nadia) for coming in fourth place at the the district BOB competition! Way to go readers!
5. The 2021-22 Battle Of the Books List has been released. Start reading next year’s BOB books this summer to get a head start on next year’s Battle Of the Books. (see list below)
6. One of the best ways to prevent summer learning loss is to READ, READ, READ. In order to help promote summer reading, KCLS has a Summer Reading Challenge. Please see below for details and attached information as a reminder for how to log in to KCLS to checkout books (which is a great way to read all the new releases – including next year’s BOB books)
KCLS Summer Reading Challenge June 1st – August 31st
Join our community of readers by participating in the Summer Reading Challenge for All Ages at the King County Library System. It’s easy to join! Print a downloadable reading log at www.kcls.org/summer to track your reading OR keep track of your minutes on the free Beanstack app. The program starts June 1 and ends August 31. Your total goal is to read 1,000 minutes, but after reading 500 minutes, you can enter for a chance to win a bookstore gift card—there will be ten winners at each library branch! (Enter for a chance to win at www.kcls.org/summer OR if using the Beanstack app, you will automatically be entered in the drawing after reading 500 minutes.)
You can read anything you want towards your summer reading minutes! You can read to someone or be read to. Why not set aside time each day to read together as a family? Research shows that children retain their reading skills when they choose their own reading materials and read for enjoyment. Summer is a critical time to keep on reading and maintain/improve reading skills when not in school.
KCLS will have many fun online events for all ages this summer! Find out more at www.kcls.org/summer. We are also excited that our library branches are starting to reopen to the public. Woodmont public library and 320th library are now open for book check out Tuesday through Saturday. KCLS plans to reopen the remainder of our library buildings throughout the month of July. Find out more here www.kcls.org/visit. They can’t wait to see you inside the library again! Have a great summer and don’t forget to READ!
Summer Reading Resources:
Half Price Books Summer Reading Log: https://halfpricebooks.com/summer-reading/log.html
Half Price Books Summer Reading Resources: https://b.halfpricebooks.com/summer-reading/?hero
Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Program Reading Log- English:
Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Program Reading Log- Spanish:
https://dispatch.barnesandnoble.com/content/dam/ccr/pdf/2021/BN_Summer_Reading_Jounal_Spanish.pdf
Pizza Hut Book It Summer Reading Program:
https://www.bookitprogram.com/book-it-for-parents
Chuckie Cheese Year Around Reading Rewards:
https://www.chuckecheese.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/LSM_Reading_Rewards_Calendar_21.pdf
Sub Zero Ice Cream- Federal Way – pick up a bookmark at their location, track reading minutes, bring in for free ice cream this summer!
Your partner in reading and learning!
Ms. Jennifer Nelson, Librarian
Canvas: https://fwps.instructure.com/courses/64116
Star Lake Library Homepage: https://fwps.follettdestiny.com/common/servlet/presenthomeform.do?l2m=Home&tm=Home
Nurse News
Letters will be coming home for students who need meds at school, have health concerns or need immunizations. There will be forms to use for doctor’s orders for the 2021-22 school year. This is also a good time to make appointments for summer doctor visits to get the orders completed and any vaccinations needed before school begins.
ParentVue will open up for registration in August and we’d like you to make sure that you enter and update your child’s health concerns and medications. There is a space to add health concerns that aren’t listed, so that’s a place you can add seasonal allergies, for example. New this year will be a consent for adding immunizations to the state record. (Now you can start thinking about where you put that password).
The Pfizer COVID vaccine is now available for ages 12 and older. This may change over the summer as to what ages & what types of vaccines are eligible, but they are safe, free and extremely effective. COVID vaccine is available at clinics, drugstores and vaccine sites set up for that purpose. For options you can check www.kingcounty.gov/vaccine , www.covid19tacoma.com for the Todd Beamer HS clinic on June 11th, or www.immigrantguide.org for the June 19th clinic at Sacajawea park. The COVD vaccine is not a requirement for school attendance.
And speaking of vaccines, if your child is not current on their immunizations, due to state requirements, they will not be allowed to attend school this fall, summer school or K Camp. We have sent out letters and made phone calls to remind parents for those that are not current. Our hope is for face to face school in the fall and this is an expected requirement for school attendance.
If you have any questions, please call us at 253-945-4009. Have a safe and healthy summer and we looking forward to being all together in the fall.
Sybel Johnson, RN & Becky Dorsett, RN, School Nurse
PBIS: SAFE, KIND AND PRODUCTIVE!
Summer is almost upon us! We have had such an incredible year with PBIS, our Eagle Mart and Eagle Wings. Students have earned over 92,000 Star Lake Way tickets overall (Sept-June). Our scholars are motivated by many items in Eagle Mart but are especially eager to purchase PIZZA delivered to their home!!! Best sellers this year have been Legos, large plushies, blow up bats, light up wrist spinners, Sonic figures, Gummi Worms and Sharks, Ring Pops, Sour Patch Kids, as well as Takis and other chips!
PBIS continues to be alive and well at Star Lake Elementary! A great BIG thank you to all our teachers for their continued support to our school wide PBIS program including giving out Star Lake Way tickets. Our scholars have come ready to spend them. During this time of remote/hybrid learning we have been able to redeem all our Star Lake Way tickets by shopping remotely or in person. All the tickets students from Kindergarten to 4th grade have left, will roll over to next year. We are keeping track of those in your Star Lake student savings account! For our 5th Graders, we are finishing up shopping this week. We are so excited for you as you transition from Star Lake and head off to middle school. Congratulations and good luck to you!!
Kindergarten, First Grade, Second Grade and Fifth grade students recently shopped since the last newsletter update. The students named below have spent more than 50 tickets:
Baisch: Annabel, Arne, Betselot (PIZZA!), Domani, Henry, Holly, Kimberly, Marisela (PIZZA!), Peyton, Samuel, Surafel, Tina, Yaseen (PIZZA!)
Baune: Aiva, Austin, Dalary, Dayna, Elijah, Ezekiel, Gabriel, Isaac, Jayceon, Kobe, Rocco, Rylan Sophia (PIZZA!), Selemaea, Stella, Ximena, Yodahe
Gregory: Adriana, Avleen (PIZZA!), Avneet, Ernesto, Jasmine, Jayleen, Jensen, Joel, Kayden (PIZZA), Melody, Nia, Peyton, Rocio, Tala
Clark: Elenna, Lanaya, Avtejh (PIZZA!), Ezekiel (PIZZA!), Manasses, Josevata (PIZZA!), Robert, Ashley (PIZZA!), Samantha, Andrea, Mia (PIZZA!)
Peggins: Jayden, Jae’Zanae (PIZZA!), Noah, Lizzy (PIZZA!), Giovanni, Rene, Danny (PIZZA!), Ezekiel (PIZZA!), Hiba (PIZZA!), Ha’ane, Russell, Jesse (PIZZA!), Ladayah (PIZZA!), Deborah (PIZZA!), My’kiera (PIZZA!), Rhea, Savannah
Thomason: M.J. (PIZZA!), Lavayah (PIZZA!), James, Mykale (PIZZA!), Alexa (PIZZA!), Amiyah (PIZZA!), T-Rose, David (PIZZA!), Izley (PIZZA!), Hodan, Jorge, Yaki, Yuliana, (PIZZA!)
Broadbent/Hall: Aarya, Abdurrahman (PIZZA!), Alexa, Annalicia, Bensia, Danny, Eduardo, Gabriel, Hunter, Jayden, Keaton, Mallory, Miriam (PIZZA!), Mykaila, Rihan, Terrell, Tirez (PIZZA!)
Crawford/Coleman: Aaron, Andre, Bryant, Georgia, Ibrahim, Isaiah (PIZZA!), Luke (PIZZA!), Nasteha, Raiden (PIZZA!), Ricky, Rilirose, Rudy, Thomas, Tristan
Stroud: Allison, Andrew, Athena, Ayan, Bubba, Codie (PIZZA!), Danielle, Felicity, Jeremiah, Jeremy, Julian, Madelyn, Mia, Nyomi (PIZZA!), Olivia, Senara, Sumayyah, Zoie
Blair: Amore, Andrew, Arturo, Autumn, Caidin, Carol, Christian, Elissett, Fernanda, Grant, Isaac, Justin, Kingston, Lauren, Malachi, Marda, Milani, Milly, Nadia (PIZZA!), Oeric, Ola’Ladae, Sabrin, Santiago, Sumaiya, Uzziah, Weson
Robinson: Alaysia, Alexander C., Alexander R., Ali, Amanda, Amina, Avayah, Aven, Chasity, David, Ezekias, Helwin, Jasmine, Jaybez, Joey, Julius, Lianih, Logan (PIZZA x 2!), Marina, Samanta
Withrow: Azarias, Eloy, Max O.R., Zoe, Kaori, Victor, Benie, Max P., Jonathan O.R.
Thank you for supporting our PBIS program here at Star Lake, in your home and in the community! Have a great safe, kind and productive summer. I look forward to seeing you next school year!!
Katherine Hinkle
PBIS Incentives Chair
Summertime Activities
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. (Monday - Saturday 10AM - 5PM)
Frye Art Museum- Free always. (Tuesday – Sunday 11 – 5, Open Later Thursday 11 – 7)
Henry Art Gallery- Free first Thursday of every month. Students always free. (11am-9pm)
Imagine Children's Museum- Free third Friday of every month (5:30-9pm), half price admission every Thursday (3-5pm). (10am-5pm)
Klondike Gold Rush Museum- Free always. (9am-5pm)
Loghouse Museum- Pay What You Wish always (Thursday-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. (10am8pm)
Northwest African American Museum- Free first Thursday of every month. (11am -7pm)
Northwest Seaport Maritime Heritage Center- Free first Thursday of every month. (Noon-4pm)
Seattle Art Museum Downtown- Free first Thursday of every month (10am-9pm)
Seattle Children's Museum- Reduced payment programs.
Seattle Public Library Museum Pass- Free always, Seattle Public Library cardholders reserve and print free admission tickets to Seattle museums.
Wing Luke Asian Museum- Free first Thursday of every month. (10am-8pm)
Tacoma Art Museum- Free Third Thursdays, (5-8pm)
Children’s Museum of Tacoma- Pay-As-You-Will/ Free
Washington State History Museum- Free Third Thursday (2-8pm)
Construction Updates
We'll have stairs in our new building
Ariel view on 6-2-21
It looks very spacious!
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