Olympic Hills WAG
April 28, 2022
Olympic Hills staff,
We had a group of district staff and a school board member visit Olympic Hills today, and they were blown away by our students and staff. I wish we could visit everyone, but we focused on writing, social justice, and otter block. Deputy Superintendent Robert Gannon commented on the strong sense of belonging in our classrooms. School Board Director Vivian Song Maritz appreciated the social justice lesson we observed. Director Anthony Ruby was impressed with the level of engagement and independence of our students in writing. Four fourth graders from Nick's class talked with us about their identity as writers, and led us on a writing tour to classrooms. Big thank you to Antonia, Bao Anh, Amy, Julie, Michi, Xiomara, and Allison for presenting or opening your classrooms today!
Next week is Educator Appreciation Week! We celebrate all educators at Olympic Hills! Mayra, Rachelle, and I have some appreciation coming your way. And the PTA has planned a week full of treats to celebrate you all!
Finally, I was told today the principal announcement has been pushed back one more week. The district wants to announce a group of new principals at the same time, so the new date is next Friday, May 5th. I am really sorry for the continued delay. Our new principal has been confirmed by the superintendent, but we are just waiting for the district timeline. Thank you for your patience!
Libby
Assembly Video
Upcoming Dates
April Birthdays: 29 Christina
May Birthdays: 4 Jordan, 20 Audrey, 23 Amy F, 25 Katie M, 29 Maria
5/2 Educator Appreciation Week
5/2 Smarter Balanced Assessment begins
5/4 Staff Meeting: Red Job-Alike Day
5/6 K-2 Tooth Fairy/Kraken visit!
5/10 Book-It Repertory Theater First Grade Visit
5/12 & 5/13 Author Visit with Kallie George
5/13 Move-a-Thon
5/27 Woodland Park Zoo Field Trip 1st Grade
5/30 Memorial Day - No School
5/31 Woodland Park Zoo Field Trip 2nd Grade
6/7 Woodland Park Zoo Field Trip Kindergarten
6/7 PTA Meeting
6/9 Otter Day of Action
6/10 Seattle Children's Theater Field Trip 5th Grade
6/11 Summer Festival
6/14 Kindergarten Virtual Graduation 4:00-4:45
6/16 5th Grade Graduation
6/17 Field Day and Last Day of School
Action Required
3-5 Teachers Student Climate Survey: Please administer the student climate survey sometime between April 25th – June 3rd. See Rachelle’s email for more details.
Snack. Please click here to sign up to provide snack (and/or start off a staff meeting) for second semester. Thank you!
Please keep your PLC agendas and unit plans updated here. Thank you!
Please let me know by tomorrow if this draft schedule for the Move-a-thon on 5/13 does not work for your class.
For Your Information
New Staff - I am pleased to share we have hired the following staff for our classroom teaching positions (pictures and bios coming later)!
- Ramla Sheikh-Ali - first grade
- Jeremy Whiting - first grade
- Xiomara Rincon - fourth grade
- Christy Harris (currently at Broadview Thompson) - fourth grade
- Julia Herman - 0.5 math specialist
Summer Staircase Referrals: Summer is almost here! At Data Team meetings on Wednesday, grade level teams discussed referrals and enrollment. We’ll use the data spreadsheet as well as teacher input to make decisions. Here are the eligibility criteria:
Open to specific students
- K - 5 Students approaching grade-level proficiency.
- K – 5 Students with IEPs approaching grade-level proficiency and/or who qualify for Recovery Services by their IEP Team.
- Students receiving multilingual services approaching grade-level proficiency.
Prioritization of recruitment
- African American boys and youth approaching grade-level proficiency*
- Students of color furthest from educational justice, MV and Foster Care approaching grade-level proficiency*
- All K – 5 students approaching grade-level proficiency*
*Inclusive of students who qualify for special education and multilingual services
What should I do? For anyone who you think should be in summer learning who is NOT in these categories, please send Andrea Baumgarten an email ASAP with the student name(s). We’ll do our best to enroll as many students as possible given space constraints. Thank you!
From the District
Advanced Learning Department | Eligibility Decisions
The AL Team is grateful for your support of students and families throughout this eligibility process. As results are distributed, the role of your teachers, IAs and leaders will continue to be essential as families reach out with their questions. The following information will be helpful.
Important Information for you and your teachers:
- Eligibility Decisions for all K-8 students in SPS will be completed on April 29.
- Principals/Assistant Principals – Access to Eligibility Decisions – You will receive the link to the SharePoint folder on May 3.
- This information is embargoed until families receive their notice on May 5.
- Appeals are due no later than May 20. Families and school employees are encouraged to advocate for students, especially those furthest from educational justice. The appeals form for families will be available on the Advanced Learning Webpage close to May 5, when decisions are distributed by email (and snail mail for families without email).
This guidance document is available to share with your staff with the basic information you have been receiving through the SLC.
AL Guidance Eligibility 2021-22
Foundational Coursework Coordinator (FCC)
The Teacher Leadership – Foundational Coursework Coordinator (FCC) 201 Racial Equity role has been established to recognize excellence in teacher leadership and support professional learning that is created by and for teachers.
This role will oversee the alignment and implementation of the department’s Foundational Coursework series, including Seattle Teaching 101, 201, 301. The coordinator will also play a supporting role in Building Leadership Team (BLT) training including ensuring alignment where applicable between BLT and Seattle Teaching 101, 201 and 301.
Classroom teaching experience is required and priority in hiring will be given to candidates who have engaged in racial equity work and culturally responsive teaching practices. In line with our beliefs and priorities in Seattle Public Schools, all teachers are expected to engage in this work prior to entering a leadership position in SPS.
The position is posted and will remain open until filled. This is a career ladder position and will post on the internal job opportunities on the HR website.
Asian American & Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month
AA&NH/PI Heritage Month is a time for us to recognize, uplift, and teach into the contributions of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders. The Ethnic Studies Department has created this resource for you to support you during this month.
Haitian Heritage Month
Haitian Heritage Month is celebrated in the month of May and is a chance for Seattle Public Schools to honor and uplift the history, culture, and contributions of our Haitian community. The Ethnic Studies Department has created this resource for you to support you during this month.
Contact: DLE@seattleschools.org
Ethnic Studies Department Looking For Elementary Curriculum Writers
The Ethnic Studies Department is creating a launch and support plan for the 2022-23 school year. We are excited to provide frameworks, scope & sequences, and a comprehensive curriculum for PK-5. We are looking for educators to support this process by writing curriculum aligned to our frameworks and scope & sequence. If you are interested in potentially writing elementary Ethnic Studies curriculum, please apply.
Contact DLE@seattleschools.org for more information.
Sign Up For Ethnic Studies Department Monthly Newsletters
The Ethnic Studies Department is distributing a monthly newsletter with resources, educator spotlights, and updates on our department. If you would like to receive these newsletters, please sign up
Olympic Hills Elementary School
Email: ecdebell@seattleschools.org
Website: www.olympichillses.seattleschools.org
Location: 13018 20th Avenue Northeast, Seattle, WA, USA
Phone: 206-413-2200