Tiger Tales
Newsletter #2 - August 25, 2023
· Language Access: Español | 简体中文 | Pусский | Tiếng Việt | 한국어 | العربية
Dear Families,
Thank you for dropping by and making last week's Popsicles with Principals so much fun! We cannot wait to continue our conversations and deepen connections with you throughout this coming year.
Our school has been busy with preparing for the start of school. This newsletter outlines the events coming up and what you can anticipate to get ready! Going forward, we plan to send out weekly newsletters on Fridays. For those new to the Smore format, you can translate this newsletter by clicking on the Translate button at the top of this page.
We welcome our new families, staff, and everyone returning back. Our Tiger community continues to grow, and we are grateful that we are doing this important work of raising our students, together with you.
In service,
Betty Nhan, Principal (nhanb@bsd405.org)
Kati Weiland, Assistant Principal (weilandk@bsd405.org)
Upcoming Events
August 29 - Kindergarten Camp Sessions Starting at 8:30 AM
August 31- Teacher Meet & Greet 3:20-4:00 PM
September 4 - No School- Labor Day
September 5 - First Day of School for Grades 1- 5
September 8 - First Day of Kindergarten
September 11- First day of Preschool
September 13 - Curriculum Night, 5:30-7pm, Details coming soon
Staff Updates
Please join us in welcoming these new members of the Medina family!
Pre-school
Amina Sajjad, Teacher
Janean Maples, Teacher
Kathy Bitz, Assistant Teacher
Chandani Nanyakkara, Assistant Teacher
Kimberly Nishikawa, Assistant Teacher
General School Assistants
Caroline Kifa
Paul Warham
Reza Zangeneh
Paraeducators
Karenna Bray
Rajneet Lubana
Head Cook
Ida Law
Classroom Teachers
Homa Hassan, Kindergarten
Nicole Isernio, First Grade
Lynda Roy, Second Grade
Amanda Hutson, Third Grade
Kelley Nguyen, Fourth Grade
Sara Clarke, Fourth Grade
Additional Certificated Staff
Jill Chaffee, Speech Language Pathologist
Allison Low, Psychologist
In addition, Jennifer Min, 3rd grade, will be on maternity leave from the start of school until the end of January. We are fortunate that Alison Ezekial Mohan will be the guest teacher for the class during Ms. Min's leave.
Reminder: Kindergarten Camp
Please sign up for one, 45 minute session for your child to attend and make sure to plan on arriving 10 minutes prior to your child’s session time to check-in and allow us to start on time. Following kindergarten camp, we will refine the classroom placements. Once done, you will receive an email with your child's assigned teacher and a link to sign up for your child's Kindergarten Welcome Conferences. Kindergarten Camp will be in lieu of the Medina Meet and Greet for Kindergarten families.
Teacher Meet and Greet Grades 1-5
Please note that class configurations are being finalized as we are adjusting to updated enrollment information. You will be notified of your student's teacher via email by August 30th 5pm. If you do not receive this email, please reach out to Betty or Kati via email or call the front office beginning on August 31st at 425-456-5400.
On Thursday, August 31st
From 3-4:30pm, stop by Medina Elementary to learn about PTA programs and check out the school bus. PTA will have tables located in the undercover area by the toy structure.
From 3:20-4pm, front doors open for families to visit classrooms. After you get a "popsicle ticket" from your teacher, head on to PTA area to trade in for a frozen treat.
Bell Schedule
7:45am GSA Supervision starts in arrival areas
7:55am School Doors Open
8:05am K-5 Classes Start
2:35pm K-5 School Dismissal (M, T, TH, F) 12:20pm (Wed.)
8:15am Pre-school Classes Start
2:45pm Pre-school Dismissal (M, T, TH, F) 12:30pm (Wed.)
Transportation
Incoming families, keep updated with bus routes by using this link: https://bsd405.org/departments/transportation/bus-routes/
Suggested School Supplies
Each student will be supplied with the instructional materials (e.g. textbooks, paper, pencils, crayons, glue sticks, rulers, scissor, etc.) necessary for academic success. Here's the 2023-2024 school supplies list for grade-specific needs.
Thank you in advance for sending the optional supplies on the list with your child at the beginning of the new school year.
News Across the District
An e-newsletter was sent to BSD families on Thursday, August 10, with back-to-school information and resources, which can also be found on the district Back to School webpage.
BSD Health Fair
In partnership with state and local partners, BSD will hold health fairs on Wednesday, August 30 and Thursday, August 31. The health fairs will offer immunization clinics to students in preparation for the start of the 2023-2024 school year, as well as information about community agencies, overdose awareness(watch a video shared by Superintendent Aramaki in July about this topic.), internet safety and resources from physical and mental health providers. The fairs are free and open to the public. Immunization appointments are required. Please note, COVID and flu vaccines are not currently available.
BSD nurses, athletics and activities, and technology departments will be on-hand to support families, answer questions and provide resources. Partner organizations will also be in attendance, including: Washington State Department of Health, Youth Eastside Services, International Community Health Services, and Safeway Pharmacies.
· Bellevue School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts of America and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination:
Civil Rights, Racial Discrimination, and Gender Expression or Identity Discrimination:
Civil Rights/Nondiscrimination Compliance Coordinator Nancy Pham, (425) 456-4040 or phamn@bsd405.org
Sex-based Discrimination, including Sexual Harassment:
Title IX Coordinator: Jeff Lowell, (425) 456-4010 or lowellj@bsd405.org
Disability Discrimination:
Section 504/ADA Coordinator: Heather Edlund, (425) 456-4156 or edlundh@bsd405.org
Mailing address for all three: 12111 NE 1st Street, Bellevue, WA 98005.