News from your North Beach PTA
April 23, 2021
Dates to Remember
- Tuesday, May 4: PTA Meeting, 6:30 p.m. **ALL ARE WELCOME**
A Note from Our Principal
Dear North Beach Families:
We are settling into our new routines of in-person and continued remote learning. Thank you for your support to help us make arrival and dismissal as smooth as possible. Dropping off and picking up along 24th is working well. Thank you for adhering to the no parking requests along 24th and for using the crosswalk. One thing that could help make things move more smoothly at dismissal is for parents to spread out to the north as well as the south on 24th. We appreciate how you’ve been lining up at dismissal but spreading out will make it easier for our students who need to get to the buses, and it may help you see your child sooner. Another request we have is to use the north side of 90th street in the bus loading zone only for loading and unloading students. Our Developmental Preschool staff need to assist students with mobility challenges down the stairs and into the classroom. Because of cars parked along 90th, the distance some of our preschool students must be transported to the classroom could become a safety issue. If you would like to accompany your child, please park further up the hill or on the south side of 90th street. Thank you for your help!
One of the questions many students have been asking is when the playground will be opened outside of school hours. The school district continues to work with Department of Health officials to determine if COVID transmission rates are low enough to safely open the playground to the public. Stay tuned…
Yesterday was Earth Day. Many students are bringing refillable water bottles to school, which will save many plastic bottles from use. However, please be aware that all drinking fountains are shut down as a precautionary measure, and students are not moving outside of their classroom cohort zone. If they come to school with an empty water bottle and they can’t fill their bottle using tap water in the classroom, they will need to use bottled water provided by the district. To save as many plastic water bottles as possible, please send a full water bottle to school with your child.
Finally, earlier this week former police officer Derek Chauvin was found guilty of all charges related to the death of George Floyd nearly one year ago. In response to the verdict, State Superintendent Chris Reykdal made a strong statement not only acknowledging the existence of systemic racism embedded in our institutions, including K-12 institutions, but expressed a commitment from OSPI (Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction) to examine “every policy, rule, and process, from student discipline to our budget priorities, from early learning to post-secondary access, to ensure that we are challenging systemic racism in K–12 education and providing equitable opportunities in education for all our students.” I have been an educator for almost thirty years, and this is the strongest statement I have seen from OSPI that pushes the state toward anti-racist policies and ultimately, legislation. If this is an important issue to you, I encourage you to follow the actions of state legislators and policymakers in the months ahead. Here is a link to Superintendent Reykdal’s full statement: https://medium.com/waospi/superintendent-chris-reykdals-statement-on-the-guilty-verdicts-in-the-derek-chauvin-murder-trial-1eb56e92ae02.
Have a wonderful weekend,
Kristine McLane
Principal
North Beach Elementary
Counselor’s Corner
Speaking with our Children about Racism and Police Brutality
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal released a statement today about the guilty verdicts in the Derek Chauvin murder trial, beginning with: “The message out of the courtroom today brings hope for the future. But to deliver on a future that is free from racism; a future where Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) don’t just survive in America but actually thrive in America – we have a lot of work to do before we see that future.” I am struck by the fact that while the verdict in this particular trial may bring some hope and relief, there are still almost daily reports of instances of police brutality towards BIPOC individuals. Yes, indeed, we have a lot of work to do.
With this in mind, today I’m sharing several resources from the Washington Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction on talking with and educating our children about racism and policy brutality, beginning with children as young as preschoolers.
As always, I want to remind you that I am available to support students who need a little extra attention for any reason. I am in-person at North Beach all day on Tuesdays and Thursdays and work a half-day on Wednesdays remotely. I’m available to assist both students in the hybrid and remote learning models. If you have concerns, please contact me (Alysa Reid) at arreid@seattleschools.org or by phone at 206-252-1535.
For Families and Caregivers
· Britannica for Parents: How to Talk to Young Children About the Police — Britannica for Parents gathered expert advice for how to talk with children about the role of police in your community.
· PBS for Kids: Talking to Young Children About Race and Racism — Here are tips and resources to help you have a meaningful conversation with young children about race, racism, and being anti-racist.
· American Academy of Pediatrics: The Traumatic Impact of Racism and Discrimination on Young People and How to Talk About It — Strength-Based, Trauma-Sensitive, Resilience-Building Communication Strategies Rooted in Positive Youth Development
· Talking About Race: The National Museum of African American History and Culture’s Talking About Race guide may be helpful in preparing to navigate discussions about race and racism.
Join the Communication Committee!
This easy volunteer team helps communicate PTA messages and important school information via the Beachcomber, Konstella and Facebook. Members are needed to keep communications going next year!
If you are interested in joining or have questions email Rebecca Mongrain at communications@northbeachpta.org
LAST CHANCE TO ORDER YOUR NORTH BEACH YEARBOOK!
You can BUY YOUR YEARBOOK on Konstella for $15.33/yearbook.
Yearbook sales close on 5/1/21. Over 200 yearbooks have been pre-ordered so far. Can't remember if you ordered a yearbook? Email: the yearbook team at rhondae33@yahoo.com and we will let you know. You can order extra books for donation to NB families.
LAST CHANCE TO SEND IN YOUR CHILD'S PHOTO FOR THE YEARBOOK!
Submit your child's yearbook picture! Over 340 individual student portraits have been received. We want to include all 361 students in the yearbook. SEND PHOTOS NOW TO THE YEARBOOK TEAM TO rhondae33@yahoo.com. Final deadline to submit student portraits is 4/26/21.
You do not need to buy a yearbook in order to submit your child's portrait for the class yearbook page. By submitting this photo you are giving permission for it to be used in the 2020-21 North Beach yearbook. The yearbook will be hard copy only and photos will not be used in any electronic media.
6 Weeks Left of Instrumental Music!
Remember to attend music classes! Meetings are now during students’ asynchronous time, so if they don’t write themselves a note or set an alarm, they may not be logged into a computer and might miss their music time. We have only six lessons left, so every session is important! I’m thinking of like a six-week band camp.
Here is our schedule with links.
Flute - WED Band Time 12:15-12:45
Julia Rezende 4R flute
North Beach THURS AM Trumpet Trombone 8:15-8:45
Jakob Nygaard 4 trombone
Jack Willoughby 4 trumpet
Nicolo Cazzanti 4 trumpet
Xavian Rivera 4 trumpet
North Beach THURS AM Flute and Violin 8:50-9:20
Lane Birchard 5R flute
Ciana Johnson 5 violin
North Beach THURS AM Clarinet 10:15-10:45
Andy Chin 4 clarinet
Charlotte Kloth 4 clarinet
Geoffery Simmons 4 clarinet
Iris Koslowsky 4 clarinet
Hayden Johnson 5 clarinet
Soren Popich 5R clarinet
Claire Snyder 5R clarinet
North Beach THURS PM Violin Cello 11:45-12:15
Avila Van Dyke 4 violin
Maggie Sachter 4 violin
Adele Sachter 4 violin
Esmee Keegan 5 violin
Lars Bjorklund 5 violin
Ava Hwang 5 cello
Maeve Ragan 5 cello
North Beach THURS PM Flutes 12:15-12:45
Arlo Patrick 4 flute
Sidney Bergdahl 4 flute
Matija Jambresic 5 flute
Isabel Carosielli 5 flute
Wade Lewis 4 flute
North Beach THURS PM Clarinets 1:30-2:00
Zoey Springer 4 clarinet
Odin Bjorklund 5 clarinet
North Beach THURS PM Trumpets 2:00-2:30
Caden Morris 4 trumpet
Ainsley Barnett 4 trumpet
An Te Lin 5 int trumpet
Orlo Riley 5 clarinet
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NATHANIEL OXFORD
Instrumental Music Teacher
EIM/ Orchestra/ Band
(206) 569-8266
Build a New School!
The district doesn't just hand out funding. We need to be organized to make sure that North Beach is on the next capital funding levy. The next levy won't be on the ballot until February 2022, but the work to create the budget and outline the projects to put on the levy is happening NOW!
Join our team! The capital program oversight committee meets every month on the second Friday from 8:30-10:30. Volunteer to attend these meetings and report back. email: klabelle@gmail.com
Join the PTA!
Make your voice heard! The NBE PTA provides advocacy and funding for our students. By joining the PTA you say YES to counselors, tutors, art supplies, classroom technology, library books, and more. JOIN TODAY and while you’re at it donate to the school supplies fund!
Join the PTA here!
School Board Meetings are online!
Attending School Board Meetings no longer requires driving and parking downtown! The board meets for regular meetings twice a month, and special meetings throughout the month. Reopening plans, construction projects, curriculum - decisions are discussed and made. Email klabelle@gmail.com to learn more about attending a meeting to help us track what is happening. You can find out more here.
Support North Beach Elementary When You Shop!
Amazon Smile: 0.5% of eligible purchases back to North Beach!
https://smile.amazon.com/ch/91-1320831
Shutterfly: 8% of Purchases come back to North Beach!
Shop for cards and photos at www.NorthBeach.ShutterflyStoreFront.com and help contribute 8% to the North Beach PTA!
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Community News & Events (The programs below are not endorsed by either North Beach PTA or SPS, and are posted for informational purposes only.)
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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
Illumination Learning Studio
Illumination Learning Studio provides After School Programs for children K-5. We provide transportation after school each day. This is an arts-focused educational program. Please visit our website for more information https://www.illuminationlearningstudio.com/.
Beachcomber Email
Article submissions for this newsletter are due by 5:00pm Wednesdays. Please send articles to beachcomber@northbeachpta.org
About North Beach Elementary
PTA website: northbeachelementary.org
School website: northbeaches.seattleschools.org
Email: beachcomber@northbeachpta.org
Website: northbeachelementary.org
Location: 9018 24th Avenue NW Seattle, WA 98117
Phone: (206) 252-1510
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/northbeachpta/
Twitter: @sealsnorthbeach