Dear Falcon Families,

Thanks to your incredible support, we are settling back into our routines and focused on learning and growing. This time of the school year is a time of tremendous social-emotional and academic growth for our students. It is a time of year that we progressively ramp up our efforts to know, value, and support our students so that they meet rigorous expectations and are fully prepared to pursue a promising future. At VFE, we embrace what Dr. King shared as the true purpose of education when he stated that “The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character–that is the goal of true education.”

As we strive toward this goal, we will only make this a reality for every Falcon with the support of our community. So what does support mean? It can mean being a part of our daily community on campus. We are extremely thankful for our volunteers. And, we encourage you to consider being a regular classroom volunteer or participating in Watch DOGS or being an active member of the PTO, or even being a guest teacher or guest paraeducator. But more importantly, support means being as engaged as possible with your child at home. Create device-free time (for both adults and kids) to connect--put a puzzle together, play a game, or have a family dinner--each day. You will be amazed at what your children bring up to talk about. We also encourage you to build character muscles together by completing PurposeFull Family activities like the ones you will find on perseverance in this newsletter. This time is a great time to share stories and explicitly teach and discuss your family values. We also encourage you to make sure your child is reading for 20-30 minutes every day. If your child is not an independent reader yet, reading to them makes a great bedtime routine. Thank you for making a commitment to be engaged and supportive.

A great way to learn more about what your child is learning is to attend the Curriculum Showcase on January 26. We look forward to seeing you there.

Make it a great day to be a Falcon!

Wade Jerdee, Assistant Principal & Adam Uhler, Principal

The Sumner-Bonney Lake School District is proud to host 2 regional events to showcase our Elementary Core Curriculum for SBLSD parents/guardians*:

• Thursday, Jan. 26
  • 5:30-7 p.m.
  • Victor Falls Elementary: 11401 188th Ave. Ct E, Bonney Lake, WA 98391
• Tuesday, Feb. 7
  • 5:30-7 p.m.
  • Maple Lawn Elementary: 230 Wood Ave. Sumner, WA 98390

Although events are staffed according to region, parents/guardians are encouraged to attend the event that is most convenient.

• Preview SBLSD core curriculum in Language Arts, Math, and Social Emotional Learning for each grade level.
• Meet and talk with SBLSD K-5 teachers, administrators, and specialists.
• View our NEW 5th grade Human Growth and Development/ HIV Videos and Classroom Lessons. This content will only be taught in 5th grade.
  • Opt out forms for current 5th graders will be available after viewing the videos/lessons.
• Obtain information about 22-23 Kindergarten Registration and programs like READY for Kindergarten.
• Visit resource tables hosted by elementary specialists in PE, Music, and STEM.
• Light refreshments available

*This is an adult event to provide parents with information about our elementary curriculum. There will be no activities for children nor childcare available.

https://youtu.be/wUpXZud_Mzs

https://youtu.be/Rc39Ka8ut6k

https://www.brightstartheatre.com/tour/tour-2023-01-16/

Welcome to the Sumner-Bonney Lake School District! Do you know a child who will be five years old on or before August 31? Maybe it's your neighbor, friend or even your own child. Now’s the right time to enroll next year’s kindergarten students. The sooner you enroll, the better we can keep you informed. Get information on what documents you need and how to enroll -- the process is all online at sumnersd.org/register.

To help welcome new kinders and their families, each of our elementary schools created virtual tours, which includes a school tour and staff introduction. Watch each schools' video here.

Ready to start the kindergarten registration process? Visit our Enrollment page for details on the three-step registration process.

A Parenting Guide to Starting School

Waiver Applications are considered on a first-come, first-served basis and are based on the following criteria: Building Capacity, Academic Performance, Attendance Record, Discipline Record, and student’s academic programs of interest as identified on the waiver application. Residents of the Sumner-Bonney Lake School District applying for a waiver (Intra District waivers) will receive consideration before out-of-district applications (Inter District waivers). And in accordance with RCW 28A.225.225 children of full time certificated and classified district employees will receive consideration before out-of-district applications.

Waiver Application Timeline for Consideration for the 2023-2024 School Year:

• December 15, 2022 – January 27, 2023: All waiver applications must be submitted during this timeframe for consideration.

• March 31, 2023: Building and/or District staff will have made decisions regarding waiver request(s)* and families will be notified of an approval, denial or waitlist decision by this date.

• Waitlisted applications will be reviewed again in June to determine if capacity exists in the requested grade level and/or program.

• If a new waiver application is incomplete at the end of the waiver window, January 27, 2023, the student’s waiver will be denied and the student will need to register at their resident school.

• Please note: Students looking to renew a waiver will not be allowed to choose next year’s classes and/or receive a schedule until the waiver is approved. Any waiver request not approved by March 31st will be placed on a waitlist to be reviewed again in June.

• INTER DISTRICT WAIVER APPLICANTS: Due to OSPI’s timeline requirements if an Inter District waiver application is waitlisted your Choice Transfer Request will be denied at this time. Should capacity allow for approval at a later date a new Choice Transfer Request must be submitted.

• June 16, 2023: Waiver applications submitted after the initial deadline will be added to the existing waitlist. At that time, the District will review grade level and building capacity and families will be notified of an approval, denial or waitlist decision. If a decision cannot be determined at that time, the application will be placed on the waitlist to be reviewed in September. If an approval has not been granted, students should be enrolled in their resident school and district.

• September 13, 2023: Waiver applications submitted after June 16th will be added to the existing waitlist. At that time, the District will review grade level and building capacity and all families will be notified of an approval or denial. While waiting to be notified by the District, students should be enrolled in their resident school and district.

Waiver Process

Intra-District Waiver:

Resident students who wish to attend a school other than their resident school must complete the Intra-District (in-district) Waiver Application.

Intra-district waiver students need to remain in good standing and continually meet the criteria listed on the waiver application. If these areas become a concern, the student will be placed on probationary status and given an opportunity to improve. Lack of improvement in the areas of concern could result in the student’s waiver being revoked at any time, requiring the student to return to their resident school.

Intra-district applications to the Sumner Early Learning Center are for one year only. Any in-district families wishing to have their child attend either Maple Lawn Elementary or Daffodil Valley Elementary for grades 1-5, would need to re-submit a waiver application during their child's kindergarten year.

All other In-District Waiver Applications are not required each year unless transitioning to another school. (Example: Elementary to Middle School, or Middle to High School).

Inter-District Waiver:

For students residing outside of the Sumner-Bonney Lake School District Attendance Boundaries, an Inter-District (out-of-district) Waiver Application is required.

Additionally, a Choice Transfer Request (Release of Attendance form) from the resident district is also required to be submitted to the resident district electronically in conjunction with the Inter-District Waiver Application to be eligible for consideration.

Out-of-District Waiver Applications are required each year for continued attendance.

Students need to remain in good standing and continually meet the criteria listed on the waiver application. If these areas become a concern, the student will be placed on probationary status and given an opportunity to improve. Lack of improvement in the areas of concern could result in the student’s waiver being revoked at any time, requiring the student to return to their resident school.

Transportation:

Students attending a school on a waiver do not receive district transportation to and from school or after-school activities.

Thank you to all the parents who donate items to the Staff Appreciation Days planned by the PTO! They couldn't plan such elaborate and fun staff appreciation meals without the help of our parents! We appreciate you!

January's Staff Appreciation will be on January 27th. It will be a Bagel Bar! Here is the signup Genius if you are able to help provide any of the suggested items.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080d4baca72da1fa7-bagel#/

3rd Grade will begin at 5:30 pm

4th grade will begin at 7 pm

More information to follow.

We have resources to help families in need. Would a weekend food bag, clothing, or meal support during the holidays for your student be helpful? Please send an email to the school counselor at courtney_arbaugh@sumnersd.org to assist you with getting support.

Please check our website for updates.

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