News from your North Beach PTA
November 19, 2021
Dates to Remember
- November 22- 26: Parent/Teacher Conferences, Thanksgiving, & Native American Heritage day, no school
- Tuesday, December 14: PTA meeting, 6:30pm
- December 20 - 31: Winter Break
- Thursday, January 6: School Picture make-up day
- Saturday, February 12: North Beach Auction, 6-11pm @ The Nordic Heritage Museum
North Beach Multicultural calendar - November
During November the North Beach community celebrates the following multicultural groups. We will highlight resources and opportunities to learn more about these groups during the month.
- National American Indian and Alaskan Native Heritage Month
- National Adoption Month
- Diwali begins (Nov 4)
- Veteran's Day (Nov 11)
- Thanksgiving (Nov 25)
Native American Heritage Day (Nov 26)
Hanukkah Begins (Nov 28)
A Note From our Principal
November 19, 2021
Hello North Beach Families,
Well we made it! After a hectic start and weeks of ironing out the wrinkles of our new reality, we are now getting a chance to rest, relax and give thanks. This year I am especially grateful for the fantastic staff at North Beach, our supportive parent community, and being able to work with our incredible students every day. I have just a couple of housekeeping things to address before signing off. First, morning drop off is a bit tricky now that it is dark and cold. Even though staff are on duty starting at 7:40am, with high volume traffic, the closer to 7:50 you drop your student off the better. Unless students are eating breakfast in the cafeteria, they are arriving at school to line up with their classmates. We aren’t able to safely provide recess for students before school starts with social distancing guidelines in place. If students arrive closer to the beginning of the day it supports a much calmer start to their day.
On the traffic topic, we are seeing a great deal of speeding, parking violators, and unsafe practices around school. Please adhere to traffic laws of slow speeds, stopping completely at crosswalks, parking in the appropriate places and in the correct directions (driving north, park on the east/right side of the street. Driving south, park on the west/right side of the street). No U-turns, no dropping kids across the street and having them run across. Our crosswalk staff witness near misses between cars and pedestrians multiple times every week. It is not worth the risk of being hit by a car to save 20-30 seconds. PLEASE, pedestrians, use the crosswalks.
Dogs/pets: as much as some of us love dogs, Seattle Public Schools has signs on the grounds stating no dogs allowed on campus. We all love to see Ms. B’s Milo on the weekly videos, but even Milo is not invited on campus. This includes the stairs coming down, the front entryway, the stairs up to the gate, etc. We have students who are frightened of and/or allergic to dogs. Please leave pets at home when picking up or dropping off your child.
Scooters/bikes: if your child rides a scooter or bicycle to school, please remind them they need to walk on the sidewalks around the school. We’ve had multiple injuries associated with unsafe riding, and several near misses.
Reminder: if your child is ill, please keep them home. Covid is a big part of our lives right now, all consuming at times, but kids are still becoming ill with different things. So even though it may not be Covid, if they have cold symptoms, fever, throwing up, etc. they need to stay home. Kids with a fever are not allowed back until they are fever-free without medicine for 24 hours. And the same goes if they vomit.
I hope everyone has a wonderful break. Stay safe, stay healthy and we’ll see you November 29th!
Kristine McLane
The Big Give is a wrap!
We had such wonderful participation from our teachers and staff this year that we wanted to say thank you, thank you, thank you! Everyone stepped up, spread the word, and the fundraiser was a smashing success. As it stands we have raised over $83,000 of our $70,000 goal!!
Thank you to everyone that participated in Herbie’s BINGO. Herbie is so proud of all the North Beach Seals he is sending out a special surprise to all students! Look for that in kid mail soon.
The Big Give is excited to announce that Ms. Hoffman’s class won the In It to Win It Classroom Race! They won a classroom Herbie mascot and $200 to use in their classroom. Herbie is also excited to announce that Julian in Ms Petrovcic’s class won the Herbie’s BINGO drawing, winning himself a giant Herbie stuffy! We hope everyone had a wonderful time and we can’t wait to play next year.
If you missed your opportunity to donate to The Big Give click here.
I would also like to extend a personal thank you to the following people who were instrumental in the messaging, planning, and implementation of The Big Give. It is truly a delight to volunteer and coordinate with this community. Thank you for your collaboration and fun. In no particular order thank you to: Bryce Carman, Erin Healy, Mary Balmaceda, Linda Rabadi Fair, Raj Matthew, Katie Buchanan, Katie Gruver, Vanessa Petersen, Debbie Wayne, Carolyn Hostetler, Sarah Bradley, Kristine McLane, Coach Willis, Ms. Bakker, Ms. Gabrielson. If I have forgotten anyone I apologize, but know that your impact is very appreciated!
Global Reading Challenge - last day to sign up is Nov. 22
If your 4th/5th grader would like to participate in the 2022 GRC, complete the permission slip linked below and return to your North Beach librarian, Luci Bakker, NO LATER THAN Monday, November 22, 2021
Click here for more information on the Global Reading Challenge.
Thank you picture day volunteers!
A huge shout out to our fabulous volunteers who helped with picture day. Rebecca Mongrain coordinated and organized all of their efforts!! Big thanks for making the day go so smooth!
Reminder, school picture make-up day is January 6th.
The 2022 Auction is ON -- Save the date!
North Beach Elementary is Roaring Back with our annual auction event, Saturday, Feb. 12, 2022 at the Nordic Museum in Ballard.
The auction is the biggest PTA fundraiser and, quite frankly, one of the best parties of the year. This event raises crucial funds to help our kids thrive in a post-pandemic world and is a great way to reinvigorate our parent community. Who isn’t ready for a fun, meaningful night out? All are welcome! Buy tickets here. (Get early-bird pricing through January 7.)
Seattle Schools COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics for Students 5 – 11 years
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends COVID-19 vaccination to help protect against COVID-19 and help to prevent severe illness, hospitalization, and death. COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective, and free.
On November 2, 2021, the CDC formally recommended the Pfizer pediatric COVID-19 vaccine for 5–11-year-olds.
- Eckstein Middle School 3003 NE 75th St. Seattle, WA 98115, Saturday, November 20, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Medical provider: Seattle Visiting Nurses Association. Schools will share registration links
- Whitman Middle School 9201 15th Ave. NW Seattle, WA 98117,1st dose: Sunday, November 21, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Medical provider: Seattle Visiting Nurses Association. Schools will share registration links
Where else can families go?
Beginning November 15, the federal government is increasing the number of vaccines provided to local pharmacies. Check with your local pharmacy (often provided on their website) or search for a nearby appointment on the Washington Vaccine Locator or UW Medical websites.
- Washington’s Vaccine Locator
- UW Medicine website or call 844-520-8700
Native American Heritage -it's more than a month
An excerpt from Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Address Greetings to the Natural World
The People Today we have gathered and we see that the cycles of life continue. We have been given the duty to live in balance and harmony with each other and all living things. So now, we bring our minds together as one as we give greetings and thanks to each other as people. Now our minds are one.
The Earth Mother We are all thankful to our Mother, the Earth, for she gives us all that we need for life. She supports our feet as we walk about upon her. It gives us joy that she continues to care for us as she has from the beginning of time. To our mother, we send greetings and thanks. Now our minds are one.
The Waters We give thanks to all the waters of the world for quenching our thirst and providing us with strength. Water is life. We know its power in many forms- waterfalls and rain, mists and streams, rivers and oceans. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to the spirit of Water. Now our minds are one.
The Plants Now we turn toward the vast fields of Plant life. As far as the eye can see, the Plants grow, working many wonders. They sustain many life forms. With our minds gathered together, we give thanks and look forward to seeing Plant life for many generations to come. Now our minds are one.
Children's books by Native American Authors
Sisters of the Neversea, Cynthia Leitich Smith
We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga, Traci Sorell
Jingle Dancer, Cynthia L. Smith
Additional Resources
Why do the foods we eat matter?
Returning Home through Togetherness-Vision Maker Media series
https://www.nativeamericanheritagemonth.gov/
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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Parent Education Opportunities
Sensory Regulation and Mental Health: Practical Tools For Finding Calm in the Chaos
- Dyslexia Webinar Series - Consortium On Reaching Excellence in Education
- Effective Strategies for Solving Math Word Problems - Consortium On Reaching Excellence in Education
- Exploring Gut-Brain Signaling in Autism
- Exploring Sensory Procecssing Issues
- HRS Speaker series - topics for families with stundents with dyslexia or other language-based learning differences
Ballard Basketball Thanksgiving Week Camp
For 4th-6th grade boys and girls (beginner to advanced), this camp will help you improve your skills, teach you to think the game and inspire your basketball mindset! Lots of games and prizes!
When: Monday, Nov. 22nd 9am-3pm, Tuesday , Nov 23rd 10:30am-3pm, and Wednesday, Nov 24th 9am-3pm
Where: North Seattle Church: 2150 N 122nd St Seattle 98133
Who: 4th-6th grade boys and girls. Limit 30 campers
Bring: A snack, lunch, water bottle and a ball. Wear a mask. Health screening at entry.
Cost: $245/camper
To register, visit http://www.ballardbasketball.org/camps
CODE NINJAS SEATTLE: After School Coding Program and Camps
A local Ballard family is opening a Code Ninjas in North Ballard in January 2022.
We offer fun and flexible coding education where kids learn to code while building their own video games, including popular favorites like Roblox® and Minecraft®. They gain problem-solving, teamwork, and STEM skills in a fun, safe, and inspiring environment. Our program allows kids to learn year-round at their own pace. Drop in at your convenience during the week or weekend hours or attend one of our camps!
For more information and to Register: https://www.codeninjas.com/wa-seattle
Follow us on Social: @codeninjasseattle
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
Washington Karate After School Program
Transportation is available up to five days per week from select Seattle Schools and the dojo is located conveniently near the Greenwood Fred Meyer. Students have snack and homework time and a one hour karate class, where they learn skills and discipline. For more details visit www.washingtonkarate.com or call (206)784-3171.
“The Washington Karate program is an excellent way for children to develop physical, mental, and emotional well-being.” ~Dr. Thomas Staiger, Medical Director, UW Medical Center.
Beachcomber Email
Article submissions for this newsletter are due by 5:00pm Wednesdays. Please send articles to communications@northbeachpta.org.