News from your North Beach PTA
October 15, 2021
Dates to Remember
Monday, October 18: 7:00pm Principal Q&A
Join on your computer or mobile app
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Or call in (audio only)
+1 206-800-4125,,877861103# United States, Seattle
Phone Conference ID: 877 861 103#
Sunday, October 31: 2-3:30pm NB Costume Parade and Food Drive @ Soundview Park
North Beach Multicultural calendar - October
During October the North Beach community celebrates the following multicultural groups. We will highlight resources and opportunities to learn more about these groups during the month.
- Disability History and Awareness Month
- Dyslexia Awareness Month
- Filipino American History Month
- Indigenous People's Day (Oct 11)
Latinx Heritage Month (Spt 15- Oct 15)
LGBTQ History Month
A Note From our Principal
October 15, 2021
Hello North Beach Seals,
The temperature is going down. As it gets cooler please be sure to send your students in with a warm coat. As the office can attest, our lost and found is already full of coats and sweaters. Considering that cooler weather, our Building Safety Committee has come up with a new plan for lunch in the event there is inclement weather. Students currently eating under the tent will eat in the cafeteria and the play court will continue to be used. In extreme weather, all students will be brought in using the cafeteria, hallways, and classrooms. We’ll be discussing the indoor eating lunch plan at the monthly Principal Q&A evening, next Monday, October 18 @ 7:00 p.m.
October 19th marks the date Governor Inslee’s vaccine mandate takes effect. All K-12 school employees are required to be vaccinated to remain in their jobs. This will send a ripple effect through the school community and the biggest impact noticed first will be in the form of busing. We received word yesterday that approximately 142 general education routes will be cut beginning Monday, October 18th because of driver shortages. This is a decision made by the district. Special Education door-to-door transportation will continue unaffected. So, until further notice, there will be no bus transportation to/from North Beach on Route 726. We don’t know how long this will last. We apologize for this and wish there were a different outcome. If your child is dependent on Route 726 to get to and from school and you need support to get to school, please reach out to president@northbeachpta.org. Our PTA is available to find transportation support for you.
Last week I informed you I am unable to send letters to the whole community in the event that there is a COVID positive case in a classroom. I’m only able to inform families of affected classroom(s). You can monitor the district COVID dashboard to see what is happening at North Beach as well as the entire district. I also wanted to notify you that this week I did not send any Covid notification letters out.
Have a wonderful weekend. I hope you can join us for our Principal Q&A Session on Monday night @ 7:00 p.m.
Join on your computer or mobile app
Click here to join the meeting
Or call in (audio only)
+1 206-800-4125,,877861103# United States, Seattle
Phone Conference ID: 877 861 103#
Kristine McLane
Principal
From the Office
LOST and FOUND
We already have 2 racks of coats/sweaters/shirts, not to mention at least ½ dozen water bottles. We try to set these outside of the front doors at end of day when it’s not raining so you are welcome to come peruse.
If your student has lost an item, please have them come and check at the office. If we see a coat with a name in it, we will make every effort to get it back to that student, so please label those coats. As the weather gets colder, coats will be needed! The temp dropped considerably this week yet we had multiple students without coats.
PTA Update
Three ways you can help your school this week:
1. Buy a 6 pack of lunch seating pads for rainy day lunch ($34) or a single seat for ($6)
One question several parents have been asking is how can your family support our lunch time. If your family is in a position to purchase mats for students to sit on during lunch we would be appreciative! The school safety team and the PTA have looked at options and have found sturdy, waterproof seating that will keep kids (and their lunches) dry. If you are able to purchase a set of mats, it will help reimburse the costs paid out by the PTA.
Buy a mat or mats for lunch
2. Are you a photographer?
Our teachers need new headshots so we're looking for a volunteer to take casual pictures of our teachers and staff for our school bulletin board. If you'd like to volunteer your services, it would be a wonderful way to help show off our amazing staff to the kids!!! Contact president@northbeachpta.org if you can help.
3. Are you a Veteran? Or do you have someone in your family who is?
We're planning our Veterans Day Assembly to celebrate and remember the veterans in our community, and we'd love your help in making the event special.
Please contact Eric Pravitz at ewp_2063@yahoo.com to get involved.
October 11 - Indigenous Peoples’ Day
Indigenous Peoples’ Day is an important opportunity to learn about the history of the lands and celebrate the rich culture and traditions of the peoples who occupied them since time immemorial. North Beach Elementary rests on the traditional land of the Coast Salish peoples, specifically the Duwamish, Stillaquamish and Suquamish Peoples, past and present. Everyday we honor with gratitude the land itself and the Coast Salish tribes.
Learn more with these great books:
We are Water Protectors , Carole Lindstrom
Thunder Boy Jr., Sherman Alexie
Raven, A tricksters Tale from the Pacific Northwest, Gerald McDermott
Indigenous Library of read aloud books
2nd annual North Beach Fall Food Drive and Costume Parade - volunteers needed
October 31st, 2-3:30pm @ Soundview Park
We need volunteers to help make this event a success!
Sign up here for these volunteer roles
- Parade and food drive volunteers
- Donate the use of a pop up tent for the event
- Help drive good donations to the Food Bank
Parade times*
Preschool - 2nd grade
2-2:20 pm = drop off donations, gather for parade.
2:20- 2:40 = Parade around Soundview.
3rd - 5th grade
2:50 -3:10 pm = drop off donations, gather for parade.
3:10- 3:30 = Parade around Soundview.
* Multiple kids that span both segments? Pick the cohort that works best for you!
** Not feeling like dressing in costume? No problem! Costumes are optional!
Food Drive: Donations will go to the Ballard Food Bank! Drop off food at the Soundview Parking lot along 90th St. Look for a tent and/or a decorated pickup! Food items currently most in need include soups, chili, cereal boxes, juice boxes, shelf stable milks, mac'n'cheese, and granola bars. For more details see their website: Donation Details | Ballard Food Bank
Parade: We will gather and walk around the lower park starting from the playground, very similar to what we did last year! Please make sure that your entire family is wearing medically effective masks.
If you don't have time to parade, but still would like to donate items from your pantry, feel free to drive through the parking lot and drop off your donations on the fly anytime between 2-3:30 pm!
Questions? Email Communications@northbeachpta.org
October is Dyslexia Awareness Month!
Dyslexia is one of the most common learning disabilities and impacts a person's ability to learn how to read. One in five children have dyslexia and early intervention, along with differentiated instruction can bring great success. Dyslexia is regarded as a neurobiological condition that is genetic in origin. Dyslexia often runs in families as individuals can inherit this condition from a parent (or other family members).
This year, Washington State will begin dyslexia screening in K-2nd grades. The screening will show whether a child is at risk for dyslexia and schools are legally bound to provide the screening. You can find out more about dyslexia screening at https://www.seattleschools.org/departments/language-arts/dyslexia/.
Support people with dyslexia by encouraging early intervention and screening, understanding their other gifts (people with dyslexia tend to be more creative and abstract thinkers) and encouraging change makers to implement appropriate reading curriculums in the early elementary classroom.
What is dyslexia? “Dyslexia is a specific learning disability that is neurobiological in origin. It is characterized by difficulties with accurate and/or fluent word recognition and by poor spelling and decoding abilities. These difficulties typically result from a deficit in the phonological component of language that is often unexpected in relation to other cognitive abilities and the provision of effective classroom instruction. Secondary consequences may include problems in reading comprehension and reduced reading experience that can impede growth of vocabulary and background knowledge.” - https://dyslexiaida.org/definition-of-dyslexia/
Vote by November 2!
This election is happening in what is called an off year - but what is on this ballot very much affects our day to day lives! We are electing a new mayor, county board members, city council members, and three new school board members.
There are three school board seats on this year's ballot - and you will vote for all 3. The Seattle School District is further divided by area into 7 districts, and only people in the smaller district vote in the primary. In the general election, everybody in the whole school district votes. Learn about the candidates here!
Ballots are in the mail, and you should receive yours soon. Check on your registration.
October is Disability Awareness Month
As our communities move toward a greater sense of social justice and equality for marginalized groups we acknowledge and embrace those individuals with disabilities as part of this powerful movement. In our schools we set a precedent to celebrate each student as a valued member of our educational community. Below are some books, websites and resources:
Books:
The Girl Who Thought in Pictures: The Story of Dr. Temple Grandin by Julia Finley Mosca
(Rhyming Picture Book)
El Deafo by Cece Ball (Graphic Novel Memoir)
Frida by Jonah Winter, Illustrated by Ana Juan (Picture book about artist Frida Kahlo)
Children's Websites and Links:
https://autism.sesamestreet.org
Kids' Disability History and Awareness Virtual Reading Room - Google Slides
General Information and Resources:
https://www.k12.wa.us/sites/default/files/public/specialed/pubdocs/Disability_Awarness_History.pdf
There Is No Justice Without Disability / Ford Foundation
https://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu/resources/books/
You are invited to join a free online event presented by the PTSA.
A Community Conversation About Inclusion Tickets, Tue, Oct 26, 2021 at 7:00 PM | Eventbrite
Eventbrite - Seattle Special Education PTSA presents A Community Conversation About Inclusion - Tuesday, October 26, 2021 - Find event and ticket information.
Help us Restart the 5th (& 4th) Grade Student Leadership Team!
We are trying to restart the tradition of our upper grade leadership committee and are looking for some adult volunteers to get it up and running. In previous years this was a 5th grade activity and since this year our 4th & 5th grade classes are combined; we're open to offering this opportunity to all our upper grade students.
In the past, this group of student leaders has done volunteer work together, supported school spirit, helped create and launch new activities that matter to them, and raised the student voice within the school. Even in this unusual year, we'd love for our student leaders to have the chance to be active in their community.
Sign up here if you're interested in being an adult volunteer for this group, OR if your student would be interested in joining.
School Musical Production Team
Are you interested in helping plan the 2022 spring musical? We have no idea what the musical will look like, but it is time to start figuring it out! Join the team planning how to make this fun tradition happen this year, email: nbschoolmusical@gmail.com
Return Extra Art Supplies
There will be an art supply return box in front of school beginning Monday, Oct 11th and you can leave any extra supplies there at your convenience. This is an optional return program. Questions? Email communications@northbeachpta.org.
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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Ballard’s Oldest Cub Scout Pack Now Recruiting
Cub Scout Pack 100, operating since 1938 and chartered by Ballard’s Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, is now recruiting boys, girls, and parents for 2021-2022. Become a new Scout now!
Boys and Girls from first through fifth grade are invited to join Pack 100 and begin their quest to build the world’s fastest Pinewood Derby car, to have fun outside, to participate in service opportunities, and to earn special recognitions and awards.
Cub Scouting means "doing." Everything in Cub Scouting is designed to have the Cub Scouts participating in fun activities used to achieve the aims of Scouting—character development, leadership development, citizenship training, and personal fitness. When asked what she enjoys about scouting, one of our 1st grade Cub Scouts said “I love to go on adventures and be in nature!”
For more information, visit http://www.pack100ballard.com/, or send an email to join@pack100ballard.com.
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.
About North Beach Elementary
PTA website: northbeachelementary.org
School website: northbeaches.seattleschools.org
Email: communications@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