Tiger Tales
Newsletter #9 - October 13, 2023
· Language Access: Español | 简体中文 | Pусский | Tiếng Việt | 한국어 | العربية
Dear Families,
The second week of October progressed smoothly as students settle into familiar routines. Thank you families for the delicious PTA sponsored lunch on Tuesday - we are always so grateful for the homecooked and store-bought entrees and delicious treats.
Today many of our teachers engaged in professional learning at the building. One topic we discussed is the importance of student and family voice. We recognize the rich culture and lived experiences in our community, and we hope to connect with you in our work towards building a beloved community. Please take a moment to complete our Family and Community Input survey as we plan opportunities to partner with you this year.
We hope you have a restful and joyous long weekend.
In partnership,
Betty and Kati
Upcoming Events
October 14 - BSF Block Party, Bellevue Downtown Park, 11am-4pm
October 18 - Unity Day, wear orange
October 20 - Volunteer Training - 2nd opportunity, 2:00 - 2:30pm
October 27 - PTA Halloween Festival, 4-6:30pm
November 10 - No school, Veteran's Day
November 20, 21, 29 - Elementary Conference Days, early release for students
November 23, 24 - No school, Thanksgiving
December 20 - January 1 - No school, winter break
Bus Route 28 Cancellation for the week of October 16
Due to bus driver shortage, bus route 28 is cancelled for the week of October 16th. This includes both AM and PM rides. Please make alternate arrangements.
Fall Celebration Information
Some classrooms will choose not to have costumes. If costumes will be a part of the classroom celebration, please keep in mind the following:
- Please do not have anything that looks like blood or gore
- No weapons or plastic toys that look like weapons
- Full face masks or full face paint is not allowed
- Please refrain from using face paint or other material to mimic the skin color of another person, or use the dress of another culture as costume
- Students must put on their costumes over their clothes and be able to take them off before leaving school
Pending approval of the teacher, parents/adults who are planning the party can bring 1 small pre-packaged food item. All families must be notified of the food item and ingredient list 2 weeks prior to the celebration and will need to provide permission for the food to be served.
Thank you in advance for your understanding and support of an inclusive school climate and culture.
School Expectations Regarding Drop-off and and Pick Up
Over the past few weeks, we have noticed a few families drop off students around 7:35am. While you may see our General School Assistants outside around that time, they are setting up cones and getting ready. They are not available to supervise until 7:45am. We know that sometimes adults may have early morning work meetings, but please arrange a system with other families to take turns dropping off students when there is supervision starting at 7:45am.
In addition, we understand that it may be frustrating to be asked to pull all the way up in the car loop area when it is close to 8:05am or it is raining and you want to pull as close as possible to the front entrance. However, we need all of our families to follow what our staff ask, because we see how quickly traffic builds up in the parking lot. In addition, other cars try to pull up in the empty space in front of you, which may cause accidents and risk student safety, especially in the rain. Our number priority is student safety. Please treat our staff and each other with respect as we all work together to move cars along efficiently and safely as possible.
Family Resources from Elise Geck, Counselor
The Power of Relationships: Nurturing Compassion and Resilience in Children
Check out the ParentMap webinar on October 24:
Register by clicking on this link: The Power of Relationships: Nurturing Compassion and Resilience in Children Tickets, Tue, Oct 24, 2023 at 1:00 PM | Eventbrite
PTA Halloween Festival
PTA’s Halloween Festival is happening on Friday, October 27, from 4pm – 6:30pm at Medina Elementary. Please check out the PTA website https://www.medinapta.org/halloween2023 for additional details! Make sure you check the schedule so you don’t miss any of your favorite parts:
Schedule
Check-In: 4-6pm
Costume Parade: 4:15-4:30pm
- Students line up on the bus loop by their class sign around 4pm. Parade happens 4:15-4:30pm. No sign up required.
Pumpkin Contest: 4:30-5:30pm Sign up to bring a pumpkin now!
- Please drop off your pumpkins on the day of (morning: 7:45-9:15 am, and afternoon: 2-3 pm). Voting is 4:30-5:30pm. Winner announcement will be made at 6pm. Parents are free to take back your pumpkins after 5:30pm. All pumpkins not picked up by 6:30 pm will be discarded.
Trunk or Treat: 5-6pm Sign up now!
- Please sign up to host your decorated trunk with candies. This year, Trunk or Treat happens at 5-6pm. Hosts please arrive by 4 pm for setup and can leave at 6 pm.
Arcade Games: 4:30-6:30pm
Special Education Family Resource Session
Please join us for a family-focused session about disability outreach and advocacy. Hear from Arc of King County, Fathers Network, and Open Doors for Multicultural Families. All three agencies support individuals with disabilities (as well as their family members) and provide advocacy and informational resources and services to serve and support individuals with disabilities as well as their families/caregivers. The session will include a PowerPoint presentation and time for questions and answers. This event will be a hybrid format with both in-person and virtual options.
· Date: Tuesday, October 17
· Time: 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
· Virtual Option: Click here to join meeting
· In-Person Option: ESC District Office Building, Room 200 (12111 NE 1st. St., Bellevue 98005, this is the “East” building)
Learn more on the BSD website.
Event flyers are also available in English, Chinese and Spanish.
PTSA Internet Awareness Event for Families in Grades 4-7
Please join the Bellevue PTSA Council for a free family-focused session about the fundamentals of digital citizenship. Hear about ways students can be internet smart and safe. This event is made available by the Bellevue PTSA Council through a grant from the National PTSA and Google.
· Date: Tuesday, October 24, 2023
· Time: 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
· Location: Highland Middle School
· Learn More: http://www.bellevueptsacouncil.com/
In case you missed this...
- Join the next School Board Study Session on Thursday, October 19th at 6:00 p.m. to hear the Board discuss the process for launching the development of the next strategic plan.
- Check out the October 12th BSD Newsletter!
Community engagement for the Middle School Consolidation Study will begin the week of October 23. Community forums will be held at each of the five comprehensive middle schools, where participants will review the demographer findings, discuss the implications, and share thoughts with district leaders. The district is committed to deeply listening to the communities we serve. The schedule is as follows:
· Chinook – Monday, October 23, 6:00 p.m.
· Tillicum – Tuesday, October 24, 6:00 p.m.
· Odle – Wednesday, October 25, 6:00 p.m.
· Highland – Thursday, October 26, 6:00 p.m.
· Online meeting for all families – Friday, October 27, 10:00 a.m.
· Tyee – Monday, October 30, 6:00 p.m.
These meetings are open to all members of the public and ensure one meeting for the schools in each middle school attendance zone (including the elementary schools and the high school(s) it sends students to). Participants at each forum will have the option to attend smaller sessions for groups that will be impacted such as dual language, advanced learning etc. or groups that have been historically marginalized or underserved in our education system. Details on these concurrent sessions will be finalized posted on the Middle School Consolidation Study timeline and shared by each school. Participants will have the opportunity to provide both group and individual feedback on a survey.
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.