STAR GAZER GAZETTE
December 2022 Star Lake Newsletter
Greetings Star Lake Families,
Here we are at the beginning of December, with winter break right around the corner. I would like to take this time to acknowledge the fabulous work that our students, staff and families have done during this first part of the school year! We have all been engaging in a continuous state of learning and implementation…always looking for a better, more efficient, or more engaging way to instruct and support our students. This fall our staff development has been specifically focusing on the use of instructional strategies and routines to increase and support student talk centered on content. Students build stronger understanding through purposeful discussion and collaboration with peers. It is exciting to see the sentence stems, anchor charts, and routines taught by teachers in action in classrooms.
I am extremely proud of the dedication, persistence, and positivity of our staff! This is a team that goes above and beyond every day in service of students and families. We could not provide this high level of support and instruction to our students without the continued partnership from our families. We deeply thank you for all you are doing at home! Our staff enjoyed sharing student progress and goals with you at Scholar-Led Conferences! Please be watching for opportunities to join me each month at our principal coffee house. This is an informal time to come and visit, share ideas, wonders, concerns, and talk about student learning. This month we are offering a ZOOM meeting on Thursday, December 8th at 6:30. Please follow this link to join me https://fwps.zoom.us/j/6402445978
We have spent the last three months developing and practicing our routines and expectations for our new school environment and most of our students have settled into learning in this beautiful building and are demonstrating kind, safe and productive behavior every day. Our Eagle Mart is filled with rewards and students sure have been enjoying spending the tickets they are earning. Our staff loves being able to reward great choices and behavior!
I wish all of our families a relaxing winter break! I hope you find ways to have fun with your families, watch some great movies, and read some great books…that sure is my plan!
Best Regards,
Kris Rennie, principal
253-045-4007
Mark Your Calendars
DECEMBER
8 - Meet With The Principal - 6:30pm on Zoom
14 - Early Release - School ends at 1:35
16 - Holiday Wear Spirit Day - Smencils & Popcorn sold at lunch
19-Jan 2 - NO SCHOOL - Winter Break
JANUARY
3 - Late Start: 10:35am
11 - Early Release - School ends at 1:35
16 - NO SCHOOL - MLK Day
20 - Disney Spirit Day
25 - Early Release -- School ends at 1:35
30 - NO SCHOOL - Semester Break
Virtual Coffee With The Principal
Please join with this zoom link: https://fwps.zoom.us/j/6402445978
Weather Updates
What if it snows? What if the roads are icy? Will school be cancelled?
Families will receive messages by voice call, email alert and/or push notification to FWPS Mobile App subscribers if weather conditions cause changes in school operations such as delayed opening, early dismissal, or closure.
Sometimes bus routes are on a limited snow schedule. Those routes can be found here: https://www.fwps.org/Page/592
You can go to the district website for the most up-to-date information at: https://www.fwps.org/Page/1 or call 253-945-2000 for a recorded message.
For additional information about school closures and delays go to: https://www.fwps.org/domain/783
Dress Appropriately for the Weather
In the Pacific Northwest children are expected to play outside for recess as much as possible, even in light rain. Their growing bodies need daily exercise and fresh air, in order to learn as much as they possibly can.
Since your child will go outside for recess in the rain and cold – please dress them appropriately for the weather. Check the weather forecast at home so your student can come to school with sweaters/coats, mittens, good shoes, and hats on those cold rainy days.
We have a big covered shelter area in our playground where students can stay dry during recess. All students have been told not to play in the puddles and grass field, when it's muddy & wet, but sometimes they still do. The Health Room does not have extra clothes for children who get wet or muddy at recess. You might want to consider packing a change of clothes in your child's backpack, otherwise they may have wet clothes throughout the day.
Umbrellas are discouraged at school because of the problems they can create. They are not allowed out on the playground due to safety reasons.
Multi-Service Center's Holiday Schedule:
December Cultural Calendar Observances and Celebrations
December 10th - International Human Rights Day was established by the United Nations in 1948 to commemorate the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
December 18th to 26th - Hanukkah (Chanukah) is celebrated by those of the Jewish faith around the world for eight days and nights. It celebrates the victory of the Israelites over the Greek-Syrian ruler, Antiochus approximately 2,200 years ago.
December 25th - Christmas is the day that many Christians associate with Jesus’ birth.
December 26th to January 23rd - Kwanzaa is an African-American holiday started by Maulana Karenga in 1966 to celebrate universal African-American heritage.
Let's celebrate the rich histories and diverse cultures of our student body this month!
Disney Musicals in Schools
We are very happy to have our new production of Disney’s Aladdin Kids underway. Our cast and crew have already been hard at work for about a month now, and there is still much to be done. We look forward to presenting it to you in March.
Drama Wish List:
Snacks (qty 40) Must be store bought individual serving sizes (granola bars, fruit snacks, animal crackers, goldfish, etc) - NO candy or homemade items
White sheets that can be painted for backdrops
Bright colored scarves
Gift cards to JoAnn’s, Walmart, Michaels, etc to purchase the following items:
T-shirts, costumes, fabric, set materials
Volunteers needed for:
Sewing costumes
Building/painting sets
Help at rehearsal practicing lines
If you are able to help with any of these items, please contact Mrs. Rieger at drieger@fwps.org or 253-945-4001. Thank you!! Your help is much appreciated!
Library Learning
Hope you all do lots of reading over our two week break!
Jennifer Nelson, Librarian
Nurses News:
- Reminder for new WA families that open enrollment for health insurance is happening now and closes December 15th. https://www.wahealthplanfinder.org/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIge6Yu77R-wIVp3RvBB2CGwXTEAAYAyAAEgKT3PD_BwE
- Please be sure your child’s immunizations are current! The District is now excluding students from school if their vaccines are not current. Set up your doctor appointments now if your student has vaccines coming due soon. Appointments are sometimes hard to schedule with the additional vaccines being given at clinics for flu and covid. If you have questions about your child’s vaccine records, please reach out to our school nurse, Becky Dorsett at bdorsett@fwps.org or Sybel Johnson at 253-945-4009.
- For information about Covid Vaccine Clinic options, go to: https://www.fwps.org/Page/8337
2022-2023 Annual Notifications To Families
Information About Our District
Publications are below or you can access additional information at: https://www.fwps.org/Page/2142
PBIS: SAFE, KIND AND PRODUCTIVE!
This month students have been learning about digital citizenship in the library and some classes have talked about it as well. They have been learning that digital citizenship is not sharing your passwords, talking to only people you know and being respectful to the people you are talking to online. We have been working hard at Star Lake to end bullying at school, but with technology bullying can happen outside of school as well.
Attendance Update
At Star Lake we have an attendance committee who meet twice a month to review our overall attendance. We review individual attendance as well as overall attendance trends. This past month of November we honored 70 scholars for having perfect attendance during the month with a bonus coupon to spend at our very own Eagle Mart store! Congrats to those scholars.
Why is attendance so important?
Did you know that at least one out of every 10 students in the United States misses 10 percent of the school year? That’s the point when absences—excused or unexcused—start to add up to academic trouble. These attendance gaps lead to achievement gaps. Starting in kindergarten, chronic absence leads to 3rd graders unable to read well. By 6th grade, it’s a warning sign that students will fail classes or even drop out of high school. Let’s all work together to make sure all kids attend today so they can achieve tomorrow.
If you know your child will be absent please call the office at 253-945-4002.
Every Day Counts and Every Day Matters.
Does Your Scholar Need Extra Support Academically?
We are happy to announce the FREE availability of Tutor.com for all scholars in grades 4-12. For your scholar's success, Tutor.com will:
· Provide one-to-one FREE tutoring help
· Provide access to SAT and PSAT prep
· Available 24/7
· Scholars may access through Launchpad to Learning
For more information and to access this vital service go to: https://www.fwps.org/Page/8221. It will also be explained in various languages.
Mentor & Me Program
Make a different in a young person's life: Become a Mentor.
Federal Way Public Schools invites community members to be a mentor for the 2022-23 school year!
Mentors nurture, advocate, support, and share the responsibility to ensure their scholars have multiple opportunities to set and meet goals.
To learn more, click here to provide your contact information.
Because of You
Scholars in grades 3–12 have a chance to nominate any Federal Way Public Schools staff member in the district they believe has positively influenced them, their school, and/or their community with the Because of You award.
The Superintendent’s Scholar Advisory team reviews these nominations, and each month selects recipients to be recognized at a board meeting.
Students may fill out a nomination form at: https://www.fwps.org/becauseofyou. All nomination forms are due by the end of the month.
PTA Updates
Star Lake Parents and Guardians,
Thank you everyone who came out to the Panera restaurant fundraiser night. We made $97.26!
Our Spirit Wear Fundraiser was also successful and we raised $110! Go Eagles!!
Holiday Smencils will be available for pre-order starting the last week of November. Order forms due December 9th! Remaining Smencils will be for sale on the next spirit day, December 16th.
Star Lake PTA is looking for volunteers to help with Fundraisers, Popcorn Fridays, and Book Fair! If you are interested please email us at starlakepta@gmail.com
PTA SPIRIT DAYS:
December 16th- Holiday Wear * We will be selling Smencils and popcorn
January 20th- Disney Day
Join our Facebook page to keep up with the Star Lake PTA 9.4.55: https://www.facebook.com/groups/StarLakeElementary
* Remember that a successful PTA needs your participation. We appreciate your support! If you have any questions, please email us at: starlakepta@gmail.com
Staff List:
Volunteer Applications:
Star Lake Elementary
Email: comments@fwps.org
Website: https://www.fwps.org/starlake
Location: 26812B 40th Ave S , Kent, WA, USA
Phone: 253-945-4000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StarLakeFWPS