STAR GAZER GAZETTE
April 2022 Star Lake Newsletter
Greetings Star Lake Families,
Happy Spring; here we are heading into April and spring break! Our students and staff have been working so hard the past few months, we are ready and deserving of a great break. I hope your family has some fun, some relaxation, and of course, some reading planned for your week. I plan to do some work in my yard and catch up on some closet organizing, while squeezing in some relaxation too.
We sure enjoyed visiting with families during scholar-led conferences! What a great opportunity for students to share their growth and goals and for us to connect with families. If for some reason you were unable to attend your conference, your teacher or someone in the office will be reaching out to reschedule with you so that you can have the most up to date progress information for your child.
Rapid, at home, Covid test kits were given to students who came to face to face conferences, and teachers asked those who attended zoom if they want us to send a kit home in students’ backpacks this week. These tests are optional, and may be used at the end of spring break before you send your child back to school. If you did not connect with your child’s teacher about a test kit, please contact our office and we will send one home with your child.
We have some great events and activities coming up this spring:
- Our “Battle of the Books” competition will be on April 27th. Mrs. Nelson has been practicing with 3rd-5th grade student teams during lunch. Keep reading those books! I am on the adult team and have really been enjoying reading and preparing.
- Track practice starts the week after spring break for students who have signed up and completed registration.
- Mark your calendars, we are hosting a school board meeting at the NEW Star Lake building on Tuesday, May 10th and hope to have our kindergarten jumpstart at the new building on Wednesday, May 11th…stay tuned for more details about these opportunities to see the new building!
Our leadership and equity team is always looking at student data to analyze growth and areas of need. Looking at the graphs below, we are excited to note that our overall percentage of students meeting standard on iReady reading and math are slightly above the district average. Most of our racial groups are performing at about the same level, with the exception of our Black and White groups which have about 10% points more students on level than our other groups. And, our Pacific Islander group that has about 15% points fewer students on level than our average. This week during our early dismissal, our grade level teams are digging into this data and discussing strategies, insights, and gathering feedback from each other about successes that can transfer to our work with our Pacific Islander students to increase their access and growth.
If you have questions about our process, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Kris Rennie, Principal
253-945-4007
Mark Your Calendars
APRIL
4-8 - NO SCHOOL - Spring Break
13 - Early Release - School ends at 1:45
22 - Sports Spirit Day
27 - Early Release - School ends at 1:45
27 - BOB Competition
MAY
10 - School Board Meeting at NEW Star Lake building
11 - Early Release - School ends at 1:45
11 - Kindergarten Jump Start
12 - School Board Recognition Night
20 - Hero Spirit Day
25 - Early Release - School ends at 1:45
27 - NO SCHOOL - Snow Make Up Day
30 - NO SCHOOL - Memorial Day
FWPS Scholars and Families, Register and Attend STEM Exploration Night, STEM to the Rescue!
On Wednesday, April 13, 2022, from 5:30-8:00 pm, PreK-12 students and families are invited to explore this exciting and fully online event to explore the many possibilities through STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). This year’s theme, STEM to the Rescue!, will help students learn how STEM is used to solve problems and save the world.
You can check out online virtual booths, engaging and informative panel discussions, interactive activities, and more! The event will spark STEM curiosity in young students and provide further insight into career possibilities for our emerging leaders. Students of all grade levels will find what they need to explore, prepare, and launch into one of the many STEM pathways leading to high-demand careers in our region.
Register:
This year's registration is through Eventbrite. The schools with the highest percentage of registrations by enrollment will receive a school-wide prize no later than April 30, 2022, available at their school. School prizes will be awarded to the top four elementary schools, and the top middle and high schools.
Registration Instructions:
Be sure to include the email address for each participant. If you are completing a student registration, please have the student ID(s) available which can be found in ParentVUE or StudentVUE (optional for registration).
To change the registration form's language, click the language drop down currently set to "English (US)" and select your preferred language.
Registration confirmation emails will be sent following registration. If you have questions about registration, please email stemexpo@fwps.org.
Track is BACK!
Registration deadline was 3/30 so we are not taking anymore track registrations at this time. Our first day of Track practice is April 11th for K-5th grade. See schedule below.
All participants must have a consistent and guaranteed ride to pick them up promptly at 4:15pm from school on practice days! Practices will be held at the temporary building of Star Lake at 3600 S. 344th Way, Federal Way, WA 98001.
Preschool Enrollment Is Open
Federal Way Public Schools offers high quality and affordable preschool programs for children ages 3 and 4. There are both tuition programs and free programs for income-eligible children.
For additional information go to: https://www.fwps.org/preschool
Transportation Home
Parents, please try to limit the transportation changes that occur at the end of each school day. It is sometimes hard to switch methods of how your student is going home at the very end of the school day - hard for the office to relay the messages to all the teachers, hard for the teachers to get students to the right place and hard for the student to remember where they are supposed to go. Students love consistency!
If you do need to change plans on your student's transportation home, please call the office before 2:45pm.
Kindergarten Registration Is Open
Do you or a friend or neighbor have a child that will be age 5 by Aug 31st? If so please visit http://www.fwps.org/kiosk
If this is your first student attending Federal Way Schools, then please click on Student Registration and Create a New Account.
If you currently have or have in the past had a student registered in any Federal Way Public School , this includes Preschool & ECEAP, then you already have a ParentVue account. Just click on “ParentVue” to access your family's information. If you forgot your password you can click the “More Info” button. DO NOT make a new account for each student. If you need help recovering a forgotten User ID, please contact Kathy Miller at 253-945-4002 or kamiller@fwps.org. If you need additional information please go to: https://www.fwps.org/Page/7199
Lots of Library Learning
First Grade Book Celebrations
Last week Star Lake first graders and students in Mrs. Catabay’s class picked out four new books for home reading with their families. They were all so excited to receive new books to add to their growing book libraries at home. At the end of the school year, all kindergarten and first graders will receive 12 new books from Page Ahead, a literacy reading organization in Seattle. Students will have these new books for reading over the summer and be ready for next school year.
Battle of the Books is Coming Soon
Students and staff are gearing up for our annual school battle. Students in third through fifth grade are reading, discussing and practicing with test questions about the twelve books. Our battle will be on Wednesday, April 27th in the gym. This year we have 12 student teams and two staff teams. It is a long standing tradition that staff members read the books and battle against each other to see who knows the books best. Our winning student team will represent Star Lake at the district battle of the books on Thursday, May 19th on zoom.
Happy Reading!
Ms. Nelson
253-945-4010
Counselor's Corner
This month, our schoolwide theme is emotion management. We’ve been prompting students to notice their own feelings by paying attention to clues in their bodies, and we’ve been reminding them to use their Second Step skills to calm down:
- Stop—Use your signal
- Name your feeling
- Calm down: Breathe, count, use positive self-talk
These skills help students calm down strong emotions when faced with learning and social challenges, which helps them succeed academically and get along well with others.
Second Step lessons specifically teach about calming down strong emotions such as anger, disappointment, frustration, and anxiety. You’ll be receiving Home Links that describe why managing strong emotions is important as well as fun activities to do with your child to help him or her identify strong feelings and calm down. We hope the Home Links will give you tools to use together when your child is upset.
Please tell your child’s teacher if you have questions about how you can help your child learn to calm down at home.
Tiffany Williams, School Counselor
(253) 945-4005
PBIS: SAFE, KIND AND PRODUCTIVE!
Happy April from PBIS! We are gearing up to reteach our Safe, Kind, and Productive common area expectations as students return from Spring Break. All staff members will be looking for students who are modeling the expected behaviors and rewarding them with Star Lake Way Tickets! I am excited for students to get back into their regular school routines. Another focus is on helping students build and strengthen relationships with their peers so they can get along and problem solve. Fourth grade has been learning and practicing the steps to problem solving with a focus on not placing blame. Kelso’s Choices and Second Step lessons help students learn how to be safe and kind so they can focus on being productive.
Students have had a few opportunities to spend their Star Lake Way tickets. Slime, chips, candy, school supplies, toys, and pizza parties are just a few of the items students can earn. Many classes also had CELEBRATIONS last month for Eagle Wings earned! There have been comfy cozy days, pajama days, stuffed animal days, and board game days! How exciting! Let’s continue to encourage and celebrate our Eagles for safe, kind, and productive behaviors!
Nurses News:
COVID VACCINE CLINICS:
Public Health — Seattle & King County/King County Library System
- All of these clinics are open from 8:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.
- Single and two-dose vaccines plus boosters available
- One-site interpreter services
- Provided at no cost, regardless of insurance, citizenship or immigration status
- Walk-ups welcome
- Optional registration: https://prepmod.doh.wa.gov/appointment/en/clinic/search
Various vaccine opportunities are available at King County libraries:
- Federal Way Public Library
34200 1st Ave S
Federal Way, WA 98003
More About The Vaccine:
The following helpful information has been provided by Public Health - Seattle & King County. If you have questions, visit www.kingcounty.gov/vaccine.
Recently, the FDA approved the Pfizer vaccine for ages 5 and older. The COVID-19 vaccines have been tested by the FDA and independently to confirm their safety and extreme effectiveness. However, at this time, only the Pfizer vaccine has been approved for pediatric use.
COVID-19 vaccines are free and available regardless of health insurance, citizenship, or immigration status. Under law, your provider cannot charge you for an office visit to receive the vaccine.
Additional Vaccine Opportunities:
There are a variety of ways to get vaccinated, including:
- King County Vaccination Options
Many county vaccine clinics do not require an appointment. Find a location at www.kingcounty.gov/vaccine
- Private or County Doctor’s Offices
Check with your medical provider to see if they offer the vaccine. Many do, and you will not be charged for this visit.
- Pharmacies and Independent Locations
Search for other vaccine opportunities using www.vaccinelocator.doh.wa.gov.
Review this flyer by Public Health — Seattle & King County for regional vaccine providers.
If your scholar has been vaccinated, please contact our nurses here at Star Lake to provide the date of vaccination at 253-945-4009.
ATTENDANCE: EVERYDAY COUNTS! EVERDAY MATTERS!
Did you know missing more than 10 days of school each year can have a lasting impact?
Good attendance helps children do well in school and eventually in the workplace. Good Attendance matters for school success, starting as early as prekindergarten and throughout elementary school. By middle and high school, poor attendance is a leading indicator of dropout. Developing the habit of attendance prepares students for success on the job and in life.
HOW FAMILIES CAN SUPPORT STRONG ATTENDANCE:
- Let your child know you believe school is important
- Set a regular bed time/curfew on school nights
- Have a plan for getting your child to school on time
- Notify the school if your child has prolonged absence due to illness
- Do not support children leaving school early during the school day
- Schedule appointments (doctor’s visits) before and after school hours
- Plan family vacations during school vacations
- Have your child go to school, unless they are truly sick and cannot make it through the day
- Establish healthy eating habits so your child does not get sick as often
- Regularly check your child’s attendance records
- Make sure your child does not miss more than 10 days per year
Adapted by PSESD, with permission, from materials provided by the U.S. Department of Education
Let’s finish the year strong Eagles! Every Day Counts and Every Day Matters!
PTA Updates
Reflections Art Contest Update- All entries went to State level for judging. Although no entries were sent on to Nationals we want to thank each student who shared their art work! We are so proud of each one of you and congratulate you on your wonderful work.
Thank you for your support of the library- Star Lake PTA's Online Book Fair was a success- $322 was given to the library to purchase new books!
Our no-fuss fundraiser is still running. We are asking for donations to continue enriching the students and staff at Star Lake. Please continue to send in donations made out to Star Lake PTA in an envelope. Thank you!
Next PTA meeting will be on Wednesday, April 13th at 6 pm on Zoom. Zoom link will be sent out closer to the date.
The Executive Board is still looking for a Secretary. If you are interested please email us at starlakepta@gmail.com
PTA SPIRIT DAYS:
April 22- Sports Day
May 20- Hero Day
Mark your Calendars- June 2, 5:30-7pm for Family Night at West Fenwick Park with Sugar and Spoon Food Truck
Join our Facebook page to keep up with the Star Lake PTA: 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
Bus Rider Expectations
With so many of our scholars riding the bus this year to our temporary location, our bus drivers are asking we share the common expectations we are using to teach our scholars about the expectations for riding the bus.
Please take a couple of minutes to review with your scholar the importance of a safe bus ride. These expectations are right out of our PBIS common expectations matrix. If you want to know more about our PBIS structures at school please email Mrs. Robinson tbiles@fwps.org or Mr. Geving tgeving@fwps.org
Are You Interested in Working as a Paraeducator Here at Star Lake?
Families, we have one 6 hour general paraeducator positions open here at Star Lake to support students in classrooms, on the playground, and in the lunchroom.
What a great opportunity to work in a job that has benefits and pays between $21-23 an hour. You work the same hours and days that your children are at school, and you get to hang out with great students!
If you are interested please follow this link to apply, or email Mrs. Rennie (krennie@fwps.org) for more information. https://www.applitrack.com/federalway/onlineapp/ click on “locations” under “vacancies” and then choose “Star Lake”.
Nominate an Educator for the Because of You Award!
Any scholar in grades 3-12 has a chance to nominate any Federal Way Public Schools staff member in the district you believe has positively impacted you, your school, and/or your community with the “Because of You” award.
Nominations will be reviewed and selected by the Superintendent’s Scholar Advisory team and each month educators will be honored. Nomination forms can be completed online at: https://www.fwps.org/Page/5018 or you can access it below. Forms should be submitted by the end of the month. Stay tuned as we highlight these extraordinary staff members who make a difference each day in our schools!
Available Scholar Resources
Federal Way Public Schools now offers two new services to support our scholars – Tutor.com and Talkspace.
Tutor.com
Free academic tutoring available for scholars, grades 4-12. These scholars can access Tutor.com through Launchpad to Learning. This free supportive resource provides one-on-one tutoring 24 hours per day, seven days per week through a digital platform. Scholars can use text or voice-to-text to work with their tutor.
Watch this video to learn more about Tutor.com and how it can support your scholar: https://youtu.be/tVe1ZR8LTuU
Talkspace
To support social-emotional health of our scholars, they can take advantage of virtual therapy through Talkspace. The service is completely confidential and allows registered users unlimited therapy support through text, voice, video messages, along with two live video sessions per month. Eligible scholars can access Talkspace through Launchpad to Learning, by speaking with their school counselor, or visiting: http://www.talkspace.com/fwps
Staff List:
Star Lake Elementary
Email: comments@fwps.org
Website: https://www.fwps.org/starlake
Location: 3600 South 344th Way, Federal Way, WA, USA
Phone: 253-945-4000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StarLakeFWPS