Dolphin Dispatch

Volume 22 - Monday, January 31st

Important Dates

January 31: "Read Around the World" Reading Challenge FORMS DUE TODAY!

February: Black History Month

February 1: Chinese New Year

February 2: Groundhog Day

February 14: Valentine's Day

February 14-28: Spirit Week - Details Below!

February 21: President's Day

February 21 - 25: No School (Mid-Winter Break)



Check out our online calendar for more dates and details.

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February is Black History Month

Each February, National Black History Month serves as both a celebration and a powerful reminder that Black history is American history, Black culture is American culture, and Black stories are essential to the ongoing story of America — our faults, our struggles, our progress, and our aspirations. Shining a light on Black history today is as important to understanding ourselves and growing stronger as a Nation as it has ever been. That is why it is essential that we take time to celebrate the immeasurable contributions of Black Americans, honor the legacies and achievements of generations past, reckon with centuries of injustice, and confront those injustices that still fester today.


A Proclamation on National Black History Month, 2022 | The White House


Stay tuned for more throughout the month here and on our Facebook page.

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Read Around the World Challenge December 1st through January 31st

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Forms Due Today

Completed reading logs should be turned in to president@nhe-pta.org and any student who turns in at least one log will be entered into a drawing for a prize. (reading log does not need to be filled completely to qualify)


There will be two prizes given, one to the K-2 grade range and one to the 3-5 grade range.


Reading Log - List

Reading Log - Coloring

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Solve these questions and more in Math Challenge # 8

Check out our new STEM program at

https://nhe-pta.org/Page/Programs/mathchallenge

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Volunteer Opportunities

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Bellevue School District is Hiring


Bellevue School District is experiencing SEVERE staffing shortages. Immediate Openings for:



Substitute Teachers - Bacherlor's Degree or higher is required

Substitute Paraeducators - High School Diploma or equivalent is required

Substitute General School Assistants - High School Diploma or equivalent is required

Substitute Bus Drivers - High School Diploma, good driving record and CDL required

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Membership & Fundraising Update

Membership Goal Status - 33%

Goal: Every NHE student is represented in PTA by at least

one important adult in their lives.


Status: Currently 33% of our students are represented. We are 1/4 of the way there!


Join Here


There is NO obligation or expectation to volunteer or attend meetings. (But we do LOVE to meet members and find fun opportunities for those that want to help!)


Membership assistance is available. We do not want funds to stand in the way of those that want to join. Please email president@nhe-pta.org to request a confidential scholarship.

Fundraiser Goal Status - 43%

Goal: $30,000 will fully fund our budget for the 2021-22 school year.


Status: We are 43% of the way to our goal.


Donate Here


And remember to ask your employers about their Corporate Match Plan. Many local employers will match the donation you make up to 100%!


Every dollar contributed to our Pass the Hat fundraiser goes directly to support the programs offered by the PTA. A donation of $100 covers our spending per student, but any amount is appreciated. Every dollar counts!


We are a 501(3)(c) non-profit organization. All donations are 100% tax deductible. Our Tax ID number is 91-1208399.

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From Nurse Cori

COVID-19 Safety at NHE - How Families Can Help


As you know, there has been a large increase in positive COVID-19 cases in our community due to the highly contagious Omicron variant. Staff is working hard to maintain mitigation measures at Newport Heights.


You can help by:


1. Send your child to school with at least three well-fitting masks. One to wear and backups in case the other becomes soiled.


2. Keep your child home when sick. This is especially important given that more mild cases of COVID-19 can mimic common cold symptoms.


3. Inform the school if your child has tested positive for COVID-19 or has been a close contact to a positive case.

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COUNSELOR'S CORNER - MAGGIE MOSHOLDER

FREE PARENTING CLASS


Kindering is pleased to offer a free parenting class aimed at parents of typically developing children from 2 through 12. The ten-week class will meet on Zoom, Mondays from 6 until 7:30. The class will begin on Monday, February 28th.


Kindering has been providing parenting classes since 1991.


Parenting Plus

Increase your parenting skills with a free parenting class series. Parenting Plus is a 10-week parent education group class covering topics that include:



  • Building appropriate self-esteem in your child
  • Effective communication
  • Managing anger (both yours and your child’s)
  • Stress
  • Media and children
  • Behavior management
  • Growth and development



MONDAYS, FEBURARY 28th to MAY 2nd

6:00-7:30 p.m. on Zoom


Register online at https://kindering.org/portfolio-items/parenting-plus

For questions, contact Lois.Ralph@kindering.org or call at 425-653-4302

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Family Connections - Ana Lewis

Hello Dolphin families!


Here is the link for 4/per household, free at-home COVID tests!


Also, if your family is unable to go out and get food due to COVID, United Way of King County is offering weekly emergency food delivery to qualified families. Click emergency food delivery for the form (available in multiple languages).



Have a nice week!

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Dr. Ben Danielson answers kids' questions about the vaccine

Cross-posted from Public Health Insider


Over 80,000 children ages 5-11 in King County are still eligible to receive a vaccine. Vaccinating young ones will help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in schools and childcare centers and help keep everyone healthy.

In this video, local pediatrician Dr. Ben Danielson answers some common questions from kids about the vaccines. This is a great video for parents to watch with their children before going to get the shot! Click here to read more and see the video.

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MESSAGES FROM THE DISTRICT


Two levies renew funding for students, staff, and schools


What’s on the ballot for the February 8, 2022 election?


Bellevue School District is asking our community to consider renewing two levies to continue funding for our students and schools. The levies bridge the gap between state funding for our district and the cost of tools, programs and facilities our students need to become creators of their future world.



Renew Education Programs and Operations Levy


Continues funding for critical day-to-day school operations to ensure EVERY student in our district has access to:

  • High quality teaching and learning by funding:
    • Additional school staff
    • 7th period classes and tutorial at middle schools and high schools
    • World languages in middle school
  • Supports to ensure the wellbeing of students by funding:
    • Additional school nurses
    • Counselors
  • Student programs not fully funded by the state including:
    • Special education
    • STEM programs and AP classes
  • Opportunities for students not funded by the state including:
    • Orchestra, band, music, and art in elementary schools
    • Athletics
    • After school activities



Renew Technology and Capital Projects Levy


Maintains our investment in student technology and facilities, so every BSD student has access to a safe and modern learning environment. Renewal of the Technology and Capital Projects Levy continues critical funding for:

  • Exceptional education for all students
    • Access to new technologies and software that support student learning
    • Collaborative STEM learning
    • A computer or tablet for every student
    • Integrated digital curriculum
    • Software maintenance and updates
  • Classroom technology and training for teachers
    • Technology for teaching and learning in our classrooms
    • Professional development to ensure our educators have the technology training they need
  • Maintaining and updating our school buildings
    • Large scale school improvements like the carpeting, roofing, and heating and cooling systems
    • Repairs and maintenance to our school buildings

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Notes from the Backpack podcast

Notes from the Backpack is a PTA podcast designed for parents, featuring real conversations with real parents, experts and educators who offer real-life advice, ideas and strategies parents can use to help their children succeed in and out of school.


Do My Child’s Test Scores Really Matter?


Listen Now

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At Home STEM - Cloud in a Jar

Condensation, water cycles and states of matter all get some attention with this delightful activity. A few simple household ingredients (water and hairspray) come together to demonstrate the formation of a cloud for kids.

This activity can be very simple for the littlest ones—or scaled up for older kids into an experiment with two different methods to create a cloud, along with conversation about how water cycles work in the environment. For bonus points, take the kids out on a foggy or cloudy day and perform this activity to help them connect the dots.


Instructions and the science behind why it works can be found HERE.

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Newport Heights PTA

Newport Heights PTA is a volunteer-powered association of NHE families, staff, and community supporters, who act collectively on behalf of our children.


Our mission is to make every NHE student's potential a reality by promoting partnerships between home, school and community, engaging and empowering families and supporters to advocate for all children.