Dolphin Dispatch
Volume 23 - Monday, February 7th
Important Dates
February: Black History Month
February 8: Special Election - Make sure to vote on Levy renewals!
February 14: Valentine's Day
February 14-18: Spirit Week - Details Below!
February 21: President's Day
February 21 - 25: No School (Mid-Winter Break)
_______________________________
Black History: Who Am I?
I was born December 19, 1875, the son of former slaves Anne Eliza (Riddle) and James Henry. I passed on April 3, 1950. I was an American historian, author, journalist, and the founder of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History. I was one of the first scholars to study the history of the African diaspora, including African American history. A founder of The Journal of Negro History in 1916, I have been called the "father of black history". In February 1926, I launched the celebration of "Negro History Week", the precursor of Black History Month.
Born in Virginia, the son of former slaves, I had to put off schooling while I worked in the coal mines of West Virginia. I graduated from Berea College and became a teacher and school administrator. I gained graduate degrees at the University of Chicago and in 1912 was the second African American, after W. E. B. Du Bois, to obtain a PhD degree from Harvard University. I remain the only person whose parents were enslaved in the United States to obtain a PhD. Most of my academic career was spent at Howard University, a historically black university in Washington, D.C., where I eventually served as the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.
WHO AM I?
_______________________________
Reusable Utensils at Newport Heights!
Newport Heights is pleased to announce that starting Thursday, February 10th we are switching to reusable utensils in the cafeteria, through a grant from Department of Ecology and City of Bellevue.
We estimate this will save more than 43,000 disposable plastic utensils from the landfill in one school year.
If you see any of these new school utensils at home or in a classroom- please send them back to school so they can stay in the cycle.
Thank you for your cooperation in participating in this program!
_______________________________


_______________________________

Reading Challenge - Thank you to all who participated!
*Please email president@nhe-pta.org to schedule pick up of your participant student's prize.
_______________________________
Solve these questions and more in Math Challenge # 9
Check out our new STEM program at

_______________________________
Volunteer Opportunities


_______________________________
Bellevue School District is Hiring
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
_______________________________
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!
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%
Status: We are 43% of the way to our goal.
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.
_______________________________
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.
_______________________________
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
_______________________________________________________________________
Here is a quick Dragon and Bee Breathing video to share with your child(ren). Breathing can really support children with regulating their emotions. |
Here is a quick Dragon and Bee Breathing video to share with your child(ren). Breathing can really support children with regulating their emotions.
_______________________________
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).
__________________________________________________________________
Quick update regarding Mid-Winter Break food vouchers:
- Mid-winter break is from February 21-25, 2022
- Safeway vouchers will arrive sometime next week
- Vouchers will be mailed to the address we have on file with the school
Please let me by Friday, February 11, if you have had a change of address—we want to assure that your family receives these vouchers!
_______________________________
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.
_______________________________
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
_______________________________
Notes from the Backpack podcast
Why Aren’t There More Black Teachers?
_______________________________
At Home STEM - Rock Candy Experiment
Rock candy is the result of a saturated solution of sugar and water. A saturated solution is one in which no more solute (in this case, sugar) can be dissolved in a given volume of the solvent (in this case, water). As the water cools, the molecules move about more slowly, forcing any sugar molecules to form back together as crystals.
Instructions and the science behind why it works can be found HERE.
_______________________________
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.