BEAR TRACKS
June 5, 2022 • Updates from Roosevelt Elementary
Dear Yakima School District Families,
As a reminder, there will be no school this Friday, June 10, as the Yakima School District recognizes the Yakama Nation and honors the Treaty of 1855. YSD recognizes that a strong relationship with the Yakama Nation is important and benefits Native and non-Native students alike. A special “thank you” to District Calendar Committee representatives of the Yakima Education Association and Yakima School District for recognizing that acknowledging our past and present creates a better future. Honoring the unique and historic regional events in our area are part of what makes our country great, and acknowledging the “Treaty of 1855” is a tribute to Native students and families, and it recognizes the history and people of the Yakama Nation, one of only 29 federally recognized tribes in the state of Washington.
This well-deserved remembrance of “Treaty Days” is of incredible significance, as 167 years ago the 14 Confederated Tribes and Bands that occupied over 12 million acres of land on which our school district, city, and many eastern Washington counties are located, gathered to sign the Yakama Nation Treaty of 1855. Although this agreement resulted in the tribes and bands seceding much of their land (over 11 million acres) to the United States Government, tribal leaders did secure the right to govern themselves and formed the sovereign Yakama Nation. The decades that followed are filled with moving stories of deep sorrow, tragedy, triumph, and the resilience that should be shared with all future generations.
This June 10, 2022 day observes “Treaty Days” and honors these stories, paying special tribute to the Yakama Nation cultures, homelands, and the incredible impact the first Americans had on the shape of our nation. YSD recognizes that acknowledging the culture and history of many of our students and families benefits Native and non-Native students alike, and YSD’s proclamation and recognition of Treaty Day is a commitment to support our future by honoring our country’s indigenous roots and contributions, celebrating diversity, promoting inclusion, and ensuring opportunity for all our students. All are encouraged to reflect on our regional history and the cultural uniqueness of our students - all students.
With respect and gratitude,
Dr. Trevor Greene, Superintendent
- Friday, June 10: Treaty Day (no school)
- Wed., June 15: Report cards sent home
- Friday, June 17: Last day of school with a 12 noon early release
- Aug. 8-12: Kinder Academy
- Wed., Aug. 24: First day of school
Safety is our number one priorty at Roosevelt. Our first BEAR Expectation is "Be safe," and we take that very seriously.
This week on Tuesday morning, we will run an off-site evacuation drill. Students and staff will walk 2 blocks south to Central Lutheran Church, where we will assemble in lines by class in the parking lot, and then walk back. We anticipate that this drill will last approximately 20 minutes, and we will use crossing guards and assistance from our school resource officer. The evacuation drill will help us be ready in case we ever needed to evacuate our campus to a safer area to reunite with families.
Every day at Roosevelt, we have layers of safety in place. Many precautions are not publicized in order to maintain security. To keep students and staff safe, we run a safety drill each month as required by state and district policies. One of the most important safety precautions is locked doors. All doors at Roosevelt are locked, and entry through our front door is gained through a buzzer/video system. Staff are incredibly vigilant on the playground, and we all use 2-way radios, which are continuously monitored in the office and by both administrators. We have an extensive Roosevelt Emergency Response Plan that is continually updated in response to new situations. Our Safety Team meets every month to address any new concerns.
Please call me at (509) 573-1713 if you have any questions about safety at Roosevelt. Thank you!
Congratulations to our outstanding resource room teacher, Mr. Casey Mitchell. Mr. Mitchell was awarded our staff rotating award, the Spirit of the Bear Award, for the week of June 5, 2022.
Here's what Mrs. Scroggins wrote when nominating Mr. Mitchell:
I would like to pass the spirit of the bear award to Mr. Casey Mitchell. His willingness to step back in as a long term special education substitute helped provide much-needed consistency and stability for our students. Mr. Mitchell has been an asset to our Bear team and even more impactful to our students. His calm and confident presence along with his positive and willing attitude has been so comforting even in really difficult situations. He offers grace to his students as well as to me when needed. He juggles insane schedules and timelines and always manages to do so with a smile on his face. He advocates for students and programs and figures out ways to make the impossible possible. He works well as a team member both asking for and providing support when needed. I am grateful to have been able to work with him on different cases this year and am happy our students had his support as well. Thank you for all you do, Casey!
REMINDER FOR NEXT YEAR'S MEDICATIONS: If you anticipate your student needing medications at school next year, please know that we require a NEW doctor's order/medication authorization form filled out and returned to school. This includes all emergency medications, daily medications, PRN, and OTC medications. Also, we require a new dietary form filled out each year for dietary accommodations (food allergies, food intolerance). The kitchen needs a minimum of three-weeks' notice to make any accommodations. All forms will be mailed home over the summer to families who currently have a student with meds, allergies, or dietary needs. Forms can be found online as well.
Please contact our Roosevelt school nurse, Mrs. Sandra DeBord RN BSN, at (509) 573-1712 if you have any questions. Thanks!
2021-22 Laptop Information
What Homework Should My Child Do Each Night?
Roosevelt's Mission, Vision, and Equity Statements
Roosevelt Student Handbook
PBIS—Positive Behavior Supports
Click para leer en español Roosevelt's PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) is how we work together to build a positive, supportive school that leads to academic, behavioral, and social-emotional success. Please call our MTSS Specialist, Mr. Joshua Alexander, at 573-1783 with any questions about how we can support your child at school.
Roosevelt Schedule
YSD Student, Parent, and Staff Handbook
Each year the Yakima School District sends the Student, Parent, and Staff Handbook to families of our students and to staff. Please review it to learn up-to-date information regarding the rights and responsibilities of students, parents, staff, and the school district.
Character Education
Roosevelt Elementary School
Email: smith.nancy@yakimaschools.org
Website: ysd7.org/Roosevelt
Location: 120 North 16th Avenue, Yakima, WA, USA
Phone: (509) 573-1701
Kinder Academy is coming on August 8-12 at Roosevelt. It's the best way for your child to get a great start at school. Register for kinder by following these steps:
- Visit our office for an enrollment packet. Call 573-1700 with any questions.
- Submit proof of address (recent utility bill), age documentation (birth certificate), and immunization records (from doctor's office).
- New kindergarten students will receive a student prize bag for early registration!!
- Click for more information in English or Spanish.