PLE Principal Update
December 1, 2021
Dear PHamily,
Happy December Phamilies,
I appreciate how things have changed over this year. We are hoping to welcome virtual students back in a couple of days. We have had the opportunity to work closer with families and I am truly grateful how each and every one of you is supporting our students, our teachers, and our community, we could not do this without you.
THANK YOU!
During the month of January, we will be meeting with families. We are offering a principal's coffee on Friday, January 14th at 8:30 AM in the GYM. The hope for this meeting is for us to gather as a community, share about instruction and student well-being, hear about things that are going well and areas for improvement. I hope that most of the principal's coffee will be a collaborative discussion and that I can answer any questions or concerns you may have about school as we continue to navigate this school year.
In partnership,
Dr. Macias, PLE Principal
This month we are highlighting our second graders
Thank you to Ms. Kaylah for your amazing snowflakes! In Ms. Swim's class, students read "Balloons Over Broadway" and created balloon animals to take on parade!
We are so excited to welcome Mrs. Pallat back!
In Ms. Voight's class, students worked on identifying a sequence of events using the steps to composting. They made posters for our school!
Virtue of the Month:
In December we are highlighting flexibility as our virtue of the month. Flexibility is being open to change. It means not always having to have your own way. It is being open to the opinions and feelings of others. With flexibility, you are willing to change your mind.
To celebrate flexibility, read the following story, "Not Norman: A Goldfish Story". Not Norman: A Goldfish Story
BSD Signs of Suicide (SOS) Parent Discussion Session
Due to overwhelming community request, the Family Engagement office in partnership with BSD Counseling, Mental Health Assistance Teams and community mental-health partners will offer families an additional opportunity to support the well-being of their students. This in-person Community Mental Health Forum will center on a discussion about the Signs of Suicide, or SOS. This important community session will take place on Wednesday, December 8, starting at 6:00pm. Due to space capacity, families will be required to pre-register for the event.
Fall 2021 SBA/WCAS results are now available to families in 4th and 5th Grade
The more elaborate, traditional SBA and WCAS Family Score Reports (with Fall 2021 results) will be available in February, from the test vendor.
This new Guide to Assessments page currently features information about Star Testing, followed by an explanation of the unique Fall 2021 state SBA/WCAS tests: https://bsd405.org/departments/curriculum/guide-to-assessments
Staffing Update
Janet Castellese has accepted a lead teacher position at Stevenson. We are so happy for her promotion and wish her luck!
We have hired Adele Orzulak. She is joining our Phamily as a first grade General School Assistant. Please see her introduction letter below:
My name is Adele Orzulak. I live in the neighborhood so you may see me jogging or biking around. I’m originally from South Africa but I have spent most of my life in the U.S.
I was a fashion designer in New York and L.A then attended the other U.W (University of Wisconsin). I began volunteering in K through 3rd grade when my child started school and found that working in education and educational support was such a rich and rewarding experience. Witnessing children learn and being a part of that process is simply joyous to me.
I love animals and I am an environmental nerd. I enjoy being active so camping, jump rope, boxing, snowboarding, paddle boarding, surfing, jogging, are my favorite ways to do so (there’s not many activities I don’t like actually). I am so happy to be at Phantom Lake Elementary! I have been enjoying my time here while getting to know the staff, volunteers, and the children. Thank you for the warm welcome! I look forward to getting to know everyone. Feel free to say Hi when you see me jog/bike by!
Picture Retake Day
Retake day is Friday, December 3 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Yuen Lui Studio will be at Phantom Lake Elementary School to photograph new students, picture retakes, and students who were absent on the original picture day in November. Virtual families can participate as well between 11:00 AM and 12:30 PM; they will need to check-in at the front office.
Retake Instructions:
1) Preordered Photos — If you preordered photos of your student for picture day and would like a retake, have your student bring their photo package with them to school to give to the Yuen Lui photographer for a complimentary retake (you will not need to place another order; a retake order will be issued at no charge). These orders ship to the school and get distributed at school within three weeks. Digital orders will be emailed.
2) Absent or Photographed without Ordering — Students who were absent on picture day or photographed on picture day and didn’t place an order and would like a retake can preorder a photo package through Yuen Lui. These orders ship to the school and get distributed at school within three weeks. Digital orders will be emailed.
Not sure you need a retake? You can view your student's proof online from School Picture Day in November by visiting Yuen Lui’s website and entering your student’s online code (if you need help accessing the photo, send an email to the contact below). If you like the photo, you can still place an order at any time (there is no deadline to order). These orders ship directly to students’ homes.
Please let your student's teacher know if you would like your student pulled from class for a retake.
Questions? Please contact schoolsupport@yuenluischools.com.
Hour of Code week!
BSD Seeking Two Levy Renewals in February 2022 Election
The Bellevue School District will be asking voters to consider renewing two important levies in the February 8, 2022 election. These levy renewals continue our work to provide an excellent education for your child.
The Educational Programs and Operations levy funds special education, AP classes, STEM programs, and advanced learning supports that are not funded by the state. These programs are critical for our students to receive the opportunities and support they deserve.
The Technology and Capital Projects levy funds computers or tablets for our students and staff. Technology has played such an important role in learning and continues to help us foster innovative instruction. This levy also funds updates to our buildings so we can make necessary repairs to the carpeting, roofing, and heating and cooling systems. Our students deserve to have the safest and most up to date learning environments.
To learn more about what’s funded through voter-approved levies, or find out about an upcoming community meeting, please visit the BSD School Levies page.
Spanish Dual- Language Program Information Session
Dear BSD PreK - 5 Families: We would like to share that on December 2nd, we will be offering two separate sessions to provide you with information about the Spanish dual language program offered in our district. Our Spanish dual language program provides the opportunity for students to develop their language skills in both Spanish and English while learning academic content and having their cultural identity affirmed.
Illustrative Math
Dear Parents and Guardians,
This year Bellevue School District is using a new math curriculum called Illustrative Math in kindergarten through 7th grade. Our former math curriculum is no longer available from the publisher. The new curriculum is standards aligned, more rigorous, and includes structured language routines intended to increase engagement and discourse opportunities for students. More information about the curriculum adoption process can be found here: https://bsd405.org/departments/curriculum/curriculum-adoption/p-7-mathematics-update-adoption-committee/
In an effort to support families, Teaching and Learning has made available family resources related to our new math curriculum. These resources are available via Bellevue School District's website within our Curriculum and Instruction section of the website: Learning Resources for Students and Families – Bellevue School District (bsd405.org).
Below are grade level links that will provide an example of Unit 2, embedded within our parent and family OneNotes.
Grade Level
English
Spanish
Kindergarten
1st Grade
2nd Grade
3rd Grade
4th Grade
5th Grade
IMT 1
IMT 2
In addition to new curriculum implementation, educators are also trying out new software platforms for the math curriculum: LearnZillion in elementary schools and Desmos in IMT 1 and 2. The platforms are separate from the curriculum and are ways for students to interact with the math content online.
Before adopting the Illustrative Math curriculum for future years, or deciding whether to retain these particular platforms, Teaching and Learning is collecting feedback from families, students, and classroom educators. We invite you to consider completing this short, anonymous survey by December 5th to provide us with your thoughts. The demographic questions are completely optional.
Thank you in advance for your time and input. If you have questions, please send them to p12mathupdate@BSD405.org.
Family Math Survey:
https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/6599583/IllustrativeMathFamilySurvey
2022-23 Open Transfer and Choice Schools Information for BSD Employees
If your student is currently enrolled in a BSD school or program and you want them to remain at their current school or Choice School/Program next year, nothing further is required unless you are a nonresident employee (for nonresident students please use the Nonresident Students link below:
Link with FT Employee information:
Open Transfer and Choice Schools & Programs Information for Eligible Employees
Links for general Open Transfer and Choice Schools/Programs application information:
Open Transfer
Open Transfer FAQs
Choice Schools and Programs
Choice Schools & Programs FAQs
Nonresident Students FAQs
Regards,
The BSD School Placement Team
Recess Volunteers
Are you interested in being a volunteer during recess? This is a great opportunity to join the PLE community as an Eagle Eye Volunteer! Please email Rachel Pearson at pearsonr@bsd405.org if you are interested in volunteering at any of our recesses. Thank you!
K/1 11:25-11:50
2/5 11:55-12:20
3/4 12:25-12:50
K-2 1:45-2:05
3-5 2:10-2:30
PLE Is Hiring!
PLE is hiring! We are currently looking for GSAs and paraeducators to join our staff community.
The schedule times are:
M-F 8:15 - 3:15
Wednesday- 7:45 - 1:45
If you are interested in this role, and/or would like to learn more, please visit the following links to apply:
Paraeducator: https://bsd405.tedk12.com/hire/ViewJob.aspx?JobID=4814
GSA: https://bsd405.tedk12.com/hire/ViewJob.aspx?JobID=4810
Once you have applied please send an email directly to Rachel Pearson at pearsonr@bsd405.org and Dr. Macias at maciasm@bsd405.org
Previous Newsletters
Upcoming Events and Information
December 3- Picture Retake Day
December 6- Open Transfer Application Opens
December 15- End of 1st. Semester
December 20-January 3 - No School Winter Break
January 7- Open Transfer Application End
January 14- Principal's coffee at 8:30 AM in the GYM
Questions? Contact Info.
Rachel Pearson, Assistant Principal
Mrs. Alysia Carey, School Counselor
Mrs. Debbie Gordon, Office Manager
Rhiannon Kreal, PTA President
Mrs. Judy Hunsberger, Family Engagement Specialist
Website: https://bsd405.org/phantomlake/
Location: 1050 160th Ave SE, Bellevue, WA 98008, USA
Phone: (425) 456-5600