Ravens SOAR Newsletter 2.6.23
Mr. Stowell and Mr. Murphy's Family Communicator
Ravens SOARING!
I sent out a newsletter last week (https://www.smore.com/ryz35), but wanted to send you some reminders as well a staffing update. (This is mostly for students in band.) Mr. Orlin, our long-term substitute for the band program, has accepted a position outside of the district, and we have a new long term sub, Mr. Gordon, who will take his place starting next week. I wanted to support a smooth transition, so I have Mr. Gordon shadowing Mr. Orlin this week. The departure of Mr. Orlin might be a blessing in disguise. Mr. Orlin was an emergency certificated substitute. I originally thought we would need him or a week or so and this was the best option at that time. As an emergency cert, Mr. Orlin was not able to support events like parades or other overnight trips. Now that we have a certificated sub and the full admin support, our students can get back to working on marching band events and are planning to compete at Lionel Hampton in Idaho. I need to send a huge shout out to Mr. Orlin for keeping us afloat. He has gone above and beyond the call of duty. His last day is Friday. Please show him some love!
I do not have any updates with the status of Mr. Aguilar's leave. That is between him and HR and my priority is to support the program until he is back. Last week, I met with each of our band classrooms to update them on the status of the program. I brought our School Social Worker, Ms. Syvertsen with me and made sure students knew they have supports in place to navigate any feelings they may have about this situation. I don't want students to be discouraged or quitting the program because of Mr. Aguilar's absence. I let them know about our new substitute and the plans to get back to the events and there seemed to be some hope. The moment I have any updates, I will let you know.
Thanks for your continued support and GO RAVENS!
-Zac and Devin
Welcome Our New Band Program Long Term Substitute Mr. Gordon
Mr. Gordon will be supported by All-City Band Director Dr. Marcus Pimpleton who will be instructing Jazz I and coordinating the spring performances and travel for the jazz and marching band programs.
Families with 8th graders who are fluent in another language other than English!
This week your student will have the chance to take a language test called STAMP (Standards-Based Measurement of Proficiently) test. Taking this test creates a chance for your student to honor their language by receiving up to 4 High School credits!
Details:
Students already signed up and got an email/check-in from the coordinator.
The test is online.
Your student should be sure to bring their laptop and charger for the test.
We will provide headphones.
The test includes reading, writing, speaking and listening sections.
Testing takes place this Tuesday and Thursday, February 7 and February 9, from 9 am - 12 pm.
After they check in to their 1st period class on Tuesday and Thursday, students will report to room 154 with their laptop for testing.
The test takes from 1 to 3 hours. We have scheduled two days just to give time for students to complete the test.
Email dcmartinez@seattleschools.org if you have any questions.
Expediting Student Pick-up Process!
Social Media / Online Safety Student Experience
Wednesday, February 8th students will spending half the day in our SOAR Squads to engage in some online, social media awareness activities. There will be a 45-50 minute presentation in the commons by Stefanie Hanley (bio below), screening of a documentary/movie, and engage in some rich discourse around their new learning or thoughts.
The purpose:
As a school community, we need to address the social media /online issues our students deal with on a daily basis. I honestly feel this is our greatest safety / wellness threat. All students will get the same information in small groups with time to process and engage in rich discourse around the topics covered. We will also host a parent screening at night the following week (2/16 @ 6:30pm in the commons), so we can collectively learn and work to meet the needs of our students. We will educate the kids, work with families, and hope to move forward more mindful of our online presence.
Presenter and Presentation:
Stefanie Hanley has worked with both local and federal law enforcement for the past 15 years, working with victims of internet crime.
She holds a bachelors degree from the University of Washington in law, society & justice as well as a Master’s degree from Seattle University.
She has been providing community outreach surrounding internet safety for over 15 years in the greater Seattle area.
The student presentation covers -
- Cyber bullying
- Social media/gaming
- Sextortion
- Safety tips
The focus really isn’t on not being on any apps or platforms but how to be as safe as possible & responsible. As well as what to do if someone finds themselves or a friend in a dangerous/bad situation. It’s about encouraging healthy choices as well as avenues to reporting.
Documentary Screening
(Please see trailer below)
If you do not want your student to view this movie, please fill out this form and let us know. \
https://forms.office.com/r/YwPD0ZzTat
Please reach out to Mr. Stowell with any questions or concerns.
Docu-Movie Trailor
Feb 16th @ 6:30pm (Adult In-Person Screening and Discussion @ RESMS Commons)
COMING SOON: 7th Grade Cispus Leadership Camp! 3/22-24
CISPUS DETAILS
In the next 2 weeks we are visiting all 7th grade classrooms to answer any questions kids may have about this upcoming Raven Experience. We will also be sending home permission slips next week. We want to make sure all 7th graders who want to go, get a chance to. It is important to know that cost will not be a barrier. If you have questions, concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out. I will have a parent meeting at the end of February, a month before we go, so you know what to expect.
Here is what you need to know now:
- All 7th graders will be able to go regardless if they can pay for the trip
- The cost of the trip is $250 (Or pay what you can or more to support others)
- We leave Wednesday, March 22nd and return Friday, March 24th
- Meds! Please connect with our nurse ASAP about your child’s medication needs while at camp.
- Dietary needs? We’ll be asking for this information with our permission slips.
Interested in chaperoning? Please fill our this form. We need 6 chaperones and a volunteer to drive the uhaul with the students' bags.
High School Choice Is Around the Corner!
February 1 – February 28 Open Enrollment School Choice applications will be accepted.
March 1 – May 31 School Choice late applications will be accepted.
April 18 Open Enrollment results will be available online.
June 1 – August 31 Non-resident applications will be accepted.
August 31 Waitlists for the 2023-24 school year will dissolve.