News from your North Beach PTA
December 3, 2021
Dates to Remember
- Friday, December 10: North Beach Giving Tree due date
- Tuesday, December 14: PTA meeting, 6:30pm
- December 20 - 31: Winter Break
- Thursday, January 6: School Picture make-up day
- Saturday, February 12: North Beach Auction, 6-11pm @ The Nordic Heritage Museum
North Beach Multicultural calendar - December
During December the North Beach community celebrates the following multicultural groups. We will highlight resources and opportunities to learn more about these groups during the month.
- Nov 28-Dec 6: Hanukkah
- Dec 3: International Day of Persons with Disabilities
- Dec 16-24: Los Pasados
- Dec 25: Christmas
- Dec 26-Jan 1: Kwanzaa
A Note From our Principal
December 3, 2021
Welcome back! It was wonderful to see students back at school after a week away. Yesterday we started the second trimester of the year. Students are starting new specialist classes as we begin the new trimester. Progress reports for the first trimester will be available via The Source on December 16.
The Global Reading Challenge is a great event for students each year. All 3rd-5th Grade families are welcome to join the upcoming GRC author events. Here are the links to the December events:
- Jarod Roselló - Red Panda & Moon Bear Dec. 8, 10:00-10:45
- Maulik Pancholy - The Best at It Dec. 15 10:00-10:45
Ms. Bakker is holding an informal #GRCBookClub in the evening for students and staff who are interested and able to allow students a chance to interact more with each other about the books. Click here to join the #GRCBookClubmeeting at 7PM Pacific.
I did not send any COVID-19 notification letters home this week.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Kristine McLane, Principal
Seeking great donated items, events, and adventures for the auction!
The success of the auction, our school’s largest annual fundraiser, hinges on the quality of donated goods we receive. As you know, some of our much-needed services have been cut this year. We really need this auction to be a roaring hit! Can you help us get there?
We’re looking for donations in a range of categories, including:
- Gift cards from your favorite shop or restaurant. Have an unexpired gift card collecting dust in your wallet? We’ll take it!
- Kids swag. Summer camps, private lessons, birthday parties…you know what kids like.
- Vacation getaways or hotel stays. Have a vacation home to offer up?
- Sporting event or concert tickets. Are you a season ticket holder? Have friends in high places? A pair (or more) of tickets is an auction favorite.
- Memorable experiences. Private dinners, boating excursions, afternoon tea with a local celebrity. We aren’t afraid to get creative!
It’s easy to submit donations right on the auction website. Have donation questions? We’re here for you! Contact auction@northbeachpta.org.
Thank you, thank you, thank you. Now let’s have a great party!
PTA News
Sponsor a Sweatshirt for Your Teachers & Staff
Shhhhhh! The PTA is getting sweatshirts for the entire North Beach staff to keep them cozy this winter. We'd love your help to offset the cost ($30/staff member)!
You can make your donation on Konstella. And... stay tuned -- swag for students and families will be available soon!
Mark your calendars -- Holiday Lights Walk - December 16th
The PTA will be hosting a socially-distanced, go-at-your-own-pace walk around Olympic Manor the evening of 12/16 (5-7pm).
Did you know?? The PTA surprised the staff with coffee and donuts the day before Thanksgiving break.
If you'd like to be a part of future acts of appreciation and care for our amazing NB teachers and staff, please contact Robin Mathew: robinkziegler@gmail.com
4th & 5th Grade Families
Does your student want to join the Student Leadership Team? Sign them up here. If you have thoughts or questions about activities, or want to participate in planning for activities like 5th Grade Camp & Graduation, please contact Amy Worrell-Kneller at amy.kneller@gmail.com.
North Beach Giving Tree
North Beach Giving Tree -- Sign up to Give or Receive a Gift this year
We have a long-standing tradition of offering a way for families to support one another over the holiday season. This year, you can donate gift cards for gifts or groceries (or both!!!) and help ensure everyone has a joyful and cozy winter. If your family would like to receive a gift this year, please complete this form by December 8th.
From the office:
The lost and found will be outside the front doors in the morning and afternoon if it isn’t raining. Please come by and get your students belongings. When time allows, we do check for names in items and they will get returned to the owner. SO PLEASE PUT NAMES INSIDE CLOTHING – first AND last names.
Hanakkuh - Festival of Lights
For eight nights, families say prayers and then light candles in an eight-branched candelabra called a menorah. The menorah also has a spot for a ninth candle in the center. The central candle (the shamash) is lit, and that candle is used to light one additional candle each night until, on the eighth night, all of the candles are lit.
Most families also serve special holiday foods, sing songs, play games, and give gifts including Hanukah gelt (chocolate coins).
Support North Beach Elementary When You Shop!
Amazon Smile: 0.5% of eligible purchases back to North Beach!
https://smile.amazon.com/ch/91-1320831
Shutterfly: 8% of Purchases come back to North Beach!
Shop for cards and photos at www.NorthBeach.ShutterflyStoreFront.com and help contribute 8% to the North Beach PTA!
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Community News & Events (The programs below are not endorsed by either North Beach PTA or SPS, and are posted for informational purposes only.)
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Parent Education Opportunities
Holiday Tips for Parents of Children with Sensory Processing Disorder
December 9: Improving the Lives of Boys and Men of Color by Washington Interagency Fatherhood Council
Dec 15: Dads Connect - A Program of the WA State Fatherhood Council
Dec 18: Holiday party for Spanish speaking families raising sons and daughters with intellectual and developmental disabilities, hosted by The Arc of King County. For questions or to RSVP: SUrite@arcofkingcounty.org or PGonzalez@arcofkingcounty.org.
Jan 5: Navigating the To Do List After Your Child's Autism Diagnosis, To register, contact ontime@uw.edu
Ballard Basketball Winter Break Camps
Week #1 Dec 20-22, 9am-12pm 4th-6th graders and 12-3pm 6th-8th graders
Week #2 Dec 27-29, 9am-12pm 4th-6th graders and 12-3pm 6th-8th graders
Where: Emmanuel Church (501 N 50th St)
Bring: A snack, lunch, water bottle and a ball. Wear a mask. Health screening at entry.
Cost: $135/camper
CODE NINJAS SEATTLE: After School Coding Program and Camps
A local Ballard family is opening a Code Ninjas in North Ballard in January 2022.
We offer fun and flexible coding education where kids learn to code while building their own video games, including popular favorites like Roblox® and Minecraft®. They gain problem-solving, teamwork, and STEM skills in a fun, safe, and inspiring environment. Our program allows kids to learn year-round at their own pace. Drop in at your convenience during the week or weekend hours or attend one of our camps!
For more information and to Register: https://www.codeninjas.com/wa-seattle
Follow us on Social: @codeninjasseattle
School Programs
Boys & Girls Club
Questions? 206-582-3512 or choover@positiveplace.org.
Registration Information and enrollment paperwork is available at: http://positiveplace.org/locations/childcare/Pages/northbeachchildcare.aspx
Small Faces
The school-aged program at Small Faces serves kindergarten through fifth grade children. At the end of the school day, a school bus takes kids to Small Faces Center where they are greeted by teachers and offered a snack before the program activities begin. Doors close at 6pm. Contact Kathy Brockman with questions and to enroll: kbrockman@smallfaces.org
Washington Karate After School Program
Transportation is available up to five days per week from select Seattle Schools and the dojo is located conveniently near the Greenwood Fred Meyer. Students have snack and homework time and a one hour karate class, where they learn skills and discipline. For more details visit www.washingtonkarate.com or call (206)784-3171.
“The Washington Karate program is an excellent way for children to develop physical, mental, and emotional well-being.” ~Dr. Thomas Staiger, Medical Director, UW Medical Center.
Beachcomber Email
Article submissions for this newsletter are due by 5:00pm Wednesdays. Please send articles to communications@northbeachpta.org.