STAR GAZER GAZETTE
April 2021 Star Lake Newsletter
Greetings Star Lake Families,
Welcome back to school! I hope your family had some time during spring break to relax, or go on an adventure, and do something that you all enjoy! I flew to New Mexico to visit with my daughter and go wedding dress shopping with her, what a fun time we had!
It is sure exciting to have students in the building here at Star Lake every day! I love seeing their faces (well at least their eyes!) and hearing the great conversations and learning going on in their classrooms. Our students who have remained remote are working hard every day as well, and I appreciate the focused attention they give during zoom sessions. Working independently at home requires discipline and persistence; keep up the great work!
We are looking forward to talking with families and scholars at our Scholar-Led Conferences on April 29th and 30th. Be watching for an important email coming from your child’s teacher that includes directions to sign up for a zoom conference. This is a great time to check in on student progress, celebrate growth, and for our students who have changed teachers, a time to get better acquainted. For the past three years, Star Lake has had 98-100% of our families join us for scholar-led conferences. Thank you for your commitment to this important conversation.
On May 13th, at 6:00pm, we also have our annual School Board Recognition event. This year Star Lake will recognize ten students as “super attenders.” These students not only have perfect attendance, but they each demonstrate leadership in their classrooms. In addition, we are recognizing ten students for making accelerated growth on iReady math and reading my path lessons. These ten students passed a combined total of 1,396 lessons and they are still going! Please see the list of student names included in this newsletter. And, if your child is on the list, be watching for an invitation coming soon. I wish we could recognize every Star Lake student for the great work they are doing, but we are limited.
It is hard to believe that we only have ten weeks of school left! I am excited about the learning and growth still yet to come this spring! Enjoy the sunshine!
Kris Rennie, Principal
FWPS School Board Recognition Night - May 13th, 6pm
Star Lake Annual School Board Recognition Recipients
The following students and staff will be recognized at the upcoming FWPS School Board Recognition Night on May 13th at 6:00pm. We are so proud of their accomplishments! If your child is on this list be watching for an invitation coming soon with details.
We would like to honor these Star Lake scholars, for Goal 2. They are being recognized as “super attenders” because, in addition to having perfect attendance for the year, both synchronously and asynchronously, they each demonstrate leadership in their classrooms through high levels of participation in class discussions and engagement, and completion of academic tasks. Thank you for being such great examples Eagles!
Avleen B., Dalary E., Elizabeth W., Deborah K., Rhea A., Bayani H., Julian (JJ) C, Jude T., Eyosias K., Justin J.
We would like to honor these Star Lake scholars, for Goal 4. They are being recognized for making accelerated growth on iReady math and reading mypath lessons and for passing a combined total of 1,396 lessons! Their dedication to learning and practicing asynchronously is commendable and their growth is indication that their hard work is paying off. Great job Eagles!
Gabriel P., Betselot D., Nathaniel G., Elenna F., Felicity M., Raiden M., Kabria C., Jennifer S., Gabriel A., Milani L.
Staff:
We would like to honor Jordan Sevier, Family Liaison at Star Lake, for Goal 2. This is Jordan’s first year as family liaison and he is being recognized for outstanding work supporting scholars, staff and families with access to technology. He is the “zoom master” and he excels with building strong relationships with families while boosting student engagement.
We would like to honor Dana Baker and Michael Friedman, for Goal 4. They are being recognized for developing a teaming model while in full remote that provided the opportunity for targeted small group math and ELA intervention to occur every day for students needing support. This resulted in a consistent increase in students meeting assessed standards in ELA and math and provided in the moment instructional support. Thank you for your dedication to student learning!
New Bell Schedule
While we are at our temporary location Star Lake is following the “late school schedule”:
AM in-person hybrid is 9:10-11:35 & remote zoom sessions are 9:10-11:25
PM in-person hybrid is 1:15-3:40 & remote zoom sessions are 1:15-3:30
Mark on Your Calendars
APRIL
22 - Zoom Parent Meeting, 6:00pm
23 - Tie Dye Spirit Day
28 - School Supply Pick-up 9-3:00
29-30 - Student Led Conferences - No School
MAY
5 - School Supply Pick-up 9-3:00
12 - Zoom Parent Meeting, 10:30am
13 - FWPS School Board Recognition Night, 6:00pm
14 - Hero Spirit Day
14 - Kindergarten Jump Start 5:30pm
19 - School Supply Pick-up 9-3:00
31 - Memorial Day - No School
Upcoming Scholar Led Conferences
There will be no school but we hope to connect with every family in our school on these days!
Daily Required Health Screening
- Prior to your child leaving home, you are required to take your child/ren’s temperature and fill out the online health screening for each of your children.
- The best way to access the attestation is through the email or text that you are sent by Qualtrics every day because that communication is student specific. But you may want to keep this QR code handy to access the daily attestation if you can’t access your email or text. https://fwps.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9Fxo1aKtub9Qz3M
- Daily reminder notifications are only sent to the primary guardian on file; however, any parent can fill out the screening.
- The screening asks questions about symptoms and any possible COVID-19 exposure and is kept confidential. If your child shows any new COVID-19 symptoms, they need to stay home.
- At the end of the screening, it will let you know if your child is eligible to come to school.
- It will say if your child is certified (Ok to attend school), or not certified (must stay home).
- The school is also notified whether your child is eligible to come to school.
- Upon arrival to school, staff will check if the health screening and attestation was completed.
- If not completed, staff will contact you to complete the attestation before your child can enter the classroom.
- If your child comes to school but the answer to any of the questions is YES or they have a fever, you will be called to come pick them up.
Thank you for doing your part to ensure a healthy and safe return to in-person instruction!
RESOURCES TO SUPPORT TRANSITION:
Daily Health Screening
Hybrid Family Guide
A Day in the Life of a Scholar
School Bus Expectations
Welcome Back Eagles!
Mr. Geving and Mr. Sevier rode the busses with our scholars last week. It was so much fun! It sure is a much longer ride! We reviewed our school bus expectations and were able to answer student questions.
Here’s a summary of our school bus expectations so our scholars can be Safe Kind and Productive:
Scholars sit in their assigned seats
Remain seated while the bus is in route
Wear a mask on the bus at all times
Use a level 1 or 2 voice
Follow the bus drivers directions at all times
We look forward to lots of great bus rides ahead!
Travis Geving
Assistant Principal
School Supply Pick Up
School supplies are still available for remote scholars to pick up twice a month at our drive through pick up events at our new location. You can pick up and drop off materials on these dates between 9:00am and 3:00pm. Follow the signs for School to You, call the number on the last sign and someone will come out to assist you. Please wear a mask when picking up supplies!
Wednesday, April 28th
Wednesday, May 5th
Wednesday, May 19th
Hybrid Childcare Is Available
Childcare registration is open for K-6 grade students!
Right At School is expanding options to parents who need childcare for their student during hybrid learning. Childcare options for students in 100% remote learning will continue.
For more information go to: https://www.fwps.org/childcare
Parent Zoom Meeting: April 22nd, 6:00pm
We look forward to seeing you!
Attendance Update
In March 136 scholars were awarded 10 Star Lake Way tickets for having perfect attendance during the month. Perfect attendance means attending all zoom classes, and logging in everyday for asynchronous work. Way to go Eagles.
EVERY DAY COUNTS AND EVERYDAY MATTERS.
School Meals
Keep a look out for new items on our menus by visiting www.fwps.org/Page/351.
Every Wednesday, parents may pick up free meals (breakfasts and lunches) for their children ages 18 or younger. For more information visit: www.fwps.org/schoolmeals.
Pick Up Locations Near Star Lake:
Appian Way Apartments 25818 26th Pl S, Kent, WA 98032, 9:30 AM—10:30 AM
Apex Apartments 24810 45th Ave S, Kent, WA 98032, 1:30 PM—2:30 PM
Totem Middle School 26630 40th Ave S, Kent, WA 98032, 9:30 AM—11:30 AM
Thomas Jefferson High School 4248 S 288th St, Auburn, WA 98001, 4:00 PM—6:00 PM
Get Help Buying Food With Pandemic-EBT
Your student may be eligible for food assistance with the Pandemic EBT (P-EBT): Emergency School Meals Program. Every eligible student may qualify for up $123 per month.
This benefit is for Washington children in grades K-12 who receive free or reduced school meals.
If you have not filled out a current free or reduced meal application for this school year, please complete an application to be eligible for P-EBT benefits: www.fwps.org/lunchapplication.
How do eligible families receive the P-EBT benefit?
- This benefit is provided on an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card which is used like a debit card to buy food.
- Each eligible family will receive one P-EBT card per eligible child to the address as its shown in ParentVUE. Make sure you verify your address is up to date by logging into ParentVUE, going to online registrations, and updating address.
Questions?
- For help determining if your child qualifies for free or reduced meals contact FWPS Nutrition Services at 253-945-5555.
- Families may also contact the P-EBT call center at 1-833-518-0282.
- For additional information, go to https://www.fwps.org/Page/7662.
Kindergarten Jump Start - May 14th, 5:30pm
Kindergarten Registration
To begin the registration process go to: https://www.fwps.org/Page/7199.
Please note: these instructions can be translated to most languages by clicking the words "Translate Language" in the upper right corner.
Because of You Nomination
Scholars, now is your chance to nominate a staff member for the "Because of You" Award! Students in grades 3-12 are invited to nominate any Federal Way Public Schools staff member in the district they believe has positively impacted them, their school, and/or their community for the “Because of You” award!
For more information go to: http://www.fwps.org/BecauseOfYou
Nomination form: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=xr0hyzjz1U---3RZZbXZch2LDIDFaQNIqnpxe1xLtxlUMlRRVDZGUTEzTEhFT1FQSEhVOTNPMVE4MyQlQCN0PWcu
Preschool Registration
Will your child be three or four-years-old by August 31, 2021? Consider enrollment in one of our preschool programs!
More information can be found at: https://www.fwps.org/Page/2211, by phone at 253-945-2379, or email at preschool@fwps.org.
Click tab below for the registration form.
Battle of the Books 2021
Just a reminder for 3rd - 5th graders to continue coming to our Battle of the Books Club on Wednesdays, at 12:30-1:00pm in Ms. Nelson's zoom room, located at: https://fwps.zoom.us/j/8398895584.
You can also find the link and times on Ms. Nelson's page: https://fwps.instructure.com/courses/64116
If you haven't joined a team yet, there is still time to do that. We need more students! Come next Wednesday!
Our Battle of the Books competition will be on May 5th at 12:30pm on zoom. The District competition is on May 20th.
If you have any questions, please email Ms. Nelson at: jnelson@fwps.org.
Sign up for Battle! Read, Read, Read!
Nurses News:
COVID Vaccine Updates for Families
What’s happening on Thursday, April 15th? Washington state is now opening up COVID vaccine for everyone that is 16 and older. Those that are age sixteen and seventeen will need permission from a parent. Vaccines are approved for age eighteen and older, Pfizer is the one approved for age sixteen and older.
As of now, 20% of Washington is fully vaccinated; that’s over 4 million doses given. We are looking forward to everyone having an opportunity to get vaccinated. The more immune we are, the safer we will all feel. COVID vaccine is available at clinics, drugstores and vaccine sites set up for the purpose. Here are two website links to check on a place near you.
https://vaccinelocator.doh.wa.gov/ is the state website for finding a place. 1-800-525-0127 is their hotline number.
https://CovidWa.com is a volunteer-driven site that helps people find a matching clinic. They want you to text your zip code to 206-222-9793 & they will text you an available place.
Both of these websites have answers for your questions and greatly want to assist you in your quest for being vaccinated again the COVID virus. We wish you well in the process.
Sybel Johnson, RN
Becky Dorsett, MSN, RN
253-945-4009
COUNSELOR'S CORNER
PBIS: SAFE, KIND AND PRODUCTIVE!
Happy Spring! I hope everyone has been productive, safe and kind over Spring Break. As we return to school, we are mindful to wear a mask at all times, maintain a 6-foot distance from our friends and teachers, give each other “Air” high fives and stay on our spot or in our seat.
We have had such incredible remote shopping opportunities so far this year. Every grade level has now been able to shop at least one time (Kindergarteners are at the end of this week). Our scholars are motivated by many items in Eagle Mart but are especially eager to purchase Shout Outs and PIZZA delivery to their home.
With three shopping opportunities in the months of March and April, Star Lake 1st and 2nd grade scholars have redeemed 16,750 Star Lake Way tickets.
The following students have spent over 50 tickets at Eagle Mart:
Coleman/Crawford: Georgia, Ibrahim, Michel, Raiden (Pizza!), Rilirose, Rudy, Thomas, Tristan, Luke, Andre
Stroud: Andrew (Pizza!), Ayan, Bubba (Pizza!), Codie (Pizza!), Danielle, Edwin, Jeremiah, Jeremy, Julian, Madelyn (Pizza!), Nyomi, Olivia, Salome, Zoie
Hall/Broadbent: Aarya, Abdurrahman, Alexa, Annalicia, Bensia, Danny, Eduardo, Gabriel, Helkena, Hunter, Jayden, Keaton, Khadija, Mallory, Miriam (Pizza!), Mykaila, Shams, Terrell, Tirez, Vera
Clark: Andrea, Ashley (Pizza!), Aurora, Avtejh (Pizza!), Elenna, Ezekiel, Josevata, Kyla (Pizza!), Lanaya, Mia, Nathaniel, Robert (Pizza!), Samantha
Peggins: Danny, Deborah (Pizza!), Elizabeth, Giovanni, Ha’ane, Hiba, Jae’Zanae (Pizza!), Jesse, Ladayah, Noah, Rene, Rhea (Pizza!), Russell (Pizza!), Savannah
Thomason: Alexa, Amiyah (Pizza!), David (Pizza!), Hodan, Izley, James, Mark (MJ), Mykale (Pizza!), T-Rose, Yaki, Yuliana
Thank you for supporting our PBIS program here at Star Lake. Looking forward to rolling out a few more surprises!
Katherine Hinkle
PBIS Incentives Chair
NEW LOCATION: 3600 S. 344th Way, Federal Way, WA 98001
This address will also be where parents drop off their students for school if students are not riding the bus.
PTA Updates
We will be having a PTA zoom meeting at 6pm on April 28th. The link will be emailed and posted on FB page.
Star Lake PTA is looking for parents interested in being on the Executive Board for the 2021-2022 school year. If you are interested or have questions, please email us at: starlakepta@gmail.com.
Check out our website for additional info on meetings, events and membership!
* Spirit Days:
April 23 Tie Dye Spirit Day
May 14 Hero Spirit Day
* Interested in our Spirit Wear store? Go to:
starlakeelementary.itemorder.com
* Remember that a successful PTA needs your participation. We appreciate your support!
If you have any questions please email us at:
Or check out our Facebook page at:
Star Lake Elementary
Email: comments@fwps.org
Website: https://www.fwps.org/starlake
Location: 3600 South 344th Way, Federal Way, WA, USA
Phone: 253-945-4000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StarLakeFWPS