News from your North Beach PTA
February 5, 2021
Dates to Remember
- Monday, February 8: Principal Q&A, 7 p.m.
- February 15-19: Mid-winter Break, NO SCHOOL
- Monday, February 22: Expected date of announcement by SPS regarding full planning around return-to-school for Prek - 1st grade and for students receiving Intensive Pathway Special Education services.
- Wednesday, February 24: Parent Education Night, 6:30 p.m.
- Thursday, February 25: Principal's Q&A, 7 p.m.
- February 1-26: Open Enrollment for School Choice
A Note from Our Principal
Dear North Beach Families:
As we wrap up the first week of the Big Give fundraising campaign, I would like to thank our PTA for supporting the North Beach community. The resources we receive as a result of the Big Give include our school counseling program, library, art and PE materials, improved technology, and tutoring support. All are crucial to our ability to successfully meet student needs. The Big Give continues through February 12.
Our classes have just finished recognizing Black Lives Matter at School Week. I have received several requests for additional information from parents interested in learning more. There are many resources available, but a good starting place is the Black Lives Matter at School website: https://www.blacklivesmatteratschool.com/ .
Superintendent Juneau hosted a Q&A session yesterday afternoon to provide updates on a return to in-person learning. The timeline for returning PK-1st grade students is fluid; the district is looking at a phased approach for a return to in person instruction, with a focus on students enrolled in our Special Education Intensive Service Pathways Programs first. There are also updates being made to the district website on a regular basis. If you would like to discuss the latest information, please attend the monthly Principal Q&A session on Monday, February 8 7:00-8:00 p.m.
Click here to join the meeting
Or call in (audio only)
+1 206-800-4125,,780289820# United States, Seattle
Phone Conference ID: 780 289 820#
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Click here to join the meeting
Have a wonderful weekend!
Kristine McLane
Principal
North Beach Elementary
Counselor's Corner
Are you and your kids getting enough sleep?
In the course of my week, I run across a lot of "I'm tired" or "I'm sleepy" from the students I meet. Whether this is the effect of sitting in front of a screen, Pandemic fatigue or actually insufficient sleep, it's hard to say. I know in my own household, bedtimes have slipped a bit during Covid. However, we know that sleep is even more important for healthy functioning during stressful times. With that in mind, I'm sharing two articles this week - one geared towards getting kids back to a healthy sleep schedule if things have slipped (The Pandemic Has Messed with Kids' Sleep) and one geared towards us adults (Sleep Guidelines During the Covid-19 Pandemic). Finally, I'm sharing a guided meditation called Sleep Tight from Sitting Still Like a Frog that your kids (or even you!) might find helpful as they drift off to sleep each night. Sleep well; be well!
The BIG GIVE Update
WOW! Thank you so much North Beach! We rose to the challenge and matched our 48 Matching Challenge in less than 24 hours. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
We are so, SO close to our campaign goal of $50,000. This funding is critical to maintain the educational support and programs our students need. Consider donating today. If we reach our campaign goal every classroom will receive an additional $100 grant!
Your donation directly impacts our students. Act now, donate today.
For more information about The Big Give and the North Beach PTA click here.
February 24th (7-8pm): "Supporting Your Anxious Child: Recognizing and Effectively Responding to Childhood Anxiety"
February 24th (7-8pm): "Supporting Your Anxious Child: Recognizing and Effectively Responding to Childhood Anxiety"
Speaker: Dr. Michelle Proulx
About our speaker: Dr. Michelle Proulx
Dr. Prou;x holds masters’ degrees in Developmental Psychology and School Psychology, and a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology. She worked from 2005-2011 as a Nationally Certified School Psychologist and School Counselor, and then went on to oversee the implementation of Bellevue School Districts's social and emotional learning programs, training teachers, psychologists and parents on meeting the social and emotional needs of the whole child. Since 2012, Michelle has been in private practice using a holistic approach to partnering with children, adolescents and adults to help them overcome emotional, behavioral, and interpersonal challenges that interfere with daily life. Her clinical work has focused on treating anxiety, OCD, depression, ADHD and trauma.
Teams link for Feb 24th Parent Education Night (7-8pm):
Legislative Update
This week in the State Legislature, lawmakers are moving fast on Distribution of Federal Covid relief funds. Our House Representative, Noel Frame, introduced legislation to improve the equity of Washington state's tax code. This is a budget year for the Washington State Legislature, and the bills that affect families include and go beyond school funding.
Register for the weekly WSPTA Action newsletter:
https://actionnetwork.org/forms/subscribe-to-wsptas-action-network-group
Read about the bills the WSPTA is following:
https://www.wastatepta.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/WSPTA-Bill-Status-Week-1.pdf
WSPTA advocacy is guided by the Legislative Platform:
https://www.wastatepta.org/focus-areas/advocacy/
Legislative Town Hall - Thursday at 6:30 PM
Please join Sen. Reuven Carlyle, Rep. Noel Frame, and Rep. Liz Berry for a 36th District virtual town hall on Thursday at 6:30 PM. The town hall will be streamed live on the Senate Democratic Caucus’ Facebook page. You can submit questions ahead of time here or ask a question in the comments.
From the DEI Committee
A REQUEST: Diversity Equity & Inclusion Committee is looking to learn from families with students receiving Special Education services, so that the PTA can create a more inclusive and accessible environment and programming for ALL the families at North Beach. If you would be interested in sharing your family's experience and/or help fill the open Special Education Board Seat(s) on the PTA Board, please contact Katie Gruver (katie.gruver@gmail.com).
COMMITTEE UPDATE:
As a new committee, the DEI Committee has been hard at work on strategic planning. We've landed on the following goals (DEI Committee's Plans & Action Items) for our 2020-2021 School year: Please add your voice or opinion via email (katie.gruver@gmail.com) or at our next DEI Committee Meeting (Sunday, 2/14/21 3-4:30pm).
Highlights of 2020-2021 School Year:
- Creating a partner school relationship with a Title 1 school
- Using our platforms to share more about the diversity, equity and inclusion work going on at our school
- Learning from families of students receiving special education services, and educating membership on the diverse programs supporting students at North Beach
- Creating a fundraising plan to expand access to diverse books and art in classrooms and library
- Provide Parent Education on diversity, equity & inclusion
Yearbook Update
The North Beach Yearbook is going to happen this year, and we want to include a portrait of every one of our students from pre-school to 5th grade, all 20 classrooms!
We are not able to have the usual picture day with the Lifetouch photographers this year. There are several options, pick the one that is best for you and email the picture to the yearbook.
All student portraits should be submitted to the yearbook editor, Rhonda Estigoy, by: 4/1/21.
Email the image to rhondae33@yahoo.com
subject line: student name, classroom number, teacher name, and grade.
Options for submitting photos:
1. Email your student's photo to the NB yearbook editor.
You can you use a smartphone to take a photo
Photo Requirements:
· Max 200MB/file.
· Photo should be at least 640 X 800 pixels for best image quality.
· Must be in one of these photo formats: JPEG, PNG, or SVG for image uploads.
Please refer to the prior NB yearbooks for an example of the standard student portrait
· Portraits show the child from mid chest to top of head. No hats please.
· Student is looking straight at the camera.
· Photograph your student against a plain background (ie: light blue, light grey, white), so that the background is not distracting. If you prefer a different background, the student's face should be highlighted.
· If needed, you can submit a few photos for the editor to choose.
2. Submit student portrait from another photography studio.
Email the digital image to the yearbook editor.
3. Use Lifetouch+Shutterfly Picture Day Snaps @Home.
Take your student’s photo at home using an app.
· Download the free Shutterfly: Cards & Gifts App.
· Open the Shutterfly App, and go to the link for: Picture Day Snaps @Home.
· Choose a photo package. Portrait packages start at $4.99-$14.99.
· You are the photographer, lighting designer, child wrangler, etc.
· Please select the blue background.
· Each photo package gives you the Shutterfly digital image.
. After purchase, email the digital image to the yearbook editor.
The Snaps @ Home on the Shutterfly App will be available through March 2021.
By submitting this photo you are giving permission for it to be used in the 2020-21 North Beach yearbook. The yearbook will be hard copy only and photos will not be used in any electronic media.
Safe Route To School Webinar
Dive into the nitty gritty practical solutions for creating safe routes to school. On Thursday, February 25th from 2pm – 3pm ET, the Safe Routes Partnership is hosting a free training on Engineering Solutions and Strategies for Safe Routes to School.
Join the PTA!
Make your voice heard! The NBE PTA provides advocacy and funding for our students. By joining the PTA you say YES to counselors, tutors, art supplies, classroom technology, library books, and more. JOIN TODAY and while you’re at it donate to the school supplies fund!
Join the PTA here!
School Board Meetings are online!
Attending School Board Meetings no longer requires driving and parking downtown! The board meets for regular meetings twice a month, and special meetings throughout the month. Reopening plans, construction projects, curriculum - decisions are discussed and made. Email klabelle@gmail.com to learn more about attending a meeting to help us track what is happening. You can find out more here.
Join Seattle Special Education PTSA!
If you have been considering joining the Seattle Special Education PTSA, now is the time! Please visit their website and do it now. www.seattlespecialeducationptsa.org.
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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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
Illumination Learning Studio
Illumination Learning Studio provides After School Programs for children K-5. We provide transportation after school each day. This is an arts-focused educational program. Please visit our website for more information https://www.illuminationlearningstudio.com/.
Beachcomber Email
Article submissions for this newsletter are due by 5:00pm Wednesdays. Please send articles to beachcomber@northbeachpta.org
About North Beach Elementary
PTA website: northbeachelementary.org
School website: northbeaches.seattleschools.org
Email: beachcomber@northbeachpta.org
Website: northbeachelementary.org
Location: 9018 24th Avenue NW Seattle, WA 98117
Phone: (206) 252-1510
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/northbeachpta/
Twitter: @sealsnorthbeach