Tiger Tales

Newsletter #19 - January 9, 2023

Dear Medina Families and Community,


We hope your first week back went smoothly at home as it did for us at school. Students were full of energy and excitement, especially during recess, to see their friends and teachers. Thank you for the delicious breakfast treats from 85 degrees and other healthy options! We especially appreciate the parents who organized and carefully set up the bags for easy grab and go.


January is a busy month as we prepare for the end of first semester on January 27th and progress reports that will be sent home to families in early February. There will be no school on Monday, January 16th as we are closed in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Please see resources below about Dr. King's life to share with your family at home.


In partnership,


Kati & Betty

Upcoming Events

January 10: Odle MS Information Night @6pm

January 11: Chinook MS Information Night @6pm

January 16: Martin Luther King Jr. Day - No School

January 23: Pastries with Principals, 5:00 - 6:00pm, details coming soon

January 30: School is in session; Make up Day for 12/1 Snow Closure

February 10: World Culture Night, 5pm

February 20 - 24: Mid-winter break - No School

Welcome to our Student Intern!

Karly Brandenfels is completing her final practicum for school at Medina and learning from Ms. Ptak as her mentor teacher. Miss Brandenfels went to Medina from grades K-5, then Chinook and Bellevue High School, and is currently enrolled in WSU in the College of Education. She will continue her student teaching with Ms. Ptak in the fall of 2023 so she will be a familiar face again. Once a Tiger, always a Tiger!
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For our 5th Grade Families

Most of our 5th grade students will be attending Chinook Middle School or Odle Middle School next year. Please note that the information nights for these two schools are this week!



  • Odle Middle School will be holding an Open House on Tuesday January 10 beginning at 6 pm. There will be opportunities to learn about the exciting educational programs and elective courses unique to Odle.


Information about other secondary schools and choice schools can be found on the Bellevue School District website at:

https://bsd405.org/2022/12/2023-24-school-year-family-information-nights/

*Kindergarten nights for neighborhood schools will be scheduled for late February and early March.

City of Bellevue MLK Health Fair

City of Bellevue MLK Health Fair

The City of Bellevue and the Bellevue Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. invite the community to join the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration and Health Fair, hosted online on MLK Day, January 16, from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m.

The MLK Celebration and Health Fair celebrates the Rev. King’s legacy and centers individuals and organizations experiencing or responding to racial and health inequities in our community. This year’s theme is “reinvesting in health,” with holistic wellness presentations from community partners, youth-led health and equity discussions, performance art and remarks from city leaders.

Learn more and register for this online event.

City of Bellevue MLK Health Fair
Learning about Dr. Martin Luther King

Learning about Dr. Martin Luther King

In January, teachers and students celebrate the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as we continue to develop our understanding of his life, the civil rights movement, and the work that remains today. Teachers often use books, videos, and writing pieces as we build student knowledge and understanding. If you are interested in sharing books with your child(ren) at home, here are a couple of recommendations that have web-book/video available to all:


Martin's Big Words: The Life of Martin Luther King Jr. READ ALOUD!

I am Martin Luther King, Jr.| Children's Books Read Aloud

Learning about Dr. Martin Luther King

Nurse News

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National Blood Donor Month

National Blood Donor Month

January is National Blood Donor Month. National Blood Donor Month recognizes the importance of donating blood and helps increase aware-ness during one of the most critical times of need. Historically, winter is one of the most difficult times of year to collect enough blood donations to meet patient needs. Maintaining a sufficient supply is important not only because of emergencies, but also for individuals who need regular blood donations, such as cancer patients. If you’re able to, please con-sider donating blood. A single donation can save multiple lives. Learn more about National Blood Donor Month here


Find a donation center near you:

Bloodworks Northwest

American Red Cross

National Blood Donor Month
Updates on Flu & COVID-19

Updates on Flu & COVID-19

• The federal government is once again providing up to four (4) COVID

-19 rapid antigen tests to all US households. Tests will be delivered by mail. Order your

household’s tests at COVIDtests.gov. Tests are also available through WADOH.


• Updated COVID-19 bivalent boosters are available for children 6 months through 5 years of age.

The updated booster shots target the Omicron variant of COVID-19 as well as the original strain.

Learn more about the updated boosters, including eligibility, here.


• Flu continues to circulate in Washington. Please remember to stay home when sick, wash your

hands, and cover coughs and sneezes. Weekly flu updates are provided by the CDC and WADOH.

Updates on Flu & COVID-19

Volunteer for Lunch and Recess Support

If you have already signed up as a Lunch/Recess Support Volunteer, please make sure you have reviewed the updated policies and procedures in the document below. This document is also at the top of the Signup Genius.

We are looking for volunteers to come support students at lunch and recess! Volunteers would help monitor the lunchroom and outdoor play spaces with the support of our General School Assistants. You can choose the grade level and day of the week that works best for you and each volunteer slot runs from 1/3/2023 – 2/17/2023. Please click here for more information and to sign up. Thank you for your consideration!