News from your North Beach PTA
November 20, 2020
Dates to Remember
- November 23-25: No School, Parent/Teacher Conferences
- November 26-27: No School, Thanksgiving Break
- Monday, December 14: Principal Q&A 7:00-8:00 p.m
A Note from Our Principal
Hello North Beach families,
Next week, our teachers and staff look forward to meeting with families during conference week. Our conference routine, like all other aspects of school, has been disrupted. Teachers are sending invitations to families to meet remotely instead of in-person due to the ongoing restrictions in relation to COVID-19. However, the goal of conferences remains the same: strengthening the partnership we have with you in order to support your child’s academic growth and social emotional needs. The district has posted suggestions for supporting successful parent-teacher conferences: https://www.seattleschools.org/district/calendars/news/what_s_new/parent-teacher_conferences.
Earlier this week, new restrictions went into effect in an effort to slow the spread of coronavirus. I know these restrictions create hardships for many of our families. A reminder that Alysa Reid, our school counselor, can provide information about community resources including short term emergency support. Our meal distribution site is open M-W next week. As the pandemic rolls into another month, I know it can be difficult for even the most optimistic among us to stay upbeat. We know we aren’t in an ideal situation with our remote learning model and we would all prefer to be back at school. Please know that the North Beach staff empathizes with the challenging situation families are in juggling parenting, supporting education, and managing households. We continually look to improve the remote learning environment for students. Utilizing feedback from the district fall pulse student and parent surveys, our Climate Committee facilitated professional development for our staff this week that focused on increasing opportunities for students to engage with each other socially during the school day with their classmates as well as with students in other classes and grade levels, and we have started an ongoing conversation around increasing student engagement for our students who tend to be quiet, have their camera off, or demonstrate other behaviors that may indicate a need for teachers to follow up with the student or parents. It is our goal that the changes we make in early December as a result of this professional development will result in students feeling more connected with their peers, as well as more connected and engaged with school and schoolwork.
As we approach the holidays of Thanksgiving and Native American Heritage Day next week, I would like to express my gratitude for being a part of this community. I miss seeing our students, although it’s wonderful to see those who attend the Boys and Girls Club and who stop by during lunch pickup. I hope we are able to gather together in larger numbers before the end of the school year. I’d also like to express my gratefulness for the ongoing sacrifices being made by our medical personnel and first responders as the pandemic continues. We are so lucky to live in a city with such excellent medical care and expertise available. You are all heroes.
Have a wonderful holiday week,
Kristine McLane
Principal
North Beach Elementary
From the Office
Counselor's Corner
Counseling Services During Remote Learning
Hello North Beach Families! I want to make sure everyone is aware that counseling services are still available (virtually, of course) during remote learning. As usual, I am offering small groups for students who need extra support (already underway for the fall) as well as consultations with parents/guardians and short-term individual counseling for students. Look for social drop-in lunch groups coming soon. If you have concerns about your child, please contact Alysa Reid by e-mail at arreid@seattleschools.org or leave a message at (206) 252-1535. For parenting articles, counseling updates and other resources, please check out my website at: https://arreid7.wixsite.com/nbcc.
PTA News
Happy Diwali and Sal Mubarak to those in our NB community that celebrate! Diwali is an an annual Hindu festival commemorating the triumph of light over darkness. It is India’s biggest and most important holidays. For Hindu-Americans, the year’s celebration coincides with the election of Kamala Harris, the first person of Indian descent to be Vice President. To help your kids learn more about Diwali: https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/explore/diwali/
Volunteers Needed!
- Holiday Giving Tree - Contact katie.gruver@gmail.com
- Holiday Lights Walk - Contact kbbuchanan@mac.com
- Virtual "Recess" & After School clubs - Contact debbiewayne@gmail.com
- Yearbook Team - Contact katie.gruver@gmail.com
November 13-20 is Transgender Awareness Week
November 20 is Transgender Day of Remembrance, and this week is Transgender Awareness Week. In our classrooms, our teachers regularly talk to students about how to support and celebrate differences in our school. School is also a place where we strive to respect one another and learn to work together regardless of differences. These conversations are a part of this work. This week is intended to bring attention to issues that transgender people face and increase their visibility. November 20 is Transgender Day of Remembrance, an important memorial of those who have lost their lives in anti-trans violence. This year many organizations that support transgender people including GLAAD, are encouraging everyone to watch the documentary DISCLOSURE on Netflix. This film explores the history of trans representation in TV and film, with a call to action to better understand and support the trans community.
For families there are a number of youth-geared resources and organizations that can help all parents, caregivers and family members learn more about gender and youth:
And finally, here is a comprehensive list of transgender and gender fluid books for kids, young adults and adults recommended by Johns Hopkins Center for Transgender Health:
hopkinsmedicine.org/center-trangender-health/patient-resources/books.html
Further Reading Opportunities are:
FINAL DAY FOR HERBIE’S HEARTS SCAVENGER HUNT!
Today is the final day to return Herbie’s Hearts Scavenger Hunt forms! Any and all participation wins a prize and one lucky student comes home with a 2020 Herbie stuffie!
Can’t make it to the Scavenger Hunt? Return any Herbie’s Hearts adjacent item (coloring page, original artwork, poetry, the sky’s the limit!) and receive a prize.
Click here for The Clues and Completion Form
Return forms to biggive@northbeachpta.org
Spread the love! Decorate your own mini Herbie’s Hearts coloring page to show your North Beach pride! Click here for Herbie’s Hearts Coloring page.
Interested in Helping North Beach?
Donate Today: If now feels right for your family to donate click here to contribute now.
Take advantage of 2020 tax breaks and corporate matching
Your donation is 100% tax deductible.
Match Your Donation: Did you know that many Seattle employers match, double match, or even triple match charitable giving? Return your The Big Give donation receipt to your company to have matching funds donated to the PTA.
Need help with Thanksgiving groceries this year?
Crown Hill’s Grocery Outlet is generously donating Thanksgiving meals for North Beach families in need once again this year. If that would be helpful to your family, please let Alysa Reid know by e-mail at arreid@seattleschools.org by Friday, November 13.
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!
North Beach PTA’s Grounding Principles
Black lives matter,
Science is real,
Women’s rights are human rights
No human is illegal,
Love is love,
Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere, and
Kindness is never wasted
Denunciation of White Supremacy & Hate Speech
We condemn and denounce white supremacy, hate speech and actions against ANY individual or group of people.
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