Tiger Tales

Hello Medina Families & Community,

We hope everyone had a peaceful weekend of rest in preparation for the busy week ahead. Smarter Balanced testing continues while Monday kicks off Staff Appreciation week and our last week with the Kids Heart Challenge. We made it past the 100 registrations mark, so students will have an opportunity to vote during lunch this week on Spirit Week fun!

On Thursday, we will have our Family University Night, in collaboration with Clyde Hill. Come hear Dr. Aramaki and our district Mental Health Awareness Team speak and mingle with Clyde Hill and incoming families from Wilburton. (See more details below). While time is flying by, we are making the most of the learning opportunities together!

Additionally, there is construction in the neighborhoods around our school which has caused traffic during drop off and dismissal. Please plan on leaving for school a little earlier to account for this delay.

Here's to a smooth week!

In partnership,

Kati & Betty

Upcoming Dates

May 1-25: Smarter Balanced Testing Window

May 8-12: Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week

May 11: Joint Clyde Hill & Medina Family University Night, 5:30-7pm, @ Medina

May 17: Volunteer Appreciation Lunch, 12:30-1pm

May 19: PTA Talent Show, 5:30-7pm

May 29: Memorial Day, No School

Car Loop Drop Off and Pick Up

We have noticed more cars stopping in the car loop to park and adults helping students get things out of or into the car trunk. While this seems to take only a few minutes, combined with other cars, these minutes add up to cause a longer delay for cars waiting to come into the parking lot.

Please train your child to manage their items, hop out or into the car, and buckle themselves. If your child needs more time, please park in the available spots in the parking lot, and we can escort your child across the crosswalk safely to you. A safe and efficient pick up and dismissal works because we are all doing our part in the larger system. Please reach out if you have any suggestions or questions. Thank you in advance for your cooperation!

Clyde Hill & Medina Family University Night

Family University Night on Thursday, May 11th is finally here!

Come meet our Bellevue School District Mental Health Assessment Team counselors and Dr. Aramaki, our incoming superintendent. You will learn about what is being taught to support student well-being and the resources available to students and families. Our school counselor Elise Geck will be present as well if you haven't met her yet.

We are also excited to share an option for limited childcare. We will have a few Right at School staff supervise students (PreK to Grade 5) in the Gym while parents and guardians attend the sessions. Space is limited, so please sign up using this link. You must be signed up for childcare in order to be able to drop off your child(ren). Drop off starts at 5:15pm, and pick up at the end of the sessions at 7pm.

Kids Heart Challenge

This is our last week of the Kids Heart Challenge! If you haven't done so already, register to learn about Finn's Mission and the signs of stroke and heart disease. You do not need to donate and registration is free.

If you have already registered, check out the Parents Corner with videos about Body Wellness, CPR, and Mental Well-Being & Life Skills. These are great resources to talk with your family.

Save the Date: Volunteer Appreciation on May 17th!

If you have volunteered at school in any way, in the classroom, on a field trip, or for the PTA, we invite you to stop by the library between 12:30-1pm to pick up some treats provided by Medina staff. If your child is not doing chess club, you can drop them off in the cafeteria during this time. Our GSAs will be in the cafeteria supervising and providing options such as a movie or board games to play. Please stop by and mingle with staff and other volunteers as we celebrate YOU!

Bellevue Police Department Informational Meeting: Hate Crimes and Bias-Related Incidents

The Bellevue Police Department and its advisory councils have partnered with the King County Prosecutor’s Office, Eastside 4 All (their partner coalition), and City of Bellevue DEI to start an initiative in bringing education and awareness to Hate Crimes and Biased-Related Incidents. They will be holding their first community outreach event on Tuesday, May 23 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.at the Bellevue Youth Theatre.

BPD has shared that hate crimes and bias-related incidents are underreported and would really like to bring education, awareness and resources to our community.

Is Your Student Missing School-Entry Immunizations?

Per state law, all students attending BSD schools must have immunizations or exemptions for:

DTaP/Tdap: Tetanus, diphtheria, Pertussis (whooping cough)

Polio

Hepatitis B

MMR: Measles, Mumps, Rubella

Varicella (chicken pox)

If you have health insurance, you can take your student to one of these clinics:

Safeway School Immunization Clinics for Bellevue School District students

Wednesday May 3rd 1:30-5:00

Store 490:

1645 140th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA 98005

Make an appointment at this link

Wednesday May 10th 1:30-5:00pm

Store 1600:

300 Bellevue Way NE, Bellevue, WA 98004

Make an appointment at this link

For more information about immunizations required for school, please visit: https://doh.wa.gov/you-and-your-family/immunization

National Nurses Week

National Nurses Week is May 6th—May 12th. This annual celebration honors nurses and recognizes the hard work, dedication, and care they provide to patients and communities across the country.

School Nurse Day is observed on the Wednesday of Nurses Week (May 10th this year) to highlight the important and unique work of school nurses. School nurses serve a pivotal role that bridges healthcare and education. They work every day to improve the health, safety, and academic success of all students by managing and addressing complex health issues, promoting healthy behaviors, connecting families to resources, handling medical emergencies, and more. They have worked especially hard to support our students, staff, and families these past few years through the COVID-19 pandemic.

We are so thankful for all the nurses in our community and appreciate the work you do!

Asthma Awareness Month

May is Asthma Awareness Month. Asthma is a chronic (long-term) disease that affects the lungs. It causes wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing (especially at night or in the morning). Asthma affects people of all ages but often starts during childhood.

During an asthma attack, a person’s airways narrow and swell, making it harder to breathe. Asthma triggers can set off an asthma attack or make symptoms worse. Asthma triggers can vary from person to person, but some common triggers include:

• Indoor allergens • Outdoor allergens

• Poor air quality • Infections (such as colds, flu, COVID-19)

• Strong smells (like perfumes or odors) • Changes in the weather/cold air

• Smoke • Physical activity

• Strong emotional responses (like intense laughing or crying)

While there is no cure for asthma, it can be controlled. Most cases of asthma can be controlled by taking asthma medication and managing triggers. Individuals with asthma should work with their health care provider to develop an asthma action plan. If your student has asthma, be sure to fill out an Individual Health Plan for the 23-24 school year.

Learn more about Asthma: CDC: Asthma

National Heart, Lung, & Blood Institute: Asthma

American Lung Association: Asthma

Seattle Children’s: Asthma Attack

American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology: Asthma in Children