Family Cougar Connect Newsletter

Dear Families,

Last week we experienced our first back to school community event of the school year. We played bingo, enjoyed food and met new community members - It was a huge success! We hope you can continue to participate and show active engagement in these school community building events. Being able to build community with your families is one of our greatest joys. As we co-create the community we want to see this year, connection is at the center of this work. Getting to know each other and having fun together will allow us to learn and grow with one another. We extend gratitude to our PTA for organizing this incredible event and setting the tone for positive and fun community building.

It was great to see you and your families, thank you for being part of our community. We value you and we cannot wait to see you at upcoming events.

Have a safe and relaxing weekend.

Warmly,

Brooke and Chhoun

Important Upcoming Dates

October 2: Bellevue School Pool Walk and Roll (volunteer sign up below)

October 2- Curriculum/Back to School Night 5:30-7:00 PM (details below)

October 9- School Picture Day (details below)

October- 13 No school, professional development day

October 27: PTA Trunk or Treat

We are very excited to welcome families and parents to our Curriculum Night this coming Monday, 10/2/23 from 5:30-7:00. This night is intended for adults to come and learn about our school, programs and services we offer, and meet our teachers and staff. Please look over the schedule carefully below to see where you will be visiting throughout the night:

Below is Clyde Hill's Homework policy and belief statement crafted by members of Building Leadership Team in collaboration with our Racial Equity and Inclusion Team. As we co-create a new school community, we are reflecting on our practices and centering out values of access, equity, and inclusion.

In place of mandatory homework that may not be accessible for all, grade-levels may offer optional, grade-specific learning extensions that empower students to explore their interests, expand their knowledge, and engage in self-directed learning experiences at their own pace, including reading each day (to self, aloud, or together as a family).

We believe that a love for learning flourishes when it is driven by curiosity and choice, and we are committed to nurturing lifelong learners in a supportive, affirming, and flexible educational environment. This includes building a supportive partnership between school and home, to identify reading and educational resources at each individual student’s level.

To prepare students for upper elementary (K-3)middle school (4-5), we encourage families to partner with their students to create daily routines, opportunities to increase personal responsibilities, and a calm, quiet space to engage in daily reading routines outside of school.

Interested in Volunteering

Thank you for a very success first volunteer orientation session! I was great to see many family members interested in volunteering in our learning community. Before you can begin volunteering we are asking community members to go through a common orientation to know more about our school values and policies while volunteering.

The following volunteer opportunities are available, please complete the survey to let us know your interest and commitment.

Lunch Room Volunteer Survey: Lunch Volunteers Clyde Hill

Emergency Supply Organization: Emergency Supply Closet Organization

Picture Day is October 9th at our school.

If you are interested , we are seeking volunteering to help us during this day, Please fill out this sign up genius.

volunteer signup:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084BAFAA2FA3FFC61-44739463-photo

If you want to order pictures please click here:

photo order page:

https://mydorian.com/search/account/22ab2cb1-0f1c-4408-8ef8-0a570b8f279e/

Our school is one of 20 schools participating in Bellevue SchoolPool’s Walk & Roll to SchoolPool campaign during the week of Oct. 2-6!

We need your help!

Volunteer signup: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084BAFAA2FA3FFC61-44739938-walk

Bellevue SchoolPool is a program that encourages families and students to explore sustainable transportation options for their commute to and from school and alleviate congestion at drop-off and pickup times and locations. During the campaign, students and families are encouraged to walk, bike, carpool or take the bus to and/or from school.

This fall, the campaign is centered around International Walk & Roll to School Day on Wednesday, Oct 6 4, but SchoolPool encourages students to try a new way to school any time during week!

SchoolPool also provides students with fun lenticular rulers, blinking lights and a backpack flyer with travel safety tips, and participating helps raise money for our school.

For resources including how to set up a bike train or walking school bus and carpooling tips, visit www.BellevueSchoolPool.org and look under “Resources for Students and Families.”

If you would like to sign up for the Bellevue SchoolPool newsletter, click here.

Washington state law and Bellevue School District policy require all schools to hold at least one drill per calendar month while school is in session. This month, we will be conducting an earthquake drill and practicing what we would do if we were at school in the event of an earthquake.

In the United States, the recommended actions to take in the event of an earthquake are Drop, Cover, and Hold On.

Please talk with your student about preparing for emergencies and disasters such as earthquakes. Encourage them to talk about their concerns and express their feelings. Emphasize that even though sometimes things happen that we may not expect, there are lots of things we can do to help us stay safe.

For more information on earthquakes and general preparedness, you might want to visit the Washington Emergency Management Division (https://mil.wa.gov/personal) or Great Washington ShakeOut (https://www.shakeout.org/washington/index.html) websites. You may also find the https://www.ready.gov/kids site helpful.

2024-2025 Applications Now Open for Advanced Learning Services

Applications for Advanced Learning Services for the 2024-2025 school year are open now through October 31 at 4 p.m., for students currently in grades 1 to 11.

Visit the Advanced Learning Serviceswebpage to learn more about Advanced Learning Services and to apply for your student. Please note that if your student is currently in the Advanced Learning full-time self-contained program, there is no need to re-apply.

Sundown September 15 through September 25 represents the Jewish High Holidays this year. It starts with Rosh Hashanah, which ushers in the year 5784 in the Hebrew calendar. Rosh Hashanah is Jewish New Year. Traditional activities include eating sweet foods such as apples and honey, reflecting on the past year, and focusing on good for the upcoming year. Congregants that attend religious services will hear the "blowing of the Shofar". The Shofar is a ram's horn that makes a very distinctive sound when blown.

The High Holidays end with Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. The Yom Kippur fast starts at sundown on Yom Kippur eve and continues until sundown the following day, which falls on September 25 this year. This is a very solemn day. It is traditional to apologize for any actions you've taken against others, even if unintentional. One seeks redemption and prays to be "inscribed for good in the Book of Life". The day ends with a "Break the Fast" with friends and family.

Share with us by David Cordova, father of Lucas Cordova in 3rd grade and volunteer in our community.

Free Financial Workshops at Stevenson Hub – Open to All District Families

This October, Bellevue Hopelinkwelcomes families to attend Financial Foundations, a three-part workshop that will equip families with the knowledge and skills to make confident money decisions and build a solid financial foundation. If you are just starting your journey to financial security or looking to enhance your existing skills, these workshops offer practical insights that will last a lifetime.

Prior registration is required. Instruction is provided in both English and Spanish. Workshops are free to attend and are open to parents, guardians and high school students. Complimentary childcare and food is provided.

View workshop dates, times and registration information.

How to Access BSD Family HUB Resources

​Bellevue LifeSpringis now operating two Bellevue HUBs at both Stevenson and Highland for ALL Bellevue School District families.

The days/times are:

Time: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Monday and Tuesday: Stevenson Elementary School

Wednesday and Thursday: Highland Middle School

If the social worker/counselor is working with a family and wants to get assistance in the quickest way possible and to “hold their place” in the queue, it would be best if they could help the family fill out the assistance request form that is on the Bellevue LifeSpring website: Emergency Assistance - Bellevue LifeSpring.

The social worker/counselor can provide some basic information on behalf of the family and send that to us via email at help@bellevuelifespring.org.

For any specific questions or information, Maria Ferrari is the intake person. She can be reached directly at 425-393-6139. That number can be communicated with by text message as well. She is fluent in English, Spanish, Portuguese and Italian.

The Family Engagement Specialists can also put in requests for Right Now Needs Fund related support. BLS has a more flexible funding source that allows for a wider range of assistance as long as it relates to a student’s ability to be successful in the classroom. The Family Engagement Specialists know how to put in this request. The social worker/counselor can put in a request directly with Bellevue LifeSpring, too.