BROOKDALE BOBCAT PRINTS
January 31, 2022
Brookdale Elementary
611 132nd St. S, Tacoma, WA 98444
Connie Holman - Principal ~ Kari Ferguson - Assistant Principal
School hours 9:35 to 4:05 ~ Office Hours - 9:00 to 4:30
253-298-3100 / FAX 253-298-3115
PRINCIPAL NEWS
Wow! I can't believe that it is already the end of January! We have been enjoying our beautiful new school for 4 weeks. Our Bobcats have settled in nicely and are really taking pride in their school! It has been fun to watch and listen as students navigate their way in the new building!
On Wednesday, we will have our first B.O.B.C.A.T. Pride assembly. We'd like to have students wear their Brookdale Community t-shirts for the assembly. Even though the assembly will be virtual, it will be fun to see everyone showing pride in our school!
At the end of February, we'll begin a round of Before and After School activities for students in 3rd - 5th grades. Look for the registration to come home soon. This year, we'll have options for before and after school. These activities are on a first come, first served basis and will fill up quickly. In the spring, we'll have a second round that will include options for 1st & 2nd graders, too.
Lunar New Year
Each year is represented by one of 12 zodiac animals. 2022 is slated to be the year of the water tiger. The water tiger is action-oriented and represents strength, clearing away evil and bravery.
If you'd like more information, I encourage you to click on the links below.
I would like to wish you all a Happy New Year!!
Black History Month
It is so important that our children get involved in this annual celebration! In our world, the need for greater racial equity and inclusion requires our kids to exposed to diversity at a young age! It is vital that we lift up all voices that have had an impact on our country. That's why we celebrate Black history not just in February, but throughout the entire year! African American history is American history.
Below is a great link on celebrating Black history month.
PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS WITH THESE IMPORTANT DATES
February 2 ~ Early Dismissal - 2:35
February 8 ~ Election Day ~ Please vote!
February 9 ~ Early Dismissal - 2:35
February 16 ~ Early Dismissal - 2:35
Feb 21 - 25 ~ No School for students - Mid-Winter Break
NEXT WEEK WE ARE HONORING SCHOOL COUNSELORS, PSYCHOLOGISTS, PHYSICAL THERAPISTS, SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGISTS, VISION THERAPISTS AND OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS - So many people work together to bring out the best in our students. Mrs. Owens, the school counselor, visits classrooms and the playground, helps students solve problems, supports Bobcat families, and works hard to make sure Brookdale is a great place. We appreciate the expertise Mrs. Suchy, our school psychologist brings to our school. Ms. Turri, our vision therapist, works with visually impaired students, making sure that they can get around Brookdale safely. Ms. Harkins and Ms. Crabtree work with students who need occupational and physical therapy. We appreciate their caring manner. These wonderful professionals provide support for many of our students, staff and families! We are grateful to have them on the Brookdale team.
LEVY ELECTION- FEB 8
On February 8, voters will have an important choice to make on two levies that support all students enrolled in Franklin Pierce Schools. Propositions 1 and 2 are replacement levies which means that tax rates will not increase.
- Proposition 1: Educational Programs and Operations Levy accounts for approximately 15% of annual operating budget and pays for things not funded or only partially funded by the state: teachers, paraeducators, counselors, nurses, athletics, curriculum adoptions, routine maintenance of school facilities, security measures, transportation, special education, McKinney-Vento, etc. Prop 1 replaces an existing levy passed by voters in 2018 at $4.74/ $1,000 with a new levy set at $2.50/$1,000 from 2023-2026.
- Proposition 2: Technology Levy pays for staff and 1:1 student computing devices, classroom technology, network infrastructure that supports all of the devices, safety technologies, telecommunications, technology help desk and technicians, etc. Prop 2 replaces an existing levy passed by voters in 2018 at $.41/1,000 with a new levy set at $.41/$1,000 to support continued investment in technology from 2023-2026.
Have questions? Visit www.fpschools.org/vote or contact the Public Information Office at info@fpschools.org or (253)298-3087.
MID WINTER BREAK
NO SCHOOL ~ FEBRUARY 21 ~ Presidents’ Day
NO SCHOOL ~ FEBRUARY 22 – 25 ~ Mid-Winter Break
Break begins at our regular dismissal time on Friday, February 18.
School resumes at its regular schedule on Monday, February 28.
SPYA - SPRING SOCCER
Please register at www.spyarec.org
Cost: $60 (FP residents) ~ 65 (Non-FP Residents) and a $10.00 late fee registration
Season: March 7 - May 13
Practices & Games: Weeknights, running March 7th - May 13th
Divisions: PreK - 8th Grade
Registration Deadline: February 18, 2022
Any questions, please email SPYA at spyarecreation@gmail.com or call at 253.298.3109.
HEALTH AND SAFETY REMINDERS
Just a reminder of the things that we'd like you to consider before sending your child to school each day:
- A temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or above?
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Chills
- Repeated shaking with chills
- Muscle pain
- Headache
- Sore throat
- New loss of taste or smell
- A positive Covid case in the home
These are some safety precautions we practice at Brookdale:
- Students will be required to wear a mask on the bus, in the halls, in class, and at recess.
- Students will wash hands and use hand sanitizer throughout the day.
- Students will sit 3 feet apart in the classroom, and 6 feet apart during breakfast & lunch.
If your child has been exposed to COVID, or if they are showing symptoms of illness, you may not send them to school until they have been quarantined and symptom free for 5 days. When requested by the parent, teachers will provide work for students during this time. We are counting on everyone to keep Brookdale safe for all students and staff. Thank you!
VIRTUAL BOOK FAIR IS COMING!
IMPORTANT SCHOOL REMINDERS
STUDENT EARLY DISMISSAL – If your child has an appointment and is leaving before the end of the school day, please make sure you send a note that morning letting the teacher and the office know. If you call, we must receive it before 3:00 and students should be picked up no later than 3:30 due to our end of the day congestion. Also, please allow enough time for pick up. To preserve precious class time, we do not call students to the office until you have checked them out in person (remember your ID).
SCHEDULE CHANGES - The end of the day at Brookdale is very hectic. If you forgot to send a note in the morning (which is preferred) and need to call the school with a change to your child’s schedule, please do so before 3:00 p.m. After 3:00 the office is busy assisting students and parents and will not be able to answer your call or get a message to a student before they leave for the day. All end of the day schedule changes must be made through the office, not with the classroom teacher. Thank you!
UPDATE CONTACT INFORMATION - If any of your information has changed (address, contact info., email address, etc.) please contact the office right away. This year more than ever, it will be important to have the most current information. Also, let us know what your preferred method of contact is - phone, email, text. You can reach the office at 253.298.3100.
FREE DEVELOPMENTAL SCREENING
Children ages 3-5 who reside within the Franklin Pierce School District are eligible for free developmental screening. Hearing, vision, kindergarten readiness, speech and language, motor skills, and behavior are checked. Screenings take place regularly. See their web page here. To schedule an appointment, call the Early Learning Center Child Find hotline at 253-298-4658.