BROOKDALE BOBCAT PRINTS
April 3, 2023
Brookdale Elementary
611 132nd ST S Tacoma, WA 98444
Connie Holman - Principal
Jesse McNeil - Assistant Principal
Office Hours - 9:00 to 4:30
253-298-3100 / FAX 253-298-3115
PRINCIPAL NEWS
Happy April! I can’t believe how fast the school year is passing – it seems like just a few weeks ago that we started this year. Now, we’re getting ready for the final push.
We had a great March Madness 4-square tournament! Winners will be announced at our next recognition assembly! I am so proud of how all of the participants exhibited wonderful sportsmanship, cheering one another on regardless of who was in the lead!
SBA Testing will start the end of April and will run through early June. Please make sure your 3rd, 4th, and/or 5th grader is at school on time on their assigned testing days and that they have gotten plenty of rest. It will be very important to avoid any family trips or appointments during this time period. Please refer to the schedule on the next page for specific testing dates. We want all students to have an opportunity to show what they know and be able to do their best.
I want to take this opportunity to wish everyone a happy Spring Break! Take the week to rest, relax, and enjoy some family time. By the time we return, students and staff will be in the home stretch of the school year.
Kids Heart Challenge Wrap-Up
Congratulations to Ms. Colley's classroom for having the highest percentage participation! They will be receiving a tasty treat later this week! We will draw a name from each grade level and those students will get to put a pie in a staff members face at the next assembly!
Way To Go, Bobcats!!
PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS WITH THESE IMPORTANT DATES
April 5 ~ Early Dismissal - 2:35
April 10 - 14 ~ No School ~ Spring Break
April 19 ~ Early Dismissal - 2:35
April 26 ~ Early Dismissal - 2:35
May 3 ~ Early Dismissal - 2:35
DROP-OFF and PICK-UP Reminders
Arrival
- Students should arrive on campus between 9:20 a.m. and 9:35 a.m. There is NO student supervision available before 9:20.
- Students must be dropped off in the designated area—front parking lot, in front of the main building doors. Adult supervision is provided between 9:20 & 9:35 each morning.
- Students MUST check in at the office when arriving after 9:35 a.m.
Dismissal
- Students who walk (to their home) will be dismissed to crossing guards at the end of the day.
- Students who ride the bus will be escorted to the bus loop by teachers.
- Students who are picked up by vehicle will be escorted to the designated area for dismissal.
- Students will be called to a loading spot by an adult and will be delivered to their car valet style. Adults will wait in their cars for students to be delivered.
- ALL changes to the end of day routine must be received by the office 1/2 hour before dismissal. Upon notification, students will receive a pink slip indicating the change.
These arrival and dismissal routines are in place to ensure students’ safety
IMPORTANT SBA TESTING
- Third Grade ~ April ~ 27 May ~ 4, 5, 11, 12
- Fourth Grade ~ April ~ 27 May ~ 4, 5, 11, 12
- Fifth Grade ~ April ~ 27, 28 May 4, 5, 11, 12
All makeups will be done on May 31.
FOURTH AND FIFTH GRADE PUBERTY, CSHE, AND HIV LESSONS
Comprehensive sexual health education is defined in Washington state as instruction about human development and reproduction that takes place over time and is age-appropriate and inclusive of all students. Required instruction for grades 4–5 focuses on helping students understand and respect personal boundaries, develop healthy friendships, and gain a basic understanding of human growth and development. Grade 5 instruction also includes required HIV prevention instruction. At Brookdale, the 4th grade lessons will be June 5-12 and 5th grade lessons will be May 30-June 9. To learn more about the curriculum and parent opt out forms, please click here, "Puberty, the Wonder Years." This will take you to the district website which is filled with information.
23/24 School year enrollment is open!
We are preparing for the 2023-24 school year already! Enrollment for new kindergarten through grade 5 students who live within our attendance boundaries opened March 13th. A child must be five years of age on or before August 31, 2023 to be eligible to enroll. Please prepare to register by obtaining medically verified immunization records, birth certificate, and a proof of residence (utility bill, lease/rental agreement, or mortgage papers). All enrollment is done online. Click here to access the enrollment application or go to fpschools.org and click on enrollment.
- We are moving to a new online system. Enrollment will end in our current system on June 11th and will reopen on July 17th in the new system. Please make sure to complete your child's enrollment application by June 11th or wait to start it after July 17th.
Current students who live within Brookdale boundaries are automatically enrolled at Brookdale for next year. Students living within our district but outside of Brookdale boundaries who want to attend Brookdale must complete a within-district transfer form online. Click on the Transfers and Homeschool link to access the correct form. Out-of-district students who wish to attend Brookdale must complete a new out-of-district transfer (Choice Transfer) from their home district to be considered for enrollment.
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.