Pathfinder News
September 25, 2023

Office Staff
Julie Harris, Principal
Melissa Walker, Dean
Allyson Coleman, Administrative Assistant
Ruth Carton, Registrar
Connie Holmerud
Message from Pathfinder Principal, Ms. Harris
Thanks so much for taking the time to come to Pathfinder for conferences with teachers and for orientation. We know that we shared a great deal of information with you in a short period of time so please don’t hesitate to contact your child’s teacher or our office if you have questions. Our Family Liaison, Esther Amador, is fluent in English and Spanish. If you need an interpreter in another language, let us know which language you need, and we will have an interpreter join the call.
Normally you will receive school newsletters electronically once or twice a month through ParentSquare. We will also post links to newsletters on our school website. Newsletters will include information on school activities and events, important announcements, and suggestions for extending learning at home.
We have had a wonderful time getting to know your child and watching our students quickly learn the routines in our community. We are also looking forward to the year ahead and partnering with you in your child’s learning. Our motto at Pathfinder is Explore, Nurture, Thrive. I promise your child will love opportunities to explore new friendships and learning, we will protect, nurture, and keep your child safe, and that your child will grow and thrive!
Warm Regards,
Julie Harris
Important Dates and Details


Individual School Pictures
- Grasshopper & Bumblebee pods - Monday, October 2
- Caterpillar & Ladybug pods - Tuesday, October 3
- AM & PM Preschool - Tuesday, October 3
Volunteers at Pathfinder!
Volunteers are an important part of our Pathfinder community! Volunteers are needed in our Family Center daily to assist with projects and preparation of materials. Talk to your child's teacher about volunteer needs in the classroom.
What is Required Before Beginning to Volunteer?
- Washington State Patrol Volunteer Application/Background Check Form
- Photo ID
- Review District Volunteer Policies
Volunteer applications and required forms are available in the Pathfinder office or on the Mukilteo School District website at the link below. Required forms must be completed and returned in person with photo ID.
Who Can Volunteer?
Volunteering in a school is a wonderful experience and privilege for both the school and the volunteer. Opportunities are designed to promote and maintain supportive relationships for students, teachers, and school staff. The ideal volunteer would:
- be friendly, flexible and reliable
- enjoy children
- have the ability to work cooperatively with school staff
- have good moral character and be a positive example for children
- support the work of school staff
- be dependable
School Information
ParentSquare Communication System
ParentSquare is the main tool for schools and the district to communicate with families. Teachers can also use ParentSquare to communicate with their classroom’s families. We use it to send messages about school events, our school newsletter, schedule changes, safety drills and emergencies.
If you would like to take advantage of the two-way and other interactive features of ParentSquare, please activate your account if you have not done so already. You will be asked to confirm your contact information on file and sent a verification code if you have a mobile phone number on file. If you would like to receive text messages, you may update your account notification settings after activating your account.
If you don’t activate your account, you’ll still receive notifications, but will not be able to set your preferences or use the two-way features of ParentSquare. If you need to update your contact information on file with the school, please contact our office at (425) 366-3800.
You may also download the ParentSquare app available in the Google Play or App Store.
Breakfast, Lunch, Water, Snacks
This year all children are eligible to receive free breakfast and lunch. If your child has dietary restrictions, please let us know. If you don’t want your child to eat the school-provided meals, please tell your child’s teacher. If you send lunch from home, please make sure your child can independently open all items and that you send healthy foods your child will eat.
You are welcome to send a small, nutritious snack. If you want your child to eat the school lunch and you send a snack, please be sure your child knows that what you are sending in the backpack is a snack and not lunch. It’s less confusing for kids if you send only a lunch in the lunch box and snacks in a separate container.
Please send a clean, filled water bottle with your child to school each day. Reusable water bottles are preferred.
Birthday Celebrations
Birthdays are very big events for children. Our goal is to celebrate and honor every child in a similar way on their special day. Teachers will provide brief in-class recognition of each child. We ask that parents not send food or gifts from home. Given an increasing number of children with food allergies, concerns about sugar intake, loss of instructional time, and our goal of equitable treatment of all children, we are unable to distribute any treats or gifts sent from home.
We recognize that some parents want to encourage friendships and social opportunities for their children, and school is the primary source of social contacts for many students. While we would like to encourage parents to invite all children in a class to birthday parties, we recognize that this is not generally possible in terms of space and funds. If you request that invitations be distributed at school, invitations must be given to the teacher, and teachers will discretely place the invitations in folders or mailboxes. Students will be asked to avoid discussing birthday parties and invitations at school in order to avoid hurt feelings of those who are not invited.
Contacts and Schedules

Pathfinder Contact Information
Pathfinder Phone 425-366-3800
Website https://www.mukilteoschools.org/Domain/748
Address 11401 Beverly Park Road, Building B, Everett, WA 98204
Need to contact your child's teacher?

Telephone Information
When you need to call the school, keep in mind that someone will answer the phone between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. If you call and the phone goes directly to voicemail it means all of our lines are busy. Outside of our office hours you can leave a message for the office or a teacher, or you may reach our 24-hour information line. If you are calling after 4:30 p.m. and have a question about a late bus, call Mukilteo transportation at 425-356-1306 or choose option 4 if you call Pathfinder.
Students are not allowed to have cell phones (and other electronic devices) at school. There is a phone for student/public use in the office. Student outgoing calls are limited to emergencies only. Please talk with your child about changes in pick-up arrangements before school and send a note to school to inform teachers of any changes. If you MUST make a change in transportation arrangements, call the office by 2:30 p.m. Monday - Thursday and 1:00 p.m. on Friday.
Pathfinder Q & A
What time should my child arrive at school? If you drive your child to school, please arrive with preschool students between 8:45-9:00 a.m. Kindergarten students should arrive between 9:15-9:25 a.m. Kindergarten students should not arrive prior to 9:15 as supervision is not provided until that time. All children report directly to their pods in the morning and students are dismissed to classes at 9:25. Children who arrive after 9:30 a.m. are tardy and need to stop by the office for a tardy slip before reporting to class.
What should I do if I need to change end of the day dismissal arrangements? To maximize student safety and eliminate confusion, please have students go home the same way (bus or parent pick-up) each day. If it is necessary for you to make a change for a particular day, please send a note to the classroom teacher in your child’s folder. If an emergency arises and you are unable to send a note in the morning, please call the Pathfinder office at (425) 366-3800. Please call before 10 am (AM preschool), before 2:00 pm (PM preschool), before 2:30 p.m. (kindergarten) Mondays-Thursdays and before 1:00 p.m. (kindergarten) on Fridays.
When can parents be in the building? Parents are welcome to stop in the office for support or questions between the hours of 8:30 a.m-4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday. We do not allow visitors beyond the office during the school day unless they are scheduled to volunteer and have done their volunteer requirements or have a scheduled meeting.
What should I do if my child is absent? Call the attendance line before 9:45 a.m. to report absences (425-366-3805). Your message should include your child’s name, teacher’s name, date of absence, reason for absence, and parent name.
What are good reasons for staying home from school? Regular attendance is critical to success. Students should only stay home for valid reasons including: contagious illness or symptoms. Children should not come to school if they experience vomiting or diarrhea, a fever of 100 degrees or higher, or a consistent cough within the last 24 hours. Other excused absences include religious or cultural observances, court proceedings, or true emergencies, like a death in the family. Appointments and family vacations should be scheduled on non-school days or outside school hours whenever possible to prevent loss of instructional time.
What will happen if a child gets sick or injured while at school? We have a nurse and health room support member who manage our health room and care for your child if they are sick or injured. If your child is ill or becomes ill at school, we will contact you to pick them up immediately.
What happens to lost items? Our lost and found is located in the first floor hallway by the bus entrance. Glasses, keys, and other valuable items can be claimed in the office. To make it easier to return items to students, please be sure to write your child’s name (in permanent ink) on backpacks, jackets, gloves, lunch boxes, and all personal items your child brings to school. Unclaimed items are donated to a local charity in December and June.
Attendance


Supporting Learning at Home


Mukilteo School District Non-Discrimination Statement
Mukilteo School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: Civil Rights Coordinator and Title IX Coordinator Simone Neal (425-356-1319), nealsr@mukilteo.wednet.edu, Section 504 Coordinator Becca Anderson (425-356-1277), andersonra@mukilteo.wednet.edu, and the ADA/Access Coordinator Karen Mooseker (425-356-1330), moosekerkw@mukilteo.wednet.edu. Address: 9401 Sharon Drive in Everett, WA. Inquiries regarding ADA/Access issues at Sno-Isle TECH Skills Center should be directed to Wes Allen, Director (425-348-2220) allenwr@mukilteo.wednet.edu. Address: 9001 Airport Road in Everett, WA 98204.