Greetings Star Lake Families,
As I am writing this newsletter article, snowflakes are falling outside my window. Wintery weather is still hanging around so please continue to have your children dress for the weather with shoes that can withstand the wet and a coat with a hood…and even as we transition into spring it stays wet around here!
As I daily visit classrooms, I am so proud to see students being kind, safe and productive. I am seeing teachers providing strong learning targets and success criteria and examples and models that help our students move to stronger independence as learners. I hear students talking with each other about the content, and I see solid progress and growth on our IRLA and iReady assessments. There is a great deal of learning going on here at Star Lake every day!
We have so many exciting events coming up in March:
On March 16th we have our family Math and Science exploration night! Due to moving, and the pandemic, we haven’t had a family night in three years! We will have food, activities, games and great research projects to share. Please join us!
On March 23rd we have our musical production of Aladdin! I can’t wait! It has been so fun to hear students practicing after school in the gym…this will be such a wonderful performance!
On March 30th and 31st we have Student-Led Conferences. Again, we need to meet with EVERY family to celebrate student growth and share progress. Please be watching for sign up information coming soon from your child’s teacher.
Please see the calendar in this newsletter for additional March events.
Amazingly, we are getting close to entering the last third of our school year and time will fly between now and June. We are excitedly registering kindergartners, reviewing data, looking at staffing and beginning plans for the fall while still digging into instruction to continue our positive, strong end to this school year.
I wish your family continued health and happiness, and a wonderful spring!
Best Regards,
Kris Rennie, principal
253-945-4007
Mark Your Calendars
MARCH
8 - Early Release - School ends at 1:35
10 - NO SCHOOL - Teacher In Service Day
13 - Yearbook Sale Ends
15 - PTA Meeting 6:00pm, school library
16 - Math & Science Exploration Night 5:30-7:30
17 - Decades Spirit Day
20 - Coffee with the Principal 2-3:00
22 - Early Release - School ends at 1:35
23 - Star Lake Aladdin Play, 6:00
30-31 - NO SCHOOL - Scholar Led Conferences
APRIL
3-7 - NO SCHOOL - Spring Break
12 - BOB Competition
12 - Early Release - School ends at 1:35
12 - STEM Exploration Night 6:00-8:00, Federal Way High School
18 - Coffee with the Principal 9-10:00
21 - Backwards Spirit Day
26 - Early Release - School ends at 1:35
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March 20th Coffee With The Principal Parents, please join us Monday, March 20th, 2-3:00pm for a chance to have coffee and treats with Principal Rennie. You will be getting information on upcoming events and will also have a chance to ask any questions you may have. We hope to see you then! | Yearbook Orders Due March 13th! Now is the time to preorder your Star Lake Yearbook. Cost is $14.00 for a 48 page color yearbook. Please make checks payable to Star Lake Elementary or send exact cash (no change given) or pay online (instructions are below) Orders must be received by March 13th. Yearbooks will be delivered during the last week of school in June. Dedications for our 5th grade students are available. Choose your favorite childhood photo and write a short note to your 5th grader. Dedications are $10 each. Only two dedications allowed per 5th grade student. Bring photo and note to our office or email it to: jowalker@fwps.org. | Clothes Donations NeededKindergarten and 1st grade parents and guardians. Once in a while we get students sent to the office who fall at recess and get mud on their clothes, or in some cases little ones who have had accidents. A gentle reminder for our littlest ones is to have a change of clothes in their backpack in case this happens. At the beginning of the year, we had some extra clothes in the office for these emergencies, however most of those clothes have been issued out.
If you would like to donate clothing items for this cause, we will gladly accept unused underwear, and gently used clothing, mainly pants. Sizes 6 - 8 are the most frequent sizes we need. Just drop them off at our office. |
March 20th Coffee With The Principal
We hope to see you then!
Yearbook Orders Due March 13th!
Dedications for our 5th grade students are available. Choose your favorite childhood photo and write a short note to your 5th grader. Dedications are $10 each. Only two dedications allowed per 5th grade student. Bring photo and note to our office or email it to: jowalker@fwps.org.
Clothes Donations Needed
Kindergarten and 1st grade parents and guardians. Once in a while we get students sent to the office who fall at recess and get mud on their clothes, or in some cases little ones who have had accidents. A gentle reminder for our littlest ones is to have a change of clothes in their backpack in case this happens. At the beginning of the year, we had some extra clothes in the office for these emergencies, however most of those clothes have been issued out.
If you would like to donate clothing items for this cause, we will gladly accept unused underwear, and gently used clothing, mainly pants. Sizes 6 - 8 are the most frequent sizes we need. Just drop them off at our office.
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Make up Snow Day Due to inclement weather and school closure on Tuesday, February 14, 2023, FWPS will make up this day on Wednesday, June 21, 2023. Making up this day will ensure our scholars have access to the learning and instructional time needed to support their academic success. | March is Women's History Month March is the month to commemorate and encourage the study, observance and celebration of the vital role of women in American history. | Scholar-Led Conferences Are Coming Up On March 30-31 we will be having our Scholar-Led Conferences. The purpose of a Scholar-Led Conference is for children to talk about their strengths and next steps for learning based on their individual work and achievement information. Scholars and families should leave the conference on the same page about individual strengths and areas of focus. Please watch for information coming home from your child's teacher about times available to schedule an appointment. Our goal is to meet with ALL of our families. |
Make up Snow Day
March is Women's History Month
Scholar-Led Conferences Are Coming Up
Please watch for information coming home from your child's teacher about times available to schedule an appointment. Our goal is to meet with ALL of our families.
STEM Exploration Night
Library Learners
We are also in full swing of practicing for our Battle of the Books competition with our 3-5th graders. They are practicing 1-2 times a week during their lunch recess. If you have a scholar who would still like to join, it's not too late. Just come to the library and sign up. Our competition is Wednesday, April 12th at 9:15am in the gym.
Keep reading those books!
Jennifer Nelson, librarian
March Is National Reading Month
Go to https://www.fwps.org/NationalReadingMonth for additional fun activities for National Reading Month.
Counselor's Corner
The Importance of Sleep to Our Children
There are many benefits of getting a good night’s sleep for adults, but this is especially important for children. There are many reasons why, including:
- Sleep promotes growth. Sleep hormones are secreted during deep sleep.
- Sleep helps the heart. Blood glucose and cortisol (stress hormone) decrease at night.
- Sleep affects weight. The hormone leptin is secreted when our brain tells us that we are full. Sleep deprivation may alter this process and make kids continue eating. Children also crave higher-fat and higher-carb foods when they are tired, and can also increase the tendency to be more sedentary (burning fewer calories).
- Sleep helps beat germs. Proteins known as cytokines are produced during sleep, and these help our bodies fight infection, illness and stress. They also make us sleepy, which forces us to rest.
- Sleep reduces injury risk. Children tend to be clumsier and more impulsive whey they are tired.
- Sleep increases kids’ attention span. Tired kids can be impulsive and distracted even without having ADHD. Adding as little as 27 minutes of extra sleep makes it easier for kids to manage their moods and impulses, allowing them to focus on schoolwork.
- Sleep boosts learning. Studies show that children actually learn in their sleep. All of the things we learn during the day are either stored in our memory or discarded during sleep. Taking naps can also aid in the retention of information.
Sources:
https://www.cdc.gov/sleep/about_sleep/how_much_sleep.html
Mrs. Williams
School Counselor
(253) 945-4005
PBIS: SAFE, KIND AND PRODUCTIVE!
Classes have been working hard and earning eagle wings. Some of the classes that have recently earned 10 eagle wings have had rewards like pajama day, a special treat, stuffy day, and comfy learning day.
This is Mrs. Blair’s class watching the Friday morning announcements while celebrating their comfy learning day.
Traffic Safety and Parent Drop Off
We would like to take this time to thank our community for doing their very best to keep our scholars safe as we drop off and pick up scholars daily. We realize at times we can all be in hurry, by packing our patience we are all safer in the long run. We have had one minor fender bender in the parking lot this year, so again we thank you for being safe and cautious. AAA gives the following three tips to avoid accidents in school zones.
- Slow down. Follow those 20-mph school-zone speed limits.
- Eliminate distractions. Taking your eyes off the road for just two seconds doubles the chance of being involved in a crash.
- Stay alert in crossing zones.
Finally, we cone off our bus loop, due to liability and safety issues. The school bus loops are for school buses only, no scholars should be dropped off in the bus loop at any time.
We appreciate the care and respect we are showing to each other at pick up and drop off.
Kindergarten Registration Is Open
Do you or a friend or neighbor have a child that will be age 5 by Aug 31st? If so please visit http://www.fwps.org/kiosk
If this is your first student attending Federal Way Schools, then please click on Student Registration and Create a New Account.
If you currently have or have in the past had a student registered in any Federal Way Public School , this includes Preschool & ECEAP, then you already have a ParentVue account. Just click on “ParentVue” to access your family's information. If you forgot your password you can click the “More Info” button. DO NOT make a new account for each student. If you need help recovering a forgotten User ID, please contact Kathy Miller at 253-945-4002 or kamiller@fwps.org. If you need additional information please go to: https://www.fwps.org/Page/7199
Attendance Updates: EVERY DAY COUNTS AND EVERY DAY MATTERS!
Reminder to parents, if you know you're are going to be out of town or planning a vacation, please fill out the pre-arranged absence form below and return it to our office NO fewer than 3 days before your absence. This form does not guarantee the absence will be Excused. Thanks for keeping us well informed.
Every Day Counts and Every Day Matters.
PTA Updates
Star Lake Parents and Guardians,
Thank you everyone who came out to support the PTA at the Red Robin fundraiser. Our last family restaurant night is April 26th at the Federal Way Menchies! Grab a sweet treat and support the PTA. We also have exciting things planned for Staff Appreciation in May as well as a book donation drive as a kickoff to Summer Reading-keep an eye out for more information via our facebook page and the school newsletter.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS:
***Keep an eye out for Pre-order Spring Smencils form will be going out after Spring Break
***Next fundraiser restaurant night is April 26th 2-8pm at the Federal Way Menchies!
Please join us for our next PTA Meeting March 15th at 6pm in the school library
PTA POPCORN/SPIRIT DAYS:
March 17th- Decades Day-Popcorn only
April 21st- Backwards Day- popcorn and spring smencils for sale
Join our Facebook page to keep up with the Star Lake PTA 9.4.55: https://www.facebook.com/groups/StarLakeElementary
Star Lake PTA is always looking for volunteers to help with Fundraisers, Popcorn Fridays, and Book Fair! If you are interested please email us at starlakepta@gmail.com
* Remember that a successful PTA needs your participation. We appreciate your support! If you have any questions, please email us at: starlakepta@gmail.com
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Choice Enrollment Is OpenCHOICE Enrollment is an opportunity for families to choose the school their child will attend the following school year. Choice Enrollment Applications are available for residents of FWPS February 1-March 15. This application process is available only online. If you have questions or would like more information regarding FWPS Choice Enrollment click here: Choice | Family AcademyWe know that schools can't do it alone. Partnership with families is an essential and valuable asset that can greatly impact scholar success. Federal Way Public Schools is proud to launch the new Family Academy, a series of individual sessions for PK-12 families to connect with other parents, school staff, and community organizations around important topics linked to scholar success. There will be a total of four sessions to engage in meaningful conversations. Please plan to attend any or all of them in person or virtually via Zoom. Registration is required for each session. Go to: https://www.fwps.org/FamilyAcademy | Talkspace Talk Space is a free and confidential counseling service available for our scholars. Their mental and social-emotional well-being are as important as their physical well-being! If you feel your scholar could benefit from this service, please take advantage of a trained professional in a safe space. To access, locate the icon in Launchpad to Learning. The password for scholars is: FWPS Scholars. |
Choice Enrollment Is Open
CHOICE Enrollment is an opportunity for families to choose the school their child will attend the following school year. Choice Enrollment Applications are available for residents of FWPS February 1-March 15. This application process is available only online. If you have questions or would like more information regarding FWPS Choice Enrollment click here: Choice
Family Academy
We know that schools can't do it alone. Partnership with families is an essential and valuable asset that can greatly impact scholar success.
Federal Way Public Schools is proud to launch the new Family Academy, a series of individual sessions for PK-12 families to connect with other parents, school staff, and community organizations around important topics linked to scholar success.
There will be a total of four sessions to engage in meaningful conversations. Please plan to attend any or all of them in person or virtually via Zoom. Registration is required for each session. Go to: https://www.fwps.org/FamilyAcademy
Talkspace
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Does Your Scholar Need Extra Support Academically?We are happy to announce the FREE availability of Tutor.com for all scholars in grades 4-12. For your scholar's success, Tutor.com will: · Provide one-to-one FREE tutoring help · Provide access to SAT and PSAT prep · Available 24/7 · Scholars may access through Launchpad to Learning For more information and to access this vital service go to: https://www.fwps.org/Page/8221. It will also be explained in various languages. | Mentor & Me Program
| Because of YouScholars in grades 3–12 have a chance to nominate any Federal Way Public Schools staff member in the district they believe has positively influenced them, their school, and/or their community with the Because of You award. The Superintendent’s Scholar Advisory team reviews these nominations, and each month selects recipients to be recognized at a board meeting. Students may fill out a nomination form at: https://www.fwps.org/becauseofyou. All nomination forms are due by the end of the month. |
Does Your Scholar Need Extra Support Academically?
We are happy to announce the FREE availability of Tutor.com for all scholars in grades 4-12. For your scholar's success, Tutor.com will:
· Provide one-to-one FREE tutoring help
· Provide access to SAT and PSAT prep
· Available 24/7
· Scholars may access through Launchpad to Learning
For more information and to access this vital service go to: https://www.fwps.org/Page/8221. It will also be explained in various languages.
Mentor & Me Program
Make a different in a young person's life: Become a Mentor.
Federal Way Public Schools invites community members to be a mentor for the 2022-23 school year!
Mentors nurture, advocate, support, and share the responsibility to ensure their scholars have multiple opportunities to set and meet goals.
To learn more, click here to provide your contact information.
Because of You
Scholars in grades 3–12 have a chance to nominate any Federal Way Public Schools staff member in the district they believe has positively influenced them, their school, and/or their community with the Because of You award.
The Superintendent’s Scholar Advisory team reviews these nominations, and each month selects recipients to be recognized at a board meeting.
Students may fill out a nomination form at: https://www.fwps.org/becauseofyou. All nomination forms are due by the end of the month.
Star Lake Elementary