Cheetah Newsletter
Cooperative - Accountable - Respectful - Enthusiastic - Safe
May 6, 2021
A Message from the Principal
Dear Families,
Although it has been hard to remember exactly what time of year it is, the colors outside convince me that it is in fact springtime here in Washington. Our students’ smiling faces continue to add joy and energy to each day, and it is fun walking through the hallways and hearing students “practicing” their learning to be ready for the next grade up.
This week our amazing PTA has been helping to celebrate all our staff each day for Staff Appreciation Week. Across our school, the adults work incredibly hard to ensure that Chain Lake is an inclusive and welcoming place for all students. We are thankful to each and every one of them, as well as our PTA for helping make them feel loved this week!
I find myself feeling bittersweet writing this newsletter article, as today is my due date so I know I will be out soon. My family and I are incredibly excited to meet our new son/brother, but I will also miss seeing my Chain Lake family in person each day. I appreciate your support as I take this time with my new little one, and I look forward to being back in the building and seeing each of you again! As a reminder, Melanie Gray is taking over as Principal in my absence. Feel free to reach out to her at graym@monroe.wednet.edu.
Keep reading below for important information about parent/guardian input forms for 2021-22, our spirit wear sale, Monroe Transitional Kindergarten, and more!
With appreciation and care,
Ana
Input Forms for 2021-2022
In thinking towards next year, teachers will begin the process of creating class groupings for the 2021-22 school year. I can assure you that Chain Lake teachers devote much time, effort and care in developing classroom rosters. Every child is given equal consideration in the placement process to support our goal of a positive and strong educational experience for each child. Our student placement process is guided by the following beliefs and principles:
Every child’s placement is important and deserves careful consideration.
Every Chain Lake teacher is dedicated to high academic standards and meeting the learning and social needs of each child.
Students benefit from new experiences.
Balanced classrooms should reflect our diverse society.
We also recognize that you may have additional insights that help us ensure a productive year. For those who would like to provide input regarding the classroom environment for next year, you will find a link to the optional parent/guardian input form. Please know that we cannot accommodate requests for specific teachers. Completion of this form is optional and parents/guardians wishing to share input should complete the form online by Thursday, May 20th.
If you have friends/family/neighbors that were not attending Chain Lake this year but plan to enroll for the fall, please feel free to share the link to this form with them as well.
Thank you for your support in helping us place your child in the learning environment that supports him or her the most. Chain Lake Elementary remains dedicated to providing your child with a quality and enriching learning experience.
Chain Lake Spirit Wear Store
Pricing:
T-shirts - $10
Long Sleeve - $18
Hooded Sweatshirt - $27
2-pack masks $20
5th Grade Graduation Signs - $16
MSD Now Offering Transitional Kindergarten
Beginning in the fall of 2021, Monroe School District will be offering FREE Transitional Kindergarten (preschool) for children who are not currently in an early learning program, are age eligible (must be turning 5 years old between September 1, 2021 - August 31, 2022), and reside within the Monroe School District boundaries.
Our goal is to provide families with the opportunity to ensure their students begin their school careers ready for kindergarten. This program will provide an equitable start for students by offering a high quality early learning experience before they enter the traditional kindergarten classroom. Students will be screened in the late spring and summer and may qualify based on need.
Families interested in having their child participate in the Transitional Kindergarten program should complete an online application. Forms received by June 1, 2021, will receive priority. Learn more here.
Busing - Lunch Reminder
Upcoming Events At A Glance
May 3rd-7th - Staff Appreciation Week
May 13th - Crazy Hair Day
May 18th - PTA Meeting 7pm
May 20th - Input Forms Due
May 28th and 31st - Memorial Break, No School
PTA FroYo Fundraiser
PTA has some very exciting news, Chain Lake WON the FroYo fundraising contest! We are working out details now with Yoforit and the school to figure out how this year's prize will be distributed to the students and staff! Huge thank you to all of our Cheetah families who participated in our FroYo nights this year; we couldn’t have done this without you!
Spring Allergies
As more spring-like weather continues to creep in, we are seeing a rise in allergy-like symptoms, such as runny noses and sore throats. Per our Covid Health Screening protocols, these symptoms require a student to be kept at home. If your child has known allergies, we encourage you to reach out to their doctor for a note explaining the symptoms and stating they are due to allergies. With a note like this we are able to keep your child at school if the symptoms we see match the doctor’s note. Thanks!
Free 5-day Meal Program
For more information and to register go to: https://www.monroe.wednet.edu/covid-19/free-meal-program
2021-2022 School Registration
School registration is now open for new students for the 2021-2022 school year. Click here for registration information: https://www.monroe.wednet.edu/about/register-for-school. In order to register, parents will need to upload their child’s immunization records, proof of age (birth certificate, passport, an adoption record, etc.), and proof of address (property tax statement, utility bill, etc.).
Counselor's Corner
Strategies that Teach Kids How to Set Goals and How to Be Successful
Dr. Michele Borba, Educational Psychologist and recipient of the National Educator Award, offers parenting strategies that teach kids to set goals and to help them succeed. She identifies seven steps:
1. Define what a goal is. An easy way is to link it to something that they are interested in. For example, a soccer player shooting for a goal or learning to ride a bike. It is something to aim for. Explain goal setting as planning what you need to work on.
2. Share your own goals. Let your children know that you have dreams and aspirations, and that you recognize that you may need to work on some things in order to attain them.
3. Help kids create their “dream list”. Help them create a list that includes the things that they actually have the power to make happen. Then spend time together discussing those dreams. Consider what skills are necessary. Does your child need any help in order to succeed?
4. Tailor the goal to your child. Have a first time goal-setter work on a goal that can be achieved within a week. Some examples are making their bed every day, reading a book, brushing teeth without being reminded, practicing their math facts each night.
5. Help your child think through the steps to success. Some children need to write down steps. The more they think about their goal and identify what they need to do to achieve it, the greater the chance they will succeed.
6. Track your child’s progress. Use the fridge to show stickers or stars when steps are completed.
7. Celebrate! As goals are achieved, celebrate as a family.
Heather Mitchell
A Note from the Library.......
Thank you to all of the families who participated in the “hybrid book fair”, it was a much bigger success than I had anticipated. The funds we earn from our book fair will go right back into the library with updating some very aged/well loved books. I appreciate everyone’s patience with me as I learned to navigate a different style of book fair for your kiddos. I hope I was able to bring a smile to the student’s by being able to offer a different type of book fair this year.
Library things to be looking forward to: Students will still be having library days weekly throughout the month of May, and then as we approach the month of June we will start the process of turning library books back into the library and closing out the check out process for the year. Please remind your students to be looking for any possible missing books they might have lying around the house & get them turned back into school :)
Happy Reading,
Mrs. Swalwell
Digital Learning
What Kind of Robot
Last week while students in 3-5 continued practicing coding, our primary students learned about robots and the different functions they can have. They were asked to put on their inventor hat and decide what kind of robot they would build and post their ideas to our Padlet.
Canvas.Apps.Chrome
This week we are trying something new - the Canvas.Apps in Chrome (not to be confused with Canvas learning management system that has all of our asynchronous lessons), is a drawing app used in the Chrome browser. Students can use different brushes and colors to try their hand at online drawing. Students are asked to share their creations on the Padlet (include student and teacher names for credit).
Digital Citizenship
Please continue to remind your student to ensure they are practicing good digital citizenship while they are online. Students should be careful about using Google search and ensure that they are following our district policies - searches that could contain questionable content are flagged and sent to individual schools for investigation.
Digital Learning Award
Each week one class is awarded the Digital Awesomeness Award for outstanding participation. Thank you to all the students who participated in the STEM activity before break and shared their pictures and videos of their forts! This week there was a tie. Congratulations to both Mrs. Kurtenbach’s and Mrs. Plesa’s classes!
Office Hours
Office Hours are not during the scheduled time for Digital Learning, which is Friday at 12:30-1:10. Look for the link in the DL lesson for that day.
Keep Calm and Code On!
Ms. Glaze
CARES
At Chain Lake, each and every one of us is a Cheetah who CARES (Cooperative, Accountable, Respectful, Enthusiastic, Safe)! In school, we talk about what each of these ideas looks like in different settings. As we come back to the building, we know that some of our CARES expectations have changed. We encourage you to use the below as a guide to what it means to follow our Chain Lake expectations in hybrid learning (click the picture to enlarge).
Order Your Yearbook Today!
https://commpe.pictavo.com/PictavoSchool/FindSchool
When searching for Chain Lake Elementary make sure to put Snohomish for the city. Parents also have the awesome opportunity to upload pictures that they have taken of their students doing fun activities this year onto the site as well to be used in the yearbook.
McKinney Vento Assistance
Technical Difficulties?
Further Questions?
We encourage you to reach out to our school office:
Chain Lake Elementary - 360-804-3100
About Us
Principal - Ana Apter
Guidance Counselor - Heather Mitchell
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Office Manager - Kathy Bruning
Office Assistant - Lauren Martin
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24 Hour Attendance Hotline - (360) 804-3101
FAX - (360) 804-3199
Health Room - (360) 804-3132
Kitchen - (360) 804-3135
Transportation - (360) 804-2650
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NOTICE OF NON-DISCRIMINATION
The Monroe School District does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation including gender expression or identity, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability in its programs and activities 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:
Title IX Coordinator
Joanne Dickinson
14692 - 179th Avenue S.E., Monroe, WA 98272
(360) 804.2539
Section 504/ADA Coordinator
David Paratore
14692 - 179th Avenue S.E., Monroe, WA 98272
(360) 804.2603
Compliance Coordinator for 28A.640 and 28A.642 RCW
Joanne Dickinson
14692 - 179th Avenue S.E., Monroe, WA 98272
(360) 804.2532
The Monroe School District will also take steps to assure that national origin persons who lack English language skills can participate in all education programs, services and activities. For information regarding translation services or transitional bilingual education programs, contact:
Kimberly Whitworth
14692 - 179th Avenue S.E., Monroe, WA 98272
(360) 804.2558