The Sailor Signal
Cottage Lake Elementary - January 31, 2021
A Note from Principal Welch
Dear Families,
The end of the first semester has come to a close and it is time to set our focus on the rest of the school year. It is hard to imagine that we will celebrate our 100th Day of School on February 10! We are already over half-way through the year and we have so much to continue to celebrate.
As I shared in previous newsletters, report cards will be mailed home this week. I completed stuffing them last Friday and they will be delivered to the district for postage Monday. As you receive your report cards, please do take the time to review them. They do look a little different than in previous years, as they reflect a remote setting. You will also see both PE & Music have grades for participation in both live (synchronous) and recorded (asynchronous) lessons. For your students to be marked as participating in the asynchronous lessons, they must complete the Google Form and submit that to their teachers. After you receive your report card home, if you have questions, please reach out to your classroom teacher.
This next week we celebrate Black Lives Matter at School week! I am looking forward to the events of this week and hope you will consider joining one of the events the district has scheduled throughout the week. See the section below where I mention what is planned each day. These events are planned by our district's Racial and Educational Justice department. I remain committed to recognizing each of our learners at Cottage Lake!
Another celebration this next week is National School Counselor Appreciation week! I hope you will join me in recognizing Mr. Stephen Wallinger! Mr. Wallinger is new to Cottage Lake and Northshore this year and it has been amazing to have him as part of our staff and school community! I have enjoyed our work together thus far this year and I am inspired by his continual commitment to each student and doing whatever it takes to reach our learners. If you or your student have had the honor of attending one of his lunch groups, one of his specific friendship groups, or individual check-ins, I would love for you to send him a message to share what that has meant to you. I'd like Mr. Wallinger to feel the appreciation from our Sailor community by flooding his inbox with notes of "Thanks" or appreciation. :) You can email Mr. Wallinger at: swallinger@nsd.org.
One other note, please do look at the information below regarding school pictures. This event is OPTIONAL for families, but if you plan to participate in pictures, you must use the sign-up to reserve a spot. Every student needs to have their own slot. I am finalizing the details, but I do feel this event will run smoothly, and maintaining appropriate safety measures is a leading lens to this event. I look forward to seeing so many of our student's faces at this event!
I wish you all a great week ahead! Please continue to stay safe and let's continue to be kind to one another.
Take Care,
Jen Welch, Principal
•• SCHOOL NEWS ••
Black Lives Matter at School week
February is Black History Month! In addition to raising awareness of the month, we want to share resources and encourage you to celebrate with staff and students. The concept of Black History Month was created by Dr. Carter G. Woodson, a scholar, activist, author and historian. He has come to be known as the “Father of Black History” for his efforts to insert and elevate the experiences, histories and key contributions of Black peoples in American history. You can read Woodson’s full biography here.
During this month, the Northshore School District is acknowledging and participating in the national Black Lives Matter (BLM) at School Week of Action from Feb. 1 - 5, 2021. It is optional for staff and administrators to participate. After collaborating with students and staff from across all grade bands, the Racial and Educational Justice Department is leading this charge by:
Sharing the official resource guide and website links that are age-appropriate for Northshore students in grades P-12 (see below)
Hosting a week’s worth of Black Lives Matter at School virtual events (see below)
National Black Lives Matter at School Week of Action Themes (Guiding Principles)
Monday: Restorative Justice, Empathy and Loving Engagement
Tuesday: Diversity and Globalism
Wednesday: Trans-Affirming, Queer-Affirming, and Collective Value
Thursday: Intergenerational, Black Families and Black Villages
Friday: Black Women and Unapologetically Black
Website Links and Resource Guide
To learn more about the themes and purpose of Black Lives Matter at School Week of Action, you can go to this official site.
To view the official National BLM at School Resource Guide, click here.
To view and download free BLM at School resources, posters and lesson ideas, click here.
The Racial and Educational Justice department will be hosting Virtual events all week long. Please read below to learn what is happening each day.
*All events will be recorded.
Monday, Feb. 1: BLM at School Teach-In with Jesse Hagopian
Intended Audience: For all of Northshore’s staff
Times and Zoom Links:
Option one is from 11:00 - 11:45 a.m.
Option two is from 12:00 - 12:45 p.m.
Please note that each session will be the same. You can choose the option that works best for your schedule.
About the Event:
Jesse Hagopian, award-winning Seattle-area educator, activist, organizer, editor and author, will talk to staff about the foundations of BLM at School, what it means for Black lives to matter at school, and what they can be doing in their (virtual) schools and classrooms to participate in the Week of Action.
Tuesday, Feb. 2: Elementary Read-Aloud and Q&A with LaTisha Joseph and Ebony Harvey
Intended Audience: For all of Northshore’s elementary students, families and staff
Time and Webinar Link:
11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
About the Event:
LaTisha Joseph, librarian at Northshore’s Woodmoor Elementary, and Ebony Harvey, principal at Northshore’s Woodmoor Elementary, will facilitate a read aloud and Q&A for elementary students with the two children’s books I'm Every Good Thing by Derrick Barnes and The Undefeated by Kwame Alexander.
Wednesday, Feb. 3: Pre-recorded Secondary Student Panel with Northshore Students
Intended Audience: For all of Northshore’s middle and high school students and staff
Info:
This pre-recorded student panel will be emailed to middle and high school students, as well as staff Wednesday afternoon.
About the Event:
Students at Northshore’s various middle schools and high schools will record themselves having a conversation about their experiences in school and their visions for continuing on the District’s path of racial and educational justice.
Thursday, Feb. 4: Black Students United Gathering with Michael Bennett
Intended Audience: For all of Northshore’s high school students who identify as Black, Bi-racial, and/or Multi-Racial and their peer and staff allies
Time and Webinar Link:
11:00 - 11:50 a.m.
http://bit.ly/blackstudentsunited
About the Event:
Michael Bennett, former defensive player for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Seattle Seahawks, Super Bowl Champion, Pro Bowl Defensive MVP, activist, author, and founder of the Bennett Foundation, will speak to the intended audience about his journey and work, what it means to build community, intersectionality, and what it means for Black lives to matter at school.
Students can pre-submit questions for Michael Bennett here!
Friday, Feb. 5: Community Webinar
Intended Audience: For all of Northshore’s students, families, community members, staff, and educators
Time and Webinar Link:
5:00 - 6:00 p.m.
About the Event:
Various Northshore community members will assemble a panel to be in conversation about their experiences, what it means for Black lives to matter at school, and what it means to be unapologetic about speaking their truth.
The Racial and Educational Justice Department hopes that during February and beyond, students, families, and staff can learn new things and help us celebrate the lived experiences, cultures, histories, backgrounds, and identities of our Black students and staff in the Northshore School District. We are better together.
A revision to our Book Circulation...
Readers, Readers..... we are looking for more readers!!
Cottage Lake students and families, we are changing things up just a bit. We are now moving our book circulation to EVERY WEEK!! The schedule will stay posted for reference, but if your student wants books weekly or needs to keep them an extra week, they can order any time and the books will be ready the following Thursday. If you want to borrow a book, please complete the link below to reserve books for your student(s).
- ALL STUDENTS - Your upcoming book distribution day is: Thursday, February 4
- If you want books, please fill out this form http://go.nsd.org/sailorbooks by Sunday, January 31 @ 9:00 PM
Please click on the button below to locate the book circulation schedule (this is updated regularly) and find the request form in one place.
Happy Reading!
Picture Day is rescheduled for February 11
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080E4AADA729AAFD0-picture
Each student/family will need to sign-up for a time slot. Students MUST be signed up for a time and there must be a parent/guardian present to complete the attestation questions.
During each 15 minute time, there will be 16 slots. All safety precautions will be in place: ensuring social distancing, temperature taking of students before they get out of your vehicle, parents/guardians will need to complete an attestation form confirming the student is system-free and has not been around anyone with COVID, everyone will wear a mask, and students should come picture-ready at their set picture time.
To order pictures, please go to https://www.dorianstudio.com/prepayment/ click on our school, Cottage Lake Elementary, and place your order.
Please know school pictures are OPTIONAL. You can absolutely submit a headshot for our school yearbook if you'd wish. I will provide more information about our yearbook next week. Stay tuned.
COVID 19 Vaccine Information from Nurse Audrey
COVID 19 Vaccines: **** WHAT****WHO****HOW****WHERE
WHAT:
- The two COVID 19 vaccines that have been authorized for use are from Pfizer and Moderna and are mRNA vaccines. mRNA vaccine technology has been studied and worked with for decades. There is no virus in the mRNA vaccines, so you cannot get a COVID-19 infection from the vaccine. Instead, mRNA vaccines give our cells instructions to make a harmless protein—one that looks just like an important protein on the COVID-19 virus. When your cells make that protein, your body creates a strong immune response and antibodies to protect against COVID-19. More info on the vaccines can be found in the following links, available in multiple languages: · https://www.kingcounty.gov/depts/health/covid-19/vaccine/FAQ.aspx · https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/different-vaccines/mrna.html
- Depending on the site that is administering the vaccine, you may not be given a choice of which vaccine you receive (Moderna or Pfizer). There are little differences between the two and both require two doses: Moderna’s second dose is given at 28 days and Pfizer’s second dose is given at 21 days.
WHO:
- King County is currently in the state's Phase 1a and Phase 1b, Tier 1 for vaccine distribution. The full distribution plan can be found at the following links: · https://www.doh.wa.gov/Portals/1/Documents/1600/coronavirus/SummaryInterimVaccineAllocationPriortization.pdf · https://www.kingcounty.gov/depts/health/covid-19/vaccine/distribution.aspx · https://www.doh.wa.gov/Emergencies/COVID19/vaccine
- As of January 18, 2021, Washington State Department of Health has opened vaccine distribution through Phase 1b, Tier 1. This means:
- Vaccination is currently open for people who are: · Eligible for Phase 1a: all workers at risk of acquisition or transmission of COVID in healthcare settings; long-term care facility staff and residents; and home health and care aides.
- Eligible for Phase 1b, Tier 1:
- ..... Age 65 years and older
- ..... Age 50 and older if they live in a household where two or more generations live, (such as an elder and a grandchild), and meet these qualifications:
- ..... Cannot live independently and receives support from a relative or caregiver (paid or unpaid) or someone who works outside the home
- ..... Lives with and cares for a young child, like a grandparent with a grandchild.
- Additionally, if you have had COVID 19 in the past, you should still get the vaccine if it has been at least 90 days since infection (or monoclonal antibody treatments for COVID 19).
HOW:
- For now, both vaccine supply and appointments are still limited. You may experience delays due to the very high volume of inquiries. This will get easier as other providers receive more doses and high-volume vaccine sites open in our region (Puget Sound Region). Everyone will be eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine over the coming months. However, due to limited vaccine supply, the vaccine is provided in phases, starting with those at the highest risk.
- Call your doctor's office or health care provider to see if they have available vaccination appointments. Reach out to your health care provider if you have any health concerns that you feel may prevent you from getting the vaccine (ie; prior history of severe allergic reactions to other vaccines, history of other severe allergic reactions which required the use of an Epinephrine Pen, allergies to PEG/polysorbate ingredients found in the COVID vaccine, underlying health conditions that suppress your immune system). · www.FindYourPhaseWA.org. If you don't have a health care provider or if your provider doesn't have a vaccine available, check your eligibility to receive the COVID-19 vaccine by visiting the Phase Finder web form. Washington State's Phase Finder online tool can confirm your eligibility and provide you with a list of possible vaccination locations. Phase Finder is only identifying if you are eligible for either Phase 1A or Phase 1B, Tier 2 at this time.
- If you are eligible using the Phase Finder, you should print or use the screenshot of the confirmation page from Phase Finder. And you should be prepared to share that confirmation along with an identification card to the vaccine provider as proof of eligibility.
- If you can't use the online Phase Finder tool and have no one to assist you, you can get help over the phone from Washington state's COVID-19 Assistance Hotline: Dial 1-800-525-0127, then press #. Available Monday-Friday, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sunday, and observed state holidays 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
WHERE:
- Locations for getting the COVID vaccine are concentrated at local hospitals/health care systems at this time with expansion into high volume vaccination sites, pharmacies and pop-up clinics coming soon in King and Snohomish counties.
- The Phase Finder can help direct you the most quick and easy way to available vaccine sites if you are determined eligible to receive the vaccine.
- When making appointments to get the vaccine, the appointment is made at the same time for both doses to be given at the correct interval (Moderna at 28 days, Pfizer at 21 days).
- A list of organizations administering vaccines is available by county through the link listed here. Note inventory varies daily for these providers so please understand if they do not have vaccine available. Phase Finder eligibility criteria may apply to make an appointment. Link:
- Most locations are NOT accepting walkups currently, so call ahead before venturing out to a vaccine location. Scheduling may also be limited by vaccine availability.
•• District News ••
Kindergarten registration is coming!!
We are excited to welcome new families to Cottage Lake!
Woodin Elementary's Dual-Language program
Calling all K-2 Northshore Families....
Does your family speak Spanish at home?
Is your family interested in exploring a new language?
Woodin’s Dual-Language Immersion Program is a bilingual educational program integrating English Language Learners and English-speaking students for instruction in and through two languages (English & Spanish).
Zoom link for the event: https://nsd.zoom.us/j/86023169534
Cothes For Kids
Clothes For Kids is still open and serving local students by appointment only. We will be open to student shoppers Monday-Friday until at least the end of April. We will also be open on Saturday, February 20th. Students who have already shopped with Clothes For Kids before the winter break can now schedule an appointment to shop for a second wardrobe.
Families need to schedule an appointment for each student shopper:
https://clothesforkids.org/book-an-appointment/ If students/families are uncomfortable coming in to shop right now, our volunteers can choose the clothing for the students and set a time for the family to pick it up at the Clothes For Kids shop (take-out style) within one week.
In part due to the lack of Lost and Found clothing this year, our inventory is getting low in some areas and we are looking for donations of gently-used clothing. Please think of us if you are cleaning out your closets!
Right now, Clothes For Kids’ most-needed items are:
- Boys' Heavy coats - sizes 6-18
- Teen Boy’s Heavy coats - men’s sizes S-XXL
- Boys’ Pants - athletic pants preferred, sizes 5T-18
- Teen Boy Pants - athletic pants preferred, men’s sizes S-XXL
- Athletic shoes - Kids’ sizes 8-13 and 1-6
If you have any questions or concerns about the school wardrobe program, please contact me: office@clothesforkids.org or 425.741.6500.
•• REPEAT of District News ••
School Waivers
Waivers for the 2021-2022 school year will soon be accepted. This is earlier than before, as we look to have a better understanding of our student numbers for the next school year. Please see below for the dates we will begin accepting waivers.
If you live In-District:
- Grades K-12 - February 22, 2021
- IHS IB Program - December 7, 2020
- ILHS 10th Grade - December 7, 2020
- 9th grade - Fill the application online
- 9th grade - Fill the application online
If you live Out of District:
- Current Students staying at their current school - February 22, 2021
- Current Students transitioning to 6th or 9th grade - April 19, 2021
- New Students - May 7, 2021
- IHS IB Program - December 7, 2020
- ILHS 10th Grade - December 7, 2020
- 9th Grade - Fill the application online
You can also find further waiver information by visiting: https://www.nsd.org/schools/get-started/waivers
PACE
PACE Application Deadline For The 2021-2022 School Year
PACE (Parents Active in Cooperative Education), a choice educational enrichment program offered through the Northshore School District, is currently accepting applications for the 2021-2022 school year. All applications are due prior to the February 5th PACE lottery drawing deadline, and a virtual tour is required prior to application.
The hallmarks of PACE include an enhanced educational experience due to high parent involvement, enrichment activities, encouragement for students to become self-motivated learners and a strong sense of community among families. Families commit to a minimum number of volunteer hours per year of program support. PACE is located at three elementary school sites in the district with feeder patterns from all Northshore elementary schools.
Ever wonder what goes on in the classrooms of PACE at Wellington? What do students learn and experience? Who are the teachers? How does distance learning affect PACE? Is PACE a good fit for your family? PACE is NSD's choice parent cooperative enrichment program.
Sign up for a virtual tour to get answers to all of these questions, and much more! Reserve your spot here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0c4fafad29a0fc1-pace
**The tour is required if you are a new family looking to enter the PACE lottery on February 5th. If you have questions, please drop it in the comments below or email enrollment@pacewell.org.
For more information about the PACE program, please visit http://www.nsd.org/PACE
Highly Capable testing update
The Accelerated Models and Programs Department is in the middle of our 2020-2021 screening and assessment plan.
Students in grades 6 & 7
We are almost done remotely administering the NNAT3 to students who were referred for testing or are new to Northshore in grades 6 and 7. Our department has worked to contact families of these students in order to connect with families to enable them to take the NNAT3. Our testing window is almost over. Please contact us with any questions at hicap@nsd.org. We will invite those students who score above the 85% to take the Iowa Assessments in reading and math. We plan to send out scores after January 8th.
Grade 5 Update
Communication has been sent out from the district regarding screening for Highly Capable. It is our plan to screen all 5th graders who do not already qualify in a single subject or dually. In order for students to participate, 5th graders MUST have a black district Chromebook to participate in this screener. If you do not have the required district technology, you can request the Chromebook here: https://form.jotform.com/202085825509053. At last look, we still have about 15 students who do not have the needed technology. Please submit the request soon if you do not have a district black Chromebook.
Our NNAT3 screening will occur between February 1st-12th. Following the NNAT3, we will invite students to take the Iowa test if they score above the 85%.
Students in grades K-4
We are still working on the highly capable screening and assessment schedule for grades K-4. Our department will update families when we can safely test.
Thank you,
Accelerated Models and Programs Department
After-School Enrichment
The Northshore School District has continued our contract with 6crickets who will continue to maintain a database of community organizations that are offering after-school enrichment opportunities through the end of the 2020-2021 school year. The database has enrichment opportunities focused on theater, baking, STEM, public speaking and more.
More information and a link to the database can found on the NSD website at the link below:
https://www.nsd.org/northshore-learns/community/online-enrichment
Community Assistance
Need Technology?
Does your Cottage Lake Elementary student need a device for online learning? Please use the link below to sign up and sign the waiver. After you submit your form, Mr. Paganini will be in contact with you to set a pick-up time for you. For students in Kindergarten & Grade 1, we are issuing iPads. For students in Grade 2 through Grade 5, we are issuing Chromebooks. Students will keep these devices at home until we return to school.
Meals during remote learning and hybrid learning
Beginning Wednesday, September 9, we are offering free meals for ALL children ages 18 and younger. Students do not need to be enrolled in the Northshore School District to receive meals. This is GREAT news for each of our families; these are your tax dollars at work. I am so pleased this funding has been continued, allowing us to extend these meal services until the end of December.
For quick links:
- CLICK HERE to place an order for DAILY MEALS. [The order window time will be 2:00 PM-11:59 PM the day prior to meal pick-up. Orders include breakfast and lunch, including 16oz of milk. Orders placed for a Friday pick-up will also include meals for the weekend.]
- CLICK HERE to place an order for WEEKLY MEAL PACKS. [Weekly Meal Packs will include breakfast and lunch for an entire week, including a gallon of milk. The order window will open at 2:00 PM every Wednesday and close at 2:00 PM every Thursday. Pick up for these meals will be on Wednesday the following week.]
Please consider ordering food! Our district is committed to feeding our children during this challenging time.
•• PTA NEWS ••
- Our next PTA Meeting is this week: Tuesday, February 9, 2021 from 7:00-8:00 PM.
- Learn more about the PTA and get your 2020/21 membership at www.cottagelakepta.org.
- Your 2020/21 PTA President is Rachel Tarr and can be contacted at president@cottagelakepta.org.
Amazon Smile!
Search: Cottage Lake PTA.
[YES, our PTA accounted is listed in Tacoma, but it IS our school's PTA located in Woodinville, WA.]
After selecting our school's PTA, each time you want to shop, begin with visiting www.smile.amazon.com, and then shop. You must first log into the smile.amazon.com for purchases to be eligible for the cash back opportunity.
Cottage Lake Elementary
Email: jwelch@nsd.org
Website: https://cottagelake.nsd.org/
Location: 15940 Avondale Road Northeast, Woodinville, WA, USA
Phone: (425) 408-4200
Facebook: facebook.com/ourschool
Twitter: @ourschool