News from your North Beach PTA
December 18, 2020
Dates to Remember
- Friday, December 18: North Beach Holiday Lights 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
- December 21- January 1: Winter Break, NO SCHOOL
- January 3: DEI Meeting, 3 -4:30 p.m.
- January 18: No School, MLK Jr. Day
A Note from Our Principal
Hello North Beach Families,
At last night’s school board meeting, the Seattle School Board voted to have PK-1st grade students return to in-person instruction on March 1st. In light of Governor Inslee’s revised guidelines for school districts to return to in-person instruction, there may be additional changes for students made before then. I don’t have any additional information at this time, but I had a meeting earlier in the week with a district representative regarding COVID protocols for in-person instruction and I am meeting on Monday with the Director of School Operations and other district staff, so hope to be able to provide parents with additional information when we return to school in the New Year. One of the things I am looking forward to most is seeing children on the North Beach playground! The district will be sending a survey to parents asking for input on whether families want to return to in-person instruction or continue with remote learning. Please look out for this survey and respond to it as it will be very important for planning purposes.
Our first day back to school in 2021 is January 4. This is also the first day that enrollment for the 2021-22 school year is open. Please encourage families you know with children attending kindergarten at North Beach next year to enroll early. Registering early helps us plan for next year (budget and staffing) AND ensures students have access to resources and information early.
SPS families are invited to sign up for the Family Connectors University (FCU) class designed to support you in Winter 2021!
The FCU class is a partnership between North Seattle College and the Family Partnerships Department at SPS. Here are some examples of topics to be covered:
- How to help your child with remote learning
- Social Emotional Learning ideas for home
- Becoming a supportive partner at your school
- Helping your child with literacy and math
- Talking to kids about race, racism, and antiracist actions
The class will take place online via Zoom for 10 weeks beginning Tuesday, January 12th at 6pm and parents can participate synchronously or asynchronously (sessions will be recorded).
It will be facilitated by NSC Parent Education Instructor Lea Evans, Principal Janine Roy from Queen Anne Elementary, Asosa Sailiai, SPS Family Partnerships Coordinator, and other special guest speakers as well. This year's curriculum is very exciting and has been immensely helpful to parents during Fall 2020.
The cost for the 2-unit class is $39.42 and some scholarships are available. Please email Asosa to reserve your spot if you're interested in enrolling: amsailiai@seattleschools.org.
As I’ve visited classrooms this week, I have encouraged student to get away from their devices as much as possible. I think everyone is ready for a well-deserved break from technology.
Please enjoy the next two weeks with your family and we look forward to seeing everyone back at school in the New Year!
Sincerely,
Kristine McLane
Principal
North Beach Elementary
From the Office
We hope everyone has a safe and warm winter break. It’s time to put school in the back of your mind, and enjoy yourselves. We will be back on January 4th!
Sarah and Carolyn
Counselor's Corner
As we head off to Winter Break, I want to wish you all some relaxing and fun times with your family. It has been a difficult year, to say the least. Take time these next two weeks to get off-line and take some deep breaths. I’ll be here to support students and families when we return in January. Be safe, hug your kids and practice some self-care.
PTA Update - Support for Special Education
A meeting was called on Thursday 12/17 to discuss the recent reports of abuse against special education students and students of color in parts of the district (Note: none reported at North Beach Elementary) and the Seattle Special Education PTSA's vote of "no confidence" in the SPS district administration.
Many thanks to the dozens of parents, teachers and support staff that attended this meeting and shared their diverse insights, experiences (both personal and professional), and their hopes for what action and advocacy for kids could look like. Overwhelming support was offered for the dedication and thoughtful contributions made by North Beach staff and teachers. There was wide agreement that our community can, should and will continue to advocate for the needs of students receiving special education services, and a recognition that this is a group (and the staff that support them) historically and systemically underrepresented and underserved at the local, state and federal level.
The North Beach PTA voted to affirm the following statement:
The North Beach PTA is horrified by the unacceptable treatment of students in parts of our district, particularly special education students and students of color, like those recently reported by KUOW last week. We will be working to immediately publish our PTA's resolution and action plan about what we will be doing to support special education families and staff within our school and at the district level.
NEXT MEETING:
The North Beach Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee will meet on Sunday, Jan 3 (3-4:30pm) to discuss continue this discussion and make a proposal to be voted on at the Jan 5th PTA Meeting.
Zoom link for DEI Committee Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/95593119248
All teachers, parents, caregivers and staff are welcome to attend and add their voice to this discussion.
Holiday Lights Walk Celebrating NB Pride 12/18
Let us celebrate the start of winter break and all our hard work at North Beach Elementary this year with a holiday lights walk in our neighborhood on Friday, December 18th. From 4:30-7:00 please come by the cut-de-sac on NW 23rd St and 91st St NW to pick up a lighted purple balloon to tour the festive lights and show your support of North Beach Elementary. There will be signs indicating directions for distribution in a safe social distance manner. As always please where your masks.
We will also have a collection for hygiene items, hats, and gloves to donate to those in need in our community.
Please email president@northbeachpta.org with any questions.
Join the PTA!
Make your voice heard! The NBE PTA provides advocacy and funding for our students. By joining the PTA you say YES to counselors, tutors, art supplies, classroom technology, library books, and more. JOIN TODAY and while you’re at it donate to the school supplies fund!
Join the PTA here!
School Board Meetings are online!
Attending School Board Meetings no longer requires driving and parking downtown! The board meets for regular meetings twice a month, and special meetings throughout the month. Reopening plans, construction projects, curriculum - decisions are discussed and made. Email klabelle@gmail.com to learn more about attending a meeting to help us track what is happening. You can find out more here.
Join Seattle Special Education PTSA!
If you have been considering joining the Seattle Special Education PTSA, now is the time! Please visit their website and do it now. www.seattlespecialeducationptsa.org.
Support North Beach Elementary When You Shop!
Amazon Smile: 0.5% of eligible purchases back to North Beach!
https://smile.amazon.com/ch/91-1320831
Shutterfly: 8% of Purchases come back to North Beach!
Shop for cards and photos at www.NorthBeach.ShutterflyStoreFront.com and help contribute 8% to the North Beach PTA!
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Community News & Events (The programs below are not endorsed by either North Beach PTA or SPS, and are posted for informational purposes only.)
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Ending the Silence with PNW Parent Education
Join the PNW Parent Education (www.pnwparented.org), a local non-profit that brings the best experts in the nation to speak to our local community on crucial parenting topics such as mental health, digital safety, equality, privilege/overindulgence, and more, for a free online event is on Wednesday, January 27, 2021 at 6:30 pm.
The PNW Parent Education organization is partnering up with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (www.namiseattle.org) with an early intervention and educational presentation titled, “Ending the Silence”. This relevant and engaging presentation will help attendees identify early signs and symptoms of mental illness, provide information about treatments, and we’ll have a young adult who will share their lived experience coping with depression and anxiety.
The intense emotional burden of the current events has taken a toll on the mental health of millions of youth, school staff, and families. The goal of this event is to begin a larger discussion about mental health so that young people dealing with mental health conditions realize they are not alone.
Every quarter, the PNW Parent Education organization offers free, high-quality parent education events geared towards families, caretakers, and educators. Similar to your school, we feel that better-informed families make stronger communities.
School Programs
Boys & Girls Club
Questions? 206-582-3512 or choover@positiveplace.org.
Registration Information and enrollment paperwork is available at: http://positiveplace.org/locations/childcare/Pages/northbeachchildcare.aspx
Small Faces
The school-aged program at Small Faces serves kindergarten through fifth grade children. At the end of the school day, a school bus takes kids to Small Faces Center where they are greeted by teachers and offered a snack before the program activities begin. Doors close at 6pm. Contact Kathy Brockman with questions and to enroll: kbrockman@smallfaces.org
Illumination Learning Studio
Illumination Learning Studio provides After School Programs for children K-5. We provide transportation after school each day. This is an arts-focused educational program. Please visit our website for more information https://www.illuminationlearningstudio.com/.
Beachcomber Email
Article submissions for this newsletter are due by 5:00pm Wednesdays. Please send articles to beachcomber@northbeachpta.org
About North Beach Elementary
PTA website: northbeachelementary.org
School website: northbeaches.seattleschools.org
Email: beachcomber@northbeachpta.org
Website: northbeachelementary.org
Location: 9018 24th Avenue NW Seattle, WA 98117
Phone: (206) 252-1510
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/northbeachpta/
Twitter: @sealsnorthbeach