Our EME Focus
- Tier 1 Instruction
- Belonging
- Define what it means to be an Art Focused School
Thoughts of the Week
Struggle On!
A man found a cocoon of a butterfly. One day a small opening appeared. He sat and watched the butterfly for several hours as it struggled to force its body through that little hole. Until it suddenly stopped making any progress and looked like it was stuck. So the man decided to help the butterfly. He took a pair of scissors and snipped off the remaining bit of the cocoon. The butterfly then emerged easily, although it had a swollen body and small, shriveled wings. The man didn’t think anything of it and sat there waiting for the wings to enlarge to support the butterfly. But that didn’t happen. The butterfly spent the rest of its life unable to fly, crawling around with tiny wings and a swollen body.
Despite the kind heart of the man, he didn’t understand that the restricting cocoon and the struggle needed by the butterfly to get itself through the small opening; were nature’s way of forcing fluid from the body of the butterfly into its wings. To prepare itself for flying once it was out of the cocoon.
Our struggles in life develop our strengths. Without struggles, we never grow and never get stronger, so it’s important for us to tackle challenges and push through them.
The Coming Week
- SRO Appreciation Week
- Monday
- Fire Drill 8:00
- Amy McDonald’s Birthday!
- Staff Meeting 2:30-3:15
- Tuesday
- Principal Interviews
- ICCL Admin Meeting 3:00-5:00
- Wednesday
- SIW Literacy #2 with Lori and Olivia 1:00 – 2:30
- Thursday
- School Officer Appreciation Day
- Student Success Meeting 10:00-11:00
- PLC’s 2:30-3:15
- BAM Meeting 5:00-7:00
- Friday
- SpEd Meeting 2:15-3:15
UPCOMING DATES:
- February 21 – EA Meeting 1:00-1:30
- February 21 – SIW Teacher Prep for Art Workshop 1:00-2:30
- February 21 – Admin PD 3:00-5:00
- February 22 – NAEP Testing for Fourth Grade
- February 22 – PLC’s 2:30-3:15
- February 22 – Cascade Safety Net Family Night
- February 23 – Kindergarten Forest Field Trip
- February 23 – SpEd Meeting 2:15-3:15
- February 26 – Committee Meetings 2:30-3:15
- February 27 – Heather Korman’s Birthday!
- February 27 – Care Team Meeting 2:30-3:15
- February 27 – Elementary Admin Meeting 3:00-5:00
- February 28 – Nicole Dewes’ Birthday!
- February 28 – SIW Educator Network 1:00-2:30
- February 29 – Second Grade Field Trip
- February 29 – PLC’s 2:30-3:15
- March 1 – Assembly
- March 1 – SpEd Meeting 2:15-3:15
Updates from Downtown
Do Now:
- Train Your Brain: Looks like we still have 10 schools to sign up by February 16th at the latest. Here is the link to the sign-up sheet.
- SRO Appreciation: SRO Cards, posters, goodies to Kayla in Safety by Feb 9!
- Ed Network: Still looking for teachers to share their practice and ideas with other teachers at our Feb 28th Educator Network Day. Please have them sign up here if they have an idea for a session and are willing to facilitate that session.
Reminders:
- Erin’s Law: Teach Erin’s Law lessons between February and May. Here the resources for both the family letter and instruction. Principals, please document using this form and send to April Jorgenson.
- CFEE: Please register for a CFEE. This year, options are April 9-12 virtually, June 24-28 in the valley or July 22-26 in the valley. Click on THIS INTEREST LINK.
- Education Foundation: Grants are due 3/1: www.blpedfoundation.org
- TAG Testing Timeline: Please make sure these dates are on your radar and you have a plan for testing at your school.
- Student Services:
- Counseling: School Counseling Blog
- Safety: Updated SRO List as of 1/2/2024.
New Notes:
From Jenny White (SEL/LCR): Something to share with staff- This collection from Wayfinder engages students in fun interactive games that promote engagement. This collection include games the encourage cooperation, adaptability, and connection. Directions on how to find the collection in Wayfinder.
Direct Links. Kindergarten. 1st – 2nd. 3rd – 5th
From Kinsey (DEI):
- Black History Month door-decorating contest: This information was shared with your DEI ICCL reps. Here are pictures from last year. Can you please reinforce messaging with your team so your school is represented? Photo submissions due Feb 27, winners (with prizes!) will be announced Feb 29.
- Incoming student nights/family orientations: Don’t forget to schedule interpreters via Linguist Link for upcoming events with families visiting your school (example: 5th Grade Family Nights at middle schools, Academic Info Nights, orientations). Plan in advance for how the interpreter will be used and how multilingual families will access each stage of the event. Language Specialists and Family Liaisons can help you develop a plan.
- Upcoming religious dates: Here are religious observances occurring during school days in Feb-March. We have current students and staff who observe these days, so please plan accordingly:
- Ash Wednesday: Wed, Feb 14. Students who observe this day may wear ashes on their forehead. Teachers and coaches should not ask them to remove or wash off the ashes. If other students mock or tease them, please report this as a bias incident.
- Ramadan: Mon, March 11 – Tues, April 9. This observance includes complete fasting while the sun is out as well as additional prayer.
- Students: Teachers should avoid high-stakes exams during this time—if unavoidable, provide accommodations for students as needed. PE teachers and coaches should work with Muslim students modify physical activity as needed.
- Families: Be thoughtful about evening events asking families to come to school after dark, or afternoon events centered around food/meals that might exclude Muslim families.
- Employees: Be thoughtful about staff celebrations (PTA events, social committee) centered on meals during this time period.
- Support: If an employee or student needs accommodations that you are not able to easily provide, or if you want to talk through supports, reach out.
From Tammy and Lisa:
Important Dates
- Feb 9: SRO appreciation due to Kayla today!
- Feb 13: Admin/ICCL Meeting 3-5 pm at your site (details to come in separate e-mail on Friday evening)
- Feb 13: Elk Meadow Principal Hiring Day
- Feb 14: North Star Principal Hiring Day
- Feb. 15: School Resource Officer Appreciation Day
- Feb 15: Jewell Principal Hiring Day
- Feb 16: Bear Creek Principal Hiring Day
- Feb 21: Admin PD at Perseverance Hall at BSH–3:00-4:30 (This will cover the new contract)
- Feb 27: 3:00-5:00. Elementary Leadership, at North Star Elementary
- Mar. 1: Education Foundation Grants are due: www.blpedfoundation.org