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Family Cougar Connect Newsletter
January 19 , 2024
Co-Principal Message
Dear Families,
We hope this message finds you well and warm. Since returning to school after winter break, our halls have been filled with joy and excitement. It's heartwarming to witness the positive energy and enthusiasm from our students as they embrace the school routine once again.
One of our main goals has been to reteach expectations for our students, ensuring a supportive and inclusive learning environment. To make this transition even more engaging, our students recently participated in a Recess and Lunch Camp. These camps not only brought fun and laughter but also helped reinforce positive behaviors during their favorite times of the day.
As we look ahead, we're thrilled to announce that next week, we will be concluding our week with a special MLK Jr. Day assembly. This serves as an opportunity for our students to revisit and understand the significance of honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., not just this month but every month of the year. It's a chance for us to reflect on his timeless message of equality, justice, and unity.
Thank you for your continued support in making our school community a place of learning, growth, and, most importantly, joy.
Important Dates:
- January 26th- MLK Assembly
- January 26th - School Dance @5:30 PM
- January 26-Feb 9 - Math Challenge
- January 29th-Preschool Open House @ CHE 5:30pm
- February 19-28 - No school, Mid-Winter Break
Warmly,
Chhoun and Brooke
School Reminders
Preschool Open House @ Clyde Hill
Pre School will be hosting an Open House that will take place Monday, January 29th from 5:30-6:30. During this event prospective new families are invited to learn more about our school community and all about preschool. There will be other open houses that you can attend if you cannot make this date. Please know that these open houses are not school specific, which means you can attend any of them and the information will be the same.
Virtue of the Month- January
Integrity and Determination
This month we will focus our common learning on the virtues of integrity and determination.
Integrity is standing up for what you believe is right, living by your highest values. It is being honest and sincere with others and yourself. You are integrous when your words and actions match. You don’t fool yourself into doing what you know is wrong. You fill your life and your mind with things that help you to live a good life
Determination is focusing your energy and efforts on a task and then sticking with it until it is finished. Determination is using your will power to do something when things are hard. You are determined to meet your goals. Even when something is difficult and you feel like you just cannot do it, you keep on going until you accomplish your goal or task.
Question prompts for home discussion:
How we you practice Integrity? Determination?
What does these words mean to you?
How can you practice these virtues at home? At school?
Why is having integrity and determination important?
When was a time you showed determination?
When was a time you showed integrity?
What is hard about demonstrating these virtues?
What is easy about demonstrating these virtues?
Monthly Practice Safety Drill
Practice Safety Drill- Fire Drill
Today 1/19/24 we conducted a fire drill and practiced what we would do if we needed to evacuate the building. Students learned about leaving the building quickly and assembling in a designated location and then we practiced.
Please talk to your child about our drill today. An important next step might be planning a drill in your own home and checking your smoke detectors to make sure they are working correctly.
For more information on fire safety, you might want to visit the National Fire Protection Association "Kids" page at http://www.sparky.org/ or their parent resource page at http://www.sparky.org/parents.
Please let us know if you have any questions.
Upcoming Community Event
School Dance 1/26
Please join us for the 2024 Clyde Hill Elementary School Dance!
Friday, January 26, 2024 | 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
In honor of our expanded community, this year's theme is "Come Together" so come adorned with your best '60s-inspired attire.
All Clyde Hill Elementary and Pre-School students are welcome to attend.
To help cover the expenses associated with putting on the event and future events we are encouraging families to donate $10 dollars per student.
For students who need assistance, please email treasurer@clydehillpta.org for a dance ticket. Information is kept confidential. Or please let your child's teacher know.
Please be sure to RSVP if your child(ren) plans on attending and comment with your children's favorite dance song so we can add it to the setlist.
**An adult chaperone is required to be in attendance for the duration of the event.
Volunteer opportunities are available for those able to provide time or resources. Help with dance logistics and refreshment donations are needed.
See the link below for available options.
Clyde Hill PTA's Science Festival
We are excited to share about the upcoming the Clyde Hill PTA's Science Festival at Clyde Hill Elementary that promises to be both educational and fun for our students.
Date: March 8th 2024
Time: 6:00 - 7:30 PM
Location: Gymnasium, Clyde Hill Elementary
What: Student Science Posters, Live Demonstrations (including robotics), Pop-up Activity Stations
More information on how to sign up for a science poster and for volunteering will be shared very soon.
BSD 2023-24 Cultural Calendar
BSD 2023-24 Cultural Calendar
The Bellevue School District learning community is comprised of a multitude of cultures, traditions, histories, identities, experiences and faith backgrounds. BSD strives to acknowledge and affirm each and every student, family and staff member. In collaboration with members of the Communications Ambassadors, BSD has developed a cultural calendar that incorporates the lived experiences of our community.
Monthly Acknowledgement: Americans of Chinese Descent History Month
Monthly Recognition: School Board Recognition Month
- January 1, 2024 – Shogatsu
- Shōgatsu, also called Oshōgatsu, marks the beginning of a new calendar year. On the eve of the new year, temple bells ring 108 times: 8 times to ring out the old year and 100 times to usher in the new year.
- January 6, 2024 – Día de los Reyes (Three Kings Day)
- Also known as Epiphany, Día de los Reyes or Three Kings Day, is traditionally celebrated by members of Hispanic communities. Three Kings Day marks the arrival of the three wise men who brought gifts to Jesus on the 12th day following Christmas.
- January 7, 2024 – Orthodox Christmas
- Members of the Orthodox Christian community celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ according to the Julian calendar.
- January 15, 2024 – Martin Luther King Day
- Martin Luther King Day commemorates the birth of Martin Luther King, Jr., the recipient of the 1964 Nobel Peace Prize and an activist for non-violent social change until his assassination in 1968.
- January 27, 2024 – Holocaust Remembrance Day
- Since 2005, nations have held commemoration ceremonies to mark the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau and to honor the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust.
District News and Resources
School Board Vacancy Nomination and Application Process
The Bellevue School District seeks to fill a School Board Director vacancy for Director District 3 due to Director Joyce Shui’s resignation effective January 5, 2024.
In accordance with Board Policy 1114 and Procedure 1114P (Board Member Resignation and Vacancy) and RCW 28A.343.370, members of the community are encouraged to apply for the position or nominate candidates for the position. Nominees and applicants must be registered voters who reside in Director District 3.
The nomination and application forms are now available. Nominations must be received by Friday, January 26, 2024. Qualified nominees will be contacted directly and invited to apply. All applications for the position are due by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, February 2, 2024.
Please review information on Becoming a School Board Member including Public Disclosure Commission reporting guidelines.
Learn more about the application/nomination process.
BOOM Presents: Movements that Transformed Our Region & Why
Date: Tuesday, Jan 30, 2024
Time: 4:00 – 5:30 p.m.
Location: Streamed online - Teams Meeting Link
Please register here: Registration Form
Join us online as we live stream an engaging round table discussion with regional civil rights leader, Larry Gossett. The conversation will cover events that helped to shape and transform Seattle and the surrounding areas. Larry Gossett and select guests will engage in dialogue that highlights the ongoing journey toward racial and social justice for Black people both then and now.
Larry Gossett brings a rich lifelong commitment to activism in our region and the discussion will be anchored in many of his past and current involvements such as:
· Founder of the Seattle chapter of the Black Panther Party
· Co-founder of the University of Washington's Black Student Union
· Involved in the presidential campaign of Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. and an organizer for the Rainbow Coalition
· Organizer of the Seattle Alliance of Black Student Unions
· Current member of the King County Reparations Committee
MORE ABOUT YOUR EXPERT: Civil rights activist Larry Gossett was born Lawrence Edward Gossett on February 21, 1945, in Seattle, Washington. He grew up in Seattle’s southern and central areas and graduated from Franklin High School, where he was point guard on the basketball team. In 1963, Gossett was one of the few black males to attend the University of Washington. Gossett serves as a member and chair of the King County Council. Gossett, a high-profile black activist with strong ties to the Hispanic, Asian and Native American communities, was a prime mover in 1996 for changing the symbol of King County (Seattle) from 19th century slaveholder, Rufus Devane King to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
In Case You Missed It
Register for Spring for Schools, Hosted by the Bellevue Schools Foundation
I'm excited to share that Spring for Schools 2024 registration is live! You are invited to attend Bellevue Schools Foundation's annual event on Saturday, March 30 at 5:00 p.m., and I truly hope to see you there! As a reminder, Bellevue Schools Foundation provides critical funding to our school-- you can take a look at the programs supported in our classrooms here. {Insert a line about a favorite program of yours/why you believe funding from BSF is critical} The evening will offer attendees a chance to connect with one another and teachers, and explore the initiatives funded by BSF in their signature Education Showcase.
Event registration is free, and childcare will be provided as capacity allows. Additional event details can be found here. The purpose of the evening is to raise funding so that BSF can continue to provide transformational opportunities for our students and teachers — please consider making a donation here.
Reminders About Inclement Weather and Emergency Closures
Winter is here, and it’s time to prepare in case inclement weather impacts the region. Families are encouraged to take the time to revisit the district’s emergency closure schedule protocols and our emergency closure decision-making process. During instances of inclement weather or severe conditions that could result in a delayed or canceled school day, BSD will communicate any schedule changes to families through direct messages, including email, text message, phone call, social media, FlashAlert, local media and posts to bsd405.org. Learn how to update your contact information in ParentVUE and set message preferences in SchoolMessenger to receive inclement weather and emergency communications according to your desired methods. While these decisions are made for the district at large, conditions may vary across the district. We encourage families to make personal decisions based on their specific circumstances.
Families with students who ride buses should be aware that there are also districtwide snow routes, which impact all general routes (1-59) and special needs routes (901-932). The City of Bellevue plows streets and roads accordingly, and for the safety of our students and buses, all bus routes will stay on major streets that follow the city’s plow schedule. Please visit the district’s Snow Routes webpage to learn how and when bus stops may be moved to accommodate for inclement weather.
Bellevue School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts of America and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination:
Civil Rights, Racial Discrimination, and Gender Expression or Identity Discrimination:
Civil Rights/Nondiscrimination Compliance Coordinator Nancy Pham, (425) 456-4040 or phamn@bsd405.org
Sex-based Discrimination, including Sexual Harassment: Title IX Coordinator: Jeff Lowell, (425) 456-4010 or lowellj@bsd405.org
Disability Discrimination: Section 504/ADA Coordinator: Heather Edlund, (425) 456-4156 or edlundh@bsd405.org
Mailing address for all three: 12111 NE 1st Street, Bellevue, WA 98005.