Newsletter

Yelm Community Schools is asking the community to continue funding of the expiring levy on the February Special Election. This replacement levy is not a new tax and will continue to fund important programs and services so all students, starting in Pre-K, are on a path to on-time graduation, continuing education and work.

State and federal funds cover the majority of the costs, and Yelm Community Schools seeks additional grant funds. However, local funds are still needed to close the gap.

Stay informed by reviewing the FAQs on our website.

Are you new to Washington or just relocated to Yelm? Be sure to go online at votewa.gov/wheretovote and updated your registration. Deadline is February 5 in order to obtain a ballot for the February 13 Special Election. For more information about voter registration or ballot measures, visit your county elections office.

• Thurston County Election Office
• Pierce County Election Office
• Register/Update Your Voter Information

Starting January 13, families will be notified daily if a student has a negative meal balance. Parents or guardians can pre-pay by depositing money into their child’s account before meals are served. In addition to paying with cash and checks, parents can also pay online with their credit/debit cards.

If you need to create a payment plan, please contact the food service department at 360.400.1151.

For the past 9 years, many YCS elementary schools have been hosting the week-long event "The Great Kindness Challenge" along with the rest of our country & world. The aim of the project is to challenge students to perform 50 kind acts in 5 days. The premise is that by doing many kind acts over many days, a habit of kindness is grown and extended beyond the week. YCS school(s) have shown a decrease in discipline and bullying incidents since implementation. This year, the Great Kindness Challenge will be taking place in all YCS elementary schools January 22-26, 2024. Want to get in on the fun? Here are some ideas of how you can participate and visit our website for details:

• Print out the Family Version of the checklist (English & Spanish versions available) and try a few of them.
• Participate in spirit days to help remind and encourage yourself and others to show kindness everywhere you go.
• Participate in the Kindness Week Art Contest titled "Kindness Matters: How We Create Kindness in Our Yelm Community" (submissions will be considered to create a district-wide personalized book).
• Register as a Certified Kindness Business

Thank you to The Rotary Club of Yelm for continued support by fully funding this movement each year since it began!

Students are completing the first half of the year. Teachers will finalize grades and reports on January 26 which will be a half day of school. Parents/guardians will be able to access to report cards in "Q" as of February 1. High School and Middle School families will receive printed reports soon after.

To access the records in "Q," click on the Porfolio Icon. This will bring up a list of all available report card documents available for download. Simply need to click on the download arrow to see the report card.

Did you hear that Taste of the Prairie is officially in full swing? Dollars for Scholars continues to expand the partnership with local businesses.

Mark your calendars and make it a date! By patronizing these participating businesses on their scheduled dates, you're not only supporting local business but also generating funds to be awarded to Yelm High School graduates as they embark on their educational or trade career journeys.

Check out the list of locations and dates in the Nisqually Valley New Article.

We are now monitoring weather conditions daily and drive the roads early in the morning to check for safe travel. Our goal is to send messaging by 5:30am if school is delayed or closed; otherwise, school is on time. Please remember that roads and sidewalks may still be slippery even if we don't close.

• We send automated phone call, email and text. If you haven't opted in, please text YES to 67587.
• The information is posted on social media and all school websites.
• The message is posted on Flash Alert that goes out to all TV and Radio broadcasts and subscribers.

Learn more about our procedures and how to get up to date information when changes occur.

January Events (Check websites for details on school events and sporting events)

Jan 1-31: School Board Appreciation Month

Jan 9: Special Education Open Resource Forum 6pm @ YHS Theater

Jan 11: School Board Study Session 6pm @ Prairie Elementary

Jan 15: NO SCHOOL - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Civil Rights Day

Jan 16: Good Temperance Day

Jan 23 : Native American Parent Advisory 5pm @ District Office

Jan 25: School Board Meeting 6pm @ District Office

Jan 22-26: Kindness Week

Jan 26: 1/2 Day - End of Semester

February Events

Feb 5: Deadline to Update Voter Registration

Feb 8: School Board Study Session 6pm @ Lackamas Elementary

Feb 13: Special Election Ballots Due

Feb 19: NO SCHOOL - Presidents' Day

Feb 22: School Board Meeting 6pm @ District Office

Email: communications@ycs.wednet.edu
Website: www.ycs.wednet.edu
Location: 107 North 1st Street, Yelm, Washington, USA
Phone: 360.458.1900
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Yelm Community Schools does not discriminate in any programs, activities or employment opportunities 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 and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: Civil Rights: Doyla Buckingham, 360.458.1900, doyla_buckingham@ycs.wednet.edu; Title IX Coordinator: Lisa Cadero-Smith, 360.458.6120, lisa_cadero-smith@ycs.wednet.edu; and 504 Coordinator: Shannon Powell, 360.458.6124, shannon_powell@ycs.wednet.edu. Address: 107 First St N, PO Box 476, Yelm, WA 98597.