Tiger Tales
Newsletter #12 - November 3, 2023
· Language Access: Español | 简体中文 | Pусский | Tiếng Việt | 한국어 | العربية
Dear Families,
What an exciting week we had with Halloween, Día de los Muertos, Fall festivities, and a power outage! Thank you families for your understanding and flexibility as we all responded to unexpected changes in our afternoon plans due to the outage. For those who had power outages at your home, we hope power was restored quickly for you before it became very dark!
This weekend also marks change as clocks fall back on Sunday! Don't forget to change your clocks back 1 hour. On the bright side, that means our students get an extra hour of sleep and will be bright and ready for school Monday morning!
With gratitude,
Betty and Kati
Upcoming Events
November 5: Daylight Savings Time ends at 2am. Clocks go back 1 hour.
November 10 - No school, Veteran's Day
November 17 - Picture Retake Day
November 20, 21, 29 - Elementary Conference Days, early release for students
November 23, 24 - No school, Thanksgiving
December 20 - January 1 - No school, winter break
Bus Route 25 Cancelled for the Week of November 6-9
Bus Route 25 is cancelled for the week of October 23 due to driver shortage. This affects both AM and PM rides. Families impacted should plan alternate transportation for their students. All other bus routes servicing these schools will run normally as scheduled.
Native American Heritage Month
November is also National Native American Heritage Month! Native American Month started as a day of appreciation and acknowledgment for the unique contributions made by the first Americans for the growth and establishment of the United States. Eventually it grew to become a monthlong observance.
During the month we explore the heritage, culture and experience of Native American peoples both historically and in American life today. Did you know that there are 29 federally recognized tribes in Washington State out of the 500 federally recognized ones in the United States? Learn more interesting facts like this at the Washington State Museum of Natural History and Culture.
Additional resources from Burke Museum:
Pastries with Principals Event
To use with your younger students -
Mind Yeti: Slow Breathing Part 1: Listen - YouTube
Brain Builders & Lesson (Second Step): https://youtu.be/p1rRdntLaus and https://youtu.be/KyyVlj-IDUs
Recognizing Veterans in our Community
We are excited to be honoring our brave members of the armed forces at our upcoming Veterans Day Assembly. If you or a family member have served in the armed forces, we would love to honor that service at our Veterans Day Assembly! Please email Ms. Weiland (weilandk@bsd405.org) with the following information that can be shared at our Veteran's Day Assembly.
- Name of Honoree:
- Branch Served:
- Current or Final/Retired Rank:
- Years Served:
- Student at Medina Elementary School that Honoree is related to:
- PLEASE ATTACH a photo that you would like shared at our assembly of the Honoree
We invite our Veterans and their families to join us at the assembly on November 13th from 8:30-9:10am. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to Ms. Weiland.
Going on Vacation?
We understand that there are instances when vacations, sport tournaments, competitions, and other special trips cannot be scheduled outside of the school calendar. Please complete the prearranged absence form to get these dates reviewed by your child’s teacher and approved by our Assistant Principal to be considered excused under district policies (BSD Policy 3122, Procedure 3122P). The district grants up to 5 excused absences each school year.
You can download a copy of the prearranged absence form directly from our school’s website: http://bsd405.org/medina/report-an-absence/ or pick up a copy in the main office. We ask that you submit the form at least one week in advance to allow time for review by the teacher, and approval from the Assistant Principal. Email medinaattendance@bsd405.org with any questions.
REPEAT: Lost and Found
Don't forget to check the Lost and Found rack. All items will be donated on November 17.
Students can check the lost and found located across the library during school transition and lunch/recess times. Please check your child’s belongings when they return home to determine what might be missing. If your child is still unable to locate the item, you are welcome to also check the lost and found racks after school until 2:45 PM (Mon, Tues, Thu, Fri) and 12:45 PM (Wed). We donate items at various times throughout the school year. Before donating items, we look through all items to see if there is a student name so that we can return the item to the student.
District News and Resources
Apply Now to Co-Design the Next BSD Strategic Plan
Superintendent Aramaki invites our learning community to join the Strategic Plan Guiding Coalition and help shape the future of the Bellevue School District. The Guiding Coalition — a team of students, staff, families and community members, along with the Superintendent — will actively engage with the broader community to co-design the district’s next 5-year strategic plan. If you are hopeful about the future and passionate about the possibilities for innovation in education, please apply to be a part of this team.
Click here to apply. Use the pull-down menu in the form for language access. The application period for the Guiding Coalition will close on Wednesday, November 15, 2023, at 4:00 p.m. Applicants who are selected will be notified by Monday, November 20, 2023, and the first Coalition meeting will take place on Wednesday, November 29, 2023, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.
More information about commitment details, meeting dates and a tentative timeline will soon be available on the district website.
Family Resource Session: Strategies to Promote Positive Behavior
Please join BSD Special Education Department and the Bellevue Special Needs PTA for these family-focused sessions. Hear from members of our BSD Mental Health team including Dr. Jared Taylor, as well as members from our Behavioral Health Team. They will provide strategies to help your child at home as well as how to advocate for support at school, and what resources are available to support your child. Attendees will have time for Q&A.
These sessions build upon prior info presented in last year’s “Helping My Anxious Child” session. You can click HERE to watch that session prior to these events. Tuesday 11/14 will focus on elementary students/families, while 11/16 will focus on secondary students/families. Families are welcome to attend either or both events that might relate to the developmental level of their child. These events will be hybrid and recorded. Light snacks will be provided.
If you plan to attend in person, please RSVP to help us plan better.
Elementary Session:
Date/Time: Tuesday, Nov. 14th, 2023 6-7:30pm
In-person: Jing Mei Elementary library (new location) 12300 Main St. Bellevue, 98005
Teams: Click here to join the meeting
Secondary Session:
Date/Time: Thursday, Nov. 16th, 2023 6-7:30pm
In-person: District Offices, ESC room 200. 12111 NE 1st St., Bellevue, 98005
Teams: Click here to join the meeting
Click flyers for more information, maps, and details about interpretation/translation services
Community News and Resources
Bellevue Centers Communities of Color Open House
Join the City of Bellevue for a community dialogue on Thursday, November 16, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., to discuss the needs and opportunities for communities of color. This event is part of the Bellevue Centers Communities of Color (CCC) Initiative. The Communities of Color Coordinating Team includes Bellevue school district students, staff and community members. Based on community input, the coordinating team will present recommendations to City leadership to ensure that all Bellevue communities have the opportunity to thrive and grow more equitably.
The meeting will take place at Stevenson Elementary School, 14220 NE 8th, Bellevue, WA 98007. For more information, please contact Marcus Johnson, DEI Community Outreach and Engagement Administrator for the City of Bellevue at mjjohnson@bellevuewa.gov.
Families Helping Families Thanksgiving Food Drive
The Families Helping Families Thanksgiving Food Drive is a long running tradition in the Bellevue community. Families Helping Families provides Thanksgiving baskets to Bellevue School District families in need. Over the past 16 years, more than 40,000 people have received support through Families Helping Families.
Each year Families Helping Families strives to provide full and delicious holiday feasts. If you would like to ensure that requested meals are made available, please contact info@familieshelpingfamiliesgive.com.
UW School Psychology Clinic, Free Mental Health Referrals
The University of Washington School Psychology Clinic has mental health services and evaluations available for students free of charge. The following services are available for children ages 8-18:
· Counseling - using evidence-based practices. Counseling is available for a wide range of childhood issues and mental health challenges. Services start in January 2024. In-person and virtual options available.
· Evaluation – examination of cognitive, academic, and socio-emotional/behavioral concerns. Evaluations do not provide diagnosed results but do provide broad cognitive, learning, and social/behavioral profiles. Services start in January 2024.
Students will first be screened. Then a decision will be made as to the best form of treatment for each individual client and family. Services are provided by school psychology trainees and supervised by a licensed clinician/faculty member from the University of Washington.
Parents, guardians, or professionals of potential clients are asked to fill out a Service Request Form to receive services. Recruitment will end mid-November 2023. Contact spclinic@uw.edu or call 206-543-4970 for more information.
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.