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December 2023
From the Principal
Hello Jefferson Families,
Can you believe the month of December has arrived? We have two more weeks before our winter break (remember Friday, December 15th is a 1:00 dismissal). We are committed to making it a great two weeks of learning. Thank you for sending your child to school with a learning mentality. Let's finish 2023 strong!
This fall I have enjoyed learning from students and families about the special traditions families have as they celebrate some notable holidays. From Eid El Adha, to Diwali, to Thanksgiving, to Hanukkah, to Christmas, one of the common themes has been food. Whether it be kebobs or gulab jamun (my son’s absolute favorite!) or potato latkes, or turkey and mash potatoes, it is quite apparent the diversity of our food reflects the diversity of our celebrations. While what people eat is drastically different from one celebration to another, there is undoubtedly a common theme of gathering together to break bread and enjoy company with family and friends. Those are special times. I hope over the upcoming holidays you will have many special opportunities to gather with loved ones and friends.
For many people, special celebrations prove to be one of the rare times families sit down and eat together. These days, meals together as a family give way to a number of things including extra-curricular activities, uneven schedules, screen time, and many other things. I know my family has felt the challenge this fall. Significant research shows that taking time to eat together has positive impacts on our children. Harvard Medical School professor Ann Fishel shares some thoughtful points in this article. I know this is something my wife and I strive to do with our family as many days of the week as possible. It certainly isn’t easy! I have found Dr. Fishel’s website to have a wealth of helpful resources: https://thefamilydinnerproject.org/
Parking Lot Reminders
To ensure everyone's safety in the parking lot, do not park anywhere other than a parking stall. Parking or idling by the yellow lined sidewalks is not allowed. If you want to park and escort your child and no parking spots are available in our lot, please park at the Eastmont Park and Ride and walk up to campus. Thank you for honoring everyone's safety, especially in the darker, rainy winter months.
My best wishes to you and your family for a joy-filled holiday season!
With gratitude,
Steve Hopkins, principal
December 1: 2:15 Release
December 8: 2:15 Release
December 8: Recess with the DOGS
December 8: Free Family Movie Night
December 15: Sweater Weather Spirit Day
December 15: 1:00 pm Early Release
January 2: Back to school
January 5: 2:15 Release
January 11: 6:30 General PTA Meeting
January 12: 2:15 Release
January 15: Martin Luther King Day Observed - No School
January 19: Recess With the D.O.G.S.
January 26: 2:15 Release
News From the Music Room
Don’t forget to save the date for our two concerts at the Everett Civic Auditorium. Grades 3-5 will take the stage on Thursday, February 22nd, and K-2 will perform on Monday, May 6th. Please look for more information when we return from break!
Debrah Rockwell
Music Teacher
Coaching Corner
Hello Jefferson Families!
Thank you for attending your student’s parent-teacher conference last month. We hope you found the time valuable as a way to connect with your student’s teacher and to find out all your child is learning this year.
During the conference, you heard from your child’s teacher about their reading progress toward grade level standards. One way that your child’s teacher communicated your student’s reading progress was with the i-Ready family report (example below). Unpacking the family report can provide you with valuable and unique information for supporting your child’s development as a reader.
If you’d like to learn more about your child’s unique i-Ready family report, or find resources to support their reading at home, please contact me. I am here to support teachers, students, and families!
Thank you,
Winter Graham
Instructional Coach
Jefferson Elementary School
Website | 425-385-7423
BEARS in the neighborhood
We do periodically get reports about black bears in the neighborhood, and you may want to contact the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife with specific concerns or to report a sighting at 425-775-1311. If there is a threat to life or property, then WDFW asks that you call 911. More detailed information can be found at:
http://wdfw.wa.gov/living/bears.html.
Lost and Found
Peachjar Flyers for After School and Community Opportunities
School Hours
Regular Hours: 9:10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday
Learning Improvement Fridays: 2:15 p.m. dismissal
½ Day Early Release: 1 p.m. dismissal