It can be difficult for students focus on schoolwork during times of international crisis. As the Israeli-Palestinian conflict enters this next, deeply troubling chapter, we know many of our students are reading updates about the war, seeing disturbing videos and images online, and continually discerning the difference between reliable news and misinformation. Many in our community are personally impacted by the conflict.

At Cleveland, we will continue to focus our attention on creating a safe and welcoming environment for all students. As was shared with the whole SPS community, it is acceptable that we as individuals hold different opinions about the conflict and complex history of Israel and Palestine, but Antisemitic or Islamophobic speech or acts will never be tolerated in our district.

As we do our work to support a safe and welcoming environment, we will be prepared to hold space for students to process and attempt to make meaning of what they are seeing and hearing, as opportunities arise.

If you are looking for resources for your own family's conversations about these events, here are some potentially helpful resources that have been shared with the larger SPS community:

For all ages | Common Sense Media: How to Talk to Kids about Violence, Crime, and War

Elementary | American Psychological Association: Resilience in time of war (elementary school students)

Middle School | American Psychological Association: Resilience in time of war (middle school students)

Teens | American Psychological Association: Resilience in time of war (students in adolescence)

This week, we are pleased to welcome you to our community for two events: Eagle Night (Curriculum Night) is on Wednesday evening from 5:00 - 7:00 pm and our first Cultural Night hosted by LSU is on Friday evening from 6:00 - 7:30. I look forward to speaking with many of you in person this week.

We hope you have a restful and restorative weekend.

Principal Jeff Lam

Assistant Principal Jacklyn Cable

Assistant Principal Laura Roesener

Admin Intern Jenn Kekuna

Admin Intern Trisha Pilapil

• 10/18 | Eagle Night (CHS Curriculum Night)
  
• 10/20 | Cultural Night hosted by LatinX Student Union
• 10/25 | CHS College Fair
• 11/22 | No school (Student-Led Conference waiver day)

Monday, 10/16

• 4:00 | Football @ Franklin HS
• 5:30 | Volleyball @ Ballard HS

Wednesday, 10/18

• 4:00 | Girls JV Soccer @ Eastside Catholic School
• 6:00 | Volleyball @ Chief Sealth HS

Thursday, 10/19

• 1:00 |Cross County Championship @ Lower Woodland Park

Friday, 10/20

• 4:00 | Girls Varsity Swimming @ Eastside Catholic

Dear SPS families and staff,

Many in our community are directly affected by the violence in Israel and Gaza.

The Seattle Public Schools (SPS) community represents many races, ethnicities, and backgrounds – including families with cultural ties to Israel and Palestine.

The situation is complex. It is emotionally and politically charged. It is critical we continue to create a safe and welcoming educational environment for our students. It is acceptable that we as individuals hold different opinions about the conflict and complex history of Israel and Palestine, but Antisemitic or Islamophobic speech or acts will never be tolerated in our district.

My team has collected some resources that may be useful for families as they talk about these events.

Resources

For educators:

• Social Emotional Learning Guidance and Resources for Educators Discussing the Israel-Hamas Conflict with Students
• Guidance for Educators Teaching Racially Sensitive History

For students by age group:

• All Ages: Common Sense Media – How to Talk to Kids about Violence, Crime, and War
• Elementary: American Psychological Association – Resilience in time of war (elementary school students)
• Middle School: American Psychological Association – Resilience in time of war (middle school students)
• Teens: American Psychological Association – Resilience in time of war (students in adolescence)

We are here to support you and your families. If you or your student feel anxious, please reach out for support. SPS and the greater Seattle community have many resources available.

Many of our middle and high schools have teen health centers. Our school counselors and interventionists as well as their consistent classroom teachers are supportive adults our students can reach out to.

Additionally, Crisis Connections provides a 24-hour crisis line at 866-427-4747. Older students can also access Teen Link at 866-833-6546.

We are united as a community to support and care for each other.

Sincerely,

Superintendent Brent Jones
Seattle Public Schools

Our homecoming week last week culminated in an incredible Homecoming dance on Saturday night. I want to extend my warmest thanks and gratitude to our many parent volunteers who helped make the event such a successful event for our community. Thanks to your love and support, our students enjoyed a spectacular food spread that they could enjoy free of charge all night. I shared pictures of the spread with colleagues at other schools, and they were all blown away by what you did for our community. Thank you for your love and support.

We are thrilled to host our first cultural night this year hosted by our LatinX Student Union. Our amazing student leaders will be hosting monthly cultural nights that will include a fundraising dinner, student performances, and more. Please join us Frida night for a great celebration!

We are in the process of forming a Principal's Student Advisory Council! This group will meet on 1-2 Wednesdays per month during advisory, and will advise on matters related to the school environment and access to academic opportunities. If you would like to nominate a student for the advisory council, please fill out this form by Friday, October 20.

Here is some important information coming from the College and Career Readiness Team. Be sure to save the dates for family events!

STUDENTS ONLY:

• Community Service Learning Fair (Oct 24 -during lunch in main hallway)
• All School College and Apprenticeship Fair (Oct 25-altered bell schedule)

Counselors are going into Humanities 12 classes to do presentations

• College Application/Personal Statement Presentation(Oct 10/Oct 12 (Running Start Students)
• Apprenticeship/Finding the Right Fit (Nov 7)
• Seattle Promise Application (Nov 14)
• Financial Aid Presentation(Dec 5)

STUDENTS AND FAMILIES:

• Black College Expo: Sat. Nov. 4th at Rainier Beach High School: 10am-4pm:

• College App After School Event:

1. November 7th 3:50-6 PM - College Application Workshop

1. Time to review applications/personal statements!

1. Speak to college representatives

• December FAFSA and WASFA Applications Open
• Financial Aid Night (Jan 4, 3:50-6PM)

The mission of UW STEMsub (Math Science Upward Bound) is to help low income and potential first-generation college students succeed in high school, get accepted to college and STEM majors, and graduate with a STEM degree. We are thrilled to have UW STEMsub's support right here at Cleveland.

The UW STEMsub program has room for a few more 11th graders and is now accepting applications from 10th graders. Students can apply here.

PTSA: If you would like to help support students at the “College Passport Station” at the college fair, or donate College swag for student raffles, please contact Counselor Napsiyah Sallee at Nssallee@seattleschools.org

Math CASH (Cleveland After School Help) is available after school in 2254 (Shirude’s room). This is a 1 hour opportunity for students to receive math support, homework help, quiz prep and retakes with math teacher(s), and Angel the math tutor. Snacks are available for students and students do not have to stay until 4:45, if they want/need to leave earlier they can! We take attendance, so we can let families know if their students come to CASH throughout the year.