Dear Thorndyke Families,

As April blooms before us, I am thrilled to share the latest news and updates from our vibrant school community. It's a time of renewal and growth and here at Thorndyke Elementary School, we are embracing every opportunity to foster connections and celebrate achievements.

During this month, we have the privilege of recognizing Autism Acceptance Month, a time to celebrate the diversity and unique abilities of individuals on the Autism spectrum. This provides us with an opportunity to deepen our understanding, foster empathy and promote acceptance. Together, let's embrace Autism Acceptance Month as an opportunity to celebrate the beauty of neurodiversity and commitment to creating a more inclusive and compassionate world.

The Washington State Smarter Balanced Assessments (SBA) for Math and Reading, along with the WCAS (science) for 5th graders, are scheduled to take place from April 29th to May 17th. These assessments provide valuable feedback on students' proficiency in English Language Arts/Reading and Mathematics, identify areas for improvement and inform instructional practices in our classrooms. I want to assure you that our dedicated classroom teachers are diligently preparing your students for success. Over the next weeks, our teachers will provide students with valuable strategies and practice questions to help them be prepared for the assessments. These sessions will equip students with the tools they need to demonstrate their skills and knowledge effectively. Additional information about the Smarter Balanced Assessments can be found online by clicking here.

It has been brought to our attention that some students have been engaging in inappropriate text messaging with their peers outside of school. While this may occur outside of the school, it is essential to recognize it can have a significant impact on our school and the well being of our students. As educators and parents, it is our collective responsibility to teach our scholars about appropriate communication and digital citizenship. Inappropriate texting behavior, such as bullying, harassment, or sharing inappropriate content, is unacceptable and goes against the values of our school district. Emphasize the importance of treating others with kindness, empathy and respect, both online and in person. As a school community, we are committed to promoting a safe and inclusive learning environment for all students.

Starting this month, FLASH training for 5th-grade students will begin. FLASH stands for Family Life and Sexual Health, it's a comprehensive program designed to teach important topics like healthy relationships, puberty, preventing teen pregnancy, and more. Our goal is to provide your child with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about their health and well-being. If you have any questions or concerns about the FLASH training, please don't hesitate to reach out. Please click here to access the letter to 5th grade families.

I want to emphasize the importance of adhering to parking regulations. This is crucial, as leaving vehicles unattended in such areas pose significant safety risks, especially in the event of an emergency and create congestion in our parking during arrival and dismissal. Therefore, I respectfully ask everyone to please not leave your vehicles in the no parking zone.

Additionally, if you are on campus to pick up your student, ensure they remain under your supervision at all times. I urge all parents/guardians to actively monitor their child while on school premises. Your cooperation in this matter is essential in maintaining a safe and secure environment for all students. Thank you for your understanding.

I hope each of you enjoys a restful and rejuvenating spring break filled with opportunities to unwind, connect with loved ones and engage in activities that bring you joy. I am looking forward to seeing you all when we return from Spring break.

Respectfully,

Michael Croyle, Principal

Report Cards will coming home the first week of April. Please be sure to the sign the envelope and return it to the teacher.

English language arts (ELA) and math tests in grades 3–8 and 10 are required for federal and state accountability. The Smarter Balanced Assessment, Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science, and WIDA tests may be taken with or without accessibility features. If a student's IEP documents the need for an accommodation that is not addressed within the guidelines, the student's IEP team may have their District Assessment Coordinator submit a Non-Standard Accommodation Request. For more information see this link.

Each year, students in Multilingual Learner programs take the WIDA ACCESS assessment to measure their English knowledge and skills. The test measures academic English language proficiency for students learning English in our school and throughout our state. For additional details please see this link. Please reach out to Ms. Skipworth for any additional questions: skipworths@tukwila.wednet.edu

How to Enroll in Champions before and afterschool program:

https://connect.klcschoolpartnerships.com/

1. All children whose families qualify for a Child Care Subsidy will be able to continue after March 15 for free or with a reduced tuition. Champions staff will provide families with information for applying for this Subsidy. It is available through Washington’s Department of Children, Youth, and

Families (DCYF).

• Families can apply by contacting the Child Care Subsidy Contact Center at:
• 1-844-626-8687 or online at www.WashingtonConnection.org.

2. For children whose families do not qualify for the DCYF Child Care Subsidy, Champions will offer their families the option to pay a tuition fee.

Students in possession of telecommunications devices, including, but not limited to, tablets, cellphone smart phones and other current technology while on school property or while attending school-sponsored or school-related activities will observe the following conditions:

• A. Telecommunication devices will be allowed, but during class or assembly time the decision for using the device is at the discretion of the teacher and/or District staff.
• B. Students will not use telecommunication devices in a manner that poses a threat to academic integrity, disrupts the learning environment or violates the privacy rights of others;
• C. Students will not send, share, view or possess pictures, text messages, emails or other material depicting sexually explicit conduct, as defined in RCW 9.68A.011, in electronic or any other form on a cell phone or other electronic device, while the student is on school grounds, at school sponsored events or on school buses or vehicles provided by the district;
• D. When a school official has reasonable suspicion, based on objective and articulable facts, that a student is using a telecommunications device in a manner that violates the law or school rules, the official may confiscate the device, which will only be returned to the student’s parent or legal guardian;
• E. By bringing a cell phone or other electronic devices to school or school-sponsored events, the student and their parent/guardian consent to the search of the device when school officials have a reasonable suspicion, based on objective and articulable facts, that such a search will reveal a violation of the law or school rules. The scope of the search will be limited to the violation of which the student is accused. Content or images that violate state or federal laws will be referred to law enforcement;

For additional details of the policy, please see this attached document.

Our school compulsary Board Policy: 3121: Parents of any child eight years of age and under eighteen years of age its is their responsibility to make sure thier child attends school when it is in session, and For additional information please review this link.

• Tardies also effect your child's learning and disrupts the classroom. Please make sure your child is here on time. Class starts promptly at 8:50 am.
• School is out at 3:10 pm every day except for Early Release Wednesdays when school is out at 12:40 pm. Please be sure to pick up on time or make arrangements to have your child picked up on time.

• For absences please call: 206-901-7603 and leave a message to inform our attendance secretary.
• If you have an appointment and need to pick up early, please do so by 2:30 pm whenever possible.

Cold and Flu Season is upon us, while we want to make sure all of our students are at school each day, it is important if someone is sick, they stay home. When symptoms are subsiding, and fever free without medication for 24 hours, your student may return. We appreciate your support in for a healthy school for everyone.

We ask all families, if possible to send students with an extra pair of clothing in their backpack. We have accidents happen, wet weather and illnesses and all those end up on clothing.

We do ask all parents to if you can, to use an alternate way to pick up and drop off, whether it is walking or riding the bus. If your student does qualify for bussing, but you have not used transportation services, this one way you can help alleviate our traffic.

We have all available staff at the end of the day outside supporting dismissal: teachers, educational support staff and our principal, we all help support our students safely getting home.

To help reduce congestion in the morning is dropping off and picking up and only entering as needed. When we have many parents entering the building every day to drop off and staying with students it further congestions the mornings and afternoons. We encourage families to join us during special events, assemblies and conferences or to volunteer to support to classrooms and field trips.

Any adult that will be entering the building, must sign in at the front office everyday and sign back out and obtain a visitor’s badge. Here is our district visitor’s policy for further reference.