Olympic Hills Family Newsletter
6-15-2020
See below for our last staff video called "Otter Lovin'" wishing you all a happy summer!
It's hard to believe we are finally at the last week of school. I want to say congratulations not only to all of our students for working so hard these last few months, but also to our families! Suddenly being in charge of your child's home school experience while also dealing with new stresses at home is no small feat. Thank you for hanging in there with us as we have figured this out together!
Although we won't celebrate with our usual end of year events like the Carkeek field trip or field day, we are finding new meaningful rituals to close out this year. Kindergarten and 5th graders have virtual graduations and our whole community will participate in Chalk the Walk for Justice and Equality, organized by the PTA. There are still unknowns as we close out this school year, but these rituals will hopefully provide a much needed sense of closure and connection for all of us.
As I mentioned previously, on Friday we will find out the district's plan for school in the fall, and we will then have four committees working over the summer to prepare. The committees will be on: learning models/schedules, social emotional supports, family supports, and safety and hygiene procedures. If you are interested in joining one of these committees, please let me or a trusted staff member know! Also, please look for a survey later this week to gather your feedback, which we will use in our planning.
Here's to a great last week of school together. I so look forward to seeing all of your Chalk the Walk creations to support justice and equality.
In partnership,
Libby DeBell
e: ecdebell@seattleschools.org | m: 206-556-6296
Follow me on Instagram @principaldebell
Upcoming Dates
- Mon June 15 - Fri June 19 - Chalk the Walk for Justice and Equality
- Thursday 1:30pm - 5th grade graduation
- Friday 3:00pm - Kindergarten graduation and the last day of school!
Chalk the Walk for Justice and Equality
Please join our Olympic Hills Elementary PTA, students, staff, families, and community and CHALK the WALK from June 15th - June 19th with messages and pictures of support for justice and equality. We hope this will spark urgently needed conversations with kids about racial injustice while allowing everyone in our community to participate.
Let’s create some bold, artful messaging for everyone in our community. What matters to you right now? What kind of change do you want to see in the world?
For health and safety, this event will happen on our own sidewalks, driveways, apartment common areas, closed Stay Healthy Streets, and at the times that work for each family.
FREE sidewalk chalk will be available at the Supply Station at OHE starting on Monday, June 15th. Teachers will also be delivering chalk to families at apartments near OHE.
**SEND US PHOTOS** of your Chalk the Walk social activism and we will post them on the @OlympicHillsElementary PTA Facebook Page throughout the week.
Photos can be sent to olympichillspta@gmail.com or use the hashtag #otterschalk on social media! Please note that submissions will appear on our public Facebook page. Thank you for participating! Let’s go!
Information and Resources
Free high-speed internet for up to six months!
- When: Wednesday July 1st at Olympic Hills!
- Who is Eligible? Eligible families must qualify for public assistance programs like the National School Lunch Program, Medicaid, SNAP, SSI, and others (please bring recent proof of participation in one of these programs). And must be new subscribers to Comcast and Wave.
- Other Details: Please wear a mask and adhere to social distancing upon arrival. Online registration and language support will be available.
Summer Food and Learning Packets: Olympic Hills will continue to be a lunch distribution site throughout the summer, so lunches, weekend food bags, and learning packets will still be available!
Home Delivery of Food Boxes now available: United Way of King County, Food Lifeline, the City of Seattle, and Metro Access are now offering home delivery of emergency food boxes across Seattle, North King County and East King County. This resource is available to anyone who is unable to access their local food bank in person and is unable to afford groceries.
- To order a food box, fill out this online form, or call toll-free at 833-540-0800, Mondays to Fridays from 11am-4pm.
- Households can order up to three food boxes per delivery.
- The food boxes contain 15-25 pounds of shelf-stable foods.
- Households can reorder as often as they need.
- The phone line to order includes a language line for interpretation, and our online ordering form is available in multiple languages.
Anti-Racism Resources: Below are two resources I want to share with you that may be helpful as you continue conversations with your kids about racism and how to be anti-racist.
Counselor's Corner
Join Ms Paulina and Ms. Nuzhat (Adults & students are welcome!)
ONLINE TOUR to the Virtual Counseling Office & to learning resources for the summer!!!
Tuesday June 16th, 3:30 - 4:00 pm
Wednesday June 17th, 3:00 - 3:30 pm
Thursday June 18th, 9:00 - 9:30 am
Join Zoom Meeting / Meeting ID: 853 8920 7799 / Password: 677185
Olympic Hills Elementary School
Email: ecdebell@seattleschools.org
Website: www.olympichillses.seattleschools.org
Location: 13018 20th Avenue Northeast, Seattle, WA, USA
Phone: 206-556-6296