Superstar Snapshots

Superstar Families,

It is hard to believe that there is only 30 school days left of this year! This year has gone by so fast! I am proud of the hard work and effort put in by staff and students. I am also very appreciative of your partnership in this hard work.

May is the beginning of our end of year assessments. There is information within this newsletter regarding state testing for our 3 - 5 grade students. Additionally, all students will be completing their end of year assessments in reading and math.

• May 13 - 16: K - 2 i-Ready ELA and 3 - 5 SBAC ELA
• May 20 - 23: K - 2 i-Ready Math and 3 - 5 SBAC Math
• May 27 - 30: 3 - 5 i-Ready ELA and Grade 5 WCAS Science
• June 3 - 6: 3 - 5 i-Ready Math and Make-ups

We appreciate your support of student learning and ask for your assistance in not scheduling any vacations or appointments or rearranging any pre-existing appointments that would cause your child to miss this important testing period. PLEASE make sure your child is here and on time each morning of testing.

As always, I wanted to share some important information and dates.

• Breakfast begins at 8:00. If your Superstar is going to eat breakfast at school, please make sure that they arrive no later than 8:20.
• May 19 is a weather make-up day. There will be no school on that day.
• In honor of Memorial Day, there will be no school on Monday, May 26.
• If you are going through the car dismissal line, please stay in your car. We will bring your Superstar to you.
• With our warmer weather sticking around, please refer to the student handbook on appropriate clothing and shoes.

We're so thankful for your partnership with us. We do not take it for granted that our partnership is so important. You, as an expert on your Superstar, help make each day a success.

Mrs. Teel, Principal

steel@longview.k12.wa.us

Do you have a child who will turn either 4 or 5 years old by August 31, 2025? If so, this information is for you.

4-Year Old’s

For kids who will be age 4 by August 31, 2025, it is time to submit an application for Kinder Bridge. Kinder Bridge is Longview’s FREE, full-day pre-kindergarten program for four year old children. This high-quality early learning experience is designed to give young learners a strong start, especially for families who may have faced barriers to early education due to cost or access. Applications are now being accepted for the 2025–2026 school year. To learn more, visit https://www.longviewschools.com/kinderbridge.

5-Year Old’s

If your child will be 5 years old by August 31, 2025, it is time to enroll for kindergarten. Starting school is a big milestone — and early learning plays a powerful role in setting the foundation for a child’s success in school and beyond. Registering early not only ensures your child is ready for day one — it also gives you the best chance to secure a spot at your neighborhood school. Kindergarten classes are filled on a first-come, first-served basis, so don’t wait! To enroll visit your neighborhood elementary school, the district office at 2715 Lilac Street or complete the online registration

process at www.longviewschools.com — whichever works best for you.

Let’s get your child off to a great start!

Students who become ill during the school day are sent to the office. Office staff will assess your student’s condition and contact parents if the student is ill enough to go home. These symptoms would include a student with a temperature of 100 degrees or higher, vomiting or diarrhea, a bad cold or cough, a severe sore throat, drainage or redness in their eyes, a bothersome rash, or are injured or recovering from surgery.

If your student has had a fever, do not send them to school until they have been free of the fever without fever reducing medication for 24 hours. Do not send your student to school until they have been free from vomiting or diarrhea for 24 hours. Some rashes may spread to others and should be checked by a health care provider. Students with persistent or hacking cough, or a severe sore throat may need to be seen by a health care provider. These symptoms may be a sign of a more severe illness.

Mrs. Triana, School Nurse

rtriana@longview.k12.wa.us

This spring, students in grades 3 - 5 will take the Smarter Balanced tests (SBAC) in Math and English Language Arts (ELA), and the Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science (WCAS). The results from these tests will give a more accurate picture of how our students are progressing forward in their learning.

Students will take the tests online. This year’s testing schedule for grades 3-5 is as follows:

• May 13 - 16: SBAC ELA (Grades 3 - 5)
• May 20 - 23: SBAC Math (Grades 3 - 5)
• May 27 - 30: WCAS Science (Grade 5)

For more information on the SBAC, visit https://www.k12.wa.us/student-success/testing/state-testing-overview/assessment-resources.

We have high expectations for our students and are confident in our teachers who are helping students grow academically in these areas, along with other subjects. We appreciate your support of student learning and ask for your assistance in not scheduling any vacations or appointments or rearranging any pre-existing appointments that would cause your child to miss this important testing period. PLEASE make sure your child is here and on time each morning of testing.

Please make sure your child gets a good night’s rest the night before each test and eats a good breakfast the morning of the test. Remember that breakfast is provided at school for all students. We want our students to do their very best on the tests.

As you know, testing and test scores are just one piece of a student’s academic career. Class work, classroom assessments, and grade reports are also an important reflection on their overall academic progress. I welcome the opportunity to answer any questions you might have about the testing window or your child’s progress. Feel free to contact me at 575-7362.

Mrs. Teel, Principal

Hello Superstar Families!

This month we are choosing to focus on Grit, which is “having the courage and determination to keep trying, even when things get tough, and not giving up on a goal, even if it takes a long time.” This is an important things for all of us as we work on finishing school year well.

The month of May can be an exciting time as we look forward to summer and the fun that it often brings. It can also be an emotional time as students take their end of year assessments and begin thinking about the school year ending. This can bring feelings of stress, worry and sadness.

To be at our best this month, we will be focusing on working hard and using our “grit” when we have these challenging times. Being challenged doesn’t mean we should give up but rather discover how we can continue to work hard to meet our goals. Join us in modeling grit and helping our students finish the year well.

Wishing you well,

Mr. Thomas, Counselor

jthomas@longview.k12.wa.us

Grit and perseverance are essential skills that help children grow into confident, capable learners. When students show grit, they keep trying even when something feels hard or doesn’t go their way right away. Perseverance teaches them to stick with challenges, build problem-solving skills, and develop a “can-do” attitude. At school, we encourage students to keep going, make mistakes, and learn from them—because that’s how real growth happens! You can support this at home by praising effort, not just results, and reminding your child that success often comes from not giving up.

Mrs. Schiller, Behavior Coach

wschiller@longview.k12.wa.us

PTO is looking for volunteers! If you're interested in supporting our Superstars, fill out the online CHAMPS form below.

If your Superstar needs school supplies or a coat, please let the office know.

Our next PTO meeting is Thursday, May 15 in the LEAP room.

Goodie Friday is back! Goodie Friday is May 2 and 16. Profits help support field trips and special assemblies for our Superstars. If your Superstar is in line to make a purchase, please park your car rather than stay in the car line.

Email: steel@longview.k12.wa.us

Website: http://sthelens.longviewschool.com/

Location: 431 27th Avenue, Longview, WA 98632

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StHelensElementary