Tiger Tales #8

Kati and I have been popping into classrooms and we have noticed the writing students have done which illustrate deeper thinking. Depending upon the grade level, students have been creating their own stories based upon an anchor text, they have been studying the roles the antagonist and protagonist play in a story, and they have been using different adjectives to enhance their writing. In all examples, we have been impressed by their thinking and the ways they are learning how to articulate this in words. Writing is an important foundational skill and our new curriculum supports this very intentionally. We look forward to having you celebrate their writing progress as you see their work during conferences. If you are interested in learning more about how the ARC curriculum supports students' writing, come join us for the Pastries with Principals on Monday!

We are a proud school every day, but most especially this past week on October 16, Unity Day, to recognize that October is Bullying Prevention Month. Our students were wearing orange to stand together and show how being kind to others nurtures a space where we all feel safe to be ourselves and learn in community. As part of the social-emotional curriculum all students receive lessons on a variety of topics related to this important concept. Next time you are at Medina, come to the atrium area to see the wonderful unity mural the students created out of their handprints. Each child's hand is represented with a personal statement and affirmation. Your children make Medina a place where everyone feels accepted and belongs!

We would love to welcome parents to come this month's 'Pastries with Principals' event, which will be held on Monday, October 21 at 8:15 - 9: 15 in the Art Room. This month's topic will include speakers from the Teaching and Learning Department. They will be providing information and tips for parents about the new literacy curriculum, American Reading Company (ARC). We will also make time at the end of the meeting for any general questions for Lara and Kati. We hope to see you there!

The Bellevue School District acknowledges and affirms the diverse cultures, traditions, histories, identities, experiences, and faith backgrounds of our learning community. Classrooms recently celebrated and recognized National Hispanic Heritage Month, which is from September 15 - October 15. We also have an assembly on October 25 in which we will be talking with the students about this celebration and also engaging our students in a fun, community-building activity!

In collaboration with members of our community we have developed a district cultural calendar. This calendar includes significant acknowledgments, recognitions, and observances including those found in the Common Religious and U.S. Public Holidays Calendar of the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) and the Interfaith Calendar (select month and year to view). We will continue to celebrate the many different cultures that make up Medina Elementary families. You can learn more by clicking on the links embedded.

October kicked off a series of conversations hosted by the Bellevue Schools Foundation (BSF), the Bellevue PTSA Council, and ParentMap to bring a comprehensive 2024-2025 speaker lineup, Education Connections, for families and the greater BSD learning community.

Join BSD families, the BSD Mental Health and Counseling Services team, and the King County Sexual Assault Resource Center (KSARC) for an informative presentation on sexual assault prevention, awareness, and available resources.

Learn about age-appropriate information K-12 students are receiving in the classrooms and participate in Q&A sessions with our knowledgeable speakers,and receive valuable handouts and resources for further learning.

Date: October 22, 2024
Time: 6:30-8:00 p.m.
RSVP online.

Each month our students practice an emergency drill so that in the event of a real emergency they can act quickly and automatically. On Thursday, October 17 all the students at Medina practiced how they would respond in the event of an earthquake. Prior to the drill teachers covered these topics with students.

• What is an earthquake
• How we can stay safe during an earthquake
• What are we expected to do during the drill
• For K-2 and as needed with older students: How a drill is different from a real event

We will continue to practice a variety of drills throughout the year to ensure our students are empowered with the knowledge they need to stay safe with adults who care about them to help provide the guidance and direction they need.

PTA’s Halloween Festival is happening on Friday, October 25, from 4pm – 6:30pm at Medina Elementary. There will be a parade, a 'Trunk or Treat' event, and many more fun activities. Lara and Kati will also be dressing up for the event - surprise costumes! There is a sign up for volunteers to support this being a super event, please check out this link for additional details.

Did you know that approximately 20% of the population is dyslexic? Learn about how the brain works when you read, what it is like to experience dyslexia, and the AMAZING cognitive strengths of the dyslexic brain in this short video!

Bellevue Youth Theater is piloting a new program to make theatre more accessible for all: Sensory Friendly Performances. These are performances specifically designed for audiences who are on the spectrum or have other sensory-processing sensitivities.

Sensory friendly performances will have increased lighting, lower sound volumes, a designated quiet zone, sensory guides and complimentary fidgets, items in the lobby that can be touched and explored prior to the show, an actor introduction of the show, and the permitted use of digital devises. Fewer seats will be sold for these shows to make for a more comfortable viewing experience. Our goal is to welcome many into the theatre who may not have been comfortable before.

Learn more by calling 425-452-7155

Upcoming sensory friendly performances will include:

· The Mummy's Revenge (November 2, 2:00 p.m.)

· Finding Nemo Jr. (November 23, 7:00 p.m.)

· Twas the Night Before Christmas (December 14, 2:00 p.m.)

Join Bellevue LifeSpring for an upcoming free family workshop, Everything You Need to Know for Your Child's Transition to Middle or High School presented by Sistema Escolar.

In this session, families will learn how to navigate their child's transition to middle or high school with ease. Sistema Escolar will provide expert guidance on the entire process, available resources, and what families can expect during this important phase. Don't miss out on essential information to help support your child's educational journey.

This workshop is free to attend and open to all Bellevue families. Snacks and childcare are provided.

Register today! Space is limited.

Workshop presented in English: Wednesday, October 30, 2024, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Bellevue Family Hub

Stevenson Elementary School 14220 NE 8th St, Bellevue, WA 98007

The 2024-2025 National PTA Reflections Art Competition theme is “Accepting Imperfection.” More information will be coming home to families soon. It is open to pre-K to grade 5 students, with a mid-November deadline. For questions, contact artsclub@medinapta.org.

Also, the next general meeting for PTA will be on December 2.

You can learn more about the PTA and their newsletter: The Byte here.

Fall 2024 Panorama Student Survey

Bellevue School District is launching the Fall 2024 Panorama Student Survey to gather valuable insights into students' experiences and to further support their growth and well-being. The survey will focus on several key areas, including school climate, sense of belonging, and social-emotional learning (SEL), offering students an opportunity to share their perspectives. The data collected will guide our educational practices, helping us identify both strengths and areas for growth that students perceive in themselves and their school environment. As always, student data will remain confidential and secure.

If a family prefers their child/children does/do not participate in the SEL portion of the survey, they may complete a form to opt out. Request forms to opt out must be completed by October 27, 2024.

October:

21: 8:15 - 9:15 AM - Pastries with Principals in Art Room (Topic: Literacy Curriculum and school Q&A)

25: 4:00-6:30 PM - PTA 'Trunk or Treat' outside at Medina Elementary

November:

11: NO SCHOOL. Veterans Day

18: School photo re-take day

25 & 26: Elementary Conference Days

28 & 29: NO SCHOOL. Thanksgiving Holiday

December:

2: PTA General Meeting