Inquiry
"Curiosity is the engine of achievement." This was said by Sir Ken Robinson, who was a British author, speaker and international advisor on education. He believed in the power of inquiry in fostering enjoyment and engagement in authentic learning. And I also believe that in addition to a solid foundational content knowledge, it is also this authentic learning and interest which is the powerhouse of solving today's problems.
This week as I watched Kindergarten students work with a toymaker, I noticed that students were not afraid to try new ways to test out their toys - they tried to lean it against a wall so that it would work better, or they tried different ways to play with it.
I saw this in the third-grade wing of the school as well when students were putting together small catapults to launch candy pumpkins. They had different prototypes to use which could launch the pumpkins and they were ultimately rewarded when they measured their results in their booklets to see which prototype worked best.
All of this experimentation is also learning, and it is both fun and rewarding to see all the ways Medina teachers are supporting our students with enriching their understanding and providing for avenues for them to have fun while doing it!
Pastries with Principals
We hope you will join us for our next Pastries with Principals event, which will be held on November 18th with the topic of Math. We will have two district Math Content Curriculum Facilitators who support both AL and the general curriculum for Math who will present some relevant and interesting information for parents. As always, at the end of our presentations we allow time for parents to ask general school-related questions of me or Kati as well. We hope to see many of you in November!
November holidays and events
November is a busy and exciting month. Next week we have the U.S. Presidential Election on November 5. Also in November we will celebrate that it is Indigenous Peoples Heritage month, and our 4th graders will be studying this topic more specifically in their curriculum about Washington State history.
November is also a month to recognize two National holidays. One to honor the many Veterans who have selflessly served our country, marking it with a National holiday on November 11, and also the National holiday of Thanksgiving, on November 28 this year. There is also Diwali, the Festival of Lights, which some members of our community celebrate as well.
Medina will be involved in recognizing each of these events in different ways. Some through classroom presentations, projects, and activities, and we will also gather as a whole school for an assembly to discuss these National events. We look forward to sharing this with our parent community through newsletters and invitations to join us so keep reading the communications from school!
Parent Speaker Series
Bellevue Schools Foundation Presents 2024-2025 Education Connections Series
There is still time to register for the Education Connections series through ParentMap for a full year of engaging webinars featuring parenting experts from across the country brought to you by Bellevue Schools Foundation in partnership with the Bellevue PTSA Council.
Use the discount code "BELLSCHFDN" to register for free for the full series (a $120 value) at ParentMap Speaker Series. This will allow you access to all the recorded sessions. Learn more about the series.
Thank you, parents!
Lately the school has enjoyed many different Harvest party activities and grade level get togethers. In order to make these events so successful we have had the support of parents who have been working with small groups to create Fall-related crafts, art, and games. THANK YOU, parents, for all you do to create a warm and supportive environment at Medina!
The PTA is instrumental in creating an avenue for parents to stay connected and involved. If you would like to learn more about the PTA, please see the website and also sign up for their newsletter The Byte: here.
Diwali Family Festival
Join BSD Multilingual Learners (MLL) staff and the King County Library for a Diwali celebration for all ages. Learn about Diwali with a story time, cultural presentation, henna art, crafts, and a photo booth to capture the memories. The event will take place on Saturday, November 9, from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. at the Downtown Bellevue Library (1111 110th Ave NE Bellevue, WA 98004). Come celebrate the Festival of Lights! No registration required. Space is limited.
Election Resources
Democracy is at the forefront of our minds, especially as elections approach. The Bellevue School District Teaching and Learning Department has gathered several articles and resources that can be utilized in schools. These materials aim to enhance understanding and foster discussions around democratic principles and civic engagement. We hope these resources will help you navigate this complex landscape and uncover reasons for optimism in the role of democracy in education and society. By engaging with these tools, educators, parents, and students can explore the importance of informed citizenship and the value of diverse perspectives.
Resources for families:
• https://www.kpbs.org/news/politics/2024/02/13/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-voting-and-the-election
• https://childmind.org/blog/guidance-for-speaking-to-kids-about-the-election/
Family Fun Night: BINGO!
All families are invited to come join our Medina Family Fun Night on Thursday, November 14 from 4:30 - 6:00 PM in the cafeteria. We will have Bingo cards, prizes, and fun for everyone! All you need to do is to bring yourself. More details to come, but please mark your calendars so you can join us for a wonderful evening!
Important Dates
November:
5: Election Day
11: NO SCHOOL. Veterans Day
12: 6:30 - 8:00 PM - Dr. Aramaki's Book Club RSVP online.
18: 8:15 - 9:15 AM Pastries with Principals in the Art Room
18: School photo re-take day
25 & 26: Elementary Conference Days (Preschool - 5th grade)
28 & 29: NO SCHOOL. Thanksgiving Holiday
December:
2: PTA General Meeting
