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The Falcon Report
Foothills Elementary School
May 3, 2024
Upcoming Events
- 5/6-10: Teacher Appreciation Week
- 5/7-10: Grades 3-5 ELA SBA Testing- please limit absences, if possible
- 5/13-5/15: BOGO Book Fair- Volunteers needed, email PTA!
- 5/13: White River Community Summit @ WRHS Commons
- 5/16: Choir and Percussion Performance @ 6:00 pm
- 5/17: Falcon of the Month Assemblies
- 5/17: First Annual Foothills Fest!!
- 5/20: Last PTA Meeting of the Year @ 5:00 pm - Come help approve the budget for next year!
5/21: Fourth Grade Music Night @ 6:00
5/21-24: Grade 3-5 Math SBA Testing- please limit absences, if possible
5/23: Future First Grader Event- see below
5/27: No School- Memorial Day
5/28: APEX Fundraiser Begins!
5/29: Foothills Family BBQ- more details soon!
6/4: Third Grade Music Night @6:00
6/10: Field Day- More details coming soon!
6/11: 5th Grade Moving up Ceremony- More details coming soon!
6/12: Last Day of School- early dismissal.
6/12: Menchies Takeover!
2024-25 Assistant Principal Update!
A Note from Mrs. Birklid
Welcome Mr. Cruz
Dear Foothills Elementary Falcons,
My name is Ben Cruz (aka, Mr. Cruz), and it is with immense joy and excitement that I introduce myself as the new Assistant Principal here at Foothills Elementary. Most recently, I served as the Dean of Students at Highland Elementary in Lake Stevens. Prior to that, I taught Kindergarten, 5th grade, and 6th grade in Edmonds.
Like many students, I needed specially designed instruction and accommodations to meet my medical and academic needs, especially throughout my elementary years. My teachers and support staff provided me with what I needed so that I could be successful. As my needs changed, so did the level of support I received. To me, embracing the school motto of “You matter. You belong. We are Foothills.” means that every student deserves a team of people who are committed to them. I want you to know that I am deeply committed to you, your student, and our staff.
When I am not at school, you may see me at Costco buying formula for our twin boys, working out at the gym, or playing softball with friends! My wife, Nicole, is also an educator and we are blessed to be moving to such a wonderful community!
I would love for you to come say hi to me, give me a call, set up a meeting, or simply send me an email. It will take me a while to remember all of the new names and faces, so if I have to ask you your name multiple times, I apologize in advance :).
I’m here if you need anything!
Sincerely,
Ben Cruz
Foothills Leadership Animal Shelter Drive 4/15-5/10
White River Community Summit
Monday, May 13 at 4:30 pm in the White River High School Commons, community members from a variety of organizations will be meeting to network, discuss key community challenges, learn from one another, and connect.
Dinner is provided, and this event is free for anyone interested in bettering our White River Community.
Please consider attending to learn more about the work of volunteers in our community and to join conversations to make a difference.
Here is the registration link.
Foothills Fest 5/17 5-7pm
Please help us by adding your favorite family recipe!
Future First Grade Falcon Night, May 23rd @ 5-6pm
May Lunch Menus
Foothills Priority Goal: Attendance!
Ensuring consistent attendance at school is crucial as it fosters students' educational development and personal advancement. Regular participation in school enables children to explore new concepts, engage in fascinating subjects, and hone essential skills. Picture school as a vibrant arena for their intellects, where bonds are forged, interests are ignited, and foundations for the future are laid. Through active involvement in class, students not only acquire knowledge but also cultivate habits that pave the way for success in life. So, pack your backpack and make your way to school – it serves as the gateway to a realm of boundless opportunities!
We greatly appreciate your cooperation in ensuring that your child benefits from the optimal environment to learn and thrive with us!
If your child needs to be out, you can call and leave a message with a reason for the absence 24 hours a day at (360) 829-3355 or email at mclay@whiteriver.wednet.edu You can also use the instruction below to send a remind message.
WSDH created a calculator for determining your recommended isolation times when COVID is involved. This can be a helpful tool when making decisions about isolation*.
https://doh.wa.gov/emergencies/covid-19/isolation-and-quarantine-covid-19/isolation-and-quarantine-calculator
*masks are not required at school
May and June Skill of the Month: Self Manager
May and June Skill of the Month: Self-Management
As we continue our focus on Social and Emotional Learning (SEL), we are excited to explore the skill of Self-Management for the months of May and June. Self-Management is a critical competency that equips our children with the tools to set goals, manage their emotions, and take responsibility for their actions, ultimately fostering both personal and academic growth.
What does it mean to be a Self-Manager?
Being a self-manager means having the ability to control one's behavior, emotions, and thoughts in a way that leads to positive outcomes. It involves discipline, self-control, and the capacity to adapt to changing circumstances.
Essential Questions for Self-Management:
Am I a first-timer? Do I follow instructions the first time?
Do I have integrity in my words and actions?
Do I do the right thing- even when no one is watching?
Am I responsible, respectful, and safe at all times?
Can others trust me and my decisions?
By engaging our students in these questions, we foster a sense of responsibility and self-discipline, enabling them to develop the skills needed to navigate both their academic and personal lives successfully.
Aligned with the Washington state standards for SEL, our curriculum emphasizes not only academic success but also the development of life skills that are crucial for thriving in a complex world. By cultivating self-management, we help our students build resilience, adaptability, and a strong sense of self-control.
As we work together to support your child's learning journey, we invite you to encourage the practice of self-management at home. You can support this by establishing routines, setting achievable goals, and promoting a balanced approach to tasks and activities. By providing guidance and leading by example, you help reinforce the importance of self-management in your child's life.
Thank you for your ongoing partnership and commitment to the holistic development of our students. With your support, we are confident that they will continue to grow and thrive.
These skills come from the WA state standards for Social Emotional Learning. You can learn more here: https://ospi.k12.wa.us/student-success/resources-subject-area/social-emotional-learning-sel
A Note From Our Behavior Leadership Team:
Behavior Leadership: Focus on Kindness!
When our team met to review our data for the past month, we noticed there has been a large increase in abusive language from students. This can look and sound like swear words, racially charged language, and insults. We have set a goal to reduce this type of behavior.
For April and May, we are starting a Kindness Challenge. Students will earn PINK Falcon Bucks for acts of kindness. The pink Falcon Bucks will go into a special drawing for prizes each week. Classes are also competing in Kindness Bingo- a bingo card filled with acts of kindness. The classes that fill the card will be entered into a drawing to win donuts for the class! Students will also be learning about the impact of their words and how kindness can impact themselves and others through some schoolwide lessons!
Here are some ways you can discuss and learn about this at home:
Teaching Children to Be Kind and Practice Compassion
The Falcon Way
Foothills Behavior Management System
PTA Information
Hello! If you have any questions about our PTA, please don't hesitate to reach out. You can email at foothillselempta@gmail.com or follow us on Facebook!
Change of Pick Up Plan?
If you need a change of dismissal plan for your child, please call the office before 2:30. Calls or voicemails left after 2:30 may not get communicated, so please let us know as early as possible! Thank you for your help with this!
Volunteers
Parents are welcomed and encouraged to visit and become actively involved at Foothills. We love our parent volunteers! Please read and follow the directions below:
Fill out a Volunteer Application in the school district application system Frontline (https://www.applitrack.com/whiteriver/onlineapp/) and create an External Account if you have NOT already done so. DO NOT CREATE AN ADDITIONAL ACCOUNT. Click on "Volunteer" in the Position Desired section. Fill out all required documents and submit.
NOTE: If you cannot submit the application, it will tell you what you have missed in order to submit.
Read the WRSD Code of Conduct
Read and understand the Volunteer Handbook - See the Link Below
Your application will be reviewed, and a background check will be completed. This can take up to 2 weeks.
Once approved, the Office Manager of the school will be notified.
You will sign in at the Front Office and receive a Volunteer badge. When your time is complete, please return the badge to the Front Office and sign out.