Art
Artist Edgar Degas once said, "Art is not what you see, but what you make others see." It is amazing to step into Ms. Bena's art class and see this in action. Ms. Bena teaches students different techniques through their study of artists and artistic components, but most importantly, she encourages students to share their own perspective through their art. This means a variety of color, forms, and images which allow for individual expression, rather than conforming so that everyone's art looks the same. To appreciate this, come visit our school atrium next time you drop off or at school. There you wil often see one or more displays of student art and you can fully appreciate the variety of art our students so masterfully create.
We are fortunate to have Ms. Bena lead our students in this creative content area!
For Current K - 4th Grade Families
Spring is here and that means we're planning for next year! In an effort to prepare for the 2025-2026 school year, we would like to know if your child(ren) will be returning to Medina. Please go to this link to access the Intent to Return Survey. You are able to translate the survey in a different language, but if you are having difficulty, please send me an email. The survey will help us learn your family plans as we prepare for the next school year. The deadline to complete this survey is Friday, May 9th. If you are unsure of your child's plans next year, please still complete the survey. We will follow up with you at a future date for any updates.
Affordable Housing Seminar
On Saturday, April 5 from 10 am – 12:30 pm, the City of Bellevue is hosting an Affordable Housing 101 event at Stevenson Elementary. This is a drop-in style, interactive event for all ages and abilities. Part of the event will be a learning opportunity for people to get more familiar with aspects of planning and building affordable housing. The talk will also incorporate a mini resource fair to help people connect with different service and housing providers.
- Registration at http://www.home-in-bellevue.eventbrite.com is encouraged, though is not required.
- Time and Date: Saturday, April 5th from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
- Location: Stevenson Elementary School (14220 NE 8th St. Bellevue).
For more information, please contact: Hannah Bahnmiller at hbahnmille@bellevuewa.gov
Thank you PTA: parent presentation
This past week we had a presentation for parents about executive functioning and the brain, by Dr. Erin Gonzalez. As parents, we learned about the importance of how our brains work in storing and accessing information in order to complete tasks and follow directions. Dr. Gonzalez shared implications for learning and school and how we as parents can create systems at home that support this for our children, especially for children who have ADHD. Practical strategies were shared and ideas for how we can make a difference in setting up our students for success.
THANK YOU, PTA, for bringing Dr. Gonzalez to Medina!
Pastries with Principals - Science
We had a wonderful science curriculum presentation by our district representatives during our last Pastries with Principals event. We also engaged, as parents, in a design engineering project of creating a parachute and thinking about the science content and inquiry involved. If you are interested in seeing the PowerPoint slide presentation, please see the attached PDF on the email I sent with this newsletter.
Thank you to Medina Student Alumni, Aiden Tsui!
As I mentioned in our last newsletter, we have wonderful Destination Imagination teams at Medina who will be going on to compete in the global competition to be held in Kansas City in May. In addition to support from our staff members, Shafiqa and Haseeba, and all of you as parents who have given your time and expertise, we would like to acknowledge the efforts and commitment from one of Medina's student alumni, Aiden Tsui.
Aiden has consistently demonstrated extraordinary leadership and commitment by hosting multiple DI workshops for our families, leading the DI Youth Committees, guiding our students through all their practices, and providing continued support in our school PTA program. Most importantly, his passion and dedication to encouraging younger students' interest in STEM has been both impactful and inspiring. It is also to be noted that he has done all of this while balancing his own academic responsibilities. Aiden has selflessly devoted his time, including weekends, to ensure our students thrive. A big thank you to Aiden!
And, good luck to our DI teams who will be competing!
New School Board Director
Bellevue School District Welcomes New Board Director Following Director Cindy Rogan’s Resignation
The Bellevue School Board is pleased to announce that the vacancy created by Director Cindy Rogan’s departure will be filled by Marta Trilles, who will step into the role as the Director for District 3.
As a Bellevue community member and Bellevue School District staff member since 2018, Ms. Trilles has built strong and meaningful connections with students, staff, families and community partners. Ms. Trilles possesses a strong commitment to equity in education and student success and strongly believes in the power of an inclusive and supportive school community. Her experience and passion will be of great value to the Board’s work for the remainder of the year and beyond.
The newly appointed board director will officially be sworn in at the regular school board meeting on April 17, 2025. The appointee will serve until the expiration of the current term in November 2025, after which the position will be filled through a general election. The selected individual is eligible to run for election, along with any other candidates who file during the designated King County Elections filing period.
Parent volunteers needed!
Medina's STEM night is on April 25 from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. and the PTA team setting up this wonderful event could use your help! This year we will have STEM programs from The Museum of Flight, Pacific Science Center, KidsQuest museum, First Lego League Medina, Issaquah Salmon Hatchery, Insect Safari, Reptile Man and many more STEM-related vendors. Our students will have the opportunity to be inspired and motivated to learn from these great experiences. But we need your help putting together this school-wide event.
Please sign up here to help out!
Bellevue Schools Foundation Spring for Schools
Date: April 19, 2025
Time: 5:30 - 10:00 p.m.
Location: Bellevue Westin
Get ready for an unforgettable evening at the Bellevue Schools Foundation's Spring for Schools Dinner and Auction fundraising event!
This year’s special ticketed auction is packed with one-of-a-kind experiences and exclusive items — all to support Bellevue School District students. Your participation helps fund essential programs that empower our kids and create lasting change.
A sneak peek of some of our silent auction items:
- Take home a Mariners suite package for you and your closest 20 friends and family
- Bid on dream vacation to the Iceland’s south coast and see the Northern Lights
- Secure an in-home culinary experience with crepes and galettes by celebrated pastry chef Emma Le Du owner of Crepes and Travel.
Can’t join us in person? No worries! You can still support our schools with a donation — every contribution counts.
Register now and get all the details.
Can’t attend? Donate today and be part of the impact!
Important Dates
April:
7 - 11: Spring Break (NO SCHOOL)
15: 'Jump Into Spring' Assembly at Medina for students
21 - 25: Spirit Week (Details to come!)
25: 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. STEM night
Updated 2024-2025 School Year Calendar is posted here.