Tiger Tales
Newsletter #16 - December 8, 2023
· Language Access: Español | 简体中文 | Pусский | Tiếng Việt | 한국어 | العربية
Dear Families,
What a fun-filled first week of December with Hour of Code and Book Fair! Thank you for helping to make these two events possible through your generosity of money and time. Proceeds from the Book Fair will go back to the library which means additional books in the hands of our students! The next seven days of school before winter break will seem long and short at the same time as we look ahead to family gatherings and to the work we need to do before then.
Today is the second night of Hanukkah, and its message of light in darkness is even more powerful as we reflect on the war overseas and its impact on friends, family, and neighbors. Our membership in a beloved community reminds us of our commitment to each other and to the work we all must do to address rising hate and fear. Please do not hesitate to reach out if there is anything we can do to support you and each other.
With love,
Kati & Betty
Upcoming Events
December 13: Recess and Lunch Volunteer Training, 11:45am-12:15pm
December 20 - January 1: No school, winter break
January 2: School resumes
January 15: No school, Martin Luther King Jr. Day
January 17: Pre-school and Kindergarten Open House, 5:30-6:30pm, Multi-purpose Room
February 19-23: No school, mid-winter break
March 22: No school for students, District Professional Day for staff
April 8-12: No school, spring break
Pastries with Principals
Thank you for coming to our session on the Science of Reading and SEL on Wednesday! We are also grateful to Eric Nelson and Amber Anderson, our curriculum developers from the Teaching and Learning Department for leading the presentation and providing opportunities to connect. Please check out the presentation below for details and don't hesitate to contact Amber (andersonam@bsd405.org) or Eric (nelsone@bsd405.org) if you have any questions about the information on the slides.
Private School Applications
To request student academic records for your child’s private school application, please visit the link provided below. The BSD Student Records Department will be assisting us in processing these requests and will ensure that your child’s records are sent directly to the private school.
Private Schools Application Records Request
Private School Application-General Information
For administrator forms, please send the request to Betty Nhan at nhanb@bsd405.org.
If you are planning to ask teachers for letters of recommendation, please provide at least 3 weeks before the due date.
Upcoming Information Sessions for BSD Choice Programs and Choice Schools
BSD families were sent information this week about the start of the Open Transfer, Choice Schools and Choice Programs application period for the 2024-2025 school year. Applications will open on Monday, December 11, 2023, and continue to be accepted through Friday, January 19, 2024. For families with a student currently enrolled in the BSD, who would like to remain at their current school, choice school, choice program or continue in their approved transfer feeder pattern for the 2024-2025 school year, no action is required. Learn more online.
Information sessions for some choice schools and programs start next week. Families are invited to learn more.
- Hindi Bilingual Program Information Night, at Ardmore Elementary School, Tuesday, December 12, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
- Puesta del Sol Elementary School Open House, Tuesday, December 12, 9:30-10:30 a.m.
- Arabic Bilingual Program Open House, at Ardmore Elementary School, Wednesday, December 13, 5:00-6:00 p.m.
- Jing Mei Kindergarten Open House, Thursday, December 14, 9:15-10:30 a.m.
- Korean Bilingual Program Information Night, at Newport Heights Elementary School, Thursday, December 14, 5:50-6:30 p.m.
Kindergarten and Pre-School Open House
On January 17, from 5:30-6:30pm, we will have an open house for our incoming kindergarten and pre-school families for the 2024-2025 school year. If you know of anyone who is planning to join our community next year as a Pre-K or K family, please pass along the information to them.
Too Sick For School?
It’s that time of year where we see more sniffles, sneezes, and symptoms. In order to keep all our students and staff healthy, please keep your child home if they are sick. This link, Too Sick For School?, will give you more detailed information but here are a couple key points we want to note:
- Student needs to be fever free (without using fever-reducing medications) for 24 hours before returning to school
- If student has 3 or more watery stools in a 24-hour period, especially if the student acts/looks ill or is not eating, they need to stay home
- If a student has vomited 1 or more times within the past 24 hours, they must stay home. May return to school after 24 hours without vomiting AND no other symptoms
- Students who have symptoms of COVID-19 should stay home and be tested and/or see a health care provider. View the latest guidance here.
Keeping ill students at home & encouraging frequent hand washing protects all, including those with fragile immune systems & certain medical conditions. While we regret any inconvenience, it may result in fewer lost workdays & less illness for family members. Please remember that if a child is home due to illness, it is an excused absence.
Middle School Consolidation Study Update
Like many other districts across the region, the Bellevue School District is experiencing an enrollment decline that demographers expect to continue for the next several years. Because the state funds education through a per-pupil allocation, declining enrollment is resulting in budget shortfalls. Both the enrollment decline, and the financial impacts were identified last school year when the district responded by making budget cuts including the consolidation of two elementary schools. This year, the district is studying middle school enrollment with the possibility of consolidating a middle school along with other options to balance our budget.
To gather input from the community, forums were held at each of the five comprehensive middle schools. There were also six online forums, including in Spanish, Mandarin and Korean. A districtwide survey was conducted, and each middle school’s staff met to provide feedback. Additional outreach is ongoing as the district seeks to ensure that all voices are heard, and that those furthest from educational justice are well represented in the feedback.
Approximately 750 participants attended the community forums and approximately 1,300 individuals completed the survey. Summaries from each community forum as well as the complete meeting notes have been posted to the Middle School Consolidation Study Community Feedback webpage. A districtwide summary is also available. In addition, questions and answers to questions asked at the community forums have been added to the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) webpage.
A district team is in the process of analyzing the feedback it has received — and continues to receive — from the community and delving into the demographic projections and budget scenarios. All options are being explored to solve for the long-term, make equitable decisions, and minimize negative impacts on students and their families.
There are no easy choices — these are by far some of the hardest decisions any district must make. The district heard from community members that we need to continue to provide a sense of belonging in our schools and excellent and equitable educational opportunities for all. We are fully committed to our vision to affirm and inspire each and every student to learn and thrive as creators of their future world.
A draft recommendation that will be shared with the community in January and deep community engagement will continue in February, seeking feedback on the recommendation. See the Middle School Consolidation Study Timeline to learn more.
Elementary Language and Literacy Adoption – Family/Guardian & Community Members
The Elementary Language and Literacy Adoption Team is seeking your thoughts about the two literacy curricula we are considering for adoption. The two curricula are Benchmark Advance & Adelante and American Reading Company (ARC) Core English and Spanish.
We are eager to hear from our parents/guardians, community members and secondary school students. We believe our community can help us provide the best experience for our elementary students.
The survey will close on March 12, 2024, at 4:00 p.m.
REPEAT Attendance Reminder
We understand that there are instances when vacations, sport tournaments, competitions, and other special trips cannot be scheduled outside of the school calendar. Please complete the prearranged absence form to get these dates reviewed by your child’s teacher and approved by our Assistant Principal to be considered excused under district policies (BSD Policy 3122, Procedure 3122P). The district grants up to 5 excused absences each school year.
You can download a copy of the prearranged absence form directly from our school’s website: http://bsd405.org/medina/report-an-absence/ or pick up a copy in the main office. We ask that you submit the form at least one week in advance to allow time for review by the teacher, and approval from the Assistant Principal. Email medinaattendance@bsd405.org with any questions.
REPEAT Cold and Rainy Weather
As rain becomes a constant during the next few months, it is tempting to pull up right in front of the school entrance. Even when it is raining, please pull your cars up all the way in the loop so that we reduce the amount of cars around the neighborhoods and minimize traffic accidents. While we do not have students take umbrellas to recess due to safety, they can have umbrellas in the morning and afternoon for pick up and drop off.
In addition, please make sure your child has a jacket to wear. Unless there is lightening or extreme weather, recess is outside daily. Don't forget to label their clothing with their name in case they leave their jacket behind around the school. If your child or family is need of warmer clothing, please do not hesitate to reach out to our counselor Elise Geck (gecke@bsd405.org) or Family Engagement Specialist Judy Hunsberger (hunsbergerj@bsd405.org) for assistance.
District & Community News and Resources
Mental Health Resources for the BSD Community
The BSD website includes a Mental Health Services section, which provides mental health resources for students, staff and families. The BSD community is encouraged to explore these resources to learn more about mental health topics including anxiety, depression, eating disorders, substance abuse and suicide prevention. Individuals seeking support may also reach out to school counselors and MHAT counselors.
The Bellevue School District has partnered with Care Solace to complement districtwide efforts that support the well-being of students, families and staff. Care Solace is a free and confidential care coordination service that can help you quickly find mental health or substance use treatment options matched to your needs, regardless of circumstance. Care Solace is NOT an emergency response service or mental health service provider. If you have a life-threatening emergency, please call 911 or The Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
The Care Solace team is always available — including nights, weekends and holidays. Although school will not be in session over Winter Break, we encourage you to save these resources to easily reference them should you or a family member need help during the break or beyond. If you or a family member need mental health or substance use supports and would like to use Care Solace to find a provider:
- Call or text 888-515-0595. Multilingual support is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
- Visit www.caresolace.com/bsd405 and search anonymously on your own OR click “Book Appointment” for assistance by video chat, email or phone.
Families Can Sign Up for The Hub Connection Newsletter
Families are now able to sign up to receive information about Bellevue LifeSpring events, programs and more through their newsletter, The Hub Connection. Register online to receive monthly information regarding resources and support for families.
Bellevue School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts of America and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination:
Civil Rights, Racial Discrimination, and Gender Expression or Identity Discrimination:
Civil Rights/Nondiscrimination Compliance Coordinator Nancy Pham, (425) 456-4040 or phamn@bsd405.org
Sex-based Discrimination, including Sexual Harassment:
Title IX Coordinator: Jeff Lowell, (425) 456-4010 or lowellj@bsd405.org
Disability Discrimination:
Section 504/ADA Coordinator: Heather Edlund, (425) 456-4156 or edlundh@bsd405.org
Mailing address for all three: 12111 NE 1st Street, Bellevue, WA 98005.