Principal Message

Dear Roadrunner Families ~

Highlights from the week include:

• 5th Grade students receiving a visit from Nelson Middle School Counselors to begin the transition to middle school.
• RPE Staff engaging in crucial conversations around race, equity, and inclusion as part of our collective work of ensuring all students feel safe, respected, cared for, and supported in their learning environment.
• Celebrating Down Syndrome Awareness Day on March 21st as a school community by wearing fun or mismatch socks.

This month we will continue working on:

• Getting deeper into learning! Check out specific classroom newsletters/Teacher communication to learn more.

Below are a few important dates/info to tuck away:

• March 24: Nelson Middle School staff visiting 5th Graders.
• March 27: Report Cards are LIVE in Skyward (see below for additional information)
• March 27: PTA Sponsored Fundraiser (Red Robin at the Landing)
• March 28: Spirit Day - Wear your favorite or fancy outfit.
• April 24: PTA Sponsored Bingo Night!
• May 14: PTA Sponsored Fundraiser (Menchies)
• May 22 & 27: Kindergarten Kick-Off Event (more info below)

Report Cards go live in Skyward Family Access on Thursday, March 27th.

Because navigating Skyward can be tricky for some (me included...) the staff have discussed and decided to also print report cards to go home with students this trimester. Look for these to come home in student backpacks Thursday afternoon.

We are beginning to work on our annual yearbook. We’d love to include all our Renton Park student’s photos in the yearbook. If you DO NOT want your child’s photo included, please email Jeff Day jeffrey.day@rentonschools.us by Friday, March 21 to opt out of yearbook photos. Families who do want their child’s photo in the yearbook do not need to respond.

Renton Park Spirit Wear SPRING SALE is in full BLOOM!

Enjoy a 20% discount across the entire website during the SPRING SALE happening now. Shop for tees, hoodies and jackets, including over 25 new designs!

Use code: SPRING at checkout!

Visit the store here: https://1stplacespiritwear.com/schools/WA/Renton/Renton+Park+Elementary+School?utm_source=SFMC&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=consumer

Renton School District has partnered with Providence Medical and Hazel Health, a confidential, secure, and free service to provide access to quality mental health care services for all students. Hazel Health offers scheduled appointments with licensed therapists who are bilingual, diverse, and experts in the needs of children and teens. The program is offered to students at school with therapy appointments to help students cope with what they’re feeling, like behavior changes, anxiety, bullying, withdrawal, grief, peer and family relationships, depression, or stress.

Your school counselor or designated staff assists in setting up the appointment at school using an iPad to connect your child directly with a Hazel therapist over live video in a private and confidential room. Hazel is also available for your child to join therapy sessions at home using your Hazel account (families can choose this option by signing-up for in-home care at https://my.hazel.co/rentonschools/info). Learn more at our Hazel Health webpage.

Friday, March 28th will be the LAST day for popcorn sales. Bags will be sold for 50 cents.

We need two parents each Friday to help make popcorn and collect money. (A parent with popcorn experience will be there to help.) Please visit the link below to sign up and don't forget to send your students with a couple of quarters on Friday to help support our 5th graders.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C044FA8AA2AA1FD0-54329468-popcorn

Registration for Kindergarten for the 2025-2026 school year is OPEN!

If your child will be five years old on or before August 31, 2025, they are eligible to register. To register, please use the student enrollment link below.

https://www.rentonschools.us/learning-and-teaching/registration

To learn more, visit the Kindergarten information page below.

https://www.rentonschools.us/learning-and-teaching/elementary-education/kindergarten

Ready Kindergarten (Ready K) is a full-day transitional kindergarten program that runs Monday-Friday and follows the District calendar. The program will serve children that:

• turn 4 years-old on or before August 31, 2025
• live within Renton School District boundaries and
• have had no access to quality early learning experiences.

Students qualify through a screening process. Eligibility is based on financial, academic, and/or social or emotional needs. Ready K will focus on essential academics, social emotional skills, and learning habits to support children’s kindergarten success.

Click the link below for more information:

https://www.rentonschools.us/learning-and-teaching/preschool-and-early-learning/ready-k

Did you know spending just 5 minutes a day listening and talking to your children can have remarkable results? Having short, meaningful talks can build family bonds, give children a strong sense of support and self confidence, and strengthen their communication skills.

Question to discuss as a family this week: What brings you JOY when you have a bad day?

Get your cameras ready! We're excited to announce that in-person grade-level evening concerts are happening again this year. All concerts will be held in the Renton Park café with a 6:00 start time. Below is the schedule for this year:

• April 3: 1st Grade
• April 24: 2nd Grade
• May 15: Kindergarten
• June 5: 5th Grade

Join the PTA! Become a Member! (Meeting attendance not required)

Click here to sign up: https://www.rentonparkpta.org/pta-store

Need help with the cost of membership? PTA received a grant to boost membership and cover the member fee if it's not in your budget.

Send a brief email to 4thestudents@rentonparkpta.org with questions or to get the coupon code to enter at membership check out!

Thanks to a state and federal funding, Renton School District will again provide breakfast and lunch meals free to most students this school year. All students can eat school breakfast and lunches free except at Risdon Middle School, Hazen High and the H.O.M.E. program. Unfortunately, the federal Community Eligibility Provision formula left us unable to include these schools.

Important note: While not required for free school meals, families are strongly encouraged to complete this Child Nutrition and Education Benefit form to help students and families receive important resources like: before and after school academic and enrichment programs; resources for classrooms; guidance and college counselors; health and wellness services; state summer grocery debit cards (SunBucks), and more. Submit your completed form to RSD.mealform@rentonschools.us or drop off at your school.

REMINDER: Please complete the Meal Application! It is available at https://www.rentonschools.us/ departments/nutrition-services-warehouse/meal-applications. All students at our elementary schools receive one free breakfast and lunch each day. However we ask for you to complete a meal application in order to ensure your child's school qualifies for federal and state funding that is determined by parent income levels. You may also be eligible for other benefits such as reduced fees for programs and activities.