Eagle Sightings November
Holly Wehner, Principal
Dear Eagle Families and Caregivers,
What an exciting week we’ve had to end October and begin November! The Halloween parade was once again a great success. The weather couldn’t have been better for it, and it was fantastic how the community showed up! The students were very excited and proud to show their costumes.
Now that we are into November, we have begun classroom discussions on gratitude (our character trait of the month). The definition we use when talking about Gratitude is choosing to appreciate the people and things in our lives. I have enjoyed visiting classrooms to have discussions with students about who and what they appreciate and how they show their appreciation. I am grateful for these opportunities to connect with students and learn more about what they value. FHES is full of genuinely kind students full of appreciation and love!
As we move forward with a school year that continues to feel full of togetherness, fun, and lots of learning, I want to express how full of gratitude I am to be part of this amazing community. I want to say thank you to you! Thank you for supporting the children in your lives in all the ways you do. I also want to say thank you to all the teachers, para educators, bus drivers, food service staff, and other school staff for continuing to provide consistency, predictability, and structure for our children each and every day. Thank you to our generous community who contribute in so many ways to Friday Harbor schools. Thank you for your continued partnership.
With appreciation,
Holly Wehner
Growing Readers and Writers
Our FHES teachers are working to grow students’ speaking and listening skills. According to the Common Core State Standards, “Students must have ample opportunities to take part in a variety of rich, structured conversations…Being productive members of these conversations requires that students contribute accurate, relevant information; respond to and develop what others have said; make comparisons and contrasts; and analyze and synthesize a multitude of ideas in various domains” (https://www.thecorestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/CCRA/SL/). Research tells us that reading comprehension begins long before children learn how to read words; it begins as they learn to understand and use spoken language. There are many opportunities to naturally practice these skills outside of school: while discussing the events of a day, weekend, family trip, etc.; reviewing what is happening/happened in a book, movie, TV show, video game, sporting event, commercial, etc.; or telling family stories. Digital texts also provide an opportunity for us to consider combinations of words, graphics, images, hyperlinks, and embedded video and audio. When you have meaningful conversations with your child(ren), you are supporting the reading work we are doing at school. Thank you for being their first and most important teacher!
Support For Kids!
The social emotional health and learning of our students is as important as any other skill they learn at school. We want to make sure parents and caregivers know about our options for extra support when needed.
Terra Holmgren
terraholmgren@sjisd.org or 360-378-7341
Alexis Hauck
Alexis Hauck coordinates our PIP Program (Primary Intervention Program) for students mainly in K-3rd grades. PIP is a non-directive therapeutic play program, and it is great for young kids experiencing changes in their lives, or to provide a space to process their feelings and experiences through play.
alexishauck@sjisd.org or 360-378-7344
Compass Health
FHES partners with Compass Health to provide school-based therapy to students here at Friday Harbor Elementary School, and free to families! This is a program that parents or guardians sign their children up for, and great if you have been thinking about counseling for your child.
360-378-2669 or by contacting Terra Holmgren
Multilingual Learner (ML) Program
Did you know? In the San Juan Island School District, we have 60 students in our Multilingual Learner (ML) program! These students are spread across the district from k-12th grade. Among them, 6 different home languages are represented! This is very exciting, as these students each bring their own cultural knowledge and linguistic backgrounds, which helps make the district more diverse and interesting!
On November 14th from 6-7 in the FHES cafeteria, we will hold our annual ML Family Night for families of our ML students. We will share information about the program, and have the opportunity to meet district administrators and principals, as well as suggestions for reading games and vocabulary practice that can be used at home! Childcare and snacks will be provided!
Going Home Plans
We understand that going home plans may change during the day. When this happens we can write a note to be delivered to your child. Please be aware that notes are delivered at 2:15 pm, and Wednesdays at 1:10 pm. Please let us know your plans before this time, thank you!
Thank you for setting your child up for success by ensuring they know their going-home plan before the start of the school day.
🛑Electronic Devices at School🛑
Please remind your child/ren about the following school policies:
- Personal electronic devices are not to be used at school. If a cell phone or smartwatch is brought to school for afterschool use it must remain in the student’s backpack until the end of the school day.
- No texting or calling during school hours from student devices.
- All communication to or from home must go through the school office.
Required Online Forms in Skyward
Our district has moved towards a paperless system by having our Federally Mandated forms online. These forms must be completed for each student.
Please log into Skyward: https://www2.nwrdc.wa-k12.net/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=wsnjuans71/fwemnu01.w
Thank you for your attention and cooperation with this matter.
Please contact our Office Manager, Roslyn Butcher with any questions at roslynbutcher@sjisd.org
School Parking Area Safety Reminders
Please remember, that there is no supervision on school grounds prior to 8:00 am. Thank you for your help in keeping our students safe!
▪️ November 2023 ▪️
11/9 Thursday 8:45-9:15 am Veterans Day Assembly
11/10 Friday No School Veterans Day Observed
11/13 Monday 5:30 pm PTO Meeting in the FHES Library
11/14 Tuesday 6-7 pm ML Night in the FHES Cafeteria
11/16 Thursday 11:20a-12:20p Zoom Lunch with the Principal
11/22 Wednesday 11:10 am Dismissal
11/23 Thursday No School Thanksgiving
11/24 Friday No School
Veterans Day Assembly
The Veterans Day assembly is scheduled for Thursday, November 9, 2023.
Legion veterans will be performing their traditional flag-folding ceremony, but all island veterans are welcome.
If you or your students have veterans in their lives who would like to attend, please spread that invitation to them. Please remember that all visitors must check in at the office. The assembly begins at 8:45 am, please be seated by 8:40, allowing you to park and check in at the front office.
Zoom Lunch with Holly Wehner
Join FHES principal over Zoom for a chat or a listen.
- Thursday November 16 11:20-12:20 pm
Join Zoom Meeting here
Meeting ID: 830 7065 4903
Bring your questions, concerns, gratitude, and thoughts.
Want to join your child for lunch?
We love to have visitors join us for lunch!
We need to know if you will be eating a hot lunch prior to 9 a.m. Please call or email the office to let us know.
Breakfast is served every morning starting at 8 and ending at 8:15. If your child would like breakfast, please have them come through the front doors upon arrival.
The Salad Bar is open every day at lunch with regular salad, caesar salad, fruit, and vegetables.
A vegetarian option is available daily by request.
*Please check your student's food account balance*
Helpful Hints for Skyward Payments
Don't Forget to Fall Back!
Daylight Savings Time Ends Sunday 11/5/23 at 2 am. Don't forget to set your clocks back 1 hour.
Please remember, that gum is not allowed on school campus, with the exception of gum provided by school staff during testing.
PTO Meeting
The Next Meeting date will be:
Monday, November 13 at 5:30 pm in the Elementary School Library.
ATTENDANCE COUNTS
If your child has to miss a day of class, please remember to excuse the absence by emailing jeannarheinberger@sjisd.org or calling 360-378-5209.
It is important that this information, regarding absences, or change of pickup or drop off plans, comes to us from parents and/or primary caregivers not through a friend, grandparent, neighbor etc.
Thank you!
❄️Emergency Weather Information❄️
Emergency announcements will be posted on district websites, and Facebook accounts, sent out via ParentLink, and broadcast before school on the stations listed below. If school must be closed mid-day, this will also be announced on these stations and students will be sent home by their usual mode of transportation.
Emergency weather information affecting Bus Routes and times are provided in this link.
Radio:
- KISM - 92.9 FM Bellingham
- KLKI - 1340 AM Anacortes
- KOMO - 1000 AM Seattle
- KAFE - 104.3 FM Bellingham
- KGMI - 790 AM - Bellingham
TV:
- KOMO TV 4 - Seattle
- KING TV 5-Seattle
- KVOS TV 12-Bellingham
Employment Opportunity!
Share your knowledge and get involved. Bus drivers, custodians, lunch servers, paraeducaters, secretaries, teachers; we need substitutes from the community in all areas!
You can set your days of availability, pick the teachers you like to sub for, and review assignments before accepting. Take a look at the district website or stop by 285 Blair Ave for more information on becoming a substitute for the San Juan Island School District.
Community Connections
Wondering about local groups and businesses that offer youth activities and/or support? San Juan Island School District has them posted on our Community Partners page.
Friday Harbor Elementary School
Email: roslynbutcher@sjisd.org
Website: sjisd.wednet.edu
Location: 95 Grover Street, Friday Harbor, WA, USA
Phone: 360.378.5209
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FridayHarborElementarySchool/