Crownhill Chats

Dear Crownhill Families,

Despite the days growing shorter and the dark emerging more and more, this fall has also brought crisp mornings and vibrant autumn colors. The past week driving up to Crownhill and seeing the tapestry of colors has been beautiful and reminds me of the complexities of the work we all engage in daily (our families, staff and students). We’re excited to share some important updates and upcoming events happening at Crownhill Elementary. We look forward to connecting with you throughout the coming months as we work together to support your children’s growth and success.

The newsletter below outlines some key dates and important upcoming information. I'd like to highlight two new pieces of information here.

Halloween:

As we continue to reflect on our diverse school community, many conversations between staff have focused on Halloween and the different emotions and experiences it brings for our students and families.

For many of our students, Halloween is a fun and exciting time. However, for others, it can bring feelings of anxiety, fear, exclusion, or financial hardship. These challenges may stem from a variety of reasons, including family traditions, philosophical or ideological beliefs, or personal circumstances. We recognize that our responsibility is to make sure that all students feel safe, welcomed and supported at Crownhill Elementary. Our vision statement below emphasizes this commitment, and it guided our conversation on how we can better support all students (and families) during this time.

With that in mind, we will be adjusting our approach to Halloween celebrations this year. Here’s what to expect:

• Trunk or Treat Event: The PTA and Crownhill will still hold our annual Trunk or Treat event after school on October 29th from 5-6:30, and we hope to see many families there!
  
• No Halloween Parade or Building-Wide Focus: This year, we will not have a Halloween parade or a school-wide celebration. Students are still welcome to wear costumes to school if they choose, but costumes will not be a focus (as with previous years, costumes should have no weapons, blood, or scary masks and be school appropriate).
• Classroom Celebrations: Classrooms may hold a celebration, though the focus will be a general fall-theme rather than emphasizing Halloween. This allows all students to participate without feeling excluded or uncomfortable.

We understand that this shift may feel different, but our goal is to create an environment where all students feel welcomed and respected.

House Meetings at Crownhill:

We have made a shift to House Meetings at Crownhill. Please see the email sent on Wednesday 10/9/24 via ParentSquare or view the google document here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BIleRjybMWUXuo6BeEloErh3ewbrbm7bzeBwC8r7YEA/edit

Crownhill Mission and Vision:

CH Mission: We ensure high levels of learning for all to prepare students to achieve their future goals

CH Vision: Our Crownhill community is safe for ALL to learn and grow

Thank you for being a part of the Crownhill Elementary family. We are looking forward to a fantastic year ahead!

Warm regards,

Sam Cameron

Crownhill Lead Learner and Principal

10/14- Indigenous Peoples' Day- NO SCHOOL

10/18- House Meetings (k-2 learning in classrooms about House Foveo)

10/21-10/23- 5th Grade Outdoor Education Field Trip to Lake Crescent

10/29- PTA Trunk or Treat 5-6:30pm

11/1- NON STUDENT DAY (no school)

11/2- PTA Craft Fair at Crownhill

11/6-11/8- Parent Teacher Conferences (11/6 is 4-5:30, 7th and 8th all day)

11/11- Veteran's Day (no school)

11/15- Spirit Assembly

11/28-11/29- Thanksgiving Break

Counselor's Update:

Our focus from Ms.Cox this month is around Bullying. Please take a look at the link below and read her update: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MGnd7oBhnhEiGAFW8wrKkAaUD4UXZAc69B5JyTKRp3Y/edit

Dean's Focus:

This month, Ms.Osburn is highlighting using an assertive voice as a parenting and teaching technique. This approach comes from Conscious Discipline, a theory of practice that we use in our daily interactions with students. Here is the link: https://consciousdiscipline.com/cd-for-parents-how-do-i-respond-when-other-children-are-being-mean-to-mine/

Crownhill Gear:

We are bringing back Spirit Friday's where students are encouraged to wear anything Crownhill or relating to our House System. If you would like to purchase gear, please use the link below with delivery dates throughout the year! https://crownhill.bremertonschools.org/index.php?pageID=smartSiteFeed&feed=%5B%22%7B%5C%22id%5C%22%3A%5C%2227510%5C%22%2C%5C%22source%5C%22%3A%5C%22schools%5C%22%7D%22%5D&articleID=37353642

Crownhill PTA:

Hello Crownhill Families!

We are so excited about a number of activities and events coming up! You should have received a pledge sheet for the Read-a-Thon for Recess, which runs through the end of the month. Our Trunk-or-Treat is on Tuesday, October 29th from 5pm to 6:30pm. Our Annual Craft Fair & Silent Auction on November 2nd from 9am to 4pm. And the Book Fair kicks off Wednesday, November 6 at Ballast Books for an all-day store takeover followed by sales during Conferences on Thursday, 11/7 and Friday, 11/8, at the school! There are SO many options for family involvement this month - we hope to see you at something! For the most up-to-date information, you can find us on Facebook @CrownhillElementaryPTA or our website www.crownhillpta.givebacks.com

If you’d like to volunteer your time at the Book Fair, Craft Fair or host a trunk for Trunk-or-Treat, please contact us at crownhillelementarypta@gmail.com. We are also accepting donations of candy or other small items to pass out at Trunk-or-Treat in the Main Office.

Our next General PTA meeting is Tuesday, November 12 at 5:00pm!

Arrivall/Dismissal Procedure:

Please take a look at the procedures outlined below. We will be posting signage to help ensure safety and efficiency during arrival/dismissal times.

• Please be as fast as possible when picking up your child, especially k-1. If your child likes to play with friends or you have to talk to their teacher, please find a parking space. While 5 minutes might not seem like a long time, the line of cars waiting to pull forward can be greatly impacted by it. Thank you.

Please use this link for our arrival/dismissal procedures (tips and helpful information for students transported by car).

As a reminder:

• School starts at 8:55 daily (staff supervision starts at 8:50, any students onsite before 8:50 must be accompanied by an adult)
• Dismissal is at 3:35 M/T/Th/F (1:40 Wednesday)

Lost and Found:

We are accumulating many coats, sweatshirts and jackets. If you child comes home missing one, please stop by and look for it! With parent teacher conferences coming up, please take a minute to search for missing items before or after your conference. Finally, labeling all clothing, especially jackets and sweatshirts, is always a good idea!

Our Crownhill Mission: "We ensure high levels of learning for all to prepare students to achieve their future goals."

Our Crownhill Vision: "Our Crownhill community is safe for ALL to learn and grow."

Title I, Part A is a federal program that provides additional instructional services and activities.

These additional supports help students in meeting the challenging state academic standards

and closing the educational opportunity gap. Click the link below to learn more about Title 1 at Crownhill!

https://www.smore.com/xbprf

• required by state law and/or board policy
• included on the District printed wall calendar
• include an element/expectation of recognition or an educational component in all schools such as curriculum/lessons, assemblies and/or staff celebration/acknowledgement

Here are the District Recognition and Celebration Priorities

Website: https://www.bremertonschools.org/crownhill
Location: 1500 Rocky Point Road Northwest, Bremerton, WA 98312, USA

Crownhill Elementary School

"Attitude Determines Altitude"

Email: samuel.cameron@bremertonschools.org
Phone: 360-473-4202