The Tigers Telegram
February 2024
Why attendance matters?
“Attending school regularly helps children feel better about school—and themselves. Start building this habit so they learn right away that going to school on time, every day is important. Eventually good attendance will be a skill that will help them succeed in high school and college.”
– Attendanceworks
DID YOU KNOW?
Missing 10%, or about 2 days each month over the course of a school year, can make it harder to learn to read.
Students can still fall behind if they miss just one or two days every few weeks.
“Consistent attendance is essential for students to achieve academic excellence. Clearly outlined expectations and consistent procedures will assist our students in meeting academic success. Through consistent attendance, learning environment are enriched and improved by the contributions, perspectives, and the presence of every student.” -Seattle Public Schools
To learn more about attendance, click here!
We have many excellent BHIS students, but we like to recognize them by sending out a big BHIS Tiger her-ROAR-ic Thank You when they do terrific things. This past fall, After-School-Enrichment, we had our first student-led program! The After School Book Club, aka The ABC (The Ashley's Book Club), met weekly to discuss the book they selected to read called Fast Pitch. They completed the book, had some great conversations, and ended with a little celebration! So please help us send a big Tiger THANK YOU to Ashley for showing courage and being a trailblazer with The Book Club this past fall program!
As part of our ongoing efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of all our students, we want to make sure to keep track of all our students who walk home. We ask each student or family to complete a permission form and return it to their child's teacher. This will help us know who is authorized to walk home, especially in cases where a staff member is absent, and a substitute is handling dismissal.
Here are a few things to keep in mind when discussing the importance of walking home safely.
1. Stick to a Familiar Route and Practice it with Them
2. Educate Your Child on Road Safety
3. Provide Them with Bright Clothing
4. Educate Your Child on Stranger Danger
5. Walk in Groups or With a Friend
Below are the forms that we ask that you complete and return to your child's teacher.
We are excited to announce that we will add three new choices to our Winter ASEP (After-School Enrichment Program)! Along with some of our established student favorites, we will add Skateboarding, Ukulele, and Fiber Art! We are also excited to partner with several more community-based programs this winter. The chosen days for ASEP will be Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays.
Registration forms will be sent home on Tuesday, January 7th. If you're paying with cash or check, you must complete the form and return it to school with your payment. If you are signing up online, you don't need to return any forms to school. After registration is closed, you will receive a message via Talking Points shortly after confirming class placement and pickup locations. Parents, it is very important that you pick up your children at 3:45p as our instructors have other obligations that need to be met.
On January 21, BHIS will host our first Winter School Tours for incoming (2025/26) kindergarteners and new Students. The First tour will start at 8:30 a.m., and the second tour will be at 5:00 p.m. So spread the word if you know any new incoming Kindergarteners or new neighbors with elementary-level children.
Being involved in the PTA allows you to connect with teachers and fellow parents, have a say in school programming, and positively impact our school community.
As many know, Seattle Public Schools are facing a significant budget deficit. The PTA plays a crucial role in supporting our school by helping to bridge the gap and provide valuable programming. Some of the ways we support our school include:
School supplies
Spirit Wear
Community events and celebrations
Afterschool programs
Gym and playground supplies
Library enhancements
Tutoring and teacher grants
Yearbook
5th-grade camp
Grade-level celebrations
And much more!
Get Involved
We need your help to continue supporting these efforts! If you are interested in volunteering or getting involved in any of the following areas, please fill out this form:
Co-President
Co-Secretary
Grant Writing Committee
Fundraising Committee
Yearbook Committee
Community Engagement Coordinator
Pod Parent for each grade or class
Monthly Teacher Appreciation Coordinator
Move-A-Thon Volunteers
Volunteer Coordinator
Supply Drive Coordinator
5th Grade Graduation Committee
Events Committee
Event Photographers
Ad-hoc Volunteers
We look forward to working together to make this year memorable for our students and families!
Thank you for your continued support,
Beacon Hill International School PTA
info@beaconhillpta.org
FAST-B is a group for caregivers that starts January 16th, 2025
What is FAST-B?
FAST-B provides evidence-based training for parents and caregivers to address behavior challenges for children ages 5 to 12. Each session includes 1 or 2 skills that parents and caregivers can practice with their child. These skills can strengthen relationships, encourage positive behaviors and set limits with concerning behavior.
How is FAST-B useful?
FAST-B is designed to address concerns with arguing, not following directions, tantrums, aggression and attention-seeking behaviors.
It does not target learning difficulties, child anxiety, trauma, and parenting issues between caregivers.
We recommend that your child receives mental health support in addition to you attending FAST-B.
When and where does FAST-B take place?
FAST-B is a 4-week program for parents and caregivers only. Your child should not attend the visit. Sessions are by telehealth (video visits) every Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Let us know if you do not have access to technology for the visit.
How much does FAST-B cost?
We will bill your insurance for FAST-B services. The initial visit will be billed as 98046 (family therapy without patient). You will then be billed with code 90849 (multiple family group therapy). Check with your insurance company to see if the visits are covered. We are in network with most insurance plans, including Medicaid and the Medicaid Managed Care Organization (MCO) plans. Seattle Children’s offers financial assistance for families that qualify. We encourage families to apply even if they are unsure if they qualify. Visit seattlechildrens.org/finasst for more information.
Questions? Ready to enroll?
To enroll or ask questions, please contact Andrea-Ramos Castillo, Odessa Brown Children’s Clinic school-based mental health therapist, at 503-610-3481 or by email at andrea.ramos-castillo@seattlechildrens.org. You may also reach the clinic coordinator at 206-310-6913.
For the SPS 2024-2025 Academic Calendar, click here.
January
January 6: New registrations for the 2025-26 school year opens
January 7: Registration for After-School Enrichment opens (Forms sent home)
January 15: Black Family Council Meeting (7:00p online)
January 16: Latinx Family Council Meeting (6:00p BHIS)
January 20: Martin Luther King Jr Day (NO SCHOOL)
January 21: BHIS School Tour (8:30a & 5:00p)
January 27: After-School Enrichment Starts
January 29: Lunar New Year
Upcoming Dates
February 1: Admissions Fair will be held at the John Stanford Center, 10 am- 2 pm.
Open Enrollment School Choice priority applications will be accepted (tiebreakers apply).
February 7: Lunar New Year Celebration (Starts 2:30 pm)
February 14: Principal/PTA Chat (8:00a Cafeteria)
Parents Night Out!
February 17: Mid-Winter Break (NO SCHOOL)
February 18: Mid-Winter Break (NO SCHOOL)
February 19: Mid-Winter Break (NO SCHOOL)
February 20: Mid-Winter Break (NO SCHOOL)
February 21: Mid-Winter Break (NO SCHOOL)
February 28: Black History Celebration