Emerald Hills News
January 6, 2025
Principal Message
Happy New Year! Today marks the first day back from Winter Break, and we are thrilled to see our school buzzing with energy and excitement again. After some well-deserved time to recharge, our students and staff are ready to jump into new learning, growth, and fun.
This month, we are focusing on the character trait of perseverance—an important skill for students as they navigate challenges, set goals, and celebrate their successes. We encourage you to ask your child how they’re practicing perseverance at school and at home. In addition to this, we’ll be kicking off benchmark assessments to check in on academic progress and help guide our next steps for student learning. Please help your student feel prepared by ensuring they get plenty of rest and start their mornings with a healthy breakfast, ready to learn!
Attendance continues to be a top priority for us as we know how vital it is for academic success. Every day students are in school, they build connections with peers, learn new concepts, and develop important habits that will serve them for a lifetime. Thank you for making attendance a priority in your home—we truly appreciate your partnership in helping your child thrive.
We’re also excited to announce that Mr. Holm, our wonderful PE teacher, is launching this year’s Kids Heart Challenge fundraiser. This program not only supports heart health but also teaches the importance of kindness and teamwork. More information will be coming home soon, so stay tuned!
As we dive into 2025, we want to thank you for your continued support and partnership in making our school a place where students feel valued and inspired. We’re looking forward to a month filled with opportunities to learn and grow together. Please feel free to reach out with any questions, or let us know how we can best support your family in the months ahead.
Corey Gould, Principal
Brittney Schneider, Assistant Principal
Character Trait of the Month
This month is all about Perseverance. One way to think about Perseverance is “pushing yourself through challenges and obstacles.” We all experience challenges in our lives. We all have moments when we feel like we can’t do it or that we want to give up on a big task. It is important to develop tools that help us work through those challenges in order to grow in those moments instead of giving up. How might you practice Perseverance as a family this month?
Have some fun connecting as a family this month while practicing Perseverance. Here are 2 “PurposeFull Pursuits” you can complete together!
- Consistency is hard. Have each person in the family commit to 1 thing they will do each day this week. Maybe it is flossing, drinking a certain amount of water, getting to bed at a certain time, limiting screen time, or exercising. Create a place where each person can tally their progress and see who can keep their streak going the longest!
- Here’s a fun challenge: Can you fit your whole body through an index card? While it sounds impossible, with the correct folding and cutting technique, you can make it happen! Give each family member a 4x6 index card and a pair of scissors. Ready for the answer? You can find the directions and solution online by searching: “Fit Your Body Through an Index Card.
Kids Heart Challenge
Dear Families,
Kids Heart Challenge starts on 1/9, and we are proud to support the American Heart Association through this service-learning program. Students will learn how to have happy and healthy hearts and brains, while raising lifesaving donations to help others with special hearts. Plus, your family can learn the lifesaving skill of Hands-Only CPR through Finn’s Mission! Sign Up TODAY at www.heart.org/schools or by downloading the FREE AHA Schools App for Apple or Android.
Students who sign up early will be recognized at our assembly on 1/9/2025!
Click HERE to find songs that you can preform Hands Only CPR to!
When to Keep Your Child Home
Deciding when a child is too sick to go to school can be a difficult decision for parents to make. Please click the following link to review SBLSD's guidelines for when to keep your child home from school due to illness. You may also view the guidelines from the health department to help you. Feel free to call our school health room if you need further guidance.
2025 STEM Fair
Dear 2025 STEM Fair Participants and Families:
This year’s STEM Fair and Art Show is fast approaching! As always, we are excited to see students of all ages showcase their incredible work through a variety of STEM projects. All K-12 students are invited to submit a project on a topic of their choice. This year, students in grades 3-12 are required to submit and present their projects digitally using Google Slides. While they will still present their work in person at the STEM Fair, this new digital format streamlines the process for those wishing to enter the Discovery Regional Science Fair.
To ensure accessibility and ease the transition to digital submissions, students in grades K-2 will have the option to submit either a traditional tri-fold display or a digital project. We look forward to celebrating student innovation and creativity once again this year!
Please explore the project packets below for more information:
The deadline to register a project is Friday, January 24th at 3pm. Due to planning needs and space constraints, late submissions will not be accepted. Please note: projects do not need to be completed by January 24th, but the topic needs to be chosen.
Please note the date and venue of the 2025 STEM Fair:
Saturday, February 22, 2025
Bonney Lake High School
10am-2pm
To register for this year’s STEM Fair please visit this link, or scan the QR code below.
We know your projects will be creative, skillful, thorough and thoughtful. Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions. Thank you for your participation in this year’s STEM Fair!
Key Dates
January
- 1/9 - 1/30 - Kids Heart Challenge
- 1/14: PTA Meeting
- 1/20: MLK Day -- No School
- 1/30: Kids Heart Challenge Event
- 1/31: PTA Thunderbirds Hockey Fundraiser