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Explorer Editorial
Washington Elementary: December 2023 Edition
A Message From Principal Williams
December 1, 2023
Dear Explorer Families,
It is crazy to think that the month of December and the holiday season is among us. As we enter into this time, I want to extend my gratitude to the Washington community. It is such an honor to serve our amazing school. Our staff are hardworking, dedicated, and committed to the success of each student. We are also grateful for your partnership and that you share your precious children with us each and every day. We look forward to conferences next week where we will get to share your students progress and celebrations. Please remember, students will have a 3 hour late start on conference days (12/5, 12/6, and 12/7). This means school will begin at 11:45am. Students can arrive to campus no earlier than 11:30am. Lunch will be provided.
Even though December is a short month, we continue to be in full learning mode. Students will be participating in the DIBELS assessment which provides us with a new reading data point in our progress monitoring of student learning. Grade level teams will be conducting data meetings to make small group adjustments and to align instruction as we head into winter. Attendance during this month is critical to ensure students are accurately placed in instructional groups when we return to school in January.
Right before the Thanksgiving break, we had an owl (see photo) in one of our front cedar tress. Students were facinated and intrigued by this rare siting and the beauty that is in nature around us. It was great reminder to pause and appreicate the little things. I would like to wish you all the very best this holiday season. I hope you enjoy quality time with family and friends. We are all looking forward to an amazing 2024!
Sincerely,
Gelinda Williams
Important Upcoming Events
12/1 & 12/5-12/8 Book Fair
12/4- No School; Teacher Grading Day
12/5- 3 Hour Late Start- Conferences, School Starts 11:45am
12/6- 3 Hour Late Start- Conferences, School Starts 11:45am
12/7- 3 Hour Late Start- Conferences, School Starts 11:45am
12/7- Coffee with the Principal 8:30-9:15am
12/8- Regular School Day
12/8 3rd Grade Field Trip to the Nutcracker
12/8- Report Cards Go Home
12/11- Late Start Monday @ 9:45am
12/12-12/14 Kindergarten ECLS Study Assessment
12/20- All School Sing-a-long (3rd Grade Performance. 3rd Grade Parents are invited.)
12/21-1/3 Winter Break
1/4- School Resumes
1/8- Late Start Monday @ 9:45am
1/15- No School- Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Holiday Food & Toy Drive
Washington Elementary is conducting a food and toy drive for the holidays. This drive will benefit Washington families by providing them with all the food they need for a holiday meal and some gifts for their children. Please bring in your classes food items as soon as possible. We cannot accept cash, but will gladly accept gift certificates to local supermarkets.
In addition we are accepting donations of new, unwrapped toys for children of any age ranging from infants to teenagers. Some ideas would be a deck of cards, puzzles, movies, games.
We will collect these items until Friday, Dec. 15th.
Friday, Dec 15, 2023, 08:15 AM
Washington Elementary School
Auburn School District Replacement Levy on February 13 Ballot
The Auburn School District Board of Directors unanimously approved placing a four-year Educational Programs and Operations (EP&O) Replacement Levy on the February 13 ballot.
The EP&O levy replaces the 2020 levy that expires in 2024 and provides 14% of the ASD budget. Funds from the levy are used for: all athletics and activities; family engagement staff and activities; special education programs and transportation; staffing underfunded by the state including nurses, security officers, school resource officers, psychologists and library staff; maintenance, transportation and extended learning opportunities.
The district will collect no more than $2.50 per $1,000 of assessed valuation in each of the levy years. The levy will collect $51.8 million in 2025; $54.4 million in 2026; $57.1 million in 2027 and $60 million in 2028. The total tax rate will not increase.
Detailed information about the replacement levy is available on the ASD website at www.auburn.wednet.edu/2024levy.
Click the RED buttons for other important information from Washington
Great Things Are Happening at Washington Elementary
5th Grade YES program
Washington's 5th graders participated in the Youth Equity Stewardship (YES) progam last month. Yes is an experiential, arts-based program focused on engaging youth and adults to build inspired and inclusive learning environments. Students celebrated thier Uniqueness and the Uniqueness of others through music, movement, and poetry.
K-2 Science Lesson
Mrs. Lewis works with our kindergarten students to make observations.
Thank You!
Thank you to the Knights of Columbus for your generous coat donation.
Soccer For Success
Our fall soccer season wrapped successfully. Students enjoyed playing in a tournament with Alpac and Gildo Rey.
We Rock Jar Celebration
5th grade students have been working hard to demonstrate the expected classroom behaviors. The celebration was amazing!
Habitat Projects
5th grade students have been learning about habitats and eco-systems. Small groups are creating models with producers and consumers.
Girl Scout Troop
Girl Scout Troop 45603 represented their community by walking in the Auburn Veterans Day parade.
2023-2024 Center for Educational Effectiveness (CEE) Perceptual Survey
Our schools and district are committed to continuous improvement. It is important for us to know how our families/guardians, staff and students regard the job we are doing in providing a quality education for children. To gather input, the Center for Educational Effectiveness (CEE) staff, student and family perceptual surveys are being conducted this fall in all Auburn schools. The surveys quantify strengths and opportunities for improvement. Student surveys are administered to students in grades 4-12. The information from the survey will be combined from all of our schools to develop a district profile and individual schools/buildings will receive information to support their improvement process.
Family survey window November 6-December 8
YMCA Before and After School Enrichment
How Can We Help?
Hi, my name is Mrs. Aleasha. I am the Family Engagement Liaison here at Washington Elementary. I am eager to become the bridge in which students, families and staff go through, to communicate their needs, to give their feedback, and to express any of their concerns.
My hope is to make a long-lasting impact on my students, families and staffs lives that will be built on mutual trust and respect.Please don't hesitate to reach out to me.
Email: abright@auburn.wednet.edu
Phone: (253) 931-4988
Meet the Principal
WE LOVE OUR KIDS.
At Washington Elementary, every moment matters. We have a shared commitment to the success of all of our kids. Through positive relationships, every adult honors students' individual needs and diverse backgrounds. We provide rigorous academic learning experiences because all of our students hae the potential to succeed.
Last school year, we worked through the fully revised school improvment planning process and have established new goals and an action plan for our school. Our vision for the next few years is to ensure that every adult has high expectations for each student and provides them with the support and opportunities needed to have a successful and joyous school experience. Students are engaged in high-yield instructional strategies and are active participants in thier learning. We value our partnership with families and the coummunity, and together, we will prepare our students for the future they choose.
Email: gwilliams@auburn.wednet.edu
Website: https://www.auburn.wednet.edu/washington
Location: Washington Elementary School, E Street Northeast, Auburn, WA, USA
Phone: (253)931-4988
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/asdwashington1920