Cougar Chronicle 9.12.25

We have had a full week here at Clyde Hill, and there is so much to be proud of!  First, I have to tell you how proud our entire staff is of our Clyde Hill Cougars as we had an outstanding fire drill on Thursday, September 11th.  A key focus for our drill was to exit the building quietly so that adults could communicate if necessary.  Additionally, we also wanted to move quickly but safely.  Our students did an excellent job of meeting both goals and were able to evacuate the building in record time!  Way to go Cougars!!!

Another shout out goes to our preschool and kindergarten students who now have completed their first weeks of school!  While we are still learning lots of new routines, each day is getting smoother, and students are gaining confidence as they practice and grow in their independence!

As we look ahead our first big community event of the year is coming up next week...

Curriculum Night

We are looking forward to seeing parents/guardians on Curriculum Night which is this coming Tuesday, September 16th.  We will begin at 5:30 PM in the cafeteria with a brief presentation for the whole school community including information from PTA, the Bellevue Schools Foundation, and information from me.  After our presentation concludes at 5:55, our first grade level presentations will begin.  Here is the sequence of events for the evening:

5:30 - 5:55 Principal, PTA, and BSF Presentation in Cafeteria

• Learn about our school community
• What makes Clyde Hill Elementary unique?
• The importance of community in the education of our students

6:00 - 6:30 Grade 3, 4, and 5 Presentations

• Grade 3 in Library
• Grade 4 in Music Room
• Grade 5 in Cafeteria

Parents who do not have students in grades 3-5 may visit our information tables or mingle with other families to build connection across our community!

6:35 - 7:05 Grade Prek, K, 1, and 2 Presentations

• Grade Prek in Art Room
• Grade K in STEM Room
• Grade 1 and 1-2 Split in Individual Classrooms
• Grade 2 (Radics and Probert Baker) in Room 252

Childcare for Curriculum Night

We will be able to provide 40 spots for childcare on a first-come, first-serve basis for Curriculum Night.  Students need to be school-age.  Two GSAs, Ms. Maria and Ms. Bunny, will be staffing our childcare.  Students will have access to drawings materials, games, and books.  Parents/Guardians will need to sign students in and out.  All students must be picked up by 7:10.  

 

Nuggets from Our School Handbook

When our school website migrated to the new platform last year, we have thoughtfully built back pieces from the old school websites.  One component of our website that we are still building is the school handbook.  While we discuss these pieces with students and send information home to families, organizing it online in an easy to access manner is still underway.  One topic that I do want to highlight for all families is our school's policy around cell phones and smart watches.  At Clyde Hill, cell phones stay in student backpacks throughout the day.  They do not come out at recess or lunch.  Additionally, students should not be taking pictures of or recording students, staff, and/or community members as this requires consent from everyone in the picture or video.  Students are not aware of how many students have families who have not given consent to have pictures taken let alone posted online.  

Students are permitted to wear smart watches; however, they can only be used as watches.  If students are using their watches to communicate via calls or texts, this is a distraction to their learning as well as the learning of those around them.  If students are unable to meet this school expectation after receiving a warning, I will need to meet with the student and their parent/guardian to ensure this school expectation can be met across the school day.  Learning to manage technology is an important skill, and we want to support students to be successful in this.  

 

This coming week also marks the start of our first Before/After School Activity, The Cougar Run Club!  Here's the latest update!

Welcome to the FREE Cougars Run Club at Clyde Hill Elementary.

We are thrilled to have you join us for our first season.

Here are the key details:

• When: Mondays and Fridays, 8:00–8:40 a.m., from September 15 to October 24. (no session on October 10-No School)

• Weather: We will run rain or shine.

• Register: Email your child's name and grade to cougarsrunclub@gmail.com.

• Waivers: These will be available at drop-off and sent to you via email upon registration.

• Drop-off/Pick-up: You will sign in your child at drop-off. Coaches and volunteers will walk children to the school entrance at 8:40 a.m. for sign-out.

Happy Running,
Amanda and Francesca

If you are interested in other Before/After School Activities, please see last week's Cougar Chronicle for additional opportunities that you can sign your child(ren) up for.  Both Chess Club and iCode have limited scholarship opportunities.  If you are interested in a scholarship for one of these programs, please let me know. 

The link to last week's Cougar Chronicle is:  https://clydehill.bsd405.org/our-school/news/news-details/~board/clyde-hill-elementary-school-news/post/cougar-chronical-9525

 

In addition to the start of Before/After School activities, the fall is also a time of Health Screenings and Vaccine Clinics.  Below is a request for volunteers to help with hearing screenings across the district as well as information about upcoming Flu and COVID vaccine clinics across the district including one being held at Clyde Hill Elementary on Tuesday, September 23rd.

From Nurse Amy Borberg:

Hello Clyde Hill Staff, Students, and Student Families,

We are excited to host onsite flu & Covid COMMUNITY CLINICS in our district and at our school this year.

9.19.25 Tyee Middle School [4pm – 7pm]

9.23.25 Clyde Hill Elem. [3:30pm – 6:30pm]

9.29.25 Lake Hills Elem. [2:30pm – 6pm]

9.30.25 Enatai Elem. [2:30pm – 6:30pm]

10.7.25 Somerset Elem. [2:30pm – 6pm]

10.16.25 Tillicum Middle School [2:30pm – 6:30pm]

10.27.25 Big Picture School [3pm – 6pm]

11.3.25 Sherwood Forest Elem. [3:30pm – 6:30pm]

11.7.25 Odle Middle School [3:30pm – 6:30pm]

*The link below allows you to register for any of the clinics listed above.

How to Register:

The registration link for all participants:
https://schedule.seattlevna.com/home/75d6e94e-b61c-ec11-b6e6-000d3a18c87e

Through this link, participants will:

• Consent to services
• Provide demographic and insurance info
• Choose an appointment time
• Please remind participants to wear short sleeves

After registering, each participant will receive a confirmation code via email to bring on clinic day.

Parking details: Clyde Hill parking lots

Building access: Front Office Entrance

Clinic location inside the school:  STEM Room, across from Music Room

 

Final Details:

When: Tuesday, 9.23.25 Clyde Hill Elem. – Amy Borberg: (425) 456-5003

Who: ALL CLYDE HILL FAMILIES, STUDENTS, STAFF and their families

WHY?:  To help keep your family and school community HEALTHY from the ICK!

 

 

 

🔊 Attention Parents! Your Help is Needed for School Hearing Screenings! 🔊

👂 Join Us for School Hearing Screenings in September and October 2025! 👂

 

Bellevue School District prioritizes the health and success of every student. That's why we're reaching out to our dedicated parent volunteers to assist with our upcoming hearing screenings. These screenings are vital in ensuring that all students have equal access to learning by identifying any potential hearing issues early on.

How You Can Help:

🤝 Volunteer Your Time: We're seeking enthusiastic volunteers to assist with conducting hearing screenings under the guidance of our trained professionals. Training would be provided ahead of the screenings in person, virtually or via video tutorial. Volunteers must complete a volunteer application using this link:  https://bsd405.org/get-involved/volunteer/  (please note there is a 2^nd link below to indicate interest in participating).

📋 Sign Up Today: If you're available anytime during September (September 16-October 31) and October 2025, we would be thrilled to have you join our team! Simply fill out the volunteer form linked below.

Volunteer Interest Form

📅 Flexible Scheduling: We understand that your time is valuable, which is why we offer flexible scheduling options to accommodate your availability. We are asking volunteers to commit to helping at a minimum of two schools.  Typically, the commitment involves only morning shifts on Tuesday-Fridays and we are able to complete an entire school in one shift.  Specific dates and locations will be shared later.

Please contact Kristen Oulton, our district audiologist with any questions: oultonk@bsd405.org or 425-456-4667

Thank you for your support and dedication to Bellevue School District

Sincerely,

The Bellevue School District Audiology & Health Services Team

 

In addition to these last two updates which were provided by our school's health team, we also have two updates from our school district's central office.

Updates from the Central Office

 

Mental Health Resources for the BSD Community

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness, spread hope, and spark meaningful action around one of the most urgent mental health issues of our time. Families are encouraged to take time to learn about warning signs, common symptoms, behaviors and risk factors — making a commitment to prioritizing suicide prevention.

A variety of mental health resources, including information about suicide prevention, can be found on the Mental Health Support section of the district website. Other topics covered include anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and substance abuse. Individuals seeking support may also reach out to school counselors and MHAT counselors.
 

The Bellevue School District has also partnered with Care Solace to complement districtwide efforts that support the well-being of students, families and staff. Care Solace is a free and confidential care coordination service that can help you quickly find mental health or substance use treatment options matched to your needs, regardless of circumstance. Care Solace is NOT an emergency response service or mental health service provider. If you have a life-threatening emergency, please call 911 or The Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988. The Care Solace team is always available — including nights, weekends and holidays.

 

A Beginning-of-the-Year Update from BSD Operations and Finance

BSD’s Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer share an update with the community regarding the district’s plan to strengthen our finances and reserves.

Key updates include:

• Student enrollment
• Class sizes
• Benefits of non-resident students
• Commitment to transparency and accountability 

These updates will be shared with the BSD community monthly, including through School Board Meeting presentations and study sessions, bsd405.org, and the BSD News and Events e-newsletter.

Read the full September update.

 

With the school year off to a smooth start, this will be the last weekly edition of the school newsletter, and the "Cougar Chronicle" will move to its usual monthly format.  Look for the next "Cougar Chronicle" to be published the first Friday of October.  While I will still send an announcement via email to the community, it won't be a newsletter posted on the website until the beginning of each month.  I look forward to seeing many of you on Tuesday night at Curriculum Night!

Amy MacDonald

Principal, Clyde Hill Elementary School

 

The Bellevue School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts of America and other designated youth groups.

The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination:

Civil Rights, Racial Discrimination, and Gender Expression or Identity Discrimination:Civil Rights/Nondiscrimination Compliance Coordinator Nancy Pham, 425-456-4040 or phamn@bsd405.org

Sex-based Discrimination, including Sexual Harassment:Title IX Coordinator: Jeff Lowell, 425-456-4010 or lowellj@bsd405.org

Disability Discrimination:Section 504/ADA Coordinator: Karen Dejong, 425-456-4277 or dejongk@bsd405.org

Mailing address for all three: 12111 NE 1st Street, Bellevue, WA 98005.