Cougar Chronicle: April 2026

As we enter the final quarter of the school year, I look forward to seeing families at school with the many in-school and PTA* events that highlight this time of year.  Last week we explored the world of science through the Clyde Hill PTA Science Fair!  Students shared projects on a wide range of topics and also had the opportunity to connect with science and robotics programs outside of Clyde Hill such as local robotics teams, coding and science programs, and the Bellevue Botanical Gardens!  This week kindergarten families joined us for our monthly school assembly which highlighted our kindergarten students in their "Alphabet Fashion Show."

Our next, whole-school event will be the Clyde Hill PTA Heritage Festival.  If you are interested  in participating in this event - either by hosting a table or attending the event - below is a message from our PTA about this event:

 

Join us in celebrating the diversity of our school community at the 2026 Clyde Hill Heritage Festival.

Thursday, April 30th in the school cafeteria.

CLICK HERE to host a table and share the traditions of your culture with our school community. Please also consider donating to the event or volunteering your time.

More information at: https://www.clydehillpta.org/events/heritagefestival

 

We also look forward to seeing families as our classes head out on various field trips as we celebrate their learning through these exciting adventures into our community!  If you are hoping to be a chaperone on one of these trips, you need to have completed the volunteer verification form online.  Volunteer clearance is valid for three years.  If you need to complete this form, it can be found on the Bellevue School District website at:  https://www.bsd405.org/programs-and-services/athletics/field-trips 

*Note that the next General Membership Meeting for the Clyde Hill PTA will be on  Tuesday, April 14th beginning at 5 PM in the Clyde Hill library.  We hope you can join us!

 

Bellevue School District Board of Directors Visit

Each year the school district's Board of Directors select schools to visit.  This year our Board of Directors will be visiting Clyde Hill the morning of Tuesday, April 21st.  When our Board of Directors visit schools they meet with staff prior to the start of the school day, meet with families just after the start of the day, meet with a group of students, visit classrooms, and meet with our school's leadership.  These visits are open, public meetings with the exception of the time when they meet with students and visit classrooms.  

The meeting with Clyde Hill families will begin just after the start of the school day, 9:05 AM, for those interested in attending.  We will be meeting in the STEM room, and there will also be the ability to join the meeting online.  If you wish to join online, the link is below:

Microsoft Teams Need help?

Join the meeting now

Meeting ID: 278 099 845 185

Passcode: fs6fY6a4

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Dial in by phone

+1 206-800-4133,,653520648# United States, Richmond Beach

Find a local number

Phone conference ID: 653 520 648#

I hope you will consider joining this meeting which will last until 9:30 am.  At this time we will be moving forward in our agenda -  visiting classrooms and meeting with students - closing with meeting with the school leadership.  The Board of Directors visit will conclude at 11:15 am. 

 

Class Placement and Preparing for the 2026-27 School Year

As we head into this final quarter of the school year it is important for families to know how we are preparing for the upcoming school year.  After we return from Spring Break, Clyde Hill Office Manager Holly Westerberg will send families in grades K-4 a survey asking if your student(s) is/are planning to return.  This supports our school in having the most accurate numbers possible heading into the summer.  Additionally, this survey will allow families to provide additional insights for staff to consider as we build classes for next year.  As families complete the survey for each of their students at Clyde Hill, please note that we do not take individual teacher requests. 

In late May and early June school staff combine their knowledge of students with information provided by families to build initial classes for next year that are balanced socially and academically as well as crafted to have a strong sense of community among students.  We will continue to revise classes until families are emailed in late August with official teacher assignments.  I will continue to share the message that while families may see a tentative teacher assignment online in early or mid-August, it is not final until you receive an email from your child(ren)'s teacher(s) in late August.  Sharing a teacher name with your child before official emails are sent can lead to unnecessary disappointment. 

One ask that we have of families is that you help spread the word about registration.  If you know a family who will be new to the Bellevue School District in the fall of 2026, please encourage them to register their student(s) as soon as possible.  The registration process occurs online at:  https://www.bsd405.org/enroll  The sooner families register for the upcoming year, the clearer our picture for teacher staffing becomes, particularly in early August.  Current families in grades K-5 do not need to re-register; however, families moving from preschool to kindergarten do need to register. 

 

Before and After School Activities:  Spring 2026

This spring there are several before and after school activities offered, for a fee, to Clyde Hill families. 

• iCode is running a new series of classes open to students in grades K-5. 
• Art Adventures has its final session of the year for students in grades 3-5.
• Excel with Chess continues its Monday morning chess sessions for students in grades K-5.
• We anticipate the return of the Clyde Hill Running Club in mid or late April.  

While we cannot post flyers for these programs on our school website, registration information is available in the Clyde Hill main office and shared with current families in the email that provided the link to this newsletter.  If you are seeking a scholarship for any of these programs, please indicate that on your registration as all of our program providers have scholarship spots in their programs.  

 

The following updates are from the Bellevue School District central office - information to be shared across all schools.

E-Bike Bellevue School District Webpage

The Bellevue School District Safety and Security Department has produced e-bike information that all families need to be aware of.  For our students who have e-bikes, it is important to know that e-bikes are not allowed on our fields.  E-bikes cause damage to the field turf, and our fields are used by community organization in the evenings and throughout the weekend.  All families are encouraged to read the information about e-bikes linked below:

https://www.bsd405.org/programs-and-services/safety-and-security/e-bike-information-guidance

 

Attend Computer Science Family Engagement Night

Curious how computer science fits into your child’s future? Computer Science Family Engagement Night is an opportunity for families to experience and learn about the vast array of computer science experiences that our students have from PreK-12.

Date: April 23, 2026

Time: 5:00-7:00 p.m.

Location: Newport High School

Address: 4333 Factoria Blvd. SE, Bellevue, WA 98006

RSVP to attend.

The event will include hands-on activities for all ages, featuring:

• Student projects
• Robotics
• PreK-5 computer science
• AI in BSD
• Community partners
• Rocketry
• Partner vendors
• Career and Technical Education (CTE)

 

Share Your Input: Elementary Literacy-Focused School Program Survey

The Bellevue School District is exploring the possibility of offering a specialized school program with a strong focus on differentiated instruction in language and literacy, including reading and writing development, to support all learners.

As part of this exploration, we are especially interested in understanding how such a program could positively impact a wide range of students by supporting diverse learning needs, including those with dyslexia, through structured, engaging, and evidence-based literacy instruction.

We are seeking families’ input on their interest in a literacy-focused, multisensory learning environment and gathering feedback to help inform future planning. Our goal is to better understand how to create meaningful and inclusive learning experiences that strengthen literacy outcomes for all students.

We invite you to take a few minutes to complete this brief survey. The survey will close on April 22, so we encourage you to share your feedback soon. Your perspective is important to us, and your input will play a key role in shaping future program opportunities that benefit all learners.

Take the survey.

Thank you for your time and for sharing your thoughts.

 

Finally, just a reminder that during the first full week of April, April 6th - 10th, Clyde Hill Elementary will be closed for Spring Break.  We look forward to seeing our students return on Monday, April 13th!

 

Sincerely,

Amy MacDonald

Principal, Clyde Hill Elementary

 

Bellevue School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, ethnicity, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, homelessness, immigration or citizenship status, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, neurodivergence, 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: Kerince Bowen, (425) 456-4168 or bowenk@bsd405.org.

Mailing address for all three: 12111 NE 1st Street, Bellevue, WA 98005. Members of the public with disabilities who have specific concerns about the effectiveness of the District’s communications to them should contact Janine Thorn, Chief Communications and Engagement Officer, at 425-456-4000 or thornj@bsd405.org.