Cougar Chronicle: August 21, 2026

The countdown to the start of the school year has started!  While I hope you are still enjoying the warm summer days, preparations for our new school year are underway at Clyde Hill!  Teachers are beginning to return and set up classrooms, teams of staff members have been meeting to plan for a successful school year, and we are getting everything ready to welcome our students and families back with joy, care, and excitement. In less than two weeks, our halls will once again be filled with smiling faces, learning, laughter, and the wonderful energy that makes Clyde Hill such a special place. We cannot wait to begin another year together and look forward to partnering with you to help every child feel known, valued, and ready to thrive.

This week's newsletter highlights arrival and dismissal at Clyde Hill, information about breakfast and lunch service, an update on events including a new event from Clyde Hill's PTA, and the first updates of the year from the Bellevue School District central office.  Also included are the "Key Dates" for the beginning of the school year as well as information shared last week about childcare and class placement.

 

TRANSPORTATION, DROP-OFF, AND PICK UP

If you reside outside the walking perimeter and require transportation, you will be notified by the Transportation Department prior to the start of the school year. You will be told your designated pick-up and drop-off point and time. Transportation will also send you information regarding policies and procedures for bus riders. We expect all Clyde Hill students to follow Clyde Hill rules and expectations, whether on campus, in the classroom, on a field trip, on the bus, or waiting for the bus. If you are in doubt about whether your student may ride the bus, please call Transportation at (425)456-4512.  Additionally, more information about bus routes, including Clyde Hill's routes, can be found online at:  https://www.bsd405.org/programs-and-services/transportation/bus-routes

We encourage you to have your child ride the bus or walk to school with a group of other children. You can also carpool with neighbors. Traffic around Clyde Hill is very congested during pick-up and drop-off times. Fewer vehicles make the transition easier for everyone!

Below is the traffic map for Clyde Hill Elementary. Following the map are specific guidelines for entering the  drop off and pick up parking lot.

Accessing the student drop-off and visitor parking from 7 AM – 4 PM Monday through Friday requires you to turn right into the school parking lot.  Please know that this is enforced by Clyde Hill police.  Use the map and directions below if you are approaching Clyde Hill from the east on NE 24^th Street. 

To access the student drop-off parking lot located off of NE 24th St. during school hours:

• Head west on NE 24th St.
• Turn right on 96th Ave NE
• Turn left on NE 25th St.
• Turn left on 94th Ave NE
• Turn left on NE 24th St.
• Turn right into the school parking lot using the right-hand turn lane

 

Student Drop Off and Pick Up

If you need to drive to school to drop your child(ren) off, please follow these guidelines and the map on the following page:

1. Use the designated drop-off/pick-up lane when dropping off/picking up children curbside.  Children should exit the car curbside as cars continue to move in the left hand lane.
2. When using the drop off / pick-up lane:
   1. Pull as far forward as possible in the drop-off/pick-up lane.  Drop off/pick up your child(ren) on the curbside and pull back into the left lane to exit.
   2. Remain in your car at all time, and refrain from using your cellular telephone at this time.
   3. Please keep the line moving.  If you need to talk with another parent or a teacher, park your vehicle in a parking space.
3. If you choose to park your car, PARK ONLY IN DESIGNATED PARKING SPACES.  DO NOT PARK IN OR BLOCK THE DROP OFF/PICK UP LANE.
4. Have patience.  Plan for a few extra minutes in your morning or afternoon routine if you drop your child(ren) off or pick them up.        

If you are new to Clyde Hill Elementary and will be driving to the school, you are strongly encouraged to visit the school parking lots and neighborhood on the weekend to gain familiarity with the different parking lots and their unique access points.  Also, if you will be using the drop-off/pick-up lane for the first time, please consider stopping by school to practice!                    

 

Nutrition Services:  Breakfast and Lunch at Clyde Hill

Information about the Bellevue School District breakfast and lunch programs can be found online at:  https://www.bsd405.org/programs-and-services/nutrition-services

For detailed information about school menus as well as breakfast and lunch prices, please go to:  https://www.bsd405.org/programs-and-services/nutrition-services/menus-and-nutritional-information

We use a computerized meal accounting system.  Each student uses their student ID number to purchase a meal or milk.  Students who purchase items either type in or scan (for younger students) their student ID number and their account is debited accordingly.  Lunch money (checks and cash) can be dropped off in the main office.  Additionally, families can add funds to their student account online.

When sending a check for lunch payment, make sure you include your child’s first and last name on the check.  If you have more than one child, you may use one check, but please indicate the amount of money to deposit into each child’s account.  If you pay with cash, place it in an envelope, clearly labeled with your child’s name and teacher.  All lunch money must be delivered to the office in the morning. You may now also make prepayments to your student’s account using a credit card. Visit https://paypams.com/HomePage.aspx to use this option.

Free and reduced price lunches are available to children whose family's income fall within eligibility guidelines. You may complete the eligibility form online at any time (including using the family computer kiosk in the main office); however, you must reapply each year. This information is kept confidential.

 

New All-School PTA Event:   🖍️ Chalk the Walk! 🎨

Help us welcome our students back in the most colorful way possible! Join the PTA on Tuesday, September 1st from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM to cover the school walkways with fun drawings and encouraging messages for our students and staff to see on their first day.

It’s a great chance to hang out, connect with other families, and get the kids excited for the new year.

• When: Tuesday, September 1st, 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
• Where: School walkways and main entrances
• Chalk: The PTA will provide plenty of chalk, but you are welcome to bring your own too!

We hope to see you there! Let's work together to make the first morning back extra special for our students!

 

 

*The following are items from last week's newsletter.*

Childcare:  Clyde Hill's before and after school childcare is provided by the Bellevue Boys and Girls Club.  This program is provided at both the Downtown Bellevue Boys and Girls Club as well as onsite at Clyde Hill for students Preschool - 5th grade.  If families wish to register for this program, this is completed through the Boys and Girls Club website at:  https://www.bgcbellevue.org/  Both the school age and preschool programs are found under the "Programs" menu on the left hand navigation bar.

 

Class Placement:  We know that students and families are eager to find out who their teacher will be for the upcoming school year.  Official class assignments will be emailed by teachers to families on the afternoon of Friday, August 28th.  While students may "see" a teacher name via some online applications, those are not class placements.   Our class assignments and even grade level configurations (how many classes we have at each grade) shift as new students enroll throughout the summer and especially during August.  

 

Key Dates:  The following are key dates that families will want to know about as we prepare for and begin the 2026-27 school year.

Wednesday, August 26th:  Kindergarten Camp - Please use the link below to see information that was sent to kindergarten families on 8/14/26.

• https://clydehill.bsd405.org/our-school/news/news-details/~board/clyde-hill-elementary-school-news/post/welcome-to-kindergarten-august-2026

Thursday, August 27th:  New Family Tours, 4:30 - 5:30 PM  

• Families new to Clyde Hill Elementary are invited to join tours provided by Clyde Hill Elementary staff.

Friday, August 28th:  Class Placements Emailed, Late Afternoon

• With nearly all elementary schools sending class placements on the same day, emails can be slow to arrive (sometimes 4-6 hours after we press send).  If you do not receive an email on Friday, please contact the main office on Monday, August 31st or just come to the Teacher Meet and Greet on August 31st where we can share your student's placement with you.

Monday, August 31st:  Teacher Meet and Greet, 3:00 - 4:00 PM

• Students and their families are invited to come visit their new classroom and meet their teacher!

Tuesday, September 1st:  Chalk the Walk, 4 - 6 PM

Wednesday, September 2nd:  First Day of School for 1st - 5th Grade

September 2nd, 3rd, and 4th:  Kindergarten Family Meetings

Tuesday, September 8th:  First Day of School, Kindergarten

Wednesday, September 9th:  First Day of School, Preschool

Friday, September 11th:  Ice Cream Social, 5:30 - 6:30 PM

• Come celebrate the beginning of the school year by having an icy, cool treat and connecting with old and new friends!  Students must be accompanied by an adult.

Wednesday, September 16th:  Curriculum Night, 5:30 - 7:15 PM

• Details about this event will be shared in future newsletters.

 

The following updates are from the Bellevue School District Central Office.  The updates highlight important information for all families in our Bellevue community.

Back-to-School Resources for Families

The Bellevue School District welcomes back students, staff and families for the 2026-2027 school year! Get prepared with all the information you need to head back to school. Visit the Back to School Information and Resources webpage to learn about enrolling at BSD, fall bus routes, laptop distribution, school meals, back-to-school events, and more. This webpage will be updated over the weeks leading up to the first day of school, so be sure to check back frequently for new resources.

 

Vaccine Clinic at the BSD Welcome Center

The International Community Health Services (ICHS) Mobile Team is partnering with the Bellevue School District Welcome Center to provide vaccinations for BSD students.

Event Details

• Date: Thursday, August 27
• Time: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
• Location: BSD Welcome Center, 12011 NE 1st St, Bellevue, WA 98005

Vaccination Services

• School-required vaccinations
• Recommended childhood immunizations
• Vaccine record review

Learn more and register.

 

2026-2027 Official Notices

The 2025-2026 Official Notices are now available on the district website and can be found on the Official Notices webpage. Families are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the district's 2026-2027 Official Notices, which include:  

• Notice of Child Find
• Notice of Complaint Resolution
• Notice of Students and Staff Rights and Responsibilities
• Notice of Rights Under the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment
• Non-Discrimination
• Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying
• Weapons
• District use of Directory Information
• Truancy
• Student Education Records (FERPA & Directory Information)
• Notice of Pesticide, Asbestos and Lead
• Standard Tort Claim
• Website Accessibility
• Career and Technical Education

 

Thank you for taking a few minutes to read through this newsletter.  The countdown to the beginning of the school year is on, and we cannot wait to see our Clyde Hill students and families back at school!

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: Nancy Pham, (425) 456-4040 or phamn@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.