Cougar Chronicle: November 2025

November is the month of the school year that has the most unusual schedule.  With lots to keep track of this month, here are key dates for families to know:

• Monday, November 3^rd – Friday, November 7^th – School ends each at 1:15 PM.  This is conference week. 
• Monday, November 10^th and Tuesday, November 11^th – No school.  Veteran’s Day national holiday on November 11^th.  November 10^th is a non-student day.
• November 12^th – November 26^th – Regular school days. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday will dismiss at 3:30;  Wednesdays will dismiss at 1:15.
• November 27^th and 28^th (Thursday and Friday) – Thanksgiving holiday and non-student day on Friday.

After that, we have three weeks in December before we pause for Winter Break. 

 

Meeting Our Community’s Needs

Knowing that families within our school community are impacted by SNAP benefits not being funded as of the first weekend of November, if your family is in need of support and are unsure who to connect with, Clyde Hill’s Family Engagement Specialist – Supriya Unnikrishnan – is a key person to contact.  The easiest way to contact her is by email:  unnikrishnans@bsd405.org. 

Additionally, we are seeking donations of snacks to the main office to support students who are in need of additional food throughout the day.  Preferred snacks are those that are individually packaged like individual bags of goldfish crackers, popcorn, zbars/breakfast bars that are nut free, small packages of jerky or individually wrapped meat sticks so that we have both carbohydrates and protein.  If you are interested in donating, please know that we do not have refrigeration space for snacks, and if you are unsure what to donate, please reach out to our office manager, Holly Westerberg (westerbergh@bsd405.org or 425-456-5000) for suggestions.

 

November Conferences

We look forward to seeing families throughout the upcoming conference week during the first week of November!  When you arrive for your conference, please check in at the main office so that you can sign in.  If your conference is after 3:50 PM, your teacher will meet you at the main office.  If you have not scheduled your conference with your child(ren)’s teacher, it’s not too late.  The quickest way to schedule is to email your child’s teacher or respond to a Talking Points message you may have received form them.  If neither of these options work for you, please call our main office, leave a message for the teacher you would like to reach, and they will get back in contact with you.  Each teacher would like to meet with every family in their class!

 

Reflecting on Student Behavior & an Insightful Podcast

In October, information about the uptick in less-than-desirable student behaviors was shared with families.  Our staff have been working diligently to teach social skills using our Social Emotional Learning lessons, and we have seen improvement in some key places.  For example, we have seen improvement on the soccer field in terms of students making better choices during the game, and we will continue to work on sportsmanship at the end of games.  Students have also been receiving a clear message about the use of inappropriate language as we saw an uptick in profanity used towards other students.  We have had students reach out to their families to ensure that students understand they are accountable for what they say, and their actions will be communicated to home.  With each of these types of behaviors, we are striving to help students form habits that will serve them well as they continue to grow. 

I am always seeking to grow my skills and those of my staff and families in how we support students.  This weekend, I found myself listening to the following episode of The Hidden Brain as I was out and about.  The episode was so intriguing, I continued listening on my phone even after I arrived home.  The episode focuses on behavior challenges and a key portion, beginning at about the 18 minute mark, focuses on the difference between someone’s will to do something and their skill to do that task.  This podcast seemed relevant both to school and home, so I am sharing the link with you.  I know that there will be several key points that I will be utilizing as I support students in challenging situations – a key one being getting students to stop and breathe, count at least to 10 (slowly), and then answer a question or respond to a situation.  A section of this podcast that caught my attention was about people/students who respond without thinking through the outcomes of their choice – a behavior that becomes habit.  Helping our students to stop, breathe, and think could be critical in changing patterns we see in some students. 

Hidden Brain Podcast:  “Reframing the Battle of Wills” https://www.hiddenbrain.org/podcast/reframing-the-battle-of-wills/

 

Racist Language in Parking Lot:  Investigation Update

In September I shared that a racist slur was found written in chalk in one of our parking spaces.  The Bellevue School District’s Safety and Security Department reviewed security video footage and were able to identify the person who appeared to have written the message.  The person appeared to be an older, male middle school student or a younger high school student.  They were on foot walking on to campus and off after writing in the parking space.  We have shared this video footage with all of the secondary schools who have students in this area, and none have been able to identify this individual.  We continue to be vigilant in checking our school to ensure that no racial slurs have appeared on school property, and I continue to work with our safety and security team on additional steps.

 

Upcoming Events at Clyde Hill

Mark your calendars for two upcoming community events at Clyde Hill in the next month.

• Friday, November 14^th come celebrate our student artists who will be displaying their artistic talents as part of the Clyde Hill Art Show!  This art show will celebrate artwork both for the PTA Reflections contest as well as additional art pieces students select to share. 

  • Art submissions are due Friday, November 7th!  Reflections is an annual National PTA Art program that encourages students to create works of art based on a yearly theme. Only students attending a school that has a PTA in good standing can participate. Students can enter in 4 categories: Visual Arts, Literature, Music Composition and Photography. Make sure to have your name, grade and your teacher’s name on the back of the artwork.  Entries are due on November 7th.

  • PTA will be hosting a student art gallery and potluck dessert reception to show off all our amazing art works on Friday Nov 14 in the school cafeteria.

  • For more information please go to www.clydehillpta.org/reflections or contact Olga Chigintseva at Reflections@clydehillpta.org.

• Friday, December 5^th Clyde Hill will host a Family Movie Night in the cafeteria/gym and also begin the Scholastic Book Fair. 

Once the exact start times for these events are determined, I will make sure these are shared.  If  you do not receive the Clyde Hill’s PTA newsletter, you can sign up online at:  https://www.clydehillpta.org/

 

Updates from the Central Office of the Bellevue School District

The following updates are from various departments in the Bellevue School District central office. 

Preschool Registration for 2026-27

Below is a message from our Preschool/Early Learning Office:

Hello Bellevue School District Families,

We hope you’re enjoying a wonderful year so far! While it may feel early, Preschool is already excitedly planning for the 2026–2027 school year—and we have great news: current elementary families get priority enrollment before we open spots to new students!

If you have a 3-4 year old student you want to join us for preschool next school year, please complete the survey linked below. This quick form helps us tentatively reserve your child’s place for next year. The survey will close on December 19th.

A $500 non-refundable deposit will be charged on January 5 and applied toward September tuition. This will officially hold your spot in the program. Tuition assistance is available for qualifying families. Current monthly rates are $1,575 (in-district) and $1,890 (out-of-district); updated rates will be shared in March on our website.

 Please note that our preschool program does not include before- or after-school care. For childcare options, contact Right at School or the Boys & Girls Club.

Survey Link:

https://forms.office.com/r/XuKigvVee0

Thank you for being part of the Bellevue School District community!

 

 

Family Literacy Night: Understanding Reading Skills and Assessments

Join BSD Teaching and Learning for an informative evening designed to help families understand how students learn to read and how schools assess foundational reading skills. We will share insights on:

• What reading development looks like
• Understanding assessment
• How assessments support your student’s learning

Whether you're new to literacy assessments or looking to deepen your understanding, this session will offer practical insights and resources to help you support your student's learning. Let’s work together to support strong readers and confident learners!

Event Details

• Date: Thursday, November 20
• Time: 6:00–7:00 p.m.
• Location: Wilburton Instructional Service Center
• Address: 12241 Main street Bellevue, WA 98005

 

Inclement Weather and Potential Closure Reminders

Winter is approaching and may bring unpredictable weather to our community. Families are encouraged to take the time to revisit the district’s emergency closure schedule protocols and learn about our emergency closure decision-making process. While some decisions are made for the whole district, conditions may vary across different communities, which may result in different decisions for some schools. We encourage families to make personal decisions based on their specific circumstances.

Read the full article to learn more about:

• Receiving emergency communications
• Transportation during severe weather, including snow routes
• Changes to childcare options in the event of delays, closures and early dismissals
• Special circumstances like power outages

 

 

The Impact of Federal Staff Reductions on Student Services

At Bellevue School District, our mission is to affirm and inspire each and every student to learn and thrive as creators of their future world. We recognize that external policy shifts — such as changes in federal education staffing — can have significant impacts on vulnerable students and families. In light of recent developments, we stand firm in our commitment to maintaining essential supports and protections.

The Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) recently issued a statement on behalf of State Superintendent, Chris Reykdal, outlining how federal layoffs may affect oversight and services for students with disabilities, those experiencing homelessness, migratory students, and other vulnerable groups. Read Superintendent Reykdal’s full message.

 

 

Now Seeking Volunteers for Levy Pro and Con Committees

Volunteer committee members are needed to develop pro and con statements for the Bellevue School District’s two proposed levy renewals on the February 10, 2026, ballot. The statements will be published in the local voters’ pamphlet, which will be mailed to voters in advance of the election. State law requires that volunteers reside in the district.

The School Board will appoint up to three members to serve on each of the Pro Committees and Con Committees for the two levy renewals. The Pro Committees will write 200-word statements supporting the measures, and the Con Committees will write 200-word statements opposing them. Each committee will also have the opportunity to write a rebuttal to the opposing statement.

Applications must be submitted by Thursday, November 6, 2025. Learn more and apply.

 

Thank you for taking the time to read through these updates!  I look forward to seeing many families at Clyde Hill over the coming week.

In partnership,

Amy MacDonald

Principal, Clyde Hill Elementary

 

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