Cougar Connect: September is All About Routines!
Whether at school or home, September and the beginning of the school year are all about setting routines.
- Our classes are setting routines about how they work together as a class community - everything from how they hand out supplies to how they have a discussion or solve a problem.
- Around the school we are establishing our routines and expectations such as how we line up coming in from recess to transition to the cafe for lunch and how we go through the garbage, recycling, food compost, tray stacking/silverware collection station to clean up at the end of lunch.
- In the parking lot, our families are learning to navigate which lot is for K-5 students and which lot is designated for prek drop-off and staff.
In all of these situations, we are practicing the routines and re-teach them as needed so that they become automatic, and we can rely on them being followed with minimal prompting.
A key focus for many schools across the United States since the COVID-19 pandemic has been student attendance. The routine of attending school consistently has been one we have struggled to return to. Prior to the pandemic, 92% of students at Clyde Hill attended school 90% of the time meaning 162 days or more of our 180 day school calendar. Last year, only 79% of Clyde Hill students met this goal of attending 162 days or more.
As you think about the routines that taking hold in your home this September, is consistent attendance at school, including arriving on time, one of those routines? If this is something that feels like a challenge, know that you are not alone and that your educators at Clyde Hill want to partner with you and your student(s) to help. Assistant Principal Deborah Coney takes the lead on all things attendance, including problem solving, and wants to partner with you! Mrs. Coney can be reached by email at: coneyd@bsd405.org or by calling the Clyde Hill main office at 425-456-5000.
Time to Check the Backpack!
I have always been amazed as a parent what can end up in a backpack in such a short period of time! With the third week of school completed, it's time for a backpack check. Here's why... we are starting to see quite a few toys appearing at school - particularly trading cards and crafting kits. If these are permitted at after-care programs such as Right at School or the Bellevue Boys and Girls Club, that's great, but they need to stay in a student's backpack all day at school until they reach the after-care program. Students
seem to be mistaking lunch time for after-care time. Students are being given a reminder that these items are not allowed and directed to put them away. If they appear again, the items will be brought to the main office for an adult to pick-up or sent home with a student at the end of the day if an adult cannot make it to school. As a school we encourage every family to figure out their routine for checking backpacks throughout the week or month.
Curriculum Night
As was shared last week, Curriculum Night is coming up on Monday, September 30th. The schedule for the evening is:
- 5:30-6:00 Grades Prek - 2nd Meet with Families
- 6:05 - 6:25 Principal Presentation in Cafe/Gym
- 6:30 - 7:30 Grades 3rd - 5th Meet with Families
Chinook Middle School has assured us that their parking lots will be available to us for parking as we know parking is limited at Clyde Hill Elementary. Additionally, we are asking any family that lives within walking distance to please walk to Curriculum Night to free up parking for those who do not live near the school.
Additionally, we have a small group of high school students from Newport High School's Teaching Academy who will be able to provide childcare for students in grades K-5 during Curriculum Night. They will be showing a movie, have games, and coloring activities available for students. The exact location of childcare will be posted when arriving. Adults will need to sign students in and out of childcare.
*Should childcare demand exceed what we have capacity for, children will be asked to sit alongside their grown-ups during the classroom or grade level presentation.
Get Involved in a District Design Team
The district is excited to announce the formation of our 2024-2025 Strategic Plan Coalition and Design Teams! These groups will play an integral role in advancing our strategic plan, and YOU’RE INVITED to be part of this important work. Teams include:
- Strategic Plan Coalition
- Sustainability Design Team
- Inclusion and Accessibility Design Team
- Multilingualism for All Design Team
Students, family members, community members and staff are encouraged to express their interest in serving on one or more of our Strategic Plan Coalition and Design Teams by completing this application form. We will also need one or two representatives from each Design Team to participate in the Strategic Plan Coalition. Applications will be open through September 26. You will be notified no later than October 4 if you are selected to serve on a team.
Bingo Night is Back!
Mark your calendars for Thursday, October 10th! The PTA Bingo Night is back! Last year's Bingo Night was a huge hit, and this year, we hope you can join us for another fun-filled evening! PTA events are family events meaning that students must be accompanied and supervised by an adult. While PTA members organize and lead the event and Clyde Hill staff members are present, families are expected to supervise their children throughout the event. We look forward to seeing you there!
Reminder: No School on Friday, October 11th
Just a reminder that there is no school on Friday, October 11th. This is a professional in-service day for educators. Clyde Hill staff will be engaging in professional development opportunities across the district.
As we head into the fall and the seasons officially changing this weekend, the entire staff of Clyde Hill is truly excited for the learning to come in the season ahead! We look forward to seeing you soon at Clyde Hill Elementary School!
In partnership,
Amy MacDonald
Principal, Clyde Hill Elementary School
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.