PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Salutations Families,
May was a busy month as we tackled a series of assessments to measure overall student growth. The Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science (WCAS) in grade 5, the Smarter Balanced Assessment (SBA), in grades 3-5, iReady (K-5) and we even fit in our Camp Cedar experience for 5th graders. A very big thank you to our Assessment Coordinators Emily Grossman and Darcia Myers who oversaw the schedules, proctors, and supported teachers and staff throughout the process.
Now we wait for the assessment results as it will determine where we go from here. I know the mere mention of assessments conjures up a multitude of feelings and eye-rolls. However, as a public school we are held accountable based on these results. More to come in the coming months as we review the results and collaborate with building and district leadership.
A big Cub hug to all families who participated in our Family Culture Night on May 19th. Our KE staff and families reveled in every aspect of the events carefully orchestrated by the event chairs, Elisabeth Lepine and Betsy Kurcinka. Pride and joy rippled throughout our campus. So much to learn and see! Thank you again to all who participated and made this event a huge success. Be sure to save the date for the next Family Culture Night which will be held on Friday, October 20, 2023.
The month of June is a bittersweet month for some of us. I would like to take a moment to honor two individuals who will be leaving Kenmore Elementary for other adventures.
After 27 dedicated years with Northshore School District, Ms. Dana Plant, our 2nd grade teacher, will be retiring. In my short time here as principal, I’ve often run into numerous community members who will ask me if Ms. Plant still works at Kenmore. When I say yes, the response has oftentimes been one of explosive enthusiasm for a teacher so loved by the families she touched. We will miss her voice on the walkie talking during dismissal, as I am sure many of you will miss the moments you shared with Dana while waiting in the car pick up line.
Enclosed is an excerpt from an email I received from Ms. Corcoran (parent to Elise and Riley) who captured Ms. Plant’s contributions so well.
“I know from our family’s experience and many others that Dana Plant’s impact on Kenmore Elementary has been immense. Often in conversation with Dana, we talk about how tightly bonded the students of Kenmore Elementary are and how connected she feels to them."
"Dana leaves our school a better place and the people she’s touched over the years forever impacted by her love and care. She has taught every student in her path to be learners, scientists, artists, writers, marathon runners, stewards of the environment, and most importantly friends. To know Ms. Plant is a gift and an opportunity to be a part of the joy and wonder she brings to teaching and the world.”
Another departure from Kenmore Elementary will be Ms. Liliana Montoya, our Family Engagement Specialist, who will be moving to India for an opportunity her family could not refuse. Liliana has made an invaluable contribution to our Kenmore Community this past year. She truly was “the person” who connected with our Latinx families and increased their engagement in our school community. We will miss her resourcefulness, kindness and grace in which she maneuvered through our Kenmore Cub territory.
It’s been a wonderful year at Kenmore Elementary with much to be thankful for and I could not have done this without your participation and partnership. Thank you for the kind words, thoughtful gestures and support.
Lastly, this month we celebrate Pride Month acknowledging the many contributions of LGBTQ+ in our Kenmore Elementary community and beyond and we commemorate Juneteeth - the emancipation of enslaved African Americans.
It’s a fast and furious month ahead, I look forward to seeing you at one of the many upcoming events!
Ms. George-Shapiro
Principal
IMPORTANT DATES
- June 1st - Popcorn Thursday
- June 5th - 2nd Grade Field Trip to Edmonds Marina/Beach
- June 5th-June 6th - Eduardo Mendoca visits music classes
- June 6th - PTA General Meeting, 7:00-8:30pm
- June 7th - Early Release Wednesday, 2:10pm
- June 7th - Head Start End of Year Family Party, Courtyard Outside Room 13, 2:30-4:30pm
- June 8th - 5th Grade Safety Patrol End of Year Party, Bowlero, 10:30am-1:30pm
- June 9th - All School Fun Run, During Specialist Times (volunteers welcome)
- June 12th - 5th Grade Party, Brightwater, 9:30am-2:00pm
- June 14th - All School Walk & Talk, Outside, 9:30-10:30am (staff & students only)
- June 14th - Field Day, 2:00-3:25pm (volunteers welcome)
- June 14th - *Full Wednesday - Dismissal at 3:40pm*
- June 15th - All School Picnic, During Regular Lunchtimes (families welcome)
- June 16th - Last Day of Head Start Preschool
- June 16th - 5th Grade Moving Up Celebration, Gym, 2:30-3:30pm
- June 19th - NO SCHOOL: Juneteenth Holiday
- June 20th - *Last Day of School - Dismissal at 11:40am*
- June 23 - Report Cards Mailed Home
June 23rd - Kenmore Elementary Office Closing for Summer Break @ 3:00pm
MUSIC RESIDENCY
Eduardo Mendonca
Brazilian-born Musical Artist
Kenmore Elementary is privileged to have Eduardo Mendonca, Brazilian-born musical artist, and creator of Show Brazil, present in all music classes on June 5 and 6.
Students will learn how to play traditional and contemporary Brazilian grooves like Samba, Baiao, and Samba-Reggae and games as inspiration to ignite creativity. Students will enjoy learning and creating with Mr. Mendonca who has performed for celebrities such as Nelson Mandela, Pope John II and the Dalai Lama.
Thank you to the PTA for sponsoring this awesome event!
SUMMER OFFICE HOURS
- The Kenmore Elementary Office will be closing for summer break on Friday, June 23rd @ 3:00pm. The office will reopen with summer hours on Monday, August 7th at 9:00am.
*Please note that summer office hours are 9:00am-3:00pm*
ENROLLMENT
Enrollment is now open for the 2023-2024 School Year!
Enrollment is needed for incoming kindergarteners and new students of all grades. See the NSD enrollment website to get started! https://www.nsd.org/schools/get-started/enrollment
*Timely kindergarten enrollment is very important as we plan staffing for the 23-24 school year.
ARE YOU MOVING?
An accurate count of students for each grade is very important. If you are moving to another school or district next year, please let our school office staff know as soon as possible so that we can plan for classroom sizes and staffing for the 23-24 school year.
LIBRARY BOOK RETURN
All Library books are due no later than Monday, June 5th.
If your child has lost a book, please visit go.nsd.org/keqa.
Please contact Chris Brush, KE Library Teacher, with any questions. cbrush@nsd.org or 425.408.4812
Thank you!
SUMMER READING!
Please visit go.nsd.org/kesummerreading after June 5th, to learn more about summer reading opportunities.
YEAR END MEDICATION & SUPPLY PICK UP
Parents/Guardians of Students with Medical Conditions:
Please look for medical packets that will be mailed to your home. All medication and supplies must be picked up from the Health Room on the last day of school: June 20th by noon. Any medication or items not picked up with be disposed of by the district. If you student will not be in school on the last day, please make arrangements to pick up items on their final day of school.
Dianna Rushton, RN, BSN - drushton@nsd.org
425.408.4806
DISTRICT TECHNOLOGY UDPATE
Students will keep their devices this summer!
Students currently in grades 2-5 will be keeping their assigned computing devices over the summer months to allow for continuous learning. Students and families are expected to take care of their assigned device by keeping it charged and in its bag when not in use. Students who are enrolled in summer learning programs are expected to bring their device to summer programs each day. If families need support using their device or troubleshooting technical issues, they should create a help ticket at http://go.nsd.org/studenttechhelp.
Families who wish not to keep a device over the summer need to complete this opt out form.
Families may not need or want to take their student’s device home over the summer. Families who wish to opt out of keeping their student’s assigned device will need to indicate that they are “opting out” by completing the form at https://go.nsd.org/optout . This form will help our staff to plan efficiently for sending devices home for summer learning. When students return to school in the Fall, any student who does not have an assigned device will be assigned one for school year learning.
Families in grades K-1 whose students need a device for summer learning need to complete this opt in form.
Families of students currently in grades K and 1 who wish to check out an iPad for summer learning need to indicate so by completing the form at http://go.nsd.org/techoptin. Students and families are expected to care for the device and use it only for learning purposes. The device must be returned to school on or before the first day of the 2023-24 school year.
In you are completing an Opt-Out or Opt-In Form, please do so by Wednesday, June 14th.
- Opt-Out Form Link: https://go.nsd.org/optout
- Opt-In Form Link: http://go.nsd.org/techoptin
5TH GRADE MOVING UP CELEBRATION
5th Grade Moving Up Celebration
Friday, June 16th @ 2:30pm
Gymnasium
For our parents and guardians of the Class of 2030, please plan to join us on June 16, 2023 for our 5th Grade Moving Up Celebration. We will be holding this even in the gym. We will start promptly at 2:30 with awards, recognition of staff leaving Kenmore Elementary, and finally certificates of completion for all our 5th grade students. Students will then walk the campus to say goodbye to former teachers and allow our younger students to wish our 5th graders well as they transition to middle school.
Please allow extra time for parking (the lower lot will be closed for buses/dismissal), signing in at the main office, and walking to the location.
FIELD DAY
On June 14th Kenmore Elementary will be having our annual Field Day. Please see the link below for more information and to sign up if you would like to volunteer. The campus will be closed to visitors at this time so if you would like to join the fun, please sign up to volunteer before June 9th!
Field Day Flyer:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LIg57X_uMtBs98oZHzA_o0pUmzLou7rN/edit
THANK YOU
Thank you to all of our PTA volunteers who gave their time to be on campus and run Popcorn Thursdays this year! A delicious tradition that our cubs look forward to each month!
Thank you to everyone who celebrated our amazing staff during staff appreciation week, and to the all of the generous PTA members who provided us with a delicious staff appreciation lunch!
Thank you to all of our community members who became emergency subs this year and have been working in the classrooms to ensure we are staffed appropriately to serve all of our students. We couldn't have made it through the past year without you!
MODERNIZATION UPDATE
Our May School Design Advisory Team (SDAT) meeting was abruptly interrupted with the lockdown and our Design Team was here for the entire experience. I know this will generate new ideas about safety and security as the team continues to develop their design plans. We will be meeting one last time before we break for summer. For the latest updates check out the Kenmore Elementary Modernization website.
DISTRICT NEWS
See the school calendar for the 2023-2024 school year below!
