May - Tukwila Elementary - Tukwila School District

MAY, 2016
“THE BEST & THE BRIGHTEST”
Principal’s
Message
Tukwila Elementary
is a Title I school-wide school
Dear families,
Tukwila PTA News
We made it through April and are so ready for May
with sunshine, assessments/tests and so many of our
students powerfully pushing to the end and finishing
strong. Our students are confidently getting ready for
the work their teachers are preparing for them. They
are reading 10 - 20 minutes every night, they are
practicing math facts and doing ST math at home on
the computer.
May is a busy month for the Tukwila PTA!
Staff Appreciation Week is May 2-6. PTA is hosting
a lunch buffet on Tuesday, 5/3 and a dessert bar
on Friday, 5/6. Families can participate by donating
a dish on either or both days. We ask that you return
the bottom section of your PTA flyer so PTA can
prepare additional dishes if necessary. Please bring
food items to the front office between 8:30 and
10:30am on 5/3 and 5/6.
FIELD TRIPS are coming. If you would like to help
supervise and volunteer, please make sure you are
cleared through our volunteer process. Apply soon,
as the application process takes two-three
weeks.
Our next PTA meeting is scheduled for Wednesday,
5/11, at 6:30pm in the school cafeteria. Join us and
meet other members of the Tukwila Elementary
community, learn about what the PTA is doing in your
school, and how you can get involved. We can't wait to
meet you!
Have a great May.
Steve Salisbury,
Principal
May's Popcorn Friday will be held on 5/13.
Special Persons Day is scheduled for Wednesday,
5/18 Students are welcome to invite the special people
in their life to enjoy a BBQ lunch with them at school
and PTA pays for one lunch per student. Additional
guests may purchase tickets (adults $4, children
$2.50). Please return your reservation form by 5/2 so
we can order enough food for all of our guests.
Early release Wednesdays for May
Classes will meet 9:00-12:45, on May 4th and May
25th. Teachers will have professional
development training / preparation time during the
afternoons.
No school - May 27th and 30th
If you have any questions or suggestions for the PTA,
please email us at [email protected] or call
president Tracy Russell at (206)851-4318.
Our school will be closed Friday, May 27th and
Monday, May 30th. There is no need for the snow
make-up day scheduled for May 27th so it becomes
a no-school day. May 30th is the Memorial Day
holiday. Classes will resume on Tuesday, May 31st.
1
2016-2017 new student
registration
Calendar of Events
Registration for next fall’s classes has begun. When
registering your child, please bring the following documents:

Child’s birth certificate

Child’s shot record

Proof of residency in the Tukwila School District (current
utility bill, rental agreement or lease, mortgage
statement….)
5/2 - 5/6
Tukwila PTA staff appreciation week
5/3
9:30-2:00, 1st grade field trip
Seattle Children’s Theater
5/4
Early release Wednesday
Classes meet 9:00-12:45
5/5
End of third progress report period
1:15-2:00, 1st grade Cinco de Mayo
Celebration
Did you know…..
7:00, 5th grade band concert
Foster Performing Arts Center
You can call in an absence for your student (206-901-7503
or 206-901-7502) at any time, 24 hours a day. Please
include the name of your student, the reason for the
absence, and a phone number where you may be
reached if there is a question.
5/11
6:30, Tukwila PTA meeting
5/13
9:30-11:30, Deming / Arambula
walking field trip to City Hall
For the safety of our students and staff, please enter our
school only by the main entry door. Visitors must sign in/out
and wear a visitor pass.
10:30-12:30. Graves/McCarthey
walking field trip to City Hall
Students should arrive at school no earlier than 8:30am and
depart no later than 3:30pm unless they are enrolled in a
supervised school activity before/after school.
Tukwila PTA Popcorn Friday
You are encouraged to leave last-minute messages for your
student no later than 2:45 so there is time for the messages
to be delivered. Thank you!
If you wish to volunteer, either at the school or on field trips,
you must complete a volunteer packet at least three weeks
prior to the activity. Once cleared, the background check is
good for two years.
You can hear about weekly school activities by dialing 206901-7501 OR check out the district web site at
www.tukwila.wednet.edu.
5/16
Third trimester progress reports
sent home with students
5/18
Tukwila PTA Special Persons’ BBQ
5/24
9:20-2:00, Kindergarten field trip
Seattle Aquarium
5/25
Early release Wednesday
Classes meet 9:00-12:45
REACH program cancelled
Applications for low-cost student school insurance are
available in the school office.
5/27
No school
Snow make-up day not needed
Our lost and found is located at the rear of the main lobby.
Please check often for missing items as this collection piles
up quickly.
5/30
No school, Memorial Day holiday
6/3
9:15-2:00, 4th grade field trip
Pacific Science Center
Our school collects Box Tops for Education. Please deposit
Box Tops in the marked container in the main office.
2
Classroom News
Look at all the activities in our classrooms!
Kindergarten students are practicing their reading and writing skills
and finishing the second book in
Math. We are getting ready for first
grade. We will soon be studying
the life cycle of the butterfly. Caterpillars will arrive early in May so
that we can release the Painted
Lady Butterflies in June.
The end of the school year is approaching and the final weeks will
be busy. Here are some important
dates to remember:

May 24—Kindergarten field trip
to the Seattle Aquarium
 June 7—International Day
 June 10 (morning)—Primary
Field Day
 June 16, 2:30pm—Kindergarten
Graduation
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
2nd graders are working on three
digit addition and subtraction in
math. In reading, we would like 2nd
graders to read for at least 20
minutes a day at home. Some of
our students are reading fast
enough, but they are struggling
with remembering what they read
(comprehension). It is helpful to
ask your child to retell a story or
chapter they have read. It can also
be helpful for them to write a summary of what they have read. The
kids are also learning about communities in preparation for our
walking field trip to Tukwila City
Hall on May 13th. A unit on tide
pools will also take place in May to
prepare for the field trip to Owens
beach on June 6th. If you are interested in going to any of these field
trips, your volunteer paperwork
will need to be up-to-date.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Fourth graders have been busy
learning how to add, subtract, and
convert mixed numbers to improper fractions. They have also been
learning about the elements of poetry, including figurative language
and rhythm. Next up? Fourth
graders will be learning about
Greek mythology, pioneers, and
circuits and electricity. The end of
the school year is near, and all
three fourth grade classes will celebrate with a fun, educational field
trip to the Pacific Science Center in
June!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Library news The library has been buzzing with
tons of new books. We've been
working hard to update our library
with newly published books that
will help our students maintain a
love for reading. Please make sure
your child is reading for at least 20
minutes a day. Please also help
remind your child to turn in their
library books on library day so they
can enjoy some of the other new
books. Happy Reading!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
May, 2016
Music news Things are going well in
the music room! 5th graders will be
learning camp songs. 4th graders
are learning about the music of Johann Strauss. 4th and 5th graders
are also learning to play the recorder. Clean recorders have been
assigned to 4th and 5th graders to
borrow at school, but if they would
like to practice at home, recorders
are typically under $10 and available at music stores or in the toy
departments of stores like Target
or Fred Meyer. Dollar Store recorders do not typically work. 3rd graders have been learning about the
music of Gioachino Rossini. 2nd
and 3rd graders will be learning to
read notes on bell kits as well as
singing, doing movement and playing other percussion instruments.
2nd graders also learned about J. S.
Bach through story, movement,
song and a video. K and 1st graders
have been singing a lot. We sing
along with big books to support
their reading, we do movement,
instrument play and singing to
learn about classical pieces
of music and we have a lot of fun!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A Note from the Health Room
In many areas of Washington, spring allergies begin in February and last until the early summer. With the
abundant trees, grass, weeds and other greenery in the region, there is no shortage of pollen in the air. On top
of that, dust, mold, air pollution and other allergens add another dimension to the allergy scene. Here in Tukwila
there is no doubt that allergy season is in full swing. Small yellow pores can be seen everywhere, on car
windows, benches, and many other surfaces. Pollen counts have been especially high due to the mild
winter temperatures and rainy spring we’ve had.
Needless to say, for allergy sufferers this can be a challenging time dealing with symptoms. We have
definitely seen our fair share of red, watery, irritated eyes in the health room. But those aren’t the only
symptoms one can experience when having an allergic reaction, there may be a combination of the
following allergy symptoms:






Sneezing
wheezing
nasal congestion
coughing
itchy, watery eyes
runny nose






itchy throat
stomach ache
itchy skin
hives
fatigue
irritability
An allergy is a heightened sensitivity to a foreign substance (called an allergen) that causes the body's defense
system (the immune system) to overreact when defending itself. Allergens can stimulate an immune response
when you breathe in, touch, or ingest the allergen, or from injections, medication, and even bee stings.
Normally, the immune system would only react if a harmful substance (such as bacteria) attacks the body. For
people with allergies, their immune systems is hard at work and reacts even when relatively harmless
substances, such as pollen, is present. The severity of an allergic reaction can vary from mild discomfort to life
threatening situations.
Treatment for allergies include avoidance, use of anti-histamines, steroids or other medications. If you feel your
child may benefit from allergy medication please keep in mind that any medication given at school requires a
signed medication authorization form signed by your doctor. If you need a form or have any questions please
contact the health room at (206) 901-7509.
Tukwila Elementary School Extra-Curricular Activities for May, 2016
Times listed at the bottom
Monday
Tuesday
5/2
Robotics club
REACH program
Mexican dancing
Language club
Girls on the Run
REACH program
5/9
REACH program
5/30
5/31
Robotics club
REACH program
Mexican dancing
Language club
5/19
5/25
Early release day
12:45 dismissal
Mexican dancing - Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3:15-5:00
5/20
REACH program
5/26
Coding club
Robotics club
REACH program
Mexican dancing
Language club
6/1
REACH program
5/13
REACH program
Coding club
Robotics club
REACH program
Mexican dancing
Language club
REACH program
Robotics club
REACH program
Mexican dancing
Language club
5/12
5/18
5/24
5/6
REACH program
Coding club
Robotics club
REACH program
Mexican dancing
Language club
Girls on the Run
REACH program
Robotics club
REACH program
Mexican dancing
Language club
Girls on the Run
5/23
Robotics club
REACH program
Mexican dancing
Language club
Girls on the Run
5/11
5/17
Friday
5/5
Coding club
REACH program
5/10
5/16
REACH program
Thursday
5/4
Early release day
12:45 dismissal
Robotics club
REACH program
Mexican dancing
Language club
Girls on the Run
REACH program
No school
Wednesday
5/3
5/27
No school
6/2
Coding club
Robotics club
REACH program
Mexican dancing
Language club
6/3
REACH program
Coding club - Thursdays, 3:10-4:10
(Last day of program - 6/2)
REACH after-school program
Monday through Friday, 3:15-5:30 (12:45-5:30 on 5/4)
(REACH program cancelled 5/25)
Girls on the Run - Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3:20-4:45
(Last day pf program - 5/17)
Robotics club - Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3:10-4:10
(Last day of program - 6/2)
Language club - Tuesdays, 3:10-4:10
Summer volunteer work can build character &
leadership
The world’s problems can seem overwhelming. But kids can learn that every person can make a difference, and when
people work together, the results are amazing! Summer volunteering is a great way to teach this lesson to your child—
all while building his confidence, compassion and leadership skills.
To get started, talk with your child about:
Interests. What subjects interest
him most? How do they relate to others’ needs? If he loves animals, he could help
an animal rescue group. If he’s interested in business, he might help with a charity fundraiser. Your child’s
enthusiasm is a great motivator.
Skills. Your child’s strengths can be gifts to others. He might hold a bake sale or read to younger children.
Sometimes it’s fun to learn new skills, too, such as how to help with landscaping or home repairs.
Needs. Perhaps your child has noticed a park that needs sprucing
up. Or maybe a homeless shelter
needs food. Go
online with your child and search for upcoming community service events in your area. You could even ask your
child’s teacher if the school needs help over the summer.
Schedules. Volunteering takes time, and families are busy! Set realistic goals that leave room for other priorities.
Depending on your family’s commitments, you and your child might volunteer just a few hours here and there—
or decide to take on one large, exciting project!
Reprinted with permission from the May 2016 issue of Parents make the difference!® (Elementary School Edition)
newsletter. Copyright © 2016 The Parent Institute®, a division of NIS, Inc.
Self-esteem is linked to higher grades and improved
attendance
Studies show that when children participate in structured after-school
activities, their grades are likely to rise. Their
attendance is also likely to improve. Why? It may have to do with self-esteem.
After-school programs give kids opportunities to succeed at various
activities, and their positive feelings of success
may carry over into the classroom.
To do the same thing for your child during afternoons at home, focus on:
Homework time. Take a “same time, same place” approach to homework on school days. This encourages
independence and responsibility.
Academic activities. Incorporate math, science, history and more into your child’s everyday life. Help her manage
her allowance, for instance. Do a science experiment together. Visit a historical site, if possible. Show your child
that learning is fun and useful!
Non-academic activities. When kids make progress in sports, art, music, technology and other areas, they gain
confidence. This helps them become better students. Support and praise hard work in all areas.
Setting goals. Ask your child what she’d like to accomplish in and out of school. Set a few reasonable goals. “I
want to read a chapter book this week.” “I want to build a model plane.” Help her make a step-by-step plan for
success.
Reprinted with permission from the April 2016 issue of Parents make the difference!® (Elementary School Edition)
newsletter. Copyright © 2016 The Parent Institute®, a division of NIS, Inc. Sources: “Academic achievement improved
among students active in structured after-school programs,” SMU Research, niswc.com/elem_self-confidence.
Steve Salisbury
Tukwila Elementary School
Parent & Child
®
Activity Calendar
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
make the difference!
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
1
May is National
Physical Fitness
and Sports Month.
Plan to get some exercise with your child
every day this month!
2
Talk to your child
Today is
about the qualities
National Teacher
that make a true friend. Appreciation Day.
Have your child write
a thank-you note to a
favorite teacher.
3
4
Choose a number,
then have your
child list all the things
he can think of that
come in that number.
5
When your child is
Look for a
struggling, remind
community service
her how she has handled project to do with
tough situations in the your child. Consider
past.
donating old clothes
or toys to charity.
6
7
8
Make up a secret
code with your
child. Use it to write
notes this week.
9
Help your
child think of
an imaginary land.
Together, name it
and make up a story
about it.
10
Give your child
opportunities
to make decisions. It’s
a skill that gets better
with practice.
11
When your
child asks you
a question, show him
how to find the answer
for himself.
12
13
14
15
Go for a walk
Let school
or bike ride
lessons spark
today. Challenge each
your imagination. Visit
other to spot something an educational website
you haven’t seen before. with your child.
16
17
Correct mistakes in a positive way: “You spelled
everything right except
these two words. I bet
you can fix them!”
18
Talk to your
child about
the importance of
starting the day with
a nutritious breakfast.
19
Try to give
your child your
undivided attention
when she is talking.
20
Review your
child’s attendance. Commit to
getting her to school
on time every day.
21
22
Show your
child how his
shadow moves. Look
at shadows at different
times of the day. Do
they change?
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
Take the
Geography
Challenge. Name
a state, province or
country. Who can call
out the capital first?
What does your
Encourage your
Ask the school
child want to
child to ask
about dates for
be when she grows up? older family members
year-end tests. Make
Ask her!
about their memories
sure your child gets
of childhood.
enough sleep the night
before each test.
Today is
Memorial Day.
Talk to your child
about what this day
means to you.
Ask your child
to write down
the lyrics to his favorite
songs. He can keep
them in a special
notebook.
Bake cookies
with your child.
If you’re doubling a
recipe, have your child
do the math.
Tell your child
Does your child
Take the whole
that you believe
have homework
family to the
she can succeed in
to do this weekend?
library. Be sure everyschool.
Make sure he schedules one checks out some
time to complete it.
books.
Talk to your
child about
cheating. What are
reasons some people
cheat? Why is cheating
wrong?
Go for a
reading picnic
together. Take some
books, a snack, and a
blanket to sit on.
Teach your
Mix 1 cup
child to imagine
cornstarch and
how others might feel. ½ cup water in a bowl.
That’s called empathy.
Squish it and it becomes
solid. Let it sit and it
turns back into a liquid.
May 2016
© 2016 The Parent Institute®, a division of NIS, Inc. May be reproduced only as licensed by Parents make the difference!® Elementary Edition newsletter. 1-800-756-5525
Steve Salisbury
Tukwila Elementary School
Parent & Child
®
Activity Calendar
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
June 2016
make the difference!
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
1
Does your child
Look at a photo
have a special
in the newspaper
reading and study spot? with your child. Talk
Stock it with paper,
about it. Then read the
pencils and a dictionary. article together.
2
3
Give your child a
notebook to use
as a journal. Ask her
to write in it for 10
minutes each day.
4
Most libraries have
summer reading
programs for kids. Sign
your child up today.
5
Does your child
Encourage your
have a summer
child to write a
reading list? Post it in a letter today to a distant
special place. Check off relative or friend.
books as he reads them.
6
7
Celebrate National
Fresh Fruit and
Vegetable Month by
trying a new fruit and
a new vegetable with
your child.
8
Think of some
Ask your child
what if questions to
to tell you about
ask your child: What
something she loves.
if we walked on our
hands? What if cats
could talk?
9
10
Ask family
members, “If
you were an animal,
which animal would
you be and why?”
11
12
Have your
child pick some
flowers (with permission) or pretty weeds
to make a bouquet for
someone special.
13
When your
child has a
problem, give him two
possible solutions and
let him decide which
one to choose.
14
Fill glasses
with different
amounts of water.
Have your child tap
them and listen to
the different tones.
15
Have your
child give
you examples of a
complete sentence,
an incomplete sentence
and a run-on sentence.
16
Praise your
child for
something she did
today. Make your
praise as specific as
possible.
17
Read three
poems with
your child today.
18
19
Have your
child decorate
a box for keepsakes
this summer. In
August, use them to
make a scrapbook.
20
Talk about a
familiar place
with your child. Is it
north, south, east or west
of your home?
21
Make a list of
10 things your
child learned in school
this year. Post it on the
refrigerator.
22
Sponsor a
summer-long
contest. Who can read
the most books?
23
Build your
child’s sense
of responsibility. Give
him a small plant to
take care of.
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
Play a game
with your child
today. It can be an
active outdoor game or
a quiet board game.
Call your local
Look in the
fire station and
newspaper for
ask if there is a time
interesting words. Help
you can schedule a visit your child look up
with your child.
their meanings in the
dictionary or online.
Wash hands
with your child
before each meal.
Talk about the importance of frequent hand
washing.
Eat outside
tonight! Let
your child choose at
least one menu item.
Visit the library
today. Sit in
a cozy chair in the
children’s section
and read a few books
together.
Make an “I’m
Bored” box
with your child. Fill it
with craft activities and
things to read.
Have your child
put an ice cube
outside in the sun.
What happens after
five minutes? After 10?
Does your child
know your state
bird? If not, help her
look it up.
© 2016 The Parent Institute®, a division of NIS, Inc. May be reproduced only as licensed by Parents make the difference!® Elementary Edition newsletter. 1-800-756-5525
The Tukwila School District No. 406 complies with all federal rules and regulations and does not
discriminate on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military
status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, and the use of a trained dog guide or
service animal. District programs shall be free from sexual and malicious harassment, and the district
provides equal access to the Boy Scouts of America and other designated youth groups.
Inquiries regarding compliance or complaint procedures may be directed to the School District's Title
IX/Section 504/RCW 28A.640 Compliance Officer or to the U.S.Department of Education, Office for
Civil Rights.
Title IX/RCW 28A.640 Compliance Officer:
Dr. Rick Maloney, Executive Director of Human Resources
Tukwila School District No. 406
4640 South 144th Street
Tukwila, WA 98168
Phone: 206.901.8005
E-mail: [email protected]
Section 504 Compliance Officer:
Joan Lawson Director of Special Education
Tukwila School District No. 406
4640 South 144'h Street
Tukwila, WA 98168
Phone: 206.901.8035
E-mail: [email protected]