Dear Tolt Families,

We are nearing the halfway point in the school year and are proud of how well the first half has gone. Our students are working hard, doing deep thinking, and learning lots. Let’s encourage them to keep it up and finish out first semester strong!

Now is a great time for students to clean out their backpacks, get rid of anything they no longer need, and make sure their school supplies are replenished. During Tolt Time next Wednesday, February 1, students will have 5-10 minutes to clean out their backpacks and talk about school supplies that frequently need to be replenished mid-year, including pens and pencils. Hopefully this will also help to lighten backpacks as items that are no longer needed are thrown away or kept at home.

The final day of second quarter is Thursday, February 2. There is no school on Friday, February 3 as it is a teacher workday. Third quarter starts on Monday, February 6. All students will receive a printed copy of their third quarter schedule on Thursday, February 2 during 6^th period.

It is a joy to work with Tolt students. Thank you for your continued partnership!

Go Bears!

Amie Karkainen, Principal

MAP Winter Assessments begin next week. Please note the following dates to help prepare your student(s).

English Language Arts MAP is 1/24-1/25 in ELA classes

Math MAP is 1/31/-2/1 in math classes

Make up MAP is 2/6-2/8 in the library



How can you best prepare your child for these assessments?

• Have your student at school, all day, every day unless they are ill. If possible, please plan or rearrange medical/dental appointments to not interfere with the testing dates.
• Students should come to school well-rested and having eaten their breakfast, so their brains are in full-drive mode!
• Students must arrive at school with laptops fully charged, a pair (or two!) of earbuds/headphones that attach directly to their laptop (wireless earbuds are not allowed for testing) and a silent reading book.

How to Help a Friend Presentation

New Date! Wednesday, February 1

Our 6^th, 7^th and 8^th graders will participate in a presentation on suicide prevention in their social studies class on Wednesday, February 1 . The presentation, “How to Help a Friend,” is a youth suicide prevention program that follows a peer-to-peer training model. Students learn how they can identify and help their peers/friends that may be experiencing hardship or struggling. High school students are engaged as peer trainers for the “How to Help a Friend” suicide prevention training. We find that younger students pay closer attention to the message when it is being delivered from an older student rather than an adult. The presentation is provided by the Empower Youth Network www.empoweryouthnetwork.org. The program is based on the work of Washington State's Youth Suicide Prevention Program (YSPP), established in 1999 to lead statewide effort to reduce youth suicide. For more information, please see the following link: 

www.doh.wa.gov/Portals/1/Documents/Pubs/631-058-SuicidePrevPlan.pdf.

We understand this can be a sensitive topic, and if this is the case for your child, they may be excused for the duration of the lesson. Please contact the Tolt Counseling Center at (425) 844-4607 if you would like your child to opt out of the presentation. Below, we have included the contact for the Tolt counselors. Additionally, we’ve included some telephone numbers that can be helpful for people dealing with concerns surrounding suicide.

·    1-800-SUICIDE

·    Crisis Text Line: 741-741

·    24-hour Crisis Line 866-4CRISIS

·    Teen Link 206-461-4922

·    National Prevention Line 1-800-273-TALK

Thank you,

Now is a great time to replenish your student(s) school supplies. Second semester begins on Monday, February 6th. Items that typically need to be restocked are pens, pencils, paper and/or any items frequently used. Thank you for helping set up our students for success!

Winter ll Sports picture day is Monday, January 30 after school during practice time--Boys 7th & 8th grade basketball, Girls 7th & 8th grade soccer. Please be sure your student athlete brings their uniform to school along with their regular practice gear.



To order pictures, go to:

www.4NSP.com and use code: R2223-01

Sign up deadline: Friday, February 3

STAMP test: Tuesday, February, 14

World Language Competency Exam (STAMP Test) will be offered at Tolt Middle School on Tuesday, February, 14 during the school day.

What: This test is designed for students who are fluent in another language. The amount of credit students can earn is based on proficiency in reading, writing, speaking and listening in another language other than English. In taking this test, students can earn up to 4 high school world language credits.

Cost: The test cost is $25

Sign Up: Sign up: https://forms.office.com/r/TDS6pqeqYC

or Contact Kim Piira, Tolt Registrar, at 425.844.4607 or piirak@rsd407.org for any questions or if you do not see your language on the list

Deadline: Sign up deadline is Friday, February 3

What to Bring: Laptop and charger, personal headphones optional

Test Length: This test averages approximately 3 hours

Contact Kim Piira at piirak@rsd407.org or 425-844-4607 to sign up or if you have any questions.