February 18, 2022 | Issue 2.18.22 |
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Upcoming Events
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Thursdays, 2/3/22 - 3/14/22 8am: Camp Kindness
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Friday, 2/18/22: Passport Check
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Monday, 2/21/22 - Friday 2/25/22: No School, Mid-Winter Break
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Mondays, 2/28/22 - 4/7/22 3:35pm-4:45pm: Flamenco
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Tuesday, 3/1/22 6pm: Bedtime Stories with Sra. Brody
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Wednesday, 3/9/22 7pm: DEI Plática Presents: Jamie Cho, Ph.D.
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Friday, 3/18/22: No School, Professional Development Day
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Thursday, 3/24/22 6:30pm: DEI Committee Meeting
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February is Black History Month |
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Why do we celebrate Black History Month, and why is it during the shortest month of the year?
Carter G. Woodson, the second African-American to earn a Ph.D. at Harvard University, is known as the “Father of Black History.” He founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History in 1915 in recognition of the paucity of information on the accomplishments of African-Americans. In 1926, he started the celebration of Negro History Week during the second week of February, which coincided with the birthdays of abolitionist Frederick Douglass and President Abraham Lincoln. In 1976, President Gerald Ford officially recognized February as Black History Month during the nation’s bicentennial when he urged Americans to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.”
We encourage you to talk about, learn, and explore African American history and culture on your own during Black History Month and beyond, and engage with these rich local resources:
1. Visit the Northwest African American Museum’s YouTube channel for an interactive story time followed by a virtual field trip to a Black-owned business on Sunday, February 13th, 1 pm.
2. Join ParentMap's free discussion with anti-bias expert and social justice leader Dr. Scotland Nash on Wednesday, Feb. 16, 1 p.m.
3. Learn about the Afro-Latinx cultural experience with these resources.
4. Check out a virtual theater experience celebrating the stories of Jews of Color. “True Colors” will be streamed from the Stroum Jewish Community Center on Sunday, February 6th, 4 – 5 pm.
5. Books celebrating African-American heritage, traditions and achievements are available at KCLS:
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February 3, 10, 17, March 3, 10, 17 8:00 am
Puesta Del Sol Library
Do you consider KINDNESS essential? Want to empower your child with greater self-awareness and resilience so they can thrive in daily life? Join the FREE Kind World Explorers parent + child club led by 5th grader Nina Coelho and her mom!
This is a free parent-led club which focuses on fostering generous, courageous, and compassionate character in our kids and community. Our Puesta del Sol club kicks off in February and will meet 6 times. Activities will consist of a mix of crafts, games, mindfulness and reflection time! The first 3 weeks we will focus on ways to practice COMPASSION towards ourselves and others. The last three classes we will practice strengthening our EMPATHY muscle! This club is not a drop off class, it is for both the parent/caregiver and their child(ren) to attend together! If you have a toddler no worries - bring them along! If you can't make it, they can join with a parent friend! You and your child will be invited to safely share your thoughts and feelings, listen with intent, and offer support or a kind gesture! Let's help make our world a little kinder TOGETHER!
** Limited space — open to grades K-5 until all spots are filled. ** We’re also looking for a few more parent and kid volunteers to support or lead class activities!
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Mondays, 3:35-4:45pm
Feb. 28, March 7, 14, 21, 28, April 4
in the Puesta del Sol Gymnasium.
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Learn Flamenco Dance!
Flamenco dance includes lots of footwork (stomping!), percussion of hand clapping patterns to flamenco rhythms, arm and hand movements, proud posture, finger snapping, moving to the rhythms of flamenco music, learning a singing number with clapping and choreography.
The instructor for this class is internationally known Flamenco dancer and teacher, Ana Montes (www.anamontes.com). One or more parents of students participating in the class will also be present to help with attendance.
This is a PTA-sponsored program and is taught in Spanish.
Who May Participate?
Flamenco is open to boys and girls in grades K-5, with a maximum of 25 students per session. If the minimum enrollment of 8 students is not met, the class may be canceled.
Dates, Location and Cost:
Mondays, 3:35- 4:45 PM
Feb. 28, March 7, 14, 21, 28, April 4
Puesta del Sol Gymnasium
*Class ends promptly at 4:45pm. Please have your child meet the instructor and Parent Volunteer in the school gym right after school ends. Please supply your child with an after school nut-free snack (the gym has a drinking fountain).
$120 for 6 classes.
How Can I Volunteer?
At least one PTA-member Parent must always be present to take attendance and help supervise. Parent Volunteer receives a 50% discounted registration fee for his/her child. Please register for the Parent Volunteer discount upon checkout. Only one discounted volunteer registration is available.
Questions?
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Watch Author Visit with the Tutu Teacher,
Vera Ahiyya
Earlier this month, Vera Ahiyya, an author, educator and the "Tutu Teacher" joined our community for a special visit! She spoke about her journey in becoming a teacher and writing her first book, You Have a Voice. The presentation includes her personal story, reading of the book, and a few questions from Puesta students. Enjoy watching!
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February Passport Check-at-Home
Friday, 2/18/22
Due to the Omicron surge, we need to cancel the February 15th in-person Passport check. We are asking parents to please submit a Check at Home form for each child. We suggest assessing your child and submitting your form prior to Mid-winter Break, but forms will be accepted any time. Special Itinerary forms may also be submitted to passport@puestadelsolpta.org
Special Itinerary for this month is Chile
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Bedtime Stories with Sra. Brody - March
We invite you to join us again on Tuesday, March 1 at 6:00PM for "Bedtime Stories" with our Puesta del Sol Elementary Librarian Sra. Stacey Brody!
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DEI Plática Presents: Jamie Cho, Ph.D.
Wednesday, March 9th, 7:00 pm
Conversations with Children: Let's Talk About Race and Racism
This conversation will center race and how to talk with children and answer their questions about racial differences and racism. Children's understanding of racial categories develop early and are influenced by the narratives offered by the adults in their lives. It is vital that adults are having conversations with children as they try to make sense of what they are observing in their family, neighborhoods, schools, and communities. Through these conversations, families and educators have the power to raise a generation of critical thinkers who strive for social justice and equity.
Jamie Cho, Ph.D. (she/her) is a faculty member at Bellevue College. Originally from California, she has worked in the field of education as an early interventionist, inclusion specialist, teacher educator, field supervisor, consultant and researcher. Additionally, she has five years of experience as a Parent Education instructor. She has her BA in Psychology with a minor in Education and her doctorate in Special Education from UC Berkeley. Jamie is committed to social and climate justice and has been working to create systemic change within school systems through a values-driven model. She is also mom to three children, ages 13, 10 and 7.
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DEI Committee March Meeting
Thursday, March 24th at 6:30pm
Join us in supporting efforts of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Puesta del Sol! We will be planning spring programs and events. All our welcome!
Check back for the Zoom link.
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Volunteer for Fifth Grade Graduation!
Class of 2029 (current Fifth Grade Families), let's made this year's 5th Grade Graduation great!
We are looking for energetic, creative volunteers who love to organize to plan this years 5th Grade graduation for Puesta del Sol Elementary. Planning starts NOW so we can be ready for June.
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Do you have the skills to translate material for the PTA into Spanish?
Our goal is to message in both Spanish and English on as many pieces of communication as possible.
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Searching for Host Families
Puesta del Sol is looking for host families for our 2022-2023 Amity interns. Host families play a vital role in the success of the program. By welcoming an intern from another country into their home, volunteer host families gain friendship, understanding, knowledge and a connection to the world. Host families will experience new tastes and customs and have the chance to practice their intern's language. Your children will learn about different parts of the world from the intern and may receive extra help with their own language studies.
At Puesta del Sol, our host families typically host for 13 weeks but offer longer durations. You may select to host for Fall, Winter or Spring or half-year, and we will extend full-year if necessary. The Amity Committee needs 20 host family applications for 6 interns to ensure improved matching and experience for our interns and families. You may make a preference for male or female and/or time of year. We are in need of families interested in hosting male interns.
To apply to be a host family, please fill out an application.
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If you are shopping at Amazon.com, remember to sign up for AmazonSmile and designate Puesta del Sol Elementary/Sunset Elementary PTA Bellevue Council 2 3 95. It costs you nothing and gets money donated to our PTA with each purchase!
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Subscribe to the Puesta del Sol PTA YouTube Channel |
Did you know?
Puesta del Sol is Endorsed by the Embassy of Spain
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COVID-19 Drive-Through Diagnostic Testing for BSD Students
Bellevue School District offers diagnostic testing for COVID-19. Diagnostic testing looks for infections in individuals who have symptoms of or have been exposed to COVID-19.
Testing may only occur with permission and consent.
BSD Students who are currently exhibiting symptoms may participate in drive-through diagnostic testing.
Drive-through testing will take place Monday - Friday from 8:30am to 12:30pm at:
Wilburton Instructional Services Center (WISC)
12241 Main St.
Bellevue, WA 98005
To register/sign up, click here.
For instructions and more information, click here.
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Domestic and International Travel Policy
Travel policy can be found here
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There is NO CHARGE for school meals during the 2021-2022 school year! |
Bellevue Schools Foundation's initiatives help support students across all 29 Bellevue School District schools, and allow all students to achieve higher levels of academic success and social-emotional well being regardless of language, gender, race, socioeconomic status, and special needs
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