Academic Challenge

Academic Challenge is back!

What is the Academic Challenge?

The Academic Challenge is a free enrichment program for all students in grades K-5 at Puesta del Sol. This is an optional, non-competitive program for students to challenge themselves and foster a love of learning and exploration beyond the classroom. Each student can earn an Academic Challenge Trophy by completing 4 of the 6 activities and/or the Principal's Medal by completing all 6 activities. Awards will be given at a school-wide assembly in June.

Academic Challenges:

1. Science Fair: Complete a science project and presentation for the school Science Fair. More information will be available later in the school year.

2. Multi-Cultural Project: Projects form OR

Passport Club: Complete all Levels 1-5 AND 6 Special Itineraries for the months of November - April.

3. Math: Complete at least 10 additional hours of math outside regularly assigned classwork and homework to earn credit.

4. Book Reviews: Read 5 books at your reading level and complete a book review for each book.

5. Computer Programming: Complete at least 5 hours of programming in any computer language (e.g. Java, Python, etc.).

6. Keyboarding: Practice for at least 5 hours with any program of your choice.

See PTA website for details and for required forms

Questions : AcademicChallenge@puestadelsolpta.org

Painting Garden Signs

Tuesday, November 7th from 9-11am

STE(A)M room in 5th grade pod

Calling all crafty parents! We will be painting 30 new signs to be placed in the school's garden beds. All adults are encouraged to come help us paint. We need a variety of plants, bees, birds or any other nature designs that you can think of. Snacks and supplies will be provided! Alumni parents are welcome to join us too!

November Passport Check

November Passport Check will be on Tuesday, 11/28. Please save the date to VOLUNTEER! This month, the Special Itinerary country is Canada. Enjoy studying about our neighbors to the north.

Winter Craft Fair

Calling crafters and artisans!

Mark your calendars for our Winter Craft Fair on Wednesday December 6th inside Puesta de Sol's Gym starting at 5pm!

This event will be a wonderful opportunity to begin your gift giving and winter decoration purchases while supporting local businesses, independent crafters and artists, and even middle and high school student clubs! Hand crafted goods, kid-made fidgets toys, jewelry, soaps, expertly crafted Mexican pottery and textiles, as well as other amazing goods are expected. There will be a complimentary PTA sponsored makers table and various food options available for purchase.

The Winter Craft Fair is eager to have additional members join our committee! If you would like to join in providing this unique experience and love connecting with local small vendors, please fill out our Winter Craft Committee Interest Form. Someone from our committee will contact you!

If you are also someone who would like to possibly find out more information for purchasing a table to be a vendor, please reach out to us using our Winter Craft Vendor Form.

Signs For Car Pick-Up Lane

Our teachers have requested that caregivers picking children up at school have signs clearly displayed with student names written on them. Please put signs in either the passenger side window or on your dashboard.

While you are (of course!) welcome to create your own signs, the PTA is offering beautiful, full-color, laminated signs for a low suggested donation of $5! If you or your child can't decide which of the 9 pre-designed signs to get, you could also upgrade or customize your sign for a suggested donation of $20.

Signs will be delivered via your child’s teacher. Please use the order form here: https://forms.gle/G5NYmd94M3VphnZL6

Lost and Found

To make some room for the upcoming winter season, we're planning to donate all unclaimed lost and found items during the Thanksgiving break. So, if your child has misplaced any clothing, lunch items, or other belongings, now is the time to give the lost and found a thorough check.

Please swing by the school and look through the lost and found before Wednesday, November 22, to reclaim any missing items.

We appreciate your help in keeping our lost and found area manageable and ensuring that misplaced items find their way back to their rightful owners.

5th Grade Events November Meeting

Are you interested in being on the 5th Grade Events Committee? Maybe helping with legacy gift, Teacher Tea, graduation, or another idea/role big or small for our 5th grade students?

We are meeting virtually November 13th from 7-8pm to fill roles/jobs/smaller committees related to 5th Grade Events. Email fifthgradeevents@puestadelsolpta.org with any questions.

Join Zoom Meeting:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83950051535?pwd=HSkclssaN57PxlaJvSzeotSDlD8XxT.1

Dia de Los Muertos

Friday, November 3, 6:30-9 pm

Sammamish High School

Día de los Muertos is a traditional Mexican and Central American celebration of life and remembrance. Families and community members honor dearly departed with lively processions, parades and "ofrendas" that contain offerings of food, candy, flowers, sugar skulls, papel picado, day of the dead bread, and photos. It is a festive, rich heritage thousands of years old. This a time when great joy and care is taken to lovingly decorate ofrendas, cook for, and honor dearly departed.

The Puesta del Sol Community is invited to the 9th Annual Ofrenda Contest and Cultural Education for Dia de Los Muertos at Sammamish High School on Friday, November 3rd. Come see several beautiful and creative ofrendas created by students and enjoy live music and dance!

Additionally, parents, students and teachers at Puesta del Sol will be installing an ofrenda in the display case by main entrance/office. Thank you to Vanessa Lopez-Kopp for leading this effort!

President: Holly Ellis-Brown

Treasurer Deposits: Michele Snydsman

Treasurer Payables: Adam Droker

Co-Secretary: Jim Simmons

Co-Secretary: Julie Keeney

Member at Large: Joel Ingraham

VP of Membership: Jodi Sternoff

Director of School Relations: Carla Merkow

Co-Director of Educational Enhancements: Stephanie Parkins

Co-Director of Educational Enhancements: Alice Kim

Co-Director of Educational Enhancements: Jackie Zawalski

Co-Director of Fundraising: Aubra Moore

Co-Director of Fundraising: Dan Welygan

Director of Special Events: Sarah Moon

Director of Communications: Jennifer Green Li

2023-2024 BSD Family Calendar

2024-2025 & 2025-2026 BSD Family Calendar

BSD Cultural Calendar

Bus Route Information

Bellevue Family Hub

Mental Health Services

Nutrition Services:

BSD Elementary Lunch Menu Nov. 2023

Technology Support for Students & Families

Be a Bellevue School District Volunteer

The Bellevue School District has partnered with Care Solace to complement districtwide efforts to provide our learning community with access to mental health care and support student well-being. Care Solace is a central hub that connects students, staff and their families to care. At no cost to you, Care Solace will quickly and confidentially find available mental health and substance use providers matched to your needs.

Care Solace helps school districts provide care coordination for every student, staff member, and family member in need. The Care Solace team is always available — including nights, weekends, and holidays — in 200+ languages.

BSD Newsletter

An e-newsletter was sent to BSD staff and families on Thursday, October 26, with information about Senator Wellman’s visit to Lake Hills, the MS Consolidation Study demographer reports, fentanyl resources for families, and more. Read it here: BSD News and Events: October 26, 2023

National PTA 2023-2024 Multicultural Calendar

BFF with BSF

Mark your calendars for November 1st to November 4th because the Bellevue School Foundation is hosting its fall fundraising event. We're excited to introduce the Puesta del Sol for BSF team with a donation target of $2000. We invite you to contribute a donation of any amount, and your support as a parent, alumni, or friend of the Bellevue Schools District is an investment in our community.

This year, the Bellevue School's Foundation is committed to contributing nearly $1 million to support essential programs throughout the entire school district, directly benefiting our students. All students in Bellevue's public schools are the next generation of leaders and changemakers in our community. Your generosity will make a meaningful difference.

BSF Grant Awards