The Montlake PTA recognizes the impacts of recent events and the history of racial violence on our community. We stand in alignment with our Seattle Council PTSA, which has asked that students, families and school leaders work together to demand action against police brutality and the immediate cessation of victimization of our Black and Brown students and families. We are grateful to continue our partnership with our own Montlake Equity & Inclusion team which is focused on racial equity at Montlake and in Seattle Public Schools. |
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PTA Board Meeting Tonight at 7:00 pm |
The Montlake PTA Board will be meeting this evening at 7:00 pm. In addition to the usual updates, we will be discussing the PTA budget for next year. The PTA Board will need an agreement on the amount of the staffing grant for next year and look at fundraising goals and total spending for the rest of the budget. We also need to identify items for further discussion for equity and inclusion.
This meeting is the first step in drafting the budget for next year. Next, the BLT will meet to decide on the staffing grant and then the PTA Board will review it. On March 11th, there will be a PTA General Meeting where all PTA members will vote to approve the staffing grant and first draft of the budget. In June, there will be another vote to finalize the entire budget for next year.
All are welcome to attend the meeting. To join, click the button below.
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Sign Up for School Picture Day on March 7th |
Montlake Elementary Picture Day is Sunday, March 7th!
Location: Montlake Playfield (Outside), 1618 E Calhoun St., Seattle
Time: 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
Sign up for a photo time-slot: HERE
Order your picture packages today: HERE
Parents can pre-pay for photos now. Prepay orders are accepted up to one week after Picture Day and will then be processed for delivery to your home. Images will be online one week after picture day. Orders placed one week after picture day will incur an increased cost. Photos are posted online with password protection.
Find all your school information with Yuen Lui Photography: HERE
Picture retakes will be offered on April 7th from 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm at the Montlake Playfield.
Precautions Yuen Lui is taking for COVID-19: Photos will be taken outside. All Yuen Lui photographers & employees will be wearing proper protective gear, keeping distance with having a 6-foot space around each photography station, creating a contact-less experience for the photographer & students, while limiting the number of students being photographed at a time, removing any waiting around in big groups. Yuen Lui staff have been tested for COVID-19 and continue to monitor our staff regularly with temperature checks. Please have students wear masks at all times except the moment their picture is being taken.
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Cookie and Ice Cream Party Kit |
Looking for a fun family experience? A family gelato and cookie party kit might be in your future. Order a Community Cookie Kit from the Nutty Squirrel and $5 of the purchase price will come back to Montlake. Click button below to order a kit or two. Order now through March 31st.
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We continue to learn, and listen to Freedom and Peace Songs from the 1960's. These songs are significant elements of the Civil Rights Movement and historic changes that grew during the middle of the Twentieth Century. The Messages of the Music continue to inform, remind and inspire us today.
The songs include:
"Free at Last," "We Shall Overcome," "Sing About Martin," "This Little Light of Mine," "Lift Every Voice and Sing," "What Can One Little Person Do?," "Let There Be Peace On Earth," "I Wish I Knew How It Feels to Be Free," "If I Had a Hammer," "Blowin' In the Wind," and "Oh Freedom."
Hopefully the musical "seeds" planted this year will take root in the minds and hearts of each Montlake Student, and grow as part of the "Sound Track" of their life.
Mr. Moore
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From the Counseling Office |
“You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.” Kahlil Gibran
We are nearing the end of February and the counseling theme of Resiliency. In classroom lessons, small groups, and individual work I have so enjoyed listening to our student’s ideas for keeping going when things are tough. They really are an inspiration and we can learn so much from them. If you would like to continue this work with your family you may find this upcoming event interesting:
Wednesday February 24th, 5pm – A Conversation on Raising Resilient Kids (with Michele Borba and Madeline Levine)
While our kids are more accomplished, better educated, and (many are) more privileged than ever before, they are also more stressed, unhappier, and struggling with anxiety, depression, and burnout at younger and younger ages. And then came the pandemic. Presented as part of the Parenting In Place Masterclass series, Madeline Levine, Ph.D. and Michele Borba, Ed.D. offer proven traits that will safeguard our kids for what lies ahead. You’ll learn what science says are the traits that set thrivers apart and set them up for happiness as well as greater potential later in life in their new uncertain world. And you’ll also hear simple ways to teach your kids how to cope today so they can thrive tomorrow. The ticket price includes the full season of 8 weekly presentations until April 7th. https://www.parentinginplacemasterclass.com/
If your student is struggling this week returning to school from the break, encourage them to join me for Wellness Warriors on Wednesday at 1:00 – 1:30pm. A fun and dynamic multi-grade group to take a few moments re-energize with calming skills, yoga and relaxation. Find the meeting link on my Counseling page in Seesaw, or drop me an email: sswaymouth@seattleschools.org
Ms. Sarah
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A Word from the Art Studio |
Even mother nature knows when Seattle kids need a little pick me up in the form of a massive snow dump! I hope everyone had some much needed, unstructured fun over the holiday.
Speaking of unstructured fun...this week we jump into the conceptual work and geometric "wall paintings" of American artist Sol LeWitt, considered one of the granddaddies of the conceptual art movement. Abigail Maxey has created a fantastic unit that involves play, personal interpretation, and drawing with endless creative outcomes. I can't wait to apply his collaborative work approach to class murals in our own school one day!!! You can learn more about his work on the Art Studio Seesaw page.
Looking for a morning commune with like minded artists of all ages and skills? Join us for the 30 Day Drawing Challenge! We meet every morning at 8 am before official class to work on 3-d step by step drawing techniques including 2 point perspectives and shading. The work students are turning out is incredible, the atmosphere fun and supportive-I guarantee they will dazzle you on their first day. To join the meeting, click here.
Reminders: Let there be prizes!! The Art Department proudly presents, in partnership with the Kermit the Frog Foundation and the All-Star Pinocchio Players, the very first Montlake Elementary Puppet Show Film Festival! MEPSFF summons young artists to collaborate, craft and create a video short (around 1 minute or less please!) using puppets! So grab that old sock and sew on some buttons, aim the light on the wall and make some magic! More details and inspiration can be found on Seesaw.
The Montlake Experimental Secret Art Society t-shirts have arrived and are ready for the spring runways of Montlake! 4th and 5th grade members-come by and pick up your Edson J.'s original MESAS medium or large t-shirt in the lobby of school.
Peace be with you friends-there is a light at the end of this tunnel!
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African American Read In Sunday at 1:00 pm
The I-School at University of Washington is hosting a great free opportunity for young people this Sunday at 1:00 pm, the African American Read In. Hosted by Doc Martin, this event will have several different virtual rooms with stories and songs geared for ages 4-12, as well as discussion rooms for adults and teens.
I am excited about this event. I registered last week. It builds on the important need for Black History Month, and is sponsored by the school where I earned my library degree. I had the privilege of working with Doc Martin in a summer Read-a-Rama camp, and loved her energetic combining of music, books, and care. She is very organized and inspiring. I hope you will consider spending an hour on Sunday at the African American Read In. You can sign up here: https://ischool.uw.edu/read-in
Global Reading Challenge
4th and 5th graders are still preparing for the Global Reading Challenge, which takes place Thursday March 11.
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Hello from my computer to yours,
I hope that you had a restful break. The time to rest our minds from school was a perfect lead-up to this week's lesson. We have been talking about head-to-toe health. We are learning how to be restful and use different mindfulness exercises to help our minds stay as healthy as our bodies. The next few weeks will be more focused on overall health and mental wellness, as I am using this theme for my teaching certification portfolio. I love seeing your children's faces in class and have enjoyed getting to know them. If you would like to check out more about this week's mindfulness, or even participate in some activities with your child, check out Seesaw for the asynchronous activities I have assigned to further support our class time learning. Thank you again for giving me the privilege of learning and teaching with your children.
Have a wonderful week,
Ms. Jansen
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Community and District News |
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Public Health Forum Wednesday |
In response to our school communities' need for updated, reliable information regarding health and safety protocols for the in-person return to school, Seattle Council PTSA and SPS will be hosting a community forum in partnership with King County Public Health on Feb. 24, 7-8:30 p.m.
Dr. Matias Valenzuela from KCPH will provide an overview of current trends in COVID 19 cases and vaccinations. SPS staff will answer questions regarding the collaboration and coordination with King County Public Health. Language interpretation will be available. Register in advance to receive the meeting link.
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Return to In-Person School Update |
Yesterday, Seattle Public Schools communicated to families that an agreement with SEA has not yet been reached for returning to in-person instruction. So, the return for some Special Education students and pre-K, K and 1st grades will be delayed until an agreement is reached. Negotiations continue.
To learn more about how the SEA views the negotiations with the district, watch this video. SEA members on the bargaining team share their thoughts about opening school buildings and returning to in-person instruction.
A special Board Meeting will be held on Feb. 25 from 4-5:30 p.m. to discuss next steps and take action on the OSPI required Washington Schools 2020-21 Reopening Progress Report Template. Families and staff are encouraged to watch or listen to the board work session. Meeting agendas are posted at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting. The meeting will be broadcast on television or can be viewed on the SPS TV YouTube channel. To listen by phone, dial 206-800-4125 and use Conference ID 931 417 102#.
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Burke Museum Virtual Storytime Thursday |
The Burke Museum is hosting a virtual storytime on Thursday, February 25th at 10:00 am with the Unspoken Truths founder, Mr. D and Burke Museum director Dr. Alvin Logan. They will be sharing the unspoken truths of Black contributions to STEM. Go to https://www.burkemuseum.org/calendar/storytime-schools-mr-d for more information and to register.
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