East Ridge Elementary Newsletter
Sarah White, Principal
November 19, 2019
24-Hour Attendance Line: 425.408.4410
erattendance@nsd.org
Save the Dates!
Calendar Link:
https://eastridge.nsd.org/our-school-clone/calendar
Parent Teacher Conferences - Early Dismissal
Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held November 21 - 27th.
Dismissal is 12:30 pm.
Dear East Ridge Families,
It’s the time of year to reflect on those things for which we are most grateful. It’s also the time of year for progress reports and conferences – time to think about how far our students have come and next steps for their growth as learners.
I am so grateful for the opportunity to serve as your principal. I appreciate our students for their joy for learning and consistent effort, for the kindness and friendship they demonstrate toward one another, and for the smiles and genuine wishes for a great day they share with me each day. I appreciate our staff for their commitment to providing the very best learning activities and environment, for their willingness to support one another as they strive to meet the needs of each and every child, and for their efforts to continue learning themselves. I am so thankful for our wonderful parent community, who generously share their time to volunteer, give financial support to our amazing PTA programs, and have high expectations for their children’s learning, behavior, and treatment of others. Every day, it is a joy to come to work with such amazing students and staff, and to share such positive partnership with our parent community. Thank you!
We look forward to welcoming parents to East Ridge for Parent/Teacher Conferences November 21st-27th. This is one of the most important milestones during the school year because parents and teachers have time to discuss a child's progress, strengths, goals, and strategies for building success. Although your child’s teacher will have much to share about your child’s progress and goals, we hope you will also share any insights you believe will be helpful to your child’s success this year - we are here to listen as well as share. I am thankful we have the opportunity to come together as we work toward one of the most important and rewarding tasks in the world . . .to help children become the best they can be. I am sending my wishes your way for an informative and purposeful conference.
Best wishes for a warm and wonderful Thanksgiving!
Fondly,
Sarah
Choir Rehearsal
During Conference Week, Choir will meet on Friday, November 22nd, at 11:45-12:30. This is during the school day and students will leave school at the same time as other students.
Student Safety
The days are shorter and children are often walking to and from school, or bus stops, in the dark. Please slow down and watch for pedestrians and buses.
At the last Saybrook HOA board meeting, a neighbor reported multiple instances of cars making a right turn from 157th onto 223rd and proceeding to drive past a stopped bus (facing the opposite direction on 223rd) that was unloading students with the lights on and stop sign out. Please stop for busses that are unloading, even if you are driving in the opposite direction.
Congratulations to Janie Anderson!
Mrs. Anderson has been selected as the WMEA (Washington Music Educators Association) 2020 Elementary Music Educator of the Year. The president of the association shared that the awards committee was impressed with the strength and quality of the work she has done as an outstanding educator, her long-term and extensive leadership at the regional and state level and as a powerful advocate for music education. The award will be presented in February at the annual WMEA conference.
Veterans Honored
On Friday, November 8th, we held our annual Veterans Day Assembly. Our program included a performance by the fifth graders, as well as the whole school singing, led by our music teacher, Mrs. Anderson.
We want to thank a number of people and groups who assisted with the program: students in Ms. Fawcett’s and Mrs. Reed’s classes who led our assembly; fourth and fifth grade scouts who served as our Color Guard, Art Docents who led us with the poppy art projects; Ms. Simpson for sharing the gym; Mr. Cissna for letting us use the library for the reception; and the many parent volunteers who decorated and provided refreshments. The assembly was held after a reception in the library.
Our heartfelt thanks for their service to our country goes to all veterans. Many of the veterans who are related to East Ridge students attended the assembly. Each member was honored with a special gift, thanking them for their dedication and service to our country We were honored to have such an incredible turnout of veterans who attended our assembly.
Volunteers
We love having volunteers on campus and chaperones on field trips! For the safety of our students, we require all volunteers to complete the volunteer application online annually at https://eastridge.nsd.org/resources/volunteer. Please call the school’s main office if you have any questions.
3rd Grade Parents
3rd graders will be celebrating the work they have done as opinion speech writers! 3rd Grade Parents, please join us in this celebration by listening to student speeches in small groups on Friday, December 6th 3:15-3:50.
Nurse’s Corner
Happy November. The holidays will soon be upon us. We have already been seeing students with fevers, headaches, stomach aches (with and without fevers), sore throats and coughs. Remember the best way to prevent the spread of infections is with good hand washing, which means using warm water and soap for length of time it takes to sing the ABC song, then rinse and dry with paper towels. Did you know cloth towels grow bacteria once they have been used?
Now for some Health Room news/updates
- If your child has a fever, they should not come to school until they have been without a fever for 24 hours, without the use of fever reducing medications.
- If your child has been throwing up, needs to be 24 hours with no vomiting before they can return to school.
- If you child has been having diarrhea, they need to be able to contain it or they should stay home. If your child is young (KF or 1st grade) it is best to keep them at home to help prevent accidental spread of illness.
- If your child has been sick and is on the mend.
- Reminder about medicines at school: All medicines (prescribed and over the counter) need an MD order, which is the Medication Authorization form, in order to be given at school.
- Cough drops/throat lozenges are considered medications and need an MD order (Per Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI)).
- Braces: Many students are getting braces and with this comes mouth pain, especially when braces tightened or adjusted. Please take a Medication Authorization form to the orthodontist and have completed to be able to give pain meds (prescribed or OTC) at school.
The goal is to keep students healthy and comfortable so they are ready to learn.
Gerry Cullins RN BSN
Holiday Assistance - Community Resources
Please contact Nurse Gerry Cullins at 425-408-4406 for information about the Northshore Rotary Santa Breakfast and/or the PTA Holiday Giving Tree.
Hopelink
Address: 11011 120th Ave NE, Kirkland, WA 98033
Phone:(425) 889-7880; Hours: Friday 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
Holiday Gift Rooms - For ages birth through 18.
https://www.hopelink.org/need-help/holiday-gift-rooms
Northshore YMCA
11811 NE 195th ST, Bothell
425-486-7757
ymcanorthshore.org
Provides holiday meal baskets for underserved families in the community.
Helping Hands Ministries
Thrift Store: 19213 Bothell-Everett Hwy 425-481-6682 Open 10-7
Home Store: 17428 State Rt. 9, Snohomish 360-863-3027 Open 11-6
Gently used and new clothing, toys, books, household items, furniture
$25 vouchers available from your school nurse.
Lost and Found
Be sure to check the lost and found for missing articles. Our lost and found rack is located in front of the school and is overflowing! Any items not claimed before winter break will be donated.
Holiday Travel Plans
If you have travel plans that will take your student out of school beyond the designated break, please be sure to complete and submit a Pre-Approved Absence Request form. This form can be found on our web site at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/100zfS2WEnK-EeffCq8kh7YjQ04kSei2V/view
Are You Moving?
If moving is in your future, please contact the office to let us know. 425.408.4400
Game Room Volunteers Needed
Game room will be starting again in January and volunteers are needed to help chaperone this recess alternative. Located in the Art Room, Game Room runs on Thursdays from 11:55-1:40 (note time correction) and includes all three recesses. This is a supportive role for volunteers, Game Masters (3rd - 5th graders) have been trained in peer leadership and conflict resolution and need your positive encouragement and, at times, hands on help. Contact Tanya O’Rourke to volunteer or for more information: inclusivity@erpta.org.
Parent Education Night!
ERPTA, BCPTA and Northshore Council PTSA present:
Parent Education Evening: Facing Student Anxiety, Stress & Challenges!
Purposeful Parenting: Creating Balance & Calm through Student Changes & Pressures
Tuesday December 3, 7-9 pm at Woodinville High School Theater.
Join us for a unique opportunity for all NSD parents – an evening with the highly
sought after local speaker, Dr. Laura Kastner.
Dr. Laura is a clinical psychologist and professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
at the University of Washington. This lecture will discuss positive parenting techniques
on how to help our children create balance among school and life changes.
ERPTA Scholastic Book Fair
Arctic Adventures Scholastic Book Fair
Monday November 18 thru Tuesday November 26
Volunteers still needed, visit erpta.org for the link and more information.
ERPTA Bingo Night and Book Fair Family Pajama Night
Join us on Thursday Nov 24, 6:00 -9:00 pm.
Dress in your coziest pajamas, enjoy hot cocoa, apple cider and family fun!
ERPTA East Ridge Spirit Wear
BIG NEWS! If you missed out on the Spirit Wear deadline (or if you need more), we’ll be selling a limited quantity at Bingo night (Nov. 21).
Find us in the Library hallway!
We accept cash, check and credit card.
Questions? Email ERPTASpiritWear@gmail.com
ERPTA Math Challenge
We're doing MC4 (tinyurl.com/erptaMC4) this round and it's due on Thursday, Nov 21st.
Only online submissions will be accepted, tinyurl.com/ERPTAMathChallenge or email ERPTAMathChallenge@gmail.com.
For more info, tinyurl.com/ERPTAMC
Questions? Email ERPTAMathChallenge@gmail.com