24-Hour Attendance Line: 425.408.4410.
Message from Mrs. White
Happy Holidays!
One of my most treasured gifts this year arrived early
: two very special photo books put together by my sister and cousin. Each book shares photos and stories of each of my paternal grandparents growing up and the story of their life together. These books are so precious to me! I am so lucky to have grown up in Hawaii, close to my grandparents, and to have heard many of their stories first hand. Often during this pandemic, I have thought about my grandma during World War II. She had five children, including twins, that were under two years old. My grandpa was far away in Okinawa, serving in the Army. I think about my grandma during this time, faced with very little money, with rationing, and even restrictions about light coming out of any windows in the evening. All of this without any of the modern conveniences we have today! During the pandemic when I have been overwhelmed or felt disappointed, I think back to the hardships my grandma endured and how strong she was. Knowing the stories of their lives has allowed me to “borrow” some of my grandma’s strength and resilience during current times.
Did you know that sharing your family stories and traditions actually helps your child develop resilience? Researchers have found that children who know a lot about their families do better when they are faced with challenges and tend to have better emotional health. As you spend time as a family over the holidays, what stories will you tell? What traditions did you grow up with that you are passing on to your children? What are the stories behind those traditions? One of my best friends did not grow up with holiday traditions, so she is getting her kids involved with creating traditions as they grow up! What fun to let her kids take the lead, and what wonderful stories they will have someday to share with their own children!
This year many of us may not be able to celebrate some of our traditions, but the stories can still be told. We might also establish new traditions that will create a story for the future – maybe our grandchildren will someday learn of traditions that were started the year of COVID!
The stories and traditions you share together this season will benefit your child with precious memories and also a stronger sense of family and personal resilience.
Warm wishes for a joyous holiday season!
Fondly,
Sarah White, Principal
Calling all 4th and 5th graders! Meet Mrs. Hager at 12:00 on Wednesday, December 16th for an informational session about ASB. Mrs. Hager would like to work with 4th and 5th graders to re-create ASB virtually. Come and join the fun at the below link!https://nsd.zoom.us/j/89496829064?pwd=QWlUMFh5anVKbzNNc1c5akgxbGRlUT09
East Ridge Keeps Playing
Our game of the week is “Toss and Drop.” This game 
focuses on active listening - the ability to give full attention – with eyes and ears – to the person who is talking. The brain break of the week is called “My DVD Player”. Teachers may be using these in class activities, and these are also activities kids and families can do for fun or for breaks at home. Thank you PTA for these great resources!
Reading with Rover
There's another opportunity for children to Read with Rover on December 16! The link to information about the program, as well as the sign up is provided below.
http://www.readingwithrover.org/events/virtual-reading-with-rover-read-4/
ERPTA Giving Tree
What an amazingly giving community East Ridge is! With your donations, we were able to help families at East Ridge and 3 other schools with gifts and gift cards. Thank you for your generosity!
December Trait: Gratefulness
In December, East Ridge is focusing on the trait of gratefulness - warmly or deeply appreciative of kindness or benefits received; thankful.
“You most likely have many micro-moments of joy every day, tiny fleeting moments of connection, satisfaction, fulfillment, and contentment … but you probably don’t notice many of them. And so they are missed” (Aguilar, 2018, Onward, p. 144).
This month and always, encourage your children to slow down and take a moment to notice and be grateful for little moments of joy. As adults we can model this by sharing our little moments of gratefulness, too!
As we enter this last week of learning before Winter Break, I hope that you will be able to pause, reflect, and “catch” a few moments of joy.
Nurse's Corner
Brrrrr! It’s cold outside! As a reminder, make sure your child is properly dressed. They should have a jacket, warm socks, and mittens or gloves when outside. Keeping warm and dressing for the weather is less stress on the body and reduces the risk of infection.
Other Helpful Reminders…
1. Hand washing is the best way to prevent the spread of illnesses. Scrubbing should last 20 seconds. Long enough to sing the ABC song.
2. Social distancing and masks will also help during these times.
3. Drink plenty of fluids. Staying hydrated keeps you healthy
Have a great holiday break!!!!!
Gerry Cullins RN BSN
Learn more about what to do in the event of a power or internet outage
It is expected that learning and participation will continue when power outages occur. Asynchronous lessons will be provided by your teacher for these situations. More information can be found here.
Planned Absences?
Please complete a Pre-Approved Absence Request Form if you know of any upcoming absences.
Are you moving?
If change is in your future, please contact the office to let us know: 425.408.4400 or email (rshepherd@nsd.org).
Calendar
View the East Ridge Calendar: https://eastridge.nsd.org/our-school-clone/calendar
No School 12/21 - 1/1/21
Winter Break
Looking for More Information?
See our past newsletters for information about:
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Attendance
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Schoology
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Virtual Tour
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...and much more!
ERPTA
Join the East Ridge PTA!
Join online at: ERPTA.org
ERPTA Auction
Thank you for your support at our Virtual Auction!
We had such a fun night and the PTA raised an astounding $18,500 and an additional $750 to go to Homeward Pet! We couldn't have done it without your support. It was wonderful to see so many zoom faces and to get to reconnect and have some fun. We can't wait to do it in person again when the time comes. A huge thanks to Jenny Pinter, Jenn Strutzel, our sponsors, and the entire auction team and entertainers for their hard work.
Yearbooks on Sale
Yearbooks are on sale now! Click here to place your order. Also, make sure to upload your December pictures showing WINTER FUN!!!
Staff Favorites
Here at East Ridge, we are so lucky to be surrounded by such caring, hard working, and encouraging teachers and staff! Did you know that we have a Staff Favorites list? If you have ever wondered, what is your teacher's favorite snack, or where does your teacher like to shop, this is the place to find out! Feel free to check out the list and if you are so inclined, feel free to bring your teacher a holiday treat. A drop box will be available at the front of the school from now until this Friday the 18th at the end of the school day.
December's yearbook theme is WINTER FUN!
Take a picture during winter break of Holiday traditions, fun with your family, baking, sledding, snow--or whatever is making your winter fun for you and your family! Check out the yearbook page for submission info and yearbook ordering!
Volunteer openings
Our dear and amazing Lillie Linville is sitting as acting president, but has already exceeded her 2 year term limit and needs to be replaced per our bylaws. We need a new President ASAP to relieve her of her duties! You will have tons of fun with our board and lots and lots of support!
Our VP of Events changed schools recently and we are in need of someone to fill this important and fun board position! As with everything PTA, this position is very flexible this year and will reflect the current needs and remote design of activities. Do you have some great ideas of how we can raise morale, stay connected, and help our kids get the most out of this unique year? We need your help to see it through!
Email president@erpta.org with questions!
Community Resources/Holiday Assistance
During the COVID-19 outbreak, our NSD community has come together to provide assistance to families in need. Look here or here for support with food, housing, healthcare and more.
City of Woodinville ADA Plan
The City of Woodinville is putting together a long-term plan to improve 
accessibility and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for our streets, sidewalks, parks, and other public facilities.
We’re looking to engage the local community throughout this planning process, particular community members with disabilities. As we put together our plan, one of the topics we’re most interested in hearing about from residents and others who spend time here is where the City should focus its efforts over the next 3-5 years to fix accessibility barriers. Options include pedestrians cross walks, locations near schools, and more. We’re also interested in hearing about any specific barriers that are of concern (such as a particular sidewalk curb-ramp on a student’s route to school).
I’m reaching out to you in the hopes you can share our Mobility for All ADA Transition Plan webpage (https://engagewoodinville.com/mobility-for-all-plan) and survey with families and students attending Woodinville schools who may have an interest in this topic. Completing the survey is the quickest and easiest way to provide feedback on priorities and help with barrier identification. Please also feel free to provide my contact information-- anyone in the NSD family is more than welcome to reach out for a more in-depth discussion.
I do want to note that we are hoping to collect the majority of survey responses by Friday, December 18 to allow us to begin developing our plan in the new year. I know that doesn’t provide very much time to get the word out.
Please let me know if there are others at NSD/ any of the Woodinville schools I should reach out to, or if there is more information I can provide to assist you in any way.
Thank you,
Maia
Maia Knox | Management Analyst | City of Woodinville
d: (425) 877-2267 | m: (206) 637-2932 |e: maiak@ci.woodinville.wa.us
Woodinville City Hall, 17301 133rd Ave NE, Woodinville WA 98072
Please note that this email is considered public record and may be subject to public disclosure.
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