Calendar
April
12 - 16: Spring Break - No School
20: Elementary Poetry Night, 6:30 pm
29: FOSB Director Meeting
May
3-7: Staff Appreciation Week
13: FOSB Meeting
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Good afternoon Salmon Bay,
What a fantastic week of school we have had. It is so great to see all the excited students in person, and remotely. As I pop into remote classrooms, I still see excited, eager, and helpful learners. I see that students online are engaged and ready to challenge themselves. This first week of in person learning has been a great experience for everyone. We as educators have learned so much about ourselves, each other, the community, and students this week. The hard work and dedication that went into this process has finally paid off. It is wonderful to slowly start making human connections again. As you know, “We can do hard things Salmon Bay” and this week has demonstrated that. As you go into your Spring Break, remember to relax, and enjoy the time you have to spend with your friends, families, and loved ones.
Best,
Suro
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Salmon Update
Our salmon will be with us for just a couple more weeks and then they transition to the imprint pond! Click here to see the latest salmon video update from Teacher Marian.
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Our elementary students transitioned to new schedules and classes this week. Whether in remote classes (like Bre's class discussing teeth loss in the screenshot above) or in-person cohorts (like Jenny M's class, also pictured above), we have been so impressed with our students. They are ready to learn, share ideas and care for their community. A big thank you to all families for your support during this transition week! |
Spring Break Reminders
There will be no school next week, April 12 - 16th. We wish you a restful and relaxing break!
Main Office Hours
The main office will be staffed Monday - Thursday. If you need assistance, please email Britta or call 206-252-1720. Panther Passage will be closed.
Travel Reminders
SPS strongly encourages everyone to avoid non-essential travel during spring break to keep our school communities safe and healthy. If travel is necessary, we encouraging families to test and quarantine upon return.
The CDC recommends the following after travel for unvaccinated individuals:
- Get tested with a viral test 3-5 days after travel AND stay home and self-quarantine for a full 7 days after travel.
- If you do not get tested, stay home and quarantine for 10 days after travel.
- Avoid being around people who are at increased risk for severe illness for 14 days.
- Self-monitor for Covid-19 symptoms, isolate and get tested if you develop symptoms.
School Attendance
Families that quarantine following spring break travel should contact Caitlin Racey, Attendance Specialist. Like vacations, quarantine days will be treated as non-truant absences.
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The increase of screen time for our children is affecting us all- from parents of kindergartners through middle school and beyond. The increase of screen time and remote working also affects us as parents. As I support my children, I must also manage my own use of technology.
What to do if your child is addicted to screens
What should a parent do if their child is addicted to screens? Probably not blame them! Many of the more addictive behaviors kids and teens display are the result of technology companies doing everything in their power to keep people engaged in screen time. In his book Irresistible, The Rise of Addictive Technology and the Business of Keeping Us Hooked, marketing expert Adam Alter describes the business model of companies such as Google, Facebook, and Apple as designed to keep people on their screens. He notes that they have “an army of people who are doing everything they can with considerable resources, with access to huge amounts of data, to ensure that we spend every spare minute on our phones.”
Alter identifies five characteristics of screen-based technologies that can lead to addictive behavior. These are elaborated on in other posts in this series and include:
- Variable feedback—the uncertainty of when you’ll get a reward
- Portability—the accessibility of our technologies
- Absence of stopping cues—the lack of end points to let us know we are done
- Artificial goals—the creation of goals that keep us on screens
- Unresolved cliff-hangers—the need to know what will happen next on our screens
Here are nine strategies to use when your kids can’t stop screen time:
- Encourage them to play more games that include stopping cues and have clear endings, or that can be finished in one sitting.
- Let them create their own stopping cues with a timer. Be sure they make a habit of using a timer for online activity.
- Designate times for them to check social media for a set number of minutes.
- Set an example by bingeing only when you have time and it serves you; for example on a rainy day or after a long week of studying or work. Ensure that they follow your example.
- Make sleep more important than screens in your home. To help prevent technology from dictating your family’s health, remember what Reed Hastings, the founder of Netflix, said: “Netflix is competing with sleep.”
- Turn off the lights, internet, and phones at a set time every night. You’ll need cooperation from all family members.
- Serve small portions of online time as if they were eating dessert. They have to choose to go back for more.
- Make other activities more important. When other leisure time is more compelling than screen time, it’s much easier to stop.
I hope you have a restful Spring Break. We look forward to seeing your kids after break, whether that is remotely or in-person. If you or your child is in need of support, please reach out to Rob Bright or me.
In Community,
Jenny Brooks
School Counselor
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Funds Supporting Salmon Bay Families
Salmon Bay School has limited funds available to support our families financially. If you are in need of financial support, please fill out our request form by clicking on the blue button below. Rob and Jenny are working on supporting as many families as possible during the pandemic and beyond. If you need other types of support (such as mental health or school support), please send Jenny or Rob an email and they will respond as soon as possible. You matter. You are loved. You are not alone.
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Staff Appreciation Week Plans |
We will celebrate staff appreciation the first week in May. And while we can't host a potluck lunch or many of the appreciation activities typical of past years, we can host an outdoor "pop up" Salmon Bay greenhouse!
It's become tradition to end staff appreciation week by creating a greenhouse where each staff member can select a plant as a lasting token of appreciation from our community. The plants are always a highlight and staff love "shopping" for their gift.
Here's how you can participate:
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If you are able to donate a plant(s), please sign up here. This list helps us track donations and ensure we have enough plants so every staff member can select one.
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- Drop off your potted plant at our outdoor greenhouse on the morning of Thursday, May 6th by noon.
In addition to the Salmon Bay Greenhouse, FOSB will be stocking our staff lounge with a variety of snacks and drinks. We'll also send a card to all staff members.
Question? Please email Jodi, Volunteer Coordinator.
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Elementary News
Elementary Poetry Night is coming up right after Spring Break, on April 20 from 6:30 to 7:30 PM. If you’d like to join us for an hour of students sharing inspired poetry, please fill out this form to receive a link to the event.
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Middle School News
Middle School Parent Meetings
If you missed our April 8th parent meetings, you can watch the meeting recording at the links below.
Middle School Bell Schedule
Monday & Thursday
Period 1 Lesson: 8 - 8:50 am
Period 2 Lesson: 8:55 - 9:45 am
Period 3 Lesson : 9:50 - 10:40 am
Lunch : 10:40 - 11:45 am
Period 1 small group: 11:50 am - 12:40 pm
Period 2 small group: 12:45 - 1:35 pm
Period 3 small group: 1:40 - 2:30 pm
Tuesday & Friday
Period 4 Lesson: 8 - 8:50 am
Period 5 Lesson: 8:55 - 9:45 am
Period 6 Lesson : 9:50 - 10:40 am
Lunch : 10:40 - 11:45 am
Period 4 small group: 11:50 am - 12:40 pm
Period 5 small group: 12:45 - 1:35 pm
Period 6 small group: 1:40 - 2:30 pm
Wednesday
Advisory/ Homeroom: 8 - 8:50 am
Period 1 small group: 9:05 - 9:35 am
Period 2 small group: 9:40 - 10:10 am
Period 3 small group: 10:15 - 10:45 am
Lunch 10:45 - 11:30 am
Extended Lunch (for clubs): 11:35 - 12:05 pm
Period 5 small group: 12:10 - 12:40 pm
Period 6 small group: 12:45 - 1:15 pm
Students Returning to In-Person Learning
If you are returning to in-person learning, here's a check list to help you prepare for your student's first day of in-person school.
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Complete your student's health attestation before they come to school. Check your email for your student's health attestation link. You'll need to complete the health attestation each day. You can request the health attestation be sent as a text (we recommend this!).
- Have your student eat before coming to school. Students may not eat in the classroom.
- Students should bring their fully charged laptop computer to school with them. SPS has confirmed that personal computers will also work with our school network.
- We will not be using lockers. Have your student pack learning supplies, a full water bottle and jacket in a bag that they can keep at their desk.
Orca Cards for Middle School Students
Orca cards will be available by request for students returning to school. Please email [email protected] to request one.
Middle School Ebook Resource
We have a new collection of ebooks for middle school students to access! They can be found in the Sora app, which can be accessed through Clever. Teacher Ben made this video demonstrating how to access and use Sora. (Note: you will need to be logged into an SPS account to view the video.) Sora is a great platform because it allows to students to easily look up word definitions, annotate text selections, and even export their annotations into a document. Sora seamlessly links with Libby, so students can read all the Seattle Public Library books on Sora as well.
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Student Portraits Past Due
We are missing 150 elementary student portraits and 75 middle school portraits. We want all students to have a portrait in in the yearbook! If your student has not yet taken their yearbook photo, please help them do so asap. You’ll find instructions on how to log into the School Photo Cloud site and your student’s unique photo ID number in the email Jodi sent you OR you can simply email your student's portrait to Jodi. If you have questions or need assistance, please email Jodi Russell, Volunteer Coordinator.
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Friends of Salmon Bay (FOSB) is our school parent teacher organization. All parents and guardians are members. |
Dear Salmon Bay Community –
We’re pleased to announce a budget for the 2021-22 school year. Our Finance Committee worked hard over the last several months to bring together a budget that supports a lot of the programming we’ve enjoyed from years past. We’re in a good place for supporting the school next year and we appreciate everyone’s efforts this year. You can view the proposed budget here.
Speaking of next year, FOSB needs you! We have several open positions that need parents. Reach out to our chairs ([email protected]) if you have an interest and we’ll get you the information you need.
Thanks
Scott and Shawna
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Mark Your Calendar and Plan to Attend:
May FOSB Meeting - May 13th at 7:00 PM
Meeting ID: 891 5215 7798
Passcode: 764610
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Student Supports
Student Meals
District meal distribution site hours are changing to support in-person learning. All meal sites will open 30 minutes earlier starting on April 5. The 40 meal sites will now be be open from 10:45 a.m. -1:15 p.m.
Meal site locations include the following schools: Adams Elementary, Eagle Staff Middle School, North Beach Elementary, Whittier Elementary and Viewlands Elementary School. See the complete list, menus and more information here.
Food Support at Salmon Bay:
Students are invited to pick up a lunch (and breakfast for p.m. cohorts) prior to leaving school each day. Students with allergies can request accommodations by completing this form.
In addition, students can request a weekend food bag provided by the Ballard Food Bank. To arrange for a weekend food bag, please email Jodi Russell, Volunteer Coordinator.
FREE Tutoring
Seattle Public Library has launched free virtual tutoring in a variety of subjects for K-12 students. This service will be available 7 days a week in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese and help is available in math, writing, science, history, foreign languages, college essay writing, AP courses, and more. Sign up for Library Link using your SPS student ID and get access to thousands of free tutors today. More information here.
Help With Technology Issues
If you need assistance with technology issues, please contact the Student Techline. The call-in service has been upgraded to allow people to either wait on hold or leave a voice mail if their call is not answered right away. Call & email volumes are much more manageable now so families should be helped very quickly. Call 206-252-0100 or email [email protected].
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Kids in Parks - Free Access for 5th Graders
Many 4th graders missed out on using their Every Kid Outdoors Annual 4th Grade Pass during the 2019-2020 school year. A new voucher is now available for 5th grade students for the rest of the school year!
With this voucher, 5th graders and their families will have free access to national parks and other federal lands managed by the Department of the Interior from October 28, 2020 through August 31, 2021.
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Coyote Central Presents: Spring Break + Weekends
If you are looking for something fun to do during Spring Break while staying socially distant, check out Coyote's Spring session today! Sewing, Cooking, Robotics, Photography, Acting, Printmaking, Stop Motion Animation and MORE. The bonus? We provide all the tools and supplies you'll need! Coyote is for ALL students between the ages of 10-15. Classes start April 24/25 and runs for 8 weekends straight through! Remember, classes are always pay-what-works-for-you! (The range of payment can be from $0 - full tuition). Watch this video to learn more or visit our website. Register here.
If you want to receive a follow up call to discuss further details add your name + number to this Google Form!
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Ultimate Frisbee Clinics & Camps
Seattle Ultimate (formerly Cascades Academy) is looking forward to being on the field again.
Available to students grades 3rd-12th; clinics are hosted around the Seattle area at a variety of playfields and welcome all abilities and genders. Scholarships are available via a short online form.
SPRING YOUTH CLINICS
• Sunday, Apr 11th, Brighton Playfield, 1:30pm-3:00pm
• Sunday, Apr 11th, Brighton Playfield, 3:30pm-6:00pm
• Sunday, Apr 25th, Montlake Playfield, 9:00am-11:30am
• Sunday, May 2nd, Montlake Playfield, 9:00am-11:30am
• Sunday, May 16th, Montlake Playfield, 9:00am-11:30am
• Saturday, May 22nd, Jefferson Playfield, 11:30am-1:30pm
• Saturday, May 22nd, Jefferson Playfield, 1:45pm-4:00pm
More information and registration here.
SUMMER CAMPS
• Day Camp A (June 28 - July 2) at Lower Woodland
• Day Camp B (July 5-9) at Jefferson Playfield
• Day Camp C (July 19-23) at Jefferson Playfield
• Overnight Camp #1 (August 2 - 6) on Whidbey Island
• Overnight Camp #2 (August 18 - 22) on Whidbey Island
• Day Camp D (August 30 - Sept 3) at Lower Woodland
More information and registration here.
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Black Lives Matter Community Action
Join your Ballard neighbors at an ongoing opportunity to come together and express our solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. Every Friday at 5 pm. More details here.
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UW Virtual Recess
The UW is continuing to offer a fun opportunity for kids to get their wiggles out on Mondays from 12 - 12:15 pm. These short sessions are hosted by UW coaches and athletes. You can join the fun at this link: https://washington.zoom.us/j/94755524160
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