February 26, 2021
Calendar

March
3: SED Committee Meeting
4: FOSB Directors Meeting
11: School Auction, 6:30 - 8:00 pm
15: Finance Committee Meeting, 7 pm
18: FOSB Meeting, 7 pm
Good Evening Salmon Bay Community,

Here we are almost in March! I hope that everyone had a restful and fun Mid-Winter Break. This is the time to get outside and enjoy the fresh spring air and the sunshine. I wanted to highlight a few items that Salmon Bay has been working on as of late.

Right now, the Building Leadership Team (BLT) which consists of parent volunteers, staff and admin are working hard on preparing the school budget for the 2021-2022 school year. We make sure that the budget discussion is centered around what is best for students, families, and the school. We will be meeting soon with the whole staff to discuss the budget options we have and ask for feedback. This is to ensure appropriately ready for the upcoming school year.

On the Race and Equity front, we had a great professional development this Wednesday where we invited the NAACP- Youth Council to come and give some student voice to our work towards becoming an anti-racist institution. The youth council is made up of young BIPOC students who are either in the Seattle School District or recently graduated. They covered topics of why anti-racist work, professional development, and Ethnic Studies needs to happen in schools, who they are and their nine demands. The youth council had us all in breakout rooms where we as the educators got to ask questions to them about their experiences, how they would like to see Ethnic Studies taught in schools,  and what they need from all educators in the building to keep this work going. We then moved into discussing Part 3 of the book Stamped. The RET provided the staff with thoughtful questions. One question that was asked was, in what ways is racism embedded in practices, policies, and laws? What parallels can you draw between the past and present ways racist roadblocks, potholes, and loopholes continue to persist? We broke up into small groups for this discussion. I heard many thoughtful answers to this.

Those are the highlights of this week. I hope everyone has a great weekend. Please go outside and enjoy the sunshine and fresh air. Spring is almost here!

In partnership,
Suro, Neil, and Darren
Salmon Update
Teacher Marian has recorded an updated salmon video! Our salmon fry are growing and changing quickly. Click here to watch and learn more.
Seen in the Hallways
We are currently working to make improvements to our physical spaces that students can enjoy as soon as it's safe to return.
Shout out to the above crew and Capital Projects! We received a nice furniture upgrade (refurbished tables) for many of our classrooms this week. Thanks to Sam, Mario, Hilario, and Debbie for helping get all the tables moved in.
And a shout out to Principal Neil, who is seen here working to update and paint our gym!
You can read the latest edition of the 5th grade newspaper each week at this link.
Hello Salmon Bay families!

Recently in my (Rob) house we had to have a serious conversation about online activity with one of our sons. It came to our attention that perhaps he wasn’t showing up as his best self in his Discord server. If you are unfamiliar with Discord, you can find out more here. After having conversations with him about what happened and how he could have acted differently, it got me thinking about this article I read on the GreatSchools website about monitoring your child’s texting and social media activity. Here’s a quote from the story: “Giving your child their first cell phone is not unlike handing them their first set of car keys. You’re entrusting them with a powerful device that requires that they make mature decisions. What’s more, as your child grows from tween to teen, their online life may be mostly hidden from you, including any conversations they’re having about risky behavior or dangerous situations.” It goes on to talk about setting up agreements with your child about monitoring their use and how to build trust instead of having to snoop. I invite you to read the full article.

Please let us know how you are doing or if you need anything.

We will be holding a virtual photo week beginning next Monday, March 1st. Watch your email for instructions on how to take your own virtual school photo and upload it for inclusion in our yearbook.
Support for Students

Student Meals
SPS is offering free student meals at 40 school locations and eight bus routes. Meal sites are open Monday-Friday from 11:15 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.
For more information about student meal sites, including monthly menus, please click here.

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.
We want our SBTV!
 
You're invited to the 2021 FOSB Auction-- Salmon Bay Totally Virtual, an evening of LIVE late night television where anything can happen! 
Tuesday, March 11, 2021
Pre-show at 6:30 p.m.
Live event from 7-8 p.m.
 
The auction will be livestreamed and all auction bidding and purchases will be via mobile device. Tickets are free and you'll simply text a keyword, beginning Monday, to register, browse, bid and purchase! Stay tuned! We'll be announcing this year's auction key word and number to text via an all-school Auction Newsletter on Monday, plus on our social media channels (Instagram and Facebook @SalmonBaySchoolAuction).
 
Monday, March 1: Registration opens
This year's offering of Auction Sign-Up Parties will open and our annual Split the Pot Raffle Tickets will be available to purchase! (Winner of the raffle takes half of the total pot and will be announced and called during our live broadcast.)
 
Add a Late Night Snack for a $50 donation*
Enjoy Lovely Night Catering's gourmet savory appetizers for two (with vegetarian option), a petite dessert box from Coyle's Bakeshop, and mineral water all packed into a reusable SBTV shopping bag. Only 50 available. Sales begin on Monday, March 1.
 
Add a Top Ten Toast for a $25 donation*
A new twist on our popular auction wine grab. Test your luck, select a bottle of red or white, and pick up your mystery bag! While supplies last. Sales begin on Monday, March 1.
 
*Requires pre-purchase via your mobile device and curbside pick-up at Salmon Bay from 3-5 p.m. on March 11.
Attention 5th & 8th Grade families: LEEP
Since 1965, LEEP (the Lakeside Educational Enrichment Program) has served more than 3,600 students entering 9th grade at Seattle Public High Schools. For summer 2021:
  • We will be enrolling students in the 5th-to-6th grade cohort and in the 8th-to-9th grade cohort.
  • LEEP is a four-week summer session. It will run from July 6-July 30, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • It remains completely free for families. Transportation within Seattle, all needed materials, and breakfast/lunch is provided at no cost.

What is LEEP?
Think of LEEP as a blend of summer camp and summer school. Through engaging and fun activities and classes, LEEP helps students build excitement around school and learning. Classes are interdisciplinary and intended to improve skills like organization, time management, and self-advocacy.
Highlights of the program include:
  • Prepare for middle or high school academics.
  • Discover leadership abilities.
  • Develop computer and multimedia skills.
  • Enjoy outdoor education, sports, and other physical activities. *
  • 6th graders: learn to swim in single-gender classes, and go on an outdoor trip.
  • 9th graders: get service learning hours, learn to row, and practice public speaking.

* For virtual LEEP 2020, students engaged in an Activity Period that had them interact with others online while engaging in physical activity in their homes. We would continue to do this if the program is fully virtual. If it is a hybrid, we would reduce the sizes for activities as required by state guidelines.

If you have questions, please consult the LEEP website.

Salmon Bay Middle School Counselor
(425) 528-0842
Friends of Salmon Bay (FOSB) is our school parent teacher organization. All parents and guardians are members.
Hello Salmon Bay -
We’re continuing to work on our budget for next year. Please join us in this endeavor and help us prioritize our future. As we begin to think about next year, several officers and directors will be graduating. Please consider joining FOSB in one of these roles to help guide our community forward.

The auction is coming (see the auction information shared above in this newsletter!). Many Auction Committee volunteers have put lots of time and energy into creating a cool experience we can share together. Come to the show and have fun with our community!

Thanks,
Scott and Shawna

SED Committee Meeting
You are invited to join the next SED Committee meeting on Wednesday, March 3rd at 7:00 pm. We'll be planning upcoming events.

Topic: SED Committee Meeting
Time: Mar 3, 2021 7:00 PM Pacific Time
Join Zoom Meeting at this link
Meeting ID: 870 5873 5921
Passcode: 761494

Year of Purpose: Unapologetically Black
If you missed our Year of Purpose speaker sarahlloyd earlier this month, you can watch a recording of Unapologetically Black, How I Stopped Apologizing at this link.
Passcode: 9*$4Mc7@ 

Save the Date - March FOSB Meeting
Our next FOSB Meeting will take place on March 18th at 7 pm. Meeting link here. Please mark your calendar and plan to attend. We'll be discussing the budget for next school year.
Nutty Squirrel is excited to announce their new community fundraiser: A DIY Gelato Sandwich Kit. In partnership with two local businesses, this fundraiser benefits 12 participating schools including Salmon Bay. Here are the details:

This fundraiser takes place February 2 – March 31. During that time, you can purchase a Cookie Kit at Nutty Squirrel in Phinney and Nutty Squirrel in Magnolia. Online orders and home delivery are available online

Each Community Cookie Kit has costs $30 and $5 of purchase will be donated to a local school of choice. 

Each kit includes:
  • 2 pints of gelato
  • 8 take-n-bake cookies made by the local La Liath Bakery
  • Premium melting chocolate
  • Nutty Stash special sprinkle mix with gelato cones, unicorns, stars, etc.
  • Seattle sticker by local Artist Sean Hoyt 
Community Announcements
Theatre Workshops Offered by Nathan Hale High School
The theatre officers at Nathan Hale are offering workshops for middle schoolers during the second and third weeks of March.
Intro to Technical Theater (March 8th):
The Intro to Tech Theater workshop will cover what it means to have a technical theatre job and what tech theater jobs entail including marketing, lighting, sound, set design, props, makeup, costume, and being a stagehand. The basics of each role will be explained as well as paired with personal stories from the workshop leaders.
Stage Management (March 9th):
This stage management workshop gives students a good understanding of what it means to be a stage manager or assistant stage manager. We will cover responsibilities such as communication, note-taking, and leadership within a production. 
Beginners Tap (March 10th - March 12th):
The Beginners Tap class is a three-day workshop covering very basic tap steps, culminating in learning a combo on the last day. Tap shoes and a tap board are not required, and absolutely no experience is necessary.
Intro to Acting (March 15th - March 16th):
This two-day acting workshop will teach students the first steps in developing their style of acting. On the first day, we will go over basic ways to improve one’s performance and get into the mindset of one’s character. The following day we’ll be exploring further into acting methods, and how to find the student’s most natural technique. We’ll play games, answer questions, and leave knowing how to take the next step.
Intro to Improv (March 17th):
The improv class is a one-day workshop that will focus on what makes improv fun! The workshop will cover the basics of improv, as well as applying improv to scripted pieces.
Stage Makeup (March 18th):
The stage makeup class will go over very basic makeup skills, putting emphasis on being seen on stage using different makeup techniques. The workshop will be available to 7th and 8th graders. Products: Foundation, Setting Powder, Eyeliner, Blush. Optional Products: Primer, Mascara, Highlight, Eyeshadow, Lipstick, etc. If students are missing any of the products or don’t have any of them, they are still welcome to join the class and watch! 

More information plus sign up and payment can be found is on our website at nathanhaletheatre.com
Science Challenge for Students in Grades 5-8
The 3M Young Scientist Challenge invites students to share their solutions for a chance to win $25,000 and an exclusive 3M Mentorship. To enter, students need to make a 1-2 minute video describing their solution for improving life in the future in one of six challenge areas. Focusing on a topic they care about, students put creative thinking and STEM brainstorming into action to think of an idea that could make a real difference in the future.

Middle School Science Teacher Monica has had previous students participate in this competition in the past. She has offered to advise any students interested in participating. Submittal deadline is late April.

Make a Video to Enter
Students do not have to build their solution or test their idea to enter. They just need to create a 1-2 minute video that describes their unique idea. Challenge Video Tips are available to help students think about and prepare their videos. Entries accepted through April 27, 2021. See the 3M Young Scientist Challenge website for complete rules and regulations.
Spring Boys Lacrosse
Spring Boys Lacrosse (lax) Registration is now open, we hope to start practicing mid-March with possible games in April thru the end of May! Props is recruiting all boys for recreational lacrosse, Grades 1-8. All new and returning players are welcome. No prior experience necessary.

Lacrosse (lax) is one of the fastest growing sports in America, and Seattle. Lax is a great team sport where we have tons of fun and get some great exercise. For more information, please visit the club page at http://www.propslacrosse.org/ If you have any questions about lacrosse please feel free to reach out to Marcos Dachary  or submit an inquiry via our website.
UW Virtual Recess
The UW is continuing to offer a fun opportunity for kids to get their wiggles out on Mondays and Wednesdays 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