Our school calendar has rapidly changed this week as we work to follow emerging district guidelines related to Coronavirus. Evening large group events have been canceled or postponed until after spring break. Please see the top right column for details. Please watch your email for additional updates and information.
April
13 - 17 Spring Break
22 - Knowing Your Rights Workshop
23 - Elementary Class Photo Day
28, 29 - Poetry Night
29 - Knowing Your Rights Workshop
|
Guest Teaching Artist
On Wednesday, March 4, Salmon Bay School had a very special visitor. Illustrator and author, R. Gregory Christie has many credits to his name including six Coretta Scott King Awards and the most prestigious children's book illustrator award of all, a Caldecott Medal. Mr. Christie spent all day workshopping with our students, engaging with every sixth grade and third grade student. Students learned about topics ranging from fine and commercial art careers to developing elements of character, setting, and anticipation in storytelling. Students worked directly with Mr. Christie on their own illustrations and narrative ideas. It was an inspiring and empowering event for everyone involved. We were left with his wisdom ringing in our ears: "The harder you work, the luckier you get." You can follow this link to view R. Gregory Christie's website.
|
We are collecting booster seats that are in good condition for use on field trips. If your student has outgrown their booster and it is not expired, please consider donating the seat to Salmon Bay.
|
I recently found an article that was useful about how best to support your 7th grader. Below I have cut and pasted three reminders to help with parenting through those tough times. I think they are good reminders for almost any age, really. Click here for the entire article.
The best medicine for growing pains
So what's a parent to do staring at their seventh grader in the throes of what they may look back on as one of the toughest years of their childhood?
Patience and empathy.
Seventh grade reality is tough enough, says tween expert Annie Fox, author of Teaching Kids to be Good People, so parents should avoid piling on. Set firm boundaries and expectations, but try your best not to be on them all the time, whether it's to clean up their room or finish their homework or "look me in the eye when I'm talking to you, young lady." Fox summarizes your mission this way: listen more than lecture, especially since the lecture will rarely bring about the change you want.
Be their personal fan club.
When our kids are little, says Fox, it's easier for us to notice when they do something right. But parents of 12- and 13-year-olds often spend the majority of their interactions faultfinding. Fox says this "fear that they're growing up and we don't have many years to steer them in the right direction" is normal for parents, but counterproductive for your child. Fox explains that tweens are desperate for you to see beyond their snarky attitude. They need to know you see the good in them, so catch them in the act of doing something right and let them know you appreciate it.
Support their passion project.
Though your child's experience at school may be going to hell in a hand basket, this is also a year of incredible potential. Passions discovered at this age often lead to a lifetime of learning, growth, and career pursuits. Help your child have mind-blowing, positive experiences outside of school by connecting them to whatever their interests are. It could be a sport, a hobby, a favorite book series, or even perfecting the perfect brownie recipe.
Finally, Fox encourages parents to take the long view. Seventh grade may be a trial for your child (and for you), but soon enough, your pre-adolescent child will be entering eighth grade, planning for high school, and looking back on their early years of middle school as oh-so-behind-them. While a tough truth for any loving parent to accept, it's worth remembering that seventh grade is also a rite of passage. Most kids learn a lot from this year (even if they don't master equations). Thrown into the academic and social tumbler of seventh grade, kids emerge despite and because of those growing pains with a much clearer sense of who they are.
As always, don't hesitate to reach out to Rob or Jenny. Take care of yourselves out there,
Rob
Middle School Counselor
|
Friends of Salmon Bay (FOSB) is our
parent teacher organization.
FOSB Meeting Report and Budget Update
In the midst of uncertainty, it is always nice to have a piece of good news! That news has come surprisingly in the form of our 2020-2021 district budget allocation. After being braced for potential deficits, we are happy to report that school leadership feels positive as we move through the budget process. While plans have not been finalized, we do not anticipate any major cuts and we are hopeful that we will be able to add some additional supports and enhancements.
The partnership between Salmon Bay School and FOSB is one key component of our strong outlook as we plan for next year. Last night, FOSB approved a $90,000 Whole Child Grant to Salmon Bay School. This grant will allow for additional staffing flexibility as the BLT (Building Leadership Team) and staff work to complete the budget process. While our fundraising efforts may look slightly different this spring in light of our auction postponement, we remain optimistic.
We invite you to continue your strong support on behalf of Salmon Bay students as we continue to meet the needs of our community.
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee
Salmon Bay EDI is a collective of Salmon Bay parents that strives to collaboratively promote a lens of equity and diversity to create a holistically happy community. Looking to build community? Have skills to share? Hold a vision or feedback for EDI that you would like heard? Please let us know! Contact us at
We are currently in need of:
- Someone with WordPress skills
- People to help organize upcoming community meals
- Someone with Graphic Design skills
Because upcoming events have been suspended due to Coronavirus, we will update the EDI calendar as more information becomes available.
|
We welcome submissions to our weekly Bulletin.
Email submissions to
Jodi by
noon on Thursdays.
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Dear Community,
As you have likely now heard, last night our school received guidance from SPS that we should cancel all large group gatherings beginning March 8th. At the present time, we are working to postpone, cancel or reschedule as appropriate, all events on our school calendar through spring break. It is possible that we will also need to cancel or postpone events following spring break, but we are opting to wait to see what happens as new information becomes available during the next couple weeks.
The following community events will no longer be held as scheduled:
- Talking to Youth About Heated Topics (originally scheduled for March 10th)
- FOSB Budget Committee (originally scheduled for March 10th)
- Pi Day/ Math Celebration (originally scheduled for March 12th)
- K-5 After School Theater Performances (originally scheduled for March 19-20)
- School Auction (originally scheduled for March 27th)
Committee members and school staff are currently working to determine which events can be rescheduled and information regarding plans will be shared as details are finalized. We realize that many community members have already been involved in generously donating items and purchasing tickets to our annual auction. Please know that there will be more communication to come.
At the present time, after school programs including sports practices continue to be held. As new information becomes available, it is possible the status of these programs may change. Please continue to monitor messages from the district as well as Salmon Bay.
Collectively we are experiencing a wide range of emotions as we progress through this health crisis including disappointment over the loss of key events and programming. I want to acknowledge the tremendous amount of work many individuals have given to plan the events listed above and recognize ongoing efforts to reschedule and adjust plans moving forward. My heart is full of gratitude for your presence within and dedication to our community.
Our community has always rallied to provide care for one another. That care has been evident as we work to make daily adjustments, provide support and guidance to our students, and plan for a strong and vibrant program next year. Please continue to care for yourselves and each other as we move through this uncertainty together.
Best,
Jodi
|
|
2020 Book Character Hunt
This past Monday we started our Book Character Hunt in celebration of Reading Month. Book characters will be hiding in the school (hallways, common areas on the first and second floor). Every morning a new character will be posted on the bulletin board for students to find. At the end of each week, the locations of characters hiding that week will also be posted. If you find yourself at school, please look for our characters as you walk through the hallways.
|
| March Madness Basketball Spirit Week |
March Madness Spirit Week: March 9 - 13th
Game on! Starting on Monday, March 9th, all students are invited to participate in our March Madness Basketball Spirit Week!
Play, participate and cheer on daily events. Please ensure that appropriate clothing is worn for all spirit week activities.
Monday:
JERSEY DAY: Wear your favorite sport jersey... any sport.
Tuesday:
HOOPS-in-BOOKS: Discover basketball books in library's Game of Life. Middle School Free Throw Contest at Lunchtime at the upper court
Wednesday:
BALLER QUOTES: Submit favorite quotes to morning clerks in front lobby. K-5 Fun basketball tatoos (teachers will distribute to students)
Thursday:
ART-in-SPORTS: Create sport-inspired classroom art for hallways & doors (teachers' choice).
Friday:
OPEN BASKETBALL GYM: Sign up ONLINE for after-school Open Gym Basketball.
COHO NBA Math Hoops: Students play an exciting board game.
|
Spring Sports!
In the spring we offer the following sports at Salmon Bay:
- Co-Ed Frisbee
- Co-Ed Track
- Boys Soccer
- Girls Volleyball
Students need to have a current physical on file to participate.
Questions? Please email our athletic director,
Erin Telford
.
Girls Volleyball
Practice times for Volleyball will Tuesdays and Thursdays at Salmon Bay from 3:30 - 5:00 pm.
Boys Soccer
Boys soccer season is coming to the pitch!
Tryouts begin Thurs March 12-19.
Practices Tues after school on the upper field 3:30-5pm
Thurs after school at Loyal Heights 3:30-5pm.
Saturday games through early June.
Please make sure all your paperwork is in on time, esp doctor/health form.
We will have two teams if we can find a jv coach.
Any questions? Contact Glyde
Co-ed Track
Practices will be held on Mondays and Tuesdays at Salmon Bay from 3:30 - 4:45 pm.
Practices start March 16th (after basketball season).
Students must have a current physical on file and track paperwork in before they can practice.
Ultimate Frisbee
Practices are on Tuesdays and Thursdays from end of school until 5:15 pm. Tuesday practices are at Loyal Heights and Thursday practices are at Salmon Bay.
Games last 90 minutes. Scheduled on Saturdays.
There will be a team at each grade level (6th, 7th and 8th). All teams are coed. Middle school practice will begin Tuesday, February 25th
Click here for the middle school information sheet.
Registration form found here.
|
Digital Safety 101
Tuesday, April 21, 2020 from 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Phinney Neighborhood Association: 6615 Dayton Avenue North
For parents in the digital age, one of the most ever-present concerns is safety. While the Internet could be a great resource for finding information, it's important for parents to also be aware of the potential dangers.
Join PNW Parent Education to learn how to balance your child/ren's digital lives with boundaries, etiquette and good judgment! Jo Langford, a dad, Master's-level therapist, and sex educator for tweens, teens, and parents, will discuss the following in this important talk on digital safety:
- An overview of kids' behavior in a digital age - the risks and benefits of online life.
- A breakdown of over a dozen of the most popular social networking sites you need to know about and at least 3 sites you wish you hadn't! The good, the bad and, the ugly will be explained.
- A primer on "The 3 big bads -- sexting, cyberbullying and porn".
There's also plenty of time to answer your specific questions. We will start with a social half hour at 6:30 pm with drinks available for purchase. The presentation will begin promptly at 7:00 pm.
All of our events have been sold out so be sure to
register today if you'd like to attend.
SB Boys & Girls Club Summer Camp
Summer Registration is now open for the Salmon Bay Boys & Girls Club! Our highly-trained staff facilitate a creative and engaging program that your children will love, including 2-4 fun and enriching field trips per week. Hours are 7am to 6pm, Monday-Friday. Sign up now at
https://positiveplace.org/clubs/salmon-bay/.
Summer Fun! Camp
There are still spots open at Summer Fun!
A performing and visual arts integrated day camp for ages 7-12 held at Cascadia Elementary in North Seattle
July 6th - 24th
For more information and registration visit our website.
|
|
|
|
|
