December 2, 2024: Learning from our Schools and Educators

Message from the Superintendent

December 2, 2024

Dear Northshore Colleagues: 

I hope everyone had a relaxing and joyful holiday break full of love, laughter, and good food. I celebrated Thanksgiving with family and friends at my daughter’s house this year. We of course cooked and ate too much food, however, we did take a long walk after dinner.

One of the many special things about Northshore is how we consistently take care of each other. Addressing persistent food insecurities is one example of this commitment. I want to personally thank our Food Services Department and Administrative Center staff for helping to restock 18 school-based pantries prior to the break. A special note of gratitude to Juliana Fisher, Kim Klapel, Dee Moran, and Christine Cash who helped to coordinate sorting of over 2,300 donated items into the 18 school pantry and/or snack piles. I also want to celebrate Dr. Khedam, Assistant Director of the Northshore Family Engagement and Resource Center. Earlier today, he was honored as a Hometown Hero by the Woodinville Chamber for his launch of Northshore’s Summer Meal program. Throughout last summer, in partnership with cultural and non-profit organizations, we distributed food to over 300 Northshore families each week, serving over 1,000 individuals including our students. Every day, our Northshore staff across our District go above and beyond for our students and their families. Thank you. 

I have really been enjoying my school visits and the opportunity to talk with school-based staff about promising practices that are improving student outcomes. Last week, I visited Fernwood Elementary and shared student performance data in two areas - reading and math. Fernwood outperforms the District in both areas. I want to share back a few ideas gathered from staff: 

• Implementation and school-wide support for WIN, which stands for “What I Need” time. This is an instructional strategy I have seen in a number of our elementary schools. During WIN time, teachers personalize instruction to meet the unique needs of each learner. This may look like small group instruction for subsets of students while the rest of the class is working independently or on enrichment activities. 
• Staff Collaboration and Strong Instructional Practices. Fernwood staff recognized that third-grade reading outcomes reflect the work of prior years and a strong foundation. Fernwood’s strong student outcomes were partially attributed to providing students what they need, when they need it. Students are accelerated so they don’t lose interest and those that need extra help get it. 
• Family Engagement in Learning. Staff shared that Fernwood families are actively involved in the life of the school. They also mention how math, like reading, is integrated into home life. Because of many of Fernwood parents’ careers, math is emphasized at home. This makes me wonder how we can normalize math conversations and practice in all aspects of our students’ lives. Additionally, the front office staff was celebrated for their commitment to reaching out to families and providing a welcoming environment. 
• Student Goal Setting and Growth Mind-Set: After the full staff conversation, Principal Cassie Morton shared how intentional our Fernwood educators are about student learning. Since 2018, staff have been working with students on setting personal academic goals and developing their growth mind-set. During lessons, staff share the learning targets with students, students are asked to self-reflect on their progress and learning, and they are involved in setting personal goals. This approach also applies to social-emotional learning. This type of intentionality supports the strong instructional framework at Fernwood and resulting student success. 

I look forward to visiting more schools over the next few weeks and sharing back what I learn from all of you. 

As a reminder, tomorrow Dec. 3, I  will host my next Listen and Learn session with our Native American students and families from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Food and childcare will be provided. I am grateful for our partnership with the Eastside Native American Education Program (ENAEP) and their support of this upcoming event. If you are aware of Native American families in your school community, please share this information directly with them. The full list of my Listen and Learn sessions can be found on the Superintendent Webpage. 

In partnership,

Michael Tolley
Superintendent

Highlights from Around the District

Have a story you would like to see shared in the "Highlights from Around the District" section of this message and on our website? Submit using this form.

Superintendent Tolley’s fall and winter Listen & Learn sessions are an opportunity to share information and hear back from families and students. School Board representatives will also be present at each session. A full list of dates are available on the Superintendent’s website, and the next sessions will take place on:

• Tuesday, Dec. 3, 5:30-7:30 p.m. in the Board Room of the Admin Center, 3330 Monte Villa Parkway, Bothell. The focus group of attendees is the Native American community.

• Tuesday, Dec. 10, 6-7:30 p.m. in the Board Room of the Admin Center, 3330 Monte Villa Parkway, Bothell. The focus group of attendees is families of students receiving Special Education services. For families not able to attend in-person a virtual option will be provided and communicated this week. 
• Thursday, Dec. 12, 6-7:30 p.m. in the Board Room of the Admin Center, 3330 Monte Villa Parkway, Bothell. This is a general session for all families. 

Important Dates

The following section features non-school days, Northshore School Board meetings, and religious and cultural observances, including dates listed on the Days of Highest Impact and Days of Fasting charts that are part of Northshore’s Religious and Cultural Observances Calendar. This aims to expand awareness about the multiple forms of diversity among our students and families, the days that students may not be at school due to religious observances, and the days that students may be fasting. 

*Begins at sundown of previous day/ends at sundown

Dec. 4

• Early Release Wednesday

Dec. 9

• School Board Regular Meeting, 4:30 p.m.
• School Board Study Session, 6 p.m. Topic: Comprehensive Counseling Plan

Dec. 11

• Early Release Wednesday

Dec. 12

• Rescheduled elementary conferences - see dismissal times for elementary schools

Dec. 13

• Rescheduled elementary conferences at Cottage Lake Elementary, East Ridge Elementary, Hollywood Hill Elementary, Westhill Elementary, and Sunrise Elementary ONLY. All other schools will be on regular schedules.

Dec. 18

• Early Release Wednesday

Dec. 23 - Jan. 3

• Winter Break - No School. School resumes Monday, Jan. 6, 2025

Dec. 24

• Christmas Eve - Christian

Dec. 25

• Christmas Day - Christian

Dec. 26 - Jan. 2*

• Hanukkah (Chanukah) - Jewish

The following section features additional important dates, including those listed on the Full Religious and Cultural Observances chart three, which is part of Northshore’s Religious and Cultural Observances Calendar.

Dec. 1-31

• Universal Human Rights Month - U.S. Culture

Dec. 3

• International Day of Persons with Disability

Dec. 8

• Feast of the Immaculate Conception - Christian
• Buddhist Enlightenment Day - Buddhist

Dec. 12

• Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe - Mexican Christian

Dec. 16-24

• Simbang Gabi - Filipino Christian
• Las Posadas - Mexican Culture

Dec. 21

• Winter Solstice - Neo Pagan

Dec. 26 - Jan. 2

• Kwanzaa - African Culture

Northshore School District is enriched by the many experiences and perspectives each individual member brings to our District and community. Therefore, our District prohibits discrimination based on age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the presence of any sensory, cognitive, or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability.

Civil Rights and ADA Coordinator for Staff: 
Jerred Kelly
3330 Monte Villa Parkway
Bothell, WA 98021-8972
425-408-7622 or 7604
TitleIXOfficer@nsd.org  

Title IX Coordinator: 
Jerred Kelly
3330 Monte Villa Parkway
Bothell, WA 98021-8972
425-408-7622 or 7604
TitleIXOfficer@nsd.org 

The Northshore School District shall provide equal educational opportunity and treatment for all students in all aspects of the District’s academic, activities, or employment programs without discrimination. In addition, the District provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups in its programs and activities.

Section 504 and ADA Coordinator for Students: 
Rick Ferrell
Director of Student Services
3330 Monte Villa Parkway
Bothell, WA 98021-8972
425-408-7632
rferrell@nsd.org 

Any Northshore School District staff and community member has the right to raise concerns or make a complaint regarding discrimination under this policy without fear of retaliation. The above-listed employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged unlawful discrimination.