May 6, 2024: Teacher Appreciation (May 6-10) and More

May 6, 2024

Dear Northshore Colleagues: 

I hope everyone had a restful weekend. 

This last Saturday, I had the opportunity to spend time with families and our students at the first ever Northshore Family Symposium. I want to recognize and thank the numerous community partners including Northshore Schools Foundation, Northshore Council PTSA, King County Libraries, Nourishing Networks, the Hindu Temple & Cultural Center, Khalsa Gurmat Center, Chinese Community, Bothell Police Department, and Northshore staff for putting on such a successful family event. The Symposium was developed in direct response to our families’ requests for the opportunity to learn about specific topics. Attendees provided feedback on student and family belonging, participated in two educational sessions, and spent time in community together. You can view the educational session topics and presenters on the Symposium webpage. We look forward to continuing to refine our approach to family engagement and identify new and responsive ways to meet requested needs. 

May is also Mental Health Awareness Month. A number of virtual seminars have been developed for the community and our staff about a variety of mental health topics. Visit the Mental Health Awareness Month webpage for more information, resources, and to view the seminar calendar. 

This week, we will celebrate our Northshore teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week (May 6-10). To our Northshore teachers - while Teacher Appreciation Week is a special time set aside annually for recognizing all that you do, please know you are celebrated every day. 

I can still remember the teachers who made a difference in my own life and changed the trajectory of my family. The lessons students learn from you, your unwavering belief in their potential, and how you make them feel, will likely influence them for the rest of their lives. I am deeply grateful for each and every one of you. 

And that is one reason why this week’s notification of teacher layoffs is so difficult and heartbreaking. I wish the situation was different and I wish the notifications didn’t coincide with our annual celebration of educators. Unfortunately, the state’s required communication deadline, May 15, for next year’s contracts makes this conflict unavoidable. 

I recognize that amidst the celebration of our teachers, many of our staff will be hurting. This weighs heavily on me. I encourage you to take advantage of our Employee Assistance Program. The EAP offers up to 4 sessions face-to-face or telehealth (no co-pay, deductible or premium) with a qualified clinical counseling expert. Please see more information below in the District Highlights. 

What you do every day for our students matters. Despite our difficult situation, I hope you know you are appreciated. I see all that you do and will continue to fight for you, all of our staff, and our students. You can learn more about our advocacy efforts on the School Board’s State Funding 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.

Celebrating Northshore Teachers, Nurses

This month brings with it special opportunities to celebrate both our teachers and our nurses. Teacher Appreciation Week is May 6-10, and School Nurse Day is May 8. Thank you to our dedicated teachers who play essential roles in shaping the lives of our students during this appreciation week and every week. Thank you to our school nurses for caring for our students in endless ways. We are incredibly grateful for all of you who inspire our students and equip them with the tools they need to be successful in and out of the classroom. You make sure our students feel seen, heard, and valued and often wear many hats in order to do so. Thank you to our teachers and nurses for all that you do for each and every Northshore student!

Reminder: Ethnic Studies Framework Overview on May 8

Join us on Wednesday, May 8 to learn about the Ethnic Studies Framework and how it could be used in classrooms P-12th grade! Are you a staff member who wants to learn more about this framework and how to apply it to your practice? The hour can earn you equity clock hours.  

• The session from 2-3 p.m. will extend on the learning from March and focus on secondary application
• The session from 3-4 p.m. will introduce the framework and focus on elementary application

No matter what your grade level, feel free to attend either or both sessions. Please register here and a Zoom link will be provided: Course 36654

Mental Health Awareness Month Virtual Seminars continue

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and Northshore School District’s Student Services Department has once again lined up a range of virtual seminars to support families and students. Topics include sleep and its role in mental health, suicide prevention, grief and loss, anxiety, and more. The next session on Thursday, May 9 from 6:30-8 p.m. is “Suicide Prevention” offered by Forefront Suicide Prevention, a program of the University of Washington’s School of Social Work. Pre-registration is required for the May 9 virtual seminar. Forefront Suicide Prevention is focused on reducing suicide through suicide prevention education, leading systemic change, and restoring hope. Their LEARN ™ model is achieving widespread recognition coupling life-saving skills with additional emphasis on locking and limiting access to lethal means. For a complete calendar of events and description of each virtual seminar offered in May, visit the Mental Health website.

Music Students Compete at State Solo and Ensemble Contest

Music students from the four comprehensive Northshore School District high schools competed at the state WIAA/WMEA Solo and Ensemble Contest on April 26-27. More than 50 students competed as either soloists or members of an ensemble, with the following students placing at the state competition. Congratulations to these outstanding Northshore student-musicians!

• First place in the category of large brass ensemble: The Teeny Tiny Trombone Troop, consisting of Thomas Holmes, Collin Hawkinson, Kyle Ma, Aiden Standridge, Derek Sabale, Kaleb Hall, Ian Blakemore, Logan Christy, and Lukas Johnson, Bothell High School
• First place in the category of mezzo soprano voice soloist: Bernadette Alejandro, North Creek High School
• Second place in the baritone voice soloist: Andrew Larsen, Bothell High School
• Third place in the alto saxophone soloist category: Kairui Cheng, Inglemoor High School
• Third place in the piano soloist category: Daniel Kim, North Creek High School
• Third place in the soprano voice soloist category: Abigail Spiker, North Creek High School

Paid Focus Groups for King County Educators 

Are you an educator who has experience planning science, arts, or heritage partnerships and field trips for your class or school? If so, 4Culture needs your input to inform the design of King County's new Doors Open Public Schools Cultural Access Program that will fund science, arts, and heritage non-profit organizations to provide no-cost in-school and out-of-school field trips, assemblies, and residencies to King County K-12 public and tribal schools starting in 2025. Discussion will focus on the assets and challenges educators experience when planning cultural partnerships and what information educators need in advance to serve their curricular needs and the needs of their students. Participants will receive an honorarium of $75 for their time. To receive payment, participants will have to attend a 90-minute online focus group, complete a survey (estimated 15 mins), and fill out secure W-9 and payment forms. If you have any questions, please contact 4Culture consultant Audrey Querns at audreykatquerns@gmail.com. Please review the available slots and sign up here. Thank you! 

Employee Assistance Program

First Choice Health is the Employee Assistance Program provider for the Northshore School District. This is a benefit provided at no cost to you by the District. You, your spouse/domestic partner, and any dependent children up to the age of 26 have FREE and CONFIDENTIAL access to counseling services, legal and financial consultations, ID theft and fraud support, childcare and eldercare referrals/resources, and home ownership assistance.

The EAP offers up to 4 sessions face-to-face or telehealth (no co-pay, deductible or premium) with a qualified clinical expert who can assess your concerns and develop a plan of action. Call (800) 777-4114 or visit the First Choice EAP website to request an appointment. Username: nsd

Mental Health Resource: Care Solace

The District has partnered with Care Solace to provide mental health care coordination. Northshore students, staff, and family members looking for help with mental health or substance use can use Care Solace to quickly find treatment options matched to their needs. Care Solace is a complimentary and confidential service. Care Solace’s team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and can provide support in any language.

If you would like to use Care Solace to help you find a mental health provider:

• Call 888-515-0595 available 24/7/365
• Visit https://www.caresolace.com/site/nsd and either search on your own or connect by video chat, email, or phone for assistance.

Learn more about Care Solace by visiting the Northshore Mental Health webpage.

Reminder: Friday, May 24 is a School Day

IMPORTANT DATES

Calendar

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

Additional Religious and Cultural Observances

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.

*Begins at sundown of previous day/ends at sundown

Nondiscrimination

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.