November 4, 2024: Election Day and School Celebrations

Message from the Superintendent

November 4, 2024

Dear Northshore Colleagues: 

Tomorrow is election day and there are a lot of important issues on the ballot. I recognize that for some staff, families, and students this election season has brought a high level of stress. Some of you have shared your concerns directly with me, which I appreciate. I also appreciate the complexity of our Northshore community’s beliefs and opinions. First, I want to remind you to vote by tomorrow November 5. Voting is how your voice is heard. Second, I want to reinforce Northshore’s steadfast commitment to safe, inclusive, and welcoming learning environments for everyone. The outcome of the election will not change this commitment. In Northshore, we ALL belong. If you need support, please contact our Employee Assistance Program. You can find details and contact information in District Highlights below. In District Highlights you will also find post-election information and resources. I recommend reviewing the information provided. 

In other news, these last two weeks have been really fulfilling as I have met with families we haven’t historically engaged with. Two weeks ago, I met with families of African-American, African, and Black students. It was personally rewarding to be in community and engage in deep conversation about what we hope and dream for our students and children. I want to give a special thanks to Aaron Cokley, the counselor at Ruby Bridges, who opened up our time together with words of love and care. It was really a special evening, and I look forward to our next steps. Last week we brought together our families that speak Portuguese. As I have shared before, Northshore School District represents an increasingly diverse community. One area of diversity is the many languages spoken - with Portuguese recently becoming the third most common language in our district. It was wonderful to learn more about our families’ culture, what is going well, and areas we can improve. I will be meeting again with both of these family groups in January. My next Listen and Learn session will be with our Native American students and families on December 3. I am grateful for our partnership with the Eastside Native American Education Program (ENAEP) and their support of this upcoming event. The full list of Listen and Learns can be found on the Superintendent Webpage.

A huge congratulations to Ruby Bridges Elementary staff! The inclusionary practices at Ruby Bridges Elementary have once again been recognized by education leaders and featured by the state. On Oct. 29, at the annual Inclusive Learning Summit, Principal Cathi Davis and the staff of Ruby Bridges were given the School Transformation award for demonstrating exceptional dedication and innovation in fostering student growth and a love of learning. You can learn more below in District Highlights and watch a new inclusionary practices OSPI video that features the school and Washington State Teacher of the Year and Ruby Bridges kindergarten teacher, Kim Broomer.

In closing, last Friday, Nov. 1, while attending Innovation Lab High School’s Strategic Action Plan Review meeting, Principal Tiffany Rodriguez Garza invited students to provide their perspectives on internships they are currently participating in. Declan, a 12th grade student who is interning at AtkinsRealis Engineering, when asked what he wishes his younger self had known shared this, “Don’t be a passenger in your own life. Challenge yourself and believe in yourself.” He also talked about using failure and or rejection as an opportunity for learning and growth. What wise and insightful advice for all of us. Spending time with our students gives me great hope for our collective future. 

I hope everyone has a really great week. I appreciate you all and the many ways you support each other and our students. 

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.

Northshore is committed to safe, inclusive, and welcoming learning and working environments for everyone, and the outcome of the 2024 election won’t change this commitment. It’s crucial to continue to guide our diverse Northshore school communities with care and kindness as the 2024 elections conclude. 

This collection of resources (link available to staff) has been gathered to help you, your colleagues, and students navigate the post-election season and sustain our Northshore values. If you have any questions or suggestions regarding these resources, please contact communications@nsd.org.

The inclusionary practices in effect at Ruby Bridges Elementary have once again been recognized by education leaders and featured by the state. On Oct. 29, at the annual Inclusive Learning Summit, Principal Cathi Davis and the staff of Ruby Bridges were given the School Transformation award for demonstrating exceptional dedication and innovation in fostering student growth and a love of learning. This award recognizes those who go above and beyond to create a nurturing and stimulating environment where students can flourish and reach their full potential. During the summit, Ruby Bridges staff members Hannah Nguyen, Kim Broomer, Carol McCoy, and Cody Carpenter joined Principal Davis in presenting two sessions, leading participants in learning how to transform schools and how to support implementing inclusionary practices schoolwide. 

In addition, Ruby Bridges students and staff, including 2025 Washington State Teacher of the Year Kim Broomer, were featured in the recent Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction video about inclusionary practices and the state’s comprehensive inclusive education website and guide. Congratulations to the staff at Ruby Bridges for these deserved recognitions.

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, 6-7:30 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.
• 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.

As the District works through our 2025-26 School Year Budget Development process we are committed to transparency. We have now launched the associated webpage where you can view a one-pager about our anticipated shortfall for the 2025-26 school year and other information. On Monday, November 12 we will be providing the School Board with another Budget Study Session at 6 p.m. at the Admin Center. You can attend the session in person or watch online by accessing the live stream on the Board’s webpage. The session will be archived on the Board’s webpage for future reference.

Our District will host a Racial and Educational Justice community panel each quarter this school year to gather in community for shared learning. These community panels will take place from 5:30-6:30 p.m. in the Administrative Center Board Room, 3330 Monte Villa Parkway, Bothell. Each panel will take place on the following dates:

• Monday, Nov. 18, 2024: Celebrating Hispanic and Latino/a/x Heritage, Hindu Heritage, Disability History and Awareness, and Native American Heritage
• Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025: Celebrating Universal Human Rights, Black History, Women’s History, and Arab American Heritage
• Tuesday, May 20, 2025: Celebrating Jewish American Heritage; Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage; and Pride

Next week, we will celebrate National School Psychology Week. The Northshore School District is thankful for such a professional, passionate, and student-focused group of people. Our school psychologists go above and beyond every day in order to help school teams and families meet the needs of students. While the week is a time to celebrate all the ways our school psychologists bring value to the District, we know that without their work all year, it would be difficult to ensure our students' needs are identified and then served ongoing.

Later this week and next week, our schools and communities will honor and celebrate the service of our armed forces for Veterans Day. Many schools are currently prepared for Veterans Day assemblies, some of which will host extended family members who have served our nation. Thank you to all of the Northshore veterans in our community, including staff across our schools and departments. We appreciate your service!

At Northshore Middle School and Skyview Middle School, the synthetic turf and track resurfacing projects that began during the summer are complete. Both fields were previously grass, and these projects are part of the District’s shift toward having turf installed at each of our middle school fields to improve student safety and increase facilities for year-round use. Both fields are lined for soccer, football, and lacrosse. These projects were funded by the 2022 Capital Bond, which was generously supported by Northshore voters. 

Please keep in mind the tracks and fields are closed to the public during the school day from 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. School playgrounds, tracks, and courts are available for individuals and families to use during the weekends and evenings when they are not reserved. All fields must be reserved before use, and reservations must go through the District’s field use application process.

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

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.

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. 

Nov. 5

• Election Day

Nov. 6

• Early Release Wednesday

Nov. 11

• Veterans Day (Observed) - No School

Nov. 12

• Regular School Board Meeting, 4:30 p.m.
• Board Study Session, 6 p.m.

Nov. 13

• Early Release Wednesday

Nov. 19, 21-22, 25-26

• Elementary Conferences - Early Dismissal for Elementary Schools Only (see dismissal times)

Nov. 20

• Early Release Wednesday

Nov. 25

• Board Study Session, 5:30 p.m.
• Regular School Board Meeting, 7 p.m.

Nov. 27

• Half Day (see dismissal times)

Nov. 28

• Thanksgiving - No School

Nov. 29

• Native American Heritage Day - No School

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.

Nov. 1-30

• Native American Heritage Month

Nov. 20

• Transgender Day of Remembrance - U.S. Culture

Nov. 24

• Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib - Sikh

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.