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Connections Newsletter News from the Northshore School District August 26, 2024
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Message from the Superintendent
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Dear Northshore Community:
We have now entered the last full week before the start of the school year! Our entire district is abuzz with activity and preparation. Last week, hundreds of educators, school leaders, and staff attended the Summer Institute - learning and growing together. I stopped by Inglemoor High School to catch up with our staff and engage in learning too. Available classes included an introduction to the new middle school novels, communications and safety preparedness, and many other exciting and relevant topics.
I also had the opportunity to welcome our custodians, school bus drivers and other transportation staff, food and nutrition services staff, clerical staff, and support services teams to the 2024-25 school year. I want to acknowledge and thank our operational and front line staff for the hours they have already dedicated to preparing our buildings and services for students. We are ready!
And yesterday, I was thrilled to be participating in Community Serve Day, organized by the Northshore Community Church. Over 2,000 volunteers helped our staff beautify our schools and prepare for the first day of school. I spent my Sunday spreading mulch and weeding at Kenmore Middle School, Westhill Elementary, and Sorenson Early Childhood Center. It was a great way to close out my weekend. Thank you to the many, many volunteers that participated in this community-driven event. It is a gift to our students.
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Finally, there are a number of key reminders below in the Connections newsletter. There are also a number of handy start of school resources compiled on our Northshore School District website. I encourage you to review them prior to next week.
I hope you, your family, and our students enjoy this last week of summer. I look forward to welcoming everyone back next week.
In partnership,
Michael Tolley Superintendent
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News and Updates
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This is an exciting time as we prepare for the 2024-25 school year, and the resources on the Back-to-School website will help you prepare your student for learning on the first day of school. Visit the page to find details about when school begins, start and dismissal times, meals, transportation, school supply lists, health services, and more.
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Annually the District provides parents/guardians with notifications that must be acknowledged, including:
We ask that parents/guardians log in to ParentVUE soon to view these notices. If you have never logged into ParentVUE, you will find instructions on how to do so when you click the ParentVUE link above. Once logged in, you will be required to complete any missing state-required information, and then you will be prompted to download, read, and take action for each of the notices listed above. Each parent/guardian must acknowledge these notices the next time they log into ParentVUE, Typically, only one parent/guardian per household will need to provide updates to the state-required information. This is required annually to ensure we have current information for each of our families. These steps are required before parents/guardians can access student grades and other information. If you need assistance, please review this step-by-step guide on the District website or contact your child’s school.
Please note: When you begin to confirm/update your family information in ParentVUE, please select “2024-25 Annual Update,” rather than the “2024-25 Student Enrollment” button. Only use the “Student Enrollment” button if you are enrolling a new student in Northshore.
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A new resource is available to families in Northshore this school year – a one-page, printable, school year calendar that is available on our website in 7 languages: English, Spanish, Portuguese, Hindi, Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional, and Russian. It will be available in Ukrainian by Aug. 30.
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In response to our district’s budget shortfall, difficult decisions had to be made including to increase the participation fee for each middle and high school sport. The fee to participate in high school sports has increased from $200 to $300 per student per sport. The fee to participate in middle school sports has increased from $130 to $200 per student per sport. Students qualifying for free or reduced lunch will continue to play school sports without paying the participation fee. Middle school activity buses, including for sports, have also been eliminated. Learn about the sports available, season schedules, and more on our Athletics website.
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Families whose income falls within specified guidelines set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture should apply for free or reduced-price meals for their students. Don't forget – families must re-apply every year.
If you qualify for free or reduced-price meals you may also qualify for:
The online application only takes a few minutes and is the fastest, easiest way to get approved.
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The health and safety of our students is of critical importance to the Northshore School District. Even so, accidents happen, sometimes resulting in costly medical bills. Please know the district does not carry insurance for student personal injury costs (including athletics) and therefore cannot assume responsibility for them. As a service we're providing information regarding optional student insurance administered by Myers-Stevens & Toohey, Inc. These plans are used by many school districts across Washington. |
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School Board News
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Bond and Levy Dollars at Work
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In addition to the significant growth projects beginning construction at six Northshore schools this summer, there have been a number of smaller projects to maintain safe and healthy learning environments for students, thanks to the generous support of Northshore voters, who approved the 2022 Capital Bond. Projects include turf field installations at Skyview Middle School and Northshore Middle School, inclusive playground installations at Frank Love Elementary and Hollywood Hill Elementary, and modular building installations at Bothell High School. All of these projects are still under construction and not currently available for community access, but once complete this fall, community use of the fields and playgrounds can begin again. Learn more about these projects on the 2022 Capital Bond Projects website.
Please keep in mind that there will be an increase in construction vehicles at our schools as these projects continue. For some schools experiencing construction, there will be new processes for family pick-up and drop-off as well, and we will communicate directly with those families affected. We appreciate your understanding and patience as we implement these needed learning improvements.
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Partnerships & Volunteers
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Nine Northshore School District alumni, former staff, and volunteers were recognized at the Wall of Honor ceremony on Aug. 15 at Pop Keeney Stadium. The Wall of Honor recognizes the outstanding achievements of Northshore alumni, staff, and volunteers who have made a significant contribution to the District, community, state, nation, or world. This year’s inductees are: Carmin Dalziel, Les “Bud” Eaton, Carlton “Bud” Ericksen, John B. Hughes, Robert “Bob” Knorr, Eric Lucas, Ron Lucas, Dave Monahan, and Alan “Speck” Strand. Since the founding of the Wall of Honor in 2010, there have been 142 individuals inducted into the hall. Learn more about this year’s class and past honorees on the Wall of Honor website.
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The Northshore Schools Foundation hosted the Backpacks for Kids School Supply Drive for the fifth consecutive year. Throughout July and August, they collected school supplies and digital monetary donations to support Northshore families and students experiencing financial hardship. There were many donors, supporters, community partners, volunteers, and Northshore staff who helped make the Foundation’s annual drive a success. For more information about the drive and to see a list of supporters, please visit the Foundation’s website. If purchasing a backpack and school supplies is a hardship for your family this year, please contact your school so they can support you.
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This year’s Community Serve Day involved approximately 2,000 volunteers, participating at 24 schools in the District. Volunteers from Northshore Community Church and the District community teamed up to help teachers set up classrooms, re-paint the grounds, pull weeds, spread new mulch, and many other tasks. We are very appreciative of Northshore Community Church, District teachers and staff, volunteers, and all those who participated in making this year’s Community Serve Day a success! For more information on how to get involved next year, please visit the Community Serve Day website.
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Important Dates
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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.
Aug. 26
Sept. 2
Sept. 3
Sept. 6
Sept. 9
Sept. 11
Sept. 18
Janmashtami Janmashtami is a Hindu festival observed to celebrate the birth of Krishna, an incarnation of Vishnu, the supreme God. Most families fast all day and celebrate the festival in the evening at homes and in the temple. On this day people observing Janmashtami recap Krishna’s childhood with mischievous and courageous acts, friendship, love, affection, and compassion toward others, nature, and animals. Hindus believe Krishna appeared over 500 years ago to restore peace and righteousness on earth by destroying the evil forces.
Ganesh Chaturthi Ganesh Chaturthi is a popular festival celebrated by Hindus. On this day, Hindus worship Lord Ganesh (elephant-headed divinity) to remove obstacles before undertaking any task such as starting a new school year, new job, new business, etc. Some people observing the festival fast on this day until dawn, prepare special meals, and share them with friends. It is one of the most colorful and joyous festivals for all Hindus.
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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
Sept. 15-Oct. 15
Sept. 11
Sept. 16*
Sept. 16-18
Sept. 17
Sept. 22
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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
Title IX Coordinator: Jerred Kelly 3330 Monte Villa Parkway Bothell, WA 98021-8972 425-408-7622 or 7604
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
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. |