Connections NewsletterNews from the Northshore School District October 28, 2024
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Message from the Superintendent
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Dear Northshore Community: I want to personally thank the families, students, and staff that attended last week’s Listen and Learn for families of African-American, African, and Black students. It was personally fulfilling to be in community and engage in deep conversation about what we hope and dream for our students and children. I also 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 with families. This week, I am looking forward to spending time with 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. Like last week, I hope our families and students will join us so that we can build relationships and learn from each other. The full list of Listen and Learns can be found on the Superintendent Webpage. This year’s legislative session is critically important in helping to address the systemic budget challenges we face. Sharing our story with our state representatives and decision-makers is vital, and I will continue to advocate for our students and their families, our staff, and broader community. It was wonderful to see so many of you at the State Funding Town Hall on October 23. This was a joint effort between the educators and leaders of Edmonds, Northshore, and Shoreline school districts. Thank you to everyone who showed up and shared your voice. Like past years, I am committed to transparency as we work through our 2025-26 School Year Budget Development Process. We have now launched the associated webpage where you can view a one-pager about our anticipated shortfall for 2025-26 and other information.
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As we close out Disability History and Awareness Month, I want to share a great story from Kokanee Elementary. For a number of years, Kokanee Elementary has partnered with Canine Companions. Canine Companions provides trained companion dogs so that people with disabilities can live with greater independence. These dogs are a special part of the Kokanee community - and in fact, one class helped raise Dalton, a pup that was just placed with a woman named Donna. In celebration of National Service Dog Month (September) and Disability History and Awareness Month (October), Donna brought Dalton for a visit. She shared with students how Dalton supports her, even demonstrating how he helps her with mobility. Not only does this unique partnership benefit our broader community but reinforces the school’s commitment to inclusion and belonging. Congratulations to our Kokanee students, Principal Fagundes, and staff for integrating such a fantastic program into the life of the school. Finally, I recognize that for some families, staff, 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 students’ and their families’ beliefs and opinions. First, I want to remind you to vote on or by 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 won’t change this commitment. In Northshore, we ALL belong. If you have concerns, I encourage you to speak directly with your child’s teacher(s) or administration. In partnership, Michael Tolley Superintendent
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News and Updates
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The District utilizes a number of online tools to run the operations of the District, several of which can be utilized by families when interacting with district and school staff. View this webpage to learn more about the common tools, their purpose, and websites to login.
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Successful Students and Schools
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School Board News
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Bond and Levy Dollars at Work
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Upcoming Events
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The first-ever Disaster Planning for the Disability Community event hosted by the Northshore School District and Northshore Special Education Community PTSA will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 6 from 5-7 p.m. at Westhill Elementary. Learn from experts about emergency preparedness with a focus on supporting students receiving special education services. Student activities will be provided, along with childcare and interpreter services. Advanced RSVP required for these services. Learn more and RSVP to attend.
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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:
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E-Flyers
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Below are links to community E-flyers that were recently approved for sharing with District families. These activities are not sponsored nor endorsed by the Northshore School District or any of its schools.
The District assumes no responsibility for the conduct during or the safety of the activities. Northshore School District shall be held harmless from any cause of action, claim, or petition filed in any court or administrative tribunal arising out of the distribution of these materials including attorney's fees and judgment or awards.
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Racial and Educational Justice
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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. The panels will take place on the following dates:
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The District wishes all families who celebrate a happy Diwali! Diwali starts on October 31 and is a 5-day festival of lights celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains all over the world. The festival is celebrated to spread peace, joy, humanity, friendship, and community building. On this day, families decorate their homes with lights, light oil lamps, cook special foods, wear new clothes, share gifts, and display fireworks. The festival is celebrated to remind us that good is always victorious over evil, and all of us must live together peacefully. Lamps and lights are the symbols of peace, love, hope, joy, and prosperity.
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Earlier this month, Yom Kippur was observed by our community. Yom Kippur is the holiest, most important day of the year in Judaism, known as the “Day of Atonement.” It marks the culmination of the 10 Days of Awe, a period of introspection and repentance that follows Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. Yom Kippur began on the evening of Oct. 11 and ended on the evening of Oct. 12.
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Partnerships & Volunteers
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The Northshore Special Education Community PTSA has highlighted two of our Northshore teachers at Adults Transitioning to Independence (ATI) and Adult Transition Pathways (ATP) as part of its recognition and celebration of Disability History and Awareness Month. ATI is a vocational training program that places students in internships with local businesses with school staff serving as job coaches. ATP is designed to give students instruction in life skills, community access, and pre-vocational activities. Read the article on the NSEC PTSA website to learn about these two educators.
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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.
*Begins at sundown of previous day/ends at sundown
Oct. 28
Oct. 30
Oct. 31
Nov. 3*
Nov. 3
Nov. 5
Nov. 6
Nov. 11
Nov. 13
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
October 1-31
Oct. 31
Nov. 1-30
Nov. 1*
Nov. 1
Nov. 1-2
Nov. 2*
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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. |