Jing Mei May 2023 Family Newsletter (English)

I hope this message finds you well. I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for your support throughout this school year. In this month’s newsletter, you’ll find important updates, upcoming events, and reminders. We’re excited to announce a new streamlined school supply process for the upcoming year in collaboration with the PTSA. Stay tuned for more information.

In our weekly admin message, we will continue to share our moving updates. You can see each week’s update in this link: https://bsd405.org/jingmei/2023/05/jing-mei-transition-to-wilburton-moving-updateas-of-5-31-2023/

As the school year draws to a close, we encourage you to take a moment to reflect on the growth and achievements of your child. Celebrate their accomplishments and the milestones they have reached, for they are a testament to their hard work and resilience. Once again, I extend my deepest gratitude to each and every one of you for your unwavering support. Together, we have created a strong and vibrant school community that continues to thrive. As we look towards the future, I am confident that our collective efforts will pave the way for even greater success.

Sincerely,

Ms. Tan and Mr. Shelton

6/2: Join us for a volunteer appreciation breakfast this Friday, June 2 from 8:45-10 am in our gym. (Location update: We have more than 50+ signed up so we will move the breakfast location to Gym. Please sign in at the lobby guard in the main office and meet us in the gym.)

6/9 6-8pm: PTSA Family Night: 5th Grade Concert 6-6:30 + Multicultural Night and Makes Fair

6/15: 5th Grade Graduation Ceremony at Gym 2:20-3:20 and after graduation party at 3:30

6/20: Field Day 10:40-3:15pm

In honor of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, the Chinese American Civic Association presents “Applaud to the Chinese Transcontinental Railroad Workers” exhibition. The exhibition is free and open to the community through June 2. Exhibition is free and the hours are Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. – 9 p.m., and Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Location: Bellevue City Hall Concourse

In the upcoming school year, we will collaborate with the PTSA to provide support for school supplies. Previously, families had the option to purchase individual kits or bring their own supplies to school if you wish to do so. However, for the new school year, we will assess our available supplies during the packing process and subsequently make bulk purchases to fulfill each class’s school supply wish list. Stay tuned for further updates from the PTSA regarding this revised process.

If you missed the May Principal Tea about Advanced Learning, here is the recording and the PPT.

Here is the website you can obtain more information about AL: https://bsd405.org/services/advanced-learning/

You can email AL office or myself if you have any questions: advancedlearning@bsd405.org

Here is the AL data that we have for this year and last year at Jing Mei:

In May we conducted a lockdown drill and practiced what we would do if there was an intruder in the building. Students learned about the importance of listening to school staff and following instructions quickly and quietly. We also practiced assessing our environment and making decisions to keep us safe.

Please remember that a lockdown is considered a preventative measure and is not the same as an Active Threat.

Please talk to your child about our drill today. Be sure to listen and let them lead the conversation. An important next step in your family preparedness might be to talk about how what your child learned in the drill can help them stay safe in other situations.

For more information on talking to your child about school safety, you might want to visit the website https://www.mhanational.org/talking-kids-about-school-safety.

In June we will practice an Earthquake Drill:

In the United States, the recommended actions to take in the event of an earthquake are Drop, Cover, and Hold On.

Please talk with your student about preparing for emergencies and disasters such as earthquakes. Encourage them to talk about their concerns and express their feelings. Emphasize that even though sometimes things happen that we may not expect, there are lots of things we can do to help us stay safe.

For more information on earthquakes and general preparedness, you might want to visit the Washington Emergency Management Division (https://mil.wa.gov/personal) or Great Washington ShakeOut (https://www.shakeout.org/washington/index.html) websites. You may also find the https://www.ready.gov/kids site helpful.

Please let us know if you have any questions.

The district is preparing the 2023 Annual Budget for constituent review and school board approval. Funding supports our learning community and ensures that students, staff, and families receive the support necessary for the 2023-24 school year. This is an annual process, and the dates below are when our school community can hear more specific information and hear from administrators and school board members about how we will continue vital programs and services as we manage through declining enrollment.

• May 18: Presentation to the board
• August 3: Full budget review
• August 17: Board vote

Policy 6000 Budget Preparationrequires notice and conduct of a budget hearing before approval. A proposed budget must be available to the public by July 10. The annual budget must be adopted by August 31. Legal notifications for certificated staff must be completed by May 15.

Learn more about this annual process.

According to King Countyofficials, families in the area are facing a dangerous reality that fatal fentanyl overdoses are on the rise. Access several local resources to learn more about fentanyl, what teens need to know and how to talk to them, the signs of overdose, how to use Naloxone, and more.

Get Free Naloxone by Mail in WA State

Do you have naloxone (a.k.a. Narcan) in your first aid kit? This medication is given when an opioid overdose happens and can help save someone’s life. Anyone who uses opioids (even if they are prescribed by a physician) or who has friends or family who do should have naloxone on hand just in case. Additionally, because fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid, can now be found in any illicit drug bought on the street or online, it’s a good idea for anyone using any substances to carry naloxone.

In Washington State, you can now order FREE naloxone kits by mail. The mail order program is meant for people who can’t easily go to a community organization or a pharmacy to get a kit  Laced & Lethal

Overdoses caused by fentanyl-laced substances are on the rise in King County. Laced & Lethal shares information about fentanyl, the need for naloxone, how to spot an overdose, the risks of using alone, and other helpful resources for youth and families.

Talk Even If

Have the talk that can save lives. King County families are facing a dangerous reality: Fatal fentanyl overdoses are on the rise. Even if you don’t think your teen is at risk, they need to be prepared. Talk Even If shares the facts about fentanyl, what to look out for, and how to get and provide help in an overdose emergency.

Want your student to start school on time next year? Make an appointment now to complete:

• Vaccinations – Sign up for MyIR (My Immunization Record) to see if your student needs any school required immunizations.
• Individual Health Plans (IHP) for asthma, diabetes, life-threatening allergies, seizures and other life-threatening conditions (complete yearly)
• Medication authorization paperwork for medicine taken at school (complete yearly)
• Sports physicals if your student will play high school sports (complete every two years)

Make your appointment NOW. Clinics are booked MONTHS in advance.   Many clinics charge $20 or more to complete paperwork outside an appointment.

Would you like to become an interpreter/translator for the district? Interpreters/translators are needed for a variety of languages for school and district events.

Currently we have three different job positions* open. If you are a bilingual/multilingual member of our community, you may be interested in applying.

Language Access Interpreter: Languages other than English (on demand and in person)

Language Access Translator: Languages other than English (on demand and remote)

Curriculum Translator Multilingual Department: Spanish, Mandarin Simplified and Arabic (on demand and remote)

*A proficiency test and training will be required.

Are you interested in student, staff and community well-being? Consider a candidacy for becoming a school board director.

The Bellevue School Board of Directors is made up of five community members, one from each geographic region of the district. Districts 1,2 and 4 are open for election in 2023.

Candidates who are interested in running for a school board position must file a Declaration of Candidacy with the King County Elections office during the filing period. The filing period begins the Monday two weeks before Memorial Day and ends the following Friday. There is no filing fee for school board positions. For step-by-step instructions, please refer to King County’s Candidate Manual.

IMPORTANT: The State of Washington requires all candidates and elected officials to a file a financial disclosure statement and report all campaign finances to the  Washington State Public Disclosure Commission (PDC).

Qualifications and additional resources can be found on the district’s  Become a Board Member webpage.

Hear from Board President, Sima Sarrafan.

Community partners including ICHS, Youthlink, Hopelink, Jubilee REACH and Camp Kindness Counts all have opportunities for students and families to take part in a host of activities and events taking place over the next month. We invite our learning community to join with our community partners for these upcoming events.

Y.E.S. Success Mentoring Program 

Youth Eastside Services operates the Success Mentoring Program. Success Mentoring is seeking additional adult mentors — specifically male, BIPOC and LGBTQ+ mentors. Mentors must be 21 years or older, but do not need any prior experience working with youth. Training is provided by Youth Eastside Services. Interested community members are welcome to learn more about the Success Mentoring Program.

International Community Health Services at Highland Middle School 

The Bellevue School District offers a school-based health center at Highland Middle School. Any district student can receive comprehensive health care at the Highland Health Center (HHC). Services include immunizations, annual physical exams, chronic disease management and mental health screening and counseling. In order to become a patient, a registration packet must be completed. Email mailto:highlandsbhc@ichs.com for more information. The Highland Health Center is funded by King County Best Starts for Kids  and operated by the  International Community Health Services and  Youth Eastside Services.

Openings on Bellevue Youth Link Board

The Bellevue city manager is seeking five high-school aged candidates and three adults for vacancies on the Bellevue Youth Link board. Applications are due by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, June 17.

Applicants must attend school, work or live in Bellevue. Board members serve two-year terms, attending two meetings at City Hall each month.

The City Council formed the Youth Link Board in 1991 to promote diversity, unity and equity for high school youth in Bellevue, representing the youth voice to leadership in the community. The board is a catalyst for responding to the interests and concerns of young people by engaging the entire community. Current board work includes addressing youth mental health, food, housing, social services, diversity, equity and inclusion.

Learn more and apply to be on the board.

Opportunities for Service 

Join Camp Kindness Counts to take part in service projects every month. Visit  Camp Kindness Counts to learn more.

Volunteer Opportunity: Math Agency Tutors Needed for Fall 2023

The BSD is looking for parents, family members and high school students interested in providing math coaching for elementary students next school year. Starting in fall 2023, regular math tutoring will be available for students at Lake Hills Elementary and Stevenson Elementary through district partner, Math Agency. Coaching requires a minimum commitment of 1 hour per week, for at least 10 weeks starting in early September. Training will be offered to all volunteers through Math Agency; no prior tutoring experience or math proficiency is required. Language diversity is welcome!

For more information, please contact Math Agency staff member, Mike Preiner, at mailto:mike.preiner@mathagency.com

Community Opportunity: Bellevue SchoolPool Survey

Each year, the City of Bellevue seeks travel data on how students travel to and from school. This annual survey will help the City evaluate strategies for the Bellevue SchoolPool program, which aims to reduce drop-off and pickup congestion at schools. Please complete this short, five-question survey by Wednesday, June 14, to provide your feedback. For questions, please contact Kate Johnson, SchoolPool lead at kmjohnson@bellevuewa.gov.