Rocket Report
Somerset’s June Principal communication
Somerset Families,
As we head into the final weeks of the 2022-23 school year there are many reasons to celebrate and people to acknowledge. Somerset students have soared this year socially, emotionally, and academically. Through classroom experiences and school partnerships students have had a variety of opportunities to learn new skills and apply them in meaningful ways both at school and in the community. Each classroom will celebrate their year in a way that is meaningful to them. In addition, field day is a fun way to bring grade bands of students together for fun and celebrate the coming of summer vacation. Our fifth-grade students will celebrate their promotion to middle school on June 16th with their families and grade level peers. Our celebrations wouldn’t be possible without the dedication and skills of our teachers, staff, parents, and community partners.
As we prepare for next school year, one of the tasks we have each July is purchasing basic school supplies for all our Somerset Students. As a public school, we fund basic education supplies for all superstars. These items include nearly ten thousand pencils, thousands of markers, and many more items. Trying to maximize school budget and being fiscally responsible I watch for sales at Target, Walmart, and office supply stores and load multiple carts throughout the month of July. This year we are hosting a school supply drive during the month of June to stock our Somerset shelves with specific Crayola, Sharpie and Expo products. If you are interested in supporting this effort, please click this link to sign up for specific items needed and bring to the school office before the end of the month- https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0B4CAFA922A0F94-crayola If you want to support through a monetary donation use this link https://wa-bellevue.intouchreceipting.com/ and we will apply to bulk orders. We spend approximately $25 per student in these basic supplies. Again this is optional way to partner with the school in preparing for the start of the new year, all students will have basic supplies provided.
Finally, our lost and found rack is full! All items will be donated at the end of month. We encourage you to come check the rack and look for items that belong to your child(ren). We will roll the items out on Field Day in hopes of some items finding their way back to their owners.
If you scroll to the bottom of this newsletter, you will find important dates for welcoming students back to school in August. I am truly grateful for your partnership and the incredible honor it is to lead our Somerset school community.
In Partnership,
Cathy Elder
Somerset Principal
The City of Bellevue is seeking travel data on how students travel to and from school and would love your input. This annual survey helps them evaluate strategies for the Bellevue SchoolPool program, which aims to reduce drop-off and pickup congestion at schools. Follow this survey link to to participate in the survey. The short, five-question survey for each school-aged child is live until Wednesday, June 14, 2023.
Somerset Elementary Information
PTSA Partnership
Field Day is June 9th. Students will rotate with their class through a variety of fun and exciting stations. Students in grades 3-5 will have their field day activities in the morning and students in grades k-2 will participate in the afternoon.
Please have your child-
-Wear their Somerset class color shirt
-Wear PE shoes
-Bring a water bottle
Rocket Run: Birthday Fun Run with the Principals
Every month Mr. Moe-Lobeda and I will host a Birthday Fun Run for all students who have a birthday in that month. Students will come out to the field and run one lap around the field and have a picture taken with the birthday club members of that month. Students are encouraged to wear their Somerset Shines t-shirt on their Fun Run Day!
June 14 (June & July) Same day, different races |
June Safety Drill: fire drill
Washington state law and Bellevue School District policy require all schools to hold at least one drill per calendar month while school is in session. This month, we will be conducting a fire drill and practicing evacuating the building and accounting for everyone.
During a fire evacuation, students are taught to quickly and quietly exit the building. They meet on the field at an assigned location and stay silent while attendance is taken to ensure all people have safely evacuated.
Please talk with your student about preparing for emergencies and disasters such as fires. 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 fire safety, you might want to visit the National Fire Protection Association “Kids” page at http://www.sparky.org/ or their parent resource page at http://www.sparky.org/parents.
Please let us know if you have any questions.
UPCOMING IMPORTANT DATES
June 9th: Field Day Morning (3-5) and afternoon (k-2)
June 14: Birthday Rocket Run for both June and July birthdays. (1 day, 2 races)
June 16th: 5th grade promotion ceremony
June 22nd: Last Day of School (9:05-11:05 for students, 8:00-4:00 for all staff)
For more information and important dates please follow this link to our Somerset PTSA: Link to Somerset PTSA
Back to School Dates:
| Date | Event | Audience & purpose | Time |
| August 23rd | Popsicles with the Principals | All students with their families: connect with principals and grade level peers for a fun scavenger hunt on the playground followed up with a popsicle treat. | k-1:00-1:30
1st-1:15-1:45 2nd -1:30-2:00 3rd -1:45-2:15 4th -2:00-2:30 5th – 2:15-2:45 |
| August 26th | Jubilee Service Day-Community Partner
https://www.jubileereach.org/serviceday volunteers must register in advance |
Volunteer opportunity for our school community to help prepare the school and classrooms for the start of the school year. | 8:00 am-12:00 pm |
| August 30th | Teacher Assignments
|
All students k-5 will receive email announcing their classroom teacher and room number | Sent around 4:00 pm |
| August 30th | New Student Orientation
Time to be announced when we have more details on teacher professional development schedule in August |
All students in grades 1st-5th who will be starting at Somerset for the first time will have an opportunity to tour the school and learn about being a Somerset Superstar from staff and students. Parents will join a session with school staff and other parent ambassadors. | Two sessions:
Session 1: 1st -3rd graders Session 2: 4th-5th graders |
| August 31st | Teacher Meet and Greet | A brief opportunity for student and teacher to put a face to a name, identify classroom location and possible quick classroom activity | 11:15-12:15 |
| September 4th | Labor Day | No school for staff and students | |
| September 5th | First Day for Students
|
Grades 1st-5th | 9:05-3:35 |
| September 5-7th | WA Kids meeting | All K families will meet with their child’s teacher for an initial 20- minute connection | Sign-up link for time to be sent by k teachers |
| September 8th | First day of school for K students | 9:05-3:35 |