Somerset’s March Principal Communication
Greetings Somerset Families!
Welcome Coach Boyd!
I am excited to introduce Brad Boyd to our Somerset Community! Coach Boyd joined our staff on Monday, February 26th as our new PBIS Interventionist. He will be supporting school wide Positive Behavior systems and supporting students with conflicts and problem-solving skills. Coach Boyd will work in partnership with assistant principal Mr. Moe Lobeda, myself, and school counselor Ms. Schuyler. The additional staffing was provided by our school district to support our large school enrollment. We currently have 741 students at Somerset.
Snow Make-up Day:
The district will use Friday, attend on this Friday March 22, 2024, to make up the day missed on January 17 due to the emergency snow closure. Students should plan to as a normal school day on regular schedule.
Invitation to Join me at BSF’s Spring For Schools
I hope you will join me and represent the Somerset community proudly at this year’s Bellevue Schools’ Foundation’s Spring for Schools event. I believe together we can make an impact!
Bellevue Schools’ Foundation is a non-profit organization that exist to support programs and initiatives of the Bellevue School District. Their work has been vital over the last 30 plus years in supporting the programs that have made us a highly desired school district. Their ability to raise funds to support our district is important as we look at the $10 million deficit to our school budget based on the state funding model. I invite you to join me at this year’s Spring for Schools event on March 30th! Registration for Bellevue Schools Foundation’s annual fundraiser is free. The event not only offers a chance to explore student initiatives funded by the Foundation, it also a fun evening to connect with fellow BSD families, teachers, and celebrate our community. As a reminder, Bellevue Schools Foundation provides critical funding to our school– you can take a look at the programs supported in our classrooms here.
Hopefully you saw Dr. Aramaki’s note about the importance of funding from BSF at this time. Community donations to BSF will safeguard the transformational opportunities that set BSD apart nationally. I hope to see you at Spring for Schools on March 30th! If you want to learn more about BSF and/or the event, please don’t hesitate to contact [email protected]
Neurodiversity Awareness Week: March 18-22
We will be celebrating Neurodiversity Awareness Week in all classrooms and learning about our amazing brains! At Somerset we strive to have a strong sense of belonging for every student and work to create an inclusive environment. When it comes to inclusion, neurodiversity refers to a world where neurological differences are recognized and respected as all other human variations.
Depending on how our brains are wired we think, move, process information, and communicate in different ways. Many people in our community use neurodiversity as an umbrella term used to describe alternative thinking styles such as Dyslexia, DCD (Dyspraxia), Dyscalculia, Autism and ADHD. But regardless of labels, neurodiversity is about recognizing those who think differently. And we all can benefit from different thinkers!
Approximately 15-20% of population has a neurological difference. Instead of labelling people with deficits or disorders, when we use the term neurodiversity, we take a balanced view of an individual’s unique strengths and challenges. We will be working to move beyond Awareness to acceptance! Acceptance is the “A” in our school wide behavior expectations.
In Partnership,
Cathy Elder
I have been invited to a meeting with community members, Bellevue Police Department, and the Somerset Neighborhood Association to address the neighborhood’s concern with our traffic congestion at our dismissal time. I need to remind all parents that are coming for pick up at dismissal that we CANNOT “park” and wait in the traffic lanes because it blocks the flow for others in the neighborhood from getting to their homes and activities. If you pull up Somerset Blvd and the parking lot is full, please circle the neighborhood or park on a side a street and walk to get your child from their dismissal zone. 143rd street is reserved for active loading at dismissal and should not be the side street for parking.
Somerset Elementary Information
PTSA Family Pizza and BINGO Night
I am grateful for the ongoing partnership we have with Somerset PTSA in their support of our school vision, curriculum enhancements, and community engagement. This month, PTSA is hosting Pizza and BINGO night.
Join me as I emcee Bingo on Friday March 8, 2024 from 6-8pm. It will be a memorable night of bingo (with great prizes!), delicious pizza, and fun times with friends and family.
RSVPs required so we can plan accordingly. Please RSVP and/or sign up as a volunteer here (click).
Bingo sheets will be sold at the event for $2 exact cash only (small bills, please).
Pizza dinners are available by pre-order only (click). Pizza dinner purchases will close Sunday March 3.
- We encourage everyone to be environmentally friendly by bringing their own reusable water bottles from home. Bottled water will be sold at the event for $1 each (exact cash only).
We can’t wait to see you there! Let’s get ready to Bingooooooooo!
American Heart Associations: Kids Heart Challenge
Kids Heart Challenge is kicking off on March 4th! Together, we’ll empower our students to have happy and healthy hearts and brains, while raising lifesaving donations to help others with special hearts. Help our school meet our goal by following these steps:
- Sign up TODAY at http://www2.heart.org/goto/SomersetSuperstars or by downloading the free AHA Schools App for Apple or Android
- SEND 10 emails/texts to friends & family asking for a donation!
- Start Finn’s Mission to learn Hands-Only CPR & raise lifesaving donations to help special hearts ❤
SPECIAL INCENTIVES:
- Students who are registered will be put into a weekly drawing! You may win a special lunch with a friend/PE teacher or get to waterblast your assistant principal!
- More to be announced at kick-off!
Tyee Registration Information Night (incoming 6th graders)
Tyee MS Counselors will begin visiting 5th grade classrooms this month. In addition, incoming Tyee 6th grade students and families are welcome to join a presentation about registering for 6th grade classes for the 2024-25 school year. Families and caregivers will receive similar information to what their students will learn in 5th grade classroom, so they are able to support their students with selecting courses. You are invited to join the presentation, followed by a live Question & Answer session with the Tyee Principal and Counseling Staff.
- Location: Tyee MS Gymnasium
- Date: Wednesday, March 13
- Time: 6:00-7:00
- If incoming 6th grade families are unable to attend the in-person event, presentation information will be posted to the Tyee website beginning March 14.
Student Council March Spirit Day-
Student council’s spirit day for this month is one of my favorites, Student Teacher Swap! The day is all about trading places. Students dress like teachers and teachers dress like students.
March Safety 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 lockdown drill and practicing actions to help keep us safe in the event of a threat or intruder.
Please note that a lockdown is considered a preventative measure and is not the same as an Active Threat.
During a lockdown drill, students learn about the importance of listening to school staff and following instructions quickly and quietly.
Lockdown is initiated when there is a threat to the campus or school. All threats are taken seriously. In the interest of student safety, lockdown may be initiated while the nature of the threat is evaluated. Staff are trained to lock classroom doors, shut off the lights, close the blinds, and to continually assess the situation.
Please talk with your student about preparing for emergencies and disasters. 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 talking to your child about school safety, you might want to visit the website https://www.mhanational.org/talking-kids-about-school-safety.
Rocket Run: Birthday Fun Run with the Principals
Every month Mr. Moe-Lobeda, Ms. Yen and I host a Birthday Fun Run for all students who have a birthday in that month. Students 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 Speaks t-shirt on their Fun Run Day!
| Mar 13 |
| April 17 |
| May 8 |
| June 12 (June & July) |
UPCOMING IMPORTANT DATES
March 22: Snow make-up Day-School
April 8-12: Spring Break, no school
For more information and important dates please follow this link to our Somerset PTSA: Link to Somerset PTSA
Bellevue School District Official Announcements
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