Tyee Weekly Update 12.13.2021 – Tyee Middle School

Good Evening Tyee Community,

Hard to believe it, but we’ve arrived at the last “Tyee Weekly Update” e-mail of 2021. It was another trying and challenging (calendar) year, but we at Tyee are thankful and grateful for the opportunity to provide our students with full-time in-person learning and activities at Tyee! After so many months being shut down, there is nothing quite like the energy and positivity that comes with a middle school experience. Our Teachers and Staff extend our immense gratitude for our students and families, and all their grace as we work together to recover and restore our learning community.

We hope the Winter Break brings you and your families a great opportunity for relaxation, reconnection, rejuvenation, and even some fun and adventure. A very Merry Christmas, Happy Boxing Day, Kwanzaa, and New Year to all who celebrate!

Byron Lillie, Principal

Important Dates	December 17: Winter Festival (7th pd) December 20 – January 3: Winter Break (no school) January 4: First School Day after Winter Break
Tyee: Spirit Week!	Tuesday (12/14): Inside Out Day (Clothes inside out!) Wednesday (12/15): Formal Day (Formal & business-like attire) Thursday (12/16): Ice Out (Any shades of white, blue, or gray) Friday (12/17): Pajama Day (Comfy PJs!)
Tyee: Winter Festival!	When: Friday, December 17 during 7^th period (students will still attend all 7 periods, on a modified schedule) Where: Commons, library, gym, courtyard Cost: Most events are FREE, some clubs are raising funds. Tickets can be purchased via Tyee website OR in-person at the office. Tickets are not be sold the day of the event. Tickets are $1 each, paid activities cost between 1-3 tickets. Contact Arum Schut with questions ([email protected]) Free events: Hot beverages; Snacks; Outside activities; Cookie decorating; Cupcake walk; Photo scavenger hunt; Pin the nose on the snowman; Snowman building; Photobooth; Crafts- finger knitting, snowflake making, luminaries, candle holders; Movie in the gym Fundraiser events (cost): Harry Potter Club- Stupefy! (2 tickets); Book Club- Lord of the Ring Toss and Book Trivia (1 ticket each); Multicultural Celebrations Club- Bean bag toss (cost TBD, no more than 3 tickets); Jazz Band- TBD; Chinese Culture Club- TBD; STEM Club- Timberwolf Medallions (3 tickets) ; SOAR- TBD
Tyee: Morning Arrivals	Our Attendance Office reports an increase in student late arrivals to school since the start of December. This is mainly students who arrive by private vehicle, coming late due to heavy traffic and poor weather. This is not uncommon in the winter months with darker mornings and sleepy adolescents who are a challenge to get out of bed. 1st period instruction begins promptly at 8:30am each day. We would love to have all our students with us. It is strongly encouraged families consider leaving the house an extra 10-15 minutes earlier and plan to arrive to Tyee between 8:00-8:15am. Our doors open at 8:15am, and we have several covered areas outdoors for students to wait under if there is rainy weather.
Tyee: Paying Student Fees	To pay student fees online: visit https://touchbase.bsd405.org/ User Name is Student ID # Password is Student’s last name starting with a Capital letter *Note: If your student already has an ID# do not log in as a guest. Ask for their ID# and use that.*
BSD: Guide to Assessments	The new Guide to Assessments page currently features information about Star Testing, followed by an explanation of the unique Fall 2021 state SBA/WCAS tests. In the future, we will be adding additional content on various assessments. Link: https://bsd405.org/departments/curriculum/guide-to-assessments .
Tyee: Pre-Arranged Absences	If your students will be missing days of school for travel, sporting events, exams or personal family days, etc., PLEASE have them complete a prearranged absence form. They can pick the paper form up in the attendance or main office. They will then have all their teachers sign off on the form and then the student will return it to the office for administration approval. This form must be turned in PRIOR to the absence for it to be excused. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact [email protected]
Tyee: Moving this Year?	If you are planning to withdraw the student(s) from Tyee before OR on December 17, please let us know in advance via email at [email protected] The withdrawal process includes: Checking for unpaid fees, and Textbook(s) returns. You can use this link to not be charged a transaction fee. https://wa-bellevue.intouchreceipting.com/
BSD: COVID-19 Testing	Tyee MS has begun to offer COVID-19 diagnostic testing. Doing so will allow us to more rapidly determine infections in symptomatic persons, and take a proactive approach to minimizing potential outbreaks. Screening Testing will be available in the weeks to come. All testing will be optional. More information on diagnostic testing and screening testing can be found on our COVID-19 Testing in Bellevue School District webpage and will be updated as more details become available. Please visit the district COVID-19 Health and Safety webpage for more information about our current health and safety measures.
Tyee: Mask Fundraiser	Tyee’s Associated Student Body (ASB) is hosting a Mask Fundraiser to support student activities. Cloth Facemasks can be purchased online for $8 from now until December 31 and can be delivered to your residence, or picked up at Winner’s Sportswear in Bellevue. Masks are available in small, medium, and large sizes. Sizes will be listed on the website, or students can view the sample sizes at the Jubilee Office during lunch time. We’d love to see Timberwolf spirit shining on every face! Link: https://tyeemiddleschoolfundraiser.itemorder.com/ Please send any questions to ASB Advisor, Ashley Williams [email protected].
BSD: Open Transfer & Choice School Waitlist Applications	Open Transfer Applications for 2022-23 will be accepted beginning December 6, 2021. The applications period will close Friday January 7, 2022 at 4:30 p.m. Results will be emailed in February for high school, March for middle school, and April for elementary school. Visit our Open Transfer and Nonresident FAQ pages for more information. Choice School Entry Level Lottery Applications are only available for incoming K (current P-4) and incoming 6th grade (current 5th grade) students for the 2022-23 school year. If your student is not entry grade level, they may apply to the existing waitlist. New applicants will be placed on the bottom of the appropriate waitlist by their current grade level in the order received for possible entry in the fall for the upcoming school year. Students applying for language programs will be required to pass an appropriate grade level language proficiency screening. Please visit our Waitlist application for Choice Schools and Programs for more information. For a listing of common questions and answers about the Choice School Program, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.
Introducing the Big Picture Panthers!	Bellevue Big Picture School is currently accepting applications for incoming 9^th grade students for September 2022. Bellevue Big Picture School is a secondary (6^th-12^th grade) school-of-choice in partnership with the nationally recognized Big Picture Learning Network of Schools. Big Picture is a close-knit community of students, staff, and families that fosters inclusion for all students, personalized experiences and strong academic relationships. All students have an advisory class. In high school, students have 1 advisor 9^th-12^th grade. The advisor facilitates student-led conferences twice per year, the development of student learning plans, and the internship process. In addition, advisors support student goal-setting, social emotional growth, connections to college and career, and partnerships with families. Bellevue Big Picture students are independent, driven, and self-motivated learners who focus on 21st century skills such as collaboration, critical thinking, innovation, communication, personal and academic resiliency. Students are excited to discover their true passion by participating in internships in career fields that interest them all four years of high school, including coding, graphic arts, law, health care, architecture, animal care, and much, much more. High school students participate in internships one full day per week 9^th-12^th grade, completing more than 600 hours of study in pre-professional fields. Big Picture students focus on and excel at project-based learning (PBL) where they inquire about a complex question, problem or challenge. During this process, students learn essential academic content, practice collaboration, communication and critical thinking and create authentic products and presentations. In the last two months of every school year, high school students design, create, and implement a Freedom Project centering on a topic of their choice. Seniors also complete a Senior Project. Students applying for 9^th grade will be added to a waitlist, in the order that they are received, with preference given to students living inside the Bellevue School District attendance area. You will be contacted this Spring as space becomes available. Big Picture High School Info Night – December 8^th 6:30 pm Microsoft Teams meeting Join on your computer or mobile app Click here to join the meeting Or call in (audio only) +1 206-800-4133,,233838853# United States, Seattle Phone Conference ID: 233 838 853# Find a local number \| Reset PIN The event will also be recorded and posted on our website. Learn more at* https://bsd405.org/bigpicture/about/apply/ Apply here
PTSA: Volunteers Needed!	Winter Festival Volunteers Needed (12/17/21): Tyee PTSA is teaming with our Associated Student Body (ASB) to host a big student social event: Winter Festival on Friday, December 17th. There will be games, fundraisers, and fun activities for students to participate in. They need a lot of parent volunteers to help this event to success. If you are available to help, please sign up here! Lunar New Year Volunteers Needed (2/1/22): We are planning a Lunar New Year celebration at Tyee on Tuesday, February 1. It will be celebrated throughout the day, including some after school activities. Lunar New Year is celebrated in numerous Asian cultures. We need volunteers and help with: Collecting and showcasing decorations from different cultures’ Lunar New Year celebrations. Small Arts & Crafts projects in the Library during lunches and after school. Simple Games & Activities for students to play outside during lunches and after school Any contacts or connections with live musical or dance performances. Set-up and decoration the afternoon of January 31st Clean-up the afternoon of February 1st Please use this link to sign up. Please sign up to help make this event special and inclusive!