Greetings Tyee Families, Students, and Community!
On behalf of Tyee Middle School, welcome to the 2022-23 school year. I am Byron Lillie, the very proud Principal of Tyee and I’m excited to share some updates, guidance, and information to help you and your student have a successful start to the new school year. Some of the information shared below is a little early for those of you still soaking up the last few weeks of summer fun and relaxation – but it’s never too late to get planning.
For those of you I’ve not yet had the pleasure of meeting, this is going to be my fourth year as your Principal. I’ve been a part of Bellevue School District going back as far as 2006 and have served in a number of roles as a Social Studies Teacher, Assistant Principal, and now Principal. I’m particularly passionate about establishing a positive, supportive, and safe school community for students to have a successful experience in the middle level during this crucial three-year transition from elementary to high school. On a personal note, my wife Melissa and I are the proud parents of two boys (Calvin – 5 yrs & Connor – 18 months). As a family we are avid travelers and were lucky to take advantage of opportunities to get away on weekend excursions this summer. I’m also a lifelong golfer, and was happy to meet my annual goal on getting out to play this spring/summer.
I’m also excited to be joined by two phenomenal leaders joining us as Assistant Principals I’d like to introduce to you.
Heather Snookal is Assistant Principal for students with last names A-Lim. Ms. Snookal is an experienced educator at the high, middle, and elementary levels. A former high school science teacher, she most recently served as an Elementary Assistant Principal in Seattle Public Schools. Ms. Snookal can be reached at snookalh@bsd405.org.
Melissa Slater is Assistant Principal for students with last names Lin-Z. Ms. Slater is also an experienced educator with over 25 years serving in the Bellevue School District. She has taught in several elementary and middle schools, and served in a number of roles in family engagement and National Board Certification leadership for teachers throughout the district. Ms. Slater can be reached at slaterm@bsd405.org.
Below are some announcements and updates to help you in your planning for the upcoming year!
| Important Dates |
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| ’22-23 Calendar & Bell Schedule | Bellevue School District Family Calendar (2022-23): https://bsd405.org/about/calendar/printable-calendars/2022-2023-family-calendar/
School Website: https://bsd405.org/tyee/ |
| Tyee Office Hours | The Main Office will re-open Monday, August 15th. The office is accessible to families between 10:00am and 2:00pm Monday-Friday. The office will be closed August 25th, and will fully re-open Thursday, September 1st. If unable to visit during these times, please call the Main Office at 425.456.6800 to make other arrangements.
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| 6th Grade WEB Orientation | Attention all 6th grade families – We are excited to invite your 6th grader to orientation on Thursday, August 25th from 8:30-noon @ Tyee Middle School. Our Orientation is called WEB – Where Everyone Belongs and is a unique, fun and exciting way for your child to get to know our AMAZING school, other 6th graders and their 8th grade WEB leader. We will play games, learn about one another, tour the campus and most importantly get-to-know the Tyee Community. This is the event! We are excited to welcome your 6th grader to Tyee!
Friendly reminders – this is a student only event, please arrive promptly at 8:30, pack a water bottle and wear comfortable clothes. However, if your 6th grader is brand new to Bellevue School District or served by an Individualized Education Plan, please reach out to Melissa Slater (slaterm@bsd405.org) to schedule an additional student and parent visit if needed. Thank you, Your WEB Coordinators, Scott Backus, backuss@bsd405.org Christina Biladeau, biladeauc@bsd405.org Maile Morgan, morganm@bsd405.org |
| 2022-23 Tyee Open House | Tyee will be hosting our annual Open House Event on Thursday, August 25th from 12:00-3:00pm @ Tyee Middle School. This event is intended for 6th grade students/families and any NEW to Tyee 7th & 8th grade students and families.
Open House will feature opportunities for students and families to explore the campus, pick up locker assignments, learn about Athletics and Activities, and get connected to the amazing Tyee PTSA. The format is Open House, and you are welcome to arrive and depart whenever you like. There will be two brief information sessions led by our Principal, Assistant Principals, and School Counselors. Presentation Times below:
More information about the August 25 Open House, and Frequently Asked Questions: https://bsd405.org/tyee/2022/06/6th-grade-orientation-and-school-open-house-new-to-tyee/ |
| School Supplies List | Tyee Teachers recommend students come to school with a recommended set of basic school supplies. Please take a look at this list if you haven’t’ done your shopping yet. https://bsd405.org/tyee/home/school-supplies/. It is possible that your student’s teachers may request students bring class-specific supplies. We recommend waiting until after the first few days of school to confirm what is needed before making any additional purchases. Additional school supplies and backpacks will be available in our main office closer to the first day of school. |
| New Teachers & Staff! | Please join me in welcoming several educators joining “Team Tyee” for the upcoming 2022-23 school year:
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| Lockers & Combination Locks | All 6-8 grade students will be issued a hallway locker in the 2022-23 school year. Hallway lockers come with a combination spinner installed. Students in Physical Education (PE) courses will be issued a separate combination lock & locker to safely store belongings during class after changing clothes in the locker room.
6th grade students and new 7th/8th grade students can pick up hallway lockers and combination assignments at the August 25th Open House. Returning 7th/8th grade students (and anyone who missed Open House) can pick up their assignments the first day of school. PE locks are issued directly to students during PE classes in the first two weeks of the new year. Combination locks are a new (and sometimes stressful!) skill for 11-13 year olds to master. We recommend viewing a brief instructional video like the one below with your student before school starts. Below is one sample and there are many moreon YouTube. If you or a family member has a spare combination lock lying around, it’s also advisable your student get some hands-on practice too! Tutorial Video: How to Open a Combination Lock or Locker |
| Student Class Schedules | Normal BSD Synergy ParentVue & StudentVue access will resume when the 2022-23 schedules are loaded in mid-August in preparation for the new school year.
Please be aware, any schedule shown in Synergy or any other application for the 2022-23 school year should be considered a DRAFT. This may last to the start of the new year, so Tyee will communicate to families and students before then when schedules are set for the first day of school. Changes will continue to occur as staff are hired and new student enrollments are registered. |
| Buses Update | To stay up-to-date on Bus Routes and times, please visit the BSD Transportation Website at https://bsd405.org/departments/transportation/. There you will find additional information and ways to contact Transportation. More information will be e-mailed to BSD families closer to the start of the school year. |
| School Meals Update | Meal prices for the 2022-23 school year are as follows: Breakfast $2.50, Lunch $4.00. Due to increased state funding, reduced price eligible students will be provided meals at no cost. The new application for Free & Reduced Meals will be available by August 15th at: https://bsd405.org/services/nutrition-services/free-reduced/ |
| Nutrition Services is Hiring Kitchen Assistants | BSD Nutrition Services is seeking new team members for the 2022-23 school year! If you or someone you know are interested in part time work and have a passion for working with kids in a friendly food service environment, apply today at www.bsd405.org/department/hr/jobs. Search Kitchen Assistant.
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| Substitutes Needed! | We invite educators in our community to apply for substitute teaching positions. Substitutes have the opportunity to work in a variety of interesting positions and locations throughout BSD, while working flexible schedules during the week. It has also been found that experience as a substitute often prepares an individual for eventual permanent placement. Apply today! https://bsd405.org/departments/hr/substitutes/ |