PANTHER PRIDE
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From the PrincipalDear Fernwood Families, As we feel the excitement for Spring Break in just a week, this is a prime time to reflect on the growth and learning of our students as well as set meaningful goals for the remaining eleven weeks of school. We often see students make growth in new ways with skills they have been persistent in working on throughout the school year, especially for our youngest learners. Across Fernwood, we approach spring with an increased focus around our social and emotional learning and supports aligned with our school pillars of: I am safe, I am kind, I am a learner. Teachers and students engage in learning and discussions during class meetings and throughout the day that foster belonging, honoring each other’s identities, and constructive problem solving.
At Fernwood we utilize restorative practices when conflicts or challenging behaviors occur to reinforce these important social and emotional skills. I want to take this opportunity to share this information along with our school-wide philosophy on supporting student behavior. We seek to be proactive by establishing, maintaining, and restoring relationships with students as we get to know them and positively reinforce their behavior. When behavior does occur, we implement a system to consistently follow through with major or minor behaviors. Please utilize this link for more details on this philosophy and our Behavior Matrix and Flowchart.
We appreciate your support of our school-wide pillars at home as well to minimize behaviors at school. We encourage you to talk with your student(s) and help them set goals for themselves to finish the year strong. This could be in their daily academic work or socially, around the decisions they make when they are with their friends. Together, in partnership, we support our kids in being their best selves at Fernwood and beyond.
Over Spring Break, whether you are traveling for fun, visiting family or staying home, we hope you find some relaxation and take time to refresh yourself. Enjoy this much deserved break!
With Appreciation, Cassie Morton, Principal
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MARK YOUR CALENDAR |
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April 3rd - Last day of the 3rd Quarter April 6-10th - No SCHOOL - Spring Break April 17th - Student Council Color Pop Day April 17th - PTSA Science Fair - 5:30pm April 20th - Progress Reports Viewable in Parent Vue April 20-24th - PTSA Book Fair April 21st - PTSA Book Fair Family Night April 28th- Beginning of SBA Assessments- See information and dates below April 24th - Student Council Sports Day April 27-May 1 - PTSA Staff Appreciation Week |
DISTRICT INFORMATION |
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April Progress Reports Following the District’s reporting process, progress reports in April will only be provided to families through Parent Vue by April 20th, if a student is not yet at grade level in one or more areas. In addition, it may also be provided if behavior needs to be communicated. If you do not receive a progress report on Parent Vue, it means your student is performing at standard in reading, writing, and math at this time and that their strengths and/or needs around behavior have been communicated through previous conversations.
If you do receive a progress report, teachers will note specifically where students are not yet meeting grade level with an “N”. Other areas in which they are meeting grade level will be marked with a "Y". These reports also contain a section on "Behaviors that Promote Student Learning.” The teacher may elect to complete this section if a student has behavior needs. They may also leave it blank if a student is consistently demonstrating these behaviors or fill it out in a manner that conveys that consistency.
Whether your child receives a progress report or not, we know teachers are working tirelessly in the classroom to provide effective feedback to all students. This feedback supports student self-efficacy so that each child is aware of their strengths, needs, and steps to take to make progress towards those needs.
NSD Pre School Information The Ready Start program is a multi-age, preschool program utilizing a co-teach model to serve students with and without disabilities. We are currently enrolling at Sorenson ECC for the 2026/2027 school year. Classrooms are taught and supported by a general education teacher, a special education teacher, and a paraprofessional. Inclusive classrooms create a dynamic learning environment for all students.
The average class size is 16 students, with class make-up of 8 students with Individual Education Program, 4 students who pay tuition, and 4 students who are income eligible. Classrooms utilize The Creative Curriculum & Teaching Strategies GOLD Assessment Tool. The staff is committed to fostering student learning and cultivating friendships while creating a sense of community for our students. Utilizing developmentally appropriate teaching strategies to support a whole child approach to learning an inclusive environment, fosters high levels of student learning and social and emotional growth for all students.
The application can be found on the Northshore School District website @ https://www1.nsd.org/schools/programs-services/early-childhood/ready-start-tuition-program
Return all forms including deposit to: Sorenson Early Childhood Center 19705 88th Ave NE Bothell, WA 98011
Two different session per day: o 8:15 am - 10:45 am o 12:00 pm -2:30 pm o Program days - Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday Requirements: • Toilet Trained • Parent Transport • Birth Certificate • Certificate of Immunization • No Kindergarten Eligible Students Tuition Cost: $515 per month |
COUNSELOR CONNECTION |
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This April students will receive a classroom lesson from their school counselor. Students in grades Kindergarten and 1st grade will be focused upon self-awareness and self-management when it comes to regulating their emotions. At Fernwood, we teach students to recognize their feelings using the Zones of Regulation concepts. All feelings are ok; it’s what we do about them that’s really important! See below for more information on Zones. Students in Grade 2 will be wrapping up their unit on Zones by “trying on” and practicing tools to help with big feelings. And grade 3 will be focused upon stress management. Students in grades 4 and 5 will receive their next counselor lesson in either the month of April or May, and they will be focused upon Career Development. They will complete an interest inventory and explore different career possibilities and discuss the implications for interested career trajectories, including post-secondary education.
Also in April, invited students will participate in a small group experience with their school counselor or with our practicum student/school counselor in training, Ms. Claire Smith. This will include Kindergarten students, who have also been enjoying Lunch Bunch with their school counselor. Students who are invited to participate in a small counseling group will focus their learning upon emotional regulation skills and/or friendship skills, including making and keeping friends. Small groups will be meet for approximately 7 weeks and typically meet during students’ lunches, or during the very beginning or end of the school day when core direct instruction is not occurring. We follow an OPT OUT process for small groups. Parents who have students who have been named by their child’s teacher will receive a message via Parent Square which will notify parents of the OPT OUT process, etc.
Lastly, our April Assembly will be shared with students virtually in the latter portion of the month when we honor and recognize April Autism Acceptance Month. This means students will view a video recording of the assembly which will include our 5th Grade Student Council Board, who have been working hard to prepare for this important assembly. The purpose of the assembly is to help Fernwood students increase their understanding of neurodiversity. Students will learn about what neurodiversity is and how differences should be celebrated as it helps strengthen us as a school and as a larger community. They willl also learn how we all have different “internal settings,” and that it’s important that we all listen to each other. They will learn about the different needs of a neurodiverse brain, including sensory avoidant needs, sensory input needs, differences in special interests, and heightened sensitivity when/if there is a perceived rejection. Following the assembly, students will have time with their teachers to discuss the assembly content. |
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If you have any questions about the school counseling program at Fernwood or if I can be of any assistance to you in supporting your child’s school success, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
In Partnership,
Jennifer Brisbine jbrisbine@nsd.org and 425-408-4570
*The SEL Calendar is shared with families to promote students' self-care practices to help create healthy habits.
To learn more about these curriculums, we encourage you to explore the resources below: Kelso’s Choices Parent Information 3rd Grade Bullying Prevention Unit Family Letter 4th Grade Bullying Prevention Unit Family Letter 5th Grade Bullying Prevention Unit Family Letter Zones of Regulation Concept Visual
Additional Resources: Child Mind Institute Free Webinars Click on the link above to access 10 months of self-care ideas designed to help elementary students create habits to make self-care practices a daily routine. |
IN THE KNOW |
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Track and Field Registration Now Open! We are happy to announce that our season is right around the corner. Registration is now open for students in grades 3-5. Practice will begin after break on Wednesday, April 15th from 8:00-9:00am in the gym for those that have enrolled. Meets will be on Thursdays starting April 30th at 5pm.
The cost is $45 and scholarships are available. Please contact the office about scholarship information. You can register/pay via TouchBase (https://schoolsales.nsd.org Opens a New Window.)
Official Schedule, T-shirt order, and additional information to come next week via Parent Square.
Parent Input Form As we head into April, we continue to think about providing a strong finish to the 2025-26 school year. In addition, we begin to look to the future. You may have started to envision the 2026-27 school year for your child. At Fernwood, our goal is to ensure that all Fernwood students have an equal opportunity for a positive and strong educational experience. We recognize that balanced classrooms are a key step in achieving this goal. We are providing this parent input form for you as an opportunity to share any specific learning needs, strengths, or conditions you would like considered in the 2026-27 classroom alignment process. Our staff across the school closely collaborate to consider any information you provide as well as our knowledge of our child within the school setting to carefully determine placement. Please see the form for more specifics. All forms are due by Friday, May 1st.
SBA DATES Students in grades 3rd-5th will take part in our state’s Smarter Balanced Assessment (SBA) this spring. 5th graders will also take the Washington State Science Assessment. During our testing window, it is especially important your child is present and on time to school. Please see the testing dates to mark your calendar. *Please note: there is always the possibility students may become ill, so make up opportunities will be provided. Please do not send your student to school when they are ill. Here is a key to better understand the acronyms on our schedule:
Testing dates below: |
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Summer Food Resource: SUN Bucks (Summer EBT) provides a one-time $120 grocery benefit for each eligible child to help families during the summer. Students will qualify automatically through free or reduced-price meal eligibility. Families who are not yet eligible can still apply for free or reduced-price meals through the end of June to qualify for SUN Bucks. Please see the attached flyers for additional information.
To apply for free or reduced-price school meals click here: https://www.nsd.org/schools/get-started/food-services/free-and-reduced-price-breakfast-lunch
If you have any questions or need assistance with resources, please reach out to our Fernwood Care Team Liaison, Jean Christensen at 425-408-4506 or jchristensen@nsd.org. |
PTSA INFORMATION |
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Lights, camera… APPRECIATION! 🎬✨ Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week is rolling out the red carpet a little early this year—April 27th through May 1st—so all of our incredible teachers and staff can join the celebration. And this year’s theme? Hollywood! Because our Fernwood educators are truly the stars of the show and our everyday VIPs. 🌟 We’ve got a full lineup of blockbuster treats planned:
But even the best productions need an amazing crew behind the scenes—that’s where you come in! Donations and volunteer sign-ups will be coming soon via the Weekly Newsletter and Classroom WhatsApps, and we’d love your support to help make this week truly unforgettable for our staff. Let’s come together as a community to celebrate the people who make Fernwood shine every single day. ⭐ Your support helps us roll out a week worthy of our stars! Stay tuned… and get ready to play your part! 🎬🍿 |
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RaiseCraze There is only 1 week left of Raise Craze. We are almost there!! Please consider making a donation for Raise Craze to put us over our goal of $20,000.
Each class that raises $1,000 will get a popcorn party. REGISTER: https://raisecraze.com/join CODE: 253-880
Mariners Game Fernwood Night At The Mariners on May 16th Purchase Tickets - ps://www.givebacks.com/causes/fernwoodptsa/events/2aac73df4f
Science Fair Update: Registration is closed and all received entries will now be added to the waist list. We are thrilled to announce the upcoming PTSA Science Fair on April 17th at 5:30pm- 7:30pm.
Volunteers Needed For Science Fair Please consider volunteering for the science Fair https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D45A5AB2BA6F9C25-62894635-fernwood#/
Community Summer Resource Fair This event will be focused on providing resources to our community in preparation for the summer ahead. We will be highlighting summer activities, camps, and support services for students and individuals with disabilities.
Date: March 28, 2026 10 am to 2 pm Place: Northshore Middle School For more information: https://www.nsecptsa.org/events/community-education-events
Book Fair Save The Date - This year's Book Fair will be held April 20th through April 24th during school hours - Tuesday, April 21st will be Family Night from 5pm - 8pm |