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We create and maintain a safe and consistent learning community by establishing positive behavioral supports and a culture where all students achieve social, emotional and academic success.
In this issue:
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Principal’s Message
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Dates to Remember
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Counselor Corner
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In the Know
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District Information
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PTSA Information
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Dear Fernwood Families,
I hope everyone was able to have a wonderful mid-winter break. These breaks often provide a much needed pause on the rapid pace of school. Midwinter break in particular is always a reminder that spring is around the corner with warmer days and longer sunshine in the future. With the increase of beautiful days, we know that many students and families will be walking to and from school. Students also like to bike to school as the weather becomes nicer. This is a good time to remind everyone about the importance of traffic safety around Fernwood as children are dropped off and picked up from school, especially as we navigate the ongoing construction.
As we work in partnership to keep our students safe, please remember:
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We have students on safety patrol, under adult supervision, safely crossing pedestrians at the crosswalk on 39th ave. Please drive slowly.
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When driving, do not cross the double yellow lane to park or drop off your student.
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Do not make an illegal U-turn on 39th Ave SE, as it blocks traffic and could cause an accident.
We always strive to work in partnership with our community and appreciate your ongoing support in keeping safety a Fernwood priority. We understand the impact construction can have on our routines and appreciate your patience. Please also consider reviewing the Fernwood Parking and Transportation directions provided for a refresher on the systems we have in place for the safety of our students and families.
Some of my favorite parts of the day are when I can greet students and families in the mornings as they come to school and wish them well as they go home. I sincerely enjoy being able to engage in those small interactions and get to know the students a little better along the way.
With appreciation,
Cassie Morton, Principal
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March
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Date |
Event |
Location |
Time |
| 3/7 | Early Dismissal for Conferences at 12:30pm | ||
| 3/11 | PTSA General Meeting | Library and Zoom | 7:00-8:00pm |
| 3/27 | Activity Picture Day for Groups | Gym | 1:00-3:30pm |
| 3/27 | SPIRIT DAY- All students Wear Fernwood shirts, black or pink | ||
| 3/28 | Student Council Spirit Day - Dress like a construction worker |
April
| Date | Event | Location | Time |
| 4/4 | End of the 3rd quarter | ||
| 4/7-4/11 | NO SCHOOL - Spring Break | ||
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As we’re inching closer to wrapping up the winter season, we’ve completed our Fall/Winter classroom lessons and small groups this past month. As you are aware, these last few months have included lessons for grades K-2 focused on Kelso’s choices, including skills on how to “size up a problem” as big or small, then make a Kelso’s Choice to solve small problems independently. Students also worked on emotional regulation skills within this unit. Students know to wait and cool off when dealing with a small problem that is upsetting to them, then try 2 of Kelso’s Choices independently before reporting to an adult. Students are instructed to report to an adult right away when seeing a big problem (something that is unsafe or dangerous). Students in grades 3-5 have been working with Bullying Prevention strategies (Recognize, Refuse, Report), featuring skills that use bystander power to report, stand up for others (being an “upstander”), and include others in hopes to spread kindness and prevent bullying. A bystander is anyone who is aware of bullying happening. We instruct students to take action when recognizing bullying by reporting and/or refusing (using words that mean stop). We encourage you to have conversations with your student(s) and ask them about the skills they’re using to solve small problems and prevent bullying around our school. Please see the resources below to access more information about these curricular programs.
In the month of March, students will experience a classroom lesson that will focus on career exploration. Depending upon their grade level, students will engage in grade-level appropriate discussions and activities that will either explore different work environments, job roles, or their own interests and skills, making the most of their school experience. Activities will be designed to foster mindsets and behaviors that nurture their self-confidence and beliefs in their ability to succeed.
As stated above, Winter small groups concluded in February. Small counseling groups are considered a Tier 2 support that is available to students who need additional support beyond our classroom guidance instruction. Small group experiences provide students more individualized opportunities to learn, practice and reflect on their growth. As we approach Spring counseling group sessions, we are designing groups that will assist referred students to garner more support in their self-awareness, self-management and/or social-awareness and social-management. Topics may include emotional regulation, including managing worry, and making and keeping friendships, among others. Groups will begin two weeks before Spring Break and counselors will email families to inform them of their students’ referral (referrals are generated from classroom teachers and other staff). The email from your students’ counselor will notify you of the group topic, group purpose, and inform you of our OPT OUT process. If we can be of any assistance to you and/or you would like to discuss your child, please do not hesitate to contact us. Thank you for your support!
Best Regards,
Jennifer Brisbine (Grades 1, 3 & 5) jbrisbine@nsd.org and 425-408-4570
Sarah Cue (Grades K, 2 & 4) scue@nsd.org and 425-408-4572
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
Additional Resources:
Child Mind Institute Free Webinars
Click on the link above or the image below to access 10 months of daily self-care ideas designed to help elementary students create habits to make self-care practices a daily routine.
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Early Dismissal - Friday, March 7th
Students will be dismissed at 12:30 pm on Friday, March 7th. The remainder of the day is set aside for parent-teacher conferences. Teachers selected families with whom they would like to meet to further discuss student progress for the 2024-25 school year. Since only an afternoon is set aside, teachers are not able to meet with all families. If you have further questions, please reach out to your teacher.
Fernwood Spirit Day and Activity Group Picture Day - March 27th
On March 27th, we would like all students to wear their Fernwood tshirts or wear black or pink. We want the whole school to be in the spirit. The yearbook committee will be taking pictures of our spirit for the yearbook. Activity pictures will also be taken for groups such as Student Council, Safety Patrol and Choir and used in the yearbook that comes out the last day of school.
Student Council - Spirit Day - March 28th. The student council has set the March 28th spirit day as Dress Like A Construction Worker Day.
SBAC DATES
3rd through 5th grade students will take part in our state’s Smarter Balanced Assessment this spring. Fernwood testing window will be May 5th through May 30th with makeups scheduled as needed. We are able to push back the testing dates as a result of each child now having their own technology device. During our testing window, it is especially important your child is present at school. A specific schedule with testing dates for each grade level will be shared as a part of April’s newsletter.
New iReady challenge
Thank you for your partnership in supporting students to do their best on individual school-wide goals in our iReady Challenges. To date, we have had 655 students participate! That is 91% of our students engaging in iReady lessons that promote learning in math and reading. If you would like to know more about the who, what, why, and how of our school-wide i-Ready goal, please follow this link.
Our final iReady Challenge will begin on March 4th. For the month of March, we are focused on reaching a goal of 95% of our students completing iReady lessons in math. If we reach our school-wide goal, we will have an extra fun recess (meaning they will be able to engage in activities not usually at recess) on Friday, April 4th.
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Welcoming New Fernwood Students- Enrollment for 25-26 School Year
Do you know someone with a child entering kindergarten in 2025-26? If you do, please share that Fernwood is actively enrolling new students for the 2025-26 school year! Early enrollment helps us prepare for our students and future panthers.
Enrollment dates are as follows:
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January 6: The K-12 waiver application process opens for Northshore employees and in-district and out-of-district students with current waivers.
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January 8: Open Enrollment for all Kindergarten students, new 1-12th grade Northshore students, and Choice Programs and Schools applications begin
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February 24: Students with approved applications for Choice Schools and or Programs may submit waivers.
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March 24: The K-12 application process for new waivers including in-district, out-of-district, and currently waived NSD students moving from 5th to 6th grade and 8th to 9th grade opens.
March Meal Support for Fasting Students
To support students fasting in March for Ramadan, Northshore Food & Nutrition Services is offering take-home meal packs with shelf-stable breakfast and lunch options from Monday, March 3, to Friday, March 28. These vegetarian meal packs can be collected daily during breakfast service at each school. Students will be charged according to their free, reduced, or paid meal eligibility. For questions, contact Food & Nutrition Services.
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Spirit Wear and Yearkbooks Order your Fernwood Panther Spirit Wear by THIS MONDAY, March 3rd for delivery in time for Fernwood Spirit Day (Thursday, March 27th)!
The yearbook deadline is FAST approaching! Order your 2024-2025 yearbook by April 1st!
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PTSA General Meeting Please join us for the PTSA's next general meeting. This is a great way to stay up to date on current school events. Date: Tuesday, March 11th Location: Fernwood Library Time: 7pm Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82931673151
After School Enrichment Classes Spring after school classes are here! I brought back the very popular LEGO and chess classes this spring as well as a new class cooperated with North Creek High School. Due to the recent challenges in finding parent chaperones, I changed the process to encourage more parents to step up chaperoning the class. Please find the schedule below and scan the QR code for details. Please contact fernwoodptsaafterschool@gmail.com for any questions.
5th Grade Legacy Project
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PAST NEWSLETTERS AND WEEKLY UPDATES
- Link - Follow this link to Fernwood's past newsletters for the 23-24 School Year.
- QR Code
