PANTHER PRIDE
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MARK YOUR CALENDAR |
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November 11/11 - No School - Veterans Day Observed 11/18 - Early Dismissal for Conferences @ 12:30pm 11/19 - Regular Dismissal @ 2:20pm 11/20 - 11/26 - Early Dismissal for Conferences @ 12:30pm 11/27 & 11/28 - No School - Thanksgiving Holiday
December 12/22 - 1/4 - No School - Winter Break |
COUNSELOR CONNECTION |
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During the month of November, students will be having their third counselor lesson in their classroom. Grades K - 2nd will deepen their understanding of Kelso’s Choices to help build their awareness, skills and strategies to solve their small problems and conflicts. Students are encouraged to try 2 of Kelso’s Choices before going to an adult for help with a small problem. Students are taught to seek a trusted adult for help right away for big problems. Grades 3 - 5 will continue their Bullying Prevention Unit. These students are focused upon recognizing what bullying is and what it is not. They are learning that bullying is one-sided, repeated, mean and on purpose, and includes a difference in power (age, size, number, etc). This learning aims to empower bystanders to help stop bullying by applying the three R’s: Recognize, Report & Refuse.
Last month 5th grade volunteers teamed up to form our student leadership program here at Fernwood. And after weeks of student training, our Panther Resolution Seekers (PRS) will be out at their recesses this month and beyond, donating their time and energy to help younger students resolve conflicts and small problems peacefully. They will also help monitor the Buddy Bench to help increase inclusion and positive social interactions. We are grateful to these PRS leaders who are helping our recess success. PRS team members can be identified by their bright colored vests and lanyards! Younger students who may be struggling at recess, are encouraged to seek the help of a PRS leader or recess supervisor.
This month, during your parent-teacher conference, you may learn that your child is a candidate to participate in a small group counseling experience. Your child benefits from Tier one (universal) services when they have their school counselor monthly classroom lessons focused upon conflict management and/or bullying prevention and when their teacher teaches Second Step, our core SEL curriculum. In addition, as a comprehensive approach to school counseling, students who need Tier two support (more intensive) to help foster their school success. In a small group setting, students receive instruction, guidance and opportunities to practice skills with support. If your child is invited, you will receive an email notification. If you do not want your child to participate, you will be asked to reply to the email in order to “opt out.” Winter small groups will begin in January and span eight school weeks. Small groups will be focused upon two main categories: emotional regulation skills and friendship/social skills. Curricular activities are designed to supplement Fernwood’s core Social-emotional Learning content found in Second Step. If you have any questions about why your child has been recommended for a small counseling group, please talk with your child’s classroom teacher. All other questions regarding small groups can be directed to Fernwood’s school counselor, Jennifer Brisbine. |
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Lastly, Fernwood Elementary desires that all students, regardless of background or financial abilities, feel welcome and be able to access community and school support and resources. If your family is facing financial hardship and you would like to be considered for these types of services and supports (see below), please complete the survey found below. Your privacy is important to us, therefore all information collected from the survey will be maintained confidentially. If you have a school-related need that is not mentioned in this survey, please let us know and we will work with you to see if we can help fulfill that need. *Basic Needs Aid - short-term solution to help restore normalcy in a student's life during an immediate crisis. (groceries, fuel, participation in elective activities, etc...) *Assistance in completing the Free and Reduced Lunch Form - the information in this form can support a family in qualifying for financial support related to school meals. *Opportunities to learn more about Holiday support - this includes the possibility of receiving food, gifts, or gift cards around the holiday season. *Resources for when experiencing a hardship - supports miscellaneous hardships that could include resources for utility bills, etc... For timely consideration, please complete this form by 12/05/2025. Click here to complete the survey: Fernwood 2025 Family Needs Survey Click here for a list of local resources to assist with financial hardships. Best Regards, Jennifer Brisbine jbrisbine@nsd.org and 425-408-4570
To learn more about Tier 1 school counseling programming, 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: 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. Paper copies available upon request. |
IN THE KNOW |
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Progress Reports Progress reports are an important tool for parents, as they provide valuable insight into their student's academic growth and development. By reviewing these reports, parents can stay informed about their child's progress, celebrate achievements, and address areas needing improvement, ensuring ongoing support for their student's success throughout the school year. Progress reports for the 1st quarter of the 2025-2026 school year will be available to view through ParentVue by November 10th. Parents of Kindergarten students will receive a copy of the WA Kids report at your scheduled conference or sent home with your child. |
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Celebrating Veterans Day In honor of Veterans Day, we would like to create a slideshow honoring those family members or friends that have served to protect our country. If you have a family member or friend who is a veteran, please send us their picture so that we may honor them in our Veteran's Day Assembly no later than Tuesday, November 4th. You can upload photos using this Google Form Link. There will be a space to include their name, the student’s name in which they are related or connected, and branch of service as well as years of service.
Veterans Day Assembly Our Veterans Day assembly will be held on November 10, 2025. Through student presentations and performances, our students will learn about what it means to be a Veteran and how we can honor and thank Veterans for their courage and service. If you are a Veteran and have a student at Fernwood Elementary we would like to invite you to join us in celebrating your service. We will have two scheduled assemblies to accommodate the size of our classes. A schedule will be sent in next week's weekly update. |
Early Dismissal for Parent ConferencesWe will have early dismissal at 12:30pm on November 18, 20, 21, and 24 - 26 so the teachers can have parent conferences. Please mark your calendar and set a reminder. |
DISTRICT INFORMATION |
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Northshore Schools Foundation As we enter the holidays, the Northshore Schools Foundation is able to support struggling families. Through our Removing Barriers Campaign, we provide grocery store gift cards directly to Northshore families experiencing food insecurity. Your monetary gift today will help a family celebrate the holidays with a full table.
Every donation makes a direct difference:
To continue making a difference for families facing food insecurity, you can donate here: Donate - Northshore Schools Foundation (Donations for this cause accepted through December 31, 2025)
Would you like your donation to support a specific school or program? Simply note your preference in the “Honor Your Donation” section. For more information about how families are supported through our Removing Barriers to Education program, visit our website Care Teams - Northshore Schools Foundation
Together, we can make an impact on food insecurity for Northshore families this winter! All donations are managed by the Northshore Schools Foundation. Tax ID Number: 91-1680139. |
PTSA INFORMATION |
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Reflections PTA Reflections is a nationally acclaimed student art program. Students of all grades and abilities may participate by submitting original pieces of work in 6 categories: dance, musical composition, visual arts, film, literature and photography.
Each year, students create work based on a theme. This year’s theme is "I Belong"
Judging is based on both the artwork and artist statement, and will be judged at the local level, and may continue to state, and even the National PTA level.
How to participate 1. Review the rules for your category. https://www.wastatepta.org/programs/reflections/ (Scroll down to Student Entry Guidelines.) 2. Create your artwork. 3. Upload an image of your artwork & entry form to the online submission form by November 23rd,2025 Contact: Divya Arisetty with questions - a.arisettydivya@gmail.com
Math Challenge 📌 Details: Math Challenge Program – https://www.mathinaction.org/fernwood-elementary.html 📝 Submit your answers here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1CHJmCllz1gFN6Z7ewImN0pjz_tq0HJpo3GS234jACQ0 ⏳ Remember, each challenge has a submission deadline.
Fred Meyer - Support PTSA Support our school PTSA just by shopping at Fred Meyer. Did you know that your everyday shopping at Fred Meyer can benefit our School PTSA—at no extra cost to you?
Watch this video to learn how to learn how to connect your community awards program = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9yIIUjKhf4 Organization: *Fernwood Elementary PTSA*
Membership One way to support Fernwood Elementary is to join the PTSA.
Yearbooks On Sale NOW! Please find the flier with all the information linked here |
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FIND The PTSA: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FernwoodPTSAOfficial Instagram: fernwood_ptsa |