Mustang News
Moorlands Web Site: http://moorlands.nsd.org
June 1, 2016 Talena Graff, Principal Office Phone - 408-5100
School Hours: 8:40 am – 3:10 pm Early Release Wednesday’s 1:35 pm
AM Day Kindergarten: 8:40 am – 11:55 pm; PM Kindergarten: 11:55 – 3:10 pm
Did you know…When students laze away the days of summer without using their minds, they can lose up to a month of learning—especially in reading and math. Prevent summer slide and keep your child engaged with fun, brain-friendly activities.
Create a plan. Tell your child that reading and learning activities will be an important part of their summer. Assure them that they’ll still have lots of time for play.
Teach mini-lessons. Transform everyday activities into learning opportunities. Children can count change, read directions for a trip, write a shopping list, or calculate a recipe’s measurements.
Gather activity books. Give children their own activity book with crossword puzzles or number games customized for their specific age group. Set a “due date” to keep them on track, but let them work at their own pace.
Initiate a writing project. Have your child keep a summer journal, write letters to family members or friends, or craft a play to perform with siblings or neighbors. Or, start a family cookbook with your favorite recipes, instructions, and shopping lists.
Strategize screen time. Educational computer games or apps can engage students’ minds, but make sure your child is spending enough time away from the screen. Assign a daily block of time for family members to turn off phones, computers, and the TV, and instead play a board game or read together.
Designate daily reading blocks. Set aside at least 15 minutes a day for your entire family to read. (That means parents, too!) Find reading recommendations by grade level on the American Library Association’s book lists (see Web Resources). Organize a summer read-a-thon with goals for each family member, or sign your child up for your library’s summer book club.
Go global. Set aside several nights during the summer to have an international evening. Together, cook a meal with recipes from a different nation. Learn basic words in that country’s language. Find the country on a map, and together examine a book or article with information on what life is like there.
Sneak learning into family trips. If your family is able to take a vacation during the summer, include stops at zoos, children’s museums, or historic sites. Have your child help you plot out the journey using maps and keep a journal along the way. Older children can tally up miles, keep track of expenses, or compute gas mileage.
Get moving. Build physical activity into your child’s summer days. Even if he or she can’t participate in a local sports league or community-based team, encourage activities such as jumping rope, playing catch, and taking family walks. For more resources, look to your child’s school and your local library or community center for ideas to keep kids’ brains buzzing during the dog days of summer.
Web Resources:
The American Library Association compiles grade-level book lists.
www.ala.org/alsc/compubs/booklists/summerreadinglist
The National Summer Learning Association offers activities, tools, and links.
www.summerlearning.org/?page=activity_resource
No matter what you decide to do this summer have fun and stay safe. I am looking forward to seeing all of you (and more) back this fall! We go pretty “radio silent” in July, but check our website for updates and changes and know that I am always available through email. Don't forget to join us for Community Serve August 21 from 9-1. As always, thank you for continuing to make this an amazing place to work, learn, and play!
WE NEED YOUR HELP
Volunteers needed in a Moorlands Elementary drill on June 9th. We are practicing our procedures for Student Release in the event of a natural disaster or evacuation of the school grounds. Parents will be asked to come and pick up their own students and friends to test the system. Plan to come to school from 2:15 – 3:10. Please email Janice Finch at if you are available. Further instructions will be sent out prior to the drill date. Thank you for helping our school to be SAFE
Students of Character Awards
Trait: Integrity
Fox: AM: Kylie T., Zara Z., Langton M., Adela C., Brodie T., Kian F., Ryan O., Neil N., Tristan M.
Fox PM: Ruby M., Gracie R., Cole H., Hudson M., Lila B., Austin Z., Cooper S., Claire P., Sophie O.,
Tyler B.
Hink: Claire D., Treyton G., Charlotte H., Riese J., Hailey M., Reece M., Olivia P., Liam P., Braylon S., Logan S., Amelia S., Adalynn V., Kayla X.
Miller: Anders, Payton, Annabell, Iain, August, Dorothy, Nadira,
Snoots: Farrah B., Olivia T., Pia M., Adeline B., Daniel C., Nina G., Scarlett B., Lyra B.
Bannister: Riley W., Charle C., James H., Evan P., Chioma N.
Manning: Darya K., Hazel M., Victoria C., Ally F., Teo P., Siena S., Courtney C.
McDonald: Jude B., Cole M., Suhani P., Tyson A.
Stevenson:
Weinberg: Matty S., Teagan C., Maggie J., Sergei M., Anastasia M.
Finch/Hetherington: Aryan, Carson, Carter, Charlotte, Dorian, Jayden S, Joslynn, Karlie, Kenzie, Logan, Luka, Manny, & Michael
Kaufman: Aiden, Shaylen, Brooke, Arya, Colton, Abrey, Gunner, Alex
Scotti: Beckett S., Daniel O., Piper d. Emily N.
Wytko: Lily J., Sydney M., Oliver M., George H., Hazel R., Calle T, Agness I.
Iwafuchi: Bobae P., Elsa L, Lily B., Lucas T., Payton H., Tigerlily B., Victoria D.
Knappe: Gabe S., Danny W., Grace M., Tatev Y.
Nicholas: Wyatt B., Hollen H.
Cooper: Cate B., Sheridan G., Lily B., and Michael M.
Juett: Samantha F., Emily R., Lucy J., Leah Y.
Patashnik: Jarod M., Victoria P., Lauren J., Riley C., Emma O., Max S.
Sitthi: Rowen B., Evelyn E., Angel G., Joslyn G., Kyleigh H., Brandon M., Zoe M.
Klein: Cece D., Gabi C., Kaden H., Kiera F., Lauren C.
S. Miller: Samay S. ,Jocabed C. , Marek E.
Schmidtman: Arturo R., Caroline B., Elaine D., Jacob S., James Y., Meadow C., Sam H.
Weinstein: Kevin W., Kaito S., Jordan S., Annette C., Kate K.
Fullerton: Tate R., Sierra C., Taryn L., Noah L. Alex P. Gillianne B., Zoe T.
Smith: Reign M., Ruby B., Alex L., Lydia O. Erik A.
Rausch: Sophia B., Jason M., Emma N., Colbi Z., Gabriela P.
Wednesday, June 1st and June 15th are NOT early Release Days. Dismissal is at 3:10 pm
Last Day of School Dismissal is @ 10:40 am
DATES TO REMEMBER
JUNE
6/1 Volunteer Breakfast, Library …………………………………. 8–9:00 am
6/1 NO EARLY RELEASE, Dismissal @ …………………………… 3:10 pm
6/7 All School Picnic and Field Day ……………………………….
6/8 Early Release @ …………………………………………………. 1:35 pm
6/10 Spirit Day, Summer Fun ………………………………………..
6/13 6th Grade Party ……………………………………………………
6/15 NO EARLY RELEASE, Dismissal @ ……………………………. 3:10 pm
6/17 LAST DAY OF SCHOOL, Dismissal @ ………………………… 10:40 am
Dear Parents/Guardians,
This spring students in grades 3-8, 10 and 11, took the new Smarter Balanced Assessment in English/Language Arts (ELA) and mathematics. This online assessment was designed to measure the rigorous Common Core State Standards, which support our students graduating from high school, college and career ready. The high school ELA and mathematics assessments will also be used as a graduation requirement per current state law. This letter is to inform you of the timeline for reporting student scores to parents.
The scores from these assessments are first available internally to districts several weeks after testing. In accordance with state law, third grade parents will be informed of their student’s ELA scores this school year in order to provide summer reading support to identified students. All other grade level scores in ELA and mathematics will be sent to parents in the fall of 2016. Parents can expect to receive a copy of the student’s score report for ELA and mathematics with an explanatory letter sent to their home address by US Mail.
If you have questions, or would like more information, please see the Northshore School District website, Smarter Balanced Assessment at www.nsd.org/sba. You may also contact the Assessment Department.
Brandon Lagerquist, Student Data Analyst: , 425-408-7722
Stephanie Greany Instructional Support Specialist: , 425-408-7714
No Changes to Elementary Before-School Enrichment Music Program Next Year
Elementary Grade Reconfiguration Task Force is considering changes in fall 2017 in preparation for grade reconfiguration, and will gather community input on proposed options in fall 2016.
The elementary before-school music program is under review by the Elementary Grade Reconfiguration Task Force. At its May 26 meeting, the task force discussed the music program and recommendations made by a group of music specialists (elementary,junior high and high school). The task force decided that there would be no changes to the music program for next school year (2016-17); fourth grade strings will continue in its current format. The task force also discussed three or four potential options for 2017-18 and beyond when elementary schools move to K-5 with the implementation of grade reconfiguration. They will be working to determine the details of these potential options, including an analysis of costs and impacts. They want to create a survey to obtain parent input once they have details of each option. The survey would be developed and launched next school year. The task force would bring a recommendation to the school board for their consideration early October 2016. The program may change from its current format but phasing out or eliminating instrumental music is not an option that the task force is considering.
Important News from the Nurse
Jean Christensen, RN
425-408-5106
Leftover Medications at School
Please make arrangements to pick up your student’s leftover medication at school by the last student day. ANY MEDICATION LEFT IN THE BUILDING AFTER NOON ON JUNE 17, 2016 WILL BE DISCARDED. This applies to all medications including inhalers, and epi-injectors.
Medications or health procedures for next school year 2016-2017
All medication authorizations expire at the end of the school year.
If your student needs to take medication during school hours next year (including over-the-counter), parents must complete a new medication authorization form and have it signed by your health care provider. Medications can be brought in beginning in late August in a properly labeled container.You can obtain a copy of the Medication Authorization Form in the Moorlands Office or on the NSD or Moorlands website.
Students with life-threatening health conditions
Students who need medications, supplies and procedures for a life threatening condition such as diabetes, life-threatening allergies, seizures, or severe asthma with recent hospital visits, must have physician orders and supplies in place BEFORE the first day of school in the fall. This requirement is a state law and cannot be waived. Contact the nurse for a telephone or in-person appointment the week before school starts.
Immunization updates
6th Grade: This is a reminder that all 6th grade students need to have had a Tdap booster immunization after their 11th birthday. If you have not already done so please send in or e-mail me the date of the immunization so I can update their record before the first day of school.
New Enrollments (including kindergarten): If you were missing immunizations when you registered we must have all the missing dates on file on or before the first day of school. More information about immunizations can be found on the NSD or Moorlands website.
If you have any questions, please contact the school nurse.
Thank you and have a fun and safe summer!