October 23, 2023: NHE Family Newsletter

Oct 23 2023

Dear NHE Families,

This past week marked National School Bus Safety Week, emphasizing the crucial role of school buses in our students’ education and the importance of safety. At NHE, we encourage eligible students to use school bus services to reduce congestion, our carbon footprint, and foster community.

To ensure safety, please consider the following:

Getting ready for school:

– Encourage children to pack all necessary items in a backpack.

– Suggest wearing bright colors for visibility.

– Ensure punctuality at the bus stop.

Walking to the Bus Stop:

– Accompany young children or encourage group walking.

– Teach good pedestrian behavior.

At the Bus Stop:

– Advise waiting where the driver can see them.

– Prohibit playing in the street.

Getting on and off the bus:

– Instruct not to pick up dropped items; notify the driver.

– Remind to look right when exiting.

– Wait on the correct side of the street when meeting your child.

At our school, we hold a deep commitment to the safety of everyone within our community. We sincerely thank you for your cooperation in following these guidelines. Together, let’s keep our dolphins safe during their journey to and from school!

In partnership,

Alison Hook

Assistant Principal

Important Information:

Seeking Veteran’s Day Photos for Assembly on 11/9

We are putting together a Veteran’s Day Assembly PowerPoint that will be shared during the whole school assembly on Thursday, 11/9. We want to honor the veterans in our own community by putting together a slideshow of veterans that our students know- either in their own families or among friends.

If you would like to honor the veterans that you know in our slideshow, please send Maureen Hallock (hallockm@bsd405.org) a picture of each veteran by Friday, 11/03 and include the following:

Picture
Name of the veteran
Branch of military
Name of student
Relation (family/friend) to the student

We would also love to invite you to join the assembly with your families on November 9th from 8:20-9:00 in the gym/cafeteria. Please sign in at the office and find a seat.

*If you or someone who is attending is a Veteran, please come and if you can come in your uniform that would be wonderful. We will be acknowledging you/them and thanking you/them for your/their service.

Families, please note that on November 10th there will be no school in honor of Veteran’s Day.

We need your input! Survey for Breakfast at Newport Heights

As a school we would like to measure the interest of a potential breakfast program at NHE. Our school does not currently offer breakfast, however if interest is high our fabulous nutrition services team would be willing to bring this to our school. Please fill out the survey to better understand your interest for your family.

Survey Link: https://forms.office.com/r/MLmr5cE3Lh

The Breakfast Menu can be found at https://bsd405.org/services/nutrition-services/lunch/

Breakfast price: $2.25
Students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch: Free Breakfast

PTA News:

PTA General Meeting on November 9th @ 7pm

This is a fantastic opportunity to connect with members of the PTA and learn about what is happening at NHE

Trunk or Treat on October 27th @ 6pm

Come join us at the Newport Heights Elementary parking lot on 10/27/23 @ 6pm-8:30pm for a FREE gathering as our PTA and volunteers provide a sensory friendly, inclusive Halloween experience. Collect candies and goodies from our themed trunks while celebrating the fun of Halloween within a safe space for all our kids and families. Non-food treats will be available for families with food allergies and dietary needs.

The PTA will also be having a pumpkin decorating contest. Bring your best pumpkin and vote on the following categories:

Most spooky
Most silly
Most unique
Most realistic
Best overall

Winners in each category will be awarded a special prize.

PTA is in need of more “Trunker” volunteers to decorate their vehicle trunks, come in costume, and hand out the PTA provided candy. If you would like to make this event a huge success, please sign up at: https://www.nhe-pta.org/volunteer/119004.

Spirit Week on October 30th – November 3rd

NHE Spirit Week is coming soon! Every day of the week starting on October 30th will have a different theme. Students and Staff are invited to come to school dressed in the theme of the day to show some school spirit!

Here are the themes:

Monday – Dapper Day : Dress to impress in your fanciest outfit
Tuesday – Create-Your-Own Day : Use your imagination and dress however you would like
Wednesday – Class Color Day : K: Red, 1st: Orange, 2nd: Yellow, 3rd: Green, 4th: Blue, 5th: Purple
Thursday – Dress Like Your Teacher Day : Can you dress up like your teacher?
Friday – Dolphin Day : Show us your Dolphin Pride in blue & white

BSD News:

Family Input Wanted for the Middle School Consolidation Study

Middle School Consolidation Study Community Engagement Opportunities Community engagement for the Middle School Consolidation Study will begin the week of October 23. Community forums will be held at each of the five comprehensive middle schools, where participants will review the demographer findings, discuss the implications, and share thoughts with district leaders. The district is committed to deeply listening to the communities we serve. The schedule is as follows:

Chinook – Monday, October 23, 6:00 p.m.
Tillicum – Tuesday, October 24, 6:00 p.m.
Odle – Wednesday, October 25, 6:00 p.m.
Highland – Thursday, October 26, 6:00 p.m.
Online meeting for all families – Friday, October 27, 10:00 a.m.
Tyee – Monday, October 30, 6:00 p.m.

These meetings are open to all members of the public and ensure one meeting for the schools in each middle school attendance zone (including the elementary schools and the high school(s) it sends students to). Participants at each forum will have the option to attend smaller sessions for groups that will be impacted such as dual language, advanced learning etc. or groups that have been historically marginalized or underserved in our education system. Details on these concurrent sessions will be finalized posted on the Middle School Consolidation Study timeline and shared by each school. Participants will have the opportunity to provide both group and individual feedback on a survey.

Learn more about these sessions on the district website.

Boys and Girls Clubs of Bellevue Grand Opening on October 31st

Boys & Girls Clubs of Bellevue is excited to invite the community to the grand opening and ribbon cutting for the newly renovated Lake Hills Clubhouse. The ceremony will take place on Tuesday, October 31, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at 15228 Lake Hills Blvd. Join us for this pre-trick-or-treat celebration!

The renovation signifies a milestone in our mission to support youth in our community and includes a state-of-the-art STEM and technology center, a sports court, plus a teen and youth center. This transformation allows us to now serve an additional 100 teens and youth, from nine Bellevue School District schools, providing them with a safe space and nurturing environment when they are out of school. Come join us at the grand opening and help celebrate the new Lake Hills Clubhouse! Learn more on the event flyer. All families are encouraged to come in costume with trick-or-treating for kids in the building! Fun for all.

PTSA Internet Awareness Event for Families in Grades 4-7

Please join the Bellevue PTSA Council for a free family-focused session about the fundamentals of digital citizenship. Hear about ways students can be internet smart and safe. This event is made available by the Bellevue PTSA Council through a grant from the National PTSA and Google.