Dear Families,

We had a wonderful first three days of school and welcomed our pre-k and kindergarten students today! Our students are working on a school-wide project (project-based learning mini-unit) that starts with the question, how can we make this the best year yet? Each grade level is assigned a common space (lunchroom, recess) or a task (getting to know the grown-ups at MES, 5th-grade mentoring Kindergarten) to work on and this will be shared school-wide at the end of September. This is a beautiful way for students to take ownership of our community!

I want to extend a very big thank you to our PTA Vice President, S’rae West, and the many volunteers who have worked so hard to improve safety at drop-off and pick-up. McGraw is closed to traffic, which has allowed a calmer and safer entrance into the playground in the morning and leaving in the afternoon. Additionally, they have also brought back student safety patrol. The more students and adults we have present for greeting students and helping to direct traffic the better. This week, the city will officially close McGraw to thru traffic with signage and barriers making it a school street please see the flyer below for more information. Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our students safe!

Magnolia Elementary has a School Street that is open for students and adults walking, rolling, and biking and closed to pass through traffic, including parents. Visit the Seattle Department of Transportation website to learn more.

Thank you for your support and see you soon!

In Partnership,
Principal Kelly

Welcome Back to School from Paige our MES PTA President

Hello Orcas!

Welcome to another fantastic year at Magnolia! I am your new PTA President, Paige Ronsen. I’m mom to one Magnolia Orca, Ben (in 2nd grade). In my free time I love to be with my family, playing or watching soccer, and painting. I work in the non-profit sector here in the Greater Seattle area. I am excited to be taking on this new role in our community in alignment with our schools founding values and principles. If there’s ever anything I can do to help your family have a better school experience please do not hesitate to reach out to me at president@magnoliaschoolpta.org I look forward to getting to know more of you this year!

Some PTA reminders:

• Join the PTA (no time commitment required!): Your membership creates a strong voice for Magnolia Elementary when we advocate for our students at a district, state, and national level. The closer we are to 100% participation the more the district and state understand how committed our community is to our school.
• We have some positions that we still need to fill on our board! Please reach out, I’d love to meet with you and talk about how you’d like to get involved.

Important Dates

• Wed, Sep 11: First Wednesday early dismissal at 1:10pm
• Fri, Sep 13: 5:00pm – Back to School Picnic at Ella Bailey Park
• Wed, Sep 18: MES PTA After-School Program Fall Session Registration Opens
• Wed, Sep 18: 8:00am – MES Volunteer In-Person Training (At MES)
• Thu, Sep 19: 6:00pm – MES Volunteer Virtual Training
• Fri, Sep 20: MES PTA After-School Program Fall Session Registration Closes
• Mon, Sep 30: MES PTA After-School Program Fall Session Starts
• Thu, Oct 10: 6:30pm – 7:30pm – MES Welcome Night at MES

Orca Pod Launch
On Friday we launched Orca Pods. Classes have been intentionally paired with buddy classrooms that will meet every Friday this year! Adults who are not classroom teachers will join a pod to build community school-wide. Each month will have a theme and book attached to it and each week buddies will meet to engage in different activities tied to the text. On the last Friday of the month, we will come together with an all-school assembly to celebrate our learning. See the poster highlighting the monthly themes and the texts chosen for this year. Thank you to our Race & Equity team who worked hard to implement this program!

Keep Our Students Safe during Drop-Off and Pick-Up
We had an amazing start to the school year as everyone worked together to implement and follow our Drop-Off and Pick-Up procedures. Thank you to everyone who volunteered and who supported this important change.

We ask that everyone continues to support this approach and continue to familiarize yourself with the guidance which can be found on the MES PTA Website.

We continue to need Adult and Student (5th Grade) volunteers so please sign up now!

We are always open to feedback, however, when it comes to safety we insist you follow these guidelines. If you have feedback you can share it with Principal Kelly or the MES PTA outside the drop-off pick-up time window by email, phone call or in person.

Thank you for your support!

Volunteer at Magnolia Elementary School!

Volunteers are vital to our success.
Why Volunteer?

• Support teachers and staff in providing the best education.
• Enhance the school experience for our students.
• Build our Community!

Get Approved, Trained, and Join the Mailing List:

• Renew SPS Approval: Check if your approval is still valid; renewal is required every two years.
• Join the MES Volunteer Email List
• Attend the Mandatory MES Volunteer Training – either Wed, Sep 18, 8:00am In-Person or Thu, Sep 19, 6:00pm Virtual – Please RSVP Here

Sign Up for Volunteer Opportunities

Sign up for Available Volunteer Opportunities

• MES PTA Adult Safety Patrol
• MES PTA Student Safety Patrol
• Lunch / Recess Supervision
• MES PTA Fall After-School Program

MES PTA After-School Program Fall Session

Lottery Sign Up Opens Wed, Sep 18, 2024

The MES PTA After-School Program Fall Session will run from Sep 30 to Dec 13, 2024.

Please mark your calendar for the Fall Session sign up which will be open from Wed, Sep 18 to Fri, Sep 20, 2024. If you are successful in the Lottery you will need to register from Sat, Sep 21 to Sun, Sep 22, 2024. General registration for any remaining open spots will start Mon, Sep 23, 2024.

To see the classes that will be offered please visit the MES PTA After-School Program Website. There may be one or two changes before the Sign Up opens.

If you would like to submit a scholarship request please reach out to our Families in Need coordinator, your classroom teacher, or our social worker before Fri, Sep 20, 2024.

If you have any questions please email our After-School Program team.

Neurodiversity & Special Education Awareness at MES
Magnolia Elementary School endeavors to assist our students and families in navigating the complex world of special education and to narrow our invisible neuro-cultural divide. With this in mind, we have created a role on our PTA board for a Neurodiversity and Special Education Chair. Our goal is to foster a safe space for families and students who participate in special education programs and/or are neurodivergent, to connect and establish a community of support.

To find out more about our Neurodiversity & Special Education Family Kinship Group or to receive communications regarding neurodiversity and special education awareness and learning opportunities, please email Amy Read Stanton at areadstanton@magnoliaschoolpta.org.

Become a Member of the MES PTA!
Support MES and have a voice in our community.
Benefits of Membership:

• Influence how the MES PTA is run.
• Show your commitment to an amazing, inclusive community.
• Receive Washington State PTA Discounts.

Membership Details:

• Annual Renewal Required: Remember to renew each year.
• Fee: $20, but everyone is welcome regardless of ability to pay. If you need assistance, please email our Membership Lead.