Family Communication from Principal Kelly 9/8
Good Afternoon,
We had such an amazing three days back to school! It was so nice to see your students and all of their special connections to MES. This week students learned about each other, our school firms and what it means to be part of their new classroom community.
Please note that this coming, Wednesday, is an early release. We will end at 1:10.
I hope you have a relaxing weekend!
In partnership,
Kelly Walter
Important Dates
9/11 First Day of School for Kindergarten and SPP+
9/11 First day packets sent home- please return asap
9/13 First Wednesday early dismissal @ 1:10 pm
9/15 PTA Back to School Picnic @ Ella Bailey – 5:00pm
9/19 PTA Positive Discipline Seminar for Parents- time TBD
9/28 MES Welcome Night 6:00-7:00
Nuts and Bolts
School Lunch
If your student plans to buy lunch at school, add money to set up/ add money to their account.
Attendance
If your child will be absent from school, please send e-mail to your student’s teacher and magnolia.attendance@seattleschools.org.
School Supplies
For the 2023-24 school year, MES will provide ALL required supplies for students. In return, we are asking families for a $50 per student donation, if possible. All students will receive supplies regardless of the ability to pay.
Checks (made out to Magnolia Elementary, with “school supplies” in the memo), cash (exact amount only), and online payment through Schoolpay will be accepted.
Transportation
There will be transportation provided to student’s who are eligible this year. You should be receiving communication directly from SPS regarding your student’s transportation plan. If your family needs assistance with checking your eligibility for transportation, please contact the Transportation Department at 206-252-0900.
School Hours
Our school hours are 7:55am-2:25pm M,T, Th & F. After Wednesday, September 6th, our Wednesdays are early release. On early release Wednesdays, our school hours are 7:55am-1:10pm.
Playground Update
Below is the current installation timeline. Equipment was delivered on 9/5. I was notified today by the company SPS is contracting with that construction will start on 9/18 or sooner.
9/5 Equipment will be delivered.
9/11-9/22 Installation
9/25 Inspection
9/26 Wood chips put back (and more added)
*The temp fence will be taken down at some point around the wood chip date.
Firms, Repair & Restore, Logical Consequences
MES Firms
At MES we refer to our rules as “firms”. Our firms are our nonnegotiables in how we, as a community, will move through our shared spaces and classrooms. This week we have been learning the lunchroom firms. Students are taught these firms in classroom meetings, in the lunchroom and they will be revisited in our monthly assemblies. They are also posted in the spaces they belong for students, staff and families to refer to. As an adult at MES you might hear us referring to the firms to redirect a behavior or point out when a firm is being upheld. For example, calling the lunchroom’s attention and reminding students that “we use a table neighbor voice in the lunchroom when it gets too loud”. Our firms are also connected to our agreements.
Conflict Resolution
Some times conflict arises at school. Repairing that conflict is not only a logical consequence to conflict but part of the restorative process. We are using a template to help with conflict resolution and repair that we want to share with you. This template provides language and structure for students (and adults) to have a restorative conversation. Using this at home or with friends at the park is a nice way to support your students and create consistency.
Logical Consequences
Repair and resolution are logical consequences when harm has been caused. Sometimes, there is a need for additional consequences. Here are some examples of what that looks like at MES when a behavior is repeated and support and reteaching have been done.
Unsafe behavior on the playground~ alternative recess plan
Make a mess in the bathroom with food or toilet paper~ help Mr. Aaron clean-up the mess
Unkind words to friends~ repair (apologize)
PTA Updates
The Magnolia Elementary School (MES) Parent Teacher Association (PTA) welcome you and your family to the start of the 2023-2024 school year. We are a membership-based advocacy association run by volunteers dedicated to supporting our teachers in their mission to give the children the best education possible. Here are a few things we do:
- School and Community building events (popsicle events for incoming pre-K and K families, Fall Picnic, Harvest Festival, Movie Night, etc.)
- Organize Volunteers
- After-School Programming
- Families in need programs
- Buses and other financial support for school trips
- Curriculum support (workbooks, online subscriptions)
- Staff professional development trainings, Teacher stipends for classroom materials, and wish lists!
- Safety patrol support
- Yearbook and School Spirit Gear
We recommend that each of you take these simple steps to kick off the new school year:
- Stay Informed – Sign up for Orca Tales – PTA Newsletter
- Provide Support & Have Your Say – Become a PTA Member
- Get Involved – Become a Volunteer
September 2023 Calendar:
Sept 14th – General Volunteer Orientation – 8:15AM @Ella Bailey Park – All Volunteers welcome.
Sept 15th – Back to School Picnic at the Park – 5:30PM @ Ella Bailey Park – Bring your own food for the picnic.
Sept 19th – Parent Seminar on Positive Discipline – Time and location TBD
Sept 21st – After-School Program registration opens – 7:00PM – We are seeking volunteer After-School Program coordinators for each class, the volunteer(s) will receive early class spots. A limited number of scholarships are available. Please reach out to Evita before registration starts: afterschool@magnoliaschoolpta.org
Let’s all work together to build an amazing, inspirational, and educational community at Magnolia Elementary School.
Sincerely,
Your MES PTA Board
Families of Color Group at MES
Families of Color at MES will be meeting on the last Friday every month, weather permitting, from 4-5 at Ella Bailey. Our first meet up will be Friday, 9/29. Come meet other MES families of color!
The Families of Color group is open to any family at MES with at least one person in the household that identifies as a person of color. We are an evolving, growing group. For more information or to join the group, please contact Jennifer Lee: jylnourse@gmail.com.