First Day of School Information
Good afternoon,

We are so excited to welcome students back to MES on Wednesday! By now you should have received your teacher’s welcome letter and may have met them if you attended the Meet & Greet on Thursday. It was such a sweet way to end a very busy week of teacher preparation and professional development. Big thank you to the PTA for organizing and support this event!

Please note that the first day of school, Wednesday, is not an early release. We will end at 2:25. We can’t wait to see you all!

In partnership,

Kelly Walter

Ms. D.
Ms. D is not only an amazing 2nd grade teacher at MES, she is also doing her administrative internship with me this year! I am thrilled to work closely with her, learn from her and have a partner to collaborate with in this role. Below is a note from Ms. D!

l am a 2nd grade teacher here at MES and was part of the founding team that opened our school in 2019. This is my eleventh year teaching in Seattle and my fourteenth year teaching overall. I started my teaching career as a bilingual 2nd grade teacher and volleyball coach. I absolutely love my time in the classroom, and I’m looking forward to connecting with all of our students and their families this year!

I recently moved out of the city to Lake Forest Park and got engaged this summer! Outside of school I love to travel and go to big rock shows and sporting events.

Nuts & Bolts
Staffing Updates
Last week we hired many new staff and have some updates to share within the building. Our staff feels complete!

Kelly Lusnia- Academic Interventionist & part time Kindergarten teacher

Kevin Katz- 2nd grade

Veronica Beverly- SPP+

Tuvette McCrosky- Extended Resource Instructional Assistant

Sean O’Gara- Extended Resources Instructional Assistant

Caro Moehl- Lunchroom Supervisor

School Phycologist- Minda Tochihara

School OT (part time)- Emily Scifo

School PT- Zoe Geiger

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- Yay!

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.

Drop-off/Pick-up
During drop off and pick-up, students/ families may enter through the gates on McGraw or through the commons (lunchroom) on Smith. The entrance on Smith will be just south of the playground construction until it is complete. Please see the map below to note your student’s line spots. Supervision and breakfast starts at 7:35. Please note, there are no balls allowed on the playground before school. Bus riders and students being dropped from cars will exit on 28th. Do not drop your students off from cars on McGraw or Smith. There will be staff supervising that directs students to McGraw and into the courtyard. You and your students will be able to identify staff on duty because they will be wearing an orange vest. We are asking that students and families do not enter the front entrance or leave the commons area until the bell rings. This is important prep time for teachers. The commons, courtyard and drop-off on 28th will all be supervised.

Important Dates
9/6 First Day of School (grades 1-5) – dismissal at 2:25

9/11 First Day of School for Kindergarten and SPP+

9/13 First Wednesday early dismissal @ 1:10

9/15 PTA Back to School Picnic @ Ella Bailey – time TBD

9/19 PTA Positive Discipline Seminar for Parents- time TBD

9/28 MES Welcome Night 6:00-7:00

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.