STAR GAZER GAZETTE Monthly Newsletter

February 2017 Star Lake Elementary

Federal Way Public Schools

UPCOMING EVENTS Friday, Feb 17

SPIRIT DAY

Wacky Hair Day

Monday & Tuesday, Feb 20-21

MID WINTER BREAK

NO SCHOOL

Thursday & Friday, Feb 23 & 24

Eagle Mart Opens At 1:35

Tuesday, Feb 28

PTA MEETIMG

6:00-7:00 PM Library

Wednesday, Mar 1

EARLY DISMISSAL at 1:05 PM

Thursday, Mar 2

STATE OF STAR LAKE

6:00 PM Gym

Friday, Mar 3

PARENT COFFEE DRIVE BY

7:45-8:15 AM , Drop off zone

Friday, Mar 3

LAST DAY TO ORDER A YEARBOOK $8

Wed & Thurs, Mar 8 & 9

STUDENT CONFERENCES/BOOK FAIR

Teachers will set up times to visit with you

NO SCHOOL

Friday, Mar 10

TEACHER INSERVICE DAY

NO SCHOOL

LOOKING AHEAD Friday, Mar 17

SPIRIT DAY

Go Green! - Wear Green

Tuesday, Mar 21

PTA Meeting

6:00-7:00 PM Library

Wednesday, Mar 22

EARLY DISMISSAL at 1:05 PM

Thursday, Mar 23

BATTLE OF THE BOOKS

1:00 PM Gym

Thursday, Mar 30

MULTICULTURAL NIGHT

6-7:30 PM Gym

Greetings Star Lake Families,

Our first semester is behind us now and we are continu-ing the daily instruction, practice, skill and concept building necessary to increase academic growth and move all of our students toward meeting standard. Last month, our classroom teachers reviewed assignments, conducted assessments and created report cards which you received on February 3rd. The report card shows the standards on which your child is working and their current progress. I was so pleased to see the growth so many of our students have made in reading and math since September! Federal Way Public Schools is hosting our first annual STEM Explora-tion Night on February 23rd from 5:00pm – 7:30pm at Federal Way High School. Please come join the fun with friends and fami-ly to experience the life of STEM careers, training programs, and stu-dent projects. Our two February early dismissals have been dedicated to data. Star Lake staff has been analyzing academic, attendance, discipline and survey data to determine our areas of growth, assess our SIP goal pro-gress, and develop our action plan for the next six to twelve weeks. This consistent review and analysis of data, aligned with action plan-ning, keeps our School Improvement Plan alive and aligned with our District Strategic Plan. I would like to invite all of our parents to the first annual “State of Star Lake” address on Thursday, March 2nd at 6:00pm. I will share our SIP progress, the data we analyzed as a staff, our goals and action plans and ask parents for feedback and input. We will have activities for students to engage in while parents meet with me in the gym. Please watch for a flyer with more details coming home soon. I hope to see you on March 2nd! Over the next few weeks, our 3rd -5th grade students will be taking practice “Interim Block” assessments in preparation for the up-coming State Smarter Balanced Assessment. These practice assess-ments are about 30-60 minute chunks of sample assessments that mirror what students might see on the SBA and provide the oppor-tunity for students to practice the on-line tools and keyboarding skills they will use on the actual assessment later this spring. We will be sending our Smarter Balanced Assessment schedule home to you mid-March and students will begin taking the assessment in April and May…more details to come! Spring is just around the corner and I love the growth and blossoming that it brings; both in my garden and in our school with our children! Best Regards, Kris Rennie Principal

PRESCHOOL

ECEAP and Head Start registration for the 16-17 school year is still open! If you have a child that turned 3 or 4 before August 31, 2016, and have limited financial resources, you may be eligible for free preschool. ECEAP and Head Start classrooms are located throughout the Feder-al Way school district; both full day and part day sites are available. For the first time, the Federal Way district Early Learning program has a very small waiting list!

Please email samoore@fwps.org or call 253-945-4076 to get more information, or pick up an applica-tion at the front office!

Positive Behavior Intervention System (PBIS) Positive Behavior is on a roll here at Star Lake. Remem-ber you receive Star Lake Way tickets for following our Eagle Pride skills: Safe, Kind, Productive! Congratulations to the following students who have turned in more than 20 tickets at Eagle Mart.

Van De Riet: Isaac (X2), Bailey , Dreson , Dylan, Jazmine, Rebecca

Hall: Alex, Happiness, Shaylynn, Elliott, Kaylen, Evan

Withrow: Dante (X2), Brett, Michael, Rachel

Whitling: Brandon (X2), Gabby, Brian, Natalya

Coleman: Miracle, Shirani, Caden, Tiona

Shaw: Jose

Stroud: Laquisha

Karlan: Aileen

Pizarro: Karess

Bartlett: James

Dyer: Presley, Isabelle

Kevin in Miss Hall’s class has saved 100 tickets and has chosen a ticket to the Pizza Party. Nice Job!

NURSE’S NOTES The mumps outbreak continues to spread in King county. As of 2/7/17, there have been more than 179 mumps cases in King County, mainly in the cities of Auburn, Kent and Federal Way. The Public Health Dept is holding a free vaccine clinic to help slow the spread of mumps on Saturday, Feb 18 from 11-4:00

WHAT: Free vaccines for children and adults for: Mumps (MMR) for anyone who has not had 2 doses Flu Whooping cough (Tdap) WHERE: Healthy Auburn Resource Expo (FREE!) Les Grove Campus 910 9th Street, Auburn, WA 98002

This is a Free Community Event with workshops, exhibits, free screenings and vaccinations.

Information on mumps:

What is mumps?

Mumps is an illness caused by a virus that can cause fever, head-

ache, and swelling of the cheeks and jaw. In rare cases, mumps can

lead to more serious complications that may require hospitalization.

Up to 30% of people with mumps infection will have no symptoms.

How is mumps spread?

A person with mumps can spread the virus by coughing, sneezing, or

talking. It can also be spread by sharing cups or eating utensils, and

by touching objects or surfaces with unwashed hands that are then

touched by others.

Who is at risk of getting mumps*?

Infants who are too young to receive mumps vaccine (under 1 year

of age).

Children over 1 year of age who have not received at least 1 dose

of MMR

Adults born in or after 1957 who have not been vaccinated or have

not previously had mumps disease.

If you are unsure of your child’s vaccination status please contact

your health care provider.

* Note: Persons born before 1957 probably had mumps as children

and are usually considered immune.

What should I do now?

Watch your child for symptoms of mumps.

If your child develops any of the symptoms listed above:

Call your child’s healthcare provider and tell them about your

child’s symptoms and that he or she may have been exposed to

mumps. Bring or read this note to the health care provider.

Keep your child home and away from other persons and from pub-

lic settings until he or she has been evaluated by a healthcare provid-

er.

If you have additional questions please contact your health

care provider.

Wednesday, March 1st EARLY RELEASE

Students at Star Lake will be dismissed at 1:05 pm. Breakfast and lunch will be served as usual.

Students who ride the bus will have regular bus service transportation at 1:05.

Parents who usually pick up students may pick up at 1:05. Contact our Star Lake Office if there is a hardship.

Traffic Tips

Please take a moment to review the current Washington State Law for Child Restraints listed below. We want every scholar to be safe when riding in any vehicle.

Washington's Child Restraint law:

. Children under 13 years old must be transported in the back seat where it is practical to do so.

. Children up to their 8th birthday, unless they are 4'9" tall (which ever comes first), must ride in a child restraint. (For example a child car seat, boost-er seat, vest, or other restraint that is federally ap-proved for use in the car.)

. The restraint system must be used correctly ac-cording to the car seat AND vehicle manufacturer's instructions.

. Vehicles equipped with lap-only seat belts are ex-empt from the requirement to use a booster seat.

. Children 8-years of age or at least 4'9" who wear a seat belt MUST use it correctly (never under the arm or behind the back) or continue to use a boost-er.

Shoulder belts must be used with booster seats at all times! A child is exempt from the booster seat law requirement, only when a child weighs 40 pounds or more and is in a vehicle with lap-only belts.

NOTE: Doctors and safety experts recommend that children ride in booster seats until the lap and shoulder belt fit right, usually when they are at least 4'9" tall, or around 8 years old.

The fine for improperly restrained children in mo-tor vehicles is at least $112 per child.

For more information on choosing the safest seat for your child, please call 1-800-BUCK-L-UP toll-free.

Come Get A Cup Of Coffee!

Hello Star Lake Families,

Our Parent Coffee House will be a little bit different this month. On Friday, March 3rd at 7:45-8:15 AM in the front school drop off zone we will have coffee available as you drop your students off in the morning. Grab a quick cup of coffee and let us know your concerns and

our successes. The principal and family liaison will be there to visit with you.

Hope to see you there!

Hello from Eagle Academy!

We've had a great month playing sports, building with Legos, creating art, programming, and the list goes on!

THERE WILL BE NO EAGLE ACADEMY FEBRUARY 17TH OR MARCH 31ST!

A field trip is planned and coming up soon! Keep an eye out for more info.

Thanks to all our fantastic partners in the school for sup-porting us every day.

You are the best!

Miss Amy

KINDERGARTEN

REGISTRATION HAS BEGUN

Kindergarten Registration for 2017-2018 is now available. If you have a child who will be turning 5 by August 31, 2017, they are eligible to enroll in Kindergarten. A registration packet is available in the main office or you can register online. The fol-lowing documents need to accompany the completed regis-tration packet:

Proof of Residence

Copy of Birth Certificate

Immunization Record

Please pass this information along!

INTERESTED IN CODING?!

Spaces are still available for sessions three and

four of Learning to Code with Mr. Leonard. The program

is open to 4th and 5th grade students with an interest in

learning to program. Forms should be returned as soon as

possible before Thursday, February 23rd.

ASSEMBLY

We would like to welcome the Tap Root Theatre

on Thursday, Feb 23rd at 9:00 AM in the Gym. They

will be performing the play “Camp Super Friend”.

This will be a great way to continue to enhance our

positive social climate at Star Lake.

The Star Lake Battle of the Books 2017 will be on Thursday, March 23rd at 1pm in the gym.

Student teams are reading, practicing and studying hard this month.

Parents are welcome to attend ‘The Battle’!

Attend School Today,

Graduate Tomorrow!

We are half way through the school year. Attend-ance is a major part of student success in the classroom. Regular attendance is the expectation throughout the school year. Remember if a stu-dent misses 10% of school or 18 days out of the year, that student is chronically absent. If your child is sick and needs to stay home, please contact the main office at 253-945-4000 to excuse their absence. Thank you, Kathy Miller Data Secretary

MULTI-CULTURAL NIGHT

Star Lake is hosting a Multi-Cultural Night on Wednesday, March 30. This is a great chance to learn about and celebrate other cul-tures in our community.

Does your family have a traditional dish that you love to share? Please bring your favorite cultural dish to Multicultural Night. Enjoy some delicious food from around the world. All we need with your dish is a list of ingredients for people with aller-gies.

We are also looking for cultural performers. Do you know of a cul-tural performer who would be willing to perform at our event? Performances could include dancing, a song or something else. Please contact Ms. Dine at 253-945-4027 or cdine@fwps.org with any questions or if you know of a performer or if you would like to get involved yourself.

Look for more information to come soon!

A HEART FOR TJ

Thomas Jefferson High School has a very

special evening planned for March, 4, 2017! Everyone

is invited to join us in a celebration of TJHS students

at our annual TJRPM Dinner and Auction: “A Heart

for TJ”.

The fun kicks off at 5:00 pm at Emerald Downs, 2300

Emerald Downs Drive, Auburn, WA.

TJRPM is hosting this event to generate support for

our students pursuing the “Four A’s”: Academics, Ac-

tivities, Athletics and Arts.

Please visit our website, www.tjrpm.org, to purchase

tickets and learn more about this important event.

Hope to see you all there!

BOOK FAIR: The Scholastic Book Fair will be at our school March 8th and 9th with Pre-

view days starting the 2nd!

Our Book Fair theme for spring 2017 is Happy Camper Book Fair: S’more

fun with books! This season’s Book Fair will be a fun wilderness

adventure full of exciting activities and s’more books.

We need your help! You can help PTA by volunteering your time at

www.SignUpGenius.com/go/10C0B44A5A72FA7F85-spring

Or by contacting Shelby Beeler, PTA Treasurer

at the_beelers@msn.com or 206-228-1727

The fair will be open:

March 8 : 9am – 7pm

March 9 : 9am- Noon

Pick up a book and support PTA - assemblies,

Spirit Days, Field trips, and classroom materials.

Safety Patrol:

The Star Lake Safety Patrol is continu-

ing to accept new patrollers. If you are

10 years old or older and wish to join our team to

help keep our community safe, please get a per-

mission form at recess or outside the office.

Completed applications should be returned to Mr.

Leonard.

CHOICE ENROLLMENT Applications to participate in the 2017-2018 Choice Enrollment Lottery are available February 1–28, at the schools, the Educa-tional Service Center (ESC), and online. Parents of students living within the boundaries of Federal Way Public Schools (FWPS) may apply to "choice" their child into a school other than their resident area school. All Choice Enrollment applications are due by 4:30 p.m., February 28, at ESC, 33330 8th Avenue South, Federal Way, WA 98003. Students living outside the district: For students living outside of the district boundaries, applications accompanied by a Choice Transfer Request (release) from the student’s resident school district may be submitted to ESC August 1st – 31st. Non-resident ap-plicants will be placed on the wait list for the requested school and grade level and will be accepted on a space-available basis after in-district applicants are placed. If your Choice Enrollment for Star Lake ends this year, you will need to reapply by the end of February to enter your name in the lottery. Please call our office if you have any questions.

PTA NEWS: Star Lake PTA's yearbook committee is now accepting fifth grade dedications along with yearbook order forms. Dedications for the yearbook are for fifth grade students only; families are limited to two dedica-tions per student. Each dedication is $10 and is a separate charge added to the $8 yearbook cost. Submit one photograph of your student along with a message 300 characters or less. Extra order forms are avail-able in the office. All dedication and yearbook orders are due March 3.

We are still actively seeking volunteers to take on leadership roles and would invite members to consider chairing a committee or running for Executive Board next year. Vacancies will be in the positions of President, Vice-President and Secretary. Elections will be in April with an opportunity to attend training at the WSPTA Convention in SeaTac on April 28-30.

Star Lake is fortunate to have a PTA designation, which allows us an audience with local, state and national lawmak-ers. Last month, delegates from our local council and district attended Focus Day in Olympia to receive advocacy train-ing and speak to lawmakers about education. Now more than ever, our school's connection to this PTA network is vi-tal. Many families are watching closely to see what changes are in store for public education during this next legislative session. PTA Membership gives you a voice and support to advocate for your child. Please consider submitting your $11 membership dues and join in the conversation at our next meeting, Tuesday, February 28 at 6 pm in the li-brary. You can follow WSPTA's advocacy efforts at: wsptagrassroots.blogspot.com

Questions? Please contact President Karin Schuyleman at starlakepta@yahoo.com

STUDENT LED CONFERENCES

Student Led Conferences will be held on March 8 & 9. Similar to our Fall Conferences, you will have an individ-ual conference with your student’s teacher. This will be scheduled for each and every student in our school. Spring Conferences will NOT be an open house style as they have been in the past. Please look for the form to come home with your student to sign up for the time that will work best for you. Let’s celebrate our students’ accomplish-ments together!!

Simple activities can bring out the scientist in your child

Every day is filled with opportunities for parents to help chil-dren learn science. And you don’t have to have a background in science to do it—or expensive chemistry sets and books. Just encourage your child to observe what goes on in the world around her. Together:

Keep a weather chart. Keep track of the temperature and other weather conditions every day for an entire month.

Watch the moon as it goes through its phases. Have your child record the changes she sees.

Watch a TV show about science and discuss what you each learn.

Take a walk at night and look at the stars. Can your child identify some constellations? If not, look for a book or a smart phone app to help.

Figure out how the spin cycle of the washing machine gets the water out of the clothes.

Adopt a tree. Every day, observe the changes in the tree. Are the leaves emerging? Are the branches grow-ing?

Visit a nearby park or nature preserve. Have your child record the animals you see. Classify them as mammals, birds, reptiles, etc.

Use a magnifying glass to look closely at a flower, a bug or a hair from your child’s head.

Begin a collection of shells, rocks or leaves. Each time you and your child add something new, talk about how it compares with the other items you’ve gathered.

LIMITING CLASSROOM DISRUPTIONS:

We are into 2nd semester now at school

and want to remind parents of ways you

can help us to minimize our classroom dis-

ruptions.

If you need to talk to your student’s teacher,

please email them or leave a phone message. Vis-

iting during class time disrupts everyone.

Students now know where their classes are, and

no longer need a parental escort to their class.

We also discourage parents from bringing flowers

or balloons to their student during class. If you

want to bring class treats, please make sure there

is enough for everyone, they are store bought and

also contact your teacher ahead of time to let

them know treats are coming that day.