Dear Redmond El Families!
 
We have had a wonderful start to the school year. Thank you to all who have learned and are honoring our new building entry control systems. Again, please understand that adults may only enter the main entrance and that photo ID MUST be brought with you each time. We appreciate everyone’s efforts in keeping our kids safe and secure.
 
Weather: As you have no doubt noticed, in fall it rains in the Pacific Northwest. In fact, it rains a LOT. And then it’s sunny. And windy. And then it might rain some more. It’s hard to keep up with. How is a parent to plan?
•    Please dress your child for wet weather EVERY day – a waterproof coat with a hood and closed toes shoes. If boots are worn (which are a great idea) gym shoes may be kept in their backpack for PE.
•    While a spare set of dry socks in a backpack is a good idea, please understand that we cannot change kids at school when they become wet – we do not have the space to do so. We remind kids regularly where good places are to play, and will close certain areas at recess for safety. However, sometimes puddles are very tempting, and if a student chooses to get wet or muddy, they may learn this is not a great plan. If a student accidentally falls down and gets wet, we will, of course, help them.
•    Students MAY use umbrellas, as long as they are used for shelter from rain and not for poking or sword-fighting. :)
•    Put YOUR CHILD’S NAME in permanent marker in EVERYTHING. Even if they are in 5th grade. Every year, we donate so many items to charity from our Lost and Found – a name helps us get it back to you if lost.
Health: With a new year comes new illnesses. It is okay to send your child to school if they have the sniffles, but here’s when we need you to keep them home:
•    Vomiting: Students must be home for at least 24 hours after the last bout of vomiting. Please also treat diarrhea the same way.
•    Fever: Students must be fever free (Under 100 degrees) for 24 hours before returning to school.
You know your child best. If they are complaining of not feeling well and are not acting like themselves, please trust your parental instincts and keep them home. We will all do our best when we keep one another healthy, which includes resting when needed.
 
Finally, if your student will be out sick, call SAFE ARRIVAL at 425-936-2661 as soon as you know they will be out so we can document their absence correctly.
 
Thank you all. Have a wonderful week!
 
Kirsten
 

Dear Redmond Elementary Families,
 
I appreciate all that you have done to help your students make a great start to the school year. They have been on time (mostly) and have really jumped back in to a positive and engaging year of learning.
 
In a few days, I will send you the link to the online Student Handbook. Signature sheets will be sent home for you and your child to sign. A limited number of paper copies will be available in the office.
 
A few reminders for everyone:
•    The only entrance that can be used for the school is the main entrance. Please ring the bell, state the purpose of your visit and your name, and we will buzz you in to the building.
•    Upon entry, come immediately to the office to present identification, sign in and get a name badge. Please always come with ID even if you know we know who you are. :)
•    Please realize that any staff member who sees an adult without an visitor badge on will approach you and direct you to the office. This is their responsibility and we are all learning and adjusting this year.
Your kids have done great – they will be TIRED (and possibly cranky) these next few weeks as they develop their stamina, so please do all that you can to help them eat healthy meals and get a good night’s sleep. If you need help at all, please ask.
 
Have a wonderful week.
 
Kirsten Gometz
 

Dear Redmond Elementary Families, 
 
Welcome to a new year! We are excited to welcome our new and returning students and families! Your teachers and staff are all busy getting the school ready to welcome everyone at Meet and Greet on August 30. Please read below for important dates and information.  
 
Meet the Teacher 08/30, 3:00-4:00: Teacher assignments will be shared via email and posted in the halls. Students and parents are invited to come meet the teacher, find their classroom, and find out where to line up for the first day of school. Teacher assignments will be emailed just prior to opening our doors. Supply fee checks will be accepted in classrooms; please read below for details.
 
Curriculum Night 08/30: Parents/Guardians are invited to come hear from our PTSA and Principals, and to learn about the coming year from the classroom teachers. Please join us in the gym before heading to student classrooms. Conference sign-ups will be in the classrooms. 

We prefer that this is an adult event, but if you have no child care, we would rather have you bring your children than miss this time with us. No child care is provided. 

5:30-5:50 Parents of students in grades K, 1, 2, and 2/3Q meet with Principals and PTSA in the Gym. Information about our new building access control system will be shared, as well as information about school policies and volunteer opportunities. Please plan to attend. 
6:00-6:50 Parents go to their child's K, 1, 2, or 2/3Q classroom for important information from your child's new teacher(s). K parents will also sign up for Family Connections Meetings. 
 
6:30-6:50 Parents of students in grades 3, 4, 5, and 4/5Q meet with Principals and PTSA in the Gym. (If you also have children in primary grades, you do not need to attend this session again.) Information about our new building access control system will be shared, as well as information about school policies and volunteer opportunities. Please plan to attend. 
7:00-7:50 Parents go to their child's 3, 4, 5, or 4/5Q classroom for important information from your child's new teacher(s). 
 
2018-2019 BELL TIMES HAVE CHANGED!
9:20-3:50 Mon, Tue, Thurs, Fri. The first Wednesday (09/05) will also release at 3:50. 
Please ensure your child is AT school by 9:10. There is no student supervision before 9:05.
9:20-2:20 Wednesdays (Except 09/05)
PLEASE NOTE: The office closes at 4:00 pm. You MUST be on time to pick up your child. 
No supervision is available after 4:00 and as per LWSD policy we must call Redmond Police to transfer custody of unattended minors. 
 
Tuesday, 09/04: FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL for students in grades 1-5. Please have your child ride the bus if they will do so at all, as important safety procedures are taught early. Communication will come from our transportation department with pick-up times and locations if your student is a bus rider. Please expect bus routes to take longer in the first few weeks of school. 
Wednesday, 09/05: Full Day Wednesday (3:50 release)
Friday 09/07: FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL for kindergarten students
 
2018 School Supply Fees: Redmond Elementary has pre-ordered most school supplies in bulk, to alleviate parent stress and to keep your costs lower. We ask that you make sure your child has a sturdy backpack, and a pencil box. Students in grades 3-5 and 2/3Q also need earbuds or headphones.
(Please email our counselor clapuente@lwsd.org, myself kgometz@lwsd.org, or your child's teacher if you need assistance with these items.)

Fees: (Payable in classrooms at Curriculum Night - checks payable to Redmond Elementary)
K, 1, 2, 3: $30 per child
4, 5: $35 per child
2/3Q, 4/5Q: $40 per child

If you need assistance, please mark this on the fee envelope or let me or your child's teacher know.
If you would like to "pay it forward" for another family in our community who may need assistance, please do. You can mark this on your envelope as well.
 
This is a lot of information, I know. Please email me with any questions. We are so excited to see everyone next Thursday and to welcome students the following week. 
This is going to be a wonderful year!
Kirsten Gometz, Principal
 
Verify your contact/emergency information online: 
You can verify your contact and emergency information online any time before September 17, 2018. Log in to Skyward Family Access, and verify your contact/emergency information. You can review an FAQ document about the Online Student Information Verification Process here. All changes to contact and emergency information need to be made by September 17, 2018.
Contact parentquestions@lwsd.org with any questions about the Online Student Information Verification Process.
Thank you in advance for helping us to ensure our student data is as accurate as possible.
 

Estimadas familias de Redmond Elementary,

Bienvenidos a un nuevo año escolar! Estamos emocionados a dar una gran bienvenida a nuestros alumnus y familias – las que son nuevas y las que han estado con nosotros. Sus maestros y el personal están ocupados preparando la escuela por “Meet and Greet” (la hora en que uds. pueden venir a visitar a su clase nuevo y conocer a su maestro!) en el 30 de Agosto. Por favor, lea la información abajo por fechas y notas importantes: 

Meet the Teacher (Conocer a los maestros): 30 de Agosto, 3:00-4:00: Asignaciones de maestros estarán mandados por correo electrónico y publicado en los pasillos. Alumnos y padres estan invitn ados a la escuela para conocer a sus maestros, encontrar a sus clases, y buscar en donde deben alinearse para el primer día de clases. Las asignaciones de maestros estarán mandados solo un momento antes de la hora en que abirimos las puertas a la escuela. Cheques y efectivo para el pago de materiales escolares estarán aceptados en los salones de clases; por favor lea abajo por más información. 

Curriculum Night (Noche de currícula): 30 de Agosto Padres, madres, y guardians están invitados a recibir información de nuestro grupo de padres, maestros, y alumnos (el PTSA) y nuestras directoras, y aprender del año escolar por los maestros en sus clases. Por favor, juntase con nosotros en el gímnasio antes de ir a las clases de los alumnos. La oportunidad de registrarse por una conferencía con los maestros de sus hijos estarán en los salones de clases. 
Preferimos que esté un evento por adultos, pero si no tiene opción de cuidado de niños, preferimos que les traigan que pierda este tiempo con nosotros. No vamos a tener cuidado de niños acá.
5:30-5:50 Padres de alumnos en grados kínder, 1, 2, y 2/3Q se reuinen con las directoras y PTSA en el gímnasio. Información de nuestro nuevo sistema de entrada al edificio estará compartido, y también información de las reglas y normas de nuestra escuela y oportunidades de voluntarios. Por favor, planea a asistir. 
6:00-6:50 Padres están invitados a los salones de clases de grados kínder, 1, 2, y 2/3Q por información importante del maestro(s) nuevo de su hijo/a. Padres de kínder se registrará por una reunión de coneciones con la familia y el maestro.

6:30-6:50 Padres de alumnos en grados 3, 4, 5, y 4/5Q reuinen con las directoras y PTSA en el gímnasio. (Si tiene hijos en grados K, 1, 2, o 2/3Q, no tiene que asistir a este sesión de nuevo.) Información de nuestro nuevo sistema de entrada al edificio estará compartido, y también información de las reglas y normas de nuestra escuela y oportunidades de voluntarios. Por favor, planea a asistir.
7:00-7:50 Padres están invitados a los salones de clases de grados 3, 4, 5, y 4/5Q por información importante del maestro(s) nuevo de su hijo/a.

EL HORARIO DE ESCUELA POR 2018-2019 HA CAMBIADO!
9:20-3:50 Lunes, martes, jueves, Viernes. El primer miércoles (5 de septiembre) terminará a las 3:50.
Por favor, ensegura que su hijo/a esta en la escuela a las 9:10. No hay supervision hasta 9:05.
9:20-2:20 Miércoles (con la excepción de 5 de septiembre)
NOTA, POR FAVOR: La oficina cerra a las 4:00 p.m. Ud. TIENE QUE venir a tiempo a traer a sus hijos a casa. No hay supervision después de las 4:00, y por las reglas de distrito escolar LWSD, tenemos que llamar a la policía de Redmond para de custodia de menores desatendidos. 

Martes 4 de Septiembre: Primer día de clases por alumnos de grados 1 a 5. Por favor, si su hijo va a montar el bus en cualquier día durante el año, mándele en bus el primer día. Esto es porque van a enseñar procedimientos de la seguridad. Comunicación va a venir de nuestro departamento de transportes con información de donde que cuando viene el bus, si su hijo va a usarlo. Por favor, planea que las rutas de bus van a tomar más tiempo durante las primeras semanas del año.  
Miércoles 5 de Septiembre: Clases terminan a las 3:50
Viernes 7 de Septiembre: Primer día de clases por alumnos de kínder

2018 Pagos por materiales escolares: Hemos comprado la mayoría de materiales que sus hijos van a necisitar este año, para bajar el estrés y el costo de comprarlos. Su hijo/a va a necesitar un mochillo fuerte y una caja para lapices. Alumnos de grados 3-5 y 2/3Q también necesita auriculares. (Si su familia necesita asistencia con este pago, por favor contacta a nuestra consejera clapuente@lwsd.org, a yo mismo kgomtez@lwsd.org, o al maestro de su hijo.)

Pagos de materiales (que puede pagar en los salones de clases durante la Noche de currícula – cheques a Redmond Elementary)
K, 1, 2, 3: $30 por alumno
4, 5: $35 por alumno
2/3Q, 4/5Q: $40 por alumno

Si necesita asistencia, por favor márquela en la sobre de pagos, o contacta a yo mismo o al maestro de su hijo/a. 
Si quieres ayudar a otras familias de nuestra comunidad con este pago, puedes poner la donación en la sobre y márquela allá también.  

Yo se que este es mucha información. Por favor, mandarme un correo electronico si tiene preguntas. Estamos tan emocionados a verles a todos el jueves que viene y dar la bienvenida a los alumnos en la semana después. 
Vamos a tener un año increíble!
Kirsten Gometz, Directora

Verifique a su información de contacto y de emergéncia en línea: 
Puede verificar su información de contacto y de emergéncia en línea antes de 17 de Septiembre 2018. Va a Skyward Family Access (acceso de familias en Skyward), y verifique su información de contacto y de emergéncia. Puede leer un document de pregunatas communes de la Verificación de Información de Alumnos en línea aquí. Cualquieres cambios de información de contacto y de emergéncia debe estar completado antes de 17 de Septiembre, 2018. Contacta a parentquestions@lwsd.org con preguntas del proceso de la Verificación de Información en línea. Gracias por ayudarnos a asegurar que nuestra información de alumnos sea tan correcto como posible. 

• Because of the snow day we added, school dismisses at 3:30 on Wednesday, June 20. This is one of the only Wednesdays when kids do NOT release at 2:00. Please make sure to plan accordingly.
• Yearbooks have arrived and will be distributed to students on Wednesday, June 20. There is a limited number of extras available in the office for purchase; the cost is $18. Checks can be paid to Redmond Elementary. We also have options available if you are experiencing financial hardship; please just contact myself or Mrs. Lapuente for assistance. (kgometz@lwsd.org or lalpuente@lwsd.org)
• Thursday, June 21: LAST DAY of School. Students dismiss at 12:00. There is no lunch period on June 21, though students who order sack lunches will pick them up at 11:30.
• Report cards will go home with students on Thursday, June 21. Please ensure any lunch fees and library fines are paid so that we may send these home. The main office will be open until 4:00 on June 21, and CLOSED until August after that.
• PLEASE COME CHECK LOST AND FOUND!
• If you will be back at Redmond Elementary next year, please note that Meet the Teacher and Curriculum Night will BOTH be held on Thursday, August 30, 2018. More info on times will come in August.
• RMS If you have a student who will be attending Redmond Middle School this fall for 6^th grade, please see the attached information regarding eligibility for RMS Sports participation and immunization requirements.

• Results from Smarter Balanced Assessments available online June 22
  Each spring, Washington public school students in grades 3-8 and high school are tested in English language arts (ELA) and math, with exams called Smarted Balanced Assessments (SBA). Students in grades 5, 8, and high school are also tested in science, with an exam called the Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science (WCAS).

  In the past, the District received hard copy, final score reports from OSPI, which arrived in late August or early September. Individual scores for the SBA exams administered this past spring for ELA and Math are being delivered electronically from the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). OSPI now allows the District to share these score reports electronically in PDF format. Downloadable score reports will be added in Family Access on June 22.

  Only SBA ELA and Math scores will be available in June. Science scores will not be available until the fall after OSPI releases those scores.

  Directions to access the reports:

• To access Lake Washington School District’s Skyward portal, click on the Family Access link on the district website.
• Log in to Skyward Family Access with your username and password.
• Click on the Reports Cards- Portfolio tab.

• More information about state testing can be found here.

Dear Redmond El Families,

As we look ahead, we want to let you know of staffing changes coming. Several of our staff are making changes, and we want you to have the chance to honor and thank them and say goodbye before they embrace their next adventures.

Gail Young, Paula Randolph, and Lael Camacho are all packing up their books as they embrace retirement at the end of this year. We are grateful for their years of service and wish them well!

Pia Dixon will be leaving Redmond Elementary to pursue her love of educational puppetry. Libby Bruner will be helping open Clara Barton Elementary, one of LWSD’s new elementary schools. Amber Klock, Melodie Nagasawa, Minnie Eichelkraut, Matt Hounsell, and Shannon Mulrooney will all be teaching in the Quest program at other sites in the district, and Maggie Averman will be on a one year leave. Aubrey Buerstatte will apply her love of technology to her new role as Technology Integration Specialist for the LWSD. We are grateful for their time with us and will miss them all.

****************************************************************************************************************************

BIG thanks to the PTA parent volunteers who helped us with our Student Emergency Release Drill on Friday! Your students did wonderfully as we practiced how we would manage an orderly release in the event of an emergency. Teachers kept them all engaged as volunteer student runners retrieved students whose parents had arrived to sign them out, with photo ID in hand.

As a reminder to all – please ensure that any time you arrive to school to pick up your child, that you have a photo ID with you. Especially in the event of an emergency, it is likely that you may be assisted by a staff member who does not know you, and we cannot release students unless we have a) confirmed your identity, and b) confirmed that you are on that student’s emergency contact/release list.

If we ever need to do so, please also being patience – we will always err on the side of safety. Thank you in advance. :)

****************************************************************************************************************************

SBA This Week:

Monday, 05/21: 3/3Q Math PT

Tuesday, 05/22: 3/3Q Math CAT, 5 Math PT

Wednesday, 05/23: 4/5 Math CAT

Thursday, 05/24: 4 ELA CAT, 4/5 Math PT, 5 Math CAT

Friday, 05/23:

Have a wonderful week!

Kirsten Gometz

Mother. Mia. Mati. Maman. Madre. Mamma. Omm. Mor.

To all of the mothers out there, and any who act in love and kindness towards children, regardless of your relationship or gender, Happy Mother’s Day. We appreciate you, and your loving commitment to growing kids to be strong, healthy, and ready for the world.

Thank you to everyone who helped celebrate our teachers last week – the flowers, cards, and food were so deeply appreciated by them. It was a magical week. Big thanks to Madhu Gadde for organizing Friday’s luncheon which brought in more than 50 food items from around the world. It was amazing!

SBA this week:

Monday, 05/14: Grade 4 ELA Pt 1

Tuesday, 05/15: Grade 4 ELA Pt 2

Wednesday, 05/16: 4/5Q WCAS Science

Thursday, 05/17: Grade 5 WCAS Science

• Making sure they get a good night’s sleep the night before, and a healthy breakfast.
• Helping them be at school ON TIME.
• Reminding them that this test helps us know how we are doing, that they should give their best but not to feel too pressured. They know what they need to know; we just need them to show us.
• Encourage them before the tests and appreciate them afterwards.
• Take some time together after school to relax together – take a walk, ride your bikes, play a game together. Something to balance the stress and pressure they may be feeling.
• Finally, no matter what, remind them how proud we are of them, and WHO they are – and that there is no test that can measure that. :)

Dear Redmond El Parents,

Parent Input forms for the 2018-2019 School Year are available in our main office. If there is input you wish to share as we form next year’s class lists, please complete a form and return it to us by 3:30 pm Friday, May 4.

Information we consider includes your student’s learning or social/emotional needs, or past peer conflicts we should know about. Please do NOT request a particular teacher. Class lists are built by taking into consideration multiple factors and creating balanced class lists to honor the needs of all learners.

Thank you,

Kirsten Gometz

Dear Redmond El families,

Spring is here and Earth Day will be here soon. But with all the rain we are getting this spring, please send your kids to school prepared for all kinds of weather– especially rain. Along those lines, please stop by Lost and Found (near our music room) and see if anything looks familiar. We have many, many jackets and hoodies there that the kids may not even realize are theirs, but you would probably appreciate having home. As a reminder to all, write your students’ names on the tags in sharpie! This helps us reunite clothes with their owners.

As a reminder, SBA testing dates are coming up. Testing dates are attached to this email – first day of SBA for Grade 3 is April 30. More information will follow closer to that date, but please remember to check your child’s dates and avoid scheduling trips or appointments on those days. Scheduling make-up testing is very challenging and we want every student to have the best experience possible. We want them prepared and rested but not to stress about it. :)

Finally, if you move or anticipate any changes next year, please let the office know. We are working hard to ensure we have amazing teachers here for your kids next year, and we need as accurate a number as possible.

That’s all for this week. Have a wonderful one.

Kirsten

Welcome back! We missed you and can’t wait to see everyone’s faces in the morning.

Our character traits for the month of April are Stewardship and Perseverance. Stewardship, in consideration of Earth Day (April 22) and for the many ways our students and staff care for our school, and Perseverance as we all get ready for this final stretch of the 2017-2018 school year. When spring comes, sometimes it takes extra effort to focus and get through rigorous tasks, and we celebrate your kids every day as they show us how much stamina and perseverance they can muster!

It’s also a wonderful time to say thank you to our wonderful librarian, Mrs. Jones, who has shown such amazing stewardship and perseverance this year in making the library a welcoming place for every student! April is School Library Month, and ours would not be what it is without the dedicated work of our librarian. Thank you Mrs. Jones!

Have a wonderful week!

Kirsten

This Monday, through the generous support of our PTSA, we are welcoming Science Circus to Redmond Elementary. All of our students will have a chance to learn about concepts of Science (Physics, in particular) through circus activities. Make sure to ask your kids what they learned about gravity and centripetal force when they come home on Monday!

We have noticed that a number of students are arriving late, past the 9:00 tardy bell, since we changed the clocks for Daylight Saving time. Please ensure that they (and you, if driving) leave early enough to plan for traffic and road construction around us. Bring your patience and an eye for safety. Instruction occurs bell to bell, and ALL students benefit from being in class and ready to learn on time. Please help us build habits of punctuality in the kiddos early, as these habits will carry into future years.

That’s it for this week – have a wonderful week.

Kirsten

Dear Redmond Elementary Families,

School start and end times will be changing in the 2018-19 school year as a 7-period day is implemented for high school students. We acknowledge any change has an impact to families’ current schedules. We want to ensure families have ample time to plan for the change.

Our school will start at 9:20 am and end at 3:50 pm. We will continue with early releases on Wednesdays, releasing at 2:20 pm. These changes do not take effect until the start of next school year.

Why are start and dismissal times changing?

Starting with the Class of 2019, students are required to graduate with 24 credits. In 2015, a Task Force of staff and parents convened to study, analyze and make recommendations to expand options for students to meet the 24 credits required for graduation. In April 2017, the Task Force recommended adding time to the end of the high school student day to provide a 7-period day.

Adding time to the high school day results in needed adjustments to the start and dismissal times of elementary and middle schools due to our tiered transportation system (the same buses transport students at the high school, middle school and elementary level).

Why is a 7-period day needed and how does it benefit students?

A 7-period day restores opportunities for our students that they used to have. Over the past several years, the elective opportunities and opportunities for additional exploration, acceleration and remediation have declined for high school students. This is due to the increase in the state graduation requirements.

Specifically, in a 6-period day,

• The Class of 2015 could take 6 electives, plus they had two additional spaces in their schedules for additional exploration, acceleration or remediation - 8 total opportunities.
• The Classes of 2016-18 can take 4 electives, plus they had two additional spaces in their schedules for additional exploration, acceleration or remediation - 6 total opportunities.
• The Class of 2019 and beyond can take 4 electives, but they have 0 additional spaces in their schedules for additional exploration, acceleration or remediation - 4 total opportunities.

By implementing a 7-period day, we bring back opportunities for our high school students that previous graduating classes used to have.

Will there be further changes to school start and end times in future years?

A School Start Time Advisory is continuing work in 2018-19 to study the impacts of potentially changing high school start times to later in future years. The Advisory includes staff and parents from elementary, middle and high school levels. They will make a recommendation for any potential further changes to school start and end times. Further changes in the 2019-2020 school year may or not occur, depending on their recommendation. There will continue to be ample opportunity for families to provide input throughout the process. Any changes to the high school start and end times result in adjustments to middle and elementary start and end times due to transportation.

Additional resources:

2018-19 School Start and End Times

School Start Time Advisory

Seven-Period High School Day

Sincerely,

Kirsten Gometz, Principal

Dear Redmond Elementary Families,

Our PTSA sponsored Science Fair is coming up next week (February 8), with opportunities for any interested students to examine a question, form a hypothesis, and conduct an investigation to prove or disprove their hypotheses. It’s a wonderful showcase for thinking and questioning, and I hope you will visit to see the exploratory learning that your students have taken on.

Questioning is a wonderful habit of mind to engage in, and I hope you will engage with your children as they wonder about the world around them. This wondering and questioning together helps fuel curiosity, which in turn fuels investigation. Encourage your child as they plan, learn, wonder, and take action. The freedom to do this is one of the reasons we moved away from homework this year, so students had the opportunity to pursue the activities that fueled their curiosity and passions: Science, design and construction, art, dance, sports, music, math.

We hope, too, that your students are questioning the world around them and seeking their voice. We welcome this, and want you to know that in the next few weeks as students nation-wide engage in various forms of activism, we will be working to find ways to help your students’ voices be heard. Our first priority will always be to keep them safe, and then to encourage their thoughtful engagement in their world. Many of our students are seeking ways to make their world better, through helping others with conflict management at recess, job corps or classroom buddy relationships, or other ways of stepping up for what is right.

We are so proud of them, and so grateful for the chance to spend our days with them. Thank you, as always, for sharing them with us.

Have a wonderful week.

Kirsten

Dear Redmond El families,

Welcome back. I have thought a lot about all of you, especially your children, in the past week. I know this is a scary time to be a parent, and that the news we read about events like the one in Florida hurt our hearts. A few of you have reached out to me, and I appreciate the sense of community we share. The same questions is asked, again and again: What can we do?

Besides being politically active and using your power to vote as often and as thoughtfully as you can, there ARE things we can do. I know you are all aware that we have tightened building security practices and that we prepare ourselves and your children for what to do in the event of an active shooter at school. Beyond that though, what we can all do is this:

Make connections. Help your children make connections: to adults and others in your family and community, to their teachers and peers, to activities and places that they love. All of us, and especially our children, need to know that there are those around them who see them, who know them, who know their names, and who believe that they matter. If you are able to bring your child to school in the morning or pick them up in the afternoon, take time to talk with the other parents and kids you meet. Introduce yourself. Learn some names. Encourage your child to invite someone for a play date who might need a friend or two. BE a point of connection for another child who needs one.

All of us can look out for one another. We are a very big community, but a community nonetheless, and our strength lies in the care, attention, and kindness we show one another. The more we keep an eye on kids who may slip through the cracks, the better equipped we will all be to progress towards a healthy and happy future.

Please have a wonderful week, and say hello if you see me around.

Kirsten

Upcoming Dates:

02/22: PTA Math Night 6:30-8:00 pm

03/09: NO SCHOOL (LEAP Day)

Dear Redmond Elementary Families,

We hope you have a wonderful Mid-Winter break, and that everyone comes back healthy and rested. As a reminder, anytime your child has a fever of 100 or over, or vomits at all, you must keep them home for at least 24 hours from the last incidence of either of these symptoms. Additionally, you know your child best; with flu making its way around our area this year, if your child is acting “off” – complaining of aches, or otherwise are not themselves – please keep them home. We are taking precautions at school to clean and disinfect our environment, but we need your help. Finally, if your child does receive a flu diagnosis, please inform the office so we can monitor the impact at our school.

We thank you all for sharing your children with us. Have a wonderful break!

Important Dates:

02/14: Valentine’s Day

02/15: NO SCHOOL

02/16: NO SCHOOL

02/19: NO SCHOOL

Kirsten

Dear Redmond Elementary Families,

It’s February already! We will be heading into springtime soon. Please remember to let the office know about any absences, and that any planned absences must be submitted for approval in advance. Additionally, for parents of students in Grades 3, 4, and 5, please keep SBA dates on your radar, avoiding any absences (except in case of illness) on these dates:

April 30: Grade 3/3Q ELA Pt 1

May 1: Grade 3/3Q ELA Pt 2, Grade 4/5Q ELA Pt 1

May 2: Grade 4/5Q Pt 2

May 8: Grade 3/3Q ELA CAT, Grade 5 CAT

May 9: Grade 3/3Q ELA CAT, Grade 5 ELA Pt 1

May 10: Grade 5 ELA Pt 2, Grade 4/5Q ELA CAT

May 14: Grade 4 ELA Pt 1

May 15: Grade 4 ELA Pt 2

May 16: Grade 4/5Q WCAS Science

May 17: Grade 5 WCAS Science

May 21: Grade 3/3Q Math PT

May 22: Grade 3/3Q Math CAT, Grade 5 Math PT

May 23: Grade 3/3Q Math CAT, Grade 4/5Q Math CAT

May 24: Grade 4 ELA CAT, Grade 4/5Q Math PT, Grade 5 Math CAT

May 25: Grade 4 ELA CAT

May 30: Grade 4 Math PT

June 1: Grade 4 Math CAT

Our Character Traits for the month of February are: Thoughtfulness and Self-Discipline. Thoughtfulness in honor of Valentine’s Day, when we express our love and friendship for one another, and Self-Discipline as the goals we set for ourselves at New Year’s become harder to work on, and we really have to buckle down. A reminder to all – if you send in Valentines with your child for Valentines Day, please make sure there are enough for every child in their class. Your child’s teacher can give you an accurate count.

Finally, thanks to PTSA president Steve Hitch and the City of Redmond, we now have 2 new bike racks installed at our main entrance. Thank you! Please feel free to use them, and ensure your student has a bike rider permission slip on file in the office if they are 10 or over and can ride to/from school solo. (Students younger than 10 may ride if you accompany them.) ALL riders must use helmets when riding to or from school – and big thanks to Schoolpool and Marti Burton and Maren Talcott’s work, many kids were fitted with bike helmets this past week.

Have a wonderful week!

Kirsten

Finally, Lake Washington School District is planning three ballot measures going before voters in the district on February 13, 2018: a bond and two replacement levies to fund important needs not funded by the state. Please follow this link to learn more about these measures, and please VOTE this month!

Dear Redmond Elementary Families,

Your students did an amazing job at the Lockdown/ALICE Drill on Friday. They listened carefully and thoughtfully, and either took cover or were able to silently evacuate the building in response to the scenario and information they received. My gratitude and apologies to the Passport club volunteers who were impacted by the drill; my hope is that watching how the staff and students respond in a drill like that was informative.

Conference Week: This week, students will release at 12:00 on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday so that teachers, parents, and students can meet together to discuss the year so far. What to expect:

• Please have your child with you. They will be prepared to share their successes and challenges with you. It is also very important for students to see their parents and teachers come together in support of their growth.
• Come prepared to learn about your child’s academic and social/emotional skills. Bring questions, if you have them.
• If there are other professionals who work with your student (Special Education, counselor, ELL) they may join your for part of the conference.
• Please ensure that your child knows their plan at the end of each day, and that if it differs in any way from every other day, that the teacher and office are also aware.

Lost and Found: We have many, many items in our Lost and Found. We will put these near the entrance where you sign in for conferences – please check these carefully as items will be donated after conference week.

The Used Book Fair will also be going on during conferences – please come by and find some inexpensive books for your readers. Donations of Books – children’s or adult – will be accepted through Monday. Redmond Elementary appreciates your help!

Finally, looking ahead to next year:

01/23: Middle School Parent Information Night: 6:30-8:30 at Redmond Middle School Parents only event – Current 5^th grade parents are invited come learn what lies ahead for grades 6-8

01/24: Kindergarten Parent Information Session 2:30-3:00 in the Library

02/01: Kindergarten Registration 1:00-7:00 in the Redmond Elementary Library

Have a wonderful week. We are looking forward to seeing you for conferences!

Kirsten

Dear Redmond Elementary Families,

This month, we start getting ready for our 2018-2019 kindergarten students. If you have a child who turns 5 before August 31, 2018, please read below for important dates. Please also share this with neighbors who have a kindergarten aged child.

Wednesday, January 24: Kindergarten Parent Information session (adults only) 2:30-3:00 in the Redmond Elementary Library. Registration Paperwork will be handed out at the end of this session.

Thursday, February 1: Kindergarten Registration 1:00-7:00 in the Redmond Elementary Library. Please bring birth certificate or passport, proof of address, and immunization records. Please also have calendars ready as we will sign up for August assessments at that time.

Please enroll ON February 1^st!

Enrollment early in the season ensures our ability to staff our school with the best teachers available.

We are excited to meet our next students!

Kirsten Gometz
Principal

Dear Redmond Elementary Families,

I was so proud of all of your students on Friday as we reflected together on Dr King’s messages of hope, seeking understanding, and letting each little light shine. Several students shared poems or writings in front of our school audience, reflecting on the words of Dr. King and the work ahead we can all do together. They gave us all reasons to be proud.

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This week, we will perform our Lockdown drill using ALICE principles. Please be aware that any time we are doing an emergency drill, and certainly in the event of a real emergency, you must be patient if you arrive to pick up your child for any reason. If this occurs, please remain outside the main entrance until our activities are complete. Thank you for your patience and cooperation.

Upcoming Dates:
01/16: LWSD Bond and Levy Open House (Redmond High School, 6:30-7:30)
01/18: Redmond El PTSA General Membership Meeting (Red El Library, 6:30 PM)
01/19: Spirit Day: Pajama Day!
01/23: Conference Day (NOON RELEASE)
01/23: Middle School Parent Information Night (RMS Gym, 6:30-8:30 pm)
01/24: Kindergarten Parent Info (Red El Library, 2:30-3, for next year’s kindergarten parents)
01/25: Conference Day (NOON RELEASE)
01/26: Conference Day (NOON RELEASE)

Thank you!
Kirsten

Dear Redmond Elementary Families,

Thank you to the many of you who reached our with questions, concerns, and even appreciation after last week’s neighborhood incident. Several of you asked about our school’s safety protocols. I want to share what we had already been updating, as well as inform you about the specifics of this month’s Safety Drill.

Those of you who have come to volunteer last week have already seen that our visitor procedures are changing. All visitors and volunteers must sign in, and wear a visible name badge stating first and last name as well as destination. Please be prepared that any staff member who cannot see a name badge will stop you and redirect you to the office if you are not doing so. This is not to be inhospitable, but rather to ensure greater awareness and compliance with visitor procedures.

Additionally, though we have had all doors besides the main entrance locked throughout the day all year long, we have found that some in our building (students or parents) are still opening doors for others who arrive late, or to drop items off, in an effort to be helpful. We are teaching the students that we cannot continue to do so. Please, at all times, use only the main entrance and do not use the building as a shortcut to other areas.

Finally, the LWSD Safety Drill this month is our Lockdown Drill, using ALICE principles. We will do this drill during the week of January 16-20. ALICE stands for Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, and Evacuate. The Lake Washington School District began incorporating ALICE principles into our Lockdown preparations two years ago in response to guidance from local and national law enforcement. In the past two years, we performed a “soft” version of the drill, and this year we move to full implementation.

The ALICE principles are strategies that might be useful in an emergency; they are not steps to be completed in any specific order of priority, nor are all steps required. We are including ALICE principles in our District emergency response procedures at the request of local law enforcement. The ALICE tools add options to the District’s existing lockdown responses. ALICE principles are not limited to schools and can be used by individuals in emergency situations in any location, such as movie theaters, malls, places of worship, stores, etc.

Our school staff has received training in the ALICE principles, and students have received classroom training in September in preparation for this month’s drill. We will review and practice listening expectations this week as we prepare ourselves.

The drill will provide a scenario to students and teachers (Alert portion of ALICE) over the intercom, followed by additional information (Inform portion of ALICE) to which classes will be expected to react. Teachers are being provided with four possible scenarios to discuss with their class, in order to prepare for the drill in an age-appropriate manner. One of these four scenarios will be used for our drill. The scenarios are designed to be realistic and descriptive of a potential incident. Every announcement will clearly state, “This is a drill.” In preparation for the lockdown drill our teachers will be discussing the ALICE strategies with their students, using age-appropriate vocabulary and information. At the same time, we are trying to be sensitive to the age of our students and do not intend to frighten or add unneeded stress to them. We are providing the four scenarios below should you wish to discuss them with your child at home.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns. Additional resources about the ALICE program can be found at www.alicetraining.com.

Scenarios for ALICE Drill: January 2018

1. ALERT: Attention! An intruder has entered the main entrance near the office and is walking towards the B wing rooms. He is a white male, about 40 years old, wearing a blue jacket and a baseball hat. He is carrying an unknown weapon and is yelling.
2. ALERT: Attention! A female with dark hair and an unknown weapon is quickly walking around Portable 2. She’s wearing blue jeans, and a green hoodie.
3. ALERT: Attention! An intruder has entered through the door near the gym and is arguing with an teacher there. He is holding an unknown weapon and is moving towards the gym. He is wearing a black shirt and has a beard.
4. ALERT: Attention! A woman with an unknown weapon has just entered the stairwell door near the 3rd grade rooms. She is wearing a purple shirt and is crying loudly.

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Important Dates:
Friday, January 12: MLK Assemblies
Monday, January 15: NO SCHOOL MLK Day
Tuesday, January 16: LWSD Bond & Levy Community Open House (6:30-7:30, Redmond High School)
Thursday, January 18: PTSA General Membership Meeting (6:30 in Library)
January 23, 25, 26: Elementary Conferences/Noon release
Wednesday, January 24: Kindergarten Parent Info Session (2:30-3:00 in Library) Information for parents of incoming kindergarten students will be offered
Thursday, February 1: Kindergarten Registration (1-7 in the School Library)

Have a wonderful week, and thank you for your support.
Kirsten

Dear Redmond Elementary families,

Thank you to the MANY of you who joined us for our WatchDOGS kick-off event on Thursday night! It was so great to spend time with you, and the pride on the students’ faces as they led you in to school was wonderful to see. We are excited and grateful to all of the parents, grandparents, and other caring adults who help make Redmond El such a wonderful place for kids to be every day. Big thanks to Mrs. Huntley for bringing this to Redmond EL!

October gives us many things to think about and celebrate. October is Bullying Awareness Month, when we will talk to all of our kids about the importance of kindness and acceptance, focusing heavily on inclusion for all. October 25 is Unity Day 2017, when we encourage everyone to wear orange and we will focus on activities of inclusion and togetherness.

October is also Disability Awareness Month, when we will work with kids to understand the impact of disabilities – both those we can see and those we can’t – on individuals, as well as the many ways in which individuals living with disabilities can and will lead full and fulfilling lives.

Conference Days 10/16, 10/17, 10/19 Student Led Goal Setting conferences are coming up quickly! Teachers are looking forward to learning more about you and your family’s hopes for this year as you work with your child to set attainable goals. Please make sure you are here on time and with your student. Teachers have many conferences scheduled and need to honor their start and end times closely. Student release times are at noon on Conference Days. If there is a change in your student’s normal end of day/pickup routine on conference days, please make sure that the teacher AND the office are notified in advance.

There is NO SCHOOL for students on October 20 for Teacher Professional Development.

Finally, October ends with Halloween, on October 31. Classrooms will celebrate with parties, and students who wish to can dress up in celebration. Please remember these guidelines for those wishing to dress up:

• Costumes must be school appropriate (no blood, gore, violent themes or weapons, and nothing too scary – little friends are easily frightened)
• No Masks or Facepaint – save these for trick or treating
• Students must be able to put costumes on over clothes and remove before going home
• Normal school rules as to appropriate attire still apply

If your student will require an alternate activity during Halloween celebrations, please email their teacher and me so we may plan accordingly.

Safety: Please do NOT drop off students in the Old Redmond Schoolhouse parking lot! It is not supervised and we have seen some safety concerns with unsupervised children crossing around cars.

Dear Redmond Elementary Families,

Welcome to the 2017-2018 school year! I am so excited to be joining you this year as your principal, and have enjoyed meeting many of you already. I wanted to let you know about a few important changes this year, and get you ready for the events in the weeks ahead.

Parking Lot is now ONE WAY

In the interest of safety, the parking lot is now ONE WAY only. ALL cars must enter at the NORTH opening, at the top of the hill. The top lane is for PARKING only. There are two drop off zones, in the middle and lower lanes. The middle drop off/flex zone may be used for parking between the hours of 9:30 and 3:00. All parking lot traffic moves south and exits at the SOUTH opening. Please be courteous, and especially, SAFE. (See attached diagram)

Meet and Greet – Thursday, August 31, 3:00 - 4:00

Students and families are invited to come find their classroom and meet their teachers. Teacher assignments will be emailed to you shortly before 3:00, and will also be posted at all entrances. Please bring any school supplies with you, as well as any medication needed at school with completed Physician’s Orders.

Kindergarten Parent Night/Curriculum Night – Thursday, August 31 5:30 – 6:30

Parents come to meet with the Principal, Associate Principal, and kindergarten teacher. We will start in the library at 5:30, and then move to the individual classrooms. This event is parents only, though some supervision of children on the playground will be provided through our PTSA. We will share important details you need to know for your kindergarten students this year.

Verify Your Contact/Emergency Information Online

Thank you to all the Redmond Elementary families who have already verified their contact/emergency information in Parent Access. If you need more information on how to complete this process, here is a link to the Student Information Verification FAQ page. Question about the Online Student Verification Process can also be sent to parentquestions@lwsd.org

Thank you all for being such a wonderful and supportive community. See you on Thursday!

Kirsten Gometz
Principal