3.28.25 Staff Blog

 It’s time for the auction!! If you are attending the auction on Saturday evening, I look forward to seeing you there. Please note that K-5 camp registration is open.  Please remind students and families to register even if they are not planning to attend. I hope you have a wonderful weekend. 

Quick Look: 

Friday February 28- Sunday March 30 or Monday March 31	Ramadan Ramadan is February 28 through March 30 or 31 this year, and Muslims around the world will fast from dawn to sunset as part of their spiritual practices. The holiday Eid Al Fitr* ends Ramadan, and it could fall on Sunday, March 30 or Monday, March 31 this year. Students and staff may miss that date to break the daytime fast of Ramadan and engage in religious and cultural traditions. This brief guide includes ways you can support Muslim students during Ramadan, especially at the middle and high school level (though some elementary students may choose to fast).
Saturday March 29	Auction Fundraiser at Shoreline Community College- The theme is Wolves in Wonderland
Wednesday April 2-Friday April 5	State Competition for TSA in Spokane
Wednesday April 2	Early Release- Individual Time
Thursday April 3	Staff Meeting- 8:05 in the library (Assessment)
Wednesday April 9	Early Release-Principal Time- Assessment Training
Thursday April 10	Equity Team Meeting- 8:05 in Tamara’s Room (special guests- Janet, Devon,
Tuesday April 15	Skate Night at Lynnwood Bowl and Skate (6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.)
Wednesday April 16	Early Release- Individual Time
Thursday April 17	Staff Meeting- 8:05 in the Library (Final Braiding for Sweetgrass session)
Monday April 21-Friday April 25	Spring Break- No School
MAY TESTING DATES	Please see below
Thursday May 15	ArtsFest and Bite of Cascade
Wednesday May 21-Friday May 23	K-5 Spring Camp at Camp Huston- Get in touch with our camp lead, Brandi at springcamp@cascadek8ptsa.org and keep your eye on the Wolf Howl for information!!
Tuesday May 27-Friday May 30	6-7 Spring Camp (Naturebridge)
Friday June 6	Market Day at Cascade (2:00-3:30)
Wednesday June 11	Moving On/Moving Up Ceremony at Shorecrest (6:00-7:30 p.m.) This is an evening to honor all of our students to celebrate moving on to the next grade, and especially our 8th Grade students who are moving on to high school.

*for more information, see below

STATE TESTING SCHEDULE: HELPFUL

Grades 3-5		Grades 6-8
Date	Test	Date	Test
5/6	ELA CAT	5/13	ELA CAT
5/7	ELA PT (Day 1)	5/19	ELA PT (Day 1)
5/8	ELA PT (Day 2)	5/20	ELA PT (Day 2)
5/12	Math CAT	5/21	Math CAT
5/14	Math PT	5/22	Math PT
5/29	WCAS (5th only)	5/29	WCAS (8th only)
6/2-6/4 Test make ups as needed

RACE AND EQUITY COURSES (MEET CCDEI STANDARDS): HELPFUL

This announcement is regarding the opportunity to take Race and Equity 201 or 301 or both (in person) facilitated by Chhoun Mey.  These training sessions are in March and May, respectively.

 

Each session is 3 equity clock hours.   If you have taken these trainings before, you can re-take them for equity clock hours, as they are *new* and updated by Chhoun.

• Race and Equity 201 is open for those who have taken Race and Equity 101.  

• Race and Equity 301 is open for those who have taken 101 and 201.   

If you don’t know if you’ve taken 101, please log in to ProDev and check your “My Records” tab for verification.  

• Clock hours: 3 Equity clock hours per training (meets CCDEI Standards)

• Pay: No extra pay is available as this training is optional.

See attached flyer for details regarding registration instructions, registration deadlines, dates and times.

Note: These are *new* versions and also count toward the Equity clock hours mandatory for certificate renewal.  Flyer is attached below and includes instructions on “intent to register” information.

SUMMER SCHOOL INFORMATION: HELPFUL

Summer School will run from July 8-31, 2025, three days per week, Tues - Thurs. 

Andy Kidd will be serving as the 2025 K-5 Summer School Principal. The elementary program will run at Echo Lake Elementary School. Jaime Atencio will serve as the 2025 6-12 Summer School Principal. The secondary program will run at Shorecrest High School.

Summer programming will be similar to that offered last summer. Andy and Jaime will be in touch with building principals and teams in the coming weeks with more details. 

HICAP K SERVICES TIMELINE:HELPFUL

• Lists of eligible students to schools and K teachers 3/7 (REMINDER FAMILIES MUST CONSENT FOR SERVICES)

• ELA resources for K teachers sent 3/7 via email

• Parent/family notices of eligibility 3/7 via ParentSquare

• Description of PEP services to families 3/14 via ParentSquare

• Consent for services due 3/17 - final roster of students to receive services ready 3/18.

• Pull-out math services start week of 3/24

NEWLY ID’d Students grades 1, 3 & 5

• Lists of eligible students to schools and 1, 3 & 5 teachers 3/7 (REMINDER FAMILIES MUST CONSENT FOR SERVICES)

• Parent/family notices of eligibility 3/7 via ParentSquare

• Family Info Night webinar 3/11 and MP Magnet Open House March 19th (invitation only)  - Details of these events will be sent to families via ParentSquare.

• Consent for services due 3/17 - EXCEPT dual qualified families due 3/21.

• Services state 25-26 school year

Currently Eligible Families grades 2-4

• Annual opportunity to accept or decline services and/or change service location has been sent to families via ParentSquare

• Deadline to respond 3/21

Opt-In Testing grades 2 & 4

• REMINDER opt-in testing is held at the SLC in the afternoon on early release Wednesdays (3/12, 3/19, 4/9, and 4/16).

• Families have selected their dates and confirmation of the testing date has been sent.

• Testing begins at 1:00 so families will be arranging for early dismissal of their student on their student’s testing date.

• Families will receive their results and notification of eligibility after all testing is complete - approximately the first week of May

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PTSA GRANTS:HELPFUL

Grants are back!!  Here is the information you will need:

Here is a grant link.  Cascade K-8 PTSA Grant Application - Google Forms

This year we have $5K in grants available for use in the 24/25 school year budget.  Any staff that has interest in applying can fill out the application form.  It will be reviewed by the Finance Committee and recommendations will be presented to and voted on during RepBod meetings.  All funds must be used before the end of the school year.

The purpose of this program is: To nurture creativity and enthusiasm by awarding grants to members of the Cascade K-8  community to benefit the students in unique ways that improve or enrich their learning experience,  when funds are not otherwise available.  

Thank you for sharing with staff!

--

Jennifer Dennis

2024-25 Finance Chair, Cascade K8 PTSA

COMMUNITY MEETING SIGN UP: ACTION

If you are interested in presenting a mini lesson (or a summary of a lesson you are currently working on with students) at a community meeting, please sign up here. Please complete an ELO form if you decide to present!

This is an opportunity to highlight for families the powerful instruction I get to see every day here at Cascade K-8.

BOOK STUDY DATES: ACTION

• 

  Team Meeting 1 - Thursday, December 12th from 8:05-9:00 a.m.

Come prepared by reading section 1 of Braiding Sweetgrass and completing your pre-meeting questions. 

• 

  Team Meeting 2 - Thursday, March 6th from 8:05-9:00 a.m.

• 

  Come prepared by reading section 2 & 3 of Braiding Sweetgrass and completing your pre-meeting questions. 

Team Meeting 3 - Thursday, April 17th from 8:05-9:00 a.m.

Come prepared by reading section 4 & 5 of Braiding Sweetgrass and completing your pre-meeting questions. 

LANGUAGE LINE UPDATE: HELPFUL

1. Alternative to Language Line - Coming in January 2025 - Shoreline’s subscription to Lingolet (which is currently being used for interpretation in our school offices) includes phone interpretation similar to that provided by Language Line at a much reduced cost. Beginning in January, district staff can use Lingolet in place of Language Line. The process will be identical to Language Line, just a different phone number and account code. Details will be coming in January. Language Line will also remain available through June 2025.

2. New Platform for Requesting In-House Interpreters - Beginning in January 2025 we will be utilizing a new scheduling platform for making interpretation requests with our In-House Interpreters called Propio. Propio is a scheduling system to create and manage interpretation requests at each school. Casey Baldner, Language Access Coordinator, will be reaching out to staff who schedule interpreters to provide zoom training opportunities on the Propio Scheduling Platform in the coming weeks

HICAP TESTING: HELPFUL

For students in Grades 1, 3 & 5, universal screening has been completed and further testing for eligible students will be held during Jan. 22- Feb. 14, 2025  24-25 School Rosters of Student Qualifiers for Further Testing

Opt-in Testing- Gr. 2, 4 & 6-8

Now through April families of students in Grades 2, 4 & 6-8 who wish to register for optional screening/testing will be notified via ParentSquare of the opportunity to register in January and testing will occur in March/April/May at the SLC. Middle school students will be tested in March at their schools. The lead proctor will work with you to schedule dates and coordinate testing logistics.