10.31.25 Staff Blog
Fall conferences are just around the corner, and I am not sure how that happened so quickly! Please take a look at conference information that is specific to CK-8 as well as district instruction information regarding conferences. I hope you are all settling into a cozy fall, and that you have a wonderful weekend.
Quick Look:
*for more information, see below
RACE AND EQUITY 101 OPPORTUNITY: HELPFUL
So nice, I took it twice (maybe three times!). Letting you know that an optional session of Race and Equity 101 is being offered.
The Equity and Family Engagement Department is excited to share an upcoming training opportunity that you may be interested in. This optional training is open to both Classified and Certificated staff.
Please refer to the attached flyer for full details—most of your questions will be answered there.
We hope you’ll take advantage of this valuable opportunity. Please note that registration is required and space is limited.
SAFE SCHOOLS:ACTION
Reminder! It is time to finish your Safe Schools training (due Nov. 30). Here is the link.
SKSR GRANTS: HELPFUL- DUE TODAY!!
Sno-King School Retirees (SKSR) is offering a grant opportunity to employees for the 2025-26 school year. Information from the group is provided below.
Each fall SKSR offers its active members in good standing the opportunity to apply for educational grants of up to $400 to facilitate their work with their students. Grants must have a direct, positive effect/impact on students in their building and meet at least one of the following criteria:
Enrich the classroom experience of students,
Promote active student involvement,
Provide experiences that students may otherwise be unlikely to have at school,
Augment existing curriculum.
Past grants have included requests for field trip transportation and admission costs, speaker and student workshop fees, themed books to supplement a unit of study, manipulatives to teach math concepts, materials to create a maker station, materials to support the family component of a school-wide program, supplemental p. e. equipment, and picture books for school psychologists to teach lessons on topics such as bullying.
Grant Eligibility:
Be an active (employed) SKSR member of any school employee group that works with students in the Edmonds, Northshore, or Shoreline School Districts.
If not a current SKSR member, submit a completed membership form to the Membership Chair by Friday, Oct. 31. (You may request a membership form from Jim Siscel, SKSR Membership Chair, at jsiscel@comcast.net or 425-778-7202 or print the file indicated under the Join SKSR and WSSRA button above.)
Have received less than $1,000 total in previous SKSR grants OR not received a grant in the previous three years (i.e., the last award was before the 2022-2023 school year). Contact Karen McElliott (ksmcelliott@gmail.com) if you are uncertain.
In order to be considered by the Grants Committee, the grant money must be used on behalf of the students in the building/location where you perform your educational duties. SKSR does not fund requests for staff development (e.g., conference registration costs).
APPLICATIONS ARE DUE BY Midnight, Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025.
All submitted applications must use the 2025-26 form and must be word-processed.
Grant applications and information
More information about SKSR and grants in Shoreline schools
K-5 CONFERENCES- ADDITIONAL UPDATE FROM INSTRUCTION: HELPFUL/ACTION
Student Learning Plans/Conference Week
Learning Plans for Grades 1-5 are now ready and can be found in your school folder HERE.
In the Learning Plans folders there are:
Math Learning Plans for each eligible student prefilled with student information and with goals and services checked for math enrichment pull-out. Teachers can add additional information to the math sections if they wish.
ELA Learning Plans for each eligible student Grades 1-5 prefilled with student information. For ELA teachers need to select goals and services.
There are also saved templates in case we missed a student who was recently identified. Student Rosters can be found on the HiCap Staff Portal
We recommend that Learning Plans be shared and goals collaboratively completed with the family during conference week.
Reminder: Math enrichment paras and teachers are not able to attend individual conferences for students.
1st Grade Universal Screening - Screening Window 11/20-12/18
Screening will be done the same way as last year with HiCap math enrichment paras scheduling a time to come out to each first grade classroom to administer the CogAT Screener.
The HiCap office will send out an email to all 1st Grade teachers with detailed information regarding screening.
Reminder: 1ST GRADE PULL OUT MATH SERVICES WILL BE PAUSED DURING THE TESTING WINDOW SO THAT SUSIE AND JENNY WILL HAVE TIME TO BE IN 1ST GRADE CLASSROOMS GIVING THE SCREENER.
MATH ENRICHMENT FOR OTHER GRADES MAY BE AFFECTED. SUSIE & JENNY WILL COMMUNICATE WITH TEACHERS AS NEEDED.
IPADS AND HEADPHONES/ADAPTERS WILL NEED TO BE SHARED FOR 1ST GRADE SCREENING
ETHNIC STUDIES COHORT: HELPFUL/ACTION
In Summer 2020, the Shoreline School Board passed the Ethnic Studies Resolution..."We affirm our belief that the integration and addition of Ethnic Studies into the education of Shoreline School District’s students can have a positive impact on eliminating opportunity gaps."
Accepting Applications for Cohort #6 from Certificated Staff . Administrators strongly encouraged to apply! Because this training is not the same as previous cohorts, you may re-apply if you were in Cohorts #1-5.
Unfortunately, subs and Leave Replacements are not eligible for this program.
New Facilitation by Fernell Miller, The Root of Us.
Fernell Miller’s Bio:
Fernell Miller (she/her) is the Founder and CEO of The Root Of Us LLC, a racial educator, circle keeper, keynote, coach and mentor. She holds 40 years of experience confronting systemic racism in public schools to improve the lives of our students. Her mission of racial and social justice starts with championing children, especially children furthest from racial and education justice, and requires partnership with policy makers, educational leaders, and civic leaders at the federal, state and local level. Fernell strives to manifest all three aspects of emancipatory education as described by Jeff Duncan-Andrade, “Critical pedagogies must impact identity development, and civic engagement” to provide a foundation for social justice, equity, and empowerment.
About the Program:
Did you know we talk about race all the time? We speak even louder with our silence, unspoken rules and expectations in every way we engage the world. The restrictive codes, along with the permissions of oppression and privilege that uphold the construct of race, racism and systemic racism in America, and worldwide, are hidden in plain sight.
When truth is spoken, we're open to unlearn and relearn things about ourselves and each other, allowing us to show up authentically in our relationships, which helps expose the injustices, just like a blacklight reveals our surroundings hidden in plain sight. So, talking about race, with honesty and humility, actually empowers us to have a clearer understanding of ourselves and how we move through the world. And even though starting conversation about race may be difficult, it's just one tool to begin healing. Healing race, racism and systemic racism is the only way to restore us to our full humanity.
Join us for intentional conversations about . . .
Are you happy with your relationship with Blackness?
How are you healing from Whiteness?
How do you recover from harm you’ve caused, and/or the harm you’ve received?
Who are you accountable to in your practice of anti-racism, and blackness and anti-oppression?
Where are you practicing your humanity?
Sessions will be from 4:30-6:00 over Zoom. Equity Clock hours are available. This is not a drop in program and you should be able to attend all sessions. The facilitator requires that your camera is on and engaged with the other participants.
· 11.19.25
· 12.10.25
· 1.14.26
· 2.4.26
· 3.18.26
· 4.15.26
· 5.13.26
Please fill out this google application for consideration into Cohort 6. Email Kim Darcy for questions or clarification..
CONFERENCE PREPARATION: HELPFUL
The Fall Conference Guide has been updated by our district leadership team.
As you begin scheduling Parent-Teacher Conferences, please also keep the following recommendations in mind:
Lingolet is available for on-demand services for our top languages and can help reduce scheduling management.
For in-person interpretation, please prioritize our in-house interpreters. Utilizing them is half the cost of using the agency (Dynamic). We take the privacy of our families and students very seriously and believe that clear communication is essential to building strong, trusting relationships. All of our in-house interpreters have completed training in ethics, confidentiality, and conflict of interest.
For questions around interpretation or translation, please contact Casey Baldner, Language Access Coordinator.
Notes:
11/5 is an individual day
See the tab on our master schedule labeled 25-26 Fall Conference Schedule for our schedule
Lunch is between 11:10 and 11:30 depending on grade level, please note that students are no longer served a grab and go option. If students do not typically buy lunch, they are welcome to enjoy a snack before going outside to play for a few minutes.
ADDITIONAL CONFERENCE RESOURCE FOR INTERPRETERS: ACTION
This is the newest information for interpreters if you would like to share it with teachers. This list link below shows the languages that are on demand. If the language has 2 stars next to it, the language has limited availability and pre-scheduling is recommended. If it has 1 star next to it, there can be longer than average wait times for an interpreter. No stars and the language should be available on demand. Teachers can ask Jennifer to schedule through Casey Baldner for conferences.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bvUjIRrEnaPGnqANhTeJzNg3JDMfMEQyrCbVvXk_clY/edit?tab=t.0
Erin has also placed a “how to” card in your mailbox for accessing interpreters for conferences.
NEW CONTRACT LANGUAGE REGARDING EDUCATOR SELECTED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: HELPFUL
Per the SEA Collective Bargaining Agreement:
Each certificated staff member may access up to 1.5 days of substitute time (or the equivalent in cost paid at the certificated hourly rate) to support educator–selected professional development; or engage in other forms of self-selected, paid, professional growth outside of the contract day (CBA section 32.1).
During the two-week period prior to fall elementary conference week, grades 4 and 5 teachers are provided with one half-day release day at the teacher’s discretion to prepare for or conduct conferences (CBA section 34.5)
Grades 1 and 2 teachers are provided with 8 hours of release time to support assessment administration (CBA section 35.18).
Procedures for each of the above can be found here.
Information about Educator Selected PD will be sent directly to teachers.
Additionally, since some of these processes are new or have not been used for several years, we may need to make adjustments as we implement them. If any changes are needed, we will communicate them promptly.
STAFF MEETING SCHEDULE:HELPFUL
I have added all of our staff and team meetings to our shared CK-8 calendar. In case it is helpful for you to have a list, I am linking it here. Please note that this is a living document, so printing it out may lead to confusion (especially with snow closures or other delays). I recommend either bookmarking it, or making it your practice to frequently check our Systems and Procedures document where it is linked under the heading “schedules”. As a reminder, that Systems and procedures document is linked at the top of the blog each week.
ASSESSMENT: HELPFUL
District Assessment Calendar: See the calendar for assessment windows. Updated regularly and on our district website. Please note that for District Assessments (i.e., DIBELS, i-Ready), the district sets a window for which these assessments need to be completed, but individual buildings may set more specific timelines for completion within that window. Please check with your building administrator for clarification.
Assessment Resources: Google folder with resources for assessment.
WONDERS ONLINE ACCESS: HELPFUL
As we shared last fall, the cost to continue annual Wonders digital licenses and current usage continue to make the purchase of these licenses prohibitive. Although our Wonders digital licenses have expired, teachers may access digital content by visiting the following website:
https://my.mheducation.com/login
Username: wonders
Password: MGH26literacy
This is a shared platform, so teachers should not create their own class, or assign content to students. However, access to the website will allow teachers who use Wonders materials to see the content digitally for planning or presentation purposes. If you have any questions or need further guidance on using Wonders materials, please feel free to contact Rachel Trudelle, ELA TOSA.
COMMUNITY MEETING SIGN UP: ACTION
Please consider signing up to present a mini lesson at a community meeting. Families have given very positive feedback each time our staff is willing to share the amazing work we are doing with students. The presentation does not need to be long (10-15 minutes), and will be at the start of the agenda in case you need to leave afterwards.
HICAP SERVICES TIMELINE:HELPFUL
UPDATED LISTS of ELIGIBLE STUDENTS FOR 25-26 - AVAILABLE NOW!
To help you with your planning for next year, the Highly Capable Department has updated the master spreadsheet of eligible students for the 25-26 school year.
Below are spreadsheets of Highly Capable Students by School for the 2025-26 School Year
Please make note of those students who have NO PARENTAL CONSENT in Column “L”.
Until the HiCap office receives parental consent, that student cannot receive hi-cap services.
Consent forms can be found on the Highly Capable website
NOTE:
This spreadsheet is live and will reflect changes as students are identified during the summer testing session. Make sure to check your school spreadsheet at the end of August for updated lists of students eligible for services or class placements.
25-26 Eligible Students
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.
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