1.30.26 Staff Blog

 Thank you for continuing to lead during this incredibly challenging time.  I know there is a lot to balance as you look toward helping students and families while also taking care of yourself and your own families.  It is not the first time this has been asked of you, and sadly, I am sure it will not be the last. My hope is that our staff community will continue to lift each other up, and allow for the times that you need to rest. When we meet again as a staff on February 12th, we will take some time to review our established emergency response procedures and to update areas that are challenging for us.  We will also take some time for shared experiences and resources outside of school. 

Quick Look: 

Saturday January 31st	Kinderfest- 10:00-12:00 at the SLC
Wednesday February 4	S.T.E.A.M Night 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Cascade *Doors open at 4:30 for TSA dinner fundraiser
Wednesday February 4	Early Release- 1:55 Dismissal District Day
Thursday February 5	No Staff Meeting (Morning After STEAM Night)
Thursday February 5	Eastside STRING/ORCHESTRA Concert 7:00 p.m. at Kellogg Middle School Students arrive at 6:30
Monday February 9	Eastside BAND Concert 7:00 p.m. at Shorecrest High School Students arrive at 6:30
Wednesday February 11	Early Release- 1:55 Dismissal Individual Day
Thursday February 12	All Staff Meeting- 8:05 in the Library
Friday February 13	Celebrate Black History Assembly! 2:30 in the cafeteria.  Musical guest! K-5-Recess 2:15-2:30- pick up students from the playground and walk to the cafeteria Journey-Come to the cafeteria a little before 2:30
Monday February 16-Friday February 20	No School- Midwinter Break/Presidents Day Observed
Wednesday February 25	Early Release- 1:55 Dismissal Individual Day
Thursday February 26	MTSS Meeting- 8:15 in the conference room
Friday February 27	Taproot Theater Presentation in the cafeteria- Grades K-5-1:00-2:00 Grades 6-8-2:35-3:35
Sunday March 1-Friday March 6	8th Grade Camp
Friday March 13	Afternoon Electives
Friday March 13	TSA Movie Night
Monday April 6	Skate Night Fundraiser at Lynnwood Bowl and Skate (6:00-8:00 pm)
Saturday April 11	CK-8 Auction at The Anderson School
Saturday May 9	Ice Skating Fundraiser at Kraken Community Iceplex (3:15-5:00 pm)
Tuesday May 26-Friday May 29	6/7 Camp
Tuesday June 2- Thursday June 4	K-5 Spring Camp at Camp Houston
Monday June 15	Moving On Ceremony at Shorewood HS 6:00-7:30

*for more information, see below

STEAM NIGHT:HELPFUL

Room	Activity	Description
Sheryl	Birds and Scientific Sketching	Illustrator birds that have been preserved
Janet	The Wonders of the Night Sky	Seattle Astronomical Society
Kim	Game Programming and Robotics	iCode of Lynwood
Library	Synth Petting Zoo	Music Making
Kari	Wind Wizardry	Wind Tunnel
Resource Room	Hear History!	Vintage Record Players
Kelly	Fun with Physics	STEM Pals
Melodee	Suquamish Museum	Suquamish Museum
Becca	Technology Student Association	CK-8 TSA
Tamara	Orca Knowledge	Orca Network
Melodee	Know Your Power	Seattle City Light
Mark	Build-A-Bot	UW Engineering Ambassadors
Mackenzie	Energy Efficiency	Clean Energy Institute Outreach
Gymnasium	Flying High With Drones	Emergency Response Drones
Tamara	Salmon Run	Friends of the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery
Mackenzie	Electrical Principles	Electrical Principles

FIELD TRIP OPPORTUNITY: HELPFUL

If you are looking for a March field trip, Aimee Stewart has shared that the orchestra she plays with is doing a free children’s concert during school days in March.

https://lwso.org/

K-5 REPORT CARDS: HELPFUL

Based on our approach in prior years, first semester grading and report card dates for this year are as follows:

• End of semester:  January 22, 2025

• Non-student grading day: Friday, January 23, 2025

• Window to complete grades: January 22 - February 5, 2025

• Report cards sent home: Friday, February 6, 2025

Resources:

• K-5 Report Card Templates 

• Shoreline K-5 Grading Practice Resource Guide, developed by Highland Terrace, can be shared with teachers to support grading.  

• Family guide to go with the new streamlined report cards.

PRODEV INFORMATION: HELPFUL

To ensure questions aren’t lost or buried in individual staff inboxes, please use the  dedicated Google Form for all ProDev-related inquiries. If there are issues with accounts, this form is the most efficient way for us to resolve them. Any emails sent directly to Instruction staff will be redirected to the form so we can accurately track issues and resolutions.

For any “how-to” questions, staff can also contact support@schooldata.net

**This google form has been linked in our systems and procedures document linked at the top of the blog**

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. 

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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.