The Direct Drive is a way for all members of the Lawton community to come together and show our support for the students, teachers, staff, and families of our school.

The Direct Drive is our biggest and most important fundraiser of the year, and we encourage all families to participate. While financial donations are greatly appreciated, they are not required for participation. 100% of any donations go directly towards funding the PTA budget for the school year. See below for additional information regarding the important programs and needs funded by the budget.

CLICK HERE TO PARTICIPATE

How much am I being asked to donate, and why?

With our current enrollment, the budget covers approximately $436 per child. We understand that not every family is able to give at the same level, so please consider giving at the level with which you are comfortable.

For those that are able, donating at a higher level helps to ensure we can cover our PTA budget for all students. Even if you do not donate, please go online to participate!

This year the Direct Drive funding supports the following:
• Arts & Science Programs
• Technology licenses
• Librarian
• Recess & Lunch Monitors
• And much m

Can friends and family donate?

Absolutely!!!

If you have friends or family that wish to donate to the Direct Drive fundraiser, please send them this link www.lawtonelementarypta.schoolauction.net/directdrive2022

Are there any incentives?

Yes!!

We will be raffling prizes for families who participate during the duration of the Direct Drive. The raffles are cumulative so the earlier you participate the better! Examples of prizes raffled this year include:
• Themed gift baskets from local grocery stores
• Gift cards to local restaurants and businesses
• Tickets to events in the greater Seattle area
• And more!!

All classes with full participation will receive an extra recess, and the first class with full participation will have popsicles to celebrate!

I have questions. Who do I contact?

If you have any questions or need any additional information, reach out to Maggie Gendron or Katie Morris, the Co-Chairs of Fundraising for Lawton PTA at fundraising@lawtonelementary.org.

Calling all artists! The yearbook committee invites all fifth graders to participate in this year’s cover art contest. All designs need to be submitted to the front office by October 20^th.

K-4^th grade students will vote on the winning design that will be printed on the yearbook cover. All other artwork will be featured inside the book!

See below for the full flier of information.

The PTA understands that families have been awaiting updates on the school year calendar in response to school starting late this year. Below is the text from an email from Seattle Public Schools:

The updated school year dates have been agreed upon by Seattle Public Schools (SPS) and Seattle Education Association (SEA). The school calendar is always developed in collaboration with the educators’ union.

On Wednesday, Oct. 12, Seattle School Board approved the 2022-23 school year dates.

Five days must be added to make up the delayed start of the school year. The five make up days are Feb. 2, June 27, 28, 29, and 30.

High school graduation ceremony dates will be rescheduled based on the updated 2022-23 school year calendar. High school calendars will be updated with specific graduation dates by Oct. 21.

Key Dates for 2022-23

All schools have 75-minute early release on Wednesday except the first day of school.

September 14 First day of school for all students. (Delayed from Sept. 7 for 1 – 12 grade and Sept. 12 for kindergarten and preschool.)

October 14 State In-service Day (no school for students)

November 11 Veterans Day (no school)

November 21-23 Elementary conference days (no school for elementary and K-8 students; varies by school)

November 24-25 Thanksgiving and Native American Heritage Day (no school)

December 16 1-hour early dismissal

December 19-30, 2022 Winter break (no school)

January 2, 2023 New Year’s Day Observed (no school)

January 16 Martin Luther King Jr. Day (no school)

February 2 Strike make up day 1.

February 20-24 Mid-winter break including Presidents Day (no school)

April 10-14 Spring break (no school)

May 29 Memorial Day (no school)

June 19 Juneteenth (no school)

June 30 Last day of school; 1-hour early dismissal. Strike make up days 2-5.

Potential snow makeup dates July 3, 5, and 6.

To view upcoming school year dates, please visit the online district calendar.

Spirit Wear for 2022 is here – with two new styles! All apparel is available in kids and adults sizes. Grab yours before they’re gone!

https://www.customink.com/fundraising/lawton-spiritwear-fall-2022

Costumes

We’re hearing chatter in the hallways about what students want to dress up as for Halloween. As those of you who choose to celebrate this holiday prepare, please remember that not all costumes are school-friendly. We want to make sure our school is a safe and welcoming place for everyone. Your student’s teacher will share any plans for classroom celebrations directly with you. Students wishing to wear a costume at school on Halloween need to have a costume that follows these guidelines:

• No masks. Student faces must be visible and identifiable.
• No face paint. Whiskers and freckles are fine, but face paint may not include blood, gore, or obscure a student’s appearance.
• No accessories. All costume extras, including Fake weapon accessories of any kind are prohibited.
• Costumes should be packed, not worn to school. Teachers will provide students an opportunity to change into costumes in the afternoon, but students should arrive in normal school clothes.
• Practical footwear. Remember that PE and recess still occur, so all footwear should be safe and comfortable for a day of learning and active play.
• Avoid cultural appropriation. Seattle Public Schools is committed to making students from all cultures and backgrounds feel welcome, safe, and respected at school.

This is a reminder there will be no school for students on Friday for Teacher In-Service Day.

This is the statewide training day for all public school educators. Teachers, administrators, and school support staff will spend this time working together to support student success. 

School will resume on Monday.

Visit our online district calendar to view upcoming school year dates.

The Lawton PTA is excited to announce that enrichment classes are back! Review the informational flyer below for more information. You can scan the QR code or CLICK HERE to be taken to the registration site.

Registration begins on Wednesday, Sept. 28th at 12:00 AM.

Fall sessions will go from October 17th to December 16th.

Class and individual school pictures are happening Thursday and Friday. All students will be photographed for school files and the yearbook, regardless of whether families choose to order photos. You can find your specific class schedule below. To request a school photo scholarship, email kmcerise@seattleschools.org.

Preorder photos here: https://prepaysystems.com/view/9_bs5ybW/lawton-elementary. The link closes on Sunday, September 25^th. You may choose to wait and see your student’s photo in the online gallery after picture day before ordering, but Packages A-F are available as pre-orders only

Photo suggestions. Solid colors in medium to dark tones photograph well. Avoid Green, all white, pastel, neon and busy prints-they draw attention away from the subject. The photographer works hard to avoid glare from glasses, but some glasses are particularly challenging. Consider removing glasses that do not have anti-glare coating as well as those with sapphire coating (reflects blue/purple) or transition lenses (they photograph like sunglasses in many cases). 

Schedule. You can find your specific class schedule below. Times are approximate.

Thursday, September 22^nd

Dominguez (8:00)

McDonagh (8:30)

Lundgren (9:00)

Hafzalla (9:30)

Wyman (10:00)

Bakker (12:30)

Swartzman (1:10)

Soccorsy (1:40)

Friday, September 23^rd

Michalsen (8:00)

Polik (8:30)

Conner (9:00)

Leache (9:30)

Wong (10:00)

Noel (12:30)

French (1:10)

Retakes. We will schedule a picture retake day in November for students who miss our September photo day.

Our friends at Our Lady of Fatima Parish School have invited Lawton students and their families to participate in their Fall Festival on Saturday, October 8th at 6PM! All are welcome!