Lawton Families,
This week I have news and information related to the end of this school year, and next week I will send a final family newsletter with information about summer activities and the new Fall 2024 school year.
Device Collection – all school devices must be at Lawton starting this week. We check them back in for the summer and your student will have a new device issued to them in the fall.
Staff Updates – While I am delighted that the vast majority of our staff are returning next year, we do have some staff leaving us in order to pursue new opportunities: Erica Collis will be the PE teacher at Cascadia next year, and SLPs Victoria White & Brett Myles will move to other SPS schools as Hannah Bowley returns from her 1 year leave. Heather Cartner, our Extended Resource teacher and IEP Case Manager, and Mikaela Michalsen in 4th grade have both resigned their positions for next year, and we will miss them both, but wish them the best in their new endeavors!
In terms of new staff at Lawton, we have not yet hired a replacement for Ms. Cartner, but we have hired a new 5th grade teacher, who sent this intro: "Hi! My name is Sofi Grellner, and I am so excited to teach 5th grade next year! I have spent the last few years in West Seattle at Fairmount Park teaching 4th grade. I love teaching all subjects, but my favorite is science! During the summer you can find me paddleboarding on Lake Union, perusing the farmers’ markets for yummy treats, and soaking up as much sun as possible. I can’t wait to be a part of your community!"
Class configurations for next year – Before we leave for the summer, Lawton staff will draft preliminary homeroom class lists based on our current 24-25 school year enrollment data. If your student will not be attending Lawton next year, please complete this SPS Enrollment form so we have an accurate list of students to place in homerooms. While we are expecting exactly the same number of students next year as we currently have (332), we have been staffed one less teacher in grades K-3, so we are anticipating the need for a 1st/2nd grade split again. Next year, split classes will occur in nearly every elementary school in SPS, and at Lawton we plan for and support split classes with thoughtful intension.
Right now our class configurations look like –
Kindergarten – 3 classes; McDonagh, Dominguez, Lundgren
1st and 2nd Grade – 5 classes, with one split 1st/2nd grade; Via, Conner, Noel, Bakker, Wyman
3rd Grade – 2 classes; Soccorsy & Wong
4th Grade – 2 classes; Leache & Hafzalla
5th Grade – 2 classes; Swartzman & Grellner
Requests from the Main Office – For those who have already signed up or would like to contribute gift cards to support Lawton Families in need this summer, please drop off your cards at the office as soon as possible. Thank you! Here is the link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084FADA623AAFEC25-49820919-summer
One final request! We’re in need of donations for new backpacks, lunchboxes, and water bottles for the children we support for the upcoming school year. Gender-neutral items are appreciated. Kindly drop them off to Ms. Jessica in the Lawton office before the end of the school term. Thank you in advance!
Field Day (from the PTA) –
Field Day (Friday June 14) is the end of this week (already!) so please help your child have a terrific day by sending them with water, a sun hat, and pre-applying sunscreen that morning. All activities are outdoors for 2 hours : K-2 from 9-11 am and 3-5 from 12:15-2:15 pm. Some stations have water games and students *may* get wet. A Lawton field day shirt, Lawton spirit wear, OR grade level colored shirt (Kindergarten is royal blue, first grade red, second is orange, third is yellow, fourth is lime green and fifth is light blue) is completely optional, but also any shirt will be great for having fun! We do still need a couple of volunteer helpers if you’ve already completed your SPS volunteer approval.
2024-25 PTA School Year Committee help needed –
The PTA is looking to fill a few committee chair & member positions, and these are separate from PTA board membership, so please email vicepresidents@lawtonelementary if you’re interested:
– Back pack Committee Lead organizes volunteer sign ups to pickup food packages for the weekend from the Food Bank for families
– Staff Appreciation Lead organizes volunteer signups for various occasions through the school year
– Art docent lead/co-chairs
– Fundraising committee members
