Principal Newsletter – January 29, 2021
Principal Newsletter - January 29, 2021 Next week, Lawton staff and students will join with teachers and students from across the nation to participate in Black Lives Matter at School Week of Action. Ensuring welcoming, student-affirming learning environments has been a focus for our school, families, and district for years. Identity safety (the opportunity for students to see themselves and their culture and history represented) in school is fundamental to this effort. At their board meeting on Wednesday, January 27, 2021, the Seattle School Board unanimously adopted a resolution encouraging district-wide participation in the Black Lives Matter At School Week from February 1-5 and as well as district-wide participation in the Black Lives Matter Year of Purpose 2020-21, not just in February, but via discussions, and reflections throughout the school year. You can learn more
Update on SPS and Seattle Education Association Negotiations
The district has posted information on the progress towards in-person learning here.
PTA Budget Survey and Information
Dr. Deno has sent out a PTA budget survey for the 2021-2022 school year. The PTA is working with the school staff to formulate a budget that takes into account the needs and challenges created by the pandemic. Please take a moment to fill out the survey when you receive it! The approved budget for the current school year is available for download.
Valentines (optional) Due on Friday
Optional valentines are due in by this Friday, January 29th. Unless your classroom teacher has said otherwise, cards should not include candy or toys because they need to be sorted and stuffed into the pick-up packets.
Parent Education: Youth Mental Health
This relevant and engaging presentation will help attendees identify early signs and symptoms of mental illness in youth, provide information about treatments, and features a young adult who will tshare their lived experience coping with depression and anxiety. This Zoom meeting on January 27th is open to all Seattle parents and families! Signup and more information can be found here.
Incoming Lawton Kindergarten Families
There is a Facebook group setup especially for families with students who will be starting kindergarten in September 2021. You can sign up on Facebook here!
Registration for 2021-2022 is open!
Enrollment for the 2021-2022 school year has opened – this is for incoming Kindergarteners as well as anyone else who wants to enroll (or re-enroll) in Seattle Public Schools for the upcoming school year. Registration in January is very helpful to Lawton because new families for next year who register now show up in enrollment projections which impact budget and staffing. Read more at the SPS web site.
Advanced Learning Referrals close 12/7
Each year, Seattle Public Schools accepts referrals from parents and staff of students who may be eligible for participation in Advanced Learning/Highly Capable programs offered by the District. The deadline for referrals for this year (for participation next school year) is December 7th. Learn more at the Advanced Learning page from SPS.
Special Education Listening Sessions
Join the sessions to share your experiences during this pandemic period.All sessions will be facilitated, and language supports will be available.Additional sessions will be scheduled in spring of 2021. All sessions run from 6:30pm to 8:00pm. Register by emailing specialed@seattleschools.org or calling 206-252-0058. • Vietnamese & Chinese Bilingual Family Community: Friday, December 4• Spanish Bilingual Family Community: Friday, December 11• Native Indian and Pacific Islander Family Community: Tuesday,December 15• Black Family Community: Tuesday, January 12 2021• Somali & Oromo Bilingual Family Community: Friday, January 15 2021• BIPOC Family Community: Tuesday January 19• Amharic & Tigrinya Bilingual Family Community: Friday, January 22 2021• All Special Education Families: Tuesday, January 26
