How can I forget, year after year, how dark it gets here? It surprises me every time. This year our afternoon recess is at the very end of the day, when it is dusk. This Sunday is winter solstice, our shortest day. When we return to the nest in 2026 the days will be getting longer. Thank goodness.

This week has been one of cocoa, peppermint and children in their PJs. It has been a loving, busy, celebration. This afternoon we will hug our kids and close up this old school and head home to enjoy time with our families while you prepare to enjoy time with yours.

Are you reading? I’m currently on Ruby by Cynthia Bond. It’s a bit Their Eyes Were Watching God, a bit Like Water for Chocolate, and a bit The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store. I am loving it. I’m a sucker for love stories set in small towns. Keep reading!

January and February will arrive with a bang and lots will happen, most importantly our Levy Renewals and Bond measure on the February 10 ballot. You have seen this referenced and explained in communications from Superintendent Irish and the district. The funding raised with the levy and bond will keep our district healthy and excellent moving forward. It directly impacts your child with funding for staffing (most importantly for our immediate relief, a reduction in class size), curriculum and facilities. The work currently happening at Inglemoor High School will be completed in time for current Hawks to have a fabulous campus for high school. Please read up on the levy and bond plan and be ready to vote in February.

Peace, health and joy to you as we close out 2025 and prepare for the new year.

Kristin

Kristin Bailey

kbailey@nsd.org

Kindergarten Enrollment Begins January 8!

We are thrilled to welcome our Hawk Class of 2039! Please find more information regarding Enrollment on the district website below.

https://www.nsd.org/schools/get-started/enrollment

Please call the office if you have any questions.

From the Office

As winter weather approaches, this is a good time to remind our Northshore community about the District’s snow, ice, and hazardous road condition response. The decision to close or delay schools due to inclement weather is made by the District as early as possible, typically by 5:30 a.m.

Northshore is a large district that covers over 60 square miles. While conditions may seem normal in your neighborhood, it may be unsafe in others. All of this is taken into consideration when a decision is made to cancel, delay, activate snow routes, or keep everything on a normal schedule.

If the district does not make an announcement, it means schools are open and buses are operating normally.

For more information please visit the district’s closure and delay webpage.

As we kick off the new school year, here are a few updates to help things run smoothly:

📝 Reporting Absences:

Please report your student’s absence through ParentVue. If you prefer, you can still leave a voicemail on our attendance line at (425) 408-4010.

🚗 Afterschool Plans? Let Us Know Early!

If your student’s afterschool plans are changing, please email ahattendance@nsd.org before 11:00 AM. This helps us make sure everyone gets where they need to go safely!

🔔 For emergencies after 12:00 PM, please call the office at (425) 408-4001.

We kindly ask that families avoid picking up students after 3:15 PM, unless it’s for a medical appointment or emergency. The last part of the school day is important for wrapping up learning and getting ready for dismissal.

Thanks for helping us keep things running smoothly—we’re looking forward to a great year ahead!

Health Room News

Returning to school after winter break:

Please be sure your student is feeling well and is rested to return to school on January 5th. Returning after an extended break can be challenging if your family has been traveling or has been ill over the break. If your student requires medication in the morning to feel better, they are probably not ready to return to school. You can always call the office or nurse in the morning to discuss.

Borrowed Clothes

If your student has borrowed clothes from school, we appreciate having items returned so we have supplies for other students who need them. We are particularly low on boys pants (all sizes), and girls leggings, size 8 & up. Sweats & athletic type pants with elastic waists fit most. We do not need any jeans at this time. Thanks for thinking of us if your student has outgrown something that you can pass on!

Medication at School

Any medicine your student may need during the school day, must be discussed with the nurse. Please do not put any kind of medicine, including over the counter products in your child's lunch box, backpack, or pockets. Any medicine, supplements or over the counter products must always be brought to school by an adult and accompanied with completed paperwork. Please call me if you have any questions.

Please see the following link if you need medication or other health forms for your student: https://www.nsd.org/schools/get-started/health-services/forms-for-health

Please see the following NSD link if you need any resources for your student or family: https://www.nsd.org/resources/support/assistance

Are you a Registered Nurse who might be interested in exploring the rewards of school based nursing, supplementing work hours or simply maintaining nursing licensure credentials? We would love to discuss available opportunities as a substitute school nurse with the Northshore School District -- this is a great way to transition into community nursing with K-12 school age children.

Contact: Cindy Mato

Health and Nursing Supervisor

425-408-7728

cmato@nsd.org

Best,

Anne Janssen, RN

ajanssen@nsd.org

Library News

Technology Tidbits

Parents or students who anticipate being out of the country for five or more consecutive days and require access to the student's account can follow the below steps:

• Fill out the Notice of Pre-Arranged Extended Absence Form. Submit the form to the school 2 weeks prior to the planned travel date. After review, the school will provide you a copy of the form signed by the principal.
• Create a technology work ticket for out-of-country travel using Student Support Ticketing System.
• Add all the necessary details in the ticket and also attach the notice of pre-arranged extended absence form (signed by the principal).
• Technology support will reach out via the ticket with instructions on next steps for Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) set up.
• Regardless of completing all the above steps, there is a slight chance that students can experience difficulties in accessing certain applications internationally. This varies based on the country and the settings of the internet provider.

Please contact the school office for any additional questions.

Student: Out of Country Travel -FAQ's

Ms. Ramya Gautam

School Technology Specialist

rgautam@nsd.org

PE News

Thank you, Volunteers!

Hawks Program Volunteers

A huge thank you to Julie V. who helps our breakfast line run smoothly and to Emily W. for helping in the Work Room recently. You are both angels.

Pie Drive Donations

Thank you to all of the families who sent a pie(s) in for each staff member to share with their loved ones at their Thankgiving table!

PTA Corner

Special Offer for Arrowhead Elementary PTA Family/Friends: Use this link to save up to 20% off select seats/dates. For VIP Packages & Groups of 10+, contact Sarah.Hudson@cirquedusoleil.com for details + added savings.

Here is a video preview of the show, if needed.

ECHO Official Trailer | Cirque du Soleil

Remember, becoming a PTA member does not require volunteering. However, all the events and programs that PTA supports would not happen without volunteers! If you are interested in finding an open position, view the open positions available or if you don't find what you're looking for, email Whitney at  vpprograms@ptaarrowhead.org

Our weekly newsletter provides the latest on what’s going on through the Arrowhead PTA and helps you stay connected! Link for Subscription.

Arrowhead Hawks SOAR by being Safe, Kind, and Responsible

At Arrowhead, we create resilient and empathetic learners who confidently navigate their world through being innovative, creative, critical thinkers.