From Principal Bailey
Arrowhead families,
I am thinking of community.
It’s Friday afternoon and I am in P-135, the home base for our intermediate Mid-Level Blended program, where 12 students are engaged in Dojo Island Club. Dojo Island is a computer landscape game like Minecraft, but prettier. Ms. Walerius plays too, and the room is full of students chatting about where they are, where they’re going, and what they’re doing on the island. The kids don’t know that they’re building fine motor, communication, and executive functioning skills. They’re just having fun. A lot of fun.
Someone is passing gas. Someone has been passing gas. The kids are close and comfortable with each other in that way. I try to be nonchalant as I pick up an empty Dorito bag and breathe into it. Ms. Walerius has her sweatshirt pulled up over her nose. We make eye contact and don’t need words to communicate that we are in heaven. Our buckets are full when we’re with these kids, in a place where they are so completely relaxed.
“Sorry,” the 4th grade culprit says, so focused on his computer he doesn’t even look up. “That was a really long one.”
I test the air and set the empty Doritos bag down. I feel lucky to be part of the gang today, hanging with these kids. They are a solid squad. They look out for each other, they play together, and their unity makes them a powerful force in our school. None of them is alone. They aren’t alone when they are out in their gen-ed classrooms, either, but the power and strength of this friend group goes with them. It’s essential to their status, autonomy, and presence when they are surrounded by their classmates.
Inclusion has been a weighted word since I started teaching almost 30 years ago. I was lucky enough to student teach, and then teach, in a junior high that didn’t have separate special education or gifted classes. I am proud that Arrowhead is one of the schools that fought for and is working through implementing Integrated Hi-Cap. I’m proud that our students with disabilities are beloved, included, and leaders of our school – that they are “gen ed” students first. I believe in inclusion, including, and integrating different ways of thinking, doing and being into a community, because that’s real life.
But when we talk about inclusion, we often make the mistake of thinking the best learning and socializing environment is the “gen ed” classroom, and that is problematic. There’s really nothing further from the world children will one day have to navigate than the classroom. Its structure, its transitions, the sitting, its singular mandate to prepare children to read, write, do math and understand basic science and history make it a very specific kind of community and environment. No child is there by choice. School is something kids have to do. You can mix up the day with fun all you want, and Arrowhead staff do, but it is still a specific place meant to do a specific thing.
It’s important – it’s essential – that we let kids sometimes choose where they want to be, who they want to be there with, and what they want to do. That is much closer to what they will eventually need to be able to do as older teens and adults.
School is a busy, social place, but it’s not real life. In our school, and in the school day, there are so many different learning spaces and communities. The classroom, recess, specialist, going to different spaces for specific learning needs, visiting staff in the office – every space has its purpose.
I know there are schools where it would be seen as anti-inclusive to have 12 students with IEPs in a portable in their Dojo Island club on a Friday afternoon. Luckily, Ms. Walerius doesn’t see it that way, and neither do I. Neither do Arrowhead staff. We see it as an opportunity for kids to relax and be themselves, to hang out with their friend group, to laugh, and giggle. To set down how hard they work in the classroom and instead to just be with their friends. We see it as a chance for them to choose for themselves. If we can teach them to choose something that makes them happy, then we’re doing our job right.
Kristin
C.P. & Dorothy Johnson Humanitarian Award Winners
This award was established in honor of two educators who dedicated their lives to improving the lives of all children in our community. As part of this honor, we recognize two students from each school who display the characteristics of a humanitarian in their school and community.
Join us in congratulating this year's Arrowhead award winners, Grace Hertzig and Melika Rashidi.
Grace and Melika consistently demonstrate the value and dignity of others, treat others with respect, and promote the common good.
Soda Float Reading Challenge Winners
The following students met the 4th Annual Soda Float 4th & 5th Grade Reading Challenge.
Four students read all 26 books: Lisielle, Athena, Grace, and Melika.
Winners enjoyed an orange, rootbeer, or chocolate soda float in the Library on April 22.
Congratulations to all!
Lisielle Stein
Fern Sad
Lyra Duncan
Myriam Stephen
Gary Musoke
Luke Ostermeier
Bennett Skogsbergh
Kiyotaka Ohashi
Melika Rashidi
Jaycelyn Navesken
Mallory Skogsbergh
Ashwin Basnet
Vy Hurst-Frye
Oliver Buchanan
Grace Hertzig
Athena Gillis
Ella Grace Friedlander
Lilly Noble
Helena Castro
Track & Field Update
Track and Field season is over half over! 63 student athletes are practicing twice a week at lunch recess and competing in meets each Tuesday. Our fabulous parent volunteers helped make our “home” meet at Kenmore Middle School on May 6 a success. Thank you all for your support! And thanks to Ms. Bailey for running Ball Kick and Ball Throw!
Our final “Junior Olympic” meet will be May 20 at Inglemoor High School.
Students in grades 3, 4, and 5 can participate in each spring in Track and Field. (In the fall, Cross Country is an option!)
Our athletes are learning about teamwork, persistence, and strategy in determining what events are best for their strength. Students compete in relays, field events (ball kick, ball throw, high jump, long jump and triple jump) and running events (400m, 200m, 100m, and 50m). We are having a lot of fun and are so proud of their hard work!
Coach Barstow sbarstow@nsd.org and Coach Allemann (Ms. Ginny) vallemann@nsd.org
Go Hawks!
Art Night & Auction is Friday, May 16th, 6:00pm-8:00pm in the Arrowhead gym. It will be a night to celebrate all of the hard work that's gone into every single lesson this year. We'll celebrate the docents, the artists, and the art. We'll make crafts, eat popcorn and raffle off some BEAUTIFUL pieces. So, join us for a night full of fun, family, and art. And as always, please consider volunteering to help make the night run smoothly. Volunteer HERE
JEDI Donation Drive for Animal Shelters
JEDI is proud to host a donation drive May 19 to May 30 in support of the Seattle Humane Society and Homeward Pets.
We're collecting essential items to help care for animals in need—everything from pet food and toys to blankets, leashes, and cleaning supplies. Donation bins will be located by the door to the front office.
Join us in making a pawsitive impact on the lives of our furry friends. Every item makes a difference, and we appreciate your support!
JEDI can accept the following items in new or like-new condition. Please do not donate items that are expired, worn, broken, rusted, or have missing pieces.
List of Items Needed and Not Needed
Thank you so much for supporting JEDI and Arrowhead as we collect these items to help pets in need!
Kindergarten Open House May 27
Welcome Kindergarten families! Join us 5:30 pm - 6:00 pm to meet our Kindergarten teachers, see our classrooms, and play on the playground and make a new friend!
4th Annual Hawk Walk May 28
The Hawk Walk is a fun recess activity for students and our 2025 Spring fundraiser. Your generous donation plays a vital role in supporting SEC Grants that go directly to our classrooms offsetting field trip admissions, additional teaching resources, math materials for students in small groups and more!
Help us reach our $5000 goal!
Students and volunteers are encouraged to wear their class colors!
- Kindergarten - purple
- 1st grade - green
- 2nd grade - blue
- 3rd grade - yellow
- 4th grade - red
- 5th grade - orange
Check with your employer to see if they offer corporate matches.
Thank you for being a champion for Arrowhead Elementary!
From the Office
Arrowhead Website and Calendar
Kindergarten Enrollment is Open
Enrollment is completed online. Directions on how to enroll, including what documentation is required, can be found on the District enrollment webpage.
By enrolling in early for the 2025-26 school year, there are a number of benefits:
- Connection to your child’s school community including information about school tours and Kindergarten events
- Early enrollment helps the district correctly staff classrooms, services, and prepare for great learning environments for our students
If you need help enrolling your child or children for school, please contact your child’s future school for enrollment information and support. Your neighborhood school is based on your home address. You can find your child’s neighborhood school by using the Address Look Up Tool.
Process for Reporting an Absence: 4 Simple Steps
We have a new, easy way for families to let our school know when their student is absent! While we know regular attendance is one of the most powerful ways to prepare your student for success, we also know that sometimes students must miss school for a variety of reasons. Next time that happens for your family, let us know through ParentVUE:
- Login to ParentVUE
- Click the “Report Absence” button next to the name of your absent student
- Fill in the fields with the date(s) of the absence and provide an explanation
- Click to submit, automatically notifying the school of the absence
Learn more or view step-by-step images and instructions. You can use this method to report an absence of up to 4 days. As a reminder, an absence of 5 days or longer requires families to submit a Notice of Pre-Arranged Extended Absence Form.
Health Room News
Warm weather is starting, hooray!! This is a good time to remind about sun safety!
Sun Safety Tips:
Protective measures you take make a difference in how well you can protect yourself and your family from sunburn, skin cancer, early skin aging and other risks of overexposure to the sun. Some key sun safety tips include:
- Limit time in the sun, especially between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., when the sun’s rays are most intense.
- Wear clothing to cover skin exposed to the sun, such as long-sleeved shirts, pants, sunglasses, and broad-brimmed hats.
- Use broad spectrum sunscreens with SPF values of 15 or higher regularly and as directed.
- Reapply sunscreen at least every two hours, and more often if you're sweating or swimming.
Are you traveling to a beach location this summer? Using “Reef safe” sunscreen keeps our ocean life happy!
The term reef safe typically means that the sunscreen contains only mineral UV-blocking ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. These minerals don’t dissolve in water and don’t have the same harmful effects on coral reef and ocean ecosystems.
How can you tell if a sunscreen is “reef safe”? Flip over the SPF tube over and look for the active ingredients: zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. These mineral based ingredients form an actual physical block to shield skin from absorbing any rays (whereas chemical filters absorb UV and turn it into heat that’s released from skin). Having “reef safe” labeling on the front of the tube is not enough… check the ingredients in the fine print on the back!
It’s also advised to stick with lotions and avoid spray or misting sunscreens, as they can be harmful to your health if inhaled.
Lastly, remember to hydrate! Waiting until you feel thirsty is usually too late. Drink lots of water and consider electrolyte replacement if you sweat heavily. Avoid sugary and caffeinated drinks as they can dehydrate you.
Emergency Contacts:
It is very important for us to have at least one local emergency contact (besides a parent/guardian) who is available to pick up your student if they need to go home during the school day and you are not available. Please update any emergency contacts in your student’s profile in ParentVue, or call the office at 425-408-4000. Ill or injured students must be picked within the hour you are called. Ill students cannot be sent home on the bus.
Clothing Needed for the Health Room:
Currently we don’t have any small boys underwear. We would gladly accept a donation of new or gently used boys underwear in small sizes – 4, 6 & 8. Thank you!! If your student has borrowed clothes from the health room, we appreciate them being returned so we have a supply for others to use.
Free Family Resources
Check out the links below to community resources available through the Community Assistance section found on the district website: https://www.nsd.org/.
https://www.nsd.org/resources/support/assistance
https://www.nourishingnetworks.net/
Mental Health & Crisis Support:
You are not alone. There are community supports for mental health, suicide prevention, substance abuse, self-harm, and more. Click here for more information.
Nurse Anne Janssen, RN
425.408.4006
Library News
Soda Float Challenge Wrap Up and new titles for 2026!
The celebration of readers (with tasty soda float treat!) happened on April 22! Congratulations to the 4th and 5th graders who completed the challenge! Four students read the entire list.
Parents of 3rd and 4th graders– encourage your students to get started reading from the new 2026 list! Students will be receiving the list and learning about the challenge towards the end of the month of May.
May Reading– Book Bingo for Bikes & Baubles! Watch for reading bingo sheets to come home. Sign off on each square and return the cards to Ms. Ginny in the library. A drawing for two bikes (one smaller, one larger) from the Ashler Lodge of Bothell will be held at the end of the month. Make sure your child is reading every day at home! Share the joy of reading!
Last day to check out books is June 6.
Please return all library books by June 9. Watch for reminder emails with specific books your student has checked out and don’t hesitate to email Ms. Ginny with any questions.
Arrowhead Library is open each morning at 8:35 am! Stop by and start the day with reading and exploring the library!
Check out our Library Website here!
Ginny Allemann, Teacher-Librarian
PE News
Welcome to PE!
Technology Corner
Assessments
Spring is the time of year when our schools administer state required assessments. These assessments are used for state and federal accountability, to monitor student progress toward grade level standards, as well as an option for high school students to meet their Graduation Pathways requirement. The English/Language Arts (ELA) and Math Smarter Balanced Assessments are administered in grades 3 through 8 and 10, while the Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science (WCAS) is administered in grades 5, 8, and 11.
The Spring assessment schedule can be found on the Arrowhead website. If you have any questions, please contact your child's teacher or the assessment coordinator, Ben Abel-Bey at babelbay@nsd.org
Thank you, Volunteers!
We are so grateful to PTA and this amazing community for their support
PTA and this community's kindness has blown us away with Staff Appreciation this week. Treats, notes, drawings, and more!
A huge thank you to our 5th grade Camp Group Leaders who graciously shared their time supporting our students at Camp Cedar Springs!
Thank you Troy Domke for donating a new Pride flag and fixing our flag pole hardware that was missing.
We would be lost on Class / Groups Photo Day without Rachel Blackburn, Katie Miller, and Sarah Skogsberg helping things go smoothly!
A huge thank you to Rosemary Warren who graciously hosted the Missoula Children's Theatre directors at her home the week of Missoula Children's Theater!
WE are blessed to have PTA and this community for our partners! PTA provided pizza and water for hungry Community Serve Day volunteers, hosted Kindergarten and all school play dates this summer and kicked off a great Welcome Back Event for families. They approved recent Staff and classroom funds, SEC grants for multiple field trip entry fees, Art Docent training and support for art in every classroom, OT/PT handwriting supplies, and more!
Field Trip and Classroom Volunteers
Our classes wouldn't be able to go on field trips without our numerous volunteers who chaperone students and assist school staff with small groups, projects and lead art docent lessons.
Library Volunteers
Our amazing Library volunteers keep our Library in top shape, checking books in and out, helping find that just right book, and assisting Ms. Ginny with special projects.
PTA Corner
Arrowhead Elementary Parent Teacher Associations mission is to positively impact the lives of all children and families within the Arrowhead community. We strive to support and advocate for our children by partnering with staff, families and the wider community to create a safe, inclusive and healthy learning environment allowing our students to excel personally, academically and socially.
LAST PTA General Meeting with Childcare:
Don't miss our last PTA meeting of the school year! Join us Thursday, May 22, 6:45pm in the school Library. We will have guest speaker Juliana Fisher, Director of Northshore's Food and Nutrition Services. As a reminder, childcare is provided through Champions during the meeting. Please email execteam@ptaarrowhead.org if you are interested. Drop the kids off and join the meeting!
Join the Executive Board next school year
Seeking recommendations for the elected positions for the 2025-2026 school year: Secretary and Treasurer
Position descriptions available HERE
Recommend yourself or someone else for a board position! Email execteam@ptaarrowhead.org
Seeking recommendations for the elected positions for the 2025-2026 school year: Secretary and Treasurer
Position descriptions available HERE
Recommend yourself or someone else for a board position! Email execteam@ptaarrowhead.org
5th Grade Celebration!
Each year the 5th grade parents are tasked to fundraiser, plan, and facilitate a party for these graduating students. This year, we will be hosting a party on June 13 at school from 1:00-3:30 pm to honor our 5th graders.
In order to provide the kids with food, fun, games, and more – please consider donating. There are a few options to support: general donation, or volunteer during the party.
Links to donate and volunteer can be found here: https://www.ptaarrowhead.org/5th-grade-celebration/.
Volunteers Needed for Art Night and Art Auction- May 16th!
Art Night & Art Auction is Friday, May 16th at 6:00pm-8:00pm in the Arrowhead gym. It will be a night to celebrate all of the hard work that's gone into every single lesson this year. We'll celebrate the docents, the artists and the art. We'll make crafts, eat popcorn and raffle off some BEAUTIFUL pieces. So, join us for a night full of fun, family and art. And as always, please consider volunteering to help make the night run smoothly. Volunteer HERE
Hawk Walk - May 28th
Hawk Walk is an annual fundraising event that takes place during recess where the students participate in the fun to raise money. Money raised goes directly to the Student Enrichment Committee for students, classrooms, and field trips. More info to come!
Save the Date for Carnival!
Arrowhead Elementary PTA's School Carnival is June 10th from 5-8pm. This will be an exciting evening full of carnival games, popcorn, cotton candy, lollipop tree, fishing, prize wheel, cake walk, face painting, hair coloring, food trucks & much more! Carnival needs more volunteers than any other PTA event. Please consider volunteering in order to continue to make this happen. You can volunteer and bring a sweet treat to contribute to the cake walk by signing up here: https://evite.me/xh39MzcBng
Highlights: Arrowhead PTA Weekly Newsletter
Our weekly newsletter provides the latest on what’s going on through the Arrowhead PTA and helps you stay connected! Subscribe HERE
PTA Meeting minutes:
View last month's minutes from the PTA General Meeting:HERE
Password: H@wksAw3s0me20
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.
Nondiscrimination
Northshore School District is enriched by the many experiences and perspectives each individual member brings to our District and community. Therefore, our District prohibits discrimination based on age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the presence of any sensory, cognitive, or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability.