As always, we are focusing on community at our beautiful little school hugged by the woods. One of the things that always happens in the fall is that our “littles,” our Kinders and 1st graders, are, sometimes for the first time, sharing space with children who have unfamiliar behaviors.
It can be challenging to experience someone else’s unfamiliar or “weird” behavior and it’s challenging to be the one whose behavior is unusual to others.
A few weeks ago, I took a drysuit certification class for scuba. I came out of the water in Edmonds with my classmates, went to the table to change out my tank and knew I was going to faint. I got down on the ground and fainted. It was scary, it always is, but it wasn’t weird to me. The first fainting I remember was during church (so much standing!) with my grandparents when I was about 6. It wasn’t weird for them - my mother had famously fainted on a flight of stairs and slid all the way down the staircase on her back (“..and she had all her curlers in!” the punchline went) - so they just got me Arby's on the way home from church and told me to take it easy. There are medical terms for it, and we know them because we’ve been thoroughly checked out, but in my family, we are just “fainters.
When you have something unusual about you, like my tendency to faint, the people in your inner circle aren’t surprised by it. My family, my close friends, even my students when I was a teacher all knew that if I got down and put my feet up, I just needed a minute.
But when I came to in Edmonds surrounded by my classmates and dive instructor, the looks on their faces reminded me that unexpected behavior with strangers freaks people out. Witnessing me faint was unpleasant and scary for them, and we are repelled by what is unpleasant and scary. I have no control over fainting - it’s just something my body does sometimes - but in that moment I was reminded of something some of our students frequently experience. When we do unexpected things that are scary for others, they are concerned and repelled by us.
We are blessed at Arrowhead to be a rich, diverse place when it comes to behaviors and neurodiversity. If brain differences were plants, we’d be the Amazon Rainforest. But when a 6-year old hits your arm as a form of communication because they aren’t fully verbal, that hit is like my faint - scary and unfamiliar. “Ms. Bailey, he hit me!” “Mom, a boy hit me today at recess!
Children respond in two ways: they are repelled and scared and distance themselves, like my scuba classmates, or they are fascinated and excited. Fascinated and excited looks like children baiting the children who are different. They approach them and do a little taunt to get the child with ADHD or who is on the Autism Spectrum to chase them or swing a stick at them. The game sometimes involves the word “monster.” I wouldn’t say it’s mean, because children are truly innocent, but it’s not a game where all children are equal players. The monster is always the child whose behavior is a little unusual.
When we understand each other, we’re not afraid. When we understand each other, we know what to do. I’m going to work with our recess team to make some videos that highlight some issues at primary recess so our children can learn a little more about their friends and classmates. Please help your child understand the different ways brains and bodies are put together. This is a great, kid-friendly video on ADHD, a way of being that often makes children blurt, act impulsively, or be a little unexpected. This is a great, kid-friendly video on Downs Syndrome, a way of being that often makes children harder to understand, independent and a little tenacious. This is a great video about Autism, a way of being that has a wide range of unique behaviors, each of which serves a valuable purpose. ADHD, Autism, Downs Syndrome - they are not dirty words. They are wonderful ways of being and important parts of someone’s (my daughters, for example, and my husband) identity. They include superpowers.
My scuba classmates and teacher are kind people, but while we waited for my husband to pick me up, I could tell they were uncomfortable being around me. Something had changed. It felt awful. It reminded me of how incredibly valuable it is when we understand each other and normalize the unusual. It reminded me that for Arrowhead to be the safe, loving community I want it to be for our children, we all need to help them understand each other so there is no fear of others, and no feelings of being repellent, scary and unwanted.
So please lean into this. Spend some time talking with your child. If they mention a child whose behavior on the playground is scary, do not jump to the conclusion that it is unsafe. Help your child understand that they are lucky enough to be surrounded by children whose brains are magically different from theirs, and that with friendship, knowledge and time, all the fun, joyful attributes of their unique classmates can be part of what makes school a wonderful place to be. And if your child is a little different and sometimes finds themselves surrounded by faces that look unwelcoming, tell them Ms. Bailey knows what that feels like, and that they are perfect just the way they are.
24-25 Yearbooks will be available to purchase until Feb. 26 for $20. Send your exact cash or check payable to Arrowhead or purchase online via Touchbase. Please reach out to the office staff if you need login assistance.
This is your only chance to to order a 24-25 yearbook this year. Please order yours today!
Yearbook Cover Contest Winners
Thank you for all of the amazing yearbook cover submissions by our 2024-2025 5th grade class. We appreciated all 15 spectacular submissions. After much deliberation, our winners are Mallory Skogsbergh (Mr. Wolfe) and Henry Harris (Mr. Schroeder/ Mrs. Sperka).
Congratulations to Mallory and Henry, your art will be featured as the cover photos for our Arrowhead yearbook. We are so proud or you!
Arrowhead Story Walk
With the amazing help of Farhana Sarker, one of our parent volunteers, we have installed our first Story Walk in the woodsy area behind the play structure near the trees.
It is a modern classic children's book that many children will recognize.
Please treat our Story Walk with respect especially considering the time and work that went into making it!
Thank you Mr. Tran and Ms. Lupe!
Thank you Mr. Tran and Ms. Lupe for all you do everyday to keep our school running smoothly.
Space still available in NSD Preschool Programs 24-25 School Year
Northshore preschool programs are still enrolling children, ages 3-5. The preschool years are among the most critical in a child's life that influence learning. The Northshore School District is committed to providing the support that our youngest learners need to prepare them to succeed in school, cultivate friendships, and create a sense of community and belonging. The district proudly offers a variety of inclusive general education learning environments.
Available preschool programs include both FREE and tuition-based options.
FREE Programs: Head Start and Ready Start
Eligibility is determined by the child’s age, family income, and opportunity gaps. These programs are located at Sorenson Early Childhood Center, Woodmoor Elementary, and Arrowhead ElementarySpaces will be filled on a first come first serve basis for eligible families. Families are encouraged to complete an application as soon as possible. The information on the application is confidential and used only to determine a child’s eligibility for the programs. The District does not require, check, or report on immigration or DSHS status. View the applications for income-eligible free preschool.
To learn more about any of our district preschool programs, visit the Northshore Early Childhood District website.
Families who have questions can call 425.408.5517.
New 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:
The season for volunteering is here! Please remember that in order to be a volunteer in the classroom you need to have your level 1 volunteer status. If you would like to volunteer for a field trip this year, please make sure to have your level 2 volunteer status. If you have had level 2 in the past, complete the following form and double check that your level 1 is status is up to date as well.
We love having you in our classrooms and on field trips so please make sure to get your clearance in time for celebrations, classroom activities, and field trips.
Please plan a few extra minutes the next time you are campus to volunteer or visit for us to print your visitor badge. You will be asked for your license the first time. We can also access your information with your name and birthdate. For people who visit/volunteer frequently, we will save your badge to reuse. All visitors must check out of this system before leaving every time.
We appreciate your patience and partnership as we get this new system running smoothly and ensuring our campus is safe.
Cross Country Season Wrap Up
What a fantastic season! We saw tremendous improvement in runners’ ability to pace themselves through the half-mile courses. Their strides and endurance improved as well! We had many podium runners throughout the season with special shoutouts to Xander, Alicia and Mallory. Great job, everyone! The leadership shown by our fifth graders was also notable!
We had amazing weather at every meet (aside from a few sprinkles at Moorlands). The whole school honored the team with a “Tunnel of Pride” on the lower playground on the afternoon of our last meet. Thank you, Arrowhead! Runners enjoyed a celebration, slideshow, certificates and treats to close out the season. (Please return your jersey if you haven’t already!)
3rd Grade Boys and 5th Grade Girls
Our third grade boysWON the Finals meet against Lockwood, Kenmore, Shelton View, and Moorlands, with Xander coming in first, Garrett G. third, and Boris 4th.
Our fifth grade girls came in second in the Finals by just a nose with Alicia in second and Mallory in third!
4th Grade Boys and 3rd Grade Girls
Our fourth grade boys placed third in the Finals, with Finley coming in third!
Many thanks to our Ms Poe for making the certificates for the team, to Ms. Vedaa for helping with payments and rostering, to Ms. Bailey for attending meets and encouraging and celebrating the team, and to all our fantastic volunteers and supportive families.
Health Room News
Health Screening Results
A HUGE thank you to our screening volunteers who came on Oct 10th and helped with health screening day! We couldn’t do this in such an efficient manner without your help!
We do not notify you of screening results unless your student does not pass. If your student did not pass the vision screening, you were sent a referral notice via USPS. Please take this form to your vision provider and return the bottom portion of the form.
If your student was absent on Oct 10th, or their results (either vision or hearing) were inconclusive, or they could not test for some reason, they will be rescreened before we send a notification.
Covid & Respiratory Viruses - Please review the following DOH guidelines:
If you have respiratory virus symptoms that are not better explained by another cause (such as allergies) or test positive for COVID-19 or another respiratory virus, follow CDC guidance for staying home and away from others; this includes people you live with who are not sick.
You can go back to your normal activities when both of the following have been true for at least 24 hours:
Your symptoms are getting better overall, and
You have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication).
A respiratory virus infection can have many types of symptoms, some of which can last beyond when someone is contagious (able to spread the virus), such as a lingering cough.
When you go back to your normal activities, wear a mask and take added precautions over the next 5 days. You may still be contagious with a respiratory virus after returning to your normal activities, so it is important to take additional precautions.
People with COVID-19 are often contagious for 5-10 days after their illness begins.
People with flu may be contagious for up to 5-7 days after their illness begins.
People with RSV are usually contagious for 3-8 days after their illness begins.
Free Covid tests kits are available to order from USPS to your residential address. Get yours while you can. This link also has information on the extended expiration dates for tests kits. https://special.usps.com/testkits
Clothing and other Resources
Please see the following NSD link if you need any resources for your student or family:
Give Back Night November 19 at Third Place Books and MOD Pizza at Lake Forest Park Town Center!
Help support our library and its collection – 25% of your purchases (shop the whole store! Get started on gift shopping!) will go toward our library fund!
Kids can join Ms. Ginny in making crafts from 6 - 7 pm in the Commons.
Returning books
Please encourage your children to store their library books in one location at home(s) to help with not losing them! Returning books as soon as you are finished with them is always a great idea. The library is open before school every day and books can be dropped off at any time.
Hour of Code
Hour of Code will be December 2-6. Hour of Code is a worldwide event to encourage and introduce computer literacy and programming in children. We’ll be doing a variety of activities during library time during the week. Watch the library newsletter and instagram (@arrowheadhawksread) for more info!
November is American Indian Heritage (Indigenous Peoples) Month.
Hereare some titles you may want to explore with your family!
IT’S COMING!!!!.... Scholastic Book Fair December 9-13
This will be our first Scholastic Book Fair since 2023! Volunteer times will be during the school day and for 1-2 evening openings. If you can help or if you would like to be the “lead” volunteer on this, please let me know!
Arrowhead Library is open each morning at 8:35! Stop by and start the day with reading and exploring the library!
Help shape our district's approach to mobile device use! We’re seeking input from families, students, and staff to better understand perspectives on cell phone usage in school. Your feedback is essential for developing a policy that supports learning and well-being. Please take a few minutes to complete our survey and share your thoughts. The survey will be open until November 22:
We are so grateful to PTA and this amazing community for their support!
PTA
WE are blessed to have PTA and this community for our partners! PTA provided pizza and water for hungary Community Serve Day volunteers, hosted Kindergarten and all school playdates this summer and kicked off a great Welcome Back Event for families. A
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!
Retakes & Head Start Picture Day Volunteers
A huge shout out Katie Miller and Sarah Skogsberg for lending their time and kindness again on this important day!
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
Thank you to our Hawk Community!
A huge thank you to everyone who donated and supported our PTA's Fall Fundraiser! This allows the PTA to continue our programs and activities that support our students inside and outside the classroom. Thank you!
November PTA Events:
November 1: Treat Friday
November 19: PTA General Meeting 7:00pm-8:00pm
November 25: Entries due for Reflections
Join or Renew your PTA Membership
Help us reach our goal of 200 members! By joining the PTA you are playing a crucial role in sustaining our PTA events and activities that all our students and families enjoy!
If you haven’t joined or renewed your PTA membership yet, please take a minute to do so. Cost: $15 per person (or $25 per family). Join here: Givebacks
Note: If the fees are a financial hardship for your family, we have membership scholarships available. Email membership@ptaarrowhead.org to apply.
National PTA Reflections Art Competition: Call for Entries!
The Reflections Program is a National PTA cultural arts competition open to all grades, that provides an opportunity for students to use their creative talents through creating art through dance choreography, film production, literature, music composition, photography, or visual arts.
Our students look forward to Treat Fridays (formerly Popcorn Fridays) every month! Join in on the fun by signing up to volunteer PTA Treat Friday Volunteers Sign Up
If you have ideas of what treats students may enjoy please let us know by completing this quick survey: PTA Fun Treat Fridays Survey
November Membership Meeting:
Join us Tuesday, 11/19 from 7:00pm-8:00pm in the Arrowhead Library. We have moved the meeting time later to allow families time to attend the Give Back Day and Night at Third Place Books and MOD Pizza to support our wonderful Arrowhead Library! Grab dinner at MOD Pizza and join our meeting!
