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I had (yet another) magical experience on our playground last week. A kindergartener came up to me to report that ______ was ruining their game. She was putting a stick into the swimming pool and ruining it. I was needed to help solve the problem. We walked up the hill hand in hand to watch the scene. I saw ________, a little girl who is on the spectrum and speaks Spanish, gently swirling a stick in a puddle. The puddle was indeed large enough to be a pool. “Those leaves are our swimmers, and she’s hitting them.”
I said it looked like she just wanted to play, and maybe she didn’t know it was a pool and those were swimmers. I asked, “Did you tell her about the game? That it’s a swimming pool and those are swimmers?” No. No one had told ________ about the game. I asked if we should maybe try that, since she was sitting quietly by the pool and seemed to be a good playmate. My kinder agreed that we could try explaining the game to _______.
Well, you would think that after 734 days on Duolingo I could do better than a caveman version of “this is a swimming pool and these people are swimming.” I had no word for stick – árbol didn’t work, and neither did bosque – but I was able to say, “Don’t use this, use the swimmers.” A rainbow broke across the sky, unicorns pranced from the woods trailing glitter and the children played well together for the rest of recess. Hooray! You know how I feel about the classroom that is our playground, and the daily lesson that is recess. These little poolside moments could go either way – a child with differences being feared and pushed away or included – and what it comes down to is whether there is an adult who can grasp the moment and teach the lesson. How else would a kindergartener learn that when a child joins their game, that child might need to be told what game is being played? A few weeks ago, Amanda B. was a HAWKS Volunteer at lunch recess. I looked over and there she was, another loving adult on our playground. It was AWESOME. She helped kids solve problems, learn to use their words, have someone to hear their stories, have a hand to hold, have a “bar routine” audience and on and on and on. Our kids are their best selves when they feel seen, known, safe and loved. The more practice they have being their best selves in a wild place like recess, the easier it will be for them when they are teenagers and young adults. I firmly believe that. All this is to say I am thankful this November. I am thankful for those of you who volunteer to help us love children and keep them safe despite staffing cuts. I am thankful for our beautiful children. It’s a gift to be with them every day. And I am thankful for our incredible staff. I am full of gratitude. Enjoy the upcoming days. I hope they are rich with family, rest, and tradition. Know you are loved and appreciated. Kristin Kristin Bailey |
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Please plan ahead for our Conference Week Early Dismissal Schedule:
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Calling All Fifth Grade Families! We know it’s still early in the year, but our yearbook editor is already getting started! To make our fifth-grade pages extra special, we’re collecting early childhood photos — think baby, toddler, or preschool days. Please start looking for your favorite photo and send it to Poe Joya via ParentSquare message between November 7th and November 21st. Thanks for helping us make this year’s yearbook one to remember! |
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Way to go, Hawks! Arrowhead students and families donated 75lbs of candy after Halloween that will be sent to members of our Armed Forces overseas. Thank you Sarah S. for your time weighing and delivering all of that candy. |
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From the Office |
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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. |
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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. Please don’t email transportation changes directly to teachers—they may not see them in time! ⏰ Avoid late-day pickups when possible: 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! *This message was drafted/summarized using AI. |
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Health Room News |
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Health Screening Results A HUGE thank you to our screening volunteers who came on Oct 27th 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 will be 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 27th, 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. Students who do not pass a hearing test, will also be screened by our district audiologist before a referral notice is sent. This will take a few weeks longer. 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 the nurse if you have any questions. Respiratory Viruses (including Covid) – 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. Clothing and other Resources Please see the following NSD link if you need any resources for your student or family: |
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School Nurse Substitutes are Needed 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 Best, Anne Janssen, RN |
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Library News |
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Technology Tidbits |
Device Protection Program (DPP) The DPP program protects the device (Chromebook, Macbook, or iPad) loaned to your student against accidental damage for the school year. This program does NOT cover damage resulting from misuse or loss of the device. We expect all students to properly use their device and to secure it when it is not being used. If the device is used improperly or is not secured while the student is not using it, families will be expected to pay the full cost of replacement or repair. In rare cases, a fine can be waived with approval from District Technology Staff. If you want to apply for a fine waiver, please complete this form. The standard payment to enroll in the NSD Student Device Protection Plan is $25 per year; free for students who have qualified for free or reduced-price meals and who have provided consent to share their status for fee waivers. No refunds will be given once enrolled in this program. Enrollment in DPP must occur before damage occurs for DPP to apply. If there is no DPP on file for a student when damage occurs and the fine is assessed, the full repair cost will be charged. Fines for damaged devices will be applied promptly and can be paid in our online payment system. We cannot take replacement items such as power cables that were purchased on Amazon or at a retail store, as use of those items may cause safety issues or void warranties. Ms. Ramya Gautam School Technology Specialist |
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PE News |
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Thank you, Volunteers! |
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Retakes Picture Day Volunteers A huge thank you to Ali W., Amber L., and Sarah S. for lending their time and kindness on Picture Retake Day. Thanks to them, we stayed on schedule and got everyone's photo taken. Fall Story Walk Many thanks to our amazing volunteer, Farhana S., who put the pieces together for our Fall Story Walk in the lower forest on the primary playground. The book is Fall Mixed Up by Bob Raczka. Here's a YouTube reading... Community Serve Day Volunteers On August 24, almost 80 community members and Arrowhead families joined together to get Arrowhead ready to welcome students and staff back. Volunteers weeded, pruned, spread bark, painted, collated take home flyers, helped with Emergency Prep supplies, and made Arrowhead shine! We could not have done it without your help. PTA WE are blessed to have PTA and this community for our partners! Recently, PTA provided pizza and water for hungry Community Serve Day volunteers, hosted Kindergarten playdates this summer, and welcomed new Kindergarten parents/guardians on their 1st day of school with coffee and pastries. 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. |
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PTA Corner |
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Hawks Program! Budget cuts in Northshore School District have greatly impacted Arrowhead this year and volunteers are in high need! These positions help tremendously with students and staff to ensure a smooth school day. Volunteer duties can take as little as 30 minutes or you could even spend the day! Please sign up and help our school! Email Karina Kirkpatrick at kskats@gmail.com Duties: -Before school recess support -Welcome students off busses -Work room making copies and helping teachers with projects -Eat lunch with your student -Recess support -PE support -Lunch line support -Dismissal-help students in bus and car zone -Teacher/staff requests may arise as needed Volunteer Requirements: Complete Level 1 volunteer status 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 |
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Arrowhead Hawks SOAR by being Safe, Kind, and Responsible |
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At Arrowhead, we create resilient and empathetic learners who confidently navigate their world through being innovative, creative, critical thinkers. |
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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. |