Mustang Memo - 9/16/22

Happy Friday Mustangs~

This month we celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15-October 15; paying tribute to the generations of Hispanic Americans who have positively influenced and enriched our nation and society.       

September 15 is set as the starting date for the month as it is important for many reasons. It is the independence anniversary for Latin American countries El Salvador, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Honduras. From here onwards, the independence days of Mexico and Chile fall on September 16 and September 18, respectively. Dia de la Raza or Columbus Day also falls within this month, on October 12.

The month is celebrated in a plethora of ways. As several other celebratory holidays fall during this month — such as the independence days of several Latin American countries — concerts, parades, food fairs, and more are organized throughout. Educational events like art exhibitions take place as well, highlighting important Latino heroes in history. 

Here are a few ways to celebrate around the greater Seattle area:

Fiestas Patrias & Hispanic Heritage Month
October 2, 2021 12 - 4pm
Kirkland Urban
425 Urban Plaza
Kirkland, WA 98033

2022 Fiestas Patrias
Saturday, September 17 1-7pm
Sunday, September 18 1-6pm
Seattle Center - live music, health fair, food and children’s activities

United We Are Stronger/Unidos Somos Mas Fuertes
Saturday, September 17 6-8pm

Issaquah Senior Center
* Hear award-winning bilingual Mexican author Maria de Lourdes Victoria talk about her novel La casa de los Secretos “The House of Secrets”
* Watch Baile Folklore Colibri perform and take their folklore dancing class 
* Create papel picado “Mexican party streamers”
* Eat food from La Chingona Taqueria and the Issaquah Ice Cream Trike

Book of the Week

 

Nuestra America: 30 Inspiring Latinas/Latinos Who Have Shaped the United States written by Sabrina Vourvoulias & illustrated by Gloria Felix

This is an anthology that tells the stories of notable Latino figures such as pioneers Luis Alvarez and Sonia Sotomayor; artists Celia Cruz and Lin-Manuel Miranda; activists Cesar Chavez, Sylvia Rivera and Emma Gonzalez; military veterans Olga E. Custodio and MacarioGarcia; and entrepreneur and health care advocate C. David Molina. Illustrated by Gloria Felix, each profile features a full-page color portrait.  The book includes a glossary of terms and discussion-question reading guide to encourage further research and exploration.  At least 20 of the stories featured in Nuestra America will be exhibited in the Molina Family Lations Gallery when it opens at the National Museum of American History in 2022.  

Until next week, 
Meghan Griffin, Principal (mgriffin@nsd.org) 
LaTisha Joseph, Assistant Principal (ljoseph@nsd.org)

COVID Update

The Department of Health (DOH) requires schools to inform families and students about  COVID-19 case numbers and potential outbreaks. This week, there were a total of zero confirmed cases at our school. The accuracy of our data depends on self-reporting. Thank you for continuing to let the school know if your child tests positive for COVID-19. To view additional information, including school and district trends visit the District’s COVID-19 data dashboard. The dashboard is updated weekly on Monday evenings. 

If your child is exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19  keep them home and test for COVID-19. Families can order free COVID-19 tests from the state. Together, we can keep our schools healthy and safe. 

Dates to Remember

  • September 19-23: Spirit Week
    • Friday - Mustang Day: wear navy, maroon and white
    • Thursday - Solid Colors Day
    • Wednesday - Crazy Socks Day
    • Tuesday - Pajama Day
    • Monday - Backwards Day
  • September 20: Curriculum Night, K-2
    • Grades K & 1 in the gym at 6:00pm; go to classrooms at 6:15pm; end at 7:00pm

    • Grade 2 in the gym at 6:45pm; go to classroom at 7:00pm; end at 7:45pm

    • Champions will provide childcare in portable 704

  • September 27: Curriculum Night, 3-5 

    • Grades 3 & 4 in the gym at 6:00pm; go to classrooms at 6:15pm; end at 7:00pm

    • Grade 5 in the gym at 6:45pm; go to classroom at 7:00pm; end at 7:45pm

    • Champions will provide childcare in portable 704

  • October 4: Moorlands School Picture Day

  • October 17: Vision and Hearing Screening (Grades K, 1, 2, 3, and 5)

  • October 22: PTA Fall Festival

  • March 17: Moorlands Dance-A-Thon

2022-23 School Calendar and Hours

  • You can view the 2022-23 one page calendar here 

  • Moorlands Elementary school hours for 2022-2023 are 9:15am-3:45pm

  • Early dismissal Wednesdays 9:15am-2:15pm

PLEASE SEE BELOW FOR IMPORTANT INFORMATION
BRIGHT BLUE = INFORMATION NEW THIS WEEK
LIGHT BLUE = INFORMATION FROM PAST WEEKS

Ill Student Pick Up Plan
We have seen an uptick of students with the sniffles.  Our wonderful Nurse Gundersen has been evaluating students and sending those home who are too ill to continue their day at school.  Please ensure your family has a “pick up plan”.  In the event a student becomes ill and needs to be picked up, the parent(s) will be called and are expected to pick up their child within 30 minutes.  If you are unable to pick up your child within 30 minutes please have a “pick up plan” in place with an emergency contact on file.  You can update emergency contacts in ParentVue.  
 

Updated Dates for our Dance-a-Thon! 
To spread out some of the fun and activities across the school year, we will be hosting our Dance-a-Thon this spring! Mark your Calendars for Friday, March 17th and we’ll see you there!
 

4th and 5th grade select basketball

Tech News

  • All students have now been assigned a device to use for the school year.  Every 2nd-5th grader should have one Chromebook and one charger at home.  All other district tech equipment needs to be returned as soon as possible.  This includes any iPads and/or extra chargers for either a Chromebook or iPad.  
  • We have collected almost all of the iPads from students that are currently in 1st and 2nd grade, but many came back without chargers.  If you have any of the iPad chargers that were sent home with your student for use over the summer, please send them back to school with your student at your earliest convenience.
  • Starting next week, fines will be entered for any students who have not yet returned their iPads or extra tech equipment.  If you receive an email telling you there is a missing item and you feel you received it in error, please reach out and let me know.  Once the device/tech item is returned, the fee will be removed.
  • Feel free to reach out with any questions! Tanja Fournier (tfournier@nsd.org)
     

Notes from the Nurse
VISION AND HEARING SCREENING AT MOORLANDS: 

Each year in Northshore schools, students in grades Kindergarten, 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7 receive hearing and vision screenings. We are currently scheduled for vision and hearing screenings on OCTOBER 17TH, 2022. If you would like to exempt your child from either of these health screenings, please contact the school nurse at dgundersen@nsd.org.  

These are basic screenings and are designed to identify students who may require further testing. They are not intended to replace regular exams by qualified health care providers. A student who does not pass the screening will be rechecked, and you will be notified only if there are concerns after the second screening. 

If your child wears glasses or contact lenses, please be sure they have them on the screening day. If your child has hearing loss and is being followed by a healthcare provider or specialist and you do not wish for them to participate in the screening, please let the school nurse know. 

We will need 5 volunteers help on Health Screening Day. Please email the nurse if you are interested. All volunteers in the Northshore School District must complete a volunteer application and background check. Please let the office know when you have submitted your volunteer application. We are excited to welcome volunteers back this year to help support our staff and students! 
 

Counselor’s Corner

This week:
September 17 Constitution Day/Citizenship Day 
September 17 World Clean-Up Day 
September 18-24 Child Passenger Safety Week
September 18-24 Student Sleep Health Week 
September 19-23 National Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) Week
September 21 International Day of Peace 
September 21 National School Backpack Awareness Day
September 23 International Day of Sign Languages 
 

Library News
Please have a safe, dry place for library books at home and make note of your Mustang's library day so books that are read can be returned for new ones.

K-2 grade students have clear bags to store their library books in.  These bags should be brought back weekly to the library.

We are still in need of parent volunteers for several classes.  This would be an every other week commitment:
Ms. Emerick's 4th grade class (Mondays 10:05-10:50)
Mrs. Klein's 5th grade class (Wednesdays 9:20-10:05)
Mrs. Wytko's 2nd grade class (Thursdays 2:15-3:00)
Mrs. Finch/Mrs. Caruso's 3rd grade class (Fridays 11:50-12:35)
Mrs. Stevenson's 1st grade class (Fridays 1:30-2:15)

Celebrate your child's birthday and support the Moorlands Library! We will be continuing the online model through an Amazon Wish list Ms. Schroeder has put together.  (You are more than welcome to purchase the hardcover copy at your favorite bookstore as well.)  By donating to the Birthday Book Club, you will endow our school library with a book chosen by your child. Once purchased, the book will be processed and cataloged.  During the month of your child’s birthday (or summer half birthday), a Birthday Book Club bookplate will be placed inside stating that it was donated to the Moorlands Library. Your child will be the first student to read the new book before it is returned to the library for all to enjoy.
 

Mustang Choir! 
Students in Grades 3 - 5 are eligible to sign up for choir and sign-up forms will be coming out soon.  Grade 3, "Moorlands Colts" will rehearse on Monday mornings from 8:25 AM - 9:10 AM, starting October 10 - April 3.  Grades 4 -5, "Mustang Choir" will rehearse Wednesday mornings 8:25 AM - 9:10 AM, starting October 12 - April 5. Stay tuned for more information! 
 

Cross-Country
Be a part of the Moorlands & Northshore community while increasing your fitness level! Cross country is a running sport where students run a course with other participants in the same grade level. It is a great experience for all skill levels!  Please click the link for more details. 
 

Absence Reporting
As we are all getting settled into the routine of things I wanted to remind you that you can now report an absence online.  Just click the link and fill out the form.

School Meals
School Meal Accounts - Register on Titan

NSD moved from PayPams to Titan in 2020 but many families have not registered in Titan yet due to meals being free for the last two years. All account balances were transferred automatically from PayPams to Titan, but families need to register in order to view or add money to student accounts.

Apply for Free & Reduced Price Meals

Families will need to reapply for benefits by the end of September.