PLE Principals Updates
February 22, 2021
Dear PHamily,
I hope you and your family had a wonderful winter break! We have had the opportunity to work closely with families and I am truly grateful how each and everyone of you is supporting your student, your teacher, and our community, we could not do this without you, THANK YOU!
I also believe that we are one big family here at PLE, which means we take care of each other, this is one of the most important lessons we work to instill in our students. If your immediate family is ever in need of support please do not hesitate to reach out to me at 425-365-8176 or hunsbergerju@bsd405.org We are able to support families with necessities such as groceries. Please do not hesitate to contact me should you need anything.
Warmly,
Melisa Macias, PLE Principal
Nurse Erynn Corner
What’s new in mask recommendations?
- Click here and here
- ADD LAYERS OF MATERIAL – SHOULD BE A MINIMUM OF TWO LAYERS
- MAKE SURE IT IS SNUG (FITS TIGHTLY)
- Do not use 2 procedural/disposable masks (the “blue paper” masks)
- If using your own KN95 mask, just use one (do not add extra layers to these)
To keep the mask up over the nose: a simple bandaid over the mask on bridge of nose does wonders, like the picture below.
To prevent glasses from fogging up: Try putting a bandage underneath the mask on the bridge of the nose to close the gap between nose and mask to prevent glasses from fogging up. OR rinse glasses with a little soap and water before putting on the mask. The little bit of soap foam left will help prevent water from building up and fogging the lens. OR try putting a bit of shaving foam on the lens and wiping off with soft cloth.
For tender skin on ears or nose: Apply a thick ointment like Vaseline to the bridge of nose and back of your ears to prevent redness and chafing.
Aching ears: Look for a mask that has ties or elastic loops you put around the neck and head, not one that loops behind the ears. OR Attach buttons sewn onto the side of a headband and hook the mask ear loops around the buttons, rather than behind the ears.
In-Person Calendar
PLE Safety Review Team
3rd-5th Grades: We are bringing back K-1 and will see how our procedures and facilities hold up with all three grade levels in the building before we propose a timeline for the return of the older grade levels. The Safety Review Team will be charged with this planning and we will likely begin this work at the end of March after the K-2 return is stabilized.
3-5 Back to Buildings Family Survey
Dear Families:
We are excited to have welcomed many of our Kindergarten, First and Second grade students back on campus. We are now working on planning to expand services for our students in third through fifth grade. Your input is an important part of this process.
Your Input: To solidify our plans, we are requesting updated information from you regarding your preference for in-person or virtual instruction for your child.
Please complete the survey for your third grader, fourth grader and/or fifth
grader https://intentsurvey.bsd405.org/. You will need to enter your student’s last name and ID. Please contact studentenrollment@bsd405.org if you need assistance with determining your student’s ID number. A survey should be completed for each student independently. If you have questions, please contact your school after reviewing our Frequently Asked Questions.
SURVEY LINK: https://intentsurvey.bsd405.org/
Surveys needed to be completed by Thursday, February 18, 2021.
The following is information that may help you in making your decision:
· Switching Educational Models: In August you selected one of two learning models – virtual learning for the entire school year or temporary remote learning with the plan to return to in-person learning when feasible. We also stated that you would have the option to switch between learning models for those who want to utilize this option.
If you opt to switch learning models at this time, we want you to be aware that switching learning models may be like switching schools – new classmates, new teachers and new schedules – which can be disruptive to students in an already disruptive school year. If you wish to change learning models, we will work to accommodate you.
· Schedule: To reduce class sizes to small groups of approximately 16 or fewer students, we will split classes into two sections, Group A and B. Each group will receive in-person learning services either in the morning or the afternoon 4 days per week. This is the same schedule for our K-2 students. Wednesday’s schedule will continue with whole classes engaged in remote synchronized learning. We will be assigning the groups and will ensure that siblings are assigned to the same morning or afternoon sections.
· Transportation: Bus service will be available for students living within the bus boundaries. Safety protocols will be followed on buses including wearing masks, using hand sanitizer, specific loading and offloading procedures and disinfecting between routes. More information is available on our website.
· Childcare: Childcare is available when students are not in class. These services are available either 4 or 5 days per week depending on your needs. For more information, please see our website.
· COVID-19 Rates: The Department of Health decision tree for in-person learning does not tie re-opening schools for our youngest learners to specific infection rates. At this time, we are well within the department of health guidelines to serve elementary level students in-person. We will be providing these in-person services as long as permissible by the state Department of Health.
· Timeline for the Return of Grades 3-5 – According to our most recent agreement with the Bellevue Education Association, each elementary school has established a Safety Team comprised of, at a minimum, an administrator, teacher, nurse and staff currently serving students in-person. This team meets weekly to review local COVID data and building safety readiness.
Governor’s Travel Advisory
The Bellevue School District is complying with Governor Inslee’s travel advisory. From the advisory: “Washingtonians are encouraged to stay home or in their region and avoid non-essential travel to other states or countries.” All students participating in in-person learning, services, or activities who have traveled out of state need to self-quarantine at home for 14 days after returning from their travels before coming back to school/BOOST. Read more about the travel advisory.
As an example – after mid-winter break, students who traveled outside of the state would be able to return to school in person (if they did not develop any COVID symptoms during the 14-day quarantine) on Monday, March 8th.
If your family is in this situation, please let your child's teacher and our attendance specialist at rooneys@bsd405.org know.
Post Break Remote Learning
Playgrounds Update: Closed to the Public During School Hours
Ms. Judy, PLE’s Family Engagement Specialist
PLE Families,
Hello! This is Ms. Judy, PLE’s Family Engagement Specialist
I am personally glad that 2020 is behind me and 2021 is before all of us. I just wanted my families to know I am available 24/7 via email. I usually answer within 24hrs. You can also call or make an appointment to meet outside PLE. All conversations are confidential and will not be shared without your permission. Please reach out, even if you need to chat.
With regards
Judy Takahashi- Hunsberger
IA/ Family Engagement Specialist/AAPI Equity/PLE Eteam/ ATP/Truancy Board/FES Lead Support/ City of Bellevue Police Dep’t DOJ Advisory Board
425-456-5679 work
425-365-8176 district cell
hunsbergerju@bsd405.org
Tech Center Moving to Highland Middle School February 8
The student Tech Center is relocating from Sammamish High School to Highland Middle School beginning February 8th. With students returning for indoor sports, Sammamish needs their gyms, so student and family technology operations are shifting to Highland.
The Tech Center at Highland will be located in the Gym, which is on the east side of the building, left of the main entrance. Hours will be Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Highland is located at 15027 NE Bel-Red Road, Bellevue, WA 98007. 425-535-6300
Family Engagement Survey
The Bellevue School District is conducting a survey on family engagement in order to strengthen relationships between schools and families. Creating meaningful partnerships with parents helps students succeed both academically and socially. When families engage, student attitudes and behavior are more positive, attendance is better, there are more opportunities to honor diverse cultural backgrounds, and open communication allows us to learn from each other.
The survey opens on February 23, 2021 when families receive an email with a unique survey link from our survey platform (Panorama Education). Families will receive an email and survey for each school where they have a child enrolled, which means they may receive multiple surveys. They will be asked to answer the survey based on the experience of their oldest child in the school. The survey is only 12 questions and is available in multiple languages including English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Russian, Korean, Arabic, Amharic, Japanese and simplified Chinese.
School Photos and Yearbook Update
Our amazing PTA Yearbook Committee is working hard collecting photos! Please keep sending lots of pictures to show what your students have been up to! If you've got pics of your kids in classes, clubs, first day of hybrid learning; socially-distanced playdates or other activities, please email them to tirzahruth@gmail.com. Please be sure to include the student's name(s), teacher(s), and grade(s).
A Virtual Presentation of Black History
Bellevue School District presents, A Virtual Presentation of Black History, by Delbert Richardson. We invite all students, families, and staff to join us on Thursday, February 25th at 4 – 5:30 p.m. Delbert is the national award-winning Founder and Curator of the American History Traveling Museum: The Unspoken Truths (https://www.unspokentruths.org/). The Museum chronicles the rich history of Africans in Africa prior to American Chattel Slavery, the experiences and impact of American Chattel Slavery and of the Jim Crow Era, while also detailing the many contributions African Americans have had on scientific, cultural, and technological inventions/innovations in the U.S. and the world.
Moderator: Shomari Jones, Director of Equity & Strategic Engagement
Microsoft Teams Link: Microsoft Teams or +1 206-800-4133,,780195288#, Phone Conference ID: 780 195 288#
PTA Meeting
Join us on Wednesday, March 3rd from 7-8pm on Teams for a PTA Meeting! This is also a great chance for parents to get together virtually for some adult conversation on supporting and caring for our PLE community! Hope to see you there!
Click here to join the meeting
March 3, 2021
Times: 7:00 -8:00 PM
Microsoft Teams meeting
Join on your computer or mobile app
Click here to join the meeting
Or call in (audio only)
+1 206-800-4133,,158535305# United States, Seattle
Phone Conference ID: 158 535 305#
Find a local number | Reset PIN
PLE Donation Drive
Many families in our community continue to need assistance with necessary items. Our fall donation drive was so successful that we are doing another drive to collect food and goods! For 2 weeks between Sunday, February 21st and Sunday, March 7th, please bring donated items to the addresses below. Donated items will be delivered to one of BSD’s Family Connection Center locations after the 7th for distribution to BSD families in need - including PLE phamilies.
414 165th Ave SE
or 929 165th Ave SE
Please reference the list below for items that are in high need now!
- Food - oatmeal; pancake mix; syrup; mayo; oil (olive and/or cooking); powdered milk; spices; etc.
- Hygiene - bar & hand soap; hand sanitizer; shampoo & conditioner; lotion; deodorant; toothpaste; feminine products; etc.
- Cleaning Supplies - dish soap; laundry detergent (pods); cleaning supplies; etc.
- Paper Products - TP (Costco!); paper towels; kleenex; ziplock bags; etc.
- Baby Supplies - baby wipes; diapers (all sizes, Costco!); formula; diaper rash cream; etc.
Thank you for helping support our PLE community!
Upcoming Events and Information
February 21-Mar 7- Winter Donation Drive
February 22-26- All Classes Virtual
March 3- PTA Meeting: Click here to join the meeting
March 18 - Eat out at Mod Pizza Fundraiser
March 29-Action Team for Partnership at 7:30 AM
April 12-16- Spring Break
April 26-Action Team for Partnership at 7:30 AM
May 10-Action Team for Partnership at 7:30 AM
Questions? Contact Info.
Mr. Chhoun Mey, Assistant Principal
Mrs. Sadean Alali, Adm. Intern
Mrs. Alysia Carey, School Counselor
Mrs. Debbie Gordon, Office Manager
Mrs. Beka Anardi, PTA President
Mrs. Judy Hunsberger, Family Engagement Specialist
Website: https://bsd405.org/phantomlake/
Location: 1050 160th Ave SE, Bellevue, WA 98008, USA
Phone: (425) 456-5600