PLE Principal's Updates
January 4, 2021
Dear PLE Community,
During 2020, we were pushed to rethink and redesign everything that we had done in the past, and we also had to connect with each other and our community from afar through a computer. One of the biggest learnings for me during this whole process was realizing how much I appreciate face-to-face interactions with staff, students, and our community because this was something I had always taken for granted. For me, knowing that we could always count on each other when we needed it made a huge difference during such a complex year. One of the things I appreciate the most about being part of PLE is seeing how even under such extreme circumstances we continued to stay strong as a community.
Welcome back! I hope you had a relaxing Winter Break and are eager to return to school. We are thrilled to have all of you back as we continue learning and growing! Our goal is to continue building partnerships and relationships with our parents and students.
Melisa Macias, PLE Principal
January Principal's Coffee (PLE Safety Protocols)
We had the privilege of welcoming you all to the Principal’s Coffee last school year. The Principal's Coffee was like a coming-out party with parents and community members. It was one of our opportunities to meet you face-to-face, shake your hand, and have a conversation.
Since then, with the very generous and much-appreciated help of our PTA, we have gathered each month in the FCC room and discussed a variety of topics related to life and learning at PLE. We have enjoyed these monthly meetings with you, and I look forward to connect with you this upcoming January to discuss in person services for students at PLE. During the month of January, we will have our principal's coffee dedicated to provide information regarding the transition to pivot to Hybrid with opportunities for Q/A. We will meet on Friday, January 15th at 7:30 AM using the following link:
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,,725372995# United States, Seattle
Phone Conference ID: 725 372 995#
In Person Services for students in grades K-2
Starting with an AM/PM Schedule
As a step toward returning our K-2 students full-time in-person, we are starting with a half-day schedule, with students assigned to either an AM or PM cohort. This step will allow us to refine our health and safety protocols while students are in smaller cohorts. It also enables us to avoid having students eating lunch with their masks off.
We realize the half-day schedule may not be ideal for some families, but again this is just a step toward a full-day return.
During the other half of the day, students will receive remote instruction from specialists, have time to complete adaptive software assignments such as Lexia and Freckle, and complete other asynchronous assignments and independent reading.
The actual start time will vary by elementary school. For our school, the hours are 8:40 AM to 11:10 AM or 12:40 PM to 3:10 PM Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Your child will attend in-person for 2.5 hours in either the morning or afternoon group. Parents will receive an email with the exact information for your child.
Wednesdays will be remote synchronous and asynchronous for students. Our school assemblies are on Wednesdays at 9:00 AM. Please check your child's Outlook for the meeting calendar invite.
- Jan. 21: 2nd graders
- Jan. 25: 1st graders
- Feb. 1: Kindergarteners
AM/PM Student Assignments
Initial AM/PM student assignments have been created by the last name to keep siblings together across grade levels. From there, the school staff will finalize the cohorts. The AM/PM assignments will be provided to second-grade families this week. Families may make requests to change assignments based on extenuating circumstances and space availability; please note that we may not be able to accommodate all requests to change and will prioritize those most essential. First grade and kindergarten cohort assignments will follow soon after.
What is the timeline for reopening other grades? District leaders, educators, and staff have been working on planning for all grade levels. The district will share information through our regular communication channels when additional information is available.
The district has a full list of FAQs on their website, for additional information, visit https://bsd405.org/BacktoBuildings.
Coming Soon: In the next week or so, I will be sharing other important information about in-person services including drop-off/pick-up information, safety protocols in place, health expectations for families and more!
Childcare
Childcare will continue to be open during the next wave of in person services. All BSD families are eligible, and priority will be given to essential workers, including BSD staff. Examples of other essential workers include healthcare workers and first responders. Families will be informed of acceptance within the week that they apply.
Our childcare centers follow public health and safety guidance, which includes symptom monitoring, distancing, increased hand hygiene (washing and providing sanitizing stations), more extensive cleaning, and ventilation. In addition, staff and children are required to wear face coverings.
What childcare services are being offered?
Space is available for kindergarten through 5th grade students at three locations – Eastgate, Phantom Lake, and Stevenson Elementary Schools.
Care is provided from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday- Friday. Transportation from home schools to BOOST sites and meal service will be available. The cost for kindergarten through 2nd grade students attending in person services is $768 a month. The cost of 3-5th grade students attending BOOST full time is $1280 per month. Scholarships are available for qualifying families. As we do not receive state or private funding for this program, tuition supports the cost of operations and staffing. The additional safety measures and lower staffing ratios do not allow for flexibility in the costs of the program at this time.
King County Health Department guidelines will be followed, and masks or face coverings will be required for all students and staff.
To learn more and register, please complete the following forms:
2020-21 NEW BOOST REGISTRATION (ENGLISH)
2020-21 NEW BOOST REGISTRATION (SPANISH)
2020-21 BOOST K-2 HYBRID (SPANISH)
2020-21 BOOST K-2 HYBRID (ENGLISH)
For more information or questions, contact the Bellevue School District Early Learning Department at (425) 456-4030 or elp@bsd405.org.
Kindergarten Orientation 2021-2022
We are inviting our community to join our kindergarten orientation on January 21 from 6:00 to 7:00 PM. Our amazing PLE kindergarten teachers and support staff will have a presentation. Please use the link below to join:
School Options for the 2020-21 School Year
This year, the Open Transfer (formerly Open Enrollment) and Choice School/Program application period are during the same time period – December 7, 2020, through January 15, 2021. All applicants must be residents of the Bellevue School District at the time of application. Residency documents will be requested at the time of enrollment. (The children of fulltime BSD employees may apply). Siblings of current students are not guaranteed enrollment and must apply.
For more information please visit
BSD Family Engagement Advisory Committee
The Bellevue School District is developing a Family Engagement Advisory Committee to represent the diverse voices of families we serve.
If selected, members of this committee will participate in developing long-term practices of inclusion and representation of the diverse communities in our system. Further, members will both give AND receive critical feedback and advisement on matters important to four primary groups: BSD School Board, District Leadership Team, Equity Advisory Group, Department of Equity and Family Engagement (potentially others) and engage in experiences to deepen their knowledge and ability to impact organizational transformation.
This is a one-year commitment of 4-5 hours per month. The 2020-21 Committee will begin in February 2021 and serve for a 5-month term, with the option of extending through 2021-22. The first virtual meet and greet will take place on Thursday, February 4, 2021 at 5:00 p.m.
PTA Yearbook Committee
YES! The yearbook is still happening! Our amazing PTA Yearbook Committee is working with Yuen Lui on options for the kids' pictures. Stay tuned for more info. In the meantime, we're going to need lots of pictures from our families to show what the kids have been up to! If you've got pics of your kids in classes, clubs, 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).
Need Help with Technology?
Tech support is available Monday through Friday! Visit https://bsd405.org/techsupport for details. For self-guided support, explore the list of common questions and resources. Information on BSD Technology Centers is on our website.
Upcoming Events and Information
January 15- Principal's Coffee (PLE Safety Protocols) at 7:30 AM
January 15- Open Transfer and choice school program application period close
January 20- MLK Assembly
January 21: In-person services for 2nd graders begin
January 21- PLE Kindergarten orientation night 6:00-7:00 PM
January 25- In-person services for 1st graders begin
February 1- In-person services for Kindergarteners begin
February 1-Action Team for Partnership at 7:30 AM
March 29-Action Team for Partnership at 7:30 AM
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