Community Update — Oct. 18, 2023

Top 5

1. Volunteering at Arbor Heights: If you are arranging with your child’s teacher to volunteer in the classroom, remember that you must first complete the SPS volunteer application to be an “approved volunteer.”
2. Hearing/Vision Screening: Nurse Shellee will screen all students on Nov. 15, 16, and 17. We would like 2–3 volunteers each day to help bring classes to the screen area and help keep kids organized. Parents can volunteer for a whole day or a morning or afternoon shift.
   • Sign up to volunteer for Vision Screening
   • Sign up to volunteer for Hearing Screening
3. Please be on time! Students arriving late to school disrupt the classroom, and it is sometimes difficult for the late student to get up to speed with the learning in progress. Please make sure your student is here by the second bell at 7:55 a.m.
4. School Breakfast & Lunch Menus: The online menus from last year are no longer being used. The Tech department and Culinary Services are working on finding a new online solution. In the meantime, go here to find the monthly SPS menus.
5. Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) testing: Map testing is wrapping up for students in Grades 1–5. The MAP, taken on a computer, typically requires about an hour each for math and reading. It measures a student’s developing skills through a series of questions that adapt to the child’s level of learning. We will assess students with MAP again later in the year to measure academic growth.

Upcoming

Other News

Refugee and Immigrant Family Center Bilingual Preschool enrolls children 3–5 years old and has some spots open in their half-day classroom, Monday through Thursday. The morning session is from 8:30–11:30 a.m., and the afternoon session is from 12:30–3:30 p.m. This classroom is free for families that qualify. Learn more by contacting the Refugee and Immigrant Family Center at 206-767-6896. They are located at 6535 Delridge Way SW.

COVID: We are no longer sending out communications to families regarding COVID. Please follow the SPS public-facing site regarding COVID and other illnesses, as well as the Department of Health (DOH) decision tree. There is no difference in the length of isolation time due to the severity of their illness because we cannot judge if a student has mild, moderate, or severe symptoms. Isolation is based on when a person tests positive and/or exhibits symptoms. Best advice: Isolate for 5 days after testing positive, then return to school on the sixth day after testing positive. Someone who has had COVID is strongly recommended (not required) to wear a high-quality, well-fitted mask for days 6–10 after testing positive.

From the PTSA

Join the PTSA’s General Meeting on Thursday, Oct. 19, at 7 p.m. via Zoom.  We will be voting on our Standing Rules and discussing this year’s priority.  All are welcome to join, but only members are able to vote. Current Arbor Heights families, look for the Zoom link via email.

A few more volunteers are needed to help with Popcorn Friday on Friday, Oct. 20. Sign up to volunteer!

We look forward to seeing our families at two fun fall events.

1. Fall Garden Party & Community Cider Press on Saturday, Oct. 28.
2. Harvest Dance on Friday, Nov. 3. Lots of volunteer support is needed to throw this amazing event.
   • Sign up to volunteer for the Harvest Dance!
   • RSVP to the Harvest Dance by Oct. 30!

For more great information about our amazing Arbor Heights PTSA.