News from the Nest
Arbor Heights Monthly Family Newsletter
August 21,2025
- From the Principal’s Perch
- Key Dates
- General School Information
- 2025-2026 Homeroom Teacher Assignments
- Drop Off and Pick up Procedures
- Start of School Forms
- Junior Seahawks Pride
- Volunteers
- Arbor Heights Breakfast and Lunch
- Before and After School Enrichment (BASE)
- District News
- PTSA Updates
- Arbor Heights Monthly Family Newsletter Archive
From the Principal’s Perch
I’m thrilled to join the Arbor Heights community as your new principal. It’s an honor to be part of such a vibrant school where our Junior Seahawks soar together in learning, creativity, and growth. I look forward to getting to know each of you and supporting our students’ academic and social-emotional success.
To keep you connected and informed, we will send a detailed monthly newsletter sharing important school news, events, and updates. In addition, every week you’ll receive a quick snapshot called Nest Notes: Key 3, highlighting the top five things to know — perfect for staying up to date in just a few minutes.
Communication is a priority for me, and I welcome your feedback, questions, and ideas as we work together to make this a fantastic year. Thank you for entrusting us with your children — I am excited for the journey ahead as part of the Arbor Heights community.
Below, you’ll find some key updates and information to help start the year strong. Here’s to a wonderful year of learning and community!
In partnership,
Principal Porto (she/her)
Key Dates
- September 2: Meet & Greet, 2:00 – 3:00 at Arbor Heights
- September 3: First Day of School Grades 1-5
- September 3 – 5: Kindergarten conferences
- September 8: First Day of School Prek and Kinder
- September 18: PTSA Ice Cream Social, 5:00 – 7:00pm at Arbor Heights playground
General School Information
Bell Times & Arrival Reminders
Arrival begins at 7:35 a.m. when adult supervision is available. For everyone’s safety, please wait until 7:35 to drop off your child. Students who are dropped off earlier than 7:35 will not have access to the school, which is always locked, and must wait outside with their parent/guardian. At 7:35, students may enter the playground through one of the back gates or be buzzed through the front door where they will be directed straight back to the cafeteria or playground. The first bell rings at 7:50 and all students will move to their designated class lineup spot on the playground. Teachers will escort their classes into the building when the second bell rings at 7:55 and all gates will be locked.
Starting this year, if students arrive after the tardy bell, a parent or guardian will need to come to the front office to sign them in. This helps ensure students are supervised once the front doors are closed and allows your child to head straight to class without waiting in line. Thank you for your support in helping us keep everyone safe and our school day running smoothly!
Regular Office Hours
- The office will be open from 7:00am – 3:15pm
- Main office number: 206-252-9250
- Reporting Daily Absences and change of dismissal is required to excuse any absence-
- Attendance Line: 206-252-9252
- email: arborheights.attendance@seattleschools.org
Dismissal changes
If there is a change in your student’s typical dismissal plan, please let the office know by 1:30pm. You can call the office or email arborheights.attendance@seattleschools.us.
Handbook
You can find much more information about our school in the Arbor Heights Handbook.
2025-2026 Homeroom Teacher Assignments
Class Placement
Classroom placement decisions are made thoughtfully by our staff, who work to create well-balanced classrooms that support the success of all students. Please note that no classroom changes will be considered unless there are extenuating circumstances that may necessitate a change. If you feel a change is necessary, you may request a meeting with the principal. Please schedule with our office manager, Karen Ferraro by calling the main office or emailing her at klferraro@seattleschools.org.
The 2025-26 Homeroom teachers are:
- PK: Mimi Day and Julie Gardiner
- K: Sarah McAlpin, Jay Ogata, Erin Spiegel, Vicki Golden
- 1st: Adam Kratz, Gretchen Rubesch, Elle Parsons
- 2nd: Anna Coghill, Jen Crowell, Sydney Miller
- 3rd: Hannah Lortz, Amy West, Peggy Combs, Ruben Gonzalez
- 4th: Meghan Tavelli, Damon Taylor, Hannah Armour Smith
- 5th: Adam Van Straten, Angie Nall, Patti Sheed
Meet and Greet
Join us on September 2, 2:00 – 3:00pm for Arbor Heights Junior Seahawks Meet and Greet. Families will be receiving communication from teachers, introducing themselves as your students’ teachers, prior to this date. The Meet and Greet is an opportunity for students to meet their teachers, visit their classroom and drop off supplies.
Kindergarten families, please visit the K team’s Amazon Wishlist.
Drop Off and Pick up Procedures
At Arbor Heights, we are committed to ensuring a safe and smooth arrival and dismissal process each day. To help us maximize efficiency and keep all students safe, we need your support in following our established pick-up and drop-off procedures.
Drop-off and Pick-up by Car
Please see the attached map for routes. You may drop your child off at the front entrance starting at 7:35 by entering from either 104th or 105th. If you wish to walk into the building, you may park your car in a designated parking spot (sometimes our lot is full). In the drop-off lane (blue arrows), drivers must always remain in their vehicle. While there might be space for two lanes of traffic in the front drop-off area, only one lane is used during times of high traffic volume, just before and after school.
Drop-off and Pick-up by Foot
Students who walk to school enter through the gates off 104th and 105th which are monitored by school personnel beginning at 7:35. Students may proceed to the cafeteria if they are eating breakfast or can remain on the playground until 7:50. Preschool and Kindergarten students will be greeted and supervised on the lower playground at 7:35.
Parents/Guardians on Playground
Safety is our top priority. School personnel wear bright yellow safety vests while monitoring students on the playground before and after school. We ask that all other adults remain on the sidewalk outside the playground between 7:35 a.m. and 2:35 p.m.
Animals on Playground
For everyone’s comfort and safety, please keep dogs and other pets off the playground when students are present.
Start of School Forms
Get the 2025-26 school year off to a great start by being prepared with the information you need!
Please take some time to review the Start of Schools Forms and Information from Seattle Public Schools. Contact the office if you would like a hard copy of any form.
The following forms are required to complete:
- Survey to Identify Disabled Students (504-2) Form
- FERPA Opt-Out Forms — Forms become automatic OPT-IN on Oct. 1
- 506 Indian Student Eligibility Form — For new students only
- PPRA Notice (Grades 3–12 only)
Junior Seahawks Pride
We invite you to celebrate being a a Junior Seahawk every week.
Every Monday: Junior Seahawks gear, break out your Arbor Heights swag or Blue and Green💚💙
Every Friday: Fan Friday! Fridays are a day to celebrate everything you love. Show off what you love by wearing your favorite team jersey, your own team gear, or a shirt that represents something you’re a fan of—like Pokémon, Minecraft, Unicorns, or anything else that makes you smile.
Volunteers
We would love to have you volunteer in our building! If you are interested in volunteering (which includes chaperoning field trips and fun events) we encourage you to apply now! This will ensure that your application is approved in more than enough time for whatever events you are hoping to support with. Thank you for sharing your time and talents – it truly makes a difference.
✅Complete the SPS Volunteer Application
✅Check your status: Volunteer Login (Be sure you are registered with Arbor Heights Elementary.)
You can find more information on our Arbor Heights Volunteer Page.
Arbor Heights Breakfast and Lunch
Breakfast and Lunch are available for purchase every day.
Information about Free or Reduced Student meals
Please note that SPS Culinary Services does their best to follow the planned menu, but last-minute changes may occur.
Before and After School Enrichment (BASE)
The Y is proud to partner with Arbor heights to provide after school enrichment. Please see the attachment for more information.
Visit the YMCA BASE website for more information.
Affordable for All
The Y is committed to ensuring all families have access to quality and enriching youth programs. We accept Working Connections Child Care (WCCC) subsidy at many locations. In addition, the Y provides financial assistance and a sliding fee schedule.
Contact info:
registration@seattleymca.org
206-382-5022
District News
Fall Highly Capable Engagement Sessions
The Department of Highly Capable services is hosting engagement sessions this fall. These gatherings are a chance for families, staff, students, and community members to come together, share ideas, and help shape the future of Highly Capable services in SPS.
Your voice matters, and your feedback will help us grow and improve. We hope you will join us at one of the sessions listed below:
Regional Meetings (6:30–7:30 p.m., specific location details will be shared soon):
Tuesday, Sept. 30 – Southwest Region
Virtual Session (6:30-7:30 p.m.)
Tuesday, Oct. 28
In-Person at John Stanford Center (11 a.m.-noon):
Saturday, Nov. 8
Want to share your thoughts ahead of the meetings? Please provide feedback via ThoughtExchange.
Need interpretation services at the engagement sessions? Please fill out an interpreter request form:
- Amharic interpreter request form
- Chinese interpreter request form
- Somali interpreter request form
- Spanish interpreter request form
- Vietnamese interpreter request form
- American Sign Language interpreter request form
Questions? Email us at HiCap@seattleschools.org.
PTSA Updates
PTSA uses Hawkeyes to help keep families connected and informed. Very soon, you’ll get a note from your child’s teacher asking if you’d like to share your contact info with your classroom Hawkeye. This way, they can reach out to you about fun school events and classroom updates, so no one misses out and we can grow together as a community. Keep an eye out—it’s coming soon!