10.22.26 News from the Nest

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 three things to know — perfect for staying up to date in just a few minutes.

October is Disability Awareness Month, a time to celebrate the diversity of abilities and experiences in our community and reflect on how we can create a world where everyone feels valued, included, and able to participate fully.

Throughout the month, I have been visiting classrooms to share read-alouds and engage students in conversations about disability, accessibility, and belonging. So far, we've explored All the Way to the Top by Annette Bay Pimentel, Just Ask! by Sonia Sotomayor, and We Move Together by Kelly Fritsch and Anne McGuire. These books have sparked thoughtful conversations about differences, the importance of accessibility, and how we can help create communities where everyone belongs.

At Arbor Heights, this work is especially meaningful. We are fortunate to offer a continuum of special education services, allowing us to serve students from our neighborhood as well as students from other neighborhoods whose schools do not currently offer the same specialized programming. Just over 20% of our students receive special education services. This diversity is one of our strengths. Our students have opportunities every day to learn alongside peers with different abilities, perspectives, and experiences. These relationships help all of our Junior Seahawks develop empathy, understanding, and a deeper appreciation for what each person brings to our community.

Disability awareness is about more than recognizing differences. It's about understanding that disability is a natural part of human diversity, challenging barriers, and recognizing that everyone deserves to belong. While October gives us an opportunity to highlight these conversations, this is work we are committed to throughout the year.

I encourage families to continue these conversations at home. Understood offers helpful resources for talking with children about learning differences. For a family outing, consider visiting the Seattle Children's PlayGarden or Bellevue's Inspiration Playground, both of which are inclusive play spaces designed for children of all abilities to play and explore together.

Thank you for helping us build a community where every Junior Seahawk is seen, valued, and celebrated. 💙💚

Every Monday: Junior Seahawk Pride, Wear your AHE Gear 💚💙

Every Wednesday: Early dismissal, 1:10 p.m.

Every Friday: Fan Friday 🙌(no costumes)

October 30: PTSA Harvest Festival, 5-7 p.m.

November 4: 5th grade Camp Seymour Family Meeting (virtual)

November 6: Popcorn Friday

November 9: Veterans Day Assembly, families and veterans welcome!

November 11: Veterans Day - No School

November 20: Makeup Picture Day

November 23 - 25: Family-Teacher Conferences - No School

November 26-27: Thanksgiving and Native American Heritage Day - No School

On November 9 we will have our annual Veterans Day Assembly. If you would like to have a veteran or service member included in our tribute slideshow, please email Assistant Principal Haider at amhaider@seattleschools.org with the following information:

• Photo of the veteran or service member

• Full name and rank

• Branch of service

• Relationship to the student and student name

If you submitted last year, no need to send in anything again, unless there is a change!

The assembly will be open to families and veterans. There will be musical performances by each grade level, honoring the veterans in attendance. Please check out the Veterans Day assembly invitation for more information.

Family-teacher conferences are just around the corner! Conferences will take place November 23-25, and there will be no school for students during those days. This is a special opportunity to visit your child's classroom, meet one-on-one with their teacher, and learn more about their academic progress, strengths, and goals for the year.

Please be on the lookout for scheduling information from your child's teacher in the coming weeks. Next week's Nest Notes will include more specific details about conference dates, times, and when families can expect to be scheduled.

We look forward to partnering with you during this important time to celebrate your child's growth and support their continued success.

After our bubble prints, artists in every grade jumped into three new projects.

Amate Painting. We opened Hispanic Heritage Month with Amate, a Mexican folk-art tradition painted on bark paper. Students made their own “bark” by crumpling and washing paper bags. Then they painted birds and flowers in tempera. We also met artists from across the country and right here at home, including Jake Prendez, who runs the Nepantla Cultural Arts gallery in our neighborhood.

Neon Glow Painting. Next came bright fluorescent paintings, a first taste of the Glow Hallway coming to Arbor Heights on Friday, October 30, at the Harvest Festival. The hallway is built by families and is a PTSA fundraiser for art supplies.

Clay: Goblins, Pumpkins and Disguises. Now we’re working in clay. Students are learning the fundamentals every ceramic artist uses: forming a pinch pot and joining clay with score, slip, stick and smooth. After a few rounds of practice, each student will build a piece that I fire for them to take home.

Coming up: the story of clay, from mountains to rivers to the potter’s hands. And in June, the Spring Art Show, with work from every grade.

Songs for Autumn and Spooky Season are in full swing in the music room. Vocal performance is almost perfect for the upcoming Veteran's Day Assembly, taking place November 9th. Pre-K, Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grades have been vocally exploring ghost-like sounds. Additionally, they have started basic compositions using ghost roller coaster strings. Instruments are being introduced this year, by playing different parts in "Autumn is Here" by Rob DelGuadio. Soon we will play together with Orff instruments (xylophones).

Looking forward to celebrating Disability Awareness month by spotlighting disabled composers showing ways to use adaptive instruments.

Pre-K through 2nd Grade

This month, we've been having fun dancing! Our warm-up song is the YMCA—your student has probably been singing it at home! We've also been exploring movements inspired by video game characters. Ask your child about their favorite character and the fun movements that go with it!

This week's game is 4 Square Knockout, where students practice different throwing styles: soccer throw, bowling throw, and baseball throw. It's a great way to build throwing skills while having fun!

Starting in November, Pre-K and Kindergarten will begin our Everyone Bikes curriculum. This is an exciting way for young learners to explore biking and balance!

3rd through 5th Grade

We're continuing with 4 Square Knockout, focusing on throwing techniques including soccer, bowling, and baseball styles. Students are also learning about our report card expectations and what skills we're working toward.

In November, we'll launch our Let's Go Pedestrian and Bike curriculum, which teaches safe walking and biking skills.

Get ready for Halloween week—we have some fantastic games planned!

Our 4th and 5th grade students have been learning through the Second Step bullying prevention lessons, focusing on recognizing bullying, showing empathy, and knowing how to respond safely.

These lessons apply to all students. Whether a child experiences bullying, witnesses it, or needs help understanding how their behavior affects others. Every student has a role in creating a safe, respectful, and inclusive school community.

How can families reinforce these skills at home?

• Practice empathy: Ask, “How do you think that person felt?”
• Encourage inclusion: Talk about ways to help others feel welcome and included.
• Speak up safely: Remind children to use their bystander power by telling a trusted adult if they see or experience bullying.
• Keep communication open: Check in about friendships and let children know they can come to you with concerns.

Together, we can help all students build healthy relationships and create a community where everyone feels safe, valued, and included!

All students may receive one complete breakfast and one complete lunch at no cost each school day. Additional items, second meals, and milk purchased separately are not included and will be charged to the student’s meal account.

Please note that SPS Culinary Services does their best to follow the planned menu, but last-minute changes may occur.

Join us Friday, October 30 from 5–7 PM for the 1st Annual Harvest Festival! Enjoy games and crafts, dancing, food trucks, a cake walk, a black-light hallway of glowing student art, and a community cider press. Bring your own apples to press into cider and containers to take home. Costumes are encouraged (no masks or face coverings)!

Help Make Harvest Festival Awesome!

We need help with games, the cake walk, arts & crafts, cider pressing, setup (3 PM), and cleanup (7 PM). Even one hour makes a big difference! Find a shift on the PTSA Volunteer Hub.

Thank you to every runner, donor, and volunteer who made the Jog-A-Thon a huge success! Together we raised $37,000 toward field trips, Popcorn Fridays, music, 5th grade camp, and more. Missed it? You can still give through your student's page through 10/30.

Many employers match donations, so check whether yours does to double your impact!

Our goal is for every Arbor Heights student to learn in the school garden at least once each academic year. A new Garden Committee is bringing community members together to brainstorm learning experiences, sometimes while tending the garden. Join anytime through the Volunteer Hub.