Capitol Hill Weekly Update

As we wrap up the year, I want to take a moment to thank you for your partnership, participation, and engagement. It has truly been a special first year, and I feel so grateful to be part of this community. My heart is full thinking about the energy, care, and commitment that families bring to our school each day. I’ve loved getting to know our students, learning their names, and watching them grow every day.

I’m also incredibly thankful for the hard work of our teachers and staff. We have seen meaningful academic growth this year, and that is a direct result of their dedication and care for students. It has been a privilege to be in classrooms, to learn alongside students, and to see the strong instruction and relationships that are at the heart of our school.

I’m especially excited to celebrate our kindergartners and fifth graders as they move on to their next chapter. This time of year is full of milestones, and it’s such a joy to watch our students stretch and take on new challenges.

Thank you as well for your involvement in our Site Council and PTA, and for showing up to Principal Coffees, sharing your questions, and reaching out throughout the year. Your engagement helps shape our work and strengthens our community.

I’m really looking forward to celebrating with everyone at the BBQ—coming together, sharing food, and connecting as a community. It was one of my first experiences here, and I’m excited for it to bookend our first year together.

In service to students,

Febe Armendariz

Principal

farmenda@pps.net

We are excited to invite you to vote for next year’s Site Council parent representatives! First, we are so grateful to the parents who have served this year—their time, care, and thoughtfulness have made a meaningful impact on our school community—and we’re thrilled that some are interested in returning, along with new parents eager to contribute. While we wish we could include everyone, we are able to select three representatives. In alignment with PAT guidelines, our Site Council includes an equal number of parent and staff members, and we will be electing three parent representatives for the upcoming year.

What does the Site Council do? The Site Council partners with school leadership to support our School Continuous Improvement Plan (SCIP) by reviewing schoolwide data on achievement, attendance, and discipline, and helping guide decisions that improve outcomes for all students—especially those historically underserved. Thank you for taking the time to read the candidate bios and for your vote and engagement in this important process.

Candidate Bios

Hi, my name is Lindsey Becker. The thing I love most about CHE is how it is a true neighborhood school with such a vibrant community and culture. There is so much engagement and enthusiasm from the administration, the teachers, and the children and their families. It's an honor to be a part of helping build that community and to support CHE being the best school it can be for every child.

I have two daughters at Capital and previously served on Site Council for three years with Mr. Sauers as the notetaker. I’ve missed it this year. I miss being a voice that represents students who do not simply learn through osmosis. I care deeply about creating a supportive environment where struggling students are intentionally planned for. I believe this is done through strong systems that use research based practices, curriculum, and data. So even after working all day to support students in Special Education, I would love the opportunity to join Site Council again to spend the evenings thoughtfully cultivating a school community where our children feel safe, seen, and successful.

Hello, my name is Jean-Francois Ortiz, and I’d like to be considered for the Site Council at Capitol Hill Elementary as a way to become more actively involved in our school community and support its continued success. Professionally, I serve as Director of Photo Studios and Production at Columbia Sportswear Company and also sit on an advisory board for a creative SaaS platform. These experiences have shaped a collaborative and thoughtful approach to leadership and decision-making.

I’m part of a multicultural family with three young boys, two currently attending CHE (Kindergarten and 3rd grade) and a third who will join in the coming years. With at least one child enrolled at CHE for the next six years, I have a strong, long-term investment in the school and the experience it provides for all students.

As a current member of the PTA board, serving on Site Council feels like a natural extension of my commitment to contributing positively to the CHE community. I would value the opportunity to represent and collaborate with other families to support thoughtful decision-making at our school.

Hi, my name is Rebecca Phillips. I am the parent of a graduating 5th grader and an incoming Kindergartener. I’ve been part of the school community for five years. Over those five years, we have developed close relationships with other Capitol Hill families, enjoyed watching our son and his peers blossom and participated in many community events.

In my professional life, I work with autistic individuals. I have worked in both clinical and educational settings to help autistic folks and their families build skills and achieve goals that align with their values. I have served on the Site Council for two years and am interested in continuing to serve to better understand how decisions are made at the school level and to contribute to thoughtful planning that lifts up all Capitol Hill children.

I care deeply about social emotional work and how it sets our children up for success in their individual relationships, communities and academically. I believe the most meaningful improvement at the individual and community level comes from true listening and collaboration.

Hello! My name is Carrie Samuels, and I'm the parent of a 3rd grader at Capitol Hill. I've been a member of the CHE community for four years and have served on Site Council since my son entered CHE as a kindergartner.

I hold a doctorate in Educational Leadership and Research, so education has long-been a passion of mine. I currently serve as Chief Growth Officer for Cascade AIDS Project and oversee CAP's clinical program, Prism Health. As my career at a mission-driven non-profit indicates, I'm naturally drawn to service and being able to volunteer and give back to CHE is quite important to me. I'm a data nerd and love being in a role that offers an opportunity to really understand how CHE is doing in its internal goals and the goals given to us by the school district.

Capitol Hill Site Council Ballot-Parents: https://forms.gle/XoAKjqfBub8mx8w69

We’re excited to celebrate another amazing school year with our students, families, and staff. Come enjoy great food, games, music, and time together as a school community before summer begins.

To help us plan food, seating, and activities, please take a moment to complete the short attendance survey and let us know if your family can make it. Your response will help us make sure everyone has a great time!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScNaL3mPXMPSz04ZAgb2ddbPsRQEWaIV0q-NdQkchMMBSR9kQ/viewform.

We hope to see you there for an afternoon of fun, connection, and celebration on Wednesday, June 3, 5-7pm!

Next years PTA board is still looking for a Volunteer Coordinate 2. Volunteer coordinate connects with leads to determine volunteer need, send out communications regarding upcoming opportunities and manage volunteer sign-up lists. Bonus - we have filled the Volunteer Coordinate 1 position, so you won't be doing this alone and will be able to split the duties.

Event Leads/Co-Leads we need to fill ASAP.

VIP Day - A Friday in October when someone special (grandparent, aunt, uncle, family friend, etc.) to the student comes to the school to see their classroom, meets their teacher, enjoys refreshments and visits the Book Fair. The leads will coordinate with school on the schedule for each grade level and setup, clean up and plan the refreshments and decorations in the cafeteria.

Big Boo - The Halloween Carnival and one of the most loved events by the students! The leads will plan the carnival games (we have all on the props for the games), activities (snacks, arts & Crafts, etc.), purchase prizes and setup/cleanup. Bonus - the Haunted Library already has a lead, so you will only be handling the games/activities.

Auction - The biggest fundraiser event of the year to help fund classroom budgets, field trips, school play and other events for the school. We looking for two leads to plan and execute this event. The last two years have been a community centered event that has been successfully but you can plan whatever type of event you would like.

Staff Appreciation - Plans and coordinates staff/teacher appreciations days.

All this events can be planned after work hours. If you are interest in leading one of these events, please follow the link to sign up: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1gHkZSi8kJuUY0-54EkPskqi2EXlS3Mk0/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=101259453662610996677&rtpof=true&sd=true

If you have any questions, please reach out to Tabitha Ames at amestabs@gmail.com.

Our Lost & Found is full again so please check it out for lost sweatshirts & jackets before or after school. It will also be out during the BBQ. Anything not claimed will go to the PPS Clothing Closet.

Our school year calendar has all of the important school-related dates for your reference.

• 6/2 5th Grade Kickball Game-8:30 AM
• 6/3 Assembly-1:45 PM
• 6/3 Community BBQ-5-7 PM
• 6/4 Kindergarten Promotion-12:30 PM-2 PM
• 6/5 5th Grade Promotion-1 PM
• 6/5 Last Day of School
  
  

Reminder: When picking up students early please make sure you (or who ever is picking them up) brings their ID so we can check to make sure you are approved to pick up the student.