B.F. Day Dayette

Greetings Families!

I write this Dayette acknowledging that SEA has voted to authorize a strike that may or may not mean we open school as scheduled next Wednesday. Like you, I'll be watching for communication from SPS regarding the start of school, but I want to make sure to communicate the plans and news so we're all ready to start on the 2nd if an agreement is reached.

Our certificated staff and some of our classified staff returned to work Thursday. It's been a busy day and everyone is enthusiastically preparing classrooms and lessons, eagerly anticipating the return of students to B.F. Day. I'm looking forward to having everyone back in the building together Monday when all staff return from the summer break.

You might imagine how much there is to do after a major renovation on this beautiful old building, in addition to all of the preparation to start school in a normal year. In addition to our planning and operations meetings, our staff have been reassembling classrooms, moving furniture and re-creating those warm and inviting touches that make our learning spaces so inviting. They've been collaborating on finalizing class lists, instructional schedules, managing materials, and preparing lessons. I know you appreciate them as much as I do.

We are excited to greet your children soon!

P.S. I'm adding a section at the very bottom of the Dayette that will include the links to previous issues. You'll find last week's link there, just in case you missed it.

· 8/29: Kindergarten Playdate 10:00-11:00

· 8/31: K-5 Social on the playground 4:00-5:00

· 9/2: First day of school for 1st-5th,

· 9/2 – 9/4: Family meetings for Pre-K and K

· 9/5: Kindergarten playdate, 10:00-11:00

9/7: NO SCHOOL in observance of Labor Day

· 9/8: First day of school for Pre-K and K

9/13: Family Picnic 4:30-6:30 on the upper uppers

9/24: Curriculum Night

We're excited to welcome our kindergarten through fifth grade families back to campus on Monday, August 31st for our annual back to school social. Class lists will posted at 4:00. If you haven't attended this event before, here's what to expect. The playground will closed right up until 4:00, that allows our PTSA to get some tables set up, and our school team to get the lists posted. At 4:00 we'll unlock the gates, and invite families on the playground, and we'll direct you to where the lists are posted. After you learn your child's classroom assignments, please enjoy time socializing and playing on the playground. Teachers will send out their welcome letters on the 31st as well.

I write this optimistically planning that we will be starting school next Wednesday. If we don't open that day, you will receive a revised plan when school does open.

The first day of school follows a full day schedule, not an early release. Pick-up will be at 2:25. Please communicate with your student’s teacher what your pick-up plan is so they get your child to the place you expect them to be: with the buses, parent pick-up, or another plan. We can relieve a lot of stress for your family and child with your help. After September 2nd, school ends at 1:10 on Wednesdays.

Supervision begins on the playground at 7:35. Students should be lined up with their teachers by 7:50 and are in classrooms doing morning routines by 7:55. If you are dropping your student off by vehicle, please drop off on Fremont Avenue on the west side of the building and have your students walk up the stairs. Do not use Linden. Vehicles on Linden can cause congestion, block buses, and otherwise make things challenging for our neighbors. Parking lots are reserved for staff only.

Every day is a device free day at B.F. Day. If your child has a smart watch or phone, please have them leave it at home. If your child must carry a cellular device, remind them to have it in their backpack and turned off for school bus rides and the school day.

If your student is going to the Wallingford Boys & Girls Club after school program, families will need to request bussing through Transportation. The best way to contact them is through emailing transdept@seattleschools.org . You can also try calling, however, this time of year there is often long hold time. The # is 206.252.0900. You will need your students ID#, which you can find on their Source account. Once they confirm your student’s place, please inform the office as we will have to make a temporary pass for them to ride until Transportatin is able to input them into the system. You can email the Attendance line at bfday.attendance@seattleschools.org. Information on how to access your Source account can be found here: https://www.seattleschools.org/student-portal/technology-supports-for-families/source/

I'm excited to share that in an effort to support our kindergarteners, Ms. Papineau will be teaching a third class for our ELA curriculum. Like Ms. Ferrel and Ms. Mathan, Ms. Papineau is an experience primary grade teacher. Having her support class size reduction in literacy supports our learning goals for all children. She will have students from Ms. Ferrel's and Ms. Mathan's classes. Students in all three groups will represent the variety of skill levels that make up our kindergarten class. We will not be taking requests for placements. Please look for more information from the kindergarten teachers once school begins.

As many of you are aware, SPS has recently purchased a new English Language Arts curriculum. Last week district leadership shared guidance with principals that this curriculum should be taught to students in their current grade level. After careful consideration, and in conversation with B.F. Day teachers, my Director, Dr. Mercer, and the leadership in SPS Curriculum and Instruction, we have decided to have all single grade classes for third and fourth grade, instead of a 3rd / 4th grade split. This will mean larger classes in the two third grade classes, and we will add a second 4th grade class.

Third grade teachers are Randi Noreng and Janet Sawyer.

Fourth grade teachers are Stephanie Tetrick and Annalise Strand.

Mark your calendars that there is no school and B.F. Day will be closed on Monday, September 8th, in observance of Labor Day. School normally starts after Labor Day, so if this strange, you're not wrong.

At B.F. Day, instead of asking families to bring in supplies, we ask for monetary donations to buy the supplies at the school level. and at a discount, ensuring students have exactly what they need. We request payments for your student's supplies for the 2026-2027school year on a sliding scale of $40-$60 per student. Please be sure to identify your student(s) when making the payment by entering their name(s) in the available fields. It is okay to pay for multiple students on the same purchase to avoid multiple service fees. Please note all students on the same “name” option.

Click this link to donate now: https://www.schoolpay.com/pay/for/20262027-Back-to-School-Supply-Drive/SeEY8JF School supplies donations are different from the PTSA Direct Drive, which happens later in the year and supports B.F. Day in a variety of ways that support teaching, learning and student enrichment activities.

Update: The school district has decided to postpone the transition to new fiscal software. The school pay link will continue to work for the foreseeable future. Donating sooner helps us purchase and maintain needed classroom supplies. Thank you for your support!

We're excited to have Ms. Blevins join the Special Education team this year. Here's a short note from Julia: "I have been working in behavioral health and education for almost ten years. In my free time I love gardening, decorating, riding horses, and reading. I love animals and volunteer doing wildlife rehabilitation as much as I can."

We're delighted to add Ms. Alex to our Special Education department as an Instructional Assistant. Here's a short note from Ms. Alex: My name is Alex, and I’m so excited to join the B.F. Day community! I’ve spent the past three years working as a special education paraeducator at the high school level, and I’m looking forward to bringing that experience into an elementary setting. I love building relationships with students, encouraging creativity, and helping kids feel supported, included, and successful at school. I’m currently pursuing my bachelor’s degree in health and human services, with the goal of earning my master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology. Outside of school, I love painting and making art, gardening, and finding new creative projects to work on. At home, I’m usually hanging out with my orange tabby, Elliot. I’m so excited to meet the students, families, and staff and become part of the B.F. Day community.

We are also excited to welcome a new EIM teacher, Brooke Rowland. Here's quick note from her: "Hi, my name is Brooke Rowland, and I'm excited to be joining SPS as an Elementary Instrumental Music Teacher! Previously, I have taught Band and Orchestra in Everett and Edmonds School Districts. I grew up playing flute in band, guitar in jazz band, and writing music often. I absolutely love working with young musicians, so I am very excited to meet our awesome 4th and 5th graders! I'm looking forward to a great year!"

We're excited to add Joseph to our full time staff. He's been working at B.F. Day as a lunch and recess supervisor, and this year will join our Special Education department in the extended resource program. Here's a short note from Mr. Zetter: I am excited to join BF Day as a Special Education IA! I have spent the past 20 years dedicated to education, beginning my career teaching English in Santiago, Chile. For the past 15 years I have taught K-12 in private and public schools in England and Houston, TX. Since moving to Seattle 2 years ago I have worked as a Bilingual preschool and afterschool teacher. I have two kiddos at BF Day Marc (3rd) and Adrian (1st). Outside of work you can find me gardening, on my bike with Cascade Bike Club, or Skiing at Stevens Pass.

If you're student will be taking the bus to or from school any days of the week, this information is for you. The SPS Transportation office will write you directly with your child's route information, including the bus number and pick-up/drop-off locations. Please share this information with your child's teacher, along with the daily plan for pick-up. Writing your bus information on your child's back-pack is very helpful. We have two buses that go to Boys and Girls club, and the bus number matters for a smooth transition at the end of the day. Contact SPS Transportation directly if you haven’t received information by August 28 or need to request an after‑school stop such as Boys & Girls Club. You can find more information on their web page: https://www.seattleschools.org/departments/transportation/

The PTSA is excited to kick off the new school year with some events - Kinder Playdates, the Popsicle Social, and a Back to School Picnic!

We are also looking for a few volunteers to help with the new Salmon in the Schools - Seattle program that is new to BF Day this year. Find out more information including how to sign up for the newsletter in this link: https://mailchi.mp/1ba48519b59d/bf-day-ptsa-newsletter-17280309

B.F. Day is not allowed to share your contact information with the PTSA. Each year you need to re-sign up to get their newsletter, and updates from classroom parents. You can sign up to receive PTSA communications at the bottom of their home page.

Our PTSA has put together a handy one-pager with lots of helpful information to get your school year off to a great start! (Updated 8/22/26 to correct the link to school pay.)

August 21, 2026: https://app.smore.com/n/485dr