T.H.E. Trail Guide

Trailblazer Families,

We did it!! Our first few days of the new school year are in the books. Our students, staff, and families did a great job making new friends, learning new systems, and making sure everyone had a successful week.

A big THANK YOU to our Watch Dog Dads and PTA for all the extra help our first week. It truly was helpful to have the extra support for the safety of our Trailblazers.

Thank you to everyone for your patience as we worked with our new arrival and dismissal system. Our first day was a bit bumpy, but we were able to work out some spots that made this system safer for our students and ran smoother for everyone.

We know that a lot of information is needed to get a school year up and running and that is why you will be receiving T.H.E Trail Guide every few weeks. Our goal is to keep families up to date on what is happening at Tehaleh Heights. In most issues you will find dates for your calendar, information about upcoming events, news about PTA, and pictures to show the fabulous work our students are doing each day.

There are a few other ways you can keep informed:

• checking your students orange take home folder
• joining your teacher's parent FB page
• connecting with the teacher through Remind
• follow our Tehaleh Heights Elementary Facebook page and our Tehaleh Heights PTA Facebook page

When you have questions, you are always welcome to call our office at 253-891-6530.

Trailblazers Step Up!!

Jennifer Knight, Principal

September 12th-Late Start @ 10:35

September 19th-Late Start @10:35 and first Morning Meeting

September 21st- PTA General Membership Meeting @ 6:30pm in the Launch Pad

September 26th-Late Start @ 10:35

September 27th-Trailblazer Takeover Event @ Chick-Fil-A in Bonney Lake

October 10th-Late Start @ 10:35

October 17th-Late Start @ 10:35

October 24th-Late Start @ 10:35

October 31st-Late Start @ 10:35

October 31st-Halloween

We are happy to announce that our Morning Meeting will be back this year, but it will look a little different. Starting September 19th, every Monday ALL students will meet in the Launch Pad by 10:35 to enjoy a time where we can all be together to talk about Character Strong and our word of the month, acknowledge students who have earned Step Up slips and set the tone for the week. Then, on Tuesday-Friday, only grades 3rd-5th will have Morning Meeting in the Launch Pad while grades K-2nd will meet in their classrooms for Morning Circle. Here at THE we believe that meeting with our students first thing in the morning gives us the opportunity for a Positive Greeting at the door, check in with each student, and build a family culture in each of our classrooms.

This month, we are talking about R-E-S-P-E-C-T! Respect means seeing the good in people and things & treating them with care. Seeing good in others can mean that you look for things you like or appreciate in people - whether they are similar or different from you. Treating others with care can mean listening quietly when others are speaking and responding with Kindness. It can also mean helping out when you see a need or standing up for others. Think about how you can show Respect today!

Getting into the habit of daily attendance is more important than ever. It helps to:

● reduce stress

● make it easier to connect with friends and teachers

● support learning

● Please call us if you need help with attendance @ 253-891-6530

Get prepared for school by taking a look at the breakfast and lunch menus for September:

• Elementary
• Middle and High
• Interactive menus (ingredients and nutritional information)

During the 22/23 school year we will NO longer be serving free breakfast and lunch to ALL students. Students who qualify for free and reduced lunch meals will have access to theses services. Please take time to complete the free and reduced meal application. Applications are due by Oct. 18th.

Free and Reduced Meals (link to apply)

More information on school meal service and loading money on accounts can be found HERE.

This school year, there are some important changes to meal prices. A national school meal waiver that provided free meals for all students due to the pandemic expired over the summer. This means that meals are no longer free for everyone.

We encourage families who may be eligible to apply for free meals. Applications can be found at sumnersd.org/meals.

As always, the safety of our students is the #1 priority at THE. In order to make student arrival and dismissal safer and more efficient, we have swapped the location of the parent drop off/pick up and bus loading areas. To learn more, click the video below. If you have questions or need clarification, please reach out to the office staff at 253-891-6530.

Today, Friday, 9/9, is the last day to order Spiritwear! Delivery expected by early October. The PTA coordinates three Spiritwear orders each school year, so grab it while you can! http://www.tehalehheightspta.org/spiritwear.

YOU’RE INVITED: PTA General Membership Meeting, Wed., Sept. 21st, 6:30pm, in the T.H.E. Launchpad. Come hear what’s on the schedule from the PTA this year, get an update on things at school from our Principal, Jennifer Knight, and learn how you can get involved to help with planning or volunteering for PTA events, programs and activities!

Your attendance at General Membership Meeting every two months is a great way to show your support for our mission! *Still need to renew your PTA membership for the new school year? Click on through to www.tehalehheightspta.org/membership! Only paid PTA members may vote.

Sept 27th, 4-8pm (Tuesday) – Trailblazer Takeover Night at Chick-fil-A in Bonney Lake! Treat your family to dinner out and support the PTA in the process – we’ll receive 20 percent of the proceeds back to support our PTA events, activities and programs! Be sure to mention you’re supporting Tehaleh Heights PTA! And thanks in advance!

Sept. 30th Comfort Kits deadline – Build your own student comfort kit (per the flyer you received from your teacher) or purchase a pre-packaged kit via the PTA website. Individual emergency/comfort kits are required for each student and are stored with classroom emergency supplies. More details can be found at https://www.tehalehheightspta.org.

CLASS PARENTS GROUPS: Trailblazer families, you are invited to join your Class Parents group on Facebook, if you haven’t already! Search “Mr./Mrs./Ms. _____’s Class Parents 2022-23” and Request to Join! These closed groups are coordinated by the PTA and are a great way to build community among parents, ask questions and orchestrate special events in the classroom!

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram at Tehaleh Heights PTA!

Questions for the PTA? president@tehalehheightspta.org

The Sumner-Bonney Lake School District complies with all applicable federal and state rules and regulations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, families with children, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability. This holds true for all district employment opportunities. The following employees are designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: Title IX/Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator Sara O’Donnell (253) 891-6030; ADA Coordinator Diana Thomas (253) 891-6025; Section 504 Coordinator Karen Finigan (253) 891-6065. Address 1202 Wood Avenue, Sumner, WA 98390.