Fairmount Park Community Newsletter

to connect every child to themselves, others, and possibilities

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Message from the Principal

Hello Fairmount Park Families!

What an exciting start to the school year for our 1st–5th graders! Students have shared how glad they are to be back and how happy they are to see friends again. When I asked a group of 3rd graders if they felt “bigger” now that they’re in 3rd grade, they replied, “We still feel like 2nd graders.” Very soon their thinking will shift, and they’ll step fully into their new role as 3rd graders.

On Monday, September 8th, we look forward to welcoming our newest Falcons—our kindergarteners! The first day of kindergarten is such a special milestone in a child’s and family’s life. If you have older students at Fairmount Park, you may remember how meaningful that first day felt. We are truly honored to be part of creating those memories for our newest families.

It’s wonderful to see our school year off to such a joyful beginning. Welcome back, Falcons—and a very special welcome to our kindergarteners!

In Partnership,

Sara Davis

Yuen Lui Studio will photograph individual portraits at Fairmount Park Elementary School on Friday, September 19. Families can preorder portraits here: 2025-26 Fairmount Park Elementary Picture Day 9/19. Print orders will be delivered to the school in 3-4 weeks after picture day; digital orders will be sent via email from no-reply@imagequix.com. Contact Yuen Lui Studio with any questions.

You have likely noticed that the sidewalk project is not complete. I am in touch with Seattle Parks Department to determine when we will see work completion begin. As of Saturday, Sept 6th I have not had a response. We recognize that it is inconvenient to have to walk around the play structure to get to the blacktop and I have requested that they move the fencing off the pathway to allow access. I will continue to follow up with them and provide updates as I get them. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

In the meantime, students are enjoying our traffic garden during recess and before and after school! What fun!

This fall, our staff came together to create a set of schoolwide values, which we call the Falcon Four: Safety, Kindness, Community, and Learning. These values reflect who we are as a community and what we believe is important for our students. They guide our daily decisions, our classroom practices, and how we support one another.

The Falcon Four give us a shared language and vision. They help us approach challenges with consistency and care, celebrate successes big and small, and build an environment where every student feels safe, supported, and inspired to learn.

This year, we will be developing rubrics that show what the Falcon Four look like, sound like, and feel like in key areas of our school—such as the hallway, lunchroom, and playground. We will be including students in this work to capture their voices as well. We’ll be sharing these with students and families as the year goes on.

Save the Date!

Families—Please save the date for our Diversity and Inclusion Dinner on October 9th (formerly Families of Color Dinner). We’re excited to involve the community in planning! We need help with creating a playlist, activities, community booths, decorations, and featuring BIPOC businesses for food.

If you’d like to help or have suggestions, please contact Ms. Christl at rachristl@seattleschools.org . We truly want to make this the best event ever and celebrate together!

Crossing Guard Needed!

We’re hiring a School Crossing Guard to support safe walking and biking in our community. Please consider applying or sharing with others!

Location: Fauntleroy Way SW & SW Findlay St
Pay: $20.76/hour
Hours: Part-time, during school arrival and dismissal
Apply at: SPS Transportation Jobs

Volunteering at Fairmount Park
We love partnering with families, and volunteering is a great way to be part of our school community!

✅ Complete the SPS Volunteer Application
✅ Once approved, you can volunteer at any school event this year.
✅ Check your status: Volunteer Login (Be sure you are registered with Fairmount Park Elementary.)

When you’re ready, connect with your child’s teacher to find a time and activity that works best. Thank you for sharing your time and talents—it truly makes a difference! 💙

There's still room at High Point Community Center for after school care for Fairmount Park students. In order for this option to open they would need 12 students enrolled in 5-day a week care by June 30th. See attached for information, including enrollment info. See fee schedule.

For questions and/or clarifications contact:

School-Age Care Program Manager, Isabel Mireles at

253-590-1709

Isabel.mireles@seattle.gov

Please reach out if you'd like to share a cultural/heritage tradition with your student's class.

There is a growing body of research that shows when students have access to cell phones or smart watches during the school day, their engagement with learning and with peers often decreases. To support strong focus on core curriculum and healthy social connections, cell phones and smart watches are not permitted for use during the school day at Fairmount Park.

We do understand that families may want their child to have a way to communicate before or after school. For that reason, students are welcome to bring a cell phone or smart watch, but they must remain turned off and stored away during the school day. If there is an emergency or special circumstance, families can work with their child’s teacher to make a plan for appropriate access.

If a student does not follow this policy, their phone or watch will be held by the teacher or in the office until the end of the day. Items are then returned to the student or, in some cases, a parent may be asked to pick them up.

Thank you for partnering with us to create a learning environment where students can stay engaged, connected, and present.

Monday, September 8 - First Day of School (Kindergarten)
Thursday, September 18 - Welcome Back/Curriculum Night (5:30-7 p.m.) Note: the date change from 9/25. More info to come soon.
Friday, September 19 - Picture Day
Thursday, October 9 - Diversity Dinner

Daily Schedule 🕗

7:40 a.m. – Playground opens.
7:40-7:50 a.m. – Breakfast is served.
7:50 a.m. – Warning bell; students able to enter the building.
7:55 a.m. – School begins.
2:25 p.m. – Dismissal (1:10 p.m. on Wednesdays)
2:35 p.m. – Buses depart (1:20 p.m. on Wednesdays)

Tardies and Absences

Tardy - If your child arrives after 7:55 a.m. please go to the office to check in before they head to their classroom.
Absence - Please contact our attendance office anytime your child will be absent from school.