Decatur Newsletter

We are down to the final days of the school year, and with them comes a full calendar of exciting activities! Field Day was a great success, and the weather cooperated perfectly—not only for Field Day, but also for the always-anticipated 5th graders vs. staff kickball game. I’m sure I don’t need to tell you who won!

I want to share a few highlights of our upcoming end-of-year events:

• Monday: 4th graders will walk to View Ridge Park for lunch and fun. 5th graders will receive their yearbooks.
• Tuesday: The 5th Grade Moving-Up Ceremony begins at 9:30 a.m., followed by pizza lunch and an afternoon at View Ridge Park. All other grades will receive their yearbooks.
• Wednesday: We will hold our end-of-year assembly, and 3rd graders will visit View Ridge Park. At the end of the day, we will gather to sing our 5th graders out as they head off to middle school.

As we wrap up the year, I also want to share a few staffing updates:

• Ms. Adams will be leaving Seattle Public Schools, and we are excited to welcome Mr. Girard Montejo-Thompson to 3rd grade.
• Ms. Channon is expecting her first child in October. We are hopeful she will begin the school year with us before starting her maternity leave.
• I will be retiring at the end of this month; a replacement has not yet been named.

A huge thank you goes out to Ms. Bastasch for organizing such a fun (and thankfully dry!) Field Day. I also want to extend my gratitude to all the volunteers who helped make the day so enjoyable for our students. Special thanks to Katie McAllister for providing extra support, and to both Katie and Justin for making the staff vs. 5th grade kickball game such a memorable event. Be sure to check out the photos in this newsletter!

Looking ahead to summer, we have scheduled two playground playdates:

• June 28th, 10:00–11:30 a.m.
• August 23rd, 9:30–11:00 a.m.

School supply lists will be posted on the website soon, and class placement emails will be sent by classroom teachers on Thursday, August 27th.

As this is likely my final letter to our current families, I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude. Thank you to our students, families, and staff for making the past three years so memorable. It has truly been an honor to serve as principal of this incredible community, and I will miss you all greatly.

Many have asked about my retirement plans—I have quite a few! I look forward to traveling, taking classes, joining a book club (or two), and rediscovering all the wonderful things Seattle has to offer. I also plan to volunteer in schools, supporting struggling readers. My son, who teaches 3rd grade, already has plans for me to volunteer and possibly sub in his classroom!

I leave with so many wonderful memories, most of all of our students. Watching them grow in confidence and ability has been a highlight, but even more meaningful has been seeing them learn to work together and navigate big feelings. You have truly amazing children, and it has been the honor of my life to be their principal.

In the words of our students, I wish you all H.A.G.S. (Have a Great Summer!) I hope to visit and check in next year.

Principal Miller

• June 15 - 4th Grade Field Trip to View Ridge Park
• June 16 - 5th Grade Promotion
• June 17 - 3rd Grade Field Trip to View Ridge Park
• June 17 - Last Day of School
• June 18 to Sept 1 - Summer Break *No School*
• June 28 - Summer Playdate @ 10:00
• Aug 23 - Summer Playdate @ 9:30
• Sept 1 - Meet Your Teacher
• Sept 2 - First Day of School

Our school community came together for a beautiful celebration on Wednesday, June 10th, for our lunchtime Pride Parade! The weather could not have been more perfect as students gathered to celebrate diversity, inclusion, and community.

This wonderful event was made possible thanks to the incredible dedication of Ms. Fries. She generously sacrificed her own lunch breaks for weeks leading up to the parade, creating a welcoming space and facilitating students as they made signs, decorations, and prepared for the big day. Thank you, Ms. Fries, for your time, energy, and support!

We were absolutely thrilled by the fantastic turnout! So many students and staff members participated, bringing high energy, colorful signs, and a wonderful spirit of togetherness to the courtyard.

Thank you to everyone who joined in, showed support, and helped make this event such a joyful and positive experience for our school!

What an incredible day! On Tuesday, June 9th, our students took to the fields for our annual Field Day, and it was an absolute blast. The energy was high, the smiles were big, and fun was had by all.

A Special Thank You

This amazing day wouldn't have been possible without the dedication of Ms. Bastasch, who put an immense amount of effort into planning and executing every single detail. Thank you, Ms. Bastasch, for making this day so memorable for our students!

We also want to extend a massive thank you to our wonderful volunteers who stepped up to run stations, cheer on students, and keep things moving smoothly.

The Grand Finale - Teachers vs. 5th Graders

The day wrapped up with our highly anticipated grand finale: the epic Teachers vs. 5th Graders kickball game! Both teams brought their A-game, resulting in plenty of laughter, amazing plays, and unforgettable memories.

Thank you to everyone who participated, helped, and cheered to make Field Day 2026 one for the books!

The biggest LGBTQ+ Pride event of the season is the annual Seattle Pride Parade! Join other Seattle Public Schools students, staff, and families on Sunday, June 28th as we march together with pride alongside our bus “float.” SPS will be in the staging area on 4th Ave. before the 11:00am parade start time. Arrive early to make posters, hand out candy, and enjoy the cheering crowd. The parade route runs north along 4th avenue between Union and the Seattle Center, where the celebration continues with a family-friendly festival featuring music, booth, food and fun! All are welcome! No RSVP needed- Just show up!

For more information, contact Lisa at llove@seattleschools.org

Is your child a rising 5th through 8th graders? We are thrilled to announce a unique summer camp experience designed to bridge the gap between your youth athletes and the Varsity Players of Lincoln High School's Basketball Program. This camp goes beyond the game, focusing on developing essential soft skills like leadership, communication, and teamwork, all while having a blast on the court. Campers will engage in various Drills, Games, & More! Hosted on June 30 & July 1 from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Interested in more details? We’d love to have you join us! Please sign up with the Schoolpay Link & follow @lynxboysbasketball on Instagram receive additional updates and details.

SchoolPay Camp Sign Up:

Follow the Instagram!

Mat Chess MMA is proud to announce its Decatur After School Program! Our program offers a valuable and fun after school experience that includes academic support, chess instruction, and a comprehensive Brazilian Jiu Jitsu program. Transportation is provided by Seattle Public Schools from Decatur to our academy which is a 5 minute drive away. We are very proud of our highly experienced staff and maintain an excellent student to staff ratio. This extraordinary value is offered at $159 per month for Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Adding the half-day Wednesday option costs an additional $100, bringing the total to $269 per month for full-time after school care. More information may be found at MatChessMMA.com/Decatur. We may also be reached at (425) 457-4947.

Thank you and hope to see you on the mats soon!

Explore science and engineering in the great outdoors with Verdafield Summer Camps! Led by professional scientists and engineers, campers apply mechanics and electromagnetism to design, build, and implement a series of working systems that embody some of humanity's most important technical achievements. In Blast Off! (weeks of July 13 and 20), students create their own rocket-powered vehicles of increasing energy density leading to a sky-high flight using solid-grain propellant. In Power Up! (weeks of August 3 and 10), students build their own bench-scale renewable energy network from generation to point of use. We welcome students grades 4--8 excited to learn a lot and try new things. Drop-off and pick-up at Ravenna Park.

SPS Seattle Preschool Program, Head Start, and Developmental Preschool Programs are accepting applications for the 2026-27 school year starting on Monday, March 16. SPS Preschool programs provide high-quality, evidence-based early childhood education for 3- and 4-year-old students.

Please see the Preschool Locations Map for SPS preschool programs offered near your home. You may be able to apply for a preschool classroom in your child’s elementary school! Families with 3- and 4-year-olds can visit the Early Learning website to learn more and apply.

Click on the preschool program links below for more information, program contacts, and how to apply.

Seattle Preschool Program

In collaboration with the City of Seattle, the Seattle Preschool Program offers high-quality, affordable preschool to all of Seattle’s 3- and 4-year-old children on a sliding tuition scale. Applications submitted between March 16 – April 15 receive priority enrollment. Please direct families to the City of Seattle preschool@seattle.gov or 206-386-1050 with questions on application. Language support is available.

Head Start Preschool Program

Head Start is a federally funded child development program for income eligible children and their families. The Head Start programs in Seattle Public Schools offer preschool curriculum, family services and education, and transportation. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis for eligible families

Developmental Preschool Peer Program

Seattle Public Schools offers half-day preschool classrooms that include peer models and students with IEPs. Peer spots are free, and enrollment is ongoing throughout the year. Contact schools directly for more information or visit Early Childhood Special Education preschool peer information to learn more.

Preschool brochures and flyers can be accessed by school staff to share with interested families.

Contact: Tisha Crumley, ticrumley@seattleschools.org

If any of these items look familiar, please reclaim them at our lost & found. Reunite with your smaller items in the office.