Sand Point Squirrel Spotlight

Welcome back! We are so excited to open our doors and welcome our Sand Point Squirrels and families back into the building as we begin the new year together. We hope your winter break was restful and filled with meaningful moments, and we are ready to jump back into learning with renewed energy and joy.

With the start of the new year, some classes will be settling into new schedules and routines. While a few things may look different, our schoolwide rules and expectations remain the same. During the first days back, teachers will be spending time reviewing our community standards and what it means to be our best selves in the classrooms, hallways, cafeteria, playground, and restrooms. This shared understanding helps keep Sand Point a safe, respectful, and welcoming place for everyone.

Trimester 2 is in full swing, and we will soon begin our winter MAP assessments, which help us understand how students are growing and how we can best support their learning. One of the most impactful ways families can support students during this time is by helping re-establish healthy sleep routines after winter break. Consistent bedtimes, calming wind-down routines, and limited screen time before bed can make a big difference in helping students feel focused, regulated, and ready to learn each day.

We are so grateful for our strong partnership with families and cannot wait to see our halls and classrooms filled with smiles, curiosity, and learning once again. Here’s to a wonderful start to the new year at Sand Point!

Warmly,

Dr. Stephanie Zikopoulos
Principal, Sand Point Elementary

• Monday, Jan. 5: Welcome Back to School!
• Wednesday, Jan. 7: Early Release 1:10 p.m.
• Thursday, Jan. 8: School Tour for Prospective Families 3 p.m.
• Wednesday, Jan. 14: Early Release 1:10 p.m.
• Monday, Jan. 19: No School, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
• Wednesday, Jan 21: Early Release 1:10 p.m.
• Tuesday, Jan. 27: Class Group Pictures in the morning
• Wednesday, Jan 28: Early Release 1:10 p.m.
• Friday, Jan. 30: Assembly and ATATS
• Wednesday, Feb 4: Early Release 1:10 p.m.

Do you have a 3-5-year-old ready to start their learning journey? Sand Point Elementary’s Seattle Preschool Program classroom has several immediate openings!

We focus on learning through play, helping children develop social, emotional, and cognitive skills in a fun, hands-on way.

SPP at Sand Point includes:

✅ Experienced and caring teachers

✅ Culturally responsive, play-based curriculum

✅ Low student-to-teacher ratios

✅ Nutritious meals and snacks

✅ Tuition on a sliding scale based on family income

Limited spots available – apply now!

📍 Located at Sand Point Elementary

📅 Full school day – preschool class times follow the Sand Point bell schedule

📞 Questions? Contact Theresa Benson, tabenson1@seattleschools.org, 206-507-5500

🔗 More information and application available on the City of Seattle website

We can’t wait to welcome your child to our preschool community!

January’s theme of the month is Justice & Action, and next week’s word of the week is also Justice & Action! Justice means doing what is right and fair for everyone. If someone is being treated unfairly, we stand up for them. Action is when we do something to make a positive change or help others. Students will learn what justice means and how we take action on the things that matter to us.

Students will listen to the read aloud Change Sings by Amanda Gorman.

Next week students will learn about thinking tools as part of the Zones of Regulation curriculum. Thinking tools are ways we use our mind to notice our feelings and choose what to do next. Students will focus on the thinking tool: Inner Coach vs. Inner Critic.

Every day SPS students are offered a nutritionally balanced breakfast and lunch!

Please use the link below to view daily school menus.

In order to chaperone or volunteer for Seattle Public Schools, families must complete a volunteer form with the school and district.

Please connect with the front office or your classroom teacher if you are interested in being a volunteer so we can help get you set up to support Sand Point!