Fairmount Park Community Newsletter

to connect every child to themselves, others, and possibilities

Welcome Back, Fairmount Park Families!

We are so excited to begin another school year together at Fairmount Park! The start of the year is always such a special time—full of new friendships, new learning, and new opportunities to grow as a community. Whether your family is returning or joining us for the first time, we are so glad you are here.

This year, we are especially excited to share that Fairmount Park is expanding our special education services with the addition of an Extended Resource Program. We are thrilled about the stronger community connections this will bring and warmly welcome the new students and families joining us.

Our staff remains committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and engaging learning environment where every student feels a strong sense of belonging. You’ll see us focusing on building community, celebrating curiosity, and helping students grow academically and socially.

We also look forward to welcoming families into the life of our school through events, volunteer opportunities, and celebrations. Strong partnerships between home and school are the foundation of student success, and we deeply value your support and involvement.

Thank you for entrusting us with your children. We can’t wait to see all the wonderful ways our students will shine this year at Fairmount Park!

In Partnership,

Sara Davis

We are excited to share that Fairmount Park is expanding our special education services! In addition to our Developmental Preschool and Resource Program, we are now adding an Extended Resource Program.

This program has long existed in Seattle Public Schools, and we are proud to now offer it at Fairmount Park. It allows us to support a wider range of students with IEPs and means that students who may have previously needed to attend other schools for services can now learn here at their neighborhood school—right alongside their siblings and friends.

We are thrilled to grow our community in this way and to welcome both new and existing students and families to Fairmount Park!

Dear Fairmount Park School Community,

My name is Paula “Wiroonrat Rodsap Harris,” and I’m grateful for the opportunity to introduce myself. I am a proud mom of two biracial children, one of whom is a former Falcon. I have been part of the Fairmount Park team since April 2017, supporting students in our developmental preschool and PCIS programs. Seeing both our students and my own child learn and grow here has been such a privilege and a meaningful experience for me as a developing educator.

This school year marks a new chapter in my journey. I am a University of Washington master’s degree student with the Seattle Teaching Residency (STR) Cohort 13 and honored to be an Academy of Rising Educator (A.R.E.) scholarship recipient. As I begin my student-teaching residency year with your students, I will be serving as a Special Education Instructional Assistant in our special education programs alongside my mentor, Ms. Soike, Ms. Williams, and the three other wonderful staff I am so grateful to call my team.

I was born and raised in Thailand, and even as an American, my Thai heritage and culture remain a meaningful part of who I am and how I show up as an educator. My journey is rooted in pursuing a personal dream, but it is about more than my own growth. It’s also about being a role model for my children and advocating for students who are often underrepresented, whether or not they share my background, and especially those furthest from educational justice.

I look forward to this new role and to continuing to grow and serve within the Fairmount Park community. Thank you for welcoming me as both an educator and a parent who is deeply committed to seeing every student thrive.

With appreciation, Paula “Wiroonrat R. Harris” (Ms. Harris)

I have been an IA sub for the last 2.5 years and am so happy to be at FPE in a permanent role!

I love learning about and building relationships with all of the students I work with.

I have a 6th grade daughter and 10th grade son, both of whom attended FPE for all of elementary school.

I am an avid reader, I love baking, and I love to ski in the winter.

We are thrilled to welcome Jeff Wilson to the Fairmount Park community! Jeff has been a dedicated paraeducator in Developmental Preschool for many years and is excited to now work with a wider range of students. He’ll be supporting our special education team and students who receive special education services. Jeff’s calm, kind presence and wealth of experience make him a wonderful addition, and we’re so glad he’s here to support our students and staff.

I'm excited to meet you! My name is Kacie Williams, and I'm a mom to two daughters, Beverly (1st grade) and Eloise (PreK). I hold a dual endorsement in Special Education K-12 and General Education K-8 from Western Washington University, along with a master’s degree in Literacy from the University of Washington.

I taught for many years in the Bellevue School District before joining the Seattle Public School team as a Special Education teacher at Arbor Heights. I am delighted to be part of the Fairmount Park staff and am eager to work with your child!

Our playground has some exciting new updates this summer! A traffic garden has been added to our blacktop.

A traffic garden is a small-scale street network where children and new riders can safely practice biking and learn road rules in a car-free space. It helps kids build confidence, understand traffic interactions, and develop the awareness that makes them safer riders as they grow.

Seattle Parks Department has been updating the sidewalk around the play structure to meet ADA guidelines. They've had a delay in completion. They have assured me that if they aren't finished by September 3rd, they will have the fences scaled back so families can access the blacktop from the field and Fauntleroy. If the play structure isn't open for start of school, students will be able to access the field and the blacktop during recess. The finished product will allow for easier access to the play structure. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

As we start the school year, all incoming kindergarten families will have individual meetings with their child’s teacher. During the next week or so, our office manager, Ms. Vo, will be in contact with you to schedule a meeting time. Meetings will be scheduled the week of September 1st. We’re excited to get to know you and your child!

To help us create balanced classrooms and learn more about your child, please complete this short survey. Your input is incredibly helpful as we prepare for a great start to kindergarten.

We know students are excited to meet their new teacher and find out who will be in their class! Join us on Tuesday, September 2nd from 3–4 p.m. for our Meet Your Teacher event at Fairmount Park.

Families and students are invited to visit classrooms, meet teachers, and connect with both new and familiar faces. We can’t wait to welcome you!

To help welcome back our Falcon families, the Fairmount Park PTA will be handing out freeze pops on Tuesday Sept 2nd after Meet the Teacher. Stop by on the blacktop for a cool treat for the kids.

For parents, we'll also have free coffee on the blacktop for the first day of school Wednesday 9/3 for Grades 1-5 and Kindergarten (on Monday 9/8). Please enjoy a cup and the opportunity to socialize with other parents as we welcome in a new school year.

This year, Seattle Public Schools is moving toward a more consistent system for family communication. As part of this shift, most classroom updates and teacher messages will come through the TalkingPoints app.

Teachers will continue to use TalkingPoints and/or email for individual or specific communication. While TalkingPoints will be our main tool, we always encourage you to reach out to your child’s teacher in whatever way feels most comfortable for you.

Our goal is simple: to keep communication open, clear, and consistent so we can partner together throughout the school year.

• Grades 1–5 start school on Wednesday, September 3rd. (7:55 a.m.-2:25 p.m.)

• Kindergarteners begin on Monday, September 8th .

• School starts at 7:55 a.m.

• The blacktop opens at 7:40 a.m.with staff supervision.

• Dismissal is at 2:25 p.m.- Full Day.

We can’t wait to welcome everyone back!

Thanks to our fabulous PTA, all school supplies will be provided for students for the 2025–26 school year!

Your child will only need to bring a backpack and a water bottle.

If you need help getting these items, please reach out to Ms. Ashman or Ms. Soto—we have plenty of extras and are happy to help.

To support future supply needs, we encourage families who can, to please contribute during the PTA fundraising campaign in November. Your support is greatly appreciated!

Arrival begins at 7:40 a.m. on the blacktop, when adult supervision is available. For everyone’s safety, please wait until this time to drop off your child. The entry bell rings at 7:50 a.m., when students may head to their classrooms.

Car Drop-Off/Pick-Up: Please use Fauntleroy, near the gate opening to the playground, for both drop-off and pick-up.

Please do not use the alley for drop-off or pick-up. Many students and families walk through this area, and having cars go in and out creates unsafe conditions. In addition, using the alley blocks our neighbors’ access to their homes and workplaces. Thank you for helping us keep everyone safe and being considerate of our community.

Drop-Off/Pick-Up by Foot: Students who walk enter through the blacktop area. During the first few days of school, teachers will meet their classes on the blacktop in the morning. Kindergarten teachers will continue this routine all year.

In the afternoon, teachers bring students to the blacktop to meet their adults or to walk home independently.

Dogs on Blacktop: For everyone’s safety and comfort, please keep dogs off the blacktop during drop-off and pick-up. You are welcome to wait with your dog on the grassy field, but please do not approach your child's teacher and/or class with your dog on the blacktop.

Thank you for helping us keep arrival and pick up safe and smooth for all students!

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

Feel free to include this in your school newsletter, post it on your website, or print and display the attached flyer.

We’re excited to welcome our newest Fairmount Park students! Join us for informal kindergarten playdates at the Fairmount Park playground.

Dates and Times:

• Saturday, September 6 - 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Please note:

• These are informal events, and childcare is not provided—families will need to stay with their child during the playdates.

Thank you to Nicole Marshall lucas.nicole@gmail.com and Kimberly Burgess kimbrynn@gmail.com for arranging these fun days!

We hope to see you there!

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! 💙

We have an exciting opportunity for another child care opportunity starting Fall 2025! High Point Community Center would like to open 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 30. See child care information, including enrollment info.

See Child care fee schedule.

For questions and/or clarifications contact:

School-Age Care Program Manager, Isabel Mireles at

253-590-1709

Isabel.mireles@seattle.gov

or

Susan Lee

206-257-9693

susan.lee@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.

• Tuesday, September 2 - Open House/Meet Your Teacher (3-4 p.m.)

• Wednesday, September 3 - First Day of School; Gr. 1-5 (7:55 a.m.-2:25 p.m.)

• Saturday, September 6 - Kindergarten Play Date (10 a.m.-2 p.m.)

• 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.

• 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 on Wednesdays)
• 2:35 p.m. – Buses depart (1:20 on Wednesdays)

• 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.
• 206-252-9304
• FairmountPark.attendance@seattleschools.org

Friday's are for showing Falcon Pride! Find Falcon wear!

Please note that SPS Culinary Services does their best to follow the planned menu, but occasionally last-minute changes may occur.

Office hours are 7 a.m.-3 p.m.

Principal: Sara Davis sjdavis1@seattleschools.org

Admin Secretary: Ngoc Vo mnvo@seattleschools.org

Assist. Admin Secretary: Pauline Ashman pcashman@seattleschools.org

Website: fairmountpark website
Location: 3800 SW Findlay St., Seattle, WA, 98126
Phone: 206-252-9300