Fairmount Park Community Newsletter

to connect every child to themselves, others, and possibilities

Hello Fairmount Park Families,

As we start to plan for the end of the school year, students will also be participating in important testing. These assessments help us celebrate their progress and plan for future learning. Please see the schedule below for upcoming testing dates.

MAP Testing - May 18-22
SBA (3rd-5th only) - May 11-28th (individual classes will have varying schedules)

It is always helpful when students get enough rest and have a well rounded breakfast to ensure the best outcomes. Thank you for your support in their success.

Have a wonderful (and sunny 🌞😎) week!

In Partnership,

Sara Davis

Students play an active role in helping keep Fairmount Park safe. This week, a kindergartner noticed and reported that some bolts were missing from a section of the play structure.

Ms. Vo immediately contacted both the Seattle Parks Department and SPS Maintenance. Mr. Samuel also inspected the structure for any immediate safety concerns and determined that it is safe to remain open.

We are grateful for our observant students, responsive staff, and strong community partnership in keeping Fairmount Park a safe and welcoming place for all children.

Thank you to those who have let us know their plans for next year. If you haven't already, please complete this brief survey to let us know your plans for the 2025-26 school year. Please complete one for each student at FPE.

Please note: while we are not able to take requests for specific teachers, we work carefully to create balanced and equitable classrooms at every grade level.

Thank you for your support and partnership!

Ms. Sisson’s class actively supported Earth Day 2026 by participating in a playground clean-up activity. Students worked together in teams to collect small pieces of garbage that had accumulated around the playground area, helping to cover as much of the space as possible.

Their efforts were a great example of caring for our school community and taking responsibility for the shared spaces we all use. Thank you to Ms. Sisson’s class for helping keep Fairmount Park clean, safe, and welcoming for everyone.

The Maker’s Fair is an annual community event made possible by our PTA! Students create and sell their own products, while families and peers showed their support by purchasing favorite items. It was a great opportunity to foster student creativity, entrepreneurship, and agency. Fairmount Park musicians also had a chance to try their hand at busking, sharing their talents with the community.

We have been busy creating and making in the art room! Students are in the middle of sculpture and reusing materials such as egg cartons, apple crate packaging and newspaper with cardboard. 5th and Kindergarten have practiced using a Chomp Saw and I think they are excited to use it for their sculptures and Open Studio time! Let’s see what they can create! (All students will be introduced to this over the next few weeks.) Kindergarten also had fun with model magic and pipe cleaners last week while working independently! Their creations will make you smile for sure!

Can you believe the Art Walk is only 5 weeks away? Yes, it will be May 29th. Time is flying by and I will be looking for help this year to prep the student selected pieces and hanging paper throughout the halls. Please reach out to me and let me know if you might be willing to donate some time in the next couple of weeks. It could be time at home prepping pieces or time at school closer to the day. Send me an email and I will get back to you. kakelly@seattleschools.org

Beginning Monday, May 4, Seattle Public Schools (SPS) will implement a districtwide student cellphone procedure to support what we all want for students: focused learning environments, clear expectations, and equitable experiences across our schools.

Developmentally Appropriate Expectations

The procedure reflects student development:

Grades K–8: “Away for the Day” keeps phones fully inaccessible during the school day.
Grades 9–12: “No Cell Bell to Bell” keeps phones away during instruction, with limited access during lunch and passing periods.

Research indicates older students demonstrate stronger self-regulation skills, and limited non-instructional access helps build responsible device use while keeping learning time protected.

At FPE we have seen great success in keeping cellphones away during the school day. We will continue to follow our school based policy regarding smartwatches.

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.

May 8th
- Kinder field trip to Zoo
- Ms. Britt and Ms. Reed's class to Dragonfly Pavilion
May 29th -

5th Grade Walking Field Trip to Madison
Art Walk
Kindergarten "A Barnyard Moosical" (feat. 5th grade buddies)

June 4th - Instrumental Concert
June 5th - 5th Grade to Camp Long
June 11th - Field Day
June 15th - 5th Grade Promotion

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.