BROOKDALE BOBCAT PRINTS
October 13, 2026
Dear Brookdale Families,
Harvest Celebrations and Costume Guidelines
As we approach the fall season, we want to share information about school celebrations, costumes, and dress-up days. Individual classrooms may hold Harvest celebrations; however, students may not wear costumes, makeup, masks, or wigs during the school day. If snacks are included, they must be store-bought and individually wrapped, and healthy options are encouraged.
After-School and Spirit-Day Opportunities
Students attending Brookdale’s Trunk or Treat on October 28 are welcome to wear costumes after school. We will also be sending info soon on Spirit Week options for the week of October 26-30, and will share additional information with families soon. Please remember that any participation in these activities is optional.
Respecting Every Family
We recognize that families and cultures have different traditions, beliefs, and comfort levels regarding Halloween-related and Fall Harvest activities. Some families may choose not to participate in celebrations or may keep their children home on or near Halloween. We are committed to creating a welcoming environment where every student and family is respected and included.
Please reach out with any questions. Thank you for partnering with us and helping make Brookdale a caring and inclusive community.
October 12 - 16 ~ Nutrition Services Appreciation Week
October 14 ~ 2:35 Dismissal
October 18 - 23 ~ Transportation Appreciation Week
October 21 ~ 2:35 Dismissal
October 28 ~ 2:35 Dismissal
October 28 ~ TRUNK OR TREAT (4:30-6:00)
Attendance Matters: Every Day Is a Piece of the Puzzle
At Brookdale, we want every student to feel connected, successful, and excited to be at school. One of the most important ways we can support that success is through regular, on-time attendance.
Think of your child’s education like a puzzle. Every school day adds another piece. Each day brings new learning, opportunities to practice, conversations with teachers and classmates, and experiences that help students grow academically and socially.
When a student misses school, they don’t just miss an assignment. They may miss the lesson that introduces a new skill, the practice that helps it make sense, or an experience that connects today’s learning to tomorrow’s. When too many pieces are missing, it becomes harder to see the whole picture.
What Does the Research Tell Us?
Attendance matters from the very beginning. Chronic absence is defined as missing 10% or more of the school year—about 18 days in a typical school year. That can be as little as two days each month.
Research has found that chronic absence beginning in the elementary years is associated with lower academic achievement and continued attendance challenges. One study found that students who were chronically absent in both kindergarten and first grade scored significantly lower on third-grade reading assessments than similar students with good attendance.
The impact can continue as students get older. Research has identified poor attendance as an important early warning sign for students who may struggle academically in middle and high school and be at greater risk of not graduating. Children who consistently miss two or more days each month beginning in elementary school are less likely to graduate from high school.
Building strong attendance habits now helps students develop the academic skills, routines, relationships, and sense of belonging that will support them throughout their education.
When Your Child Can Be Here, We Want Them Here!
Of course, we know there are times when students need to miss school. Children get sick, appointments happen, and families sometimes face circumstances outside of their control. When your child is healthy and able to attend, we want them here at Brookdale.
What We Are Doing at Brookdale
We want attendance to be something we encourage and support together. Staff check in with students to encourage them and celebrate their progress. Classrooms are recognized for perfect or most improved attendance They earn incentives such as extra recess or popcorn as a class.
When students begin missing school, we also have individual and group conversations to talk about attendance, identify challenges, problem-solve, and remind students that they are an important part of our school community.
Most importantly, we want to partner with families. If something is getting in the way of your child attending regularly or arriving on time, please reach out. Sometimes a little support or problem-solving can make a big difference.
A Quick Note About Washington Attendance Law
Washington State law requires school-age children to attend school regularly and requires schools to monitor attendance and work with families when absences become a concern.
Schools have specific responsibilities when students accumulate multiple excused or unexcused absences. These can include contacting families, meeting to identify barriers and supports, developing attendance plans, and taking additional steps when required by state law.
The purpose of these requirements aligns with our goal at Brookdale: identify concerns early and work together so students can be at school, connected to their community, and ready to learn.
Every Piece Matters
Elementary school may feel like a long way from high school graduation, but the habits and foundations our students are building today matter.
Every day is a great day to be a Bobcat!
We are pleased that Brookdale will once again be participating in the federal Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) Program as part of the National School Lunch and Breakfast Program.
In a CEP school, ALL enrolled students receive a nutritious breakfast and lunch at no cost during the school year, regardless of family income.
If your child brings a lunch from home and wishes to have only milk, it will cost $.60. Milk by itself is not free in a CEP school. Student meal accounts are still available in CEP schools if parents wish to put money on accounts to purchase milk.
If you have any questions concerning school meals or CEP please contact the Nutrition Services Department at 253-298-4618.
Please read these important reminders from the office!
Office Hours ~ 9:00 a.m - 4:30 p.m ( Wednesday's 9:00 a.m - 3:30 pm) If you need to come into the building, please press the intercom button on your right as you look at the front door. This will enable the office to see and hear you and buzz you into the entry if needed.
- Please notify the office of any changes in the way your child will go home at the end of the day. We need this information one hour before dismissal so we have time to get a note to the teacher.
- Call the office if your child will be absent. If they have an appointment, please ask the doctor, dentist, counselor, etc. for a note for school. Offices that treat children are used to giving notes to students for excuses!
- If you need to take your child out of school early, please make sure to come to the office at least 35 minutes before dismissal time. On a regular school day, please be in the office by 3:30 and on an early dismissal day, be in the office by 2:00. You will want to make sure to come early enough so that we can locate your child and so you won't be trapped in the after-school pick-up line! You will need to sign your child out and wait for them to come from their classroom, so allow plenty of time. Thank you for your help!
- If your phone number, email address, or home address changes, please let us know so we have the most up-to-date contact information for you. If your child becomes ill, or otherwise needs your help, we need a way to contact you! Thank you!
Please be patient, the first couple days of school the busses might be running late. We have a very helpful transportation department; if you have any questions, issues about something that happened on the bus or at the bus stop, or concerns about a late bus, please call the transportation office directly at 253-298-3865. To cut down on the number of calls received in the office daily we ask that if you wish for your child to ride a bus other than the one they normally ride, or get off at a bus stop other than their normal stop, you must send a note. The same holds true if you want your child to walk rather than ride their normal bus. Without a note, we will not allow students to walk or change their regular bus, bus stop, or end of the day routine.
Please be aware that any bus-riding kindergarten student that is not met at the bus stop after school will be returned to Brookdale for parent pick-up. It is very important to meet your students at the bus stop on time!
District will be sending out a new policy soon, key an eye out!
