Principal Wilson's Update #9

Dear Families,

This week was filled with meaningful learning and growth across our school. Students have been engaged in core academic instruction while also building important social-emotional skills, including how to solve both "big" and "little" problems. Through explicit teaching and practice, students are learning strategies for navigating conflict and building positive relationships. While we know these skills take ongoing practice, we also know that students are most successful when they hear and experience consistent messages at both school and home. Thank you for partnering with us in supporting your child's growth.

Students have also been learning about Hispanic Heritage Month and exploring the many contributions and accomplishments of Hispanic leaders, cultures, and members of our own school community. We encourage you to continue asking your scholar what they are learning and how those lessons connect to your family's experiences and community.

This week, we were also excited to host two family engagement events that came directly from family feedback. Thank you to Ms. Dede, our school social worker, for organizing our Online Safety Community Event and helping families learn ways to keep children safe in digital spaces. We also hosted a Title I Family Night focused on Differentiated Supports, where families learned more about the academic supports available at Emerson and ways to continue that learning at home. Thank you to the staff and families who participated. We recognize that evening events require a commitment of time, and we deeply appreciate your partnership in supporting student success.

Looking ahead, next week's Eagle Ticket theme is Resilient: Playing Positively with Others. As we have seen an increase in conflicts between students, we will continue teaching and reinforcing the skills needed to solve problems, work through challenges, and build healthy friendships. We encourage families to talk with students about positive ways to play, solve small problems, and seek help when needed.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support. Together, we can help all students learn, grow, and thrive. Go Eagles!

Principal Wilson

• 11/11 No School, Veteran's Day
• 11/17 Multicultural Night 5:30-7pm
• 11/23-11/25 No School, Student Family Conferences
• 11/26 and 11/27 No School, Thanksgiving Holiday

As part of our commitment to providing a safe and supportive learning environment, we want families to understand how Seattle Public Schools defines and responds to Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying (HIB). When concerns are reported, we follow district procedures and thoroughly investigate each situation. These incidents are taken seriously, and our goal is always to ensure that every student feels safe, welcomed, and ready to learn.

Common indicators of HIB include:

• Behavior that is targeted toward a specific student or group.
• An imbalance of power where one student uses real or perceived power to control or harm another.
• An intent to cause harm; accidental actions do not meet the definition of HIB.
• Repeated behaviors directed at the same student by the same individual or group over time.

Behaviors that typically do not meet the HIB definition include:

• Mutual conflict, where all parties participate in negative behaviors.
• Single incidents that do not demonstrate a pattern of repeated behavior.

Please note that even when behavior does not meet the definition of HIB, it may still violate the Seattle Public Schools Student Rights and Responsibilities and be addressed by the school.

When determining whether behavior meets the HIB definition, we consider multiple factors, including:

• Student age
• Behavior history
• Frequency of the behavior
• Connection to school
• Student support plans, including IEPs and 504 Plans

If your child reports concerns about bullying, harassment, intimidation, or ongoing peer conflict, please contact a school administrator as soon as possible. Timely communication allows us to gather information, investigate thoroughly, and provide appropriate support. We value our partnership with families and appreciate your collaboration in helping us create a safe and positive school community for all students.