Decatur Newsletter

Dear Families,

Well, January is finally behind us, and it seems we’ve jumped straight into spring—although having lived here all my life, I know February snow is always a possibility! Students and staff are very excited for Super Bowl Sunday. And yes, many students have asked, but unfortunately, I cannot cancel school on Monday just because the Seahawks are in the Super Bowl (though I certainly wish I had that power!).

A special shout-out to all the families involved in planning and organizing our Lunar New Year Celebration! This wonderful event will take place on Tuesday, February 10 at 6:30 p.m. in the cafeteria. We hope to see you there—it's always an amazing evening filled with music, dancing, crafts, and so much more.

Many have asked when the new superintendent will be visiting Decatur. I don’t have a date yet, and I’m honestly not sure if he sends advance notice before his visits. I am excited for him to see the incredible work our students and staff are doing. I know that during his first few days he was visiting 5–7 schools daily, working through regions. When he visits, his time is focused on staff and students.

If you'd like to meet him, I encourage you to attend one of his community engagement meetings. He will be at Eckstein Middle School on March 17 at 7:30 p.m., but families are welcome to attend any session. These meetings are a great opportunity to hear from him directly. Other Superintendent Community Engagement Meeting dates and locations to meet our new superintendent, Ben Schuldiner.

Next week will bring even more excitement as our 4th and 5th graders prepare to perform their hilarious take on A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Be prepared to laugh! Performances will be on Thursday, February 12 at 1:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Please note the change in time. The play lasts about 20 minutes and actors and crew are to be here by 7:10.

We also begin our annual Ronald McDonald House food drive next week. This effort is led by one of our amazing 4th graders, who spoke to all students this week about why supporting families at Ronald McDonald House is so meaningful to her and her family. Please check out the flyer she created in this newsletter and consider donating non-perishable food items starting Monday.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! With the Olympics and the Super Bowl ahead, it should be a fun one—even if the rain is returning. I’m crossing my fingers that it brings some snow to the mountains.

Go Hawks,
Ms. Miller

• Feb. 9-13 - Food Drive for Ronald McDonald House
• Feb. 10 - PTA Lunar New Year Celebration at 6:30 p.m.
• Feb. 12 - Decatur Parent Open House at 9:45 a.m.
• Feb. 12 - 4th & 5th Grade Play at 7:30 p.m.
• Feb. 13 - 5th Grade MOHAI Field Trip
• Feb. 16-20 - Mid-Winter Break *No School*
• Feb. 25 - Assembly - 4th & 5th Grade Perform at 1:40 p.m.
• Feb. 26 - Decatur Parent Open House at 6 p.m.
• Feb. 28 - Gator Fest Chess Tournament 7:45 a.m.-4:15 p.m.
• Mar. 9 - Global Reading Challenge Semi-Finals
• Mar. 23-27 - PTA Math Fair
• Mar. 26 - PTA Math Night at 6:30 p.m.

Red Panda Readers - Alex, Alexis, Georgia, Jessica, Nora, Coco, Ty

Boba Books - Hana, Ingrid, Joy, Lia, Sameena, Leona, Faye G

Book Puppies - Maiya, Mio, Oliver, Zach

Reading Raccoons - Adam, Arzoi, Fanning, Liat, Megan, Simon

Starbooks - Agnes, Blake, Charlie, Vihaan, Xander, Albert, Clayton

Party Pandaz - Gilbert, Jojo, Michael, Rafa, Serena, Stella

Buzzing Bumble Bees - Aida, Emily, Grace, Matthew, Max, Owen, Jasmine

Team Blue - Gavin, Ayane, Ethan, Maddie

Brilliant Bears - Claire, Eme, Hank, Hazel, Lydia, Violet

4th and 5th graders interested in the performing arts have signed up for our theater program made possible by your donations to our incredible PTA. Come join us in watching their performance of William Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night’s Dream' on February 12th at 7:30 p.m.

Decatur is gearing up for another awesome season of Ultimate Frisbee. Like previous years, organizers are fielding 3rd, 4th and 5th grade coed teams. The first practice of the season will kick off NEXT WEEK. The season typically runs from March through May with games on Saturdays. This is a parent volunteer-led program through DiscNW, and they are looking for coaches and volunteers. No experience with Ultimate Frisbee is required.

Please email decaturultimatefrisbee@gmail.com for more information.

Please bring your contest entries to the office by Tuesday, February 24th.

Math Fair is a non-competitive week-long display of student creativity, passion, and talent in the field of mathematics. Students are encouraged to design, create, solve, calculate, write, build, or record, any type of project that shows their love for mathematics. Participation is open to all Decatur students and is optional.

Projects are due on Friday, March 20th, however late projects will be accepted and displayed during the week of Math Fair. Projects may also be turned in as early as March 16th. Projects should be dropped off in the Decatur Lobby with a Math Fair Participant Form attached to it. Students and teachers will be able to view projects throughout the week of Math Fair. Families are encouraged to come and view projects on Math Night – March 26, 6:15-7:30 p.m. Each participant will receive a comment booklet along with a small prize for participating. If you have questions about Math Fair, please contact Cheryl Adams at: cnadams@seattleschools.org

Need an idea? A Math Fair flyer was sent home with every student, and there are extras in the office. There are many ideas on the back of the flyer to help you get started. The participant form is also on the flyer.

• Carter G. Woodson (1875-1950) was a groundbreaking historian, author, and journalist, known as the "Father of Black History," who dedicated his life to studying and promoting the contributions of African Americans, leading to the establishment of Black History Month.
  
  
• Born to formerly enslaved parents, he overcame immense obstacles, working in coal mines to fund his education, eventually earning a PhD from Harvard, and founding the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) to ensure Black history was recognized and taught (Wikipedia)

A member of our community has reached out expressing concern that cars are blocking pedestrian access to sidewalks during drop-off and pick-up. Pulling over on the opposite side of the street (across from the parking lot) restricts everyone's ability to move freely through the neighborhood. You are always welcome to use our parking lot. This option allows for more streamlined movement of traffic and pedestrians.

1. Make sure that your communication preferences are up to date
2. Check our district website
3. Check local media

• TV Stations: KOMO 4, KING 5, KIRO 7, Fox 13
• Radio Stations: KNWN AM 1000, KIRO 97.3 FM

With so many exciting field trips coming up this year, there will be many new opportunities to volunteer. If you are considering becoming a new or renewing volunteer in 2026, the screening process can take up to 6 weeks. Please plan ahead and reach out to the Decatur staff member for whom you'd like to volunteer. This will ensure that you are sponsored and can begin or renew your volunteer status in time!

Please contact our Volunteer Liaison Ms. Jessica at jksmarttsilv@seattleschools.org if you have questions or need more information.

If any of these items look familiar, please reclaim them at our lost & found. Reunite with your smaller items in the office.