Eagle Sightings September

I'm so excited to welcome you and your children to another amazing year at Friday Harbor Elementary School! I hope you had a wonderful summer full of adventure and rejuvenation. Summer is a lovely time on San Juan Island. This summer I really tried to take every opportunity to appreciate the beauty I saw on every walk, ferry ride, or even on a drive just going to run an errand. We live in a very special place.

It is not only special here on San Juan Island because it is beautiful, but it is special because of the people who make up this community. We support one another in a very special way, and in so many ways. At Friday Harbor Elementary School, we work very hard to continue this same special support and community within our classrooms and throughout the school. I want to make clear that we believe in creating a school environment where every student and family feels a strong sense of belonging. We know that when children feel seen, valued, and safe, they are ready to learn and thrive.

This year, we will continue to provide a rich and challenging academic experience for every child. We are committed to maintaining high standards while also meeting each student where they are through differentiated instruction and a variety of interventions. FHES teachers set clear expectations for both academics and behavior, and they create warm, caring, cooperative learning environments.

I feel very excited and beyond proud of this school community. The staff I get to work with are dedicated, caring, and hard-working! They are well prepared to take on the year, and they are also very excited. Over the summer, we gained a few new members of our staff, and we are thrilled to have them here! Please watch out for more information about them in upcoming Eagle Sighting letters.

My door is open more often than not (even though there is a good chance I am not in my office, but instead out there with the students in the building), so please don’t hesitate to say hello when you are in the office. I look forward to partnering with you to make this a wonderful and successful year for every child. Let's make this a great one!

Warmly,

Holly Wehner

Friday Harbor Elementary School Principal

hollywehner@sjisd.org or (360) 370-7309.

Thank you for setting your child up for success by ensuring they know their going-home plan before the start of the school day.

Please notify your child’s teacher and Jeanna Rheinberger at jeannarheinberger@sjisd.org or 360-378-5209 with any changes to your student's after-school plans.

We understand that plans for going home may change during the day. When this happens, we can write a note to be delivered to your child. Please keep in mind that notes are delivered at 2:15 pm and on Wednesdays at 1:10 pm. Please let us know your plans before this time.

Please remind your child/ren about the following school policies:

• Personal electronic devices are not to be used at school. If a CELL PHONE OR SMARTWATCH is brought to school for afterschool use, it must remain in the student’s backpack until the end of the school day.

• No texting or calling from student devices during school hours.

• All communication to or from home must go through the school office.

Students are expected to remain on school grounds during school hours. Please notify your child’s teacher and Jeanna Rheinberger at jeannarheinberger@sjisd.org or 360-378-5209 if your child/ren must leave campus early for any reason. All students need to be signed out in the office by a parent or authorized adult.

Please remember that FHES students are dismissed at 1:30pm every Wednesday unless otherwise noted. Please have afterschool plans in place before the day starts. Thank you!

September 7: Labor Day-No School

September 14: PTO Meeting FHES Library 5:30pm

September 17: Picture Day

September 21-24: Safety Focus Week

September 24: Popcorn Day!

Does your child/ren ride the bus? Every rider needs to have a current bus form on file in order for them to ride. Students are required to have a bus note from the office if they are riding a different bus or getting off at a different spot ie: the library, clay club or linde fields.

If you have not completed your bus form for this school year, please complete it and return to the office as soon as possible.

The social emotional health and learning of our students is as important as any other skill they learn at school. We want to make sure parents and caregivers know about our options for extra support when needed.

Dear Eagles Families,

Welcome back to a brand-new school year! I am Ms. Kristen, the new school librarian here at Friday Harbor Elementary. This week I have had the chance to get to know the students, share my excitement for reading, and find out what they love about the library. Next week we will begin checking out books for 1st - 5th grade. The following week Kindergarten classes will begin checking out and bringing books home.

Our school library program is designed to spark a love for reading, encourage curiosity, and help every child find books that match their unique interests and reading levels.

Library Schedule & Visits

• Book Exchange: Every class will visit the library once a week to select and check out books.

• Checkout Limits:

• Kindergarten: 1 book

• 1st Grade: 2 books

• 2nd Grade: 3 books

• 3rd - 5th Grade: 4 books (Plus one to read with their reading buddy)

• Loan Period: Books are checked out for 2 weeks, but they can be renewed if your child needs extra time to finish reading.

Taking Care of Library Books

We teach students how to properly care for library books during their first few library sessions. You can help at home by:

• Choosing a safe "library spot" at home to keep books away from younger siblings, pets, or spills.

• Reminding your child to bring their library books back on their designated library day.

• If a book is accidentally lost or damaged, please reach out to me so we can work together on a replacement or resolution.

Get Involved

We always love having parent volunteers help with reshelving, book fairs, and special library events! If you are interested in volunteering, please click here to fill out this form for more information (no obligation!).

I look forward to a wonderful, book-filled year of reading and learning together. Please feel free to reach out via email or call the front office if you ever have any questions.

Happy Reading,

Kristen Arnim

kristenarnim@sjisd.org

Let's all work together to keep our school's parking areas safe and accessible for everyone. Remember to park only in designated spots and to be mindful of spaces reserved for others. Keeping fire lanes clear (all red zones), avoiding handicap spots (unless you have a valid permit), and using the drop-off area only for quick pick-ups and drop-offs helps our community run smoothly and keeps all of our kids safe

Thank you for your cooperation!

My name is Erin Donaldson, and I am the nurse for San Juan Island School District. Most students know me in the health room as Ms. Erin.

Some of my responsibilities include educating parents on vaccine requirements for school and ensuring compliance, creating and updating health records for the safety of students who may need health interventions while at school, performing annual vision and hearing screenings, and treating kids that come down to the health room for various reasons, including illness and injury.

We always appreciate communication about your child’s health conditions and illnesses. If your

child has a health condition that may need intervention while at school it’s important to reach

out to me via phone or email. I can be reached at 360.370.7306 (office phone) or 360.627.1266 (work cell).

Thank you and I look forward to collaborating with you for the upcoming school year!

Erin Donaldson RN, BSN

erindonaldson@sjisd.org

Please make sure your child knows their going-home plans before the school day starts.

We understand that going home plans may change during the day. When this happens we can write a note to be delivered to your child. Please be aware that notes are delivered at 2:15 pm, and Wednesdays at 1:10 pm. Please let us know your plans before this time, thank you!

Thank you for setting your child up for success by ensuring they know their going-home plan before the start of the school day.

FHES has ordered student school supplies in bulk. The cost is $40 per student. Students will receive their supplies in the classroom. Please log onto your Skyward account and make a payment. You may also bring cash or check to the front office.

Please remember that all visitors must check in with the office and wear a visitor badge while on school grounds during school hours.

Breakfast and Lunch will be free for all elementary students this school year.

Please continue to submit free and reduced applications. The information collected on these forms helps our schools receive funding for important programs.

Complete your application here.

Breakfast is served every morning starting at 8am. If your child would like breakfast, please have them come through the front doors upon arrival.

The Salad Bar is open every day at lunch with regular salad, caesar salad, fruit, and vegetables.

A vegetarian option is available daily by request.

Please remember that there is no supervision at school until 8:00 am. We ask that your student does not arrive on campus prior to 8:00am for safety reasons. Supervision ends at 2:45 pm so please remind your student to go directly to their after school plans.

Please remember that No Dogs are allowed on school grounds. This includes the fields for games and practices, in front of the school, on sidewalks, or in parking lots.

Thank you for your support 🐾

The Next Meeting is September 14 at 5:30 pm

Planning for the 2026-27 School Year!

Please reach out to PTO with any questions: Ptofhes@gmail.com

Get involved....student safety | child care for evening parent events | classroom supplies | I Love to Read month | hearing and vision screenings | classroom liaisons | book fair | Kings receipts

A reminder that the first bell rings at 8:15, please help your student start the day off right by starting the day on time with their class. If your student is going to be gone for the day please call the office at 360-378-5209 or email Jeanna at jeannarheinberger@sjisd.org to excuse your student's absence. Please remember that there is no adult supervision before 8 am.

Thank you!

Wondering about local groups and businesses that offer youth activities and/or support? San Juan Island School District has them posted on our Community Partners page.

We love to hear from you!

Email: roslynbutcher@sjisd.org
Website: sjisd.wednet.edu
Location: 95 Grover Street, Friday Harbor, WA, USA
Phone: 360.378.5209

San Juan Island School District Commitment to Non-discrimination

San Juan Island School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups.

The San Juan Island School District offers classes in many career and technical education program areas such as Culinary Arts, Career Prep, STEM, and Computer Science under its open admissions policy. For more information about CTE course offerings and admissions criteria, contact CTE Director, Liz Varvaro, elizabethvarvaro@sjisd.org, PO Box 458, FH, WA, (360) 378-4133. Lack of English language proficiency will not be a barrier to admission and participation in career and technical education programs.

The following people have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:

Jeff Thompson, Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator, Title IX Officer

PO Box 458, Friday Harbor, WA 98250

(360) 378-4133

jeffreythompson@sjisd.org

Aileen Howe, Special Services Director, 504 Officer, ADA Coordinator, Gender-Inclusive Schools Coordinator

PO Box 458, Friday Harbor, WA 98250

(360) 378-4133

aileenhowe@sjisd.org

Fred Woods, Superintendent, Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying (HIB) Coordinator

PO Box 458, Friday Harbor, WA 98250

(360) 378-7905

fredwoods@sjisd.org