Decatur Newsletter

Dear Decatur Families,

On behalf of all of us at Decatur, we hope you are enjoying your first week of summer vacation! I wanted to share a quick update with some helpful resources and important dates for the upcoming school year. A reminder that all of this information can also be found on our website: https://decatures.seattleschools.org/

Important Dates

• June 28 at 10:00 AM – Playdate at Decatur
• August 23 at 9:30 AM – Playdate at Decatur
• August 27 by 4:00 PM – Teacher assignments will be emailed
• If you do not receive a message, please contact the office at 206-252-3230 on August 28th
• September 1 – Meet the Teacher (details and times will be shared via email and on the website)
• September 2 – First day of school (Wednesday release at 3:25 PM)

Summer Resources

Summer readiness resources for students entering Highly Capable (HC) grades 2–5 are linked here and available on our website under Academics → Summer Readiness Grades 2–5. These resources include math, reading, and social-emotional learning ideas to support learning over the summer. Please look at the grade your student will be entering in the fall.

School Supplies

Supply lists are available at link and on our website under Resources → School Supply Lists. Supplies are organized by grade level. If your child’s teacher has any additional requests, they will be included in the welcome letter. There is no need to bring supplies on the first day.

Labeling Personal Items

Please label all coats, sweatshirts, lunch boxes, and water bottles with your student’s name. This helps us return items left on the playground. Unclaimed items are periodically donated, but we also share photos of our lost and found in newsletters to help reunite items with families.

Transportation & Safety

Drop-off and pick-up safety procedures are posted here and on our website.
For bus route questions, please contact the transportation department at 206-252-0900 or transdept@seattleschools.org. Bus route details are typically sent about a week before school starts. The school receives this information just before the first day.

Staffing Updates

Each year brings some staffing changes. Here is our current team:

• 2nd Grade: Ms. Rifkin, Mr. Simon
• 3rd Grade: Ms. Kleinhanz, Mr. Mountain (new)
• Grade 3 will continue departmentalized instruction:
• Mr. Mountain: Math & Science
• Ms. Kleinhanz: Reading & Writing
• Shared: Social Studies & Social-Emotional Learning
• 4th Grade: Ms. Fries, Ms. Ross
• 5th Grade: Ms. Rosman, Ms. Reilley (formerly Johnson)

Specialists & Support Staff

• PE: Ms. Bastasch (Mon, Tues, every other Wed)
• Art: Ms. Munro (every other Wed, Thurs, Fri)
• Library: Ms. Purcell (Mon, Tues, every other Wed)
• Special Education: Ms. Reid
• Interventionist: Ms. Minagawa (full-time)
• Office: Ms. Jessica (part-time), Ms. Em (Office Manager, Mon–Fri)
• Nurse: Amy (Mondays)

Additional Updates

• Principal: To be announced
• Social Worker: Ms. Channon will begin the year, then take maternity leave in October. We will share updates about coverage for her schedule.
• Speech/Occupational Therapy: Staff and schedules to be confirmed
• Instrumental Music: Teacher and schedule to be announced
• We will be using the new Emerge reading and writing curriculum one grade ahead
• We will be using the Envision math curriculum 2 years ahead.

This is a lot of information, but we want to make sure you feel prepared. Please continue checking the school website for any updates.

I hope you all enjoy a wonderful summer filled with time with family and friends. My last day at Decatur will be June 30. I will support the transition to our new principal, and future communications will come from them.

Thank You,

Principal Miller

• June 17 - Last Day of School *Early Release @ 2:25*
• June 18 to Sept 1 - Summer Break *No School*
• June 28 - Summer Playdate @ 10:00
• Aug 23 - Summer Playdate @ 9:30
• Sept 1 - Meet Your Teacher
• Sept 2 - First Day of School

It is with a mix of sadness and immense gratitude that we announce the retirement of our wonderful principal, Laurie Miller.

Ms. Miller has dedicated over 30 incredible years to education, bringing her passion for learning to countless students throughout her career. For the past three years, we have been lucky enough to have her leading the way right here at Decatur Elementary.

If you’ve ever walked down the hallways at Decatur, you’ve probably seen Ms. Miller in action. She is known across the school for her:

• Kindness: She genuinely cares about every single family in our community.

• Humor: She always knows how to bring a smile to our faces and make school fun.

• Dedication: No matter how busy she is, Mrs. Miller always makes time for her students.

Because of her leadership, Decatur Elementary has grown into a truly magical place where students love to learn and grow every single day. She has left a lasting mark on our school, and she will be deeply missed by students, staff, and parents alike.

Join us in wishing Ms. Miller all the best! Thank you, Principal Miller, for your decades of service and for making Decatur so special. We hope your retirement is filled with as much joy as you’ve given to our school!

By Claire, Hana, & Agnes in Room 6

By Serena in Room 11 & Zachary in Room 5

By Marigold in Room 4

As another fantastic school year comes to a close, we want to take a moment to say a huge thank you to all of our Decatur Elementary families. Your support, volunteering, and partnership are what make our school community so incredibly strong.

Whether you are returning to us in the fall or moving on to new adventures, we are so grateful for the time we shared this year.

A Special Shout-Out to Our 5th Graders!

To our departing fifth graders: You did it! You have worked so hard, shown incredible leadership, and brought so much energy to Decatur. As you pack up your backpacks and head off to middle school next year, remember everything you have accomplished here. We know you are ready for this next big step, and we cannot wait to see all the amazing things you will do. Once a Gator, always a Gator!

Have a safe, fun, and relaxing summer break, everyone. We will miss you!

The biggest LGBTQ+ Pride event of the season is the annual Seattle Pride Parade! Join other Seattle Public Schools students, staff, and families on Sunday, June 28th as we march together with pride alongside our bus “float.” SPS will be in the staging area on 4th Ave. before the 11:00am parade start time. Arrive early to make posters, hand out candy, and enjoy the cheering crowd. The parade route runs north along 4th avenue between Union and the Seattle Center, where the celebration continues with a family-friendly festival featuring music, booth, food and fun! All are welcome! No RSVP needed- Just show up!

For more information, contact Lisa at llove@seattleschools.org

Is your child a rising 5th through 8th graders? We are thrilled to announce a unique summer camp experience designed to bridge the gap between your youth athletes and the Varsity Players of Lincoln High School's Basketball Program. This camp goes beyond the game, focusing on developing essential soft skills like leadership, communication, and teamwork, all while having a blast on the court. Campers will engage in various Drills, Games, & More! Hosted on June 30 & July 1 from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Interested in more details? We’d love to have you join us! Please sign up with the Schoolpay Link & follow @lynxboysbasketball on Instagram receive additional updates and details.

SchoolPay Camp Sign Up:

Follow the Instagram!

Mat Chess MMA is proud to announce its Decatur After School Program! Our program offers a valuable and fun after school experience that includes academic support, chess instruction, and a comprehensive Brazilian Jiu Jitsu program. Transportation is provided by Seattle Public Schools from Decatur to our academy which is a 5 minute drive away. We are very proud of our highly experienced staff and maintain an excellent student to staff ratio. This extraordinary value is offered at $159 per month for Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Adding the half-day Wednesday option costs an additional $100, bringing the total to $269 per month for full-time after school care. More information may be found at MatChessMMA.com/Decatur. We may also be reached at (425) 457-4947.

Thank you and hope to see you on the mats soon!

Explore science and engineering in the great outdoors with Verdafield Summer Camps! Led by professional scientists and engineers, campers apply mechanics and electromagnetism to design, build, and implement a series of working systems that embody some of humanity's most important technical achievements. In Blast Off! (weeks of July 13 and 20), students create their own rocket-powered vehicles of increasing energy density leading to a sky-high flight using solid-grain propellant. In Power Up! (weeks of August 3 and 10), students build their own bench-scale renewable energy network from generation to point of use. We welcome students grades 4--8 excited to learn a lot and try new things. Drop-off and pick-up at Ravenna Park.

SPS Seattle Preschool Program, Head Start, and Developmental Preschool Programs are accepting applications for the 2026-27 school year starting on Monday, March 16. SPS Preschool programs provide high-quality, evidence-based early childhood education for 3- and 4-year-old students.

Please see the Preschool Locations Map for SPS preschool programs offered near your home. You may be able to apply for a preschool classroom in your child’s elementary school! Families with 3- and 4-year-olds can visit the Early Learning website to learn more and apply.

Click on the preschool program links below for more information, program contacts, and how to apply.

Seattle Preschool Program

In collaboration with the City of Seattle, the Seattle Preschool Program offers high-quality, affordable preschool to all of Seattle’s 3- and 4-year-old children on a sliding tuition scale. Applications submitted between March 16 – April 15 receive priority enrollment. Please direct families to the City of Seattle preschool@seattle.gov or 206-386-1050 with questions on application. Language support is available.

Head Start Preschool Program

Head Start is a federally funded child development program for income eligible children and their families. The Head Start programs in Seattle Public Schools offer preschool curriculum, family services and education, and transportation. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis for eligible families

Developmental Preschool Peer Program

Seattle Public Schools offers half-day preschool classrooms that include peer models and students with IEPs. Peer spots are free, and enrollment is ongoing throughout the year. Contact schools directly for more information or visit Early Childhood Special Education preschool peer information to learn more.

Preschool brochures and flyers can be accessed by school staff to share with interested families.

Contact: Tisha Crumley, ticrumley@seattleschools.org