Fairmount Park Community Newsletter

to connect every child to themselves, others, and possibilities

Hello Fairmount Park Families!

It was wonderful to see everyone at our Open House! Families got to hear about what's happening in classrooms through their children and/or their teacher. We love to share what's happening in our classrooms! I've shared some pictures of our open house and some community building.

This week classes will be solidifying their classroom communities and students will have grown some stamina for the long school day. We are excited to get into a rhythm again and start our learning journey for the 25-26 school year!

In Partnership,

Sara Davis

Ms. Wilkie's class discussed the value of community by creating a display of the motto "WE > ME". Students added fingerprints to the 'WE" side of the display to exemplify their classroom community.

When asked about the concept of we is greater than me students replied:

• "We all did a fingerprint to signify a community."
• "We is colorful and represents that together is better than just yourself."
• "We all added fingerprints to "WE" and none to "ME". It means a group is better than 1 person because a can only get so much done and a community can do more."

Ms. Xena's class created a class charter to set the expectations for how they will show up as a community in their classroom. Students brainstormed ideas and honed them down to five. Once they determined their community commitments they defined them and everyone in the class signed the document. These types of tools are powerful community builders and also provide an explicit teaching tool when expectations need to be reinforced.

On Tuesday, October 7 Yuen Lui Studio will return to Fairmount Park for classroom pictures and individual retakes.

Missed picture day? Students who missed the September picture day should plan on getting a photo taken on November 8. Families can preorder photos here: 2024-25 Fairmount Park Elementary Make-up/ Retake Day Pre-payments 11/8

Need a retake? If you preordered picture day portraits and would like a retake, your student can return their portrait package in exchange for a complimentary retake replacement. Anyone is welcome to get a retake --please note that the retake photo will replace the picture day photo for PowerSchool and the yearbook.

Families can order portraits here: 2025-26 Fairmount Park Elementary Picture Day 9/19. Print orders will be delivered to the school in 3-4 weeks after picture day; digital orders will be sent via email from no-reply@imagequix.com. Contact Yuen Lui Studio with any questions.

Families—Please save the date for our Diversity and Inclusion Dinner on October 9th (formerly Families of Color Dinner). We’re excited to involve the community in planning! We need help with creating a playlist, activities, community booths, decorations, and featuring BIPOC businesses for food.

If you’d like to help or have suggestions, please contact Ms. Christl at rachristl@seattleschools.org We truly want to make this the best event ever and celebrate together!

Crossing Guard Needed!

We’re hiring a School Crossing Guard to support safe walking and biking in our community. Please consider applying or sharing with others!

• Location: Fauntleroy Way SW & SW Findlay St
• Pay: $20.76/hour
• Hours: Part-time, during school arrival and dismissal
• Apply at: SPS Transportation Jobs

We are so grateful for the time, energy, and care our families bring to our school. Volunteers make a big difference—whether you’re helping in the classroom, chaperoning field trips, or supporting special events.

What’s New with SPS Volunteer Applications

Seattle Public Schools has updated the volunteer application system to make it more secure. Moving forward, volunteers will be invited by their classroom teacher to complete the SPS volunteer application.

Signing in as a Volunteer

For everyone’s safety, all volunteers must now sign in electronically at the school office when they arrive. Beginning October 1, only individuals on the approved volunteer list will be able to sign in and receive a badge.

A Few Things to Keep in Mind

• Approval for new volunteers can take several weeks—please sign up early!

• You’ll be asked to choose a specific role or event when applying.

• For field trips and larger events, we recommend signing up 4–5 weeks in advance. Your child’s teacher will provide details about upcoming opportunities.

✨ Thank you for stepping in to support our students! Your time and energy make an incredible difference in building a safe, welcoming, and joyful community at Fairmount Park.

Please reach out if you'd like to share a cultural/heritage tradition with your student's class.

There is a growing body of research that shows when students have access to cell phones or smart watches during the school day, their engagement with learning and with peers often decreases. To support strong focus on core curriculum and healthy social connections, cell phones and smart watches are not permitted for use during the school day at Fairmount Park.

We do understand that families may want their child to have a way to communicate before or after school. For that reason, students are welcome to bring a cell phone or smart watch, but they must remain turned off and stored away during the school day. If there is an emergency or special circumstance, families can work with their child’s teacher to make a plan for appropriate access.

If a student does not follow this policy, their phone or watch will be held by the teacher or in the office until the end of the day. Items are then returned to the student or, in some cases, a parent may be asked to pick them up.

Thank you for partnering with us to create a learning environment where students can stay engaged, connected, and present.

• Tuesday, October 7 - Picture Retake and Class Picture Day

• Thursday, October 9 - Diversity Dinner

• Friday, October 10 - No School - Teacher work day

• Friday, October 24 - Kinder Field Trip to Pumpkin Patch

• Tuesday, October 28 - 2nd Gr. Field Trip to Camp Long

• 7:40 a.m.– Playground opens.
• 7:40-7:50 a.m. – Breakfast is served.
• 7:50 a.m.– Warning bell; students able to enter the building.
• 7:55 a.m. – School begins.
• 2:25 a.m. – Dismissal (1:10 p.m. on Wednesdays)
• 2:35 a.m. – Buses depart (1:20 p.m. on Wednesdays)

• Tardy - If your child arrives after 7:55 a.m. please go to the office to check in before they head to their classroom.
• Absence - Please contact our attendance office anytime your child will be absent from school.
• 206-252-9304
• FairmountPark.attendance@seattleschools.org

Friday's are for showing Falcon Pride! Find Falcon wear!

Please note that SPS Culinary Services does their best to follow the planned menu, but occasionally last-minute changes may occur.

Office hours are 7 a.m.-3 p.m.

Principal: Sara Davis sjdavis1@seattleschools.org

Admin Secretary: Ngoc Vo mnvo@seattleschools.org

Assist. Admin Secretary: Pauline Ashman pcashman@seattleschools.org

Website: Fairmount Park
Location: 3800 SW Findlay St., Seattle, WA, 98126
Phone: 206-252-9300