Pathfinder Compass
September 19, 2021
What to expect with The Compass!
Every Sunday you will receive The Compass to keep us all informed and connected of essential Pathfinder news. If you are interested in narrating The Compass please reach out to Dr. Holmes!
In this issue:
- Health and Safety Protocols
- Upcoming Listening Sessions
- Pathfinder Operations
- Just so you know...
Old News
- Picture Day
- Recordings of Virtual Events
- Blazing Trails News
- Partnership with Duwamish Longhouse
- Family Connectors University
- Dr. Holmes' Incoming Goals
Nothing glows brighter than the heart awakened to the light of love that lives within it.
-Guy Finley
Please click the link above for additional information, highlights include...
- If your scholar has any COVID symptoms, please keep them home!
- Register for a COVID test at Pathfinder. Currently, the turnaround time for these tests is turning out to be 3-4 days, often 4. We will not have access to the results at Pathfinder.
- If there is a positive COVID-19 case, all families with students in the same classroom will be notified.
- Healthy Schools Campaign
- What do we tell families who are travelling?
- Updated SPS Guidance on Contact Tracing
Upcoming Listening Sessions
Our upcoming sessions will be focused on grade band specific information and opportunities to share praises, questions, and concerns. We look forward to seeing you all on Zoom! All sessions will be recorded and take place 6 - 7pm.
Second and Third Grade Folx | September 21st
Meeting ID: 884 6908 5622
Passcode: 852441
Kindergarten and First Grade Folx | September 28th
Fourth and Fifth Grade Folx | October 19th
Middle School Folx | October 26th
Pathfinder Operations
Bell Schedules
Monday | Tuesday | Thursday | Friday
- School begins at 8:55 a.m. and ends at 3:25 p.m.
- School begins at 8:55 a.m. and ends at 2:10 p.m.
Arrival Procedures
Please keep in mind...
- Unless you are using our ADA lot, please do not park on campus during drop-off.
- It is VERY helpful when you prepare your scholar and all of their materials to quickly and safely exit the car.
- Traffic on campus will be bad. Please aim for your arrival window as this helps us mitigate the spread of COVID and have a better flow of traffic.
Lunch
Schedule
Kindergarten and First 11:00 - 11:40
Second and Third 11:25 - 12:05
Middle School 12:10 - 12:45
Fourth and Fifth 12:45 - 1:25
We are happy to accommodate families who are interested in pulling students during lunch by opening our play field to vaccinated volunteers. Moving forward, please be sure to let us know you are coming.
There are two different opportunities to help and NOW IS THE TIME TO SIGN UP! Spots are available for rest of September and the site can be found here.
VOLUNTEER STATUS:
You need to be an SPS approved volunteer and fully COVID-19 vaccinated to complete these duties.
- If you have previously been a volunteer, the link to check your status is here.
- If you are a former volunteer and need to update your application, that link is here
- If you are a new volunteer, please feel free to sign up for a shift that is at least two weeks in the future. It can take several weeks for a new volunteer to be approved. The link to start the process as a new volunteer can be found here
- All volunteers (even those whose status is listed as "current" must also watch this health and safety video.
Please do not hesitate to contact Dani (danielle.y.wyss@gmail.com) if you have questions, comments, or concerns. Thank you in advance for stepping up to keep all the students at Pathfinder K-8 as safe as possible during lunch!
We have continued to make revisions throughout the week to ensure our scholars are safe and comfortable during lunch.
Dismissal Procedures
There has been an increase in early dismissals within 30 minutes of the end of the school day. Unless this is a pre-planned absence we will do our best to accommodate.
Please remain in your car during pick up! If you are interested in getting out of your car, we invite you to park (not on Genesee) and walk onto campus.
Traffic has had a much better flow during pick up. We are continuing to evaluate how to make this most effective. Over the weeks we have learned the following:
- Please DO NOT drive down the "middle" lane. Busses and folx using our ADA lot are exceptions and will be guided by staff.
- It is imperative to leave space in each of the lot entrances for buses to pass.
- It is VERY helpful if folx turn right on 19th after pickup, please take this route if you are able.
Just so you know...
Racial Equity Committee
Working in partnership with Dr. Holmes and Dr. Cordell, your family-based Racial Equity Committee (REC) invites all Families of Color, Black Families, Indigenous Families, and Multiracial Families at Pathfinder to the inaugural Pathfinder Community Cafe!
WHO: For our Black Families, Indigenous Families, Multiracial Families, and Families of Color
WHAT: Meant to connect and foster relationships, Community Cafes bring community members together for a series of loosely structured conversations that directly address issues important to the community. Please check out the video below to learn more!
WHEN: Friday, October 15 from 7:00-8:00PM
HOW: Please RSVP for this event here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/community-cafe-at-pathfinder-tickets-174447676697
WHY: This event responds to data collected during our Racial Equity Questionnaire last year. Black, Indigenous, Multiracial and Families of Color at Pathfinder expressed a desire for more opportunities to connect and be heard in our community. We hope you and your families join us in this safe space of welcome, belonging, and hope!
PLEASE SHARE: Please forward this invitation to other Pathfinder families that are Black, Indigenous, Multiracial and Families of Color and encourage them to attend with you.
ALSO — JOIN REC! If you are interested in joining us in this important work this school-year, and/or facilitating a small break out room during this Community Cafe, please reach out to us at equity@pathfinderk8ptsa.org.
—Your Racial Equity Committee (REC)
Veena Prasad, Becky Greenberg, Jamelia Alnajjar
PTSA Update
Hello,
PTSA Volunteers: We need you!! The PTSA needs your help to make all the magic happen. Volunteer opportunities range in scope, focus area, and time commitment, so you can find something that fits your schedule and interests. Our most urgent need is to fill our Membership Coordinator role, which is responsible for ensuring our membership dues are paid and we keep our PTSA membership status up to date with Washington State PTSA.
Email volunteer@pathfinderk8ptsa.org to learn more.
Topic: PTSA General Meeting
Time: Oct 5, 2021 06:30 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/92797076306?pwd=RktmNWplSWpnb1hYYkNZVmxYQUhCQT09
Meeting ID: 927 9707 6306
Passcode: k3MZX3
Mathematics Instructional Materials Adoption Needs Assessment
In July 2021, Seattle Public Schools initiated an adoption process to select new mathematics instructional materials for Kindergarten through fifth grade students. SPS families are invited to complete this Needs Assessment Survey to share what is important to them in math instructional materials. The results of this survey will be used by the adoption committee to help determine the selection criteria.
Picture Retakes November 9th.
Recordings of Virtual Events
Please check back on Tuesday for updated links.
- Dr. Holmes Meet and Greet
- MS Orientation
- School Opening and Pathfinder 101
Blazing Trails News
Schoolwide Partnership with Duwamish Tribe
The Herons Nest is an outdoor educational center that is walkable from Pathfinders doors. This is a great opportunity for our scholars to experience, explore, and even camp! Please consider supporting their efforts if you are able.
If you are able, consider giving to Real Rent Duwamish. Pathfinder stands in solidarity with the First Peoples of this land.
Family Connectors University
Seattle Public Schools (SPS) families are invited to join North Seattle College’s Family Connectors University (FCU) class, a family-focused online course designed to help parents support their child’s learning and growth.
In partnership with North Seattle College and SPS Family Partnerships Department, topics include:
- Helping your child with learning
- Social Emotional Learning ideas for home
- Becoming a supportive partner at your school
- Helping your child with ‘big emotions’
- Supporting your child with reading and math
- Talking to kids about race, racism, and antiracist actions
Take this course in real-time or attend offline at a time that works for you. Check out video here and course details here.
Participants report that this year's pandemic-informed curriculum has been immensely helpful to families during remote learning:
“The Family Connectors University class was a wealth of practical ideas, and definitely worth the time investment!”
“…the conversations about self-care, supporting our kids' social emotional growth, dealing with "big feelings" and recommendations on supporting reading and math were fantastic.”
“Implementing just a few of these ideas brought the pressure level in our 'locked-down' household from a 9 to a 2.”
“I loved the chance to have one hour to myself each week to get ideas for helping my child and talk with other parents.”
The class takes place online via Zoom for 10 weeks beginning Tuesday, September 28th at 6-7 pm. Parents can participate synchronously or asynchronously, as sessions will be recorded.
Course is facilitated by NSC Parent Education Instructor Lea Evans, Principal Janine Roy, SPS Family Partnerships Coordinator Asosa Sailiai, and special guest speakers.
The cost for the 2-unit class is $39.42 and some scholarships are available.
Email Asosa Sailiai to enroll or find out more information: amsailiai@seattleschools.org.
Dr. Holmes' Incoming Goals
- To know all folx personally and professionally connected to the school. Further, allow others to know me as fully as possible outside day to day connection, crisis, and problem solving.
- To use qualitative and quantitative data to determine concerns and issues regarding improving student performance that needs to be closely examined and addressed to repay the educational debt.
- To learn the artifacts, beliefs, and basic underlying assumptions through engaging in essential conversations with Pathfinder students, staff, and community.
- To identify, hold onto, and strengthen traditions that center students and bring the community together. Further, partner with students, staff, and the community to ensure social emotional learning and growth is embedded in the curriculum, adult strengths are highlighted, and we have fun!
