Timberbeast Times

Think back to your school days. I am guessing that there was at least one school staff member who inspired you and/or made you believe you could do anything. That person changed your life. Whether or not you knew it then, you know it now. I can picture several of my teachers and how they taught me to find joy in my learning, including Mr. Knaack, who inspired me to be proud of and tell my own stories, and Mrs. Chaffee, who helped me realize that I could use what I knew to create something new -- like my very own imaginary country!

Educators are still in the business of changing lives today, by believing in their students and by inspiring them to work hard and dream big. Our families and students are working hard during this time to focus on learning for the next seven weeks, and our Salem Woods staff are working right alongside you.

Next week, May 4th-8th, we celebrate National Teacher Appreciation Week. And at Salem Woods, we want to take the week to celebrate all of our staff. It truly takes a team to make our school run during “normal” times, and perhaps even more so now. We have an incredible staff who make a difference in the lives of all our students and in our community.

If you would like to show our staff members your appreciation for what they do each day for our students, we know that they would love to receive a message (email or Canvas work great for this) from your student and/or you with words of encouragement, appreciation, and gratefulness.

“The world is changed by ordinary people living out big love. It’s one person so filled with love that they have to live it out. They do something awesome for somebody, and then that person is filled with love. It just goes on and on and on. Everything isn’t awesome, but you are.” (Montague & Novak, 2015, Kid’s President’s Guide for Being Awesome, p. 166)

We are sending you lots of love and encouragement as you partner in this work with us. Thank you for stepping up and supporting your children with their online continuous learning. We appreciate you!

Warmly,

Stephanie

Slow Internet??? Click here for some tips. https://www.lifewire.com/troubleshooting-slow-internet-connection-818125

It is our goal to ensure every one of our students has access to connect to the internet and a device on which to do so. As you are likely aware, the Washington State Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) has tasked us with providing continuous learning to all of our students through the end of the scheduled school year. While we will continue to provide learning opportunities via hard copy for those who need it, the most effective way for us to deliver instruction at this time is online.

We acknowledge that many families may have already been asked about their access to a device and the internet by our staff, but we need more specific data to determine how to best meet the needs of all of our students moving forward. We also are being asked by OSPI to report very specific data each week regarding our students’ access to the internet. We would greatly appreciate it if you could take a few minutes to provide us with this data. We apologize if any of the questions we are asking have already been asked of you. Those families that do not provide information on the online survey will be reached out to via phone call by our staff next week. If you have already taken the survey - Thank you!!

We have already checked out over 3,000 Chromebooks to students, but it’s not too late to check one out if your student needs one! Chromebooks are now available to check out at each school, so please contact your child’s teacher or principal to make arrangements to check one out, if needed.

TAKE THE SURVEY NOW!

Thank you for your time.

Hello, my Salem Woods Parents and Students!

I’m missing you all every day and hope you are staying safe. Normally we would be seeing lots of each other this time of year. I just want our parents and students to know I’m thinking of you and hoping you are enjoying continued learning through Zoom meetings and all your teacher’s hard work!

During times like these, life can be stressful and make you feel nervous or other feelings like anxiousness. If things become overwhelming, take a minute and use the Coping Skills Sheet below. You can use it over again each week and it will help you decide which strategies work best for you to use when you need them.

I’m looking forward to the next couple of weeks. I will be doing some Social Emotional Learning lessons to share with you and your families as well as reading some of my favorite books. I’ll even show you my new baby chicks and our chicken coop. Make sure and watch for these learning opportunities on your Classroom Canvas page.

Thinking of you all!

Ms. Ervin

Like those in our community, we are learning as we go too. We are extending and accepting grace beyond measure during this time and are grateful we are in partnership with each of you. We are also grateful for the many folks who keep us moving forward and would like to start this week’s Timberbeast Times with some thank yous and shout outs.

Food Service Workers, Transportation and Classified Staff - This group of MSD employees has prepared and served or delivered over 35,000 meals to the youth of Monroe since our closure began last month! They arrive early every day with a smile and then greet you warmly, either in person at one of our elementary schools or on a designated bus route. Thank you!!

Teachers - The SWE Administration Team could not be more grateful to and for our teaching staff. Over the past seven weeks, we have watched them maneuver the sudden loss of everything normal to them while working to figure out and commit to making Continuous Learning happen for our students. Thank you!

Families - Yes, you! We each have families too and know full well how challenging it is to navigate long workdays, support and manage children's learning needs and find ways to take care of ourselves. This isn’t easy for sure and your positive comments and gratitude are carrying us. Thank you!

We are PROUD of our Timberbeast Community... you are the best!! We are so thankful and grateful for each and every one of you!

• AT&T - will provide internet for qualifying limited income households at $10 a month through the AT&T discount internet program. We’ve expanded eligibility to access the program from AT&T to households participating in the National School Lunch Program and Head Start. Additionally, we’re offering new access from AT&T customers, two months of free service, and then $10 thereafter. Includes free installation. Please call 855.220.5211 (English) or 855.220.5225 (Spanish).

• Comcast Xfinity: Internet Essentials is providing newly qualified, low-income customers with two months of free service and then $9.95 each month for continued service. Includes free installation. Please call 1-855-846-8376.

• Frontier: Lifeline provides monthly internet service for $9.25 per month for qualifying low-income families. To receive additional information about Frontier’s Lifeline discount, please call 1800 921 8101. Here is the Lifeline form to determine if you qualify: English version | Spanish Versio

• Families who qualify for Free and Reduced meals can get discounted internet rates from some carriers. If you have already qualified but need your confirmation letter, please email Tammy Gregory gregoryt@monroe.wednet.edu and she will send you your letter via email.
  
• No Email? Find how to set-up a Gmail email address here.

The PTA will be holding elections for next year's board members at the general membership meeting at 5 pm on Thursday, May 23rd via a zoom meeting. Stay tuned for the meeting id and password.

President: Dustin Schlichemeyer & Sarah Cox (returning)

Vice President: Colleen Venables (returning, previously treasurer)

Treasurer: OPEN

Secretary: Kayla Chase (returning)

Membership: Tia Simoni (returning)

The board has also created and are looking for committee chairs for:

• Volunteer Chair
• Fundraising Chair

Please reach out to any PTA board member regarding your interest or the responsibilities as it pertains to any role. During the meeting, we will also be reviewing and approving next year's budget.

2019 / 2020 Board Members:

Contact Us:

Co-President: Dustin-dustinschlich@gmail.com
Co-President: Sarah-monroecox@gmail.com
Vice President: Lorali-lmcayton@gmail.com
Treasurer: Colleen-westmagee@aol.com
Secretary: Kayla-kaylajphoto@gmail.com
Membership: Tia-tiasimoni@yahoo.com

Get Connected! https://www.facebook.com/SalemWoodsElementary/

Email: salemwoodspta@gmail.com

The Monroe School District offers full-day kindergarten at no cost to all students. Students who are turning 5 years old by August 31, 2020, are eligible to enroll now for the 2020-2021 school year.

New families may register online.

Families with children currently enrolled can log into Family Access to enroll additional children.

If you cannot access the online registration packet, you can obtain the paper packet at any school office or at the District Administration Office, located at 200 E. Fremont Street, Monroe.

If you do not know which school your student will attend next year, please visit our school boundaries page or call our Transportation Department at (360) 804.2650 to learn which school your neighborhood is zoned for.

For more information about Kindergarten, visit our kindergarten FAQ webpage.

If you don't have a way to scan or upload your documents, you may take a picture of the document and email them to Karen Ligman at ligman.k@monroe.wednet.edu

You may drop off any registration documents during the free lunch grab and go hours of 11:30 - 1:30 with a staff member.

Principal ~ Stephanie Penrod

Assistant Principal ~ Jennifer Brisbine

Counselor ~ Lynnette Ervin

Office Manager ~ Tammy Schultz

Assistant Secretary ~ Karen Ligman

Health Room ~ 360-804-3632

24-hour Attendance Hotline ~ 360-804-3601

End of Day Changes Hotline ~ 360-804-7100

Fax ~ 360-804-3699

Bus Delay Information ~ 360-804-2951

Transportation Office ~ 360-804-2650

School Hours are 8:55 a.m. to 3:25 p.m. Monday — Thursday

and 8:55 a.m. to 2:25 p.m. on Fridays

Website: https://www.monroe.wednet.edu/swe
Location: Salem Woods Elementary School, Wagner Road, Monroe, WA, USA
Phone: 360-804-3600
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SalemWoodsElementary
Twitter: @MonroeWASchools

Monroe 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 following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: Civil Rights Coordinator: Joanne Dickinson and also Title IX Coordinator, 360-804-2539, dickinsonj@monroe.wednet.edu; and 504 Coordinator: David Paratore, 360-804-2609, paratored@monroe.wednet.edu. Address: 200 E Fremont St., Monroe, WA 98272.