Echo Lake Principal Update, June 4, 2013

You have likely heard or read from the district email sent last night that I have accepted the position of Principal of Syre Elementary in Shoreline.  Beginning July 1, I will replace David Tadlock, who is leaving Syre to become the Principal of Meridian Park.

While excited about this new opportunity, I am very sad to be leaving Echo Lake and will miss the Echo Lake community tremendously.  Echo Lake is an OUTSTANDING school and I am so thankful for my past two years here.  Being a principal and a parent within the Shoreline community, I know that our paths will cross many more times and that we will work with each other as parents as our children move to Einstein, Shorewood and beyond.  Your children mean the world to me and I will follow their successes from just a short distance.  It has been such an honor to serve as your principal.

Mr. Schultz will meet with our staff tomorrow to talk about the hiring process for a new principal.  I will keep you updated as I know more.  Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions.

Warmly, Michelle

Special Note-
Do you love Echo Lake’s Science Night?  Then you won’t want to miss the Seattle Science Festival (http://www.seattlesciencefestival.org/)!
The festival runs June 6-16, but the biggest day is this Saturday, June 8 at Seattle Center – Science EXPO Day. From 10am-6pm, there will be more than 150 booths, activities, demonstrations and performances celebrating science, technology, engineering and math. You won’t want to miss it!

June at Echo Lake

June 10 
AM Kindergarten Spring Performance, 11:00 a.m.
5/6 Band and String Concert, 7 p.m
June 14     
Wild Waves trip Patrols
ALL Library Books Due
June 17     
Intermediate Field Day, 1:30 p.m.
June 18     
Fifth Grade to Shoreline Pool, 12:30 p.m.
Primary Field Day, 1:30 p.m.
June 19     
Sixth Grade Picnic/Pool Party, 9:30 a.m.
June 20     
All School Awards Assembly, 2:15 p.m.
King County Librarian Here for Summer Reading Program
June 21     
Beach Day!
Sixth Grade Graduation, 9:30 a.m.
Report Cards Sent Home
Early Dismissal, 11:50 a.m.
LAST DAY OF SCHOOL, SEE YOU WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4th

April 2, 2013

Hello Echo Lake Families!

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend and enjoyed the beautiful sunshine. It’s hard to believe it is already third trimester here at school. If you haven’t seen your child’s report card, it should be in their backpack as they were sent home yesterday. Please take a few minutes to review your child’s report card with them, noting and celebrating their strengths. It’s also important to take time to review the areas that are in need of growth. Talking to your child and helping them recognize their strengths and areas of growth helps your child succeed in school.

We had a short assembly yesterday to introduce our new characteristic for the month, “forgiveness”. Being forgiving is an important character trait for good citizenship at Echo Lake and beyond. See below for specific wording shared with students and take the time to talk to them our April trait.

Many thanks to all who attended last week’s Open House. It was such a joy to see our kiddos showing pride in the work they are doing here! Many thanks too to the fifth grade parents who donated their time and supplies to the ice cream social that raised over $500 for next year’s outdoor camp experience. Many cheers to Echo Lake Gold Acorn and Educator of the Year Award winners: Kendra Mirante and Melinda Hutton. These two ladies are extraordinary!

Our AUCTION is coming! Mark your calendars for Friday, April 12. Able to help? There is a meeting in the Echo Lake library @ 9:15 a.m. tomorrow morning and tomorrow evening at 6:30 p.m. or you can donate to your grade level’s basket. You can send these items in now. See below for grade level specific needs. Thank you! New this year: Raffle tickets: 1) $350 of Gift Cards (Sky Nursery, Aurora Rents, Barnes and Noble, Central Market, Taco Del-Mar, Red Robin, Party Central, Emerald City Smoothies, PCC, Fred Meyer) and 2) Weekday Party Package at Elevated Sports for 10 Kids- value $200 AND for every pre-registered ticket to the auction ($5 per person or $20 for a family for 4) that is purchased by Wednesday, April 10th by 3:30 p.m., you will receive one ticket into a drawing for principal for an hour on “Student Principal Day” to be held on Friday, April 19. Tickets for the dessert bar auction can be purchased online via PayPal at Echo Lake PTA  or before school 8:45-9:10 outside the office in the lobby. Raffle ticket order forms can be downloaded at  Echo Lake PTA .

Is your child interested in being an Echo Lake Safety Patrol member next year? Please have them attend a meeting next Tuesday (April 9) morning @ 8:45 a.m. Safety Patrol Leaders are Mrs. Nicholson and Mrs. Burrows  should you need any further information.

There are a couple of changes happening at Echo Lake. First, Mrs. McDavid, our band teacher, has taken a leave for the remainder of the school year to help care for her father. Mrs. McDavid selected her replacement personally, ensuring that students continue to get a quality education in band. Next, we have two teachers getting ready to take maternity leave, Allison Bowhay (grade 6) and Heather Stipulkosky (support teacher for grades 1-4) who are both expecting babies in May. A team of teachers and I have screened applicants and will hold interviews this coming Monday afternoon. It looks like we have a good candidate pool! Stay tuned for more information.

Have a GREAT week!
☺ Michelle Carroll, Principal

Grade Level Auction Donations Needed, PLEASE Send in Now ☺
Kindergarten- Arts and Crafts
First Grade- Chocolate
Second Grade- School Supplies
Third Grade- Baking
Fourth Grade- Coffee or Tea
Fifth- Family Movie Night
Sixth Grade- Kitchen Gourmet

APRIL CHARACTER TRAIT: FORGIVENESS
What is Forgiveness?
Being forgiving is giving someone another chance after they have done something wrong, knowing that everyone makes mistakes. It is making amends instead of taking revenge. It is important to forgive yourself, too. Forgiving yourself means to stop punishing yourself or feeling hopeless because of a mistake. Forgiveness is moving ahead, ready to act differently, with compassion for yourself and faith that you can change.

Why Practice Forgiveness?
Everyone does hurtful things at one time or another. If someone is not forgiving, others feel worried around that person. Without forgiveness, we judge and criticize others instead of giving each other a chance to improve. Forgiveness is the best way to encourage ourselves and others to take responsibility for our actions, to try harder and to change for the better.

COMMUNITY NEWS
SHORELINE EATS 4 HEALTH
Shoreline Eats 4 Health Kick-Off Event Tuesday, April 2, 2013 Shoreline City Hall: 17500 Midvale Ave N 6:00 – 8:30 pm The Shoreline City Council recognizes the need for a healthier community and created as goal # 6 of the 2011-2012 Council Goals: Develop a “Healthy City” Strategy. Part of this goal is to make citizens aware of choices they have right here in the City. We are kicking off a series of events with the first focused on Eating 4 Health. We invite you to be a part of the following event that will be free and open to everyone. This event will feature keynote speaker Cynthia Lair who will focus the discussion on healthy eating made affordable and appealing. Following the speaker local businesses and organizations will share healthy food samples, recipes and information regarding healthy eating options. If you have any questions, feel free to call us at (206) 801-2600 or check out our website at: www.shorelinewa.gov

FREE DENTAL SEALANTS
The Greater Seattle Dental Hygienists’ Society is sponsoring a Free Dental Sealant Day at Shoreline Community College, Dental Hygiene Clinic, 2500 Bldg. on Saturday, April 13th. Each participating child will receive an exam with a dentist, dental sealants (as approved by the dentist), a fluoride treatment, and a “goodie bag” with a toothbrush, toothpaste and floss. Spaces are limited, reserve your appointment by email: greaterseattledentalhygienists@gmail.com

CALL FOR JUNIOR ARTISTS!
Create the artwork for the 2013 Shoreline Arts Festival Junior Art Show Poster
Requirements:
• Shoreline area (K-12) student
• Two submissions per student
• Submit a copy of original artwork on 8.5 x 11 paper, which may be folded to mail
• On back of copied artwork: write student and parents names, school, phone number and email address so we can contact the chosen artist to submit original artwork to create poster
• Pen or pencil preferred – keep in mind art will be reproduced in black and white
• Content should convey a Festival feel
• Arts Council will edit to include text and poster header
You must mail submissions by April 18th to:
Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Arts Council
Attn: Junior Art Poster
18560 1st Ave NE
Shoreline WA 98155
For more information please visit www.shorelinearts.net

SHORELINE LAKE FOREST PARK ARTS COUNCIL
Calling for art and volunteers for the Shoreline Arts Festival. There are many opportunities for artists of all ages to get involved with the upcoming Shoreline Arts Festival! We’re gearing up to celebrate the 23rd annual festival on June 29th and 30th. Join in on the fun! Please visit the web site at http://shorelinearts.net/Shoreline-Arts-Festival/shoreline-arts-festival.html for more 22information.

Hello Families!

Great things continue to happen at Echo Lake.  Over the past two weeks, I met with all first through sixth grade staff. Together, we reviewed student reading scores and evaluated our consistency within our Walk to Read model.  I am pleased to say that students are making BIG gains with their reading with students spending 90-120 minutes on reading each day!

Cheers~  Michelle Carroll, Principal

Be sure to mark your calendars for Echo Lake Open House next Thursday, April 28, starting at 5:45 p.m. The evening agenda is as follows~

5:45 p.m., Ice Cream Social, $1.50, 5th Grade Camp Fundraiser for 2013-14

6:40 p.m., Outstanding Educator and Golden Acorn Awards Presented by PTA

7:00 p.m., Classrooms Open for Visits

EVENTS:

Science, Technology and STEM Career Fair coming Saturday, March 23

A group of community volunteers is organizing the first annual Shoreline Science and Technology Fair and STEM Career Exposition.

The science fair, featuring projects by Shoreline students, will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 23 in the Pagoda Union Building at Shoreline Community College. Parking is free. It is sponsored by Shoreline STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) and Shoreline Friends of Science.

The event will include a STEM Career Exposition featuring booths from local colleges, including UW, and from area science and technology firms.

For more information about the event, visit their Web site at http://shorelinesciencefair.org or e-mail event chair Ray Koelling at koellingr@comcast.net.

Echo Lake Auction IS COMING FRIDAY, APRIL 12  

We’re less than one month away from our fabulous Spring Sweetacular Auction. We’re making the push now for your support!

Got Gift Cards?  We need them.  One way to support this fundraiser is by Donating New or Unused Gift Cards:  Grocery Stores (Fred Meyer, Haggen, Safeway, QFC, Trader Joe’s, PCC, Costco) Restaurants (national chains and locals alike!), Movie Theaters, Bartell Drugs, Claire’s, Barnes & Noble, Toys R Us, I-Tunes, etc.

Got Talent? Item? Service?  We need them. Maybe you have a talent, an item or can you provide a service to donate to our PTA Spring Auction on April 12th, 2013.  You can always ask someone you know– a family member, your neighbor or local business.

Got Wine?  We are collecting bottles of wine with approximate value of $10 or more.  Wine can be delivered to the font office and put in a secure location.

Able to volunteer?  Stop by the school lobby and sign up to help out!

Donation forms are attached to this email.  Print it, fill it out and return it to school by April 2, 2013 with a detailed description of what you can contribute to our auction this year.  Thank you so much for supporting Echo Lake PTA Spring Auction all funds raised with benefit your children directly.

Check out the Auction Items Donated Today!

Plan a spring break or summer “Staycation” with some of these great items that will be up for bid at our Spring Sweetacular Auction April 12.

Seattle Great Wheel – Passes for two adults & two children to Seattle’s waterfront Ferris Wheel

Elevated Sportz – Passes for Indoor trampoline sessions or Kidz Adventure play time

EMP Museum - Four admission passes to EMP at Seattle Center

Woodland Park Zoo Private Tour- A special tour with a Zoo Ambassador

Museum of Flight – Check out the new Space Shuttle Simulator and everything that flies

Edmonds Family Fun Center – Mini golf and pizza close to home

Wild Waves – Keep cool with passes to our area’s popular outdoor water park

Be sure to keep up to date with the Auction @ http://echolakepta.blogspot.com

ECHO LAKE AUCTION NEEDS YOUR HELP~

GOT WINE?  We need it!

Last year at our Spring Auction the Mystery Wine table was a quick sale out.  So let’s do it again! You can support this fundraiser by donating your favorite red or white wine to the Spring Auction.  We ask that you please keep it above $10.00 retail.  You may turn them in NOW with your What Will We Donate Form to the front desk.  Andrea or Wanda will see to it that your Auction Chairs receive them.  If you have a connection with a wine rep that would like to donate or give tax deductible discount on wine please contact Auction Chair Teresa Berish 206-714-5207teresashomes@aol.com

GOT GIFT CARDS?  We need them!

Gift Card Drive  Another way to support this fundraiser by Donating New or Unused Gift Cards I-Tunes, Fred Myers, Menchies, Costco, Restaurants, Movie Theaters, Hagen’s, Highland Ice Arena, Bartelle’s, PCC, Spiro’s, Subway, Claire’s, Barnes & Knoble, ToysrUs ect.

GOT TALENT?  ITEM? SERVICE?  We need them!

Maybe you have a talent, an item, or can you provide a service to donate to our PTA Spring Auction on April 12th, 2013?  You can always ask someone you know, a family member, your neighbor or local business.

TAKE ACTION!  

Please fill out and return the attached form to your child’s teacher by April 2, 2013 with a detailed description of what you can contribute to our auction this year.  Thank you so much for supporting Echo Lake PTA Spring Auction all funds raised with benefit your children directly.

Warm Regards,

Teresa Berish, Auction Chair

Echo Lake Reading Eagles

The Echo Lake Reading Eagles represented us at the Shoreline District Global Reading Challenge. They tied for third place in our first year participating in the competition!

Date:    Monday, February 25, 2013

Time:    7 – 8:15pm

Location: Kellogg Middle School, Shoreline

From Lisa Scott, Principal at Kellogg Middle School:

Our PTSA has organized a presentation (intended for secondary students primarily but open to elementary families as well) regarding options for saving for college tuition. There is no cost to attend this event and we wanted to make sure you were all aware and knew the invitation is open to all Shoreline families.

See Featured links, “Saving for College” for more details.

Looking ahead for January~
We are off and running in 2013!  We had a wonderful start back with a donation of 150 plus books purchased by members of the Shoreline Covenant Church.  What a wonderful treat for our school.  Erika Haub, Childeren’s Director, and Barb Cruz, Echo Lake Library Tech, created a list that was available to all members of the church.  Members then shopped over the holiday and then spent time prepping the books so they are ready for our students to read.  We are going to share this generous donation with our student body at our assembly this Thursday, January 8 at 2:45 p.m.  At the assembly, we will also celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King and our new character trait of the month~ consideration.

Tomorrow evening we will also have a general PTA meeting at 6:30 in the library.  Please join us as we vote on adding Parents’ Night Out as as a PTA sponsored activity and select the nominating committee for the upcoming school year .  We will also discuss the Watch D.O.G. program and the new Roots of Empathy program being implemented in third grade at Echo Lake.

Next week we will celebrate Echo Lake’s diverse population at our Festival of Cultures on Tuesday, January 15, 6:30 p.m.  In addition to family tables filled with information on various cultures, we have at least five family performances scheduled.  I have attached the form for families to complete and return ASAP. I hope to see you there!

Cheers~  Michelle Carroll, Principal

UPCOMING EVENTS @ ECHO LAKE
January 8:  PTA Meeting, 7 p.m., Library
January 10:  Assembly, Consideration and MLK Celebration, 2:45 p.m.
January 15:  Festival of Cultures, 6:30 p.m.
January 16:  Shelter in Place Emergency Drill, 1:00 p.m.
January 18:  Student Council 8:15 a.m.
January 18:  Site Council, 9:15-11:30 a.m.
January 18:  Pajama Day
January 21:  No School/MLK Jr.’s Bday Observed
January 24:  Math Night, 7 p.m.
January 24:  Scholastic Book Fair Begins
January 25:  End of Fall Activities
January 26:  Kinderfest 10-12:00 @ SLC
January 28-31:  Parent/Teacher Conferences
January 30:  Grade 6, Orchestra Festival Rehearsal, 6:30-8 @ Meridian Park Elementary
January 28-31:  Early Release 11:50 a.m.
January 28-31:  NO Extended Day Kindergarten
January 31:  Evening Conferences
January 31:  PTA Movie Night
January 31:  Scholastic Book Fair Evening Shopping
January 28-31:  Parent/Teacher Conferences and BOOK FAIR
February 1:  NO SCHOOL, ADMIN DAY

Service in Action at Echo Lake
Echo Lake students are showing the character trait of service by supporting families with children in the Shoreline School District who need assistance during the holiday season by helping with Shoreline PTA Council Holiday Baskets Food, Toys & Teen Gifts Drive running now until Dec. 14. Echo Lake students are collecting donations of non-perishable food and new unwrapped toys or teen gifts. Monetary donations may also be made payable to the Shoreline PTA Council, note Holiday Baskets-Food or Holiday Baskets-Teen Gifts, and mailed to Shoreline PTA Council, P.O. Box 55784, Shoreline, WA 98155-5784.
If this year finds you and your family in need, please contact Nurse Shelly, Nurse Amy or Family Advocate Thelma Treperinas @ 206-393-4338.