BRENTWOOD ELEMENTARY JUSTIN VALENTINE, PRINCIPAL MAY 2017

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April 26th, 2017Dear Brentwood Parents and Families,I want to begin by saying “THANK YOU!” Thank you for helping our Brentwood students reach their fundraising goal of $20,000 for our PTSO sponsored Dash for Cash fund run. This is our one major fundraiser for our PTSO. The money donated goes to help provide many resources, events, and activities that support the learning of our students. Another benefit of this fundraiser is that it brings our Brentwood community together. The outpouring of parents, family members, and friends

who turned out to get in some laps with their child amazed me. It was a gorgeous day to run or walk, and the smiles that I saw on almost every face made me reflect on what a GOOD thing we have going here. Truly, “thank you” for your support.Other important happenings at Brentwood include SBA/MSP state testing, our “May the Fourth Be With You!” Literacy Night, plus a variety of end of the year activities to add to your calendar.First, our state testing is in full swing. Testing began on April 25th and will run through the end of May. Please know what your child’s testing schedule is and try to help them to get a good night’s rest, as well as, a solid breakfast on those testing days. Also, please try to ensure that your child is at school on time or not pulled out early on testing days. These interruptions can add to your child’s stress level. Brentwood’s testing schedule can be found further down in the Bear Facts (page 4). Thanks for supporting your child during this testing season.Next, we are so excited to get a jump-start on the summer months by holding our “May the Fourth Be With You” Literacy Night. This Star Wars themed evening will take place on May 4th, from 6-8 PM. This family night will be packed with fun activities for students and parents that promote reading. There will be Star Wars inspired refreshments, games, reading activities, story-tellers, and even some Star Wars characters on site to get your picture taken with. The Spokane County Library will also be there to get kids a library card and share their summer reading programs. Also, our Brentwood Title I plan will be available for parents to review and ask questions about. Please plan on dropping by. Every child will get a free book! Remember, the Force is strong with those who read! See you then!Here are some other important dates to mark on your calendar. More details about these events are also available on our Brentwood website.

BEAR FACTS

406 W Regina, Spokane, WA 99218 Office: 509-465-6200 Absence Hotline: 509-465-6287 Fax: 509-465-6220www.mead354.org/brentwood

ADMINISTRATION TEAM MESSAGE

(CONTINUED ON PAGE 2)

• May 11th - Kindergarten Performance• May 12th - Morning with Moms• May 19th - 6th Grade D.A.R.E. Graduation• May 30th/31st - District Track Meet• June 1st, 2nd - 6th grade camp at Camp Lutherhaven

• June 2nd - Donuts with Dad• June 9th - Field Day and Picnic• June 14th - Last Day of School

BRENTWOOD ELEMENTARY JUSTIN VALENTINE, PRINCIPAL MAY 2017

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ADMINISTRATION MESSAGE (CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1)

406 W Regina, Spokane, WA 99218 Office: 509-465-6200 Absence Hotline: 509-465-6287 Fax: 509-465-6220www.mead354.org/brentwood

Finally, just a reminder about student safety. With the warmer weather just around the corner, many students will be out walking or riding their bikes to school. Please review with your child what to do if approached by a stranger. Some quick tips include:

• Always walk with a group or buddy• Go straight home on the agreed upon route.• Never talk to strangers• If approached, be firm, loud, and direct. • Look the stranger right in the eye, shout NO! and walk away.• If your child has a cell phone, have it handy. Pulling it out as if calling or taking a picture

can scare away strangers.• Always talk to a parent or guardian about anything suspicious on the way home.

Please feel free to contact our front office if you have any questions. Thanks again for all of your support at home and for sharing your kids with us each and every day!Sincerely,Your Administrative Team,Justin Valentine and Kathy Williams

STUDENT PLACEMENTIf you have concerns regarding your child’s placement for next year, please complete the information form available in the school office. While we will not be making placements based on parent preferences, we will take into consideration input that relates to a specific concern for next year. All information forms need to

be returned to the school office by Friday, May 12th.

The end of the year is rapidly approaching. Getting all of our library books back isn't as quick or as easy as you might expect. Please help you child return all library

books during the week of May 24th. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Swenson at becky.swenson@mead354.org or call the library at

509.465.6214. Thank you. Mrs. Feist has spent the last few months working with students in grades 1-6 on being good digital citizens. Digital Citizenship according to Common Sense Media: "Digital media and technology is evolving at a rapid pace, bringing with it amazing opportunities as well as real risks for our children. On the positive side, young people are using the Internet and mobile technologies to create, connect, explore and learn in ways never before imagined. Challenges from harmful behaviors, cyberbullying to digital cheating, are surfacing in schools and in homes across the country. Young people face ethical challenges daily without a roadmap to guide them." Students are learning how to use the internet appropriately, how to successfully search for information, and what to do if they encounter cyberbullying.

If you want more information on protecting your child(ren) on the internet visit https://www.commonsensemedia.org/educators/connecting-families/share.

LIBRARY CORNER

BRENTWOOD ELEMENTARY JUSTIN VALENTINE, PRINCIPAL MAY 2017

PAGE 3406 W Regina, Spokane, WA 99218 Office: 509-465-6200 Absence Hotline: 509-465-6287 Fax: 509-465-6220www.mead354.org/brentwood

Save the Date!

Coming soon to a galaxy not so far away.... we will be holding a StarWars-themed family literacy night Thursday, May 4th.  Jedi apprentices (kids) can hang out

with some favorite characters, visit the "Cantina" for a snack, create a craft, enjoy some stories and leave with a free book!  For Master Jedi (parents), there will also be learning opportunities and a chance to view Brentwood's Title 1 plan. More details will be available soon.  Please plan to attend this fun family event.

"May the Fourth" be with you.

literacy NiGHT: Thursday, may 4th

KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATIONWe are currently registering kindergarten students for the 2017/2018 school year. The following items are needed; birth certificate, immunization records, and two documents to verify your residency. If you have any questions call 465-6200 or visit our website: registration information.

APPROPRIATE CLOTHINGWith warmer weather, we thought we would send out a reminder of our dress code. In order to create a pleasant environment where learning is job one, the following are some simple guidelines for our students to be aware of in relation to their dress:

• Shorts and dresses should not be too short (no shorter than the tips of your fingers when your arms are to your side).

• Shirts on both boys and girls need to completely cover the belly and back.• Tank top straps are to be at least one and a half inches wide, cover the chest

adequately, and cover the bra straps (halter tops are not permitted).• No sagging jeans or pants (undergarments must be covered).• No inappropriate messages on clothing (drugs, alcohol, tobacco, offensive words, etc.).

If clothing is deemed inappropriate, we may ask your child to put on additional clothing provided by the school (we have a variety of clothing items available) or call home to have parents bring them a change of clothes.

BRENTWOOD ELEMENTARY JUSTIN VALENTINE, PRINCIPAL MAY 2017

PAGE 4406 W Regina, Spokane, WA 99218 Office: 509-465-6200 Absence Hotline: 509-465-6287 Fax: 509-465-6220www.mead354.org/brentwood

2017 SBA Testing ScheduleThird Grade

April 24 – 28, 2017 Tuesday, April 25th – ELA CAT Wednesday, April 26th – ELA CATMay 1-5, 2017 Wednesday, May 3rd – ELA PT 1 Thursday, May 4th - ELA PT 2May 15– 19, 2017 Wednesday, May 17th – Math CATMay 22 – 26, 2017 Tuesday, May 23rd - Math PT

Fourth GradeMay 1 – 5, 2017 Monday, May 1st – ELA CAT Tuesday, May 2nd – ELA CATMay 8 – 12, 2017 Wednesday, May 10th - ELA PT 1 Thursday, May 11th – ELA PT 2May 22 – 26, 2017 Tuesday, May 23rd - Math CAT Thursday, May 25th - Math PT

Fifth GradeMay 1 – 5, 2017 Tuesday, May 2nd - ELA CAT Wednesday, May 3rd – ELA CATMay 8 – 12, 2017 Wednesday, May 10 - ELA PT 1 Thursday, May 11 - ELA PT 2 May 15 – 19, 2017 Monday, May 15th - MSP Science (paper) Tuesday, May 16th – Math CAT Thursday, May 18th – Math PTMay 22 – 26, 2017 Wednesday, May 24th, MSP Science (on-line)

Sixth GradeMay 8 – 12, 2017 Monday, May 8th - ELA CAT Tuesday, May 9th - ELA CATMay 15 – 19, 2017 Tuesday, May 16th - ELA PT 1 Wednesday, May 17th – ELA PT 2May 22 – 26, 2017 Monday, May 22nd – Math CAT

Wednesday, May 24th – Math PT

AcronymsSBA Smarter Balanced Assessment (grades 3-6)ELA English Language ArtsCAT Computer Adaptive TestPT Performance TaskMSP Measurement of Student Progress - Science

6th grade field trip to Northwood. It's hard to believe that soon our oldest Bears will be Huskies!

The l ibrary held a "Guess the Legos in a Jar" contest. Third grader, Calvin, had the closest guess and won a Lego set. Good job guesstimating Calvin!

Miss Sandy teaches a lot about eating healthy and staying fit and the kids get to have fun at the same time.

BRENTWOOD ELEMENTARY JUSTIN VALENTINE, PRINCIPAL MAY 2017

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May 55th Grade Field Trip

Turnbull

May 11Kindergarten Performance

May 12Morning With Mom

May 196th Grade D.A.R.E.

Graduation

May 30, 31District Track MeetsWhitworth University

June 1, 26th Grade Camp at Camp Lutherhaven

June 2Donutes with Dad

June 9Field Day & Picnic

June 14Last Day of School

Upcoming Events

406 W Regina, Spokane, WA 99218 Office: 509-465-6200 Absence Hotline: 509-465-6287 Fax: 509-465-6220www.mead354.org/brentwood

LIKE US ON

www.facebook.com/BrentwoodElementary

twi5er.com/brentwoodmsd354

Please help your child remember to bring shoes appropriate for PE. It is important for students to wear

proper rubber soled shoes for student safety and the care of our gym floor. Students with long hair need to have

bands to tie back their hair.

PE ANNOUNCEMENTFOLLOW US ON

For PTSO events or other information, please visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Brentwood-Elementary-PTSO-190884060991140/

Every Friday is “Spirit Day” at Brentwood. Please wear

your Brentwood shirt or school colors to

show your school pride. P.A.W.S.

Brentwood's 4th Grade Math is Cool team, coached by Mr. Hicks, took 4th place in their division on Friday, April 21st. Congratulations Bears. Way to represent Brentwood!