Showing up to school matters at the individual level and at the community level. We have all lost much time in school during and since the Covid-19 pandemic. Students, families, and staff have all faced overwhelming stressors in the past few years. Community matters now more than ever. If we are to recover some of these Covid-19 losses, the first step must be showing up. Students must be present and actively engaged in learning. We need families in partnership with educators. Together we will make a difference.
Research has shown that chronic absences for students more than doubled during the pandemic at the national level. Current Thurgood Marshall data demonstrates this same significant increase in chronic absenteeism right here in our own school. Missing more than one school day a month translates into chronic absenteeism. We know that students who are chronically absent miss out on a significant amount of instruction, learning, and social development. This can have a lasting negative impact upon the student across the school years.
Some things that help prevent chronic absences:
Routines: Daily attendance routines, created at home and in school, can reduce stress for students and families and create a sense of safety and security, especially after chaotic transitions. Home routines include set bedtimes, packing lunches and back packs the night before, laying out clothes for the next day, etc.
Engagement: Being in school helps students to get to know peers, teachers, and school staff, and to create trusting relationships that motivate students to participate in learning. Help your child get involved. Reach out to their teacher or Ms. Matsui, school counselor, if you think your child might need support in building relationships at school.
Access to Resources: Schools help students and families gain access to basic resources such as meals, physical and mental health services, and fun enrichment activities including sports, clubs, music, and after-school and summer programs. If you need help with the basics, including housing, access to food, or clothing for your child, reach out to Ms. Matsui, Ms. Tyshler, Ms. Davidheiser, or me. Ms. Matsui can help with access to mental health services. Consider signing your student up for before and after school enrichment classes offered by the Friends of Thurgood Marshall Elementary. Scholarships are available!
Learning: Learning is most meaningful when it is active, social, and allows students to apply concepts to real-life situations. Showing up to school regularly helps students engage in learning that builds proficiency in reading and math that will help them to graduate from high school. If you have questions, reach out to your student’s teacher.
Parent Engagement: Model for your child that you believe in the importance of school by coming to APTT, parent teacher conferences, and school events when you can. Read school communications and talk to your child’s teacher. We know that family engagement can look different from family to family. Let your child know that their education is important to you.
We are here for your child. Reach out with questions or concerns. Together we can figure it out.
Notes from Nurse Colima
As a part of King County’s 100 Days of Action against gun violence, Public Health’s Regional Office of Gun Violence Prevention is expanding its ongoing work to distribute free gun lockboxes to anyone in King County. We’re proud to be partnering with the Seahawks to host a free gun lockbox giveaway at Lumen Field, to give away 3,000 free gun lockboxes. The event will be held on September 26, from 10 AM to 2 PM, at Muckleshoot Plaza at Lumen Field. All are welcome, and free gun lockboxes will be available while supplies last. The event will also feature a resource fair highlighting community organizations who provide violence-prevention services and care around King County.
I will be performing state mandated vision and hearing screenings in October. All grades will be screened except for 4th grade (state standards indicate grades PK-3rd, 5th, and 7th grades should be screened). You will be notified if a professional exam is recommended for your child. If your child has eyeglasses please make sure they wear them as prescribed. It is important they wear their glasses during the vision exam.
Students who are sick need to stay home until they feel improved. Before returning to school student must be fever, vomit, and diarrhea-free for at least 24 hours without the use of medication. Students who have diarrhea, vomiting, or a fever will be sent home. Please reach out to me with any questions. Thank you for helping me keep our community healthy.
Fifth grade parents regarding Camp Orkila: If your child takes daily medication, they need to have a medication authorization form filled out by their provider. This includes medications prescribed or over the counter. Correct paperwork and medication in the original container must be received by Nurse Colima by October 11th. https://www.seattleschools.org/departments/health-services/forms/ The only exception is if a parent is chaperoning (see AP Davidheiser & 5th grade teacher communications regarding chaperone requirements) they may give their own child their medication.
COVID & Flu Booster Sign-Ups
Seattle VNA is partnering with Seattle Public Schools to provide a series of after-school and weekend vaccination clinics, providing flu shots and COVID-19 vaccines. All COVID-19 vaccines provided this season will be the newly updated 2024 Moderna products authorized by the FDA and CDC. We hope these clinics will provide a safe and easy solution for SPS families who are looking for an opportunity to vaccinate all family members at once.We will offer three services at the clinics: a standalone flu shot, a standalone COVID-19 vaccine, or you may elect to receive both a flu shot and COVID-19 vaccine during the same appointment. On the registration page, select "Flu Shot", "COVID-19 Vaccine", or "Flu Shot & COVID-19 Vaccine" to select your preferred service. If you're registering for a COVID-19 vaccine, please select the appropriate service based on the age of the patient. Do not make two separate appointments for a flu shot and COVID-19 booster unless they are on two separate dates.These clinics are open to staff, students, their families, and the general public. Please feel free to forward this message to family and friends.CHANGES FOR 2024: Due to the commercialization of COVID-19 vaccines and the end of the Public Health Emergency, there is no longer federal funding for uninsured patients. You must input your insurance information during registration, or pay out-of-pocket at the time of service. The out-of-pocket costs for flu and COVID-19 vaccines are $55 and $200, respectively. We are currently unable to accept Cigna and Tricare insurance.Visit the link below to register. On the SPS Clinic Webpage, you will be able to view a full list of dates, times, and locations for the 2024 vaccination clinics. Please note, there are some changes and important information for this year's clinics that you should be aware of:
Please register at your earliest convenience. Appointments are limited and will fill up quickly. All clinics are indoors.
Flu shots are available for patients ages 4 years and older. Covid-19 vaccines are available to patients ages 5 years and older.
All patients will need their own, separate appointment in the patient's name, with their information. For example, a family of four will need four appointments. If you are unable to register all patients within the same time block, please choose the closest available time block for the remaining patients. You may still come together at the same time.
You must have an accepted and verified insurance plan on file during registration, or you will need to pay out-of-pocket at the time of service.
If you have questions about insurance, or have trouble verifying your insurance during registration, please reach out to info@seattlevna.com prior to confirming your appointment.
To register for a clinic, please follow the link below. We're looking forward to seeing you again!REGISTRATION: LINK: https://schedule.seattlevna.com/location/9d20cac8-d510-ec11-b6e6-000d3a57ec4c?lang=en SPS VACCINE CLINIC PAGE: https://www.seattleschools.org/departments/health-services/vaccine-clinics/
Picture Day Ordering Information
Yuen Lui Studio will photograph individual portraits at Thurgood Marshall Elementary on Tuesday, October 8 and Tuesday, October 15. Families can preorder photos here: 2024-25 Thurgood Marshall Elementary Picture Day 10/8, 10/15 (enter your email address and select your package; separate orders are required for each student, including siblings).
Print orders will be shipped to the school in approximately three weeks after picture day. Digital orders will be sent via email.
Hi, the picture day preordering link doesn’t seem to work