Pathfinder Compass
January 2, 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:
- Monday Volunteers Needed
- COVID Testing for Students
- Drop Off Reminder
- Transitioning to Indoor Lunch
- Mark Your Calendars
New News
- Pathfinder Operations
- Just so you know...
Old News
- Family Connectors University
- Clickable link Community Curriculum Review
- Clickable link Blazing Trails News
- Clickable link Let us know if you need support
- Clickable link Virtual Tutoring with Library Link
- Recordings of Virtual Events
- Previous Compass Links
- Dr. Holmes' Incoming Goals
The grass is greener where you water it.
-Unknown
Monday Volunteers Needed!
In support of health efforts, Monday, Jan. 3rd will be a non-student day. Staff will be tested in the morning and students tested in the afternoon.
We need volunteers to support testing clinics across the city. Test observer responsibilities include:
- Taking a required training from 8 – 9 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 3 (videos and written material will be provided)
- Support student test sites
- Student testing, 1 to 4 p.m. at regional middle schools. Volunteers arrive at 12:15 to set-up)
- Volunteer positions will include way finder, greeter, test observer. There will also be an SPS nurse lead and a district lead at each site to manage and support.
- Volunteers will be provided with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), as needed for their role.
To support student testing in the afternoon, please sign up here. Additional information about training and logistics will be emailed by Sunday, Jan. 2.
COVID Testing for Students
Seattle Public Schools will offer voluntary, universal testing for SPS staff and students on January 3.
This means there will be no school for SPS students on Monday, January 3. School will resume in-person on Tuesday. There will be no athletic practices.
Meals on Monday, January 3
- Buildings will be open during normal hours for those students who need to access meal services.
- All schools will serve grab-and-go lunches between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. for student meals.
Southwest COVID Testing Locations
Monday, January 3, 1 – 4 p.m.
All clinics will be held in the cafeteria unless otherwise noted.
Denny International Middle School
2601 SW Kenyon St.
- For Southwest region students
- Test given: Abbott BinaxNOW rapid antigen tests (results in 15 minutes)
- Tests administered by SPS staff and volunteers
- Walk-in; no appointment needed
- Consent form to print and fill out Forms will also be available at the school clinic.
Madison Middle School
3429 45th Ave. SW
- For Southwest region students
- Test given: Abbott BinaxNOW rapid antigen tests (results in 15 minutes)
- Tests administered by SPS staff and volunteers
- Walk-in; no appointment needed
- Consent form to print and fill out Forms will also be available at the school clinic.
Drop Off Reminder
Transitioning to Indoor Lunch
Mark Your Calendars!
January 3rd NO SCHOOL COVID Testing 1 - 4pm
January 17th NO SCHOOL MLK Day
January 18th BIPOC Listening Session 6 - 7pm
January 20th Virtual Open House 12 - 1pm AND 6 - 7pm
January 25th Second and Third Listening Session 6 - 7pm
January 27th Make-up school day for November 12
Pathfinder Operations
Enrollment is coming...
Please note enrollment does not happen at Pathfinder.
We will be hosting two virtual Open Houses on January 20th - feel free to share with those who may be interested.
12- 1pm
Meeting ID: 886 0579 5950
Passcode: 787024
6 - 7pm
Meeting ID: 830 9161 9987
Passcode: 765871
Vision and Hearing Screening Coming in January
Being able to see and hear are important for learning. The state requires that we identify students who may have trouble seeing or hearing.
Students in grades K, 1, 2, 3, 5 and 7 will be screened for vision and hearing in early January.
We would like to add students in grades 4, 6 and 8 because these students were missed last year.
The school nurse will use a SPOT screener or eye charts to screen for vision and an audiometer for hearing. Families will be notified rapidly if their student does not pass the screening.
Technology Clarification
There has been a rapid spread of the Omicron variant throughout the region. We are planning to keep students and educators in schools, one way to prepare is to test folx before we come back. Monday, January 3rd is a non-school day.
Another way to prepare is to ensure technology is available. It may become necessary to move some classrooms or even schools online to protect the health of students and staff. To help prepare, we will be sending students home with the devices on Tuesday, January 4th. Homeroom teachers will advice the frequency ipads or laptops need to come back to school.
If you haven't yet, please be sure to make sure you:
- signed Parent/Student Agreements which are part of the ‘packets’ for both the iPads and Laptops
- paid the $25 check-out fee
Lunchtime Community Building Groups for BIPOC & Multiracial Scholars
Given the uncertainty around Omicron, groups will restart the first Wednesday in February (2/2/22) and will continue to gather on the first Wednesday of each month for the rest of the school year. Please let your scholars know!
The sign-up will be sent out again the last week in January for those who have not yet had a chance to join.
Please feel free to contact Jamelia Alnajjar at jmalnajjar@seattleschools.org with any questions
Lunch and Recess
Just so you know...
Upcoming Listening Sessions
January 18th BIPOC Listening Session
January 25th Second and Third Grade Listening Session
February 8th Kindergarten and First Grade Listening Session
February 22nd Fourth and Fifth Grade Listening Session
March 22nd Middle School Listening Session
March 29th Special Education Listening Session
Upcoming Affinity Groups
Affinity groups are a part of our continued healing, we are holding space to continue unpacking Octobers events to ensure they do not seep out in other ways that have negatively contributed to the Safe and Welcome environment Pathfinder is seeking to have for all of our students, staff, and community.
Please register for any of the Affinity Groups you will be attending. We ask that each adult register separately. Please note, this is one of the few places that are reserved for adults only.
Kingmakers
Kingmakers of Seattle is an elective program for Black male middle school and high school students, referred to as Kings, taught by Black male facilitators. Kingmakers supports the cultural, historical, social, and emotional needs of young Black boys and teens as it relates to their identity. The program is offered at four SPS schools: Aki Kurose, Asa Mercer, and Denny International Middle Schools and Interagency Academy.
Seattle Public Schools and the City of Seattle’s Department of Education and Early Learning (DEEL) launched Kingmakers in 2017 to engage, empower, and encourage young Kings in a brotherhood-centered program.
This year, the following opportunities are available district wide for Black Boys. Please register if you are interested.
Rising Son Extended (RSE) 3rd - 5th
Kingmakers of Seattle Extended (KOSE) 6th Grade
Lost and Found Fridays
Spirit Wear
The PTSA has released new Pathfinder Spirit Wear items! Visit our online store to shop for new youth and adult items.
Family Connectors University
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 remote 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, January 11th at 6pm. 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.
Recordings of Virtual Events
- Dr. Holmes Meet and Greet
- MS Orientation
- School Opening and Pathfinder 101
- Second and Third Listening Session
- Kindergarten and First Listening Session
- Curriculum Night, Music with Mr. Bores, Elementary and Middle School Art with Adrian, Garden with Karen
- Fourth and Fifth Listening Session
- Middle School Listening Session
Previous Compass
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!
