Roosevelt Elementary News
August 28, 2020
Important Dates
September 2 Laptop and supply distribution 8 am- 10 am
September 8 First Day of School (Remote)
News from Mr. Gresham
Hello and Welcome to the 2020-21 School-Year!
This is the first edition of the Roosevelt News for the year. Every other week you will receive a new edition via email and it is also linked on the Roosevelt website. You will find a message from me in each edition, and I usually keep it fairly short. Personally, when I see long newsletters my eyes glaze over a bit. That said, this edition is pretty long, so hang in there. There are many important things to communicate with the start of the school year. Also, you will continue to get separate emails from me across the coming week with additional start of the school year information.
Yesterday you should have received one of those emails identifying your child’s Roosevelt teacher for the year. I use the term Roosevelt teacher to distinguish that you are your child’s first teacher and your child’s Roosevelt teacher will be joining you in that learning journey. On that note, if you haven’t already done so, please click here or use the link at the end of my message to access the start of the year conferences page to sign up for a time to talk with your child’s Roosevelt teacher. Also, particularly if you are new to Roosevelt, you will see a section where you can sign up for a time with me. I would love to get to know you, your family, and your child. Due to the remote learning start of the year, these meetings will be done by Zoom video conference (I will send links on Monday) or by phone. You could help us out by noting your preference (Zoom or phone) in the notes section when you sign up. I look forward to our partnership and working together throughout the year.
Sincerely,
Tom Gresham
Principal
Conferences signup link-- https://signup.com/go/xFFZosF
SAVE THE DATE FOR SUPPLY PICK UP
Laptops and school supplies will be handed out on September 1st from 3 pm to 5 pm and September 2nd from 8 am to 10 am at Roosevelt . Supply pickup procedures will be coming to your email on Monday. If neither pickup time works for you, please contact Valarie Swenson to arrange another plan.
Lunch Program extended one more week August 31st
The Monday meal box will be given out through Aug. 31, one extra week than previously announced.
A new distribution model will begin on Wednesdays starting Sept. 9, 2020 at all 22 schools. Stay tuned for more information about time of day. Students will use their district PIN numbers to pick it up.
Be sure to fill out the updated free/reduced price meal application for 2020-21. (See links below.)
Summer Food Program
Alderwood Elementary School, 3400 Hollywood Avenue
Mondays only, June 22 – Aug. 31
Free 7-day meal box will be served from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Carl Cozier Elementary School, 1330 Lincoln Street
Mondays only, June 22 – Aug. 31
Free 7-day meal box will be served from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Cordata Elementary School, 4420 Aldrich Road
Mondays only, June 22 – Aug. 31
Free 7-day meal box will be served from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Geneva Elementary School, 1401 Geneva Street
Mondays only, June 22 – Aug. 31
Free 7-day meal box will be served from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Happy Valley Elementary School, 1041 24th Street
Mondays only, June 22 – Aug. 31
Free 7-day meal box will be served from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Roosevelt Elementary School, 2900 Yew Street
Mondays only, June 22 – Aug. 31
Free 7-day meal box will be served from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Wade King Elementary School, 2155 Yew Street Road
Mondays only, June 22 – Aug. 31
Free 7-day meal box will be served from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Shuksan Middle School, 2717 Alderwood Avenue
Mondays only, June 22 – Aug. 31
Free 7-day meal box will be served from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Options High School, 2015 Franklin Street
Mondays only, June 22 – Aug. 31
Free 7-day meal box will be served from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Evergreen Ridge Apartment Complex, 3451 Woburn Street
Mondays only, June 22 – Aug. 31
Free 7-day meal box will be served from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Regency Park Apartment Complex, 2050 Fraser St.
Mondays only, June 22 – Aug. 31
Free 7-day meal box will be served from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Sterling Meadows Apartment Complex, 512 Sterling Drive
Mondays only, June 22 – Aug. 31
Free 7-day meal box will be served from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Sudden Valley Community Center, 8 Barn View Drive
Mondays only, June 22 – Aug. 31
Free 7-day meal box will be served from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Villa Santa Fe Apartment Complex, 804 West Bakerview Road
Mondays only, June 22 – Aug. 31
Free 7-day meal box will be served from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Bakerview Mobile Park, 4015 Eliza Avenue
Mondays only, June 22- Aug. 31
Free 7-day meal box will be served from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
At this time we are unable to fill requests for special dietary needs. If you have questions about carbohydrates and allergens please email susan.dejong@bellinghamschools.org and we will try to get you that information in a timely manner.
Please be flexible as plans may change based on access to food, staff and supplies; guidance from the health department; or orders from the governor to prevent COVID-19 from spreading further. This service is possible with the incredible efforts of our food services team and the generosity of Bellingham Public Schools Foundation.
Please continue to check back here for the most up-to-date information.
If you have questions related to our meal service, please fill out this online form, click “school meals” and submit the form; someone will respond soon.
More From Food Service
Update from Food Services and the Good Food Project; Wednesday pickups begin Sept. 9
Starting Wednesday, Sept. 9, the food services model will change to a 10-meal/5-day box and students/families will need to use student names and PIN to pick them up every week.
All families may participate in weekly meal boxes. Qualifying families should sign up for the free/reduced price meal program. An electronic application for free/reduced school meals is available online. For assistance in Spanish or another home language, please contact the Family Resource Center at (360) 676-6456 or by email.
The new model will include some scratch-made entrée offerings that align with our Good Food Project out of the Central Kitchen.
Families can pick up for all of their children from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at one of the following 15 school locations: Alderwood, Birchwood, Carl Cozier, Cordata, Geneva, Happy Valley, Northern Heights, Roosevelt, Wade King, Fairhaven, Kulshan, Shuksan, Whatcom, Bellingham, and Sehome.
Pricing is as follows:
- Free box = $0
- Reduced price box grades K-3 = $0
- Reduced price box grades 4-12 = $2
- Full pay box grades K-5 = $22.50
- Full pay box grades 6-12 = $25
News from PTA
Hello, our names are Lynnette Bennett and Kristin Schmit and we are excited to be your PTA co-presidents for the 2020-21 school year! We look forward to working with Roosevelt families and our amazing Roosevelt staff to do great things this year.
Although this year will look a little different, the PTA is here to engage families with the Roosevelt community, provide information and advocacy, and have fun! The PTA helps you to form connections with other parents, school staff, & community members; learn more about what’s happening at Roosevelt and in the Bellingham School District; and get involved in your student’s school.
We don't know yet what the needs will be this year, but we would love for you to be part of our team! Whether you are new to Roosevelt or a returning family, please join the PTA. Ways to get involved include: coming to a meeting, helping when you can, participating in PTA sponsored events, and proposing ideas. We will be sending more information about joining the PTA and ways to get involved soon. Please keep an eye out in your emails and on the Roosevelt Elementary PTA Facebook page for upcoming events, meetings, and other opportunities to stay connected. We hope you and your family have a great year at Roosevelt!
Volunteers Needed
Volunteer Opportunities:
1-2 people: Help teachers organize supplies on Monday 8/31, Anytime. If interested, please contact Mr. Gresham (tom.gresham@bellinghamschools.org.)
3-5 People/Per Day: Help distribute supplies on Tuesday 9/1 from 3-5pm, and/or Wednesday 9/2 8-10am. If interested, https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f084ba8ac2da1fd0-supply
PLEASE NOTE: All volunteers will need to sign in and confirm they have no COVID symptoms. Please wear a mask, and to reduce numbers please no kids at this time.
Thank you!
Reconnect Plan
Starting the 2020-21 school year remotely: an important checklist for families
A Message from Communications and Community Relations
The first day of remote instruction for students is Sept. 8. Before the first day, your schools will schedule family engagement activities to meet the teacher and connect with you in new and innovative ways. Stay tuned for more information from your school soon.
All registered district families will receive a mailing with the 2020-21 Family Handbook and Calendar by early September. It is also available in Spanish.
The following is an important checklist of items to review before the start of the 2020-21 school year, including the annual updates requested in Skyward Family Access. If you are new to Bellingham Public Schools this school year, following this list is a good way to find your way around.
District and school websites
□ Please visit the district’s website regularly bellinghamschools.org for the latest updates, news items and resources.
□ For school-specific information, visit school websites for contact information and school-based news.
□ By visiting the bellinghamschools.org/resources you will have access to important feedback forms, our FAQ, technology and internet support and other resources.
□ For general district information or to ask a question, call 360-676-6400 or submit an inquiry via the website.
Calendars and schedules
□ The current school year calendar
□ School start and end times (slight revision to elementary bell schedule during remote learning period, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. instead of 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.)
□ Sample school schedules in the Neighborhood Schools Reconnect Plan’s five stage model.
School supplies and technology
School supplies and technology needs will be distributed by your school. Look for more information on distribution dates and times from your school. We continue our commitment to Project Free Education and will do our best to get our students everything they need for success.
All students will have a district-issued laptop or iPad to support their learning. If your family needs tech support for existing district devices, or needs help with internet access, please fill out this form. Again, all students will be issued a device and will hear more from principals soon.
Staying connected
□ Fill out forms in Skyward Family Access
All families registered in the district have access to online student information system called Skyward. When logged in families can view current address, phone numbers, emails and emergency contacts on file for all of your students. You will also be able to view student assignments, grades and lunch account balances. Please fill out and electronically sign all annual district forms in Skyward Family Access. Forms that must be completed annually include:
- Annual Attendance Information
- Privacy form for opting out of release of student directory information for publicity purposes and student/parent directories
- Military recruitment opt-out (high school only)
- Military family form
If you are a family or student experiencing homelessness, please contact your school or visit the Family Support Services webpage for contacts. (Homeless Support Program dropdown menu.)
□ Update communication preferences in Skylert
Within Skyward Family Access is a Skylert tab that allows for parents/guardians to update contact preferences, managing how and where you receive our district and school communications, whether phone/text/or email. Make sure you update family email addresses, cell phones and text message preferences.
□ Follow us on social media
We share most updates and good news stories as social media posts. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Food services
Starting Wednesday, Sept. 9, the food services model will change to a 10-meal/5-day box and students/families will need to use student names and PIN to pick them up every week.
All families may participate in weekly meal boxes; qualifying families should sign up for the free/reduced price meal program. An electronic application for free/reduced school meals is available online. For assistance in Spanish or another home language, please contact the Family Resource Center at (360) 676-6456 or by email.
The new model will include some scratch-made entrée offerings that align with our Good Food Project out of the Central Kitchen.
Tech Support
Below is the link for help with Technology- whether you are requesting a device or just need some help with the device you already have from the school district.
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bellinghampublic.az1.qualtrics.com
District Resources Website
Multi-Language Message Line
Safe Schools Reporting Tip Line
Office Information
Points of Contact
Valarie Swenson, Assistant Principal - Valarie.Swenson@Bellinghamschools.org
Chris Wermus, School Counselor- Christopher.Wermus@Bellinghamschools.org
Roosevelt Elementary School
Website: https://roosevelt.bellinghamschools.org/
Location: 2900 Yew Street, Bellingham, WA, USA
Phone: (360) 676-6440
