Dolphin Dispatch

April: Autism Awareness Month

April: Ramadan (Continues through approximately May 1st)

April 11-15: No School (Spring Break)

April 21: School Board Meeting

April 22: Earth Day

May 2-6: Staff Appreciation Week (Watch for Details)

May 5: School Board Meeting

May 19: School Board Meeting

May 30: No School (Memorial Day)

Check out our online calendar for more dates and details.

Frolic among the flowers

Gorgeous blooms deliver the promise of spring and lift the spirits at the same time — always in order this season.

• Spring break is the ideal time to visit the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, in full swing for 2022. Thank goodness! Read our guide to plan your family visit.
• The Japanese Cherry Blossom and Cultural Festival has already happened by here are some places where Cherry blossoms are in their full glory in early April; take the kids to wander among the pale pink snowstorm of petals
• Stroll the paths of serene Kubota Garden, especially lovely in spring. Kids will like scampering over stone bridges and discovering the hidden Fera Fera forest.
• Another beautiful garden that can serve to lower your stress for an hour is Bellevue Botanical Garden. Wander the paths among the different garden sections and don’t miss the Ravine Experience.

Hug a tree:

We don’t call it forest bathing, we just call it messing around in the woods! Pack the good snacks and you're on your way.

• For kids who say they hate to hike, try these trails that feature a special enticement; a "prize" of sorts.
• These trails up and down the sound are perfect for spring.
• For walking with a pack of kids and dogs, try wider walking trails that give your crew plenty of space.
• Ferry to Bainbridge to commune with ferns on kid- and dog-friendly island trails.
• Explore these enticing trails right in town — specially selected to skip the long whiny car ride.

Animal crossing:

• The Washington State Spring Fair is on for 2022! Read our guide to know how to catch the racing pigs, DockDogs or new Jungle Critters. The Spring Fair takes place over two weekends, Thursday–Saturday, April 14–16, and Thursday–Sunday, April 21–24.
• Head to Bellevue’s historic Kelsey Creek Farm to meet barnyard critters right in town. The barnyard is open daily, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
• Farrel-McWhirter Park in Redmond welcomes kids to meet its resident farm critters. You’ll also find a play area, picnic spots and connections to lots of great nature trails, including wider, stroller-friendly ones.
• The critters at Old McDebbie’s Farm range from goats to kangaroos! You can also reel in a trout from its private fishing pond. This spot is open Friday–Sunday during spring.

Roll it out:

• Practice pedaling skills away from cars on the best bike paths for Seattle- and Eastside-area families; this tandem article has the best bike trails for South Sound-area families.
• For a super-fun roller coaster ride on two wheels — that even little kids will love — check out a nearby pump track. Your kids will love it!
• Ready to take your biking to the next level? Try mountain biking at local mecca Duthie Hill Mountain Bike Park.
• Rad local skate parks are designed for skateboards, but can also suit scooters and bikes (though check signs for posted rules).

OVER 80 LIFE-SIZED ANIMATED DINOSAURS

See what it’s like to stand in the shadows of the largest creatures to have walked the earth! At Dinos Alive, you’ll meet over 80 life-sized specimens from both famous and lesser-known species such as the T-Rex, Stegosaurus, Velociraptor, and Suchomimus.

https://dinosaliveexhibit.com/seattle/

Hello 5thGrade Families!

It's time for another request...Pictures!

We need:

• ONE Baby/Toddler picture of your student.
• ONE Current picture of your student.
• MULTIPLE Pictures from classroom/school events of your student and their classmates anytime from K-5th grade. Group shots are preferred.

When submitting photos:

• Send to 5thgradeslideshow@nhe-pta.org
• Put your student's first, last, and teacher name in subject line.
• Submit JPEG format, good quality shots.

The individual pictures will be displayed on a slide as your student receives their graduation certificate. Pictures from school events through the years will be used in a slide show.

Please submit pictures by April 15th. For questions, please email 5thgradeslideshow@nhe-pta.org

Thank you in advance for your pictures and support!

Math Challenge #13 “Cubes and Cuboids” is open. Everything you need to get started (including links to download the problems and submit your answers) may be found on the PTA website:

https://nhe-pta.org/Page/Programs/mathchallenge

TRY USING MANIPULATIVES

Challenge #13 problems all involve three-dimensional figures. Visualizing three dimensions from a 2D diagram is a developing skill for elementary school students. If your child gets stuck, try building the structures out of blocks and acting out the problems. This is NOT cheating. You are helping your child develop spatial reasoning and strengthen their mathematical brain. If you want to borrow some math cubes, send me an email.

WHAT’S A CUBOID?

These three-dimensional shapes are also called rectangular prisms. Learn more here:

https://www.twinkl.com/teaching-wiki/cuboid

Easy Science: Sink or Float?

Learn about household objects that sink and float in this easy-to-prepare activity.

While You Play

As you and your child collect items around the house, make predictions about what might float and what might sink. What characteristics do you think affect whether it sinks or floats?

Materials

• A large bowl

• Various household items: sponges,paper clips, plastic bottles, bottle caps, crumpled up aluminum foil or paper, buttons, fruit, wood, toy blocks, pens or pencils, cork, styrofoam cup, coins, elastic bands, etc.

• Writing utensil

• Sink or Float Chart (PDF)

  
  

Goal: Every NHE student is represented in PTA by at least

Status: Currently 34% of our students are represented. We are 1/4 of the way there!

Join Here

There is NO obligation or expectation to volunteer or attend meetings. (But we do LOVE to meet members and find fun opportunities for those that want to help!)

Membership assistance is available. We do not want funds to stand in the way of those that want to join. Please email president@nhe-pta.org to request a confidential scholarship.

Status: We are 43% of the way to our goal.

Donate Here

And remember to ask your employers about their Corporate Match Plan. Many local employers will match the donation you make up to 100%!

Every dollar contributed to our Pass the Hat fundraiser goes directly to support the programs offered by the PTA. A donation of $100 covers our spending per student, but any amount is appreciated. Every dollar counts!

We are a 501(3)(c) non-profit organization. All donations are 100% tax deductible. Our Tax ID number is 91-1208399.

City of Bellevue Utilities is offering free, interactive Greener Living live virtual Zoom classes and demonstrations this spring. Attendees will receive a digital kit after each class.

Visit www.bellevuewa.gov/greener-living-classes for more information and to register.

REMINDER REGARDING SYMPTOMS:

If your student has ANY of the following symptoms, PLEASE KEEP THEM HOME.

Please email newportheightsattendance@bsd405.org with the reason for the absence and Nurse Cori and/or Melodie Farrell will contact you regarding return to school guidelines. If your student comes to school with symptoms, they will be sent home.

☐ Congestion or runny nose

☐ Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea

☐ Headache

☐ Fatigue

☐ Sore throat

☐ Fever (>100.4 F or 38 C) or chills

☐ Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

☐ Muscle or body aches

☐ New loss of taste of smell

☐ Cough (new, changed, or worsening)

Thank you for your cooperation in continuing to keep our community safe!!!

Here is a tool from the Washington State Department of Health to help you make informed decisions about staying home:

https://doh.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2022-03/820-229-SymptomExposureFlowchartK12SchoolsChildCare.pdf

This Counselor’s Corner will focus on a topic I wrote about a few years ago and that is the subject of play.

I am bringing it up again because I believe that during the pandemic, with less opportunities to interact, our children got out of the regular practice of solving conflicts with one another, something that naturally occurs with play. In addition, many of our children also became more dependent upon screen time as a preferred choice activity, resulting in less free play with others. Free play with other children is so important to children’s development.

Besides giving opportunities to practice problem solving, here are some of the many benefits of play:

• Healthy brain development - Play develops fine motor, gross motor, and connectivity, which is essential for planning and making good decisions.
• Develops the mental skills that allow us to manage time, attention and details in life, as well as planning and organization.
• Aids in learning important social skills – Children learn to work with others, make compromises, share, advocate for themselves, and negotiate.
• Develops and uses creativity
• Builds relationships with others

Other than free play with peers, finding your own opportunities to play with your child helps develop stronger relationship bonds. It is great to get outside for active play but on some of those rainy April days, playing board games can also be a great choice. After reading the list below of many of the wonderful benefits of playing with your child, you may just want to dust off the old games packed away in the closet and find time to schedule a weekly family game night or a 20 minute after dinner game break a few evenings a week.

Here are some of the things your child (and you) can gain by playing games together as a family:

• Create memories together
• Practice in problem solving
• Opportunity to laugh and feel good (laughter boosts the immune system, reduces stress and lowers blood pressure)
• Develop concentration skillsPr
• actice following rules and playing fair
• Chance for quieter or shyer family members to be included and noticed
• Language, memory and imagination growth
• Cause and effect learning
• Practice in dealing with disappointment
• Practice in congratulating others

Maybe spring break will provide you with new opportunities to connect with your child and play. I hope that you may feel inspired to add more play into your child’s regular weekly schedule. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain!

Warmly,

Maggie Halela-Mosholder

NHE School Counselor

Family Connection Centers During Spring Break:

• The Family Resource Center at Highland will be closed for Spring Break, April 11-15, 2022.
• The Stevenson Family Connection Center will be closed for Spring Break, April 11-15, 2022..
• The Lake Hills Family Connection Center will be OPEN during spring break, April 12 through April 15. Hours will be 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Thursday.
• Hopelink Food Bank will be OPEN for 4 hours on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Please follow this link for location and hours.
• Renewal Food Bank will OPEN for a few hours on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Please follow this link for location and hours.

The Bellevue School District is committed to affirming and supporting all families and students. Our Family Connections Centers (FCCs) are open to all BSD students and families. Staffed by Family Engagement Specialists, their mission is to connect families with district and community support services, provide them with educational opportunities to better navigate the school system and help them become engaged in the education of their children.

2022-23 Enrollment is Open – Preschool, Kindergarten and New Students

Enrollment is now open for incoming preschool, kindergarten and other students new to the Bellevue School District. While you may enroll your students through August 31, enrolling now helps the district ensure we have the correct staffing to support your students with the smallest classes possible. If your student is already enrolled in a BSD school, you do not need to submit a new enrollment. They will automatically move up to the next grade.

Learn more about preschool registration.
Learn more about kindergarten enrollment.
Learn more about enrollment at BSD.

Spring for Schools Fundraiser

Our annual Spring for Schools luncheon is our biggest fundraiser of the year. Donors contribute nearly $900,000 to support the Bellevue School District. With a history spanning over 30 years, Bellevue Schools Foundation’s annual benefit luncheon raises the critical funds needed to help students in Bellevue’s public schools succeed in school and in life.

The luncheon is one of the Eastside’s largest philanthropic events, typically hosting over 1,000 professionals, parents, and community leaders who are committed to ensuring that all students have access to opportunities that will help them thrive in an increasingly competitive global marketplace.

In-person: Education Showcase is at 11:00 AM, and the Lunch, Movie and Program starts at 12:00 PM

Virtual: The Movie and Program will begin at 12:00 PM

Final changes to your registration must be made by April 30, 2022.

In Person Registration

Virtual Registration

Cooking with Kids

Listen Now

School is Back in the Classroom, but Distance Learning is Here to Stay.

As a parent, I’m very familiar with how hard it can be to balance the demands of work and family in today’s busy and ever-changing world. Sometimes I find myself pining for the more predictable chaos we enjoyed before the pandemic. Regardless of our individual circumstances, the disruption and unpredictability of the last two years have presented even greater challenges—especially for our kids.

(Read More)

Newport Heights PTA is a volunteer-powered association of NHE families, staff, and community supporters, who act collectively on behalf of our children.

Our mission is to make every NHE student's potential a reality by promoting partnerships between home, school and community, engaging and empowering families and supporters to advocate for all children.

Email: communications@nhe-pta.org
Website: https://nhe-pta.org
Location: 5225 119th Avenue Southeast, Bellevue, WA, USA
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NewportHeightsPTA/