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Pathfinder Compass

September 5, 2021

Pathfinder CompassSeptember 5, 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!

Would you rather hear our updates? Click HERE. Would you rather hear our updates? Click HERE.

In this issue:

  • Health and Safety Protocols
  • Pathfinder Operations
  • Recordings of Virtual Events
  • Blazing Trails News
  • Partnership with Duwamish Longhouse
  • Family Connectors University
  • Dr. Holmes' Incoming Goals

Turn your wounds into wisdom.

-Oprah Winfrey

Health and Safety Protocols Health and Safety Protocols

Please click the link above for additional information, highlights include...

  • If your scholar has any COVID symptoms, please keep them home!
  • Beginning September 1st and lasting until at least October 28th we will be holding ALL MEETINGS virtually (only district staff and vaccinated volunteers will be allowed in the building).
  • If there is a positive COVID-19 case, all families with students in the same classroom will be notified.
  • SPS is partnering with Health Commons Project to provide free, in-school COVID-19 testing for students and staff who have been exposed to COVID-19 or have COVID-like symptoms.
  • Healthy and Safety Protocols for 2021-22


We are are in need of vaccinated volunteers!

Healthy Schools Campaign

When to Keep Students Home


Mask Wearing for Students

  • Amharic Mask Wearing
  • Chinese Mask Wearing
  • English Mask Wearing
  • Somali Mask Wearing
  • Spanish Mask Wearing
  • Vietnamese Mask Wearing


Hand Washing

  • Amharic Hand Washing
  • English Hand Washing
  • Somali Hand Washing
  • Spanish Hand Washing
  • Vietnamese Hand Washing

Pathfinder Operations Pathfinder Operations

Bell Schedules

In order to ensure the health and safety of our students, it is critically important to follow all of our procedures. With the return of full-time, in-person instruction, we are going back to our pre-pandemic bell schedule.


Monday | Tuesday | Thursday | Friday

  • School begins at 8:55 a.m. and ends at 3:25 p.m.


Wednesday
  • School begins at 8:55 a.m. and ends at 2:10 p.m.



The early release Wednesday schedule will begin on September 8 for 1st - 8th grade students.

We are looking forward to welcoming our Kindergarteners on Thursday September 9th!

Arrival Procedures

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Please note, breakfast is available to students and it should be picked up from the cafeteria.

In the first three days we learned lots about our plan! Please note the below changes in bold. Remember, if you have multiple children follow the protocol for the youngest child.


We are happy to begin welcoming scholars at 8:35 am.


Middle Schoolers

  • Please enter the field from Genesee anytime after 8:35

Fourth and Fifth Graders

  • Arrival window 8:35 - 8:45 please note this is to avoid buses it is VERY helpful if you are able to arrive during this window
  • Please drop off in the first parking lot


Second and Third Graders

  • Arrival window 8:40 - 8:50
  • Please pull into the main roundabout and look for our staff directing traffic and pull up as far as you are able (same as K-1). Staff will assist your scholar exiting the car. Please do not block the Special Education busses from entering and exiting.


Kindergarten and First Graders

  • Arrival window 8:35 - 8:45
  • Please pull into the main roundabout and look for our staff directing traffic and pull up as far as you are able (same as 2-3). Staff will assist your scholar exiting the car. Please do not block the Special Education busses from entering and exiting.


Things to keep in mind...

  • Drivers will NOT be allowed to park on campus during drop-off.
  • It is VERY helpful when you prepare your scholar and all of their materials to quickly and safely exit the car.
  • Traffic on campus will be bad. Please aim for your arrival window as this helps us mitigate the spread of COVID and have a better flow of traffic.

Lunch

Tentative Schedule

Kindergarten / First 10:55 - 11:35

Second and Third 11:25 - 12:05

Middle School 12:10 - 12:45

Fourth and Fifth 12:45 - 1:25



Pathfinder has safely implemented lunch plans that allow:

  • Eating outdoors
  • Limiting time that students are sitting at lunch
  • Minimal talking during lunch by providing lunchtime entertainment
  • Maximizing physical distancing to the extent possible.
  • Assigned seats to ensure we are able to contact trace.


We have continued to make revisions throughout the week to ensure our scholars are safe and comfortable during lunch. Thank you for the many brains and bodies that have brought this to fruition!


We are happy to accommodate families who are interested in pulling students during lunch by opening our play field to vaccinated volunteers. Moving forward, please be sure to let us know you are coming.


  • If you are interested in becoming a volunteer please see information here AND connect with Dani, our Safe Lunch Volunteer Coordinator, at danielleyung@yahoo.com


We will continue updating and revising plans as needed.

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Dismissal Procedures

Similar to entry, students will exit the campus from different locations that will provide appropriate social distancing for students and families.


Kindergarten, First, Second, and Third Graders please pick up in front of the school.


Fourth and Fifth Graders please pick up from the first parking lot.


Middle Schoolers please pick up from the field near Genesee.


Please remain in your car during pick up! If you are interested in getting out of your car, we invite you to park (not on Genesee) and walk onto campus.


We have had many a changes with bus routes this week, this is likely to continue until we are able to hire drivers for all of our routes. Some families may need to update their contact information in order to receive transportation delay notifications. Families who qualify for transportation can reach out to the Transportation Department to update their contact preferences, if needed. Pathfinder will also continue to send notifications as needed.


Please contact the office and cc your scholars teacher if you need to change for that day!

Recordings of Virtual Events Recordings of Virtual Events

Upcoming Meetings

Topic: PTSA General Meeting

Time: Oct 5, 2021 06:30 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)


Join Zoom Meeting

https://zoom.us/j/92797076306?pwd=RktmNWplSWpnb1hYYkNZVmxYQUhCQT09


Meeting ID: 927 9707 6306

Passcode: k3MZX3

Please check back on Tuesday for updated links.

  • Dr. Holmes Meet and Greet
  • MS Orientation
  • School Opening and Pathfinder 101

Blazing Trails News Blazing Trails News

If your scholar is a part of BT, please check here for the monthly update. We are also working on imbedding BT dates on our Pathfinder calendar.

Schoolwide Partnership with Duwamish Tribe Schoolwide Partnership with Duwamish Tribe

Pathfinder K-8 is exploring a deeper relationship with and connection to The Duwamish Tribe. If you would like to explore this partnership with us, please contact Christine Clark at Christinimcb@me.com


The Herons Nest is an outdoor educational center that is walkable from Pathfinders doors. This is a great opportunity for our scholars to experience, explore, and even camp! Please consider supporting their efforts if you are able.

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 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, September 28th at 6-7 pm. 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.

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!
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We're available to support you!

https://www.pathfinderk8ptsa.org/

Email: bdholmes@seattleschools.org
Website: https://pathfinderk8.seattleschools.org/
Location: 1901 SW Genesee St, Seattle, WA 98106, USA
Phone: 206.252.9710

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