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Pathfinder Compass

December 12, 2021

PathfinderCompassDecember 12, 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!

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In this issue:

Essential News


New News

  • Pathfinder Operations
  • Just so you know...


Old News

  • December Principle
  • 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
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There is no power for change greater than a community discovering what it cares about.

-Margaret J. Wheatley

Lock Down Drill

Each month we are required to conduct a drill. This week we will be practicing a lockdown drill. Given recent local and national events, this may be a hard drill. We are hopeful forewarning the community, students, and staff will prevent any unnecessary trauma. Please discuss this with your scholars should you find it appropriate!

Transitioning to Indoor Lunch

As you know the weather is changing! It is becoming increasingly more difficult for students to eat while outside. We are beginning conversations around moving lunch inside for a multitude of reasons. Please let us know your thoughts!
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Last Chance for Pathfinder Wreaths!

Thank you to everyone who made, bought and sold wreaths this fall! It’s been wonderful to see families and friends being creative and meeting each other. To date, we have raised more than $7,000!

You have two final opportunities to get a Pathfinder wreath:

  • Buy one online before noon on Monday, Dec. 13th
  • Pick one up at pick-up on Monday afternoon at our Final Sale. We will have wreaths along the drive to school to choose from.

All wreaths — including ones you made or sold — may be purchased at https://www.pathfinderk8ptsa.org/shop/

Thank you again! It’s been fun!

News and Updates Community Building Groups for BIPOC & Multiracial Scholars!

Thank you for your support last week!


New Day — Wednesdays

Please take note of our new meeting date! We have moved to Wednesdays to accommodate the Global Reading Challenge that happens on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Please remind your scholars before school on Wednesdays that it’s Lunchtime Community Building Group Day!


New Pick-Up Spots

For K/1: On Wednesdays, I will meet scholars at the Sky Hall door leading out to the garden space at the start of lunchtime (instead of outside the cafeteria door). We will walk to the sheltered garden space to eat lunches and have recess together.


For 2/3, 4/5, and Middle School: On Wednesdays, I will meet scholars in the rotunda at the start of lunchtime (instead of outside the cafeteria door). We will walk out through the Sky Hall door to the sheltered garden space to eat lunches and have recess together.


New Connections

I’m happy to connect with you about these groups, if you'd like to discuss them. Although I do not have an SPS email address yet (hopefully soon), please let Dr. Holmes know that you would like me to reach out — and I will!


New Sign Ups

If you have not yet signed up, please join this space of connection and community at Pathfinder for scholars who identify as Black, Indigenous, a Person of Color, or Multiracial!


Finally, I’m truly honored to be facilitating these spaces and look forward to partnering with you, the staff, and most importantly, our amazing children.


In community,


Jamelia

Mark Your Calendars!

December 17th One Hour Early Release

December 20th - January 2nd Winter Break

January 3rd Back to School

Pathfinder Operations

Lunch and Recess

As you know the weather is changing! It is becoming increasingly more difficult for students to eat while outside. We are beginning conversations around moving lunch inside for a multitude of reasons. Please let us know your thoughts!

Recess Expectations

We have noted an increase in inappropriate behavior while students are at recess. Please gently remind your scholar(s) of the following expectations:

  • Use school appropriate language
  • Remain physically distanced
  • The weather is changing, so dress appropriately
  • Clean up your space after you eat
  • Be respectful of all staff!


More explicitly, there should be no use of electronics and no throwing of food. We appreciate your help in communicating this to your student(s).

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

Pathfinder is working with the SPS Behavioral Health Team to continue the healing process and transformational learning experiences that will allow our community to be Safe and Welcoming for us all! More information to come..


February Pathfinder Community Affinity Group

April Pathfinder Community Affinity Group

June Pathfinder Community Affinity Group

Attendance & Early Release

We have noted an increase of students leaving early or being absent. We want to offer a gentle reminder that it is essential your scholar is with us for the duration of our learning time. It is disruptive to students, teachers, and staff when kids are pulled early or absent.

Lost and Found Fridays

Our lost and found is piling up! Please be sure to grab what's yours from the undercover play court!

Just so you know...

Winter Concert

Enjoy some pictures from our first event in 2 YEARS! A phenomenal performance from our Middle School Band!

Enrollment is coming...

The window will open on February 2nd! Find more information here!


Please note enrollment does not happen at Pathfinder.

Mental Health

From Susanne Paris, School Counselor:


During the first week back after our December break, the King County Crisis Connection and Teen Link will be coming to Pathfinder to teach our Middle School students about Suicide Prevention and Intervention. The presentation focuses on how students can support their peers to help prevent suicide. The content includes identifying warning signs, how to respond by talking to their peers and linking peers to appropriate trusted adults and/or resources.


This presentation is educational rather than therapeutic; it educates students about the effects of stress and the potential for suicide as a reaction to difficulty managing stress. It empowers students to get help for themselves and their classmates. Research has consistently shown that discussing stress and suicide does not in itself lead to suicide attempts, and in fact, the opposite is true, that stigmatizing and ignoring the topic may increase feelings of isolation.


We realize how important it is to help destigmatize issues related to Mental Health here at Pathfinder.


Please take look at 10 Things Parents Can Do to Prevent Suicide included here as we encourage parents to inform themselves about how to talk to teens about stress and suicide, as well as have regular conversations with their youth about mental health and stress management.


If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to me or contact Crisis Connections training staff at 206.204.9520 or training@crisisconnections.org for additional support about how to discuss suicide prevention.


Sincerely,


Susanne Paris, M.A., A.T.R., M.S., L.M.H.C.

She/Her

Pathfinder K-8

School Counselor

smparis@seattleschools.org

The Pledge Update from REC

Greetings Pathfinder!


Last Saturday afternoon, REC hosted the first Pathfinder Pledge Gathering. We had a great turnout, with about 21 families in attendance!


We appreciated everyone's participation -- the level of vulnerability and engagement in the group was courageous and inspiring. A post-Gathering survey generated the following ideas/plans:


  1. Podcast Club
  2. Involvement in ally and microaggression trainings
  3. Deeper connection with other mixed-race families
  4. Family trips to local sites that represent diverse peoples
  5. Book Club
  6. Further Gatherings with smaller break-out rooms to deepen specific conversations



If you are interested in organizing or participating in any of these ideas, please email REC at equity@pathfinderk8ptsa.org and we will connect you. If you are interested in taking the Anti-Racist Pledge, or connecting/partnering with other families on this journey, please go to the REC page of the PTSA website, and join REC's community group! Here you will find a copy of the Pledge, as well as other resources that our participants added during the Gathering.

In the meantime, we are planning a second Gathering for March to continue our work.


Have a wonderful holiday break -- we will see you in 2022!

--REC--

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.

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December Principle

Globalism

We see ourselves as part of the global Black family and we are aware of the different ways we are impacted or privileged as Black folk who exist in different parts of the world.


Collective Value

We are guided by the fact all Black lives matter, regardless of actual or perceived sexual identity, gender identity, gender expression, economic status, ability, disability, religious beliefs or disbeliefs, immigration status or location.

Order Pictures

Makeup Pictures are ready for Online Viewing!

Includes Original AND Makeup Pictures!

If you pre-registered, you were emailed a link directly to your student's pictures.

No email? Check your Spam/Junk Folders. The email comes from: info@classactportraits.com

You can also go to:

orders.classactportraits.com

Passcode: PATH followed by the Student ID# (no spaces)

ex: PATH234567

Enjoy your pictures & Smile On!

Questions: info@classactportraits.com or (253) 569-1627

Recordings of Virtual Events

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!