Message from the Principal |
Greetings Panther Families,
This month’s Character Strong focus is Empathy. One way to think about Empathy is “understanding and connecting with other people’s feelings.” It’s a practice that strengthens our relationships and deepens our sense of connection with one another.
The holiday season—especially with weather that brings us indoors—creates natural opportunities to practice empathy as a family. Here are two ideas to get started:
Notice feelings together during a family movie night.
Choose a show or movie and let everyone know you’ll be watching for characters’ feelings and reactions. Pause periodically to name the emotions you see, talk about how you know a character might be feeling that way, and invite each other to connect by sharing a time you’ve felt something similar.
Serve others as a family.
Partner with a community or faith-based organization to support people in need. Involve your children as much as they’re able. Talk together about how challenging circumstances might make someone feel, and how your family’s helping actions can offer encouragement and hope.
You’ll likely find many other ways to spark conversations and practice empathy together—and don’t be surprised if your kids come up with ideas of their own!
Partnering with you,
Andy Means
|
|
|
Jingle Bell Run - Running Club |
The Jingle Bell Run will be Friday, December 12th, 9:15 - 9:45. Qualifiers will be receiving a flyer with more information to take home in the next couple of days! Looking forward to celebrating a great season of Running Club!
|
We have added a holiday season Scholastic Book Fair to our school calendar this year! December 10th-12th, students and their families may shop a pop-up Book Fair in the Southwood Elementary Library.
Come support our Southwood Library and fill your stockings with books!
For more information about the book fair, hours, and general information, please visit https://drive.google.com/file/d/1a1aLHeUf3nT6LAJiGZg-89HYwf0VNSaW/view
|
4th & 5th Grade Music Concert |
Southwood 4th and 5th grade students have been working hard in music class to prepare for their upcoming concert. They will be singing, drumming, playing rhythm instruments, and even hosting a sing-a-long or two. They would love to have an audience with which to share their skills.
Join us December 11th at 6:00 pm. Students should arrive by 5:45.
|
Family Holiday Craft Night |
A night of holiday cheer in the school gym! Wear your PJs or Ugly Christmas sweaters and join us for a fun family night! We'll have diy gift bags, a snowflake craft, make your own holiday card, cookie decorating, gingerbread dough ornaments, and more! "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" will be playing during the event. Make sure to check out the book fair while you're there!
Suggested session times based on last name:
5:30-6 Last name A-H
6-6:30 Last name I-P
6:30-7 Last name Q-Z
This is not a drop off event. This event is provided for Southwood families.
|
PJs. Slippers. Robe. It's an all school pajama day, Friday, December 19th.
|
Send some kindness to Southwood students and staff.
Each gram will include a full sized candy cane.
Scan QR code above to order. |
|
|
In October, Enumclaw School District conducted lead-level testing in each building. Here is the link to the Southwood testing results.
According to Department of Health (DOH) guidance, any fixture above the 15 parts per billion (ppb) threshold must be shut off. Southwood turned off the two fixtures that exceeded this level.
Until 2022, Washington’s action threshold—still used by most states—was anything above 15 ppb. The updated DOH guidance is less clear about fixtures that fall in the “middle area” of 5–15 ppb. However, after meeting with a DOH consultant and discussing our school setting we are choosing to take the following steps:
|
-
We have discontinued use of all fixtures in the 5–15 ppb range as drinking sources.
- Every room has access to a safe alternative. In most cases, at least one fixture in each space tested below the 5 ppb threshold. For a few locations without a low-level source, we have purchased five-gallon jugs with pumps and disposable cups.
|
Additional background for those interested: |
-
Not all of the 54 fixtures at SW were tested. DOH directed the testing company to re-test only the fixtures that exceeded 5 ppb in the previous cycle. If a fixture is not listed, it indicates there was no concern under this guidance.
-
DOH guidance for fixtures between 5–15 ppb states:
“The law does not require outlets with lead levels greater than 5 ppb through 15 ppb be shut off or taken out of service. However, schools are encouraged to use their best judgement based on the number of outlets with elevated lead levels, student and staff safety, and water accessibility in the school when deciding whether to continue using outlets with elevated lead levels. If possible, do not use all of the outlets with lead levels greater than 5 ppb, or provide an alternative source of water until remediation is completed under the school’s action plan.”
-
The district’s next step is to conduct a second draw on all tested fixtures. This will help determine the source of any elevated levels and guide targeted mitigation for each location.
|
|
|
All Enumclaw Schools will be closed December 22 - January 2.
|
|
|
December 10 - 12: Book Fair
December 11: 4th & 5th grade music concert, 6:00 - 6:30
December 12: Jingle Bell Run, 9:15 - 9:45
December 12: PTO holiday craft night
December 19: Pajama Day
December 22 - January 2: No school, Winter break
January 6: PTO meeting, 4:30
January 9: Panther Pride assembly, 1:30 - 2:00
|
|
|
|
Enumclaw School District Statement of Non-Discrimination |
Enumclaw School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, creed, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, the use of a trained dog guide or service animal, age, and honorably discharged veteran or military status. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: |
|
|
Title IX/Chapter 28A.640 RCW Officer, Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator, Gender Inclusive Schools Coordinator
Stephanie Berryhill
2929 McDougall Ave. Enumclaw, WA 98022
360.802.7113
stephanie_berryhill@enumclaw.wednet.edu |
|
|
|
|
