K8 Weekly Memo

Memorial Day weekend is always a time to pause, reflect, and remember those who have given everything in service to our country. This year, my heart is also with the Northport community as they navigate the deep sorrow of last week's devastating tragedy. It has been moving to see that community come together in strength and unity during such a difficult time. Today, our middle school softball and baseball teams will travel there for their final game—at the request of the grieving family, the games will continue as a tribute and honor to their loved one. Todd and I will be traveling up to support their community, school, and teams, and I ask that you all keep them close in your thoughts and prayers.

As we enter the final three weeks of the school year, things will be busy, exciting, and full of activity. Thank you for your ongoing leadership, teamwork, and flexibility as we wrap up testing, embark on field trips, and continue meaningful teaching and learning in our classrooms.

Let's make this a great week—remember, we are caring for and loving other people's babies every single day. Let that love, care, and compassion shine brightly in all we do.

Memorial Day

Please remind students that although we observed Memorial Day yesterday with no school, we have a regular four-day school week, including a full school day on Friday. Let's help students stay focused and finish the week strong!

Blood Drive 

There's still space to donate blood at today's blood drive! Stop by the library between 10:30 AM and 2:45 PM to donate. This is a wonderful opportunity to help save lives and support our community. Thank you for considering!

WSU South Stevens County Celebration – Action Requested

This Wednesday, join us for the South Stevens County Mentorship Celebration at the Mistequa Hotel, starting at 5:30 PM. The evening will include dinner, presentations, and student project displays, honoring our 9th grade Capstone students, 12th grade graduates, and Peer Mentors. Please consider attending to show your support for the impactful work WSU is doing in partnership with our school—your presence makes a difference!

Summative Evaluations – Action Requested

This week, I will be wrapping up summative evaluations and sharing them individually with staff. I've truly appreciated the reflective conversations we've had so far and the thoughtful discussions about how we can continue to strengthen our Charger Learning Community.

Certificated Staff: I will connect with you during your prep periods this week to review your summative evaluations. Many of you have also provided valuable insights and observations about the paras working in your classrooms — thank you! Please let me know if there's anything additional you'd like reflected in the process; your input is always helpful.

Classified Staff: I will be scheduling short meetings with each of you this week, with Friday being the most open and flexible.

Thank you all for your ongoing dedication, hard work, and commitment to supporting our students. I'm grateful for each of you!

Charger Assemblies – Action Needed

This Thursday, we will host our Charger Assemblies! Please send your student recognition names to Bailey as soon as possible. It's also important to reach out to families—send a quick call or email inviting them to join the celebration. Together, let's make this a joyful and meaningful experience for our students and their loved ones!

FLASH – Family Life and Sexual Health Curriculum

This week we will continue teaching the FLASH curriculum to grades 4–8, with our classroom team, PE teacher, nurse, and support staff working together to guide students in making healthy, informed choices. While we approach this curriculum with professionalism, we honor and respect the important role families play in these conversations. Each lesson includes a family discussion activity to support at-home dialogue, and copies of the curriculum are available for review in the office. Thank you for helping us maintain thoughtful, respectful partnerships with our families.

Calendar

2024-25 K8 Calendar

Monday, 05.26

• Memorial Day, No School 

Tuesday - 05.27

• PLC Time, 7:15-8:00 AM

• Student Conflict Meeting, 8 AM

• OSSI Meeting, 9AM

• Student Support Team - K8 Conference Room, 10 AM

• Brett's Behavior Academy Group, 11 AM

• Brett out at Noon to Northport

• Baseball & Softball @ Northport

Wednesday - 05.28

• SBA Testing: 5th Grade WCAS Testing & MS Makeup

• Admin Meeting, 9:30 AM

• Field Day Meeting, 12:30 PM

• WSU Celebration, 5:30 PM

Thursday - 05.29

• SBA Testing: 3-5 Math PT Testing & MS Makeup

• MS Charger Assembly (Assembly Schedule) 9:00 AM

• Special Education Meeting, 11AM

• K8 Core Leadership Check in, 12:30 PM

• K-2 Charger Assembly, 2:00 PM

• 3-5 Charger Assembly, 2:30 PM

• 6th Grade Camp Planning Meeting, 4:00 PM

Friday - 05.30

• Regular School Day

Up and Coming Events:

• 6th Grade Camp: June 4-6

• Last Day of Pre-School, June 5

• 3-5 Field Trip, Tribal Fish Hatchery: June 9

• Kindergarten Promotion: June 10

• 8th Grade Promotion: June 10

• 8th Grade Silverwood Field Trip: June 11

• Middle School Field Trip: June 12

• K-5 Field Day: June 12

Helpful Links

• PLC @ Work Documents

• Essential Standards Report

• K8 Daily Schedule

• SWIS Referral 

• K8 Meeting Agenda

• K8 PBIS

• MTSS Process

Weekly Staff Memo

Good Monday Morning,

Thank you for a thoughtful and productive LID day on Friday. I truly appreciate everyone's reflective engagement as we worked together to strengthen our practice.  Our classified staff was missed...please feel free to review the Staff Meeting Agenda on the K8 Staff Dashboard.

State testing continues this week, and it's exciting to see some of the early data trending upward! These results are a direct reflection of your hard work, intentional interventions, and unwavering dedication to our students' success. Thank you for giving your best—it's making a difference.

As we begin the final stretch of the school year, I want to encourage us all to focus on a simple but powerful acronym: CBE

• Connect to the school

• Build strong and meaningful relationships

• Envision a bright future

Let's continue to show up for our students with care, consistency, and compassion. The trust we build today lays the foundation for the futures they'll step into tomorrow.

Thank you for all you do to support one another and to help every student grow. Let's finish strong—together!

Points of Interest

School Improvement Plan Survey

During Friday's staff meeting, we began with a reflective activity by completing the SIP (School Improvement Plan) survey. So far, I've received 13 submissions: nine digital responses, three green paper forms, and one printed copy. Thank you to those who have already submitted theirs—and my apologies for the earlier technical glitch.

If you haven't submitted your survey yet, I'd greatly appreciate your input. Please use the following link: SIP Planning Survey. 

FLASH – Family Life and Sexual Health Curriculum

FLASH lessons will begin this week. If you would like to review the curriculum beforehand, hard copies are available in the office.  Of course the teaching teams, have hard copies in their classroom.

As a public school, one of our important roles is to support parents in educating their children. We also recognize that topics such as sexual health may intersect with deeply held family values and beliefs. It is important to me that we honor and respect those beliefs, and I never want our instruction to be perceived as overstepping.

Each FLASH lesson concludes with a "homework" activity designed to spark family discussion. Parents with questions or concerns are encouraged to review the curriculum in the office. They may also choose to opt their child out of these lessons if they wish.

Dental Bus and Blood Drive

Please help us spread the word by including the following items in your weekly classroom memos or newsletters.  I had originally included this information in my S'more, but it looks like it was accidentally removed. Your help in promoting these opportunities is much appreciated!

Memorial Day

Next week is Memorial Day, please remind students that we will not have school on Monday, but will have a normal school day on Friday. 

MTSS News

It's been amazing to see the growth our students are making as the FastBridge data has been coming in! Great job everyone! Your hard work most definitely shows! Megan shared with me last week that she shared with her students their growth so now when they walk by my room and see the dot with their growth number on it they point to it and say, "That's me!" That's evidence of students taking ownership and pride in their learning! Way to go! 

Hopefully this is the last week my room will have State Testing, but who knows as it may be used for makeups as it is a much better space than the conference room. It has made for a great testing space for students, so thank you for your understanding! 

Just a reminder to have your students complete their mySAEBRS and teachers need complete their SAEBRS. That data is helpful for our Student Support Team! 

Have a great week everyone!

Calendar

2024-25 K8 Calendar

Monday, 05.19

• SBA Testing: MS ELA

• K8 Core Leadership Check-in, 10 AM

• Office Meeting, 1 PM

• K8 Department Meeting, 1:30 PM

• Softball/Baseball @ Northport @ 3:30

Tuesday - 05.20

• SBA Testing: MS ELA/Math and 3 & 5 ELA PT1

• PLC Time, 7:15-8:00 AM

• Student Support Team - K8 Conference Room, 10 AM

• Brett's Behavior Academy Group, 1 PM

• PBIS TFI Session, 3:45 PM

Wednesday - 05.21

• SBA Testing: 3 & 5 ELA PT2

• Admin Meeting, 9:30 AM

• K8 Core Leadership Check in, 12:30 PM

Thursday - 05.22

• SBA Testing: Make Up

• Special Education Meeting, 9AM

• Gradient Learning Meeting, 2:00 PM

• SIP Planning Session @ 3:45 PM

• Baseball & Softball vs Wellpinit @ 3:30

Friday - 05.23

• Student Access Day

• Elementary RTI Schedule Meeting, 9AM -11AM

Up and Coming Events:

• Memorial Day, No School, May 26th

• Charger Assemblies, May 29th

• 6th Grade Camp: June 4-6

• Last Day of Pre-School, June 5

• 3-5 Field Trip, Tribal Fish Hatchery: June 9

• Kindergarten Promotion: June 10

• 8th Grade Promotion: June 10

• 8th Grade Silverwood Field Trip: June 11

• Middle School Field Trip: June 12

• K-5 Field Day: June 12

Helpful Links

• PLC @ Work Documents

• Essential Standards Report

• K8 Daily Schedule

• SWIS Referral 

• K8 Meeting Agenda

• K8 PBIS

• MTSS Process

Out of the Building

Good morning, K8 team!

I wanted to let you know that I'll be out of the building today. Jaymi will be filling in as principal, and I'm grateful for her support and leadership in my absence. Please don't hesitate to reach out to her if you need anything—she'll be well-supported by Bailey, Kristyn, and Mandy throughout the day.

Thank you all for continuing to show up with care and consistency for our students. 

Have a great day!

Brett

K8 Weekly Memo

Good Monday Morning,

I hope you all had a beautiful and joy-filled Mother's Day weekend. To the amazing mothers on our staff — thank you for the endless love, patience, and care you pour into both your families and your students each day. The nurturing heart of a mother is much like the heart of an educator — steadfast, compassionate, and always giving. Your impact stretches far beyond the classroom walls.

Last week's VIP Staff Appreciation was a wonderful celebration of the incredible work you do. Thank you to everyone who helped make the week so special — from decorating to organizing treats and surprises, it was truly a team effort that reminded us just how strong and united we are. You are each very important people, and it was an honor to celebrate you!

As we head into another week of state testing, let's continue to model the focus, perseverance, and commitment we hope to see in our students. Your leadership and encouragement make all the difference.

Let's finish strong and keep lifting each other up. We've got this, together!

School Recognition

Over the past several years, our K–8 team has worked incredibly hard to strengthen core instruction, collect meaningful data, and align interventions to meet student needs. It's been truly inspiring to watch our students grow — and while overall achievement is still developing, we are unquestionably moving in the right direction.

At the end of last year's state testing window, I had multiple conversations with staff who were emotional — even in disbelief — about the data. Two individuals were nearly in tears. I reminded them then, as I do now, that the growth we are seeing is real, and it matters. We are doing the right work, and our students are showing meaningful gains. Even when it feels like few notice, I want to affirm this truth: your efforts are paying off.

And now, we have something to celebrate together.

This past week, I received exciting news: the Middle School has been recognized by the Washington State School Recognition Program for outstanding performance in the 2023–2024 school year. The school earned the "Closing Gaps - Comprehensive" award — placing us in the top 16% of schools across the state.

This recognition reflects the incredible effort you've poured into improving student outcomes and closing achievement gaps. A recognition banner will soon arrive, and we'll be sharing this accomplishment with our families and the greater Mary Walker community.

Thank you for continuing to show up with passion and purpose. Your work is changing lives — and it's being noticed.

Points of Interest

Slight Change in Schedule

This week, the admin team will be traveling to Sunnyside to participate in a P2P Cohort meeting. In the past, we've prioritized staying on campus during these sessions, but we've been strongly encouraged to engage with the cohort, and we believe this collaboration will bring valuable insights to our work. I'll be out of the building on Wednesday morning for this meeting but will return in time for the BLT and 6th Grade Camp Parent Meeting later that day.

State Testing 

We are in full swing with our state testing window, and I want to thank you all for your focus and support. I encourage each of us to be active encouragers—champions for our students as they do their best.

Please ensure your classrooms are clean, calm, and test-ready when escorting students in on their designated testing days. A focused environment sets the tone and shows students this is important. Also, please encourage students to use the available online tools within the test platform and the physical resources at their desks.

Printed copies of the following schedules will be share with you, but here is the link too.

• MS SBA Testing

• 35 SBA Testing

Intermediate Prep Schedule for Testing

Cameron and Taylor will double up classes on test days to create a creative peer mentoring sessions.  Here is the following schedules:

1:05-1:35     Ashbrook(2) w/ Gonzales(5)   PE(M&W) & Art (T&Th)    Mundall(2) w/ Gearhart(5)   Art (M&W) & PE (T&Th

1:40-2:10   Coffey(4) w/ Barr(4)   PE (M&W) & ART (T&TH)   Swiger(1)   Art (M&W) & Pe (T&TH)

2:15-2:45   Thompson(K) w/ Stricker(3)   PE(M&W) & Art (T&Th)   Neilson(K/1) w/ Greene(3)   Art (M&W) &PE (T&Th)

 

PLC Tuesday

Please ensure your current unit plans accurately reflect your instructional focus and that you are actively using assessment data to inform classroom-level interventions.

• Primary Team: You've done a great job aligning your work and integrating your LETRS learning. Keep reviewing your priority standards and maintaining your collaborative focus.

• Intermediate Team (Grades 3–5): State testing will be your main PLC priority this week. Please ensure your testing spaces are set up, testing tickets are printed, and student devices are ready.

• Middle School Team: Please plan to meet promptly at 7:15 AM to review unit plans and Gradient data.

Thank you for your continued dedication. You are doing great work, and our students are better for it!

LID Friday,

This week is our LID Friday.  A detailled agenda will follow later this week., 

Gradient Survey for MS Team

Middle School team, please complete the following gradient survey prior to our PLC times. 

Survey Monkey link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TMTCMZM 

Calendar

2024-25 K8 Calendar

Monday, 05.12

• SBA Testing: MS ELA/Math 

• K8 Core Leadership Check-in, 10 AM

• Office Meeting, 1 PM

• K8 Department Meeting, 1:30 PM

• Softball/Baseball vs Valley @ 3:30

Tuesday - 05.13

• SBA Testing: MS ELA/Math and 3&5 ELA CAT

• PLC Time, 7:15-8:00 AM

• Student Support Team- K8 Conference Room, 10 AM

• Brett's Behavior Academy Group, 1 PM

Wednesday - 05.14

• SBA Testing: MS ELA/Math

• Brett in Sunnyside for P2P

• K8 Core Leadership Check in, 12:30 PM

• MS Track Meet @ Valley Christian, 3:30 PM

• BLT @ 3:30 PM

• 6th Grade Camp Meeting @ 5:30 PM

Thursday - 05.15

• SBA Testing: MS ELA/Math and 3&5 Math CAT

• 2nd Grade Field Trip Kettle Falls - Cancelled

• Gradient Learning Meeting, 10:30 AM

• SIP Planning Session @ 3:45 PM

• School Board Meeting @ 6 PM

Friday - 05.16

• LID, Schedule to be shared later this week.

Up and Coming Events:

• State Testing: Start May 5

• 6th Grade Camp: June 4-6

• 3-5 Field Trip to the Tribal Fish Hatchery, June 9

• 8th Grade Promotion: June 10 @ 7 PM

• 8th Grade Silverwood Field Trip: June 11

• Middle School Field Trip: June 12

• K-5 Field Day: June 12

• Last Day of School: June 12

Helpful Links

• PLC @ Work Documents

• Essential Standards Report

• K8 Daily Schedule

• SWIS Referral 

• K8 Meeting Agenda

• K8 PBIS

• MTSS Process