Student art made during restoration field trips with EcoArts at EC Hughes Park
April 2024 Newsletter
Table of Contents:
Reading Volunteers
Global Reading Challenge
Yearbooks
Vote for the next Roxhill T-shirt
Health Information from Nurse Ann
Kings’ and Queens’ Team Brunch
Friends of Roxhill PTO Community Meeting - 4/15
Dine Out Fundraiser at Lil Woodys - 4/17
Spring Picture Day - 4/18
Community Arts and Family Meetup at Roxhill Park - 4/27
After School Drama Club
Hmong Farms Flowers
Flower Power Fundraiser
Lost and Found
Carpool Connections
Volunteer Opportunities
Important Dates
Happy Spring! Here’s what’s happening at school this month.
Reading volunteers
SPS Approved Volunteers: We are excited to invite you to participate in a special volunteering opportunity at Roxhill.
We are looking for parents who can spare just 15 minutes in the morning to read with our students from about 8:00 – 8:15am.
The goal is to encourage a love for reading and literacy among our students. By having parents, or community members come in to read with them, we hope to foster a positive reading environment and enhance their reading skills.
Books and student lists will be provided, so all you need to bring is your enthusiasm for reading! Your presence and participation will make a difference.
If you are interested in volunteering for this program, please sign up for a shift here or you can sign up for multiple days to create a consistent schedule:
We appreciate your support in enriching the educational experience of Roxhill students and look forward to seeing you at our school.
For more information about volunteering for reading, you can contact Roxhill Intervention Teacher, Katarina Ferguson at kmferguson@seattleschools.org
If you are not already an approved SPS volunteer, you can apply https://www.seattleschools.org/departments/volunteer/. The application process and background check take about 2 weeks. If you need assistance with your application or renewal status, please contact Office Assistant Christy Pudduck cspudduck@seattleschools.org.
Global Reading Challenge
Congratulations to Roxhill’s winning Global Reading Challenge Team. The RoxStars – Qeriya, Max, Zariyah, Yizrel, Metkel, and Jose – won our in-school competition in February, and this past month competed against five other schools in a semifinal round at the downtown Central Library. Although not victorious in the semifinal round, the RoxStars did a great job listening to each other, and Ms. Prynne reported that her students “felt like winners.”
Yearbooks
We are collecting photos for the 2023-2024 yearbook, which will be distributed at the end of June. Do you have photos from chaperoning a field trip or at one of our school events like Family Fun Night or Skate Night? Please email photos to friendsofroxhill@gmail.com or text 917-331-5172.
We are also collecting donations to the yearbook fund to help us ensure that every student will get a yearbook to take home at the end of the year. The cost is $18 per yearbook. Fill out the form and donate here.
Vote for the next Roxhill T-shirt
Students and staff will receive a new Roxhill t-shirt next month.
Vote for your favorite design!
1 vote per person.
Parents and caregivers: you can submit a vote for yourself and a vote for your student.
Voting closes Friday, April 5 at 8pm.
Health Information from Nurse Ann
Many times, students show up in the health room with concerns (stomachaches, headaches, sleepiness, big feelings, anxiety, asthma, and more) that have roots in physical and/or emotional well-being. This past month, our third grade classrooms did a brief series of classes thinking about Brain-Body connections. Together, we thought about how feelings are like the weather (they are always there, sometimes big and sometimes more gentle, always changing), helpful (they alert us to a need), and that our bodies give us clues about what we’re feeling (sweaty palms, clenched fist, smile, stomachache). We ended by creating cards of ‘safe responses’ which help people care for themselves and others when big feelings happen. Please ask your student to talk with you about what they learned.
Video:
Kings and Queens Team Brunch
On Saturday, March 23rd, we held our first annual Kings and Queens’ Team Community brunch. Together, we created a feast of food, joy and love. It was one of the most inspiring events we’ve held at Roxhill. We watched the kids light up as they shared the day with their families, taking pictures, conducting and participating in interviews. Our students and families met one another and members of our community.
Our Kings and Queens had wanted to return the invitation we had received in January to cook with Seattle Police Chief Diaz and so invited Chief Diaz, Monica Jackson and officer Aaron Lucas to come join us at our Pancake Breakfast and Potluck. Many students were busy making art with Ella McRae, a great friend of Roxhill and the Community Builder at Highpoint, and Mr. Hakeem’s family joined us - decorating, serving up pancakes, and keeping everything together. We delighted in watching the kids turn it up with singing, dancing, and the joyful energy of being together! The most important part of this day was the connection with our community and families. Thank you to everyone who helped to make it happen!
Friends of Roxhill PTO Community Meeting
Monday, April 15
6:00-7:30 pm
Enter through front entrance
Friends of Roxhill is our school’s non-profit parent/teacher organization (PTO). We are parents, community members, and teachers who work together to support the education and enrichment of our multicultural public school.
Everyone is welcome and all ideas are encouraged!
Our meetings are usually on the 2nd Monday of the month from 6–7:30 p.m. This is a great way to connect with Principal Lorow, parents, caregivers and teachers in the Roxhill community. Pizza and childcare will be provided. Spanish interpretation will be available. Interpretation for other languages is available upon request. Email friendsofroxhill@gmail.com with questions.
Dine Out Fundraiser at Lil Woody’s
Wednesday, April 17
5pm -9pm
Join us for our next dine out fundraiser at Lil Woody’s White Center 9807 16th Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98106, located inside Southside Pizza and Gelato. A percentage of sales will be donated back to our school. Tell your server that you’re a Roxhill Supporter!
Spring Picture Day
Thursday, April 18
Come to school ready for class group photos as well as retakes for students that missed picture day in the fall. SPS Approved volunteers: Sign up for a shift to assist teachers and photographers by gathering students and matching name tags.
Community Arts at Roxhill Park
Every Saturday
April 6-June 15
Except June 1
10:00am - 1:00pm
Join our community partners at Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association (DNDA) on Saturdays at Roxhill Park!
Community Arts days will feature guided nature walks, storytelling and drop-in EcoArts activities, led by local teaching artists!
All ages are welcome to this free weekly event, no RSVP required. DNDA will be there rain or shine with tea to share.
Roxhill Park Family Meetup
Saturday, April 27
10:00 am-1:00 pm
Our monthly family meetups will coincide with DNDA’s Community Arts Days (see info above). You are welcome to join in on activities or kids can play at the playground. Coffee will be provided by Friends of Roxhill. Bring a snack to share (optional)
After School Drama Club
3rd-5th grade
Thursdays, May 2-June 6
2:35-3:35pm
Roxhill Cafeteria
Join us in the spotlight for an exhilarating journey with Beyond the Stage Youth’s After School Drama Club this May!
Dive into a world of drama games, improvisation, scenes, and much more. Each Thursday for 6 weeks, students will work towards unleashing their creativity and passion for the performing arts.
Whether you're a seasoned actor or new to the stage, our vibrant and inclusive community embraces everyone. Take this chance to explore your talents, build new friendships, and create fun memories!
Students will engage in activities that will build life skills such as ensemble building, self-confidence, and problem-solving while developing their capacities as actors, creators and creative collaborators in an atmosphere that encourages fun, commitment, and taking creative risks in a safe environment.
No theatre experience necessary! Just come ready to have fun and use your imagination!
The cost is $150. Financial support and transportation is available.Everyone who is interested is encouraged to participate.
Details and Registration here: https://beyondthestageyouth.com/roxhill103523
Contact Blaire with questions Contact@beyondthestageyouth.com
Hmong Farms Mothers Day Flowers
This Mother's Day, support Seattle Public Schools and Hmong farmers by buying flower bouquets! Proceeds go to a SPS school of your choice and a Title 1 school in Seattle and are tax-deductible. Bouquets will be available to be picked up at 12 SPS school distribution sites and are $60 for one bouquet or $100 for two. Pre-order before May 4 to get your bouquet on May 11.
Click here to buy: https://www.sesecwa.org/mothers-day-flower-sale/
Flower Power Fundraiser
Spring is here!
We are partnering again with Flower Power Fundraising to sell flower bulbs, kitchen garden herbs, sprouts, seeds and more to bring some joy to your home garden or window sill this spring and raise money for our school.
Check out our fundraising website:
Share the link with your friends, neighbors, co-workers and relatives across the country. They have a variety of plants for every climate.
Friends of Roxhill Elementary receives 50% of the profits from every order.
Orders are shipped directly to the person placing the order starting April 1 (there is a $6.99 shipping fee).
Order deadline is May 15.
Lost and Found
Lost & Found will be cleaned out Friday April 5, 2024 at 3:00pm.
Missing something? Stop by the school 7:35am - 3:00pm, Mon - Fri to take a look.
Carpool Connections
We receive frequent requests for transportation help and try to coordinate carpools and walking buses by introducing families to each other. Please email friendsofroxhill@gmail.com if you can help with any of the following.
Current requests:
1st grader in need of a driver to and from Delridge Way SW and Kenyon St.
Please fill out the following form if:
You need help getting your child to or from school.
You would like to volunteer to drive or walk another student to or from school.
Your contact information will not be shared without your permission. Please contact friendsofroxhill@gmail.com with questions.
Volunteer Opportunities
All volunteer opportunities that take place on school grounds or field trips will require you to fill out a volunteer application through SPS. Apply here or check your status as a returning volunteer. Direct all questions about your SPS application to Office Assistant Christy Pudduck cspudduck@seattleschools.org.
We are currently looking for volunteers to help with:
Lunchroom Helpers (Daily - sign up for a shift below)
Reading Volunteers (Daily - sign up for a shift below)
Picture Day Volunteers (April 18)
Yearbook Club (Wednesdays through May 1)
Friday Food Bag Prep and Delivery (Fridays at 12 noon)
Childcare during FORE Meetings (2nd Mondays of the month)
Making coffee for Roxhill Park Family Meetups (April 27, May 25, June 22)
Want to get more involved with Friends of Roxhill?
Fill out our volunteer interest survey to learn more about what we do and how you can help.
Important Dates
April 8-12 - Spring break (No School)
April 15 - Friends of Roxhill PTO Community Meeting, 6-7:30 pm
April 17 - Dine Out Fundraiser at Lil Woodys
April 18 - Picture Day - Class groups and retakes
April 27 - Community Arts and Family Meetup at Roxhill Park, 10am-1pm
May 2 - After School Drama Club Begins
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