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friendsofroxhill

RoxStar Newsletter - October 2023

Updated: Nov 6, 2023


Sunflowers and seeds from the Roxhill Learning Garden


October 2023 Newsletter

Table of Contents:


  • Message from Principal Lorow

  • Field Trip and Classroom Fund

  • Carpool Connections

  • Health Information from Nurse Ann

  • Friday Food Program

  • Friends of Roxhill PTO Community Meeting - 10/9

  • Curriculum Night - 10/12

  • Roxhill Park Family Meetup - 10/28

  • After School Drama Workshops (3rd-5th grade)

  • Flower Power Fundraiser

  • Volunteer Opportunities

  • Important Dates

Message from Principal Lorow


Happy October!


We have started our baseline assessments for the school year across grade levels. These baseline assessments show us what students have retained from last year and identify areas of strengths and needs. This baseline data helps us meet student learning needs.


Assessments come in many different shapes and sizes, but they usually fall within two big categories:

  1. Formative assessments are used to gather information about student understanding during the learning process.

  2. Summative assessments are used to gather information about what the student learned after a unit or lesson.

Both formative and summative assessments provide information for educators to best support students. Assessments show growth in skills and development, help identify students who may need additional support, and provide data to CELEBRATE!

We view assessments as ways for students to show what they know. We know that an assessment only reflects a small data point in one moment of time and in no way reflects the whole child. That is why there are many different assessments used throughout the year.

What assessments can we expect and what does it measure?


Kindergarten – 2nd Grade

  • DIBELS (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy): School districts are required to administer a universal assessment for early literacy development to act as a screener for indications of dyslexia.

Kindergarten – 5th Grade

  • WIDA (World-Class Instructional Design and Assessment): An annual assessment for qualified Multilingual students to measure English language proficiency.

  • MAP (Measure of Academic Progress): A computer adaptive assessment and shifts each questions’ level of difficulty based on the student’s previous answers. Students are assessed in reading and math.

3rd Grade – 5th Grade

  • SBA (Smarter Balance Assessment): The state summative assessment in English Language Arts/Literacy and Math.

  • WA-AIM (Washington Access to Instruction & Measurement): An alternate assessment for students with significant cognitive disabilities. The WA-AIM measures student knowledge and skills.

Students also receive formative and summative assessments in class through their grade-level curriculum for math, reading, writing, science/social studies, physical health and fitness, and visual and performing arts.


Welcome to our new Office Assistant, Christy Pudduck!

She is replacing Ms. Audrey who is now working at South Shore K-8.

Christy will be handling attendance, as well as other office duties.

The attendance phone line and email remain the same. Each day your student is absent, please communicate to the office in the way that works best for you:

Phone 206-252-9574


Field Trip and Classroom Fund

Friends of Roxhill is raising money for the Back to School Field Trip and Classroom Fund and we are just over halfway to our goal. This fund provides each teacher with money for field trips and classroom supplies, like educational games, toys and books. Our goal is to give teachers $20 per student by October 13.


Not all families in our school have the means to give. If you do, please consider donating on behalf of your student and a classmate.



Or bring cash or a check to the front office.

Checks should be made payable to: Friends of Roxhill Elementary

Memo: Field Trip + Classroom Fund


Carpool Connections

If you are ineligible for bus service and are looking for other Roxhill families to connect with about carpooling or walking your child to school, please fill out the following form, created by Friends of Roxhill. Your contact information will not be shared without your permission:

If you are willing to drive or walk students in the neighborhood without transport, please fill out the form as well.




Health Information from Nurse Ann


Vision and Hearing screening take place annually at Roxhill. This year’s screenings will happen in October and November. Results and referrals will be shared no later than mid-November.


With the arrival of winter, respiratory illnesses, including RSV, the flu, and CoVID are on the rise. Vaccines are a great way to help your child stay healthy. Our School Based Health Care’s vaccine clinic is a touch delayed this year. They’ll let you know as soon as they can schedule. For now, Please contact your child’s primary care provider or find a vaccination clinic here: https://kingcounty.gov/en/legacy/depts/health/communicable-diseases/immunization/clinics



Friday Food Program

The Friday Food program is scheduled to begin Friday, Oct. 6th, and will continue on Fridays for the remainder of the school year. If you would like Neighborcare to send home a bag of non-perishable foods and some fresh produce in your child’s backpack for the weekends, please either fill out the form sent home in the Tuesday packet, or contact Brettyn Gibson at brettyn.gibson@neighborcare.org or (206) 548-5981 with your name, your student’s name & teacher, best method to contact you, and any allergies or food restrictions you’d like us to remove from the bags before they go home.


We are also looking for volunteers to help pick up food from the West Seattle Food Bank each week (Wednesday or Thursday between 9am-2pm) and deliver it to Roxhill. It would involve lifting and carrying about 4-6 boxes. If you are able to stay and help pack the bags, that would be a huge help, but not 100% necessary. Sign up for a shift here and direct all questions to Nurse Ann aeperry@seattleschools.org.


Friends of Roxhill PTO Community Meeting

Monday, October 9

6:00-7:30pm

Roxhill Cafeteria


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. in the Roxhill cafeteria. 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.



Curriculum Night

Thursday, October 12

6:00-7:30pm

Come meet your child’s teacher and hear about the things they will learn this school year. Food will not be served at this event.



Roxhill Park Family Meetup

Saturday, October 28

10am-12pm


Come play at the park with other Roxhill families! We will meet at Roxhill Park (across from Target) rain or shine so kids can play and families can get to know one another. Coffee will be provided. Bring a snack to share (optional).



After School Drama Workshops (3rd-5th grade)

Beyond the Stage Youth is coming to Roxhill for 3 days of after-school drama workshops for 3rd-5th graders.


Join us for acting games, crafts and character creation on Thursdays, October 26, November 2 and November 9 from 2:35-3:10pm in the Roxhill cafeteria.


The cost is $55. Limited scholarships are available. Details and registration link here: https://beyondthestageyouth.com/roxhill


SPS does not provide bus transport for after-school programs. If your student needs transportation, please contact friendsofroxhill@gmail.com for assistance.



Flower Power Fundraiser

There are only 2 weeks left to order from our Fall Flower Power Fundraiser! Buy flower bulbs, kitchen garden herbs, sprouts and seeds to bring some joy to your home garden or window sill. Friends of Roxhill Elementary receives 50% of the profits from every order.

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.

Order deadline is October 15.


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.


We are currently looking for volunteers to help with:


  • Childcare during FORE Meetings (October 9, November 13, December 11)

  • Pizza Pickup for FORE Meeting (October 9, November 13, December 11)

  • Picture Day (October 24)

  • Coffee making at Family Meetup (October 28)

  • Food Bank Pickup for Food Bag Program (Wednesdays or Thursdays weekly)



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


October 9 - Friends of Roxhill PTO Community Meeting, 6:00-7:30 pm

October 12 - Curriculum Night, 6:00pm - 7:30 pm

October 13 - NO SCHOOL for Students State In Service Day for Teachers

October 16-20 Nature Bridge (5th Grade Field Trip)

October 24 - Picture Day

October 26 - After School Drama Workshops Begin, 2:35-3:10 pm

October 28 - Roxhill Park Family Meetup, 10:00 am-12:00 pm

November 10 - NO SCHOOL Veterans Day Observed

November 13 - Friends of Roxhill PTO Community Meeting, 6:00-7:30pm

November 21-23 - NO SCHOOL Fall Conferences

November 24-25 - NO SCHOOL Thanksgiving Break

November 30 - Picture Retake Day



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