Announcements

Each year, the Lawton PTA collects many bags of items from the Lost and Found and donates them to charity. Many of these items could be sent back home if they were labelled.  Take advantage of this paperless fundraiser from Mabel’s Labels to help in the recovery of your lost items.  A portion of all sales comes back to the Lawton PTA.

Visit www.lawtonschool.mabel.ca to place your order while helping our fundraiser!  Pass this link on to friends and family and Lawton will benefit.

Posted in Announcements | Wednesday, September 1st, 2010

NEW this year is a fundraiser to help keep Lawton GREEN.  Last year Mrs. Misner’s and Mrs. Ulmer’s 5th grade classes completed an interesting classroom project.   They collected plastic bags from Lawton’s lunchroom garbage to see how many disposable bags were used by our students.  In one day, they collected 186 bags. In one week, they collected 930 bags.  The bags they collected for the week were stapled together and the plastic bag string circled the lunchroom TWICE !!   Using these collection figures and multiplying by actual school days, Lawton could use 32,922 disposable plastic bags… What an eye opening figure.  Since Lawton learners are always looking for new ways to reduce our environmental impact, we looked for a fundraiser to support our waste reduction goals.  We found ReUsies. Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Announcements | Wednesday, September 1st, 2010

Dear Lawton Students, Families, and Staff,

As the new Principal of Lawton Elementary, I would like to welcome you to the 2010 – 2011 school year!  I am absolutely thrilled to be joining the team, and it is an honor and a privilege to serve the Lawton Community.

I have felt truly welcomed, and I’ve enjoyed meeting with members of the staff to begin formulating an understanding of the strengths and challenges of the Lawton Community.  I have heard a consistent voice expressing our passion and dedication for high quality instruction, and I am impressed by Lawton’s commitment to arts in education. Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Announcements | Friday, August 27th, 2010

Lawton Elementary and Seattle Public Schools are taking some important
steps this year towards our goal of ensuring an excellent education for
every student. Soon your child will take tests called Measures of
Academic Progress(tm) (MAP) in math and reading. We give students MAP
tests to determine your child’s instructional level; to measure academic
growth throughout the school year; and to measure growth from year to
year in the areas of reading and mathematics.  Results from MAP are
available immediately and so will support our teachers in knowing what
students have learned and the progress they are making. Teachers will
use this data along with information collected from class work,
individual reading assessments, observations and the state test (MSP) as
they consider how to adjust instruction to help each student succeed.

Each school year, students in grades Kindergarten – Ninth Grade take the
tests in September/October, January and April/May. This year, teachers
will share information about MAP results during parent-teacher
conferences in November.

The tests will be taken using a computer.  Most students spend about
40-50 minutes completing these tests in each subject area. MAP tests are
unique in that they adapt to be appropriate for your child’s level of
learning. As a result, each student has the same opportunity to succeed
and maintain a positive attitude toward testing.  And with MAP tests, we
can administer shorter tests and use less class time while still
receiving detailed, accurate information about your child’s growth.

Students in Kindergarten and 1st grade are given a test with audio
support, which reads the test items aloud to the students. Some older
students who struggle with reading take this test as well.

We are truly excited to have a new tool available to our teachers and
students that will help us focus on every child’s individual growth and
achievement.  Consistently tracking student progress and using that data
to help improve student achievement is a key strategy of Seattle Public
Schools’ strategic plan, Excellence for All.

Thank you for partnering with us as we work together to ensure an
excellent education for your child. For more information about MAP,
including resources for parents and guardians,
click on this Link to MAP  on the Seattle Public Schools website
http://www.seattleschools.org/area/mapassess/index.dxml

For an overview of the primary test with audio support, click on this
link.
http://www.nwea.org/sites/www.nwea.org/files/tutorials/primary-warmup/in
dex.html
The Warm-Up will be done with all Kindergarten and 1st grade students at
school to introduce them to MAP and may be completed at home as well.

Posted in Announcements | Friday, August 27th, 2010

Tags: helm, principal
Posted in Announcements | Tuesday, August 17th, 2010

A correction to the information about Slow Start published in the eNews.  The entries should have read:

September 8, 2010
SLOW START – Kindergartners only - Students with last names beginning with  A – L begin school today and stay home on Thursday 9/9. All students attend on Friday. 

September 9, 2010
SLOW START – Kindergartners only - Students with last names beginning with  M – Z stay home on Wednesday 9/8 and begin school on Thursday 9/9. All students attend on Friday.

Posted in Announcements | Tuesday, August 17th, 2010

The PTA newsletter is now being published electronically.  Read the July 21st edition here.  Families new to Lawton, please email newsletter@lawtonelementary.org to be added to the distribution list.  Families needing to change their email addresses can email too.   When emailing please include the first and last  name(s) of your children. * Don’t miss any Lawton News….. Subscribe today !

*the list is used only to email PTA and school news and updates and is not shared.

Posted in Announcements | Wednesday, July 21st, 2010

Posted in Announcements | Wednesday, July 21st, 2010

Here is the school supplies list for all grades  for the 2010 – 2011 school year.

Posted in Announcements | Monday, July 12th, 2010

What is bullying?

Bullying is defined as follows in the Seattle Public Schools Board Policy:

Harassment, intimidation, or bullying is an intentional electronic, written, verbal, or physical act that:

An important distinction is that bullying is an intentional act and may involve a documented pattern of behavior exhibited by a student toward a “target.” When a child exhibits physical aggression, this does not necessarily mean s/he is bullying. Adults and children need instruction to understand this difference.

How does the staff at Lawton handle bullying?

In March 2010 the staff at Lawton participated in training on anti-bullying with Celia Arriaga, a Prevention and Intervention Specialist with Seattle Public Schools.  We developed a protocol for addressing bullying if we saw any indication this is happening in our school:

1. Step 1: Staff member contacts the principal, and an investigation is done. School-based interventions include; meeting with the students involved, contacting parents, and administering school-based consequences. The student is given details about what bullying is and the protocol that will be followed. Students and staff are instructed to contact the principal if there are any more problems.
2. Step 2: Repeated behavior will result in contacting parents, and scheduling a parent conference to review what has been happening and the possible consequences, including removal from the classroom. At this point, the parents are informed about the definition of bullying and how their child’s behavior shows signs of bullying, along with the Seattle Public School Board Policy on bullying and harassment, and next steps that will take place if the behavior continues.
3. Step 3: Any further behavior will result in significant disciplinary action, including possible suspension from school, and could include a formal complaint lodged by a family of the target.

What is our Plan for the Future?

The staff and BLT of Lawton are also in the process of revising the School Plan. In that revision there will be the inclusion of Bullying Prevention strategies, instruction in the classrooms, and further training for the staff and parents so that we can all be part of working with our children to ensure they behave appropriately and that we have processes in place should we ever have serious issues that arise at our school.  As we move forward with this training, we will keep families informed and include training for parents as part of this plan.

Posted in Announcements | Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010

Lawton’s Building Leadership Team (BLT) has compiled a list of summer learning resources. Check it out!

Posted in Announcements | Monday, June 21st, 2010

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Dear Lawton Parents:

I am writing to you about the incident that has drawn recent media attention about bullying at our school.   At Seattle Public Schools, we are committed to ensuring a safe and secure environment for all of our students, and as Principal at Lawton I want to assure our community that we do not tolerate bullying, harassment or intimidation.

Each time an issue related to student misbehavior is brought to my attention I have met personally with each child involved, taken statements and communicated with parents to inform them about their child’s behavior and the actions that will be taken.   When behavior problems persist, we have met with parents and developed a Behavior Plan for students to ensure the student clearly understands what is acceptable and to ensure that all students are safe.

In a recent Superintendent E-News to Families, Superintendent Maria Goodloe-Johnson reiterated the district’s commitment anti-bullying initiatives. Please be assured that Lawton’s teachers, support staff and I are working with the students and their families.  Due to student privacy concerns, I can’t share specific details. I want you to be assured that we do not tolerate bullying.  We take all reports seriously and we have both a short term and long term plan in place to address issues that have been reported.  We also put an emphasis on preventive measures, such as programs that build our students’ social and emotional skills, and reduce the likelihood of incidents.

Thank you for all that you do to support each student’s academic success. Please feel free to contact me with any questions.

Yours truly,

Kathy Bledsoe

Interim Principal

Posted in Announcements | Thursday, June 10th, 2010

2nd graders are gearing up to showcase their musical talent at the 2nd grade concert on Tuesday June 15th at 6:30 p.m.  Joining them will be the Kindergarten – 2nd grade choir.  The start time is 6:30. It includes K-2 choir and 102, 103, 105. Students should plan to be there at 6:15.  Classes will sit in rows by classes (assembly style) so that we can move through the program efficiently.  See you there!

Posted in Announcements | Tuesday, June 8th, 2010

Update:  Bake sale made over $400!  Thanks all!

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Hang out after school and enjoy treats from the kitchens of Mr. Howard’s students, as they work hard to raise money for 1 Starfish, a charity that provides school uniforms and supplies to Nicaraguan students.  Sale will be held from 3:10 until about 3:30 p.m. with tables in the back undercover area and the front of the school.  Baked goods will be $1 and are guaranteed to please!

Posted in Announcements | Monday, June 7th, 2010

Last week the young authors of Lawton met in small multigrade groups to celebrate their writing.  Each adult staff member, along with many parents, hosted a group and facilitated sharing of writing, feedback for the authors and receiving certificate of appreciation.

I was fortunate to host a talented group of writers including:

Connor, a first grader who shared his fiction story, “The Water Bottle that Lost its Cap.”

Isabel, a 3^rd grader who not only wrote her story about the 5-Eyed Hawk, but showed the group her artistic model of the main character in her story.

Kara, a 3^rd grader read from “My Poem Book”.  In that book she included several poems called:       My Mom, Lavender, I Have a Dream, and Inside the Letter K.  The group remarked on her adept use of alliteration.

Sophia, a 4^th grader read a chapter from her non-fiction chapter book called, “Ethiopia.”  She shared the chapter on the Foods of Ethiopia and reminded us about Market Day during World Cultures Week.

Natalie, a 2^nd grader shared her book called, “Awesome Seals.”  In it she called the seal a ‘creature of 2 worlds.’

Liam, a 5^th grader read from his book report on a fiction book called “Tiger” by Jeff Stone.

Imogene, a 5^th grader read two chapters from her book called “Exotic Medicines from Madagascar.”  She described the medicinal benefits of the bark of Cinnamon and the Periwinkle.  She also included a bibliography of books and websites on her topic.

The girls and boys were very respectful and appreciative of their peers work and provided insightful feedback for each author.  Ms Dial, our teacher librarian and the coordinator of this event provided certificates for each author and a special Lawton Authors’ Day pencil for each participant.  It was a great day for celebrating the writing skills our children have been developing this year.

Posted in Announcements | Monday, June 7th, 2010

Helen Pitt, an experienced community outreach specialist, was recently selected to be the new Volunteer Coordinator at Lawton for 2010/11. A new role description had been created by the principal, Kathy Bledsoe, and the PTA Board, to expand the duties and responsibilities of this position. 

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The new role includes:

• Seeking new sources of volunteer help to take advantage of the wealth of community resources in our parent community, the faculties of education, alumni from Lawton enrolled in our high schools and our larger community
• Recruiting, training and monitoring the work of the volunteers and recording and reporting the results of their work with students
• Creating a leadership cadre of Lawton Room Parents
• Developing a system to communicate with all volunteers
• Meeting regularly with the principal and PTA liaison to report, raise issues and problem solve

Ms Pitt brings a wealth of experience to the position. She has a longstanding professional and personal commitment to volunteerism, and she has worked as Executive Director for the Seattle Urban Nature Project, and was a Conservation Program Manager for the Seattle Audubon Society. She also expanded the scope and effectiveness of the Northwest Shade Coffee Campaign through volunteer recruitment and capacity building.

Ms Pitt brings her talent to Lawton along with an interest in public schools as the mother of a preschooler and Kindergartner.  She was selected in a competitive hiring process that elicited over 30 applications.  Helen Pitt will begin her work in August after an orientation in June and we are very happy to welcome her to the Lawton staff.

Posted in Announcements | Monday, June 7th, 2010

Kathy Stanley here – I need to find some generators for the inflatable games to use for Field Day which will be Friday, June 18th.  If anyone has a generator that they can loan for the day, please contact me via email (stanleynw@comcast.net) or phone (601-4404) or talk to Cheryl Parks.

Posted in Announcements | Tuesday, June 1st, 2010

Lawton School has an active Safety Committee.  Members meet monthly to discuss and resolve issues related to safety and security.  At a recent meeting Security in the building was discussed.  The Lawton community prides itself on being a kind and caring environment for children.   There are some simple ways we can ensure safety and security in our building.  During the school day only the main entrance door is unlocked.  The downstairs doors are locked.  Our procedure is that any visitor or volunteer entering the building is to enter by the main door, sign in at the office and wear a badge.

Any adult visitor or volunteer in the building during the school day who is not wearing a badge will be asked if they need help finding the office to sign in.  This simple question asked by any adult of any adult will ensure that adults in the building are known and are there for a purpose.  It takes each one of us to keep our children and our community safe.

Posted in Announcements | Tuesday, June 1st, 2010