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Highline Public Schools
15675 Ambaum Blvd. SW Burien, WA 98166

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Monday-Friday: 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Cascade Middle School
11212 10th Avenue SW Seattle, WA 98146

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December Family Newsletter

Hello Cougar Community! 

What an exciting month it has been at Cascade Middle School! 

🍂 We concluded Quarter 1, and students across their classes engaged in reflective work to understand what their grades mean and how they can set goals to meet grade-level standards! 
 
🍂 Season 2 sports ran their try-outs, and rosters have officially been released! Games begin this month! 
 
🍂 We started the process of meeting with each of our advisories to hold Student Listening Sessions, learning from our young people what the transition to middle school feels like and what kind of social-emotional learning and supports they’d want to see to feel successful! 
 
🍂 We held our first school-wide assembly (brought back after a 2-year hiatus), recognizing outstanding Cougars who demonstrated excellence in the classroom and on the field, track, and court in Quarter 1! We’ll look forward to hosting more assemblies in the coming months to celebrate the quarterly achievements and cultural traditions of our students.
In this assembly, we also had a special opportunity to celebrate our own Mr. Salvador Gomez, who was honored by Premera and the Seattle Seahawks as a Hero of the Classroom! 22 students submitted nominations, attesting to his great work, leadership, and impact both inside and beyond the classroom. Here’s just a few of the highlights from his nominators:
 
🌟“Not only is he a teacher but he is an amazing soccer coach and football coach. He centers us becoming better people on and off the field. He has taught us so much about life and I am so grateful about that. We need more teachers like Señor Gómez.”
 
🌟“He cares about every little thing and shows us how some things that u think are really little can hurt others I’m just inspired by him and want to be like him when I grow older.”
 
🌟“He’s a great Spanish teacher that is so fun but teaches us at the same time he should totally win.”
 
🌟“He always has time for us and if we ever need help with our personal life, he will talk to us after the period.”
 
This month, we are lastly excited to bring back our family-favorite Dinner with the Principal series. Each Dinner with the Principal, we coordinate with select teachers to invite families to join our Principal and Assistant Principal for dinner at a White Center restaurant. We do this in partnership with the Yes Foundation, with the goal of establishing stronger relationships with our families and students. Ask our family liaison, Ms. Gyzzelle, for more information if you would like to be more involved with this event or other relationship building opportunities this year! 

 

In partnership,

Emily Feldtmose

Sunny Sinco

Principal

Assistant Principal

 

Upcoming Events: 

📅 December 6: Shelter in Place + Evacuation Drill

📅 December 8: School Picture Makeups

📅 December 8: Dinner With the Principal

📅 December 12: Progress 2 Grades Posted

📅 December 14: 8th grade UW Field Trip

📅 December 15: Family Listening Session on Social Emotional Learning

📅 December 16-January 2: Winter Break (No School)

📅 January 16: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (No School) 

📅 January 27: End of Quarter 2/Semester 1 (No School)

 

8th grade: Choice High Schools Applications NOW OPEN! 

Cascade 8th graders will automatically be enrolled in either Evergreen or Highline High School for next year, based on their address. Students can also apply to several other High Schools of Choice. Here is a list of the Choice High Schools that require an application:

  • Big Picture Schools

  • CHOICE Academy

  • Highline Virtual Academy

  • Maritime High School

  • Raisbeck Aviation High School 

  • The International Baccalaureate Programme at Mount Rainier High School 

  • WELS: Waskowitz Environmental Leadership Service at Tyee High School

How to Apply

Applications are posted on each school's website. Information about each program and its application are LINKED HERE. Students must submit a complete application during the application window. All completed applications will be processed in accordance with the admission process for schools requiring an application.

Application Deadline and Timeline

All applications open October 4, 2022 and close January 31st, 2023. Here are additional dates to consider:

  • October 4: Application opens

  • January: School-specific info nights 

  • January 23-27: School Mint Application Support Appointments 

  • January 31: Application window closes

  • February 1: Schools begin reviewing applications 

  • March 1: Lottery for admission

  • March 3: Lottery results posted online

  • March 10: Some school waitlists may reopen 

  • April 1: Final student date to confirm acceptance

Need support?

If you have questions about high school or the application process, please reach out to Ms. McGrady:

 

Ingebjorg McGrady

8th Grade Counselor

  • Ingebjorg.mcgrady@highlineschools.org

  • 206-631-5512 office # (no texts)

  • 786-401-2774 google voice # calls and texts

 

If you’d like support with your applications, please reach out to our Success Dean, Mr. Sarangay or our College and Career Specialist, Ms. Tabby: 

 

Immunization Clinics

The district is partnering with Stepping Stone Pediatrics to offer student immunization clinics to support families in meeting immunization compliance. The district’s Health Services team will be reviewing student immunization data and communicating with families directly throughout November and December. Cascade will be hosting one of these clinic sessions on Friday (12/9), from 3-5 pm. All families are welcome!

 

Clinic Dates and Sites

  • Friday 11/11, 3-5: McMicken

  • Friday, 11/18, 3-5: Beverly Park

  • Saturday, 11/19, 10-1: Pacific

  • Friday, 12/9, 3-5: Cascade

  • Saturday, 12/10, 10-1:30: WCH

 

8th Grade Field Trip to the University of Washington

We are excited to share that this year the University of Washington will host all of our 8th grade students for a campus visit! The field trips are considered a signature event for the HSBP (admin packet is linked HERE). The day will consist of post-secondary exploration day for all Highline Public Schools 8th graders, designed to support students in their college-going mindset and in their beliefs around their accessibility to higher education. 
 
What will students do on this field trip? 
This experience is an early college awareness exploration, connected to students’ High School and Beyond Plans. Students will participate in an interactive campus scavenger hunt, student panel, and hands-on academic activities to imagine their future selves as a college student.
 
Do I need to complete a permission slip for my student to attend?
No! All 8th graders are automatically attending, so there is no need to complete a permission slip. 
 
Do I need to pay anything for my student to attend? 
No! This field trip is free to all 8th graders. 
 
Does my student need to pack lunch? 
Sack lunches will be provided for all students. Students may bring money to spend, but time to buy meals, snacks, or souvenirs may be very limited. 
 
My student has specific health needs that require daily maintenance from the school nurse. How will these needs be met on the field trip? 
Every time we plan a field trip, part of our process is to collaborate with our School Nurse to ensure that we have all required medicines and copies of any health plans on-hand. If you have specific concerns about your child’s medical needs, please reach out to our School Nurse, Alison Zarider.
 
Can I chaperone? 
Yes, of course! We would love to have you a part of the experience.  If you’re interested in attending this field trip as a chaperone, please reach out to our Success Dean, Steve Sarangay. 
 
 

Season 2 Sports

Season 2 sports are underway! Full game schedules are linked here.

  • Boys Basketball with Coaches Mr. Lommen and Mr. Lexx 

  • Girls Soccer with Coaches Sr. Gomez and Ms. Corona

 
Health Physicals

In Season 1, we learned that appointments with doctors to secure health physicals were hard to come by! If you haven’t yet scheduled your physical, we encourage you to set it up as soon as possible! If you need more information on health physicals, reach out to Healthpoint at Evergreen. More information linked here. 

 
Other Paperwork

Create an account on Final Forms to see additional paperwork that needs to be completed for new athletes.

 

Season 2

Starts 10/31/2022

Season 3

Starts 1/23/2023

Season 4

Starts 3/27/2023

Boys Basketball 

Girls Soccer

Girls Basketball

Wrestling

Volleyball 

Cross Country 

Football

 

Family Liaisons for Special Education

The Special Education Family Liaisons support the parents and families of Highline students engaging with special education services, to ensure that they are better informed, connected, and heard. The family liaisons are available to:

  • Assist and educate families navigating the special education system and IEP process

  • Attend IEP meetings with families, when invited 

  • Increase family’s advocacy in becoming a full participant in the process

  • Partner with families and school teams to create an effective approach for communicating around the IEP process

  • Support language accessibility in all communications

  • Provide families with information about relevant community resources

Who can contact the Special Education Family Liaisons?

A: Anyone! Families, teachers, or other IEP team members can feel free to contact us at the information provided below. Even if your student has not yet been evaluated but you have questions about the process you may contact us to discuss.

Do you offer services in other languages?

A: We will utilize resources such as live interpretation via Language Line to communicate with families as needed. We are also happy to help the IEP case manager coordinate interpreters for IEP meetings.

Can a Special Education Family Liaison attend IEP meetings?

A: Yes. When requested, we can attend IEP meetings with families as a support to them. However, we act only as an advocate for the process, not the school, district, or family. In addition, we cannot be the LEA representative at the meeting.

Can you talk to the school for me?

A: We can partner with families to create a plan for communicating with a school or teacher, but do not aim to communicate for families. We hope to empower families with information and a collaborative approach to their communications that allow them to be the best advocates for their students.

Who’s my representative?

For SECONDARY & CHOICE schools and families:

Kate Calamatta

kate.calamatta@highlineschools.org 

(206) 631-4861

Ellen McGuire

ellen.mcguire@highlineschools.org

(206) 631-4861

 

Help Over the Holidays

When the holidays approach, lots of us have excitement for things to which we look forward, and lots of us also have some things we dread. We also know that not having school in session can lead to additional challenges with childcare, meals, and other resources.

 

Please encourage your students to access coping skills and self care that we have been going over in Advisory. Some examples are listening to soothing music, positive self talk, journal or color, reading, positive social interactions with friends and family, crafts, and mindful meditation.

 

If you ever find your children or yourself in a mental health crisis, please know that you can call the 24 hour crisis line for support at 988.

 

Winter Resource Guide – A list of community resources available for help over the holidays for things like food, gifts, clothing, etcetera.

 

Staff Spotlight

This month we are highlighting one of our newer staff members, Mr. Snyder! Please read below to learn a little more about this teacher. 

Dominic Snyder he/him

 

What is your role at Cascade?

How many years have you been with us?
 

7th grade ELA teacher.

This is my first year at Cascade. 

 
Who/What inspires you?

Art of all kinds! (music, literature, film, visual art, games, etc.)

 
What are you currently binge-watching?

There’s always a lot of shows I’m slowly making my way through, but I have been watching a lot of Cowboy Bebop and Mystery Science Theater 3000, lately. Nathan Fielder’s The Audition is probably the most brilliant show of the year. 

 
What fun things do you do outside of school?

I sing in a band, play video games, watch a lot of movies, and love trying new restaurants. 

 
What is your favorite book?

The Road by Cormac McCarthy, Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut, and Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston are a few of my favorites. 

 
What is your favorite food?

Dim sum. 

Thank you Mr. Snyder for sharing with us! 

 

Get Involved

Follow Us for Updates

We’ll send monthly newsletters like this one to keep you up-to-date on school-wide events and details. But we also distribute regular updates via social media and these communication platforms: 

  • Website: cascade.highlineschools.org 

  • Facebook: @cmscougs

  • Instagram: @cmscougs

  • Twitter: @cmscougs

  • ParentVUE: Read THIS GUIDE to learn how to set up and activate your account

  • SchoolMessenger:  Confirm that your contact information is correct in ParentVUE to receive updates

  • Google Classroom: Read THIS GUIDE to learn how to monitor your student’s work in class

Join the Family and Community Engagement Team 

The purpose of the Family and Community Engagement Team is to collaborate around our current needs, priorities, and strategies for building our community. We meet biweekly on Mondays from 8:15 to 9:15 AM. In addition, this year we’ll focus on taking a deep look at our social-emotional learning (SEL) program: what SEL means, what’s working for our students, and what should come next in terms of our partners and programs. 

 
Join the Parent-Teacher-Student Association (PTSA)

The PTSA is excited to continue to connect, celebrate, advocate, and provide resources this year. Be a part of the action and stay informed by following PTSA’s CC the Cougar on Instagram (@cascadecougsptsa) and our FB page (@CascadeMSPTSA).