Check out the Hazel Wolf website! https://hazelwolfk8.seattleschools.org/

October 18, 2026

Upcoming Dates:

• Thursday, Oct. 22                     Fall Harvest Festival
• Friday, Oct. 30                         Middle School dance (2:10-3:25pm)
• Sunday, Nov 1                         Reign soccer game fundraiser
• Nov 2-13                                  Fall Fundraiser: ESTEM Quest
• Nov. 19 (evening), 23, 24          Conferences

All School Announcements

Message from Dr. Breuder:

As we move through the fall season, I am reminded of how important it is to stay connected as a school community, prepare our students for success, and work together to support their growth both inside and outside the classroom. Thank you for your continued partnership and for all the ways you support our school!

This weekend I went to San Diego to visit my daughter for Family Weekend. It was a wonderful reminder of how meaningful it is to make time for family, celebrate milestones, and stay connected with the people who matter most.

As educators and families, we share the important responsibility of helping our children feel supported, encouraged, and confident as they navigate their own journeys. Our students benefit when they know the adults in their lives are working together, celebrating their successes, and helping them through challenges. Thank you for the role you play in making our school community a place where students feel valued, supported, and cared for.

Looking Ahead: November Parent-Teacher Conferences

November is just around the corner, and we are looking forward to connecting with families during our upcoming parent-teacher conferences. These conversations are an important opportunity to celebrate student successes, discuss academic progress, identify areas for growth, and work together to ensure each student receives the support they need to thrive.

Please mark your calendars for our upcoming conference dates:

• November 19: Evening conferences
• November 23: Parent-teacher conferences (no school)
• November 24: Parent-teacher conferences (no school)

Conference sign-ups for both K–5 and middle school families will be available by October 30. Please look for additional information and instructions on how to schedule your conferences.

Because our conference formats differ between elementary and middle school, please review the information below to know what to expect.

• K–5 Individual Conferences: For students in grades K–5, conferences will be scheduled as individual meetings with your child’s classroom teacher. These dedicated conversations provide an opportunity to discuss your child’s academic progress, celebrate accomplishments, share observations, and identify goals and strategies to support continued growth.
• Middle School Arena-Style Conferences: Middle school conferences will follow an arena-style format. Parents and guardians will sign up for a designated window of time to meet with individual teachers for approximately five minutes per teacher.

Because middle school teachers may work with up to 150 students each day, the conference format differs from the individual conferences offered in elementary school. The arena-style format allows families to connect with their child’s various teachers, ask questions, and receive brief updates about academic progress and areas of focus.

To make the most of your time, we encourage middle school families to come prepared with specific questions or concerns they would like to discuss with each teacher. If you have a concern that requires a longer conversation, you can connect with the teacher about arranging additional time.

We value the partnership between families and our school, and we appreciate your flexibility and understanding as we use conference formats that best meet the needs of our students and staff. We look forward to seeing you in November!

Helping Students Build Strong Organizational Skills

As academic expectations grow from elementary school into middle school, organization becomes an increasingly important skill. Students are learning to manage assignments, materials, deadlines, and responsibilities while becoming more independent learners. Developing strong organizational habits takes time, patience, and practice, but small, consistent steps can make a big difference.

Families can play an important role in helping students build these skills. Here are a few practical strategies to try at home:

1. Use a planner or assignment tracker.

Encourage your child to write down homework assignments, upcoming tests, projects, and due dates. Elementary students may need help recording assignments, while middle school students should gradually take more responsibility for tracking their own work. Reviewing the planner together can help students learn to plan ahead and avoid last-minute stress.

2. Establish a consistent homework routine.

Designate a quiet, comfortable space for schoolwork and establish a regular time to begin assignments. Having a predictable routine helps students develop responsibility and makes it easier to focus. Keep frequently used supplies, such as pencils, paper, chargers, and calculators, in one convenient location.

3. Break larger assignments into smaller steps.

Long-term projects and multi-step assignments can feel overwhelming. Help your child divide larger tasks into manageable pieces, set mini-deadlines, and check progress along the way. For example, a research project might be divided into choosing a topic, gathering information, creating an outline, writing a draft, and completing a final review.

4. Keep backpacks, folders, and digital files organized.

Encourage students to clean out backpacks regularly, organize folders, and put completed assignments in the appropriate place. Color-coded folders or subject-specific notebooks can be especially helpful. For middle school students, organizing digital documents into clearly labeled folders can also prevent assignments from getting lost.

5. Prioritize tasks and manage time.

Help students identify which assignments are due first, which tasks will take the most time, and what needs to be started early. A simple after-school checklist can help students keep track of responsibilities. Encourage them to estimate how long assignments will take and build in time for studying, breaks, and extracurricular activities.

6. Encourage independence and problem-solving.

As students grow, it is important for them to take ownership of their learning. Rather than immediately stepping in to solve an organizational challenge, try asking questions such as, “What is your plan for completing this assignment?” “What materials do you need for tomorrow?” or “What could help you remember this next time?” These questions encourage students to reflect, problem-solve, and develop strategies they can use independently.

7. Celebrate progress, not perfection.

Organization is a skill that develops over time. Students will forget things, misjudge how long an assignment will take, or need reminders along the way. Use these moments as opportunities to learn and adjust. Recognize your child’s efforts to plan ahead, remember materials, meet deadlines, and follow through on commitments.

Our goal is not for students to become perfectly organized overnight, but for them to develop habits that will serve them throughout their educational journey and beyond. When school and home reinforce these skills together, students are better equipped to manage their responsibilities, build confidence, and approach learning with a positive mindset.

Together, we can create an environment where students feel safe, supported, connected, and ready to learn. I am grateful for our dedicated staff, engaged families, and wonderful students, and I look forward to all we will continue to accomplish together.

Volunteering at Hazel Wolf:

If you would like to volunteer at Hazel Wolf, please make sure to fill out the volunteer paperwork and attend a Volunteer Orientation.  Attending a Volunteer Orientation is a requirement to volunteer at Hazel Wolf.  (This orientation is good for two years, so if you attended last year, you do not need to attend this year.) This orientation is online and takes about 15 minutes.  I strongly encourage you to attend the orientation early in the year to get it done instead of waiting right before you plan to volunteer.  

Here are the upcoming dates and Teams link:

October 26

9:30am

HWK8 Volunteer Orientation 2026-27

Middle School:

Middle School dance: Friday, October 30^th, from 2:10-3:25pm. Students will be able to participate in the dance or in a quiet space. Thanks to the ASB Officers and Leadership class for organizing this fun event!

Athletics:

Thank you to all of our families and students for the amazing support of fall athletics! Registration is now closed for both Girls Soccer and Ultimate Frisbee, with nearly 70 students participating in fall sports this year!

It’s great to see so many Wolves getting involved. Have a wonderful weekend!

Joel Fisaha

ML Teacher

Athletic Director

Hazel Wolf K-8.

PTSA Announcements and Events

Hazel Wolf Fall Fest: Join us Thursday October 22nd at 6pm in the HW Cafefor our annual Celebration.  Costumes are welcomed!

Volunteer Link: Sign up to volunteers CLICK HERE

Soup’er Cook Off: New this year! A soup’er cook-off! Sign up to bring a dish CLICK HERE

Red Robin Dine Out Recap: Thanks to everyone who ordered from or ate at Red Robin last week! We raised $485 for Hazel Wolf. Thank you for your support!  Our next Dine Out event is December 5th and 6th at Dough Zone U District.  

Hazel Wolf ESTEM Quest: The online fundraising page is officially open for the Hazel Wolf ESTEM Quest! From Nov 2-13, students pledge up to 16 hands-on tasks on their challenge worksheets, while family and friends make financial pledges on our Zeffy page to back their efforts. 100% of the tax-deductible donations will go directly to PTSA Teacher Grants, which support our classrooms through outdoor education, specialized learning supplies, literacy tutors, hands-on E-STEM materials, field trip access, and so much more. Set up your student’s page today to start sharing with your network. It takes less than 1 minute to create your page. We can’t wait to see our little ones become eco heroes and start their sustainability journey! Also consider signing up to help with activities or prize distribution throughout the 2 weeks.

Interrupting Hate Speech –

Join us Thursday November 5th at 5:30 in the library for an opportunity to learn how to recognize and interrupt hate speech. Families will learn the same tools and strategies our students and staff have been learning, giving us a shared language to create a community where everyone feels safe and supported with a sense of belonging. Dinner and childcare will be provided.  

RSVP here or email president@hazelwolfk8.org if you need a link to attend virtually.

Hazel Wolf Lunch Room Volunteer: Help students practice sorting and saving food waste from landfill. Click here to sign up as a lunchroom volunteer. Contact Koko for more information (estem@hazelwolfk8.org).

Hazel Wolf and the Reign: Join us Saturday Nov 1st at 2pm for a fun soccer match! Kids 12 and under are free! And $5 from the price of an adult ticket goes to the PTSA.   

Info from community partners:

Wednesday ski bus registration is open now.  Open to grades 3-8, with lessons available for all levels.  Informational PDF here or contact Pete Bohnenkamp peytah@gmail.com with questions.

Please note that this program is not affiliated with or endorsed in any way by Seattle Public Schools or Hazel Wolf K-8 School.

The Ski Bus is a parent volunteer-led, optional activity for students in grades 3-8. 
There will be a joint Wednesday and Friday ski bus info session: Wednesday, October 21 · 7:00 – 8:00pm – Video call link: https://meet.google.com/qss-nuyy-pmu