Principal’s Welcome Letter
Principal’s Welcome Back to School Letter
Dear Hazel Wolf K-8 Families,
Welcome to our new families and to those of you returning for another great year. Hazel Wolf K-8’s vision is that students ask questions about the world around them, define problems and develop solutions, collaborate with diverse teams, justify thinking based on evidence, articulate their thinking, and model and practice attitudes that grow and support innovation. Our E-STEM program enables students to learn these skills through a rigorous academic program, centered around the environment we live in.
The year ahead will be a fantastic one and we are really looking forward to it! This school year, all Seattle Public Schools will be focused on the key idea of inclusion. Board Policy 0010 – Instructional Philosophy….We believe that high quality instruction includes creating schools that are culturally responsive and provide inclusion of all students in meaningful ways. In the past when we heard the word inclusion, we think about students with learning difficulties. Today, inclusion includes ALL students. Learning needs, culture, language, ethnicity, sexual orientation, general identity, etc. Every student needs to feel welcomed and be in a place where they belong.
Hazel Wolf K-8 specifically will also be diving deep into data not just as a way to make sure our students are making progress, but also to analyze our own instruction so it is as strong as possible. Additionally, as an E-STEM school, you will be hearing a lot about our E-STEM storylines. A general summary can be found at the end of this letter.
I look forward to seeing all of you. If you ever have any questions, comments, or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact me. Remember, school begins Wednesday, September 7 at 8:55 (doors open at 8:50), with a 3:25 dismissal for all students. Supervision begins at 8:35, including breakfast service. Kindergarten begins Monday, September 12. Also note, that, with the exception of the first day, students are released every Wednesday at 2:10 for staff professional development. Look for the complete FIRST WEEK packet, coming to you via e-mail at the end of the month.
Sincerely,
Deborah Nelsen, Principal
Family Virtual Orientation
August 30 K-5 Virtual Orientation (5-5:45 p.m.)
Meeting ID: 898 8425 1662
Passcode: 141238
August 30 Middle School Virtual Orientation (6-6:45 p.m.)
Meeting ID: 862 6892 1804
Passcode: 438525
Celebratory Return
This year we welcome you and your child back to the school campus on August 31 from 5-7 p.m. Class lists for students in 1st–5th will be posted, and MS students can pick up schedules and get their locker. Kindergarten students will find out their class placements after Jump Start (August 15-19). Students and families will be able to meet their teachers and explore the beautiful building during an optional individual scavenger hunt (which might even provide some prizes)!
Enrollment and Staffing
As of the writing of this letter, we have 735 students enrolled, and the following staff will be supporting our programs this year:
Elementary
K Erica Wheeler, Jessica Turek, 3rd Teacher TBD (Leena Dixon moved to a district closer to her home)
1st Dawn Nadeau, Courtney DeRouen, Sophie Liu (Alex Morales has resigned to stay home with her child)
2nd Erica Dorje, Richard Musser, Melissa Boni
3rd Derek Grandbois, Jessica Thomashow, Caitlyn Rich
4th Leigh Holland, Corinne Grandbois, Robin Villanueva
5th Brooke Einstein, Jessica Dolin, Geoff Smith
Elementary SpEd Christy Lommers, Carrie Widener, Siohban Ricci, Peggy Cunningham, Alex Monterrubio, Tracey Stewart, Flora Petersen, Adam Jose, Paul Beard, Camille Mulchi
ELL Rachel Projansky, Sean House, Susan Acker, Atsede Gebrehiwot, Ali Ugas, Susanna Waldrop
Elementary Math Angie Armbrust and Hillary Peterman
Elementary Literacy Amy Hicks and Laurie Caltrider
Elementary Specialists Rachel Sullivan (PE), Maggie Mackin/Alyssa Powers (Art), Crystal Allenton (Music), Tamara Burnett resigned, Eric Stevens (Elem Instrumental Music)
Middle School
ELA/SS Keri Rotton, Sean House, Melinda Hill, Thomas Breysse
Math Laura Mah, Genny Bisagna, Bev Ferguson (who also teaches the MESA and Coding classes)
Science Chris Blea, Tamara Alston
Spanish Ashley West
Drama Crystal Allenton
Physical Education Patricia Nelson
Art Alyssa Powers
Orch/Band/Choir Eric Stevens
Media Literacy/Env. Sci Joe Fogarty
Middle School SpEd Michelle Lucus, Brian Bohnen, Martha Levenson, Rebecca Schmidt, Jaamar McKelvey
School Wide Supports
School SpEd Support Phoebe Cheng (OT), Ilan Speizer (Speech), Wendy Cwinar (Psych)
Counselors Kristin Thomas (5-8) and Diann Sanusi (K-4)
Nurse Kelly Yukevich
Office Staff Evelyn Shelby, Yolanda Jackson-Edwards, Sierra Jackson
Librarian Emily Valdez
E-STEM Coordinator Joe Fogarty
Our administrative team has brought on Jason Winston as our second Assistant Principal (along with Ms. Madaffari) and we’re excited to work with him. Kelly Walter was offered a principal position at Magnolia Elementary. Our general assignments include:
Ms. Nelsen: 3rd – 5th Grade and Elementary SpEd Teams
Ms. Winston: K –2nd Grade and ELL team
Ms. Madaffari: MS Staff
Together, we share our specialists, non-classroom teachers, and classified staff. If you have any concerns throughout the year, feel free to contact one of us.
School Supply Information
K-5: Students should come to school with a backpack, water bottle, and a box of Kleenex. If you need help with any of these items, please contact Diann Sanusi (counselor) or the front office.
We also ask for a $40 donation (K-2) and a $45 donation (3-5) to supply the remainder of the needed materials for students through School Pay (preferred)
Kindergarten Jump Start and First Day of School
Jump Start will be happening for Kindergarten students from August 15-19 from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. If you have not received information or signed up please contact Erica Wheeler at elwheeler@seattleschools.org.
There is no school for Kindergarten students Sept 7-9. As part of the WaKids program, the teachers will use these three days to meet 1:1 with the family and student. Kindergarten parents will be notified of their scheduled time. Kindergarten students will begin on Monday September 12.
Drop Off / Pick Up Information
Students should not arrive to school prior to 8:35 as there is no supervision before that time. Those arriving by car should be dropped off on 12th Ave NE, with a reminder that the street is one way (north only) during drop-off and pick-up times. Students should not be dropped off in the bus zone or on 117th St. After school, parents may wait for students outside of the building, near the window by the living wall.
Hazel Wolf K-8 PTSA
Our team will continue to support our students, staff, community and families in the coming year. We’ve got this Wolf Pack!
For more information:
- Visit the PTSA website for information about our programs
- Join the PTSA
- Email president@hazelwolfk8.org
Join Next Year’s PTSA Board – Hazel Wolf K-8 PTSA
We are still planning enriching and safe events for our community and you can keep up to date by checking this website, the Hazel Wolf Facebook page, and reading the principal’s Sunday email updates.
The PTSA volunteers will continue to support the community and families in the coming year.
Middle School Athletics
Fall sports packets will be available at the open house for girls’ soccer and coed ultimate.