Southwood Elementary

UPDATE: Southwood will dismiss students at 1:30 p.m. today. Unfortunately, due to weather conditions, Southwood Elementary has lost power again. PSE does not anticipate being able to restore power today. This outage is impacting multiple building systems and the health and safety of students and staff. Parents will need to pick up students at 1:30 p.m., regular bus routes will begin at 1:30 p.m. All evening events at Southwood are canceled. .... UPDATE: The power at Southwood has been restored. We will have school today, 11:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The Share Fair will still take place, with the Family Open House this evening 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. We hope to see you there! ...... 2/13/25: Due to a current power outage, Southwood Elementary will operate on a 2 hour delay. PSE is working in partnership with us to restore power and we will keep you updated.

We can't wait to see you at Share Fair tomorrow, Panther Community! The students have been working hard and can't wait to show off their projects! And, don't forget your donations for the food drive. We have two more days to reach our classroom goals!

Register now for the Spring 2025 Guiding Good Choices workshop provided by Enumclaw Youth Empowered. Enumclaw Youth Empowered is a local coalition working to educate, engage, and empower our community to support youth and families in the prevention of youth substance abuse. In partnership with the Enumclaw School District, they will once again be offering Guiding Good Choices on Tuesdays this October. This workshop is FREE to parents and caregivers of kids ages roughly 9-14. DINNER and CHILDCARE are included! Taught by a licensed therapist specializing in youth, this workshop helps caregivers learn how to: Strengthen family bonds Reduce family conflict Support kids to build resistance skills Set clear family rules to keep kids safe and make positive choices The five sessions run each Tuesday from March 11 - April 8, 2025, from 6:00 - 8:00 pm at Thunder Mountain Middle School. Register now at https://forms.gle/yn7U5Whm4PT7kVXN8 or by contacting Melanie Harrington at melanie_harrington@enumclaw.wednet.edu.

Hooray for 100 Day!! 100 days smarter, 100 days older, 100 days through the school year! You did it, Panthers! Way to go!!

Meet the Staff Monday: Today we are meeting our third grad teachers, Mrs. Bubnick, Mrs. Cierkowski and Mrs. Hughes! Mrs. Bubnick has been teaching for 15 years and this is her 4th year at Southwood. She has taught grades 3-7. In her spare time she loves to hike, garden and craft. She lives a busy life with her husband and six kids! Mrs. Cierkowski has been teaching for 25 years and this is her 5th at Southwood. When she is not at Southwood she can be found spending time with her horses! Mrs. Hughes has been teaching for 25 years and this is her 10th at Southwood. In her spare time she runs her small farm with chickens, ducks, geese, dogs, cats, and tons of gardens. It is her happy place! Thank you 3rd grade team for all you do for the students of Southwood!

There's still time to contribute to the food drive, Panthers! Has your class hit the 100-item goal yet? We've extended the deadline to the 14th, so you can bring your donations during the Share Fair the night of the 13th as well! Keep those donations coming!

Join us for an important information session about the future of our school facilities at one of the following sessions: February 10, 4:30 pm - Byron Kibler Elementary School February 11, 5:30 pm - Southwood Elementary School February 25, 6:00 pm - Sunrise Elementary School February 26, 5:30 pm - Westwood Elementary School February 27, 5:30 pm - Black Diamond Elementary School Our school district is actively planning for the future by addressing aging facilities and preparing for anticipated growth. - Learn about the current challenges in our school buildings. - Understand how the district is planning facility upgrades, new construction, and potential funding options. - Hear about the work of the community-led Facilities Oversight and Capital Utilization Sustainability (FOCUS)Committee. - Share your feedback and ideas to help shape the future of our schools. - Ask questions and engage in discussions with district leaders.

Happy School Counselor’s Week to all the school counselors out there, especially to our very own, Mrs. Bowen! Your hard work, and dedication don’t go unnoticed. Thank you for always being there for the students of Southwood. You help create a positive school environment, and we’re so grateful for everything you do. Enjoy this week of recognition!

2/5/25: Due to weather conditions, all Enumclaw School District schools will operate on a two-hour delay. There will be no out-of-district transportation. Buses are running on snow routes for both AM and PM routes. Birth to Five Center Programs: AM ECEAP and Developmental Preschool are canceled. Full Day ECEAP and Transitional Kindergarten will start two hours late. PM ECEAP and Developmental Preschool will begin on time.

2/4/25: Due to weather conditions, all Enumclaw School District schools will operate on a two-hour delay. There will be no out-of-district transportation. Buses are running on snow routes for both AM and PM routes. Birth to Five Center Programs: AM ECEAP and Developmental Preschool are canceled. Full Day ECEAP and Transitional Kindergarten will start two hours late. PM ECEAP and Developmental Preschool will begin on time.

We had snow much fun today at recess!! 😉

Due to weather conditions and forecasted morning temperatures, all Enumclaw School District schools will operate on a two hour delay tomorrow (Monday, February 3, 2025). There will be no out-of-district transportation. Buses are running on snow routes. Birth to Five Center Programs: AM ECEAP and Developmental Preschool are canceled. Full Day ECEAP and Transitional Kindergarten will start two hours late. PM ECEAP and Developmental Preschool will begin on time.

Another Fun Friday here at Southwood!! Happy Nation Hot Cocoa Day! And thank you to our amazing PTO for the warm treat today.

Next week, we’re kicking off a food drive, with each class aiming to collect 100 items. Let’s join forces to support those in need!

Earlier this week we had the pleasure of hosting the Idea project here at Southwood. The idea project provides Interactive Disability Education Awareness in schools with a goal of creating understanding by educating students about differences and different abilities. Students were able to cycle through individual activity stations that simulate different types of disabilities. The stations allow students to experience different types of disabilities such as sensory processing issues, communication delays, and physical impairments in order to enhance their understanding and encourage empathy.

We would like to extend a giant congratulations to the students who participated in the Colors of the Rainbow dance competition on Saturday. They showcased outstanding teamwork, sportsmanship, and remarkable dance talent, truly representing Southwood beautifully! We were very impressed with all the students' poise and professionalism. Way to go, Panthers!

Teacher Feature: Mr. Bwanika's 4th grade class. As a way to show a sense of togetherness and belonging, students have an opportunity to create Share Fair projects highlighting their unique interests and the ideas that are meaningful to them. On February 13th, students will present their projects to the students of the school; receiving and giving feedback from their peers and families. Way to get an early start on your projects, 4th graders!

Today, our school came together for a special MLK Day assembly to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The highlight of the event was a beautiful performance by our school choir, who sang songs of unity and hope that inspired us all. It was a meaningful reminder of the power of community, kindness, and standing up for what’s right. Thank you to everyone who made this event so memorable!

Come visit the Early Childhood Resource Fair on February 6, 2025, from 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm at the Birth to Five Center at JJ Smith. You can connect with local resources and learn what is available for you and your child through age 8.

Teacher Feature: Students in Ms. Cryste's class use a penny chart when accomplishing their class work. When they earn 5 cents, they get paid real coins to add to their piggy bank. They have opportunities to sort and count their money and exchange coins for larger denominations. Some students have earned over $2.00 during an earning period! Every 6-8 weeks we set up a class store. In a beautiful act of kindness, one student noticed that another child had very little money in their bank (due to having been on vacation) and donated $1.00 to them so they could shop! Students look forward to getting paid each day, and saving up for toys, stuffies, and extra special treats! This is a great way for students to see how math serves them in real life. Way to go, Ms. Cryste's Class!!