Sacajawea Elementary

Sacajawea
Elementary
Community Newsletter

9/8/23

Sacajawea Community News

Our Mission: Teach every student with kindness, equity, and empathy.
Our Vision: Educational justice for all.


A Message from our principal

Hello Sacajawea families,

Principal Fisk here. I am excited to welcome all our students and families back to school for another awesome year of teaching, learning, and playing. I hope you have all had a fun, relaxing, and rejuvenating summer.  I wanted to take a moment to introduce myself to our new Sacajawea community members, give some reminders about the school, and share some important news.  

For those of you who have not met me yet, I am starting my third year hear at Sacajawea as the principal.  I have previously been an educator here in Seattle for many years and have worked in a leadership role for many years in a variety of capacities in the district. I also spent three years as an assistant principal in Federal Way. I have a two college age children, Cole and Rosie, and live in North Seattle with my wonderful wife Julia and our two spoiled bull dogs, Buck and Penny. My favorite activities include reading, long walks with my family, and playing basketball.  

This is an exciting time for students, families, and educators who are anxious to get into our school building and engage in learning and friendship and Sacajawea Elementary is the place to do it!   

I want to share some important news with you about the start of our school year.

  • Each student will be checked out an electronic device this year. iPads and laptops will stay at school and not travel back and forth between home and school, unless otherwise directed by a classroom teacher for a special project.
  • 1st day packets: In the first few days of school, your student will bring home an envelope with various forms and information. It is important to return the required forms as soon as possible. Send them to school with your student and their teacher will make sure they reach the office.
  • The school and PTA will continue sharing important events and information via the Sacajawea Community News that comes out weekly on Thursdays. Look for a periodic section titled a Note from Principal Fisk where I will share additional thoughts, celebrations, and information as well.
  • School Lunch: Prices and menus are not yet posted, but you can set up a student meal account. Applications for the Free & Reduced Lunch Program will come home in the First Day Packet. We encourage everyone to apply, even if you don’t think you will qualify or never intend to use it. Approval for the program not only increases family access to other benefits, it also increases the amount of federal dollars available to the school.
  • Not Attending: If your plans have changed and your student will not be attending Sacajawea this year, please contact Dana Keene at dlkeene@seattleschools.org. It is important that we have an accurate picture of enrollment for class placement and planning purposes.

Top Items & Upcoming Events

  • Welcome back! Join our first PTA meeting at 7pm this Tuesday, Sep 12th at the school library – we will provide light snacks and babysitting in the gym, so please bring your family! Zoom PTA Meeting Registration also available. Learn about our upcoming events and plans for the year, and our 4/5 teachers will talk about their plans for the school year. -Justin Pritchett (PTA Chair) and Karen Murphy (PTA Events Chair)
  • Learn what Parent Racial Equity is all about this Monday, September 11th from 7-8pm at Project 9 Brewing (1409 NE 80th Street). Email equity@sacpta.org with questions.
  • Become a Sacajawea PTA Member and opt into our school directoryWhy? Membership supports our PTA and our community’s established goals throughout the year. It also supports our state and National PTA, which are big advocates for our children. Scholarship available.  Opting into our school directory strengthens our school community and ability to connect with each other. Questions? Email Tiffany and Jenna at directory@sacpta.org
  • Come to the Central and North Seattle Schools Parent Alliance (CANSSPA) fall picnic Sep 23, 12-2pm at Volunteer Park (near the playground).  Learn about fundshifting and collective advocacy, and get to know other SPS families. Bring food to share, a lawn game, or just your family! If you have questions, email Megan Callow (Sac parent) at ellipsis914@gmail.com
  • Volunteers Make Things Happen at Sacajawea – We Need You! Visit our volunteering page for descriptions and to help make next year even better!