“Nothing is softer than water.  Yet it wears away the hardest rock.”

-Beautiful Warrior, Emily Arnold McCully, 1998

We are moving right along and I am happy to announce that we have found wonderful residents to fill our positions.  Janice Holkup is our new artist in residence.  Janice’s background is in art having worked in elementary, middle and high schools teaching art to the various levels. Her undergraduate work was at Seattle University and her latest teaching stint was at Holy Names Academy.  Mark Lilly is our new music in resident and he has had 14 years of experience working in this capacity.  He has also worked as a lead teacher with the YMCA of Greater Seattle.  His education was out from Portland State University and his latest work was with Giddens School in Seattle, Washington.  Our Journalists this year are Larry Johnson and his wife Fran. These two hail from the Post Intelligencer.  Larry works as a Foreign Desk Editor and Fran is a copy editor.  Lucy Bakker is our new tutor coordinator.  She is a North Beach parent, a certified teacher and is already doing a great job getting the ball rolling for our students. WELCOME RESIDENTS and TUTOR COORDINATOR.

Safety is always the goal of every principal, staff and school community.  I have appreciated the helpful suggestions of how we might improve the foyer and picking up our students.  I also appreciate that you are all following the procedures for dropping off and picking up your student.  North Beach has a safety committee and all staff is trained in emergency procedures for earthquakes, fire drills, and life threatening emergencies and each year we work to have a Seattle School nurse update our first aid and CPR cards. Daily, all teachers work with students to follow our school guidelines of walking, hands to self and all teachers have different procedures for bathroom buddies, and checking in and out when using the bathroom. This year we have worked to have more supervision on the playground and Mr. Hartmann has ordered more playground equipment and works with students on the playground monitoring games and working with students. 

I think we are off to a great start.  This is a busy school and with the many changes that are happening, we are doing a fantastic job.  It is true that every one of us wants our students to have the best year they can.  This to me is what makes successful schools tick, the passion behind making sure every child wants to come to school and learn.  Thanks North staff and families for making it work for kids.

Joanne Bowers

Principal