Friday Forum

Posted Date: 09/11/26 (04:00 PM)

Fairmount Friday Forum- 9/11

Welcome Back!

I hope everyone had a wonderful summer break! We are excited to welcome everyone back and look forward to a fantastic school year. We hope you had a fun and relaxing summer and are ready for a great year ahead.

Here Today, Ready for Tomorrow!

Showing up to school everyday matters, right from the start. When students attend school consistently, beginning in preschool and kindergarten, they build strong learning habits, stay connected with their peers, and set the foundation for lifelong success.

Research is clear: consistent attendance is one of the strongest predictors of academic achievement and social-emotional growth. Together, we can make sure every student has the best opportunity to thrive by being present and ready to learn each day.

5 Facts about School Attendance:

Early patterns matter: Absenteeism in the first month of school can predict attendance all year. Students who miss just 2–4 days in September are more likely to miss nearly a month of school by year’s end.
Chronic absence is widespread: Following the pandemic, chronic absence rates doubled, now impacting nearly 1 in 3 students nationwide.
It starts in kindergarten: Poor attendance can begin as early as kindergarten, affecting learning from the very start.
Reading and retention: Students who miss too much school are less likely to read proficiently by the end of third grade and are at higher risk of being retained.
Future success is at stake: By 6th grade, chronic absence becomes a leading warning sign that a student may drop out of high school.

What to do if your child is going to be absent:

Call the school attendance hotline: 425.366.2900
Leave a message with your student’s name, reason for the absence, date of absence, and parent/guardian first and last name.
Call or send a note with your student within 24 hours of absence for the absence to be excused.

Let’s work together to build the habit of attendance now; it’s one of the best ways to support your child’s learning, friendships, and future.

#HereTodayReadyForTomorrow #AttendanceMatters

A cheerful illustration featuring various sweet treats and the text "Birthday Treats At School" in the center.

To honor students’ special days and support minimum disruptions to our learning environment, please follow these expectations:

Item must be store bought and include label of ingredients and allergy information.
No hard candy is allowed due to choking hazard.
Items must be small or bite size. For example, cookies or bite-size cupcakes are appropriate. Cakes or numerous items would not be appropriate and will be sent home.
If your classroom is nut or peanut free, items must have clear labeling that they are nut or peanut free AND were made in a nut/peanut free facility.
Treats will be provided during lunch only. Please have items at school prior to your child’s scheduled lunch. If they arrive later, we will pass them out the next day.
No outside drinks.
No party items.

A colorful cartoon illustration of a purple car carrying four diverse people and a happy dog looking out the window.

Arrival

8:30am: Busses and Walkers begin to arrive at

the back gate of the school

8:40am: Drop-Off in front off school begins

8:30am-8:55am: Breakfast and Recess or other limited supervised indoor activities

8:55am: First Bell

9:00am: School Starts

Late Arrival

The student day begins at 9:00am. All students arriving after 9:00am will need a tardy pass in the office. Student tardies and absences are reviewed by the Attendance Team weekly

Dismissal

3:25pm: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday

2:10pm: Fridays

Student Drop-Off and Pick-Up

Drop-off and pick-up is at the front entrance. Please stay in your vehicle and follow staff unloading and loading directions for student safety.

Transportation Changes

The school office must be notified of any changes in after-school transportation via note or phone call one hour BEFORE dismissal, (2:25pm, M-Th, and 1:10pm on Friday), to ensure your student receives the message in time.

Walking Expectations

Listen to Crossing Guards
Walk with a buddy,
Walk straight to/from school

Bus Transportation Resources

MSD Transportation Homepage

My Ride application

Transportation phone number: 425-356-1306

A blue grid background featuring four cute animal illustrations and the text 'Kindergarten Readiness'.

Is your child ready for Kindergarten?

Mukilteo ECEAP Preschool can help!

We are still accepting applications for the 26-27 school year. Classes are offered Monday – Thursday with morning and afternoon classes available. Free (income eligible) slots are available, and children must be 3 or 4 by August 31st.

We are located at 3616 South Road #C4, Mukilteo, WA 98275. Please call 425-356-1312 for more information or email us at mukilteoECEAP@mukilteo.wednet.edu

Three plush rabbit keychains in pink, purple, and brown are displayed side by side.

Toys and Personal Items

To support a safe and focused learning environment, students should keep toys, stuffed animals (including Labubus), and other personal items at home. These items can be distracting in the classroom, may be lost or damaged, and are not needed for learning at school.

If a personal item is required for a specific school activity, your child’s teacher will communicate this in advance. Thank you for helping your child be prepared for learning each day by keeping personal toys and stuffed animals at home.

A graphic celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month with colorful, festive decorations on a deep purple background.

From September 15 to October 15, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month by celebrating the histories, cultures, and contributions of people whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. At Fairmount, we proudly recognize and honor this month as an important opportunity to celebrate the rich diversity within our school community.

Hispanic Heritage Month began in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson. In 1988, President Ronald Reagan expanded it to a 30-day celebration, and it was officially enacted into law on August 17, 1988.

The timing is significant:

September 15 marks the anniversary of independence for Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua.
September 16 is Mexico’s Independence Day, and September 18 is Chile’s.
October 12, known as Día de la Raza, also falls within this celebration.

This month reminds us of the many ways Hispanic and Latino communities have shaped, and continue to shape, our nation’s story. It is also a time to honor and celebrate the cultures, traditions, and contributions of the many Fairmount families who share this heritage.