Friday Forum

Posted Date: 10/02/26 (04:00 PM)

Fairmount Friday Forum - 10/2

A colorful poster for Disability Awareness Month with the text "Life Without Limits" and "Inclusive Community".

A Message from our Principal

Dear Fairmount Families,

It is hard to believe September has already come and gone! As I reflect on our first month together, I am grateful for the warm welcome I have received and for the many ways our students, staff, and families are coming together as a community. I have especially enjoyed spending time in classrooms, getting to know students and staff, and seeing our Flyers settle into routines, build relationships, and grow together.

As we welcome October, we also recognize Disability Awareness Month, an opportunity to celebrate the many strengths, abilities, and differences within our Fairmount community and highlight something that makes our school particularly special.

Celebrating Our Lighthouse and Structured Classrooms

Fairmount is proud to be home to five district specialized program classrooms: two Lighthouse classrooms and three Structured classrooms. Our Lighthouse program includes primary and intermediate classrooms serving students with moderate global delays, while our Structured classrooms serve students in grades K–1, 2–3, and 4–5.

Lighthouse is a flexible program that provides specialized instruction in areas such as communication, social skills, self-regulation, academics, and adaptive skills. Students may learn with visual supports, repetition, smaller groups, and an adjusted pace, all designed to help them grow academically and socially while building greater independence.

Structured classrooms support students with autism or characteristics often associated with autism who benefit from predictable routines and visually based instruction. Students receive individualized support in areas such as functional communication, self-regulation, academics, social interaction, and adaptive skills, often through individual or small-group instruction.

Our teachers, paraeducators, and specialists work together to provide each student with the support they need to learn and grow. Depending on individual strengths, needs, and goals, students may participate alongside general education peers during classroom learning, specialists, lunch, recess, assemblies, and other parts of the school day. Inclusion looks different for every student and can grow and change over time. Our goal is to create meaningful opportunities for connection, belonging, learning, and independence.

Disability Awareness Month also provides an opportunity to help all of our students understand that people may learn, communicate, play, and experience the world in different ways. Some students communicate with words, while others may use pictures or communication devices. Some benefit from visual schedules, movement, quieter spaces, repetition, or additional adult support. These differences help make our school community special and provide opportunities for all of us to practice curiosity, patience, understanding, and kindness.

We feel very fortunate to have Lighthouse and Structured programs at Fairmount. The students, their families, and the dedicated staff who support them add a richness to our school community.

At Fairmount, we know that all of our students have Amazing Abilities. Together, we can help our Flyers recognize and appreciate the unique strengths in themselves and one another while continuing to build a community where every child knows they belong.

Thank you for a wonderful start to the school year and for your continued partnership!

Together We Soar: We Belong. We Grow. We Soar.

In partnership,

Mrs. Koehnen

Proud Principal, Fairmount Elementary

A blue grid background features four cards with illustrations of a lion, snake, jellyfish, and fish, and a large card with 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

Fairmount All-School Spelling Bee!

Fairmount will once again be holding an All-School Spelling Bee for 1st–5th grade students this winter. The exact date is TBD!

To qualify for the All-School Bee, students will first participate in a grade level spelling bee. Three winners from each grade will advance to the schoolwide competition. Participation is optional. If students are interested in participating, they can get a study guide from their teacher.

Students are also invited to drop in for Spelling Bee Club to practice and study with other students! Spelling Bee Club will begin on October 8th and will meet before school on Thursday and Friday mornings anytime from 8:30 a.m. until the bell rings with Mrs. Daley in Room 11. If students are dropped off by car in the morning, doors do not open until 8:40 a.m.

If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Daley at daleymm@mukilteo.wednet.edu.

Picture Day is Coming!

2026-2027 School Pictures

School pictures for all grades and staff will be taken on Thursday, October 15th, at Fairmount Elementary. A picture retake day will be scheduled at a later date.

If you have any questions about ordering, please contact KIDS Photography at 206-305-8223 or hello@KIDSschoolPhotos.com.

PICTURE ORDERS MUST BE SUBMITTED NO LATER THAN OCTOBER 22.

A standard black and white QR code on a plain white background.

To order school pictures-

Scan above QR code
Click on the following link to order: https://v2.myproimages.com/kids-photography-2111/code/FAIRFall26
New this year, online orders will have the option to choose their student’s photo background.
Parents can order for more than one student on the same order.
You will receive an email confirmation of your order.
Photos will be delivered to school and sent home with each student.

A dynamic musical design features black staff lines swirling upward with various notes against a light background.

Music Program Start Dates & Schedules

Please mark your calendar for these important dates and times regarding Band, Orchestra, and Choir!

Orchestra

Mondays & Wednesdays

7:35–8:30 AM

Band

Tuesdays & Thursdays

8:00–8:45 AM

Choir

Starts Monday, October 5

3:30–4:00 PM

Reminder:

Choir pickup: In front of the school
Orchestra & Band morning drop-off: At the gym doors

A graphic with the text "NATIONAL HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH" on a dark purple background, decorated with colorful papel picado and floral patterns.

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.

Our Lost & Found is overflowing with jackets, hoodies, and other items waiting to be claimed! If your student is missing a jacket or hoodie, please have them check the Lost & Found located in the hallway.

To help lost items find their way home more easily, please label your child’s jackets, lunch boxes, water bottles, and other belongings with their name

Join Fairmount PTSA Today!

Who Can Join?

Anyone! Parents, teachers, and students all play an important role in making our organization thrive!

Becoming a member just got easier!

Scan the QR code to join and show your support for our students and school. We’d love to have you as part of our community!

A standard black and white QR code set against a plain background.

PTSA- Cost

Membership Cost: $12 + taxes and fees, for a total of $13.48 per yearly membership.

Questions or inquiries? Please email us at FairmountPTSA15@gmail.com.

A graphic illustration features the word "VOLUNTEER" in red above multiple colorful hands raised with white hearts on them.

Visitors/Volunteers

• All visitors and volunteers must sign-in at the front office.

• Volunteers must complete a volunteer application packet. Once their application has been approved, they may volunteer onsite. Packets and application can be found on the district volunteer website.

https://www.mukilteoschools.org/volunteer

• Contact your child’s teacher for possible classroom volunteer opportunities.

A decorative template with the text "IMPORTANT DATES" framed by painted sunflowers and green leaves on a white background.

OCTOBER

Thursday, October 8: Spelling Bee practice in Mrs. Daley's Room 11

-8:30 a.m.

Friday, October 9: Early Release Friday