Dear Montlake Students and Families,

Welcome to the 2022-23 school year! It has been wonderful to have staff back in the building these past few days to prepare for the school year, where we have been welcoming new staff members and participating in equity-centered professional development. I anticipate an exciting year as we get back to more normalcy in our work together to support all children and families at Montlake.

Please note that the first day for Kindergarteners is September 12th, while students in grades 1-5 start on September 7th. 

On Wednesday, September 7th, 2022, our first bell will ring at 7:55, with the second bell at 8:00 to signal the start of the school day. When students arrive on September 7th, they should gather outside at different entrances according to a map that will be distributed next Tuesday. Normally we will be asking families to say their goodbyes outside so our playground gates can be locked promptly after the bell; however, on the first day of school you are invited to walk around to the back of the building to join us for an all-school assembly on the playground which will begin at 8:15. (Kindergarteners will have their own “First Day Welcome Assembly at 8:15 on September 12th.) Dismissal will be at 2:25 pm every day. Every Wednesday (not including September 7th) is designated as an early-dismissal day, so students will be dismissed at 1:10 on those days. We will continue to utilize the two front doors as well as the gate on the McGraw side of the building for entry and exit.

If your child is riding a bus to/from school, you will receive notification directly from Transportation with bus information. 

School lunch and breakfast this year are available for purchase. Free or reduced price lunch will be available for eligible students. Breakfast is $2.25 and lunch is $3.25. We welcome parent volunteers to help specifically with lunch supervision; please look for a link to a Sign-up Genius toward the first week of school.

Later this afternoon classroom assignments will be announced via email from your child’s classroom teacher. Please note that this year we have intentionally embraced blended classrooms for our intermediate grades, and thanks to a generous grant from the Montlake PTA we will be able to support an additional Academic Interventionist and maintain grade level math instruction for every class. Please be aware that you child’s classroom assignment is dependent on overall school enrollment and may change after the start of school.

Our current classroom configurations are as follows:

• Kindergarten: Lori Yorde and Beau Browman
• First grade: Laura Adams
• Second grade: Courtney Stump
• Second/Third grade blend: Margaret Gingrich
• Third grade: Margaret Johnson
• Fourth/Fifth grade blends: Jack Marshall and Carol Podney
• Academic Interventionist/Third and Fourth grade math teacher: Paula Eisenrich

Please join us for our Meet & Greet on Tuesday, September 6th from 2-2:30 pm. This is a time where you can meet your child’s teacher before school starts, as well as other Montlake families. School supplies will be provided for your child during the first week of school, so there’s no need to bring anything other than yourself and your student. We hope you can join us!

We have a fantastic school year ahead. Enjoy this last week of summer, and we look forward to seeing you soon!