Weekly Family Bulletin: Stay Informed
The Chili Cook-Off and BINGO are almost here! RSVP below and join us a week from tomorrow for delicious food, fun, and meaningful connection.
Dear Soundview family,
I hope you all enjoyed the long weekend and found time to rest and recharge. For a short week, a lot was going on.
In response to increased ICE activity in Washington and closer to our campus, I attended a legal update with our NWAIS lawyer. We reviewed the current situation, and she provided updated guidance. Our admin team will be incorporating the new information into our existing on-campus protocols. As is always the case, the safety of your children and our faculty and staff is our highest priority. We will continue to keep you updated.
While students were away on Tuesday, our faculty was fully immersed in writing mid-year report cards, thoughtfully reflecting on each student’s growth and progress. Report cards will be shared with families on Toddle on Friday, February 6.
Our first Transition Preview was a success! Families whose students will be moving into a new classroom or division next year joined us for a sneak peek at what is coming. It was wonderful to see so many thoughtful questions and conversations as families met teachers, explored curriculum, and learned more about how Soundview supports confident and successful transitions. If you weren’t able to join us, please keep an eye out for information from the teaching team.
We wrapped up the week on Friday with our first afternoon concert of the year in the Performing Arts Center, featuring our Orchestra and Grades 7 and 8 bands. Our student musicians performed beautifully, showcasing their dedication, growth, and love of music. It was a joy to see the PAC filled with pride and applause.
You can view photos from all of these events below.
Tuition Deposits Due in February
Tuition rates for the 2026-2027 school year have been updated and are available on our website. Next week, you will receive an email from Hazel Estrella, our Assistant Head of School for Finance & Operations, regarding your tuition deposit for the upcoming school year. As a reminder, Soundview uses a perpetual enrollment agreement, and tuition deposits will be added to your Blackbaud Tuition account as a payment in February, payable on the same date as your other tuition payments. No current year tuition payments are due in February. Hazel’s email will include financial aid notifications, if applicable, and other important details. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to her directly with any questions.
Need a refresher on last week’s reminders? You’ll find them HERE
A few key dates, events, and opportunities to keep in mind this month and early February:
Admissions Deadline
The admissions deadline for the 2026-2027 school year is next Friday, January 30. There is time to refer interested families, so please send them to our Director of Admissions, Jill Schaller.
Soundview Summer Camps - Registration Opens Next week
We’re excited to share that Soundview Summer Camps registration will open next Friday, January 30! Our inquiry-driven, adventure-filled camps are designed for students entering Early Childhood–Kindergarten and Grades 6–8, and are thoughtfully led by Soundview faculty and staff. Each day is structured to spark curiosity, encourage exploration, and our favorite goal is to send kids home happy, confident, and pleasantly tired.
Summer Camps are also a wonderful way for incoming Soundview students to get comfortable on campus and build early connections with teachers they’ll see throughout the school year. In addition to our Soundview-led programs, we’re thrilled to once again partner with Steve & Kate’s Camp, offering a wide variety of engaging options for children ages 4–12. Be on the lookout for more information in next Friday’s letter.
Chili Cook-Off & BINGO
Get ready for one of Soundview’s favorite winter traditions! SPGA’s Chili Cook-Off & BINGO returns on Saturday, January 31, from 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm in the Performing Arts Center (please note the updated time). This fun, all-ages event kicks off with our friendly culinary competitions with chili, mac and cheese, and kids’ cornbread before transitioning to BINGO from 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm. Entry spots for the cook-off are limited, so don’t wait to sign up! To submit a dish or lend a hand as a volunteer, please RSVP by Monday, January 26.
High School Preview Night
Families of grade 7 students are invited to attend our High School Preview Night on Thursday, February 5, from 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm in the humanities room. This informative session offers an inside look at Soundview’s personalized high school placement process, supporting each student in finding the right fit for their strengths, interests, and future goals. You’ll learn what to expect in the months ahead, explore local IB high school options, and hear about the many pathways Soundview alumni pursue after graduation. Seventh graders may stay on campus after school and join their families at the start of the event. Parking opens at 3:45 pm. Please RSVP by Friday, January 30, and be sure to reserve childcare for siblings if needed.
Community Coffee
Join us for our next Community Coffee on Friday, February 13, from 8:40 am - 9:20 am in the Language Lab, just before the all-school assembly led by our Grade 3/4 students. We’ve had great conversations all year; everyone is welcome! If you missed this week’s ParentEd Talk, Inside the ADHD Mind: Tools to Help Your Child Thrive, featuring board-certified psychiatrist and ADHD specialist Dr. Sasha Hamdani, a recording is available to view HERE, and the password for access is edTalks*2526. It is sure to spark engaging conversation! Parking is available in the gravel lot beginning at 8:30 am. Additional dates can be found on the Community Calendar or via the printable version.
SPGA Parent Education Night
Families are invited to join us on Thursday, February 26, at 4:00 pm for a Family Education Night featuring an expert-led conversation titled “Your Child, Food, and Body Image: What to Know, What to Look Out For, and How to Help.” Our presenter, Angela Wood, is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Nationally Registered Creative Arts Therapist with more than 23 years of experience supporting children, adolescents, and families navigating mood and anxiety challenges and eating disorders. Currently practicing at Seattle Children’s Hospital and the Hallowell Todaro ADHD & Behavioral Health Center, she will be joining us as an independent specialist. The evening will include a concise, informative presentation followed by an interactive Q&A, allowing families to ask questions and focus on the topics most relevant to their own experiences. This thoughtful and practical session is designed to equip caregivers with insight, awareness, and tools to better support their children. Registration and childcare information to come!
Around the world and in different communities, January is a month of recognition and awareness:
Curious about this week’s recognition and awareness days? You can explore the full list on our website.
Stay warm, everyone!
Warmly,
Chrissy Sinclair
Interim Head of School
One more thing…
On January 23, 1849, Elizabeth Blackwell made history by becoming the first woman to earn a medical degree in the United States, graduating from Geneva Medical College in New York. At a time when women were largely excluded from the medical profession, Blackwell’s achievement challenged deeply rooted barriers and opened doors for generations of women in medicine. Her perseverance not only reshaped medical education but also helped advance the broader movement for women’s rights and access to professional careers, leaving a lasting impact on healthcare and equality. Read about Elizabeth Blackwell.
On January 23, 1907, Charles Curtis of Kansas became the first Native American elected to the U.S. Senate, a historic breakthrough in federal representation. A member of the Kaw Nation, Curtis’s election marked an important step toward greater inclusion of Indigenous voices in national leadership and helped pave the way for broader representation in American government. Read about Charles Curtis.
