Final Stretch: Three Weeks Remaining in the School Year!
To all members of our community with loved ones who have served in the military, we send our heartfelt gratitude and warm wishes for a meaningful and peaceful Memorial Day.
Dear Soundview Families,
It’s hard to believe there are only three weeks left in the school year! This morning, our early childhood and eighth-grade students led the final assembly of the year about being "knowledgeable." Our fifth-graders also introduced their Exhibition project topics to the entire school. You can view photos from the assembly by visiting below.
If you missed last week’s update about upcoming staffing changes and the Head of School transition, you can catch up by visiting HERE.
As I move into my new role at the Northwest Association of Independent Schools, and Chrissy Sinclair becomes Interim Head of School at Soundview, we’re excited to announce additional promotions to take on Chrissy’s current responsibilities and build her leadership team:
Congratulations to Hazel Estrella, whose new title will be Assistant Head of School for Finance and Operations. When Chrissy is off campus, Hazel is in charge.
Congratulations to Erin Armstrong, whose new title will be Director of Curriculum, International Baccalaureate Coordinator, and Librarian. Erin will be in charge of “what” we teach and oversee the faculty. She is also serving as our NWAIS accreditation self-study coordinator through 2026.
Congratulations to Teresa Ledford, whose new title will be Director of Learning and Skills Collaborative Coordinator. Teresa will be in charge of “how” we teach and the expansion of the Skills Collaborative and learning services programs. (We are in the hiring process for an additional Skills Collaborative teacher.)
Congratulations to Andrea Hjorten, whose new title will be Office Manager and Department of Children, Youth and Families Coordinator. Andrea runs the office and will be in charge of the licensing of Soundview’s early childhood and before/after care programs.
Congratulations to Laura Simplicio, whose new title will be Kindergarten Associate Teacher. Laura will work in partnership with Ms. Kirsten to support the Kindergarten class and continue to be an important part of the Early Years team.
We’re also excited to introduce and welcome new faculty for the 2025 - 2026 school year:
Please welcome next year’s Third and Fourth Grade Teacher, Jessica Mendez. Jessica has a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Florida International University and a teaching certificate from Moreland University. She is currently teaching kindergarten at Arab International Academy in Doha, Qatar, an International Baccalaureate and dual language school. Previously, Jessica taught in another IB school in Shenzhen, China, as well as Madrid, Spain. Jessica will be moving to Washington State this summer.
Please welcome next year’s Spanish Teacher, Maria Pérez-Barris. Maria has a bachelor’s degree in sociology with a minor in business from the University of San Diego and a teaching credential from San Francisco State University. She has over 12 years of experience teaching Spanish from kindergarten through college, including in an International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program. Maria was also an NCAA basketball player at USD and was inducted into the Solano Community College Athletic Hall of Fame.
Please welcome next year’s Early Years Assistant and Morning Care Teacher, Zoe Steffen. Zoe recently completed her bachelor’s degree in inclusive early education from Boise State University. She worked at Boise State University Children’s Center throughout her undergraduate career in roles from student assistant to lead teacher. She is a licensed childcare worker with a wealth of experience as an early career educator.
Be on the lookout for the 2025-2026 back-to-school informational paperwork, which will be emailed directly from our Office Manager, Andrea Hjorten, during the week of May 27th-30th. We ask that you complete and return the forms by Friday, June 6th.
Here are the reminders and opportunities during May and early June:
There is no school for students on Monday and Tuesday, May 26th and 27th. Soundview is closed on Monday in observance of Memorial Day. Faculty and staff will be preparing final report cards on Tuesday. School resumes at the usual time on Wednesday, May 28th.
Mark your calendars! On Saturday, May 31st, the Soundview community will come together on campus for our annual SPGA Spring Social & New Family Welcome from 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm. Bring your own food & drinks. This is a great opportunity to connect with fellow families, meet future classmates, get to know the amazing people who make up our community, meet members of the SPGA, enjoy our beautiful outdoor space, and continue strengthening our vibrant community. Please RSVP by Wednesday, May 28th HERE.
Our June Community Coffee is on Wednesday, June 4th, from 9:10 am to 10:10 am in the Performing Arts Center. Upcoming dates are on the Community Calendar, which you can find HERE.
The fifth-grade PYP Exhibition is open to the Soundview community on Thursday, June 5th, from 4:00 PM to 5:00 pm in Soundview’s classrooms and Performing Arts Center. The Exhibition is the culminating project of the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program. Fifth-graders around the world are doing the same thing! You will talk with students about a global issue they’ve selected from the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. Read more about the goals HERE.
Additional parking will be available across the street from Soundview at the Lynnwood Ice Center.
We will provide supervision for siblings of fifth-graders from dismissal to 4:00 pm with an RSVP, which is due by Wednesday, June 5th. Please pick up your student(s) between 3:50 pm when the doors open and 3:55 pm. RSVP for supervision HERE.
All other friends and family members plan to arrive at 3:50 pm to ensure a prompt start at 4:00 pm.
All other students must be accompanied by an adult and arrive with the other audience members between 3:50 pm-3:55 pm. Our community can RSVP to attend HERE.
Our 11th ParentMap ParentEd Talk will take place on Thursday, June 5th from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm. The topic is Nurturing Resilience: Essential Coping Skills for Kids with mental health counselor and founder of Coping Skills for Kids, Janine Halloran. The live viewing for current Soundview parents will be in the Soundview library, with an optional discussion until 1:30 pm. Space will be limited. If you're unable to join us in person, you can register to watch the live stream. Here are a few helpful details:
Soundview community members can register HERE.
The password for complimentary ticket access is SOUNDVSCH
After the talk concludes, all registered attendees will be emailed a link to watch the recorded session at their convenience.
On June 10th, Soundview will host Field Day, featuring an array of engaging activities tailored for students from kindergarten through eighth grade. Rather than organizing teams based on grade levels, students will be grouped by the color of their vibrant headbands, fostering collaboration and camaraderie across different age groups as they navigate the course together. Stay tuned for further details in the upcoming weeks!
The last day of the school year is Thursday, June 12th. The last day of school follows the usual start and end times.
If your children and their friends are still looking for summer fun, look no further than Soundview! We've partnered with Steve & Kate’s Camp to offer a dynamic and diverse range of camp experiences for both Soundview students and the broader community. Secure your spot today by visiting HERE.
Around the world and in different communities, May is a month of recognition and awareness:
Curious about this week’s recognition and awareness days? You can explore the full list by visiting HERE.
Enjoy the long weekend everyone,
Chris
Chris Watson, Soundview Head of School
One more thing…
On May 23rd, 1900, William Carney became the first Black American to receive the Medal of Honor for his extraordinary heroism during the Civil War, marking a pivotal moment in U.S. history. A member of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, one of the first African American regiments, Carney displayed remarkable bravery during the assault on Fort Wagner in 1863. Despite being wounded multiple times, he saved the American flag from falling and carried it to safety, famously declaring, “Boys, the old flag never touched the ground.” His actions symbolized the courage and patriotism of Black soldiers who fought for a country that still denied them full rights. Although Carney received the Medal of Honor in 1900, decades after his service, his recognition broke racial barriers and highlighted the vital contributions of African Americans to the fight for freedom and equality in the United States. Read more about this HERE.
