Get Ready: Move Up Day & Back-to-School Forms!
Ms. Molly and Ms. Noelle thoroughly enjoyed spending time with our kindergarten students during Move-Up Day, giving them a warm and engaging preview of what to expect in their Grade 1/2 classes.
May 30th, 2025
Dear Soundview Families,
This is my final Friday letter to you. Next week, incoming Interim Head of School and current Assistant Head of School will take over Soundview communications. I am deeply grateful for the last fifteen years at Soundview because of our community. It’s been a great privilege to realize my own vision of what school should be like and come to school with my own two children everyday as they benefit from a Soundview education. Thank you for your partnership, support, and confidence in my leadership.
As I reflect on my work at Soundview, I’m proud of the culture we’ve built. Truly, Soundview is a place that is committed to being inclusive and ensuring that each member of our community feels belonging. We live our values of being ethical, rigorous, and compassionate, and we recognize each other for demonstrating them. I’m also proud of the work we’ve done to ensure the financial sustainability of our school, including an accessible tuition level, need-based financial aid program, and growing culture of philanthropy. Still, I’m most proud of the contributions our students make to their communities through units of inquiry, the Exhibition and Community Projects.
I’ve learned a lot about leadership from Soundview: how to build relationships with all community members, from three-year-olds to grandparents; how to care for and lead a community through crisis; and how to reinforce culture through growth and change. While I will miss Soundview, I’m excited to scale up my impact, from leading one school to influencing a large network of schools, including Soundview
I hope you all enjoyed a restful and joyful long weekend! I’m looking forward to seeing everyone on campus tomorrow for our annual SPGA Spring Social & New Family Welcome from 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm. This is a favorite Soundview tradition, bring your own picnic and enjoy a relaxing “break on the bark” while connecting with current and incoming families, meeting SPGA members, and soaking in the beauty of our campus.
The 2025-2026 back-to-school informational paperwork was emailed directly from our Office Manager, Andrea Hjorten, this week. We ask that you complete and return the forms by Friday, June 6th.
As the school year quickly draws to a close, our days are filled with meaningful learning, exciting projects, and memorable experiences. Today, our Grade 3/4 classes visited the Imagine Children’s Museum to enrich their unit on simple machines. With an engaging presentation from the museum staff and time to explore the hands-on exhibits, students had a chance to learn through discovery, play, and imagination. Learn more about the museum HERE.
Also, today, students from all grade levels participated in a campus-wide cleanup. Each class decorated a section of our school fences with unique artwork that represents their identity and spirit, adding meaning to our shared space.
Earlier this week, our Early Childhood through Grade 4 students took part in a "Move-Up Day", offering them a sneak peek into next year’s classrooms and igniting excitement for what’s ahead. Meanwhile, our Grades 1-4 students also got creative with tie-dye alongside Mrs. Leah, designing colorful headbands to wear during Soundview Field Day in June. This hands-on activity encourages collaboration, fun, and creativity among the students.
You can view photos from these joyful and engaging moments around campus below.
Our Early Childhood through Grade 4 students had a wonderful time during Move-Up Day, getting to know their future teachers and classmates while building excitement for the year ahead!
Our art teacher, Ms. Leah, led a vibrant tie-dye activity where students created colorful headbands and bandanas in preparation for our upcoming Field Day.
Throughout the year, Soundview students participate in a wide range of activities that foster responsibility, leadership, and community engagement. Most recently, our Grade 8 students presented their Community Projects, a capstone of their Soundview journey. These projects challenge students to identify and address real-world needs through thoughtful service learning. One student, Draven, expressed special appreciation for the community’s support during his project. You can read his heartfelt thank-you letter HERE.
If you missed last week’s update about Soundview’s staff promotions, you can catch up by visiting HERE.
Here are the reminders and opportunities for the month of June:
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.
The 8th grade graduation ceremony is on Wednesday, June 11th, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm in the Performing Arts Center, followed by a reception for graduates and their guests. Our entire community is welcome to attend. Preferential seating is reserved for families and guests of graduates. Please RSVP by Monday, June 2nd, to let us know if you will be attending by visiting HERE.
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, June 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.
Thank you for being such an essential part of what makes Soundview a connected and learning community. I look forward to seeing you tomorrow!
Chris
Chris Watson, Soundview Head of School
One more thing…
On May 30th, 1922, President Warren G. Harding made history as the first U.S. president to have his voice broadcast live over the radio. Speaking at the dedication of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., Harding's words were transmitted by station WCAP, marking a groundbreaking moment in both presidential communication and broadcast history. This event signaled the beginning of a new era in which presidents could directly reach the American public in real time, transforming how political messages were delivered and consumed. It demonstrated the growing power of radio as a mass communication tool and paved the way for future leaders to use emerging technologies to connect with citizens more personally and immediately. Learn more about this HERE.
