The Power of Student Voice: Grade 5 Exhibition!

Congratulations to our ethical, inquisitive, and compassionate grade 5 students on an outstanding Exhibition! Throughout the day, they confidently shared their research, ideas, and learning with every student in the school, culminating in an inspiring evening showcase for families and community members. Their thoughtful exploration of important global issues, combined with their passion and poise, was truly impressive. The future is bright, and it is certainly in good hands.

Dear Soundview family,

Watching our students grow from the first day of school to these final weeks is one of the greatest privileges of leading our community. This year has been filled with meaningful learning, steady growth, and a genuine sense of care that defines our school. Thank you for entrusting us with your children’s education and for your continued partnership throughout this year.

On Thursday, our Grade 5 students put their learning, growth, and care on display for our entire community at the  PYP Exhibition. The Exhibition is the culmination of the IB Primary Years Program and requires students to explore global issues. Our students presented with confidence and inspired our community to take meaningful action. Thank you to those who joined us to support them, and to Mr. MacCully and the teaching team for their guidance and mentorship. We are very proud of their hard work. Our future is in good hands!

  • You can view photos from these moments around campus by visiting below.

Our grade 5 delivered an outstanding and deeply meaningful Exhibition presentation this week, showcasing their hard work, insight, and confidence with excellence!

Staffing Updates
Soundview’s leadership team and Board of Trustees are responsible for financial stewardship to ensure the long-term health and sustainability of our school. Today, I am writing to share a difficult step we are taking to align our operations with our current student population. In response to a decline in enrollment for the upcoming school year, we made the hard decision to reduce our administration and faculty numbers. Saying goodbye to members of our team is incredibly painful, as every person here contributes to our culture and community.

This year, we say goodbye to Laura S., Nikita, and Ryan. Laura will be staying home with her new baby boy, and we will not be hiring to fill her position. We will miss the energy, warmth, and incredible organization that she brought to school each day and shared with her students and colleagues. Our new administrative structure will not include a Director of Technology or Director of Advancement. This decision is strictly a reflection of our current financial and enrollment reality, and in no way speaks to the performance or dedication of Nikita and Ryan. Nikita inherited a challenging database situation and brought order and functionality where there was little. She tackles the systems and hardware behind the scenes to ensure the student and teacher experience is easy and reliable, and keeps our school running smoothly. Nikita is also a trusted resource for faculty, staff, and students, offering technology support with patience, expertise, and a genuine willingness to help. Ryan’s contributions went well beyond fundraising. He built meaningful relationships with students, families, faculty, and staff, bringing positivity, enthusiasm, and a collaborative spirit to everything he did. Under his leadership, Soundview achieved record levels of Annual Fund participation and fundraising, while the Spring Benefit grew into one of the school’s most successful and anticipated events. We are deeply grateful for their dedication, professionalism, and many contributions to our students and school community. They will be greatly missed, and we wish Laura, Nikita, and Ryan all the best!

Logo Contest
We’re thrilled to begin celebrating a major milestone: Soundview turns 30 next year! To help mark this special anniversary, we’re launching a community contest to design a commemorative Soundview 30th anniversary logo. Check out the details here.

Need a refresher on last week’s updates? You can find recent announcements on our website.

A few key dates, events, and opportunities for June:

Library Books
All library books are due! If your child can’t find their book, please contact Ms. Armstrong at earmstrong@soundview.org so she can do a shelf check or work with you to figure out a replacement plan for the book(s).

Field Day
Field Day returns on Tuesday, June 9, bringing a day of energy, teamwork, and fun for students in Kindergarten through Grade 8. Teams will be organized by colorful headbands, encouraging collaboration and connection across age groups as students move through activities together. Depending on the weather, students should come prepared with sunscreen and a water bottle, as classes will spend extended time outdoors. 

Grade 8 Graduation
Our Grade 8 Graduation Ceremony will take place on Wednesday, June 10, from 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm in the Performing Arts Center, followed by a reception honoring graduates and their guests. This special evening celebrates the accomplishments and growth of our graduating students, and the entire Soundview community is warmly invited to attend. Preferential seating will be reserved for graduates’ families and guests. Please RSVP if you plan to attend.

Final Day of School
The final day of the school year is Thursday, June 11. School will follow the regular start and dismissal schedule. Before-care will be available on the final day of school. However, please note that there will be no after-care or clubs that afternoon as we wrap up another wonderful school year.

Faculty & Staff In-Service
Following the close of the school year, Soundview faculty and staff will participate in in-service and professional development from June 15–18 as we reflect on the year and prepare for the year ahead. Please note that the school offices will be closed on Friday, June 19, in observance of the Juneteenth holiday.

Report Cards & 2026–2027 Information
Report cards will be available through Toddle on Thursday, June 18. Current families will also be able to access the 2026–2027 class lists and the full school-year calendar, including major dates and events, beginning in August.

Volunteer Opportunities
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has recently volunteered to help with preparations for the Grade 8 Graduation and Grade 5 Exhibition receptions. Your support helps make these celebrations meaningful and memorable for our students and families.

We’re also always excited to continue growing our volunteer network across campus. If you’re interested in supporting classrooms, teachers, or school events throughout the year, we encourage you to explore current volunteer opportunities and ways to get involved.

Fun at Funko Field in July!
If you missed the deadline to join us on Sunday, July 26, as the AquaSox take on the Eugene Emeralds, it’s not too late! Email Jill Schaller directly (jschaller@soundview.org) to reserve the few remaining tickets. They are $13 each. So far, 96 tickets have been reserved. Tickets will be available for pickup the week of June 8. Thank you to Jill for organizing this exciting community event. See you at the ballpark!

Summer Camp
Still making summer plans? Soundview is excited to once again partner with Steve & Kate’s Camp to offer engaging and flexible summer camp opportunities for both Soundview families and the broader community. Be sure to reserve your spot by visiting our website.

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 on our website.

Please feel free to reach out to me directly if you have any questions. Thank you for your continued trust, partnership, and commitment to the Soundview community.

Warmly,
Chrissy Sinclair
Head of School

One more thing…
On June 5, 1956, a federal court ruled in the landmark case Browder v. Gayle that racial segregation on public buses was unconstitutional. The decision came after the historic Montgomery Bus Boycott, sparked by the courageous actions of Rosa Parks and supported by community leaders, including Martin Luther King Jr.

This ruling was a major victory for the Civil Rights Movement and helped dismantle legalized segregation in public transportation across the United States. It demonstrated the power of peaceful protest, collective action, and the courts to advance civil rights, paving the way for future legislation and progress toward greater equality and justice for all Americans. Read about the federal court ruling. 

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New Classrooms, New Adventures: Move Up Day!