Dear Chautauqua Parents and Families,                                                              

Welcome back from spring break! We hope your family enjoyed time to rest, recharge, and make special memories. As we return to school, we’re excited to make the most of our final 10 weeks together. This is a wonderful time of year—full of growth, reflection, and celebration—and we look forward to supporting each student as they finish strong.

As part of our ongoing focus on belonging, we are centering on what it means for every student to feel accepted—for who they are, as they are. We are committed to creating a school community where each child feels valued, included, and confident in being themselves.

Let’s make these last weeks meaningful and memorable!

Important Dates and Information: 

• Friday, April 17  Popcorn Friday!

• Wednesday, April 22  - Earth Day!  Green Team leading activities in specialists

• Friday, May 1 - 2:45-3:30 pm  Día del Niño Assembly 

  • Families are welcome to attend

• Monday, May 4 - 15  Smarter Balanced Assessments

  • Grades 3-5

Spring State Assessment Dates for Grades 3-5

Students in grades 3–5 will participate in the Smarter Balanced Assessments (SBA) this May. These state assessments provide important information about how students are progressing in English language arts and math and science in 5th grade,  and help us understand how well our instructional programs are supporting student learning.

This year, all students in grades 3, 4, and 5 will be testing on the same days, which helps us create a consistent and well-supported testing environment across the school. During this two-week window, we will adjust our daily schedule to best support students and ensure a calm, focused assessment setting.

We ask families to avoid scheduling appointments or absences during this time. Consistent attendance allows students to test alongside their classmates, reduces the need for make-up sessions, and helps maintain regular classroom routines.

Thank you for supporting your child by ensuring they arrive well-rested, on time, and ready to do their best during this important time.

Attendance Reminders

As we enter the final 10 weeks of school, and particularly during state testing, we are grateful for everyone who has helped to restore a routine for showing up to school while supporting students and families. Daily routines are essential for reducing stress and creating a sense of security, and they help to support positive attendance. 

As long as your child is healthy, please encourage showing up to class when school is in session. Every day of school is an important opportunity for students to learn as well as connect to peers and their teachers. Students stay home with the following symptoms:  

• FEVER: If your student has a fever 100.4° F or more. They may return to school after being fever-free, without medicine, for 24 hours.

• DIARRHEA/VOMITING: Keep your student home for 24 hours from the last episode WITHOUT medicine. Vomiting: more than once in the last 24-hour period or a single episode along with other sign(s) of illness such as rash, fatigue, lack of appetite. Diarrhea: watery or bloody stool without a non-contagious diagnosis.

This is allergy season, so many students are at school with runny noses and coughs, and we are reinforcing good hygiene habits! 

5th Grade Camp Reminders

At Chautauqua, we believe every student should feel a deep sense of belonging, especially that they are accepted for who they are. Our 5th grade camp experience is an important opportunity for students to strengthen that feeling of acceptance within their class community. Through shared experiences, time in nature, and intentional community-building, students build trust, celebrate one another, and grow in confidence as they prepare for the transition to middle school.

Dates & Schedule

• Tuesday, May 19 – Students arrive at school at the usual time; buses depart at 9:30 AM

• Thursday, May 21 – Students return at 2:20 PM for parent pick-up in front of CES

Facilitators and Location:  
 One Village will guide community-building through games, storytelling, and social-emotional learning, while also supporting and training community and teen mentors.  Camp Sealth will host our students, providing lodging, meals, and outdoor adventure activities.

Cost & Scholarships

• Camp Fee: $250 per student (no state funding is available this year)

• Reduced Fee: $125 with a completed  Scholarship Request form (due by April 30, 2026)

• Free: Available for students who qualify for Free & Reduced Lunch (consent to share required)

Payment Options

• Online via the fee button on the district website

• In person at the Chautauqua office

Final Payment Deadline: Thursday, May 7, 2026

Medications:

• Medication must be registered with the school nurse by Thursday, May 7, 2026 using the form linked here.

Thank you for entrusting your child(ren) to our care. We love helping them grow and thrive!  

Best,

Julie Kangas

Principal