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Dear Hazelwood Community,
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Welcome to our monthly newsletter, a vibrant reflection of the happenings and achievements within the Hazelwood community. This edition brings you a roundup of news, events, and updates, keeping you connected and informed about our collective journey in education.
In Partnership,
Principal Gasaway
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It is hard to believe November is already here! Students continue to work hard and make great growth across all content areas. This year, one of our school-wide goals is to support students in developing strong social-emotional skills that help them build independence, resolve conflicts, regulate emotions, and navigate friendships.
Classroom teachers are teaching lessons from our Second Step program, which helps students learn how to handle challenging situations and interact in ways that help everyone feel safe, valued, and included. We know we won’t always get it perfect, but we are committed to learning and growing together.
Bullying Prevention:
Mr. Jones, our school counselor, has been teaching Bullying Prevention Lessons in every classroom. Each class receives four lessons across October and November. Students learn:
- How to recognize bullying behavior
- How to refuse and stand up to it
- When and how to report to a trusted adult
- How to be an upstander for others
He also teaches the difference between a conflict, teasing, and bullying so students can better understand situations and respond appropriately.
A Quick Guide for Families:
- Conflict: Students may disagree, both may be upset, and both play a role in the problem. These situations can be resolved with support and practice in communication, problem-solving, and empathy.
- Teasing: Can sometimes be friendly—but if it continues after someone says "stop," or the intention is to make someone feel bad, it becomes hurtful.
- Bullying: Involves repeated behavior, where there is an imbalance of power (physical strength, social status, or group size), and the purpose is to hurt, exclude, or intimidate.
If you ever have questions or are unsure how to interpret something your child shares with you, please reach out to your child's teacher, Mr. Jones or myself. We are here to partner with you.
Looking Ahead:
In January, we will be hosting a Family Round Table with our Counselor to share more about how we support students’ social-emotional learning at school and ways families can support these skills at home as well. More information will be shared soon.
Thank you for your ongoing support in helping all students learn, grow, and thrive.
Together, we continue to grow strong roots and bold growth.
P.S.
Consider visiting this site for resources on ways to speak with your children around bullying and being an upstander:
https://www.pacer.org/bullying/parents/
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October was a busy and joy-filled month at Hazelwood! We celebrated Walk and Roll to School Day, and our 5th graders went and returned from camp with memories they will carry for a lifetime.
On Unity Day, our entire school community wore orange to stand together against bullying, and throughout our Bullying Prevention Spirit Week, students learned and practiced ways to be upstanders.
October was also Disability Awareness Month, where we focused on celebrating and honoring all the ways students learn and shine. One of the most meaningful moments of the month was our school’s dedication to our beloved student, Caleb Croffie, which led to the opening of Caleb’s Cup—our very own Friday hot chocolate stand run by students in our ILC program.
Also, thank you for all the love and appreciation of the students and staff by wearing purple for Ms. Gasaway's, her favorite color!
And of course, we ended the month with some fun during Stump the Students Minion Day where staff dressed as minions—special shoutout to Ready K and Kindergarten for taking home “Best Dressed” honors!
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Native American Heritage Month
November is Native American Heritage Month, a time to honor the histories, cultures, and contributions of Native and Indigenous peoples. At Hazelwood, we recognize that our school community is located on the traditional lands of the Duwamish and Coast Salish peoples.
One way we show respect is through our land acknowledgement, which is a practice of recognizing the original caretakers of this land and the ongoing presence and contributions of Native communities today. A land acknowledgement is not just a statement—it is a reminder to learn, listen, and build understanding about the history of the place we live and learn in.
If you are interested in learning more as a family, here are a couple helpful, family-friendly resources:
We will continue to learn together in age-appropriate ways throughout the month, honoring identity, belonging, and the story of our region.
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We look forward to welcoming families and guests to our Veterans Day Assembly this Friday, November 7th at 2:15 PM.
To help us create a smooth and respectful start to the assembly, please plan to arrive around 2:00 PM. This will give you time to find a seat before students transition into the commons.
Guests may enter through the Mustang Door and be sure to check in for a visitor sticker when you arrive.
Reminder: Today is the final day to submit a photo of a family member or friend who has served in the military for our slideshow honoring Veterans. If you would like to include someone, please email their photo, name, and branch of service to andrea.ahlfors@rentonschools.us
We are honored to come together as a school community to recognize and celebrate all those who have served our country. Thank you for joining us. 🇺🇸
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Parent/Teacher Conferences Happening Soon!
Parent–Teacher Conferences will take place November 20–25, with one evening option available from 4:30–7:00 PM. Teachers will be reaching out to families with their available time slots and sign-up information. Please look for communication from your child’s teacher by this Friday.
This is an important time for families and teachers to connect about your child’s academic progress and social–emotional growth. During your conference, you can discuss the progress your child is making, celebrate their strengths, and learn ways we can partner together to support continued growth throughout the school year.
We look forward to these meaningful conversations and to working closely with you to support the success of every student.
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When is your child too sick for school?
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OSPI recently released When is Your Child Too Sick For School?-Check it out for guidance when you are unsure if you should send your child to school.
Other resources:
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Families can stay up to date on upcoming school events by viewing our Hazelwood Calendar of Events. You can click the link to see which events are open to our community and which are student-only. The calendar will be updated throughout the year, so please check it regularly or visit our school website for the most current information.
HWE Calendar Events 2025-2026.docx
IMPORTANT DATES:
- November 7th and 14th Late Start Friday
- November 10th No School-Teacher Training Day
- November 7th at 2:15 pm Veterans Day Assembly at Hazelwood
- November 11th No School-Veterans Days
- November 20th-25th Parent Teacher Conferences
- November 20th-26th Half School Days 8:30-11:30
- November 27th and 28th No Schooll- Thanksgiving Break
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