The Bark Community Edition 4/3/2026

Apr 3 2026

Hello Bennett Families,

We made it to the month of April, and the changing weather is a welcome reminder that a well‑deserved break is just around the corner. Thank you to everyone who joined us for our wonderful Multicultural Night, it was truly an amazing evening. It was such a joy to see the performances, taste delicious food, and learn more about the many cultures represented in our community and what they mean to each family.

A heartfelt thank you to our families for sharing a piece of themselves with us, and to our amazing students who performed with such confidence and talent. We are so proud of you. We are also incredibly grateful to our PTSA and the many volunteers who worked behind the scenes to bring this special event together and make it such a meaningful and memorable night.

As we head into Spring Break, we hope you enjoy this time to relax, recharge, and spend time with loved ones. We look forward to seeing everyone back in a week, refreshed and ready for the rest of the spring season.

With Bulldog Pride,

Jessica Strazzulla

Principal

Upcoming Dates

Save these dates on your calendar!

4/6-4/10- Spring Break
4/20-4/24- STEAM Week
5/25-Memorial Day
5/26-Non School Day
6/18-5th Grade Promotion Ceremony 2:30-3:30pm
6/19- Juneteenth observance
6/23- Last Day of School

BSD Cultural Calendar

Honoring Autism This April

April is Autism Acceptance Month (formerly Autism Awareness Month), a time dedicated to fostering inclusion, celebrating the diverse strengths and talents of autistic individuals, and deepening our understanding as a community. The month begins with World Autism Awareness Day on April 2, often recognized through advocacy efforts such as wearing blue and sharing messages of support and acceptance.

Throughout April, our school community will be learning more about autism and exploring ways we can be thoughtful allies and advocates—helping to create a school environment where every student feels seen, valued, and supported.

We also invite families and staff to join a 5K walk happening at the end of April, starting in downtown Bellevue, in support of autism acceptance and advocacy. Please consider signing up if you’re able to participate. You can find more information and register here: https://allinforautism.org/

Nurse News

As spring awakens, many people look forward to enjoying the outdoors. However, for some, the arrival of spring also brings the unwelcome arrival of seasonal allergies. Seasonal allergies, also known as hay fever or allergic rhinitis, occur when the immune system reacts to airborne particles, primarily pollen from trees, grasses, and weeds. Common symptoms include watery/red/itchy eyes, sneezing/runny nose, itchy throat, and fatigue.

Tips for Managing Seasonal Allergies:

Are you having difficulty distinguishing if your child’s symptoms are due to allergies vs cold? Click here to read the difference.

MEDICATIONS: NO child is to take or carry PRESCRIPTION OR OVER THE COUNTER MEDICATIONS to school.   A physician's order must accompany all medications to be given during the school day, including over-the-counter drugs. A medication authorization form must be completed by a provider and signed by the parent. This form along with the prescribed medication in its original container must be brought to school by the parent/guardian.

IMMUNIZATIONS: Did you know that Washington State law requires all children to be properly immunized to attend or continue attending school? Please help keep your child and our community safe by getting your child’s immunizations up to date. Spring break is a good time to get an appointment for this. To view your child’s records in WAIIS, please log in to https://myirmobile.com/ MyIR

As always, please keep me informed of any health-related issues a student may have, whether it is a food/seasonal allergy, medication, or temporary illness that may affect them when they return to school. Click here for our Too Sick for School Guidelines.

Trish Ignacio

School Nurse- Bennett Elementary (Mon, Tues, Wed)

(425) 456- 4805

District News and Resources

Share Your Input: Elementary Literacy-Focused School Program Survey

The Bellevue School District is exploring the possibility of offering a specialized school program with a strong focus on differentiated instruction in language and literacy, including reading and writing development, to support all learners. As part of this exploration, we are especially interested in understanding how such a program could positively impact a wide range of students by supporting diverse learning needs, including those with dyslexia, through structured, engaging, and evidence-based literacy instruction.

We are seeking families’ input on their interest in a literacy-focused, multisensory learning environment and gathering feedback to help inform future planning. Our goal is to better understand how to create meaningful and inclusive learning experiences that strengthen literacy outcomes for all students. Take the survey by Wednesday, April 22 to play a key role in shaping future program opportunities.

Attend Computer Science Family Engagement Night

Curious how computer science fits into your child’s future? Computer Science Family Engagement Night is an opportunity for families to experience and learn about the vast array of computer science experiences that our students have from PreK-12.

Date: April 23, 2026

Time: 5:00-7:00 p.m.

Location: Newport High School

Address: 4333 Factoria Blvd. SE, Bellevue, WA 98006

RSVP to attend.

The event will include hands-on activities for all ages, featuring: