Parent Orientation 2025-26
Genesee Hill Parent Orientation 2025-26
- Genesee Hill Leadership Team
- Genesee Hill Staff
- Schools Earning the Washington School Recognition
- Curriculum
- Assessments
- What Do I Do When My Child struggles?
- Advanced Learning Opportunities (ALO)
- Bell Schedule 2024-25
- SW Dakota Permanently Closed
- Drop-off & Pick-up Procedures
- Attendance
- Transportation
- School Meals
- Start of School Forms
- The Source
- Volunteers
- Family Engagement – Join the PTA!
- Cell Phones & Smart Watches
- Safety and Emergencies
- Upcoming Events
- Family Handbook
- Multi-Classroom FAQ
Genesee Hill Leadership Team
Principal Liz Dunn eadunn@seattleschools.org
Assistant Principal Bonnie Levin bslevin@seattleschools.org
Administrative Assistant Stacy Pritchard slpritchard@seattleschools.org
Office Assistant/Attendance Lani Huston lahuston@seattleschools.org
Genesee Hill Staff
- Kindergarten: Katie Funke, Tara Ritzman, Sarah Yaakoby
- 1st Grade: Beth Grasel, Margaret Lewis, Julie Pietsch
- 1st/2nd Grade Split: Erin Munavu
- 2nd Grade: Danielle Jones, Renee Marroquin, Alison Aylesworth
- 3rd Grade: Vincent Della Pella, Jackie Frazier, Nicole Williams
- 4th Grade: Stephen Katz, Amber Vandermeulen, Michael Washington
- 5th Grade: Per Junkerman, Emily Lappe, Kay YAno
Specialists:
- Kyle Vercammen, PE
- Lindsey Bender, Art
- Sam Turner, Dance
Reading Interventionist: Gina Frazzini
Special Education: Tia Demirkaya, Paul Franzen
English Language: Lisa Barajas
Counselor: Amber Smith
Support Staff:
- Geri Thompson, School Nurse
- Sam Johnson, Psychologist
- Tiffany Hutchings, Speech Language Pathologist
- Tami Brockschmidt, Occupational Therapist
Curriculum
- ELA – Center for Collaborative Classroom (CCC)
- Making Meaning
- Being A Reader
- Being A Writer
- SuccessMaker
- Math – envision Mathematics
- Solve & Share
- Visual Learning
- Guided Practice
- Independent Practice
- SuccessMaker
- Science – Amplify Science
- Units based on Next Generation Science Standards
- Social Studies
- Since Time Immemorial
- Social Emotional Learning (SEL)
- Second Step
- RULER
- Child Protection (K-3)
- Bullying Prevention (4-5)
- Classroom Meetings
- Sexual Health Education
- Grades 4-5
Assessments
- WAKids – Kindergarten
- Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) – K-5th
- DIBELS – K-2nd (3rd-5th as needed)
- Curriculum Based Assessments
- ELA – K-5th
- Science – K-3rd
- Math – 4th-5th
- Smarter Balanced Assessment (SBA) – 3rd-5th
2024-25 MAP Data
Baseline Fall 2025
| Grade Level | Math | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| 5th | 80% | 82% |
| 4th | 83% | 83% |
| 3rd | 76% | 78% |
| 2nd | 85% | 84% |
| 1st | 69% | 70% |
| K | Not tested | Not Tested |
| All Grades | 78% | 81% |
Spring Achievement
| Grade Level | Math | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| 5th | 80% | 83% |
| 4th | 86% | 80% |
| 3rd | 79% | 80% |
| 2nd | 76% | 77% |
| 1st | 81% | 84% |
| K | 72% | 72% |
| All Grades | 81% | 81% |
What Do I Do When My Child struggles?
Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS)
Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS)
Tier 1 – Strong Core Curriculum Instruction with Universal Accommodations for all students – Inclusionary Practices and UDL
- Classroom teachers differentiate, put interventions in place, and track data for all outliers (students needing extra support and those students needing extension)
- Tier 1 interventions include small group instruction, selected independent practice, SuccessMaker, etc.
Tier 2 – Core Instruction plus targeted interventions
- Grade Level Teams will meet to discuss student concerns, possible solutions and ongoing intervention plans
- MTSS Leadership Team will meet to review Grade Level meeting notes, recommend tier 2 interventions and continue to monitor and modify supports
Tier 3 – Student Intervention Team (SIT)
- MTSS Leadership Team meet in Pre-SIT to determine when it is necessary to schedule a formal SIT meeting
- SIT Team will meet to review all data and determine next steps:
* Additional Tier 2 supports
* 504 Plan
* Special Education Evaluation for possible IEP
Advanced Learning Opportunities (ALO)
At Genesee Hill, we have high expectations for all students, and we know that each will be challenged by the rigor and depth of our curriculum. To that end, we follow the inclusion model in which teachers differentiate instruction for all students.
Learn more about Advanced Learning at Genesee Hill
ALO Math Strategies
The envision Mathematics curriculum builds conceptual understanding through a combination of problem-based and visual learning strategies. Teachers implement differentiated instruction in varied groups: whole class, small group, partners, and individual. Listed below are instructional strategies used at Genesee Hill (note that not every strategy will be used in every classroom):
- Parallel Tasks. All students work on the same core content with tasks of different complexity.
- Curriculum Compacting. Use assessment to determine student skill level in a core content area. Then eliminate or enhance parts of the curriculum based on instructional need.
- Flexible Groups. Students are grouped by interest, achievement, activity preference, or specific instructional needs.
- Math Centers and Games. Activities in small groups based on student choice or teacher designation.
- Small Group Instruction. Teacher works with a small group of students on a targeted learning goal.
- SuccessMaker
- Tiered Assignments. Adjusted degrees of difficulty of a question, task or product to match student’s current readiness level.
- Open Questions. A question framed in such a way that a variety of responses/approaches are possible.
- Targeted Questioning.Teacheris intentional about depth of questions asked. All students are asked questions that require critical thinking at a level that is challenging for them, and all students benefit from hearing their peers’ thinking.
ALO Reading Strategies
The strategies listed above are also adapted for use in reading instruction. We use a wide variety of reading materials from our classroom and school libraries, Junior Great Books, teacher read-alouds, and content area reading. Classroom groupings include:
- Flexible Leveled Reading Groups (K-2).Utilizing the Collaborative Classroom curriculum, students are placed in groups by current reading level to ensure appropriate instruction and reading materials. Groups can change as students’ reading skills develop.
- Literature Groups (3-5). A group of students read the same book. They ask peer questions, discuss major themes, study vocabulary, and analyze author’s purpose and style.
- Independent Reading. Each student will have an opportunity for self-selected reading during the school day to develop reading fluency and get in the habit of reading.
- Support for Students in Selecting Appropriate Books. Teacher will guide students in choosing just-right books for independent reading. (Criteria include instructional level, high interest reading, and student choice.)
Teachers may also use the following differentiated approaches to support the ALO Reading Strategies above:
- Reading Logs. Students keep a reading record to allow both student & teacher to monitor choices.
- Independent Book Study Projects. Opportunities for students to explore a topic of interest to them.
- Book Reports (2-5). Depth of student analysis and comprehension is appropriate to student reading level.
- SuccessMaker
- Response to Literature. Opportunities for students to demonstrate understanding by using text to make connections and support thinking. Projects could include art, drama, writing, reports or other presentations.
Bell Schedule 2025-26
School Hours: 7:55 a.m. – 2:25 p.m.
Wednesdays: 7:55 a.m. – 1:10 p.m.
Genesee Hill daily bell schedule
SW Dakota Permanently Closed
- There is No drop-off, Pick-up, or Parking on Dakota
- Drop-offs should only happen in the front parking lot when arriving after the 7:55 bell.
Drop-off & Pick-up Procedures
Genesee Hill drop-off and pick-up procedures
Attendance
Genesee Hill Attendance Information
Transportation
Genesee Hill Transportation Procedures
School Meals
Start of School Forms
We will no longer be sending home the traditional “First Day Packet”.
All Start of School forms are online
Student Data Verification is available online Sept. 3 – 30 – The online Student Data Verification form includes the Emergency Release Form and the Student Health Information Form.
Please view all forms and fill out as needed:
- Change of Address
- Child Find and 504
- FERPA
- Health and Immunization
- McKinney-Vento
- SPS Student Devices
- Native Education
- Creating a Source Account
The Source
- Parents and guardians of students actively enrolled in SPS need to set up an account on The Source.
- Parent and guardian Source accounts display attendance, assessment scores, Elementary Progress Reports, Secondary Performance Reports, secondary student assignment scores, SchoolPay, Schoology Access Codes and other information.
- To set up your account go to “The Source” on the SPS website
- From there you will enter the email address on school record to receive a confirmation email from sourcesupport@seattleschools.org
- Open that email and click the link…create a password and your good to go!
Volunteers
Our teacher teams love to use volunteers in the classroom. Watch for your teacher to reach out for their specific needs and Room Parent wishes.
In the meantime, please visit the district website to complete the volunteer application process.
Family Engagement – Join the PTA!
Please consider becoming a member of the Genesee Hill PTA!
The Genesee Hill PTA serves the school and community by providing a powerful voice to all children, relevant resources to families, and cohesive advocacy to, and partnership with, the greater West Seattle Community and School District.
For more information and/or to become a member, please visit their website at geneseehillpta.org
PTA Board Members will be available at the Ice-Cream Social on the 2nd and at Open House on September 18th to help welcome you back to school and answer any of your questions.
Our 2025-26 Board members:
- Open Position, Advocacy
- Brooke Dunnigan, President
- Christine Risinger & Molly Al-Jawad, Co-Vice Presidents
- Catherine Sherman, Secretary
- Alex Slivinski, Treasurer
- Mol Chungsiriwat, Vice Treasurer
- Heather Alverez, Fundraising
- Dayra Haugo, Cohorts
- Katrina Higgason, Communications
- Linda Kennedy, Equity
- Open Position, Events
- Sara Malcolm, Membership
- Roxanne Rockett, Special Education
- Open Position, Volunteers
Cell Phones & Smart Watches
We recognize that many students carry cell phones to communicate with parents to and from school, however students are not allowed to use cell phones or Smart Watches on school property.
If a student has an emergency call to make, they must first obtain permission from an adult to go to the office and ask the front desk to call parent/guardian.
The first time an adult takes away a cell phone, the phone goes to the office and the child picks it up from the principal at the end of the day.
When this happens a second time, the principal will keep the cell phone until the parent can collect it.
The school is not responsible for any lost or stolen cell phones or other electronic items.
Should a cell phone or electronic device go missing, the administrator will only investigate if a child was “strong armed”, and the device was taken that way.
Lost, missing, or presumed stolen electronics will not be investigated.
Safety and Emergencies
Student safety is our priority.
To that end, and in accordance with SPS Safety & Security priorities, our building will remain locked at all times.
All visitors/volunteers must check in through the buzzed entry at the main entrance.
Staff and visitors will be required to sign-in and wear an ID badge when in the building.
Safety Drills
Fire, earthquake drills, reverse evacuation, shelter-in-place, and lock down drills are all practiced during the school year. Escape routes are posted in each instructional space in the building.
Genesee Hill Elementary’s building lock-down plan assists in maintaining order and safety within the school building.
“Lock-down” means all inner and outer doors are locked, including classroom doors. No one may come in or out.
“Shelter in Place” means that the outer doors are locked but staff and students may move within the building.
Parents are sent email notification after each lock-down drill.
Upcoming Events
Family Handbook
More information can be found in the Genesee Hill Family Handbook.