The Nest News: Volume 5

Posted Date: 01/09/26 (04:30 PM)

Volume 5 : January 9, 2026

From the Principal's Desk

Five diverse children with smiling faces form a circle, holding hands in unity.

Dear Families,

Happy New Year! This month, we are focusing on the important character trait of responsibility—making thoughtful choices and owning our actions. It's natural for children, especially when they make a poor choice, to sometimes shift the blame or stretch the truth to avoid accountability. As your principal, it's a priority for me to support our students in developing the courage to be truthful, take ownership of their actions, and learn from their experiences.

Nothing makes me prouder than when I meet with a student regarding a discipline matter and they honestly say, “Yes, Ms. Skeen, I did do that.” While I may not be proud of the action itself, their willingness to take responsibility speaks volumes about their character and their strength in facing the truth. I often remind students that we all make mistakes. Owning up to our actions allows us to work toward solutions rather than making things worse.

You can play a vital role in helping our children grow into responsible adults by providing them with opportunities for decision-making and accountability at home. To support you in this effort, here’s an insightful article on how to build responsibility in your child: How to Teach Your Kids to Own Their Mistakes .

As always, thank you for partnering with us in your support of your child.

Warmly,

Tamara

Counselor's Corner

Dear families,

The new year is a great time for celebration, reflection and goal setting. As we look back on the achievements of the past year, we also position ourselves to take on new challenges and overcome struggles from before. During SEL time this month, we will be learning about fun, kid friendly ways to set up SMART goals for ourselves.

A SMART goal is

S - SPECIFIC
M - MEASUREABLE
A - ACHIEVEABLE
R - RELEVANT
T - TIME BOUND

Infographic illustrating the SMART goal-setting framework with icons for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.

You can support your child at home by continuing those conversations and helping them draft and complete their SMART goals. Goals can be as simple as reading more books, practicing kindness, improving in a favorite subject, or learning a new skill.

Writing the goal down, sharing it with a teacher or family member, and celebrating small successes along the way helps turn big dreams into achievable steps. Most importantly, goals should be encouraging and flexible—trying your best matters more than being perfect.

As we learn more about setting and working towards our goals, we will indirectly be practicing our January character trait of Responsibility.

During the second half of the month, we will review some concepts from zones of regulation including regulation tools to help us manage our emotions like pros in 2026!

Happy New Year to you all!

Our Official School Color...

Four strings of green triangular bunting flags hang against a white background.

For quite some time, our school colors have been a topic of mystery. After a bit of research, we were able to confirm our historical school colors consisted of a dark green and dark red. Our school leadership team decided to pick one of these to be our primary color.

We put it up to a staff vote and school spirit just got brighter! Our official school color is GREEN!

This color will symbolize who we are as a school—our pride, teamwork, and commitment to excellence. Let’s wear it proudly!

Learn Why Your Vote Matters

A speech bubble graphic with the text 'Let's Chat!' in blue and white.

Join us for an interactive session with district leaders to learn about the Feb. 10 school ballot! Approval of the renewal learning levy would sustain 300 staff members and programs like athletics, arts, and campus safety, while passage of the capital construction bond would fund dozens of projects to improve student safety, replace outdated building systems, and modernize decades-old schools.

Bring your questions and hear directly from the leaders guiding this work. Learn more at: www.mukilteoschools.org/bondlevy2026

January 14 : 4:00-5:00 pm : https://bit.ly/Jan14event

January 21 : 6:00-7:00 pm : https://bit.ly/January21event

These are online events. Interpretation will be available upon request to communications@mukilteo.wednet.edu

Biblioteca Beat

A cartoon owl wearing glasses reads a red book while perched on a tree branch.

Thank you so much, Endeavour, for supporting this year’s Book Fair! Our library gratefully uses the funds raised to purchase the Mukilteo Lighthouse, OTTER, and Washington Children's Choice Picture Book nominees.

These are books that every Endeavour student gets to enjoy, so we really appreciate the funding that the Book Fair provides.

I’d also like to thank the volunteers, PTA Board, and Endeavour staff for contributing your time to make our Book Fair successful. Happy reading!

Warmly,

Sara Smeby

Talons and Tidbits

Two bold red exclamation marks stand out against a white background.

Reminder: Toys Stay Home

As we return from the holiday break, many students will be eager to bring new items to show off to their friends. Please remember that toys (including Labubu, Pokemon Cards, slime, etc.) should remain at home and not be brought to school. Toys can be distracting during the school day and may become lost or damaged.

Thank you for your cooperation and support in helping us maintain a focused learning environment.

Upcoming Dates and Observances

Monday, January 19: Martin Luther King Jr. Day - NO SCHOOL
Friday, January 30: Teacher Work Day - NO SCHOOL

PTA Hub

Pokemon Art Club: Winter Session - Revised Dates

Tuesdays, January 20 through February 10 after school from 3:30-4:30 in Mrs. Groehnert’s Classroom (Room 2) - Volunteers wanted! If interested, sign up HERE

Upcoming Clubs:

STEM4Good Brain Builders (3rd through 5th grade only)- March 3, 10, 17, and 24. 3:30-5:00. Adult Volunteers wanted! If interested, sign up HERE
Spring Pokémon Art Club (all grades)- April 14, 21, 28, May 5. 3:30-4:30. Adult Volunteers wanted! If interested, sign up HERE
Garden Club (all grades)- May 12, 19, 26, June 2, 9, 16. 3:30-4:30. Adult Volunteers wanted! If interested, sign up HERE
Kindness Club (all grades)- tentatively Feb 24, March 3, 10, and 17. 3:30‐4:30. Sign up will publish in February.

If interested in enrolling your student in any of the clubs listed above, please email contact@endeavourpta.org with the following information:

Student Name
Grade
Teacher
Club Name student is interested in

If a parent/guardian volunteered at a PTA event and is eligible for priority registration, please provide adult's name and which event they supported for priority registration.

Please note clubs have a $10-$20 registration fee to fund club supplies.

Endeavour Elementary PTA

Be The Sunshine!

Mukilteo School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities based on sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of trained dog guide or service animal. The district provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other youth group listed in Title 36 of the United States Code as patriotic society. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: Civil Rights Coordinator and Title IX Coordinator Robert Gallagher (425-356-1300), gallagherrm@mukilteo.wednet.edu, Section 504 Coordinator Becca Anderson (425-356-1277), andersonra@mukilteo.wednet.edu, and the ADA/Access Coordinator Karen Mooseker (425-356-1330), moosekerkw@mukilteo.wednet.edu. Address: 9401 Sharon Drive in Everett, WA. Inquiries regarding ADA/Access issues at Sno-Isle TECH Skills Center should be directed to Wes Allen, Director (425-348-2220) allenwr@mukilteo.wednet.edu. Address: 9001 Airport Road in Everett, WA 98204.