Principal Newsletter 10.30.2026
Dear Carnation Families,
We have officially closed out a lively October. Although November is a shorter month for school days, it’s one of our busiest. Parent–teacher conferences, modified schedules, and holidays (Veterans Day and Thanksgiving), and assemblies make the month feel full and fast-paced. We’re hoping to meet with the parents of every student during conferences, and we want to be sure families are aware of the adjusted schedules and non-school days that come with this time of year. More details about conferences, schedule changes, and upcoming events are included below.
Have a safe and fun Halloween weekend,
Steve Lesco
Principal, Carnation Elementary
lescos@rsd407.org | 425-844-4553
Important Dates |
Monday, November 2 – Kindness Squad Food Drive Begins
Friday, November 6 – PTSA Reflections Submissions Due, Seattle Soccer Spirit School Assembly
Tuesday, November 10 – Veterans Day Assembly
Wednesday, November 11 – No School in Observance of Veterans Day
Thursday, November 12 – Picture Retake Day
Friday, November 13 – Carnation Learning Walk, PTSA Popcorn Friday, and Student Council Fuzzy Blanket Day
November 16 – 20 – Book Fair
Wednesday, November 18 – PTSA Tiger Watch
Thursday, November 19 – ½ day for K-5 Students (12:45 Dismissal), No School for PreK, Parent-Teacher Conferences begin
Friday, November 20 – No school for students, Parent-Teacher Conferences
Wednesday, November 25 – End of First Trimester, ½ Day for K-5 Students (12:45 Dismissal), No School for PreK, Report Cards Available in Synergy
November 26-27 – No School for Thanksgiving Break
Monday, November 30 – School Resumes
November 30 – December 4 – PBIS Prize Cart
Wednesday, December 2 – Kindness Squad Food Drive Ends
Successful FundraisersThank you for supporting both of our fundraisers so generously. We’re pleased to share that they were both very successful, and your generosity makes a real difference for Carnation students.
As promised, Mr. Del Rosso and I followed through on our end of the fun. We wore inflatable costumes at the Tiger Walk and had fun chasing students around the field. Then, during a brief all-school assembly on Monday, I had my head shaved while Mr. Del Rosso had his head decorated with temporary tattoos and beads. We were happy to join in, and perhaps a little relieved when it was all over! Thank you for being such a supportive and generous community. We’re grateful to partner with you and appreciate all you do for our school. |
Conference Information |
Parent–teacher conferences will be held on Thursday, November 19, and Friday, November 20. Our goal is to meet with all families during our conference window.
During the week of November 2, families will receive an email with information about scheduling a conference. All scheduling will take place electronically.
Thursday, November 19 is a half-day for K-5 students, and evening conference times will be available until 7:00 pm.
Friday, November 20 is a no-school day for students, and conferences will be scheduled throughout the school day.
Student Activity Station During Conferences
During the conference window, a supervised activity station will be available in the MPR for school-aged children while parents attend conferences. Staff will be present to support children as they take part in activities.
If your child is not participating in their conference, please feel free to bring your child to the MPR and sign them in before your conference begins. After your conference, return to the MPR to sign them out. We hope this option helps make conference time easier for families.
Report Cards |
A paper copy of your child’s report card will be shared during your scheduled parent-teacher conference. Families will also have access to report cards through Synergy Parent VUE on Wednesday, November 25.
The Book Fair is Coming
Get ready! The Scholastic Book Fair is coming our way. Choosing their own books empowers kids and inspires them on their journey to becoming lifelong readers. And—as always—every purchase at the Fair benefits our school.
Please save the dates for our Book Fair, which will take place from November 16-20 at the Carnation Elementary Library:
11/16 (Monday): 8:30-9:20 AM, 3:45-5:00 PM
11/17 (Tuesday): 8:30-9:20 AM, 3:45-5:00 PM
11/18 (Wednesday): 8:30-9:20 AM, 3:45-5:00 PM
11/19 (Thursday): 8:30-9:20 AM, 12:45 - 6:45 pm (Extended hours during conference night)
11/20 (Friday): 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Visit our Book Fair homepage to learn more: https://www.scholastic.com/bf/carnationelementaryschool
Student Half Days - 11/19 and 11/25 |
K-5 students attend school for a half-day on 11/19 and 11/25. Students dismiss at 12:45 on both days. Students will eat lunch prior to dismissal. Please make appropriate arrangements for your child for these modified days.
There is no school for PreK students on scheduled ½ days.
Kindness Squad Annual Food Drive – 11/2 – 12/2 |
Carnation Elementary’s Kindness Squad has partnered with Empower Youth Network for their Annual Food Drive and they would love your support to benefit our community!
Please consider donating individually wrapped, shelf-stable, non-perishable food items to support our community. The food drive will run November 2 – December 2.
Collection boxes will soon be available in each wing and in the main office.
E-Bike and E-Scooter Reminder |
As shared in my October 26 message, the district’s electric bike, e-moto and e-scooter policy will be enforced beginning Monday, November 2. Only Class 1 or Class 2 e-bikes with a signed user agreement are permitted at the elementary level. E-scooters, Class 3 e-bikes, and e-motos are not allowed on school grounds.
Carnation Elementary is a Seattle Soccer Spirit School |
As an official Seattle Soccer Spirit School, students will participate in a special assembly on Friday, November 6. The assembly will be led by Reid Sundblad, Youth Curriculum & Initiatives Manager, and former Sounders player and current radio color commentator Brad Evans. Students can look forward to a fun afternoon celebrating soccer and our school community, along with a few special giveaways.
“We’re proud to welcome your school as an official Seattle Soccer Spirit School! Seattle is a soccer city, and now your school community is part of the story! Scan the QR codes below to learn more, sign up for Sammy’s Squad—the official Kids Club of Sounders FC—and join the Reign FC Kids Club. You can also discover other ways to attend matches, connect with the clubs, and become part of the Sounders and Reign families.”
Carnation Learning Walks
We're excited to bring back our Parent & Community Learning Walks at Carnation Elementary! These walks give families and community members an opportunity to step inside our school, see learning in action, and get a firsthand look at the great things happening at CE!
The goal is to strengthen connections between our school and community, build understanding of our instructional practices, and celebrate the amazing work happening in our classrooms. These visits aren't evaluations of teachers or students, but rather an opportunity to see what a typical day of teaching and learning looks like at Carnation Elementary.
Our first Learning Walk will take place Friday, November 13, 2026, from 10:00–11:30 AM.
Interested in joining us? Click here to sign up! You can also scan the QR code below to register. We hope to see you there!
Veterans Day Assembly – Save the Date |
Our Tigers will be producing a celebration to honor Veterans Day on Tuesday, November 10 @ 2:00 pm.
There will be no school on Wednesday, November 11th in observance of Veterans Day.
Dressing Appropriately for the Weather |
The rainy season is now upon us, and we have outside recess most days. Please make sure your child is dressing appropriately for the cold and wet weather. Raincoats and waterproof shoes/boots are recommended.
PTSA Reflections Art
The Reflections Art Competition is a National PTA program that starts at the school level.
Students are invited to submit work on the theme in the art categories of: Visual Arts, Music, Photograph, Literature, Dance, or Film Production
We can’t wait to see what our Tigers create! Entries are Due November 6th!
More Info Here: https://carnationptsa.org/reflections/
PTSA Tiger Watch
Hello Tiger Family! We are excited to launch our second year of Carnation Elementary's Tiger Watch, a PTSA volunteer program, which draws inspiration from the national Watch D.O.G.S. initiative to cultivate a more positive school climate. Our program actively seeks a diverse range of volunteers, particularly encouraging male role models such as dads, uncles, grandpas, and other father figures. We warmly welcome parents, family, and community members from all backgrounds to contribute as positive influences, helping to create a safe and supportive learning environment for every student. Please consider volunteering!!!
Our next Tiger Watch is Wednesday, November 18th.
Suicide Prevention Training |
The Cedarcrest Forefront Team invites Riverview School District parents and caregivers to attend a free suicide prevention training on Tuesday, November 17, 2026 from 6:30pm - 8pm at the Cedarcrest High School Library. Come learn a five-step process to help you talk with someone you're worried about, learn if they are considering suicide, and take early steps to keep them safe. This training is designed for parents and caregivers of students in grades 9 through 12, but the steps can be adapted and used with youth of any age, particularly middle school and up. Anyone working with youth is encouraged to attend. More on this program is at forefrontintheschools.org. Register by November 13 at https://bit.ly/CHSForefrontNovember2026
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