October 21 Family Newsletter

Seaton Families,  

A big thank you to all of our students and families who have already contributed to our beautiful Día de Los Muertos Altar in the front lobby! It’s truly a special way to honor loved ones and celebrate this rich tradition. If you haven’t had a chance to participate yet, don’t worry! You can still add your items to the altar through November—there’s plenty of time to make it even more meaningful. 

We’ve got an exciting month ahead at Seaton! Here’s a quick look at what’s coming up in October:  Listening Sessions – Your voice matters! Join us for these casual sessions to share your thoughts and ideas. Author Visit – A special guest will be visiting our school to inspire our budding readers and writers. Picture Day – Don’t forget those smiles! Picture Day is just around the corner. Movie Night – Grab your blankets and popcorn—it’s family movie night! 

We’re looking forward to celebrating and connecting with you all throughout the month. Stay tuned for more details on each event. We are sharing the October 21 Family Newsletter. Flyers are attached at the end of the newsletter. – Principal Torres

School News

October 31 (Halloween Day)

October 31 is an exciting day for students! We encourage students to dress like their favorite Book Character for the day. Please ensure that costumes are school-appropriate—nothing scary or violent.  

Grades PK3 and PK4 Parade will be hosting a “Custome Parade” starting from 9:15AM around the school (blocks around school). Parents are welcome to walk with their students. Parents can bring a change of clothes for students following the parade. Students will have a normal school day following the parade. 

Seaton School Values

The Seaton Staff has selected and defined our school Values. Students are learning about the values during Social Emotional Learning time, morning meetings, and class grade level meetings.  

  • Growth: We, students and adults, work together, set academic and behavioral goals, are open-minded, consider individual needs, and express our thoughts and emotions. 
  • Respect: We consistently model (verbally or visually) treating others as they want to be treated so they feel their boundaries are valued; and they feel safe and ready to learn. 
  • Welcoming: We use language and actions to create an environment that empowers values and celebrates all people. 
  • Community: We create an inclusive safe space where we thoughtfully collaborate, support, and celebrate each other’s individuality.  
  • Responsibility: We have accountability for our growth and learning with clear respectful communication, effective time management, and ownership of natural consequences. 

Middle School Survey

DCPS will open a new middle school in August 2028! The new middle school will be located at 800 Euclid St NW. It will be a comprehensive neighborhood middle school with a boundary serving grades 6-8, and it will be the feeder middle school for Cleveland ES, Garrison ES, and Seaton ES. As DCPS plans for this important addition to our community, we want to ensure your voice is heard. DCPS invites you to participate in a brief survey to inform our initial engagement. If you have any questions, please email us at dcps.planning@k12.dc.gov. Families can complete the survey here: https://publicinput.com/dcpsnewmsenglish  

After School Newsletter

After School families, please access the After School September/October Family Newsletter attached. Newsletter shared by Ms. Kirkpatrick and the after-school team.  

School Safety Drills

November Fire Drill. This drill takes place school wide. All students and staff evacuate the building to their secure location and return following the end of the fire drill.   

November Alert Drill.  “Alert Message” is a notification sent to teachers and staff for emergency drill purposes. It is important to note that during this drill, no actions are required from students. 

Parent Listening Sessions

Parents are invited to attend Family Listening Sessions to learn about our school goals, share ideas, and meet other families!  

  • English: October 16 at 5:30pm in the Library (Thank you for joining us!)  
  • Espanol: October 23 at 8:30am in the Front of School  
  • Chinese: October 30 at 8:30am in the Front Lobby  
  • Amharic: October 30 at 5:30pm in the Library  

Seaton Attendance Form  

Families, please fill out the SY 24-25 SY 24-25 Seaton Absent/Tardy Form if you are student was absent or tardy.   

School Events Coming Up 

Lights on After School. After School families are invited to attend the Fall Flair event taking place on October 24 from 4:30 to 5:30pm in the Seaton Multipurpose Room. Families will enjoy a show planned and organized by After School students. 

Author Visit Family Event. Join us for an author visit on October 25 at 4pm! Local author Carrie Maslen will read her children’s book Baking Bread with Jiddo and lead a cooking-related crafting activity. This hour-long author visit is free for students and parents! Parents may purchase Carrie’s book ahead of time, using discount code SAVE40 at checkout. Orders placed after October 11 will be available for pickup on site. Teacher, Ms. Nadia Syed, is Point of Contact and lead for this event!  

Family Movie Night. Please join us on Friday October 25th on the Seaton soccer field to watch the movie IF on the big screen! And be sure to plan on ordering pizza from our friends at Duccini’s at 7th and Q to bring with you. They have agreed to donate $4 to the PTO for every pizza sold that day when you mention “Seaton!” More details below — we hope to see you there! 

Picture Day. It’s that time of year again!  Picture Day will be held on October 30th  this year!  Picture Make-Up Day will be held on December 11th. On Picture Day, students are allowed to wear a “special outfit if they wish, as long as it does not have any inappropriate pictures or wording on it. 

Community Cares Event. On November 20th (3:15PM-4:30PM), we will have our Bee Market and offer Thanksgiving Turkeys, food, clothing, and household items. Stay tuned for a flyer.  

PTO Updates 

Volunteer with the PTO! We need event and committee volunteers throughout the year. If you are interested in getting involved, please submit this form.  

The PTO has several exciting fundraising opportunities coming up. 

  • In coordination with Full Moon Photography, the PTO is organizing a Family Portrait Mini-Session on Sunday, November 2, from 10-2 PM in the Seaton Garden. For $125 (including a $75 donation to the PTO), your family receives a 15 minute mini-session with professional photographer Zina Abdelaziz, with digital images delivered within 8-10 days of your session – just in time for the holidays! Space is limited. You can sign up here (payment information is included in the instructions.) Zina has also generously donated one mini-session to be raffled off – you can purchase a raffle ticket here. Winners will be selected at Friday’s Movie Night! This is a great opportunity to get your holiday card photos taken care of while supporting the PTO! And don’t forget, Seaton families get a 20% discount on holiday cards with Minted by using code FUNDRAISESEATON, which also gives back 15% to our PTO. 
  • Just announced: Urban Grape is hosting us for a Wine Tasting Fundraiser on Saturday, November 16, from 6-8 PM. Tickets are $60 and include wine tasting, snacks, a $25 donation to the PTO, and a raffle ticket for a bottle of wine. During the event, Urban Grape is donating 20% of all wine sales to the PTO. Tickets can be purchased here. Can’t make it? Support the event by donating at the link towards tickets for teachers! 

We are looking forward to Fall Movie Night this Friday, October 25th!  Fall movie night will be held from 6-9pm. We still have some volunteer slots open and we’d love your help! Please add your name and contact info here and we’ll be in touch! Plan ahead and order pizza from our friends at Duccini’s at 7th and Q to bring with you. They have agreed to donate $4 to the PTO for every pizza sold that day when you mention “Seaton!” 

Upcoming events:  

  • November 3: Seaton Family Portraits Fundraiser (details listed above and attached) 
  • November 16: Wine Tasting Fundraiser at Urban Grape 
  • November 20: Family Potluck Dinner in the Seaton Cafeteria 
  • December 6 – 12: Scholastic Book Fair 
  • December 13: Winter Wonderland Dance in the Seaton Cafeteria (Grades 2-5) 

Bonus: A Seaton parent has been instrumental in planning the Corcoran Music Festival that is being held this Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Click here for details on how to attend this FREE event! 

In Partnership – Principal Torres