Ardmore Community Newsletter: Feb 2026

 

Dear Families,

We hope you are doing well and settling into the new year. As we move into February, we are grateful for the continued energy, care, and partnership that make our Ardmore community so special.

Over the past month, our school has been focusing with students on the importance of celebrating one another’s differences and learning from and with each other. During our Martin Luther King Jr. assembly, students learned about Dr. King’s vision and our district’s commitment to striving toward what he called a Beloved Community.

At Ardmore, we bring this vision to life by using our words to make positive change, standing up for one another, and staying united as we learn together and from one another each day.

This month, we will be honoring and celebrating Black History Month. Throughout February, students will engage in learning that highlights the influence, contributions, and leadership of the Black community and African American heritage across history, culture, and society. This learning connects to our ongoing commitment to equity, belonging for all.

 

Today Feb 6th, you will also be receiving your child’s student progress report in their backpacks. These reports outline and celebrate areas of growth and goal, along with resources to support continued learning at home. We look forward to continuing to work together to ensure your child’s academic, social, and emotional learning goals are supported in a holistic way.

We are excited for February and the weeks ahead. Please see the information below for upcoming events and important dates.

Warm regards,

Yusra Obaid – Principal

Renee Barut-del Fierro – Assistant Principal

Ardmore Community Handbook   Ardmore Community Handbook 2025-2026

 

Save the Date

February 16 - 20, 2026 - Monday - Friday - No school, Mid-Winter Break

 Please find important non school days here  Non School Days

Please follow our Calendar for future events https://ardmore.bsd405.org/our-school/calendar=

 

Celebrating Black History Month and African American Heritage

 

 Spring After School Club Registration 

 

 

Student Safety 

This month, we will practice a LockOUT drill. A LockOut drill is called whenever there is a threat outside of the school that we want to keep out and it does not rise to the level of needing to put students into a LockDOWN. An example of a LockOUT would be a wild animal sighting in the area or a call that there is police activity over by the Walgreens.

A LockOUT is different from a LockDOWN, as students as staff will stay in the building and be allowed to continue with their normal schedule and learning. In a LockDOWN, students and staff will have to stop what they are doing and be on alert on how to best respond to a more immediate threat directly outside or within the building.

Throughout the year, we practice a variety of drills, at least once a month, to make sure students know what to do in case of an emergency. The more students practice, understand, and ask questions, the more the will be prepared on how to respond quickly and appropriately during an actual emergency.

 

Electronics use at school

Please review the following guidelines regarding the use of smart watches and phones.

Our school expectations are aligned with district policy. You can find the full policy here:

https://www.bsd405.org/about-us/school-board/policies-and-procedures/policy-and-procedure-details/~board/policies-procedures/post/3245

Summary of the guidelines:

• Smart watches/phones are primarily for use before school, after school.
• Classroom use is generally not permitted in order to support student focus and engagement.

In practice:

Students may wear their smart watch as long as they are not using it during class time. If a student is using their watch or it becomes a distraction, they should receive one reminder. If the behavior continues, the student will be asked to put the watch away in their backpack for the remainder of the instructional time. Students may put the watch back on during recess, lunch, or before or after school

 

 

Accommodation for Fasting 

After mid winter break we plan on providing a room for students who may be fasting due to different religious holiday, Ramadan and Lent.

Ramadan is practiced differently among families, communities and countries around the world. At Ardmore we want to make sure that students feel comfortable practicing their own family traditions around Ramadan. For some they may be fasting for other they may not. Starting Feb 23rd we will be offering  an alternative space than the lunchroom. We want to ensure that student will be the lead in making the decision for themselves should they choose an alternative space than the lunchroom. 

sign in procedures 

Please make sure to sign in when entering the building and wear your visitor badge at all times. This helps ensure our school safety procedures are followed and allows us to know who is in the building in the event of an emergency.

Remember to Vote by February 10

Election day is approaching. Bellevue School District has two measures on the ballot that renew existing school levies that fund classroom, safety, and technology needs.

These levies help keep schools staffed, safe, and equipped with the tools students need to learn. They are not new taxes but a continuation of current local funding.

Ballots must be mailed or placed in an official drop box by Election Day, February 10. More information is available on our levy renewal web page .https://www.bsd405.org/about-us/bonds-and-levies

PTSA Support 

 

Please consider donating to the Ardmore PTSA to help us fund fieldtrips, assemblies, educational workshops, and family events.

We appreciate your support and partnership!

https://bit.ly/donateardmoreptsa