From Nurse Christie Morrison, RN

Families have been asking about hearing loss/damage from constant headphone use during our remote learning environment. These excellent questions went straight to the TOPS K-8 Audiologist Molly Bergan and the District Audiologists for their response. The District Audiologists provided the following important message back to the School Nursing Department.
 
The good news is that the likelihood of hearing loss from school headphone use is low. We start to worry about hearing loss when a person is exposed to 80 dB of sound for a period of 8 hours or longer. For comparison, that’s about the level of a garbage disposal. Loud conversation (such as in a restaurant) is about 70 dB. So, while it is important to think about and monitor headphone volume, the risk is fairly low. Another consideration is listening fatigue. Some kids might become mentally exhausted from listening all day and need a break.  Click "Read More" for some headphone tips.​

All Eckstein staff, volunteer project leaders, coaches, parents and friends of Eckstein, are invited to use the quick and easy link below to request money from the Eckstein Annual Campaign (EAC). Fund your supplies, projects, emergency needs (personal or for a group), etc. that span the dates of September-December 2020. Anyone connected to the school and general community — including staff, parents, volunteers and friends of Eckstein — should feel comfortable requesting funds. Spread the word! Learn more about the EAC.

Welcome to the school year! We expect it to be full of both interesting challenges and silver-lining-surprises, as we move through covid and the many other happenings in our world.

Whether you are new to Eckstein or a returning family, you are a welcomed part of a strong, caring learning community. The kids provide us with hope and inspiration. The teachers and the administration provide deep expertise and passion for public education. And the families provide strength and community. Thank you for making Eckstein a great place to learn, grow, and work.

In a time when we are all physically separated, it is important for us to come together in the ways that we can. The Eckstein PTSA hopes to help this year with a focus on making connections - between home, school and the broader community. That might mean providing teachers with extra, unique resources as they start the year with online teaching. Or that might mean partnering with other organizations to support families in need with food and technology with during covid. Or that might mean providing opportunities for us to learn together about how structural racism and inequities affect our school and students’ everyday learning. Or that might mean bringing Eckstein’s needs and learnings to the Seattle and WA State PTSAs. And when we can gather again, the PTSA will be sure to host and support school events for all.

Want to be part of this? Have an idea and want to help make Eckstein even better? Want to share some of your time by volunteering? Then join the Eckstein PTSA. PTSA membership is essential to ensuring there is a strong voice and organized support for our school and our kids. All families, teachers and staff at Eckstein are welcome to be part of the PTSA. Cost should not be an issue - you can join whether or not you can contribute financially.

Join the Eckstein PTSA and connect with other families on our Facebook page.

The PTSA meets monthly. The first meeting of the school year is September 14th at 7:00 pm via video link. A GeneraI Meeting is set for for October 12th at 7:00 pm. If you would like to join any of the meetings, please email us and we can provide details.

Thanks for approaching this year with a spirit of connection and collaboration, and a little dose of patience. We want your comments, questions and ideas. All of the PTSA Board’s email addresses are on the website, so please connect and get involved. Working together we can make it a positive year for our Eckstein students.

Sincerely,
Joan Crooks and Shelley
Eckstein PTSA Co-presidents