PTA EVENTS CALENDAR

Our Focus (on Kids!) Day in Olympia – Jan. 18, 2010!

There’s a big change to our annual Olympia event this year:  we’ll be bringing our KIDS!  Monday, January 18, 2010 is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day.  There won’t be any school, so bring your kids to the Capitol in Olympia where they can learn firsthand how government works and how you can make a difference.   Aside from the usual issue updates and legislator visits, free Capitol Tours and special activities are being planned just for kids, so be sure to bring them along.  We’ll march around the Campus and rally on the Capitol steps.  We’ll hear speeches from the Governor, a few other elected officials, parents and KIDS. Mark your calendars for Mon. Jan. 18, 2010.  The day kicks off at 8:00 a.m.--March and Rally at 9:45.  Register online today to secure your spot and stay in the loop:  http://www.wastatepta.org/meetings/focus_day/index.html.  Questions?  Jennifer Edson, jennifer.edson.cpa@gmail.com

EAGER READER LAUNCH JANUARY 14^TH

Look for your child’s Eager Reader packet on January 14^th, 2010.  The Eager Reader program includes all grades this year and we have added a raffle for a Barnes & Noble gift cards!  The Eager Reader program encourages all students to read and prizes are awarded for reaching time levels – the ultimate goal – to get the Cold Stone Creamery gift certificate! Tally sheets are turned in to classrooms each Thursday, beginning January 21^st and ending March 4^th.  All the details are in the packet coming home on the 14^th.  Questions?  Heather Dueñaz (duenaz@comcast.net) or Johanna Range (johanna.range@comcast.net).

TV-TURN OFF WEEK

Make a pledge to turn off the TV and reduce all screen time Jan 25^th to Jan 29th! The goal of TV Turn-Off Week is to promote healthy choices in free time activities. In the long term, minimizing screen time can:

·         Reduce childhood obesity and the long-term health impacts of couch time

·         Increase family connections and communications

·         Improve school performance

·         Reduce your energy bill

·         Result in an awareness of the impact of television and commercial messages on our lives and behavior

·         Kids are typically not eager to reduce their screen time, but with several fun activities and suggestions during TV turn-off week, it should be easier! It is a good time to begin preparing for TV turn-off week. Planning activities for that week in advance should help smooth the transition.

Kids will be asked to take home a pledge card to commit to no TV for a week. Parents must initial the card on Monday thru Thursday to indicate that the child did not watch TV.  We will be offering fun prizes for children that make it through three nights, and four nights!  Plus, each classroom will be competing for a fabulous prize – a CRAZY DANCE PARTY – just for their classroom. The class with the most participation and 100% completion (four nights) will win the party.  Volunteers for short-term commitments are needed.  Daytime or evening help are available.   CONTACT Erin Ehlinger 425-941-4560 erin.ehlinger@icxt.com for more information.

register to vote today!

Did you know we have a ballot vote coming up?  February 9^th is a voting day.  Ballots for the Issaquah School District Levy will be mailed to all registered voters between Jan. 18th and 20th so watch your mail for your ballot.  If you are not a registered voter, you have until Jan. 11th to mail in your registration or register online at http://www.kingcounty.gov/Elections/Registration.aspx.

Reflections State Finalist

Congratulations to Jasmine Cheng whose oil painting has been chosen as a State Reflections finalist.  There were over 1,000 Issaquah District entries, 250 District Finalists, and just 51 entries sent on to State. Good luck Jasmine!

USED BOOK SALE

Sunny Hills will be hosting a used book sale April 28^th and 29^th. We will be collecting gently used children’s books from families, starting April 5^th.  Please save books that your children may have outgrown, for the sale.  This sale will provide a great opportunity for kids to inexpensively purchase books. Proceeds from the sale will benefit PTA sponsored programs.  Thank you for your support, Michelle McGregor.

UPCOMING PARENT EDUCATION CLASSES

PROGRAM TITLE Understanding Teenage Stress
DATE Wednesday January 13, 2010
TIME 7:00-8:30pm
LOCATION Cascade Ridge Coyote Café’
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Have you ever wondered what is ‘normal’ teen behavior or maybe questioned if your own child was coping well with adolescent stress? Would you recognize signs and symptoms of depression in your adolescent? In a Washington State 6th grade study, 39% of students reported feeling “depression or sad on MOST days in the past year”. Sue Eastgard will define teenage stress and depression and identify triggers while equipping the parent with tools to assist adolescents with healthy coping skills.
COST FREE
CONTACT Alison Cathro
PHONE NUMBER 425.442.2704
EMAIL buddleia69@yahoo.com

 
PROGRAM TITLE Battling Bullies Today with Jan Faull
DATE Monday March 15, 2010
TIME 7:00-8:30pm
LOCATION Clark Elementary MPR
BRIEF DESCRIPTION No one likes bullies and the attacks they make on their victims.  Most children are neither bullies nor victims, most are bystanders watching or trying to ignore a bullying situation.  What can parents and teachers do?
COST FREE
CONTACT Kathryn Morgan
PHONE NUMBER 425-770-8099
EMAIL kathmor@hotmail.com

ISSAQUAH SCHOOLS FOUNDATION ANNOUNCEMENTS

Why Pay a Tutor? Use After-School Homework Labs and Club

Help your middle or high school student start 2010 at their academic best. Remind them to use the Issaquah Schools Foundation’s FREE After-School Homework Clubs and Labs. Both offer teacher assisted tutoring in the core areas of math and science. Some sites even have writing labs. Contact your school for its After-School Homework Club/Lab schedule. 

Twenty-One More NBC Teachers!

Congratulations to our 21 new National Board Certified teachers. National Board Certification is considered the pinnacle of professional development. The voluntary assessment program recognizes and rewards great teachers—and makes them even better. ISF is pleased to contribute grants of up to $1,500 to each NBC prospect. This grant, combined with a zero-interest loan from the District, can cover nearly the entire cost of the NBC process. It’s a great investment in our students’ success.

There’s Always a Reason to Shop

Remember to log on to Amazon through the ISF website to earn up to 8% of your purchase price for the Foundation. There is no cost to you…just shop as normal. The donation will automatically be calculated and forwarded to ISF upon checkout.