SKYLINE PTSA EMAIL BLAST #4 – OCTOBER 20, 2008

PTSA GRANTS $8,500 TO SKYLINE FOR “BASIC EDUCATION FUNDING”

Did you see us present the giant check to Principal Lisa Hechtman and Science Department Chair, Rebecca Fowler at halftime of our game against Eastlake? This grant is a new PTSA contribution to the school this year. It will pay for consumable materials for science labs for all kids at Skyline. In this way, our PTSA is helping our school bridge the gap between the funding we receive from the state to cover basic education and the funding we actually need to give our kids a 21^st century education. Thank you, PTSA members.

BUT WAIT! THERE’S MORE…

Last week, we also granted $5,100 to six Skyline departments ranging from PE to IB Biology as part of the Skyline PTSA’s Spartan Grants Program. These grants are awarded on a semi-annual basis to staff who apply and meet our criteria. There will be a second round of grants made available to staff in January. There’s a recap of the grants awarded on our PTSA website.

WE STILL NEED YOUR PASS THE HAT DOLLARS!

A huge thank you to those of you who sent in additional funds for our PTSA Pass-the-Hat fundraiser. We’re still short of our goal by about $3,000. If any of you can afford to send a few extra bucks our way, we promise to put it to good use for our kids. Here’s the form to use.

ALL WELCOME AT PTSA’S FIRST LATTES WITH LISA

It’s this Wednesday, October 22^nd at 8am at Skyline. Newcomers to the school are especially welcome. We’ll have a short tour of “hotspots” at Skyline and a package of information to get you into Spartan life. You’ll also get to ask questions. Don’t forget your cup of joe!

EDUCATION FUNDING: HOW WE GOT INTO THIS MESS, A POSSIBLE WAY OUT

This Thursday evening, October 23^rd, come see a presentation by Jennifer Priddy of OSPI and Representatives Ross Hunter and Glenn Anderson about the education funding mess and a bi-partisan plan that just might work to fix it. It’s from 6:30 – 9 pm at the ISD Administration building.

WE’RE READY TO STOCK OUR EMERGENCY PREP CONTAINERS

The supplies have been ordered – 1,500 waters and 1,500 kcal bars. If you’d like to help assemble the kits once the supplies arrive, please contact Mark McLaughlin, PTSA’s Emergency Prep Chair.

PTSA’S NOVEMBER COMMUNITY SERVICE DAY

The next opportunity for your student to have their community service hours recorded will be at both lunches on Thursday, November 6^th. Cary Young, Director of the City of Sammamish’s Sammi Awards and Susan Gierke, Director of Issaquah Schools Foundation’s VOICE Mentor Program will be on hand to answer questions about and even take sign ups for community service opportunities with their two organizations.

REFLECTIONS ENTRIES DUE NOVEMBER 18^TH

If you have an artist, poet, musician, videographer, dancer, writer, or photographer in your house, hopefully they are busy putting together their piece for this year’s National PTA Refections program. The theme this year is “WOW!” For more information, go to the PTSA website Reflections page, or contact Lynnea Washburn, PTSA’s Reflections Chair.

SKYLINE PTSA ADVOCACY NEWS

Skyline PTSA board voted to endorse the Sammamish Park Bond & Levy. For basic facts on the bond and levy, go here.
WA State PTA approved its 2008-2009 Legislative Platform. Education funding is number one again!
WA State PTA urges you to vote NO on I-985. This transportation bill doesn't really fix our traffic issues, but does take money away from the general fund, which would mean cuts for education.

ISSAQUAH SCHOOL’S FOUNDATION RAISES $324,000

At last week’s Nourish Every Mind luncheon, the Issaquah Schools Foundation raised $324,000. Over 850 community members gathered at the Issaquah Community Center for what many said was the ‘best ever’ luncheon. What was especially gratifying to organizers was the huge increase in the number of new faces in the crowd. PTSA participation played a significant role in this. In addition to filling a table at the luncheon, the Skyline PTSA made a contribution to the foundation of $1,225. The Issaquah Schools Foundation extends a warm and heartfelt thank you to all our PTSA members for your support.