SKYLINE PTSA EMAIL BLAST #5 – November 5, 2008

PTSA STUDENT DIRECTORIES HAVE BEEN MAILED

Skyline PTSA Student Directories were mailed to PTSA members October 31^st by US Postal Bulk Mail Service. If you did not receive a directory, but have paid for your 2008-2009 PTSA membership, please email Membership Co-Chairs Toole Estrada or Elaine Atherly.  If you are not a current 2008-2009 PTSA member but would like a student directory, you may become a member and receive one. Membership forms can be downloaded from our SHS PTSA website. If you have received your directory and feel that your personal information is incorrect, contact Stacey Slyke, Skyline registrar.

Ø PTSA membership cards were attached to the directories sent home. Check out your special member benefits (such as discounts from BarnesandNoble.com, Sharp electronics, and Southwest Airlines) at www.pta.org/benefits. On “Access the Exclusive Member Benefits”, press “Log In” and use the “Username” and “Password” listed on the back of your card.

Ø Directories for PCFC are not yet available. For those of you who ordered that directory, we will get them to you as soon as possible.

PTSA’S NOVEMBER COMMUNITY SERVICE DAY THIS THURSDAY

The next opportunity for your student to have their community service hours recorded will be at both lunches this 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.

PTSA GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING AND CAREER CENTER’S “COLLEGE WORKSHOP FOR JUNIORS” – IN ONE EVENING!

On Tuesday, November 18^th, beginning at 7pm in the SHS Theater, there will be a brief PTSA General Membership meeting followed by a Career Center seminar called “College Workshop for Juniors.” Even though the seminar is targeted to juniors, it’s open to all freshman, sophomore and junior students and parents. Learn about when to take which college entrance exams and options for preparing; how to identify colleges matching talents and interests; how to conduct successful college visits and develop strong college application essays; and more. There will be plenty of time to get your questions answered, and to find out how to sign your student up for the remaining PTSA-sponsored Mock SAT and Mock ACT tests and practice courses this year.

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 Reflections 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. Entry packets are available at the school office.  Deadline for entries is November 18, at 2:30 pm in Mr. Ramirez' class room.

LATTES WITH LISA NOVEMBER 20^TH

Come share your questions, concerns, and/or compliments with Principal Lisa Hechtman on Thursday, November 20th at 9am at Skyline. We’ll meet in the lobby right in front of the office. Newcomers to the school are especially welcome.

MATCHING FUNDS CAN HELP US CLOSE OUR FUNDRAISING GAP

Did you know that donations made to the Skyline PTSA can be increased with corporate matching fund programs? Not sure if your company matches your donations? We’ve compiled a list of companies who have matching gift programs for your convenience on our SHS PTSA website. Contact your Human Resources department for the necessary gifting forms. Questions? Contact PTSA’s Matching Funds Chair Suzie Wiley.

THE CAMPAIGNING IS OVER. NOW WHAT?

In Washington, the upcoming legislative session, which begins in January, will be a pivotal one for education. Come to a Legislative Roundtable on Thursday evening, November 20^th at 7pm at Newcastle Elementary to talk to state legislators in our region who have to do the heavy lifting to protect and improve education funding during the 2009 session.

HOLIDAY SHOPPING VIA ISSAQUAH SCHOOLS FOUNDATION

Scary to think about it, but the holidays will soon replace the election as the biggest thing on our minds. There is a little-known easy way to help our kids by helping the Issaquah Schools Foundation raise more money: you can shop on Amazon.com through an ISF portal, and ISF gets 8% of the amount of your purchase. What could be easier? Just go to ISF’s website homepage, and click on the apple in the upper left corner of the front page. That will take you right to Amazon, and you’re ready to go.