SKYLINE PTSA EMAIL BLAST #7 – December 4, 2008

There’s a lot in this one, so do your best to slog through.

 

NEED A COOL STOCKING STUFFER?

New! The PTSA will be selling personalized flash drives of various sizes at the Booster Club’s Annual Holiday Bazaar this Saturday, December 6 from 9am – 3pm at Skyline. What’s unique about these flash drives? They come in a rainbow of colors and you can personalize them with the Spartan logo (or one of many other patterns) and your student’s name and phone number. Plus, every purchase helps the PTSA meet its fundraising goals. Please look for the PTSA table at the Bazaar.

 

 

Announcing the 2008-2009 SHS Reflections Winners

This year, Skyline had 57 entries in the PTSA’s Reflections Competition, more than we've had in years.  This year's "WOW!" theme really captured the artistic talent and creative imagination of our student participants. Our judges were stunned at the exceptional work. We passed along 16 Finalists to the District level competition and are also awarding two top school awards: one Best of Show, and one Award of Excellence!  Go to our PTSA website Reflections page to see this year’s winners.

 

 

IMPACT OF STATE BUDGET DEFICIT ON EDUCATION FUNDING

The state’s budget deficit is going to put an enormous strain on education funding. No one knows yet how much school districts will actually have to cut, but some educated guesses are around 7% of their budgets. In our district, this could mean cutting as many as 100 teachers, for example. While our district will do everything it can to avoid anything so draconian, make no mistake: there will be cuts, and they’ll hurt. However, we can’t make the mistake of blaming our local school district for the cuts. This is a state issue, and that’s where we have to go to voice our concerns. Our biggest job now as advocates for our kids’ education will be try to keep the hemorrhaging to a minimum -- to make sure the legislature in its session beginning January 12th doesn’t take education funding backward by cutting too much. Want to know how you can add your voice to others to try to make an impact? This will be the focus of our next General Membership meeting on January 27th. Read on…

 

 

LEARN HOW TO MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD IN OLYMPIA AT OUR NEXT PTSA GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING JANUARY 27TH …

Please mark your calendars for Tuesday, January 27th at 7pm. We’ll have a brief General Membership meeting, followed by a Principal’s Report and Q & A to update parents on goings on at the school, especially in anticipation of class registration. Then, Kelly Munn, SHS PTSA’s Legislative Rep, will talk about the worsening crisis in education funding and simple, but important ways for parents to make an impact in Olympia during the legislative session.

 

 

…AND, PLAN TO JOIN US AT THE FOCUS DAY RALLY FEBRUARY 27TH

C’mon, admit that life’s been a little boring since the election ended. There haven’t been any hefty issues or political missteps to entertain you, and because of the economy, no one can afford to go anywhere or buy anything. That’s why the Washington State PTA has re-invented Focus Day to make it a little more exciting. This year, we’re staging a giant rally on the steps of the capitol in Olympia. Education advocates from around the state will join PTSA members there. To make the papers and get on the evening news, we need a huge crowd, which means we need you, our parents. Can you join us? We’ll be organizing carpools to make the trip to Olympia. If you’re interested in being part of this event, please contact me or Kelly Munn. 

 

 

PCFC HOSTING PARENT FORUM ON YOUTH DEPRESSION & SUICIDE

On December 16th, from 7 – 8:30 PM in the PCFC library, school counselors will conduct a forum for parents on youth depression and suicide prevention. All parents are welcome to attend.

 

 

PTSA INTRODUCES A NEW NETWORKING GROUP FOR PARENTS AT SHS

Is your child currently taking an IB (International Baccalaureate) course, or thinking about taking one in the future? Nearly 60% of Skyline students are taking at least one IB course currently, and this number keeps growing. IB classes are for any junior or senior student. Skyline graduates who’ve taken IB courses consistently report they feel ready for the challenge of college classes. However, parents, like their kids, often have questions about IB courses and how they differ from regular classes. PTSA is pleased to introduce “IB Parent Coordinators”, whose mission is to be an information resource to parents about IB. If you’d like to join the group or if you have questions about it, please contact any of our three IB Parent Coordinators: Barbara Baer (425.391.9366), Jolynn Kovalsky (425.392.2225), or Rosemary Stika (425.558.8123).

 

 

PTSA NOMINATING COMMITTEE NEEDS PARENTS

At our January GM meeting, we’ll elect our Nominating Committee, which is charged with recommending a slate of officers – President, Secretary, Vice President and Treasurer – for next year’s PTSA Board. We’re especially in need of parents from this year’s freshman and sophomore classes. If you’re interested, please contact me before the end of December. This is a great way to “dip your toe” into PTSA if you haven’t been that involved previously.

 

 

THANK YOU TO OUR SHS STAFF APPRECIATION TEAM

Thanks to the stellar work of Suzie Wiley and Lynn Juniel, PTSA’s Staff Appreciation Co-Chairs, and to the culinary contributions of many of you, we offered up to staff another stunning food event – a fall harvest breakfast, served on a Wednesday morning before school late last month. No one sets up an event like Lynn and Suzie – and SHS staff were enormously appreciative. Thank you to all who helped out.

 

 

PARENT VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO OVERSEE WED. AM NHS TUTORING

The National Honor Society at Skyline is looking for parents who would be interested in overseeing NHS student tutors during Wednesday morning tutoring sessions, which run each week from 8:30 – 9:30 at Skyline. You can sign up for one session a month or more or less if you like – whatever your schedule allows. If you’re interested, please contact NHS parent Jolynn Kovalsky.

 

 

SHOP ON AMAZON AND HELP OUR KIDS AT THE SAME TIME

If you plan to use amazon.com for your holiday shopping (and who doesn’t), please access it via the ISF website. Click on the apple on ISF’s home page, and you’ll go straight to amazon.com. Shop as usual and when you check out, amazon.com will donate up to 8% of your total purchase price to ISF.  It’s a simple way to give the gift of education to all our students.

 

 

THE END OF AN ERA AT THE ISSAQUAH SCHOOLS FOUNDATION

Issaquah Schools Foundation Executive Director Robin Callahan has announced that she will leave the Foundation in June of 2009.  Callahan has been with the Foundation for nine years. During her tenure she guided the organization to new heights of professionalism and fiscal stability, strengthened its partnership with the Issaquah School District and significantly expanded its programs. The ISF Board will convene a search for Callahan’s replacement in January. You can help with the search by directing interested individuals to the job description on the ISF website.

 

 

KATERi Brow Big Idea/Biggest Need Grants Available Now!

Has your child’s teacher told you of a great project that she’d love to pursue, but for which she lacks funding?  If it reflects vision and innovation in education, encourages academic achievement or assists struggling students, tell her to apply for an Issaquah Schools Foundation Kateri Brow Big Idea/Biggest Need Grant. The program offers grants to staff in amounts from $100 to $10,000. Applications and information are available on the ISF website..

 

 

ISSAQUAH FOOD BANK STILL NEEDS OUR HELP

The Food Bank continues to be severely undersupplied. Please do what you can to drop off non-perishable food items during the holiday season.