SKYLINE PTSA EMAIL BLAST #9 – January 25, 2009

There’s a little ray of hope in this bleak winter: for the first time in nearly 20 years, we actually have in our sites a comprehensive plan that can finally fix our broken education system. The recommendations of the Basic Education Finance Task Force represent our best opportunity to build a better education system, and they’re built into two bills, House Bill 1410 and Senate Bill 5444, and scheduled for public hearings in Olympia this coming week.

 

We need to pack these hearing rooms with parents, educators and students to deliver a strong message: we want education reform to move forward this year. Why?

 

Ø     Our kids can’t wait – Our education system was designed for the 70’s: our public education system is producing a generation of students less educated than their parents.

 

Ø     WA public education gets a C grade  – The League of Education Voters gives our schools in Washington a C grade. We’ve improved in some areas, but we’re still very weak in preparing our kids for successful life after high school.

 

Ø    We’re not producing our share of scientists and engineers – We lead the country in science and engineering jobs, but we are one of the states at the bottom in the production of scientists and engineers.

 

Here’s what you can do:

 

1.     Join us at our SHS PTSA General Membership Meeting this Tuesday, January 27th at 7pm in rooms 102/103/104. Our legislative rep, Kelly Munn, will bring us up to speed about all that is unfolding in Olympia and what you can do.

 

2.    Plan to attend any of the hearings in Olympia this week:

Public hearing on Senate Bill 5444           Public hearing on House Bill 1410

Senate Early Learning & K-12 Committee      House Educa. Appropriations Committee.

Cherberg Building, Hearing Room 1              John L O’Brien, Hearing Room A

1:30 PM, Monday, January 26 and                6 PM, Wednesday, January 28

8 AM, Wednesday, January 28

 

If you want to go, let Kelly Munn or me know and we’ll give you directions, tips, and maybe even a ride!

 

3.     Join us on February 4th at 7pm in the King County Library Service Center (on Newport Way behind Target) for a hands-on, legislative how-to session called “The Time is Now: Education Reform in Olympia.” You’ll get up-to-the-minute status and hands-on instructions from a seasoned education lobbyist about what each of us can do to help make these critical reforms happen.

 

4.     Join us on the steps of the Capitol February 26th at the Focus Day rally in Olympia. The more parents, the better if we’re going to make the evening news. Contact me or Kelly if you’d like to carpool.

 

* INTRODUCING NEW SKYLINE PTSA BLOG

Is there something in these blasts that you’d like to comment on? Please try out our new SHS PTSA Blog and let us know what you think – about the blog, about these PTSA blasts, about the legislative challenges facing us, or about anything else in this blast or others. (We’ve suggested a couple of places you might want to jump on and comment.) Remember that comments posted can be read by anyone, and anything deemed inappropriate will be removed by our webmaster at our discretion.

 

 

SHS PTSA GM MEETING THIS TUESDAY, 7PM, ROOMS 102/103/104

In addition to hearing from Kelly on leg issues (see above), members will get a Q & A opportunity with Lisa Hechtman, and we’ll do the brief business of electing a nominating committee. We hope many of you will be able to make it.

 

 

WHAT ARE TEENS REALLY DOING WHEN THEY’RE OUT OF YOUR SIGHT?

All three high school PTSAs have teamed with their resource officers and local law enforcement officials for three evening discussions called, “What Teens Are Really Doing Today.” These discussions expand on the booklet “Parents, Teens and the Law” and will be held at IHS on Feb. 2nd, Skyline on Feb. 9th, and Liberty on Feb. 23rd. Middle school and 9th grade parents are strongly encouraged to attend.

Blog comment?

 

 

PARENTS WHO HOST LOSE THE MOST

Don’t be a party to teenage drinking. Many well-meaning parents think that it is enough to take away car keys at their teen's parties so the teens can't drink and drive. Parents provide the alcohol or allow alcohol to be consumed based on the false belief that it's a rite of passage, especially at prom and graduation parties. In February, Skyline, Issaquah and Liberty PTSAs will be jointly kicking off an awareness campaign to educate parents about the health and safety risks of serving alcohol at teen parties. Stay tuned for more information.

Blog comment?

 

 

NEXT COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS COLLECTION

The next opportunity for your student to have their community service hours recorded will be at both lunches Thursday, February 5th. 

 

 

MOCK SAT AND PREP COURSE REGISTRATION DEADLINES APPROACHING

Here are the key dates (NOTE: two are next week!):

Mock SAT Test Registration Deadline – Mon., Jan. 26th

Winter SAT Prep Course Registration Deadline – Thurs., Jan. 29th

Mock SAT Test – Sat., Jan. 31st, 7:30am – 12:30pm, SHS

Winter SAT Prep Course – Wednesdays, Feb. 4th – Mar. 11th, 5:30-8:15pm, SHS

Questions? Contact the PTSA’s College Prep Chair Molly Bellehumeur.

 

 

CUSTOMIZABLE FLASH DRIVES ON SALE TO STUDENTS NEXT WEEK

We’ll be selling the super cool, customizable flash drives to students at lunches this week on 1/26 and 1/27. Prices are $15, $20, and $25 for the 1 GB, 2GB, and 4GB sizes, respectively. While supplies last!

 

 

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL SHS STUDENTS WHO PARTICIPATED IN REFLECTIONS

Fifty-seven Skyline students submitted entries to this year’s National PTA Reflections Program; 14 of these were Skyline finalists, and 9 of these are going on to the state level of competition. Their work will be on display in the Skyline library beginning February 19th, and there will be a reception that evening beginning at 7pm in the library to honor these students’ work. Everyone is welcome to attend.

 

 

WHAT IS THE OPTIMAL HIGH SCHOOL EXPERIENCE?

A leadership team has formed to evaluate that question and eventually put plans in place to make sure all our high school students are enjoying the optimal experience. You can track this effort on the OHSE page of the ISD website.

 

 

REMEMBER PROJECT GLAD?

What event in February has the possibility of positively impacting every student in the Issaquah School District? The Issaquah Schools Foundation’s calling campaign on February 11 to raise money for the GLAD professional development program.  Don’t just wait for a call: make a secure donation online now!