SKYLINE PTSA EMAIL BLAST #12 – March 9, 2009

WOW! TWO SKYLINE STUDENTS WIN STATE REFLECTIONS; GO ON TO NATIONAL COMPETITION

Brian Burgess in Photography and Claudia Ma in Literature have won the top award, “Outstanding Interpretation,” in their categories at the state level of competition in the National PTA Reflections Program. Now they go on to compete at the national level. This is a huge accomplishment. Congratulations to both!

PARENTS WHO HOST LOSE THE MOST

Did you know that 43% of 12^th graders and 25% of 10^th graders in the Issaquah School District report having drunk a glass, can or bottle of alcohol in the past 30 days? Did you know that only 31% of 12^th graders and 43% of 10^th graders in our district report that adults in their neighborhood think youth drinking is “very wrong”? The “Parents Who Host, Lost the Most: Don’t be a party to teenage drinking” program was launched in the last month by all three high school PTSAs in the Issaquah School District. It’s an awareness program started by the Drug-Free Action Alliance in 2000 to:

Ø Alert parents to the risks and dangers of hosting teenage parties where alcohol and/or drugs are being consumed

Ø Encourage heightened vigilance when teens are gathered in our own homes or when our teens go to someone else’s home

If you’d like to read more about the program, we have information posted on our website. You can also view a list of parents in the Skyline attendance area who have already signed up. And, if you’d like to add your name to the list, you can print off the pledge card, fill it out and send it in (address is on the pledge card). We’ll update the list on our website periodically.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THIS YEAR’S LAST TWO PTSA GEN’L MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS

We’ll elect next year’s officers and celebrate our Golden Acorn winners at our March 30^th GM meeting, 12:15 in the Staff Lounge, and we’ll approve our interim budget for next year at our GM meeting on May 18^th, also at 12:15 in the Staff Lounge.

HELP WANTED!

Ø NOMINATING COMMITTEE STILL LOOKING FOR A TREASURER FOR NEXT YEAR. If you’re interested, or would like to nominate someone, please contact Lisa Abraham, Lisa Brashem, Kathy Rizkalla, or Lorrie Schleg as soon as possible.

Ø NEED A SENIOR PARENT FOR THE “WHAT IT’S LIKE TO BE A SENIOR” PANEL. The panel is March 31^st. If you’re interested, contact Debbie Dodd.

How did we let ourselves get so behind in education?

Did you know that....

Ø 37 states have higher high school course requirements than Washington State?

Ø In 2006-2007, 45% of recent high school graduates enrolled in remedial math courses at community and technical colleges?

Ø Only 24% of Washington's 8th graders take Algebra 1, which is 41st in the nation?

There are bills in the legislature right now that can help prepare our kids better for successful lives after high school, but the legislature needs a “push” to support them. One way you can help provide this push is to sign this petition immediately. PTA, Stand For Children, and other education advocacy groups in the statae are trying to get thousands of people who support education reform to sign this petition in the next few days to send a strong message of support to our legislators in Olympia and increase the chances of getting education reform started this year. After you sign it, pass it on to as many people you know.

Another thing you can do is attend Town Hall Meetings this Saturday, March 14^th. Some legislators hold these meetings mid way through the legislative session so they can visit with their constituents and hear their concerns. If you’d like to attend one of these, let Kelly Munn know. She can tell you the schedule and location of these meetings.

SHOULD SKYLINE BE ALLOWED TO CONTINUE HOMECOMING PARADE ON 228^TH?

The Sammamish City Council will be considering this question at their meeting this Tuesday night, March 10^th beginning at 6:30 in the Council Chambers at City Hall. This is open to the public. If you’d like to voice your opinion, be sure to attend. You might want to read this editorial in the Sammamish Review before you go. Public Comment is scheduled as the first item on the agenda.

SPARTY’S LIST NEEDS DONORS

Last month, we introduced our Skyline version of Craig’s List, called Sparty’s List. Skyline Staff members identify needs for small new or gently used items for their classrooms and/or students that community members can donate if they’re so moved. Here’s what’s on our Sparty’s List this month:

Ø $10 gift cards to local businesses for New Student Welcome Baskets

Ø 1 sturdy easel for larger/heavier board displays

Ø 4 3-M Post-it flip chart note pads

Ø 100-150 81/2 x11” sheets of card stock on which to print Student of the Month certificates

You can donate partial requests, too. If you have questions or would like to donate, contact Gina Lederman, the PTSA’s Sparty’s List Coordinator.

MID-WINTER BREAK – TO BE OR NOT TO BE

The entire community is invited to participate in an online survey by March 20 to help the District shape upcoming school calendars.

IT’S IB INTERNAL ASSESSMENT SEASON

Do you have kids taking IB classes? March is a big time for IB Internal Assessments in each of these classes. These are assignments made by the teacher in response to an aspect of the specified IB curriculum. These assessments are part of your student’s grade for the class and are also submitted to the IB organization. Stay tuned next Blast for a more detailed explanation of this and more. For other IB questions, contact Marion Makin, IB Program Coordinator for Skyline, or Barbara Baer, PTSA’s IB Parent Coordinator.

ISF NEWS

Ø IF YOU MISSED OUR CALL, YOU CAN STILL MAKE A DONATION. Out of town the night last month that 64 of our Skyline students and over 150 others from IHS and Liberty energetically made phone calls urging district parents to donate in support of Project Glad? You can still donate by clicking here. Read more about Project Glad and the impact it’s having on our students in this Issaquah Reporter article.

Ø EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SEARCH SUSPENDED. Executive Director Robin Callahan has announced that she will remain with the Issaquah Schools Foundation through the 2009-2010 school year.

Ø KATERI BROW & CLASSROOM ENRICHMENT GRANTS ANNOUNCED SOON. Check the ISF website beginning March 17^th for announcement of the newest Classroom Enrichment Grant recipients. Kateri Brow Big Idea and Biggest Need Grants will be announced on March 27^th.

Ø LET ISF HELP YOU CELEBRATE MUSIC TEACHERS AND ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE KIDS. Blow your horn for your favorite music teacher this month. March is “Music in our Schools Month.” Show your appreciation for a teacher who has enlivened your child’s life by making a donation to the Issaquah Schools Foundation in their honor. Not into the arts? Celebrate “Absolutely Incredible Kid Day” on March 19^th with a tribute to the absolutely incredible kids in your life. Your recipients will receive a gift card informing them of the gift made in their honor, and our schools will benefit from your generosity. For more information, please call ISF at 425.426.2045 or go to www.issaquahschoolsfoundation.org/donate.

Ø THANK YOU TO ALL WHO USED THE ISF PORTAL TO AMAZON FOR HOLIDAY SHOPPING. You helped to generate a $500 donation for the month of December.

UPCOMING DATES:

3/24 Issaquah PTSA Council Awards Reception

3/30 SHS PTSA General Membership Meeting, 12:15, Staff Lounge – Elect 09-10 Officers

3/30 “What It’s Like to be a…Junior”, 7pm, Skyline

3/31 “What It’s Like to be a…Senior”, 7pm, Skyline

5/18 SHS PTSA General Membership Meeting,12:15, Staff Lounge – Approve 09-10 Budget

5/21 Body Image and Eating Disorders Parent Seminar, 6:30 - 8 pm, BLMS Library