In this issue….

Upcoming Meeting Date

Finding Kind

Awards

Senior Celebration

Reflections

Legislation

IHS Special Olympics

IHS Auction and Fashion Show

Bond Information

Maintaining Your Child’s Emotional Well-Being

Issaquah Schools Foundation

Dates of Interest

 

Upcoming Meeting Date
Please join us for our monthly board and general meetings on February 10th.  We’ll start at 9:00 with coffee and treats, and then begin the meeting at 9:30 sharp. As always, ASB Advisor and Teacher Representative Tim Baynes and Principal Paula Phelps will be there to answer your questions.  You’ll find the meeting agenda and minutes from previous meetings here.

 

Finding Kind
Please join us for a screening of the documentary, Finding Kind, at IHS on February 1^st at 6:30 PM.  In Finding Kind, filmmakers Lauren Parsekian and Molly Thompson, who met while in school at Pepperdine University, set out in a cross country journey of discovery and education. Interviewing women and girls along the way about their lives and experiences, Parsekian and Thompson find, among all of the unique personal stories, some universal truths about growing up as girls. Finding Kind is a document of that journey, and of the filmmakers’ quest to take these experiences and find a common ground of kindness and mutual respect. In addition to all of the individual girls and women who share their personal experiences about girl on girl bullying with the filmmakers, Parsekian and Thompson include interviews with respected experts and authors in the fields of psychology, education, and the interrelationships of women and girls.

This complimentary showing is made possible by the Issaquah Secondary School PTSAs, the Issaquah Schools Foundation and Issaquah PTSA Council.  The showing will be followed by a facilitated discussion by the filmmakers, Lauren Parsekian and Molly Thompson.  These showings are for ISD Secondary students 11 years and older & their parents.  Boys are encouraged to attend.

The post movie discussion is geared towards secondary students and is not appropriate for elementary students. These showings are not open to the general public. Doors will open at 5:45 for seating and ISD ASB student ID cards will be required for entry prior to 6:25. After 6:25 remaining open seating will be available to people without ISD ASB cards.  Click here  to watch a three minute trailer.

 

Awards
We’d like your input.... Every year the PTSA honors people who have given exemplary volunteer service to children and youth in our school community by awarding the Golden Acorn Award. We also recognize individuals for their on-going advocacy work on issues concerning children by awarding the Outstanding Advocate Award. We need your help in gathering nominations. Please submit nomination forms to Kellie Woodford, Awards co-chair, by February 10, 2012.

 

Senior Celebration
Attention parents of graduating seniors: by popular demand, the deadline to register for Senior Celebration has been extended to February 29.  More than half the graduating class has already signed up! You don’t want your senior to miss out on the all-night, safe and amazingly fun celebration which follows the graduation ceremony!  Register online or print paper registration forms and mail them to IH PTSA.  Scholarships are available to those in need. Email with any questions.

 

Reflections
Thank you to all of the students who entered the Reflections program (a national PTA program with this year’s theme of “Diversity Means”).

Patrick Allard in Visual Arts*
Christina Corbitt in Photography
James Brandt in Literature
Megan Hsu in Visual Arts
Madison Nevin in Literature
Brian Carey in Photography*
Chelsea Kwon in Visual Arts
Iman Bashai in Literature*
Michelle Sun in Visual Arts*
Desiree Kong in Visual Arts
Christine Rasquinha in Photography

 * Finalists at the District Level and will compete at the Washington State Level. We wish them all the very best of luck!

We are very proud of them all and the wonderful work they submitted.

 

Legislation
The 2012 Legislative Focus Day is February 20, 2012. Join us as we march and rally on the Capitol steps. PTA volunteer advocates can make a difference when they come to the Capitol in large numbers.  Please register to attend! The cost to attend is free!  If you are going, please connect with Legislative Representative Jody Mull at legislation@issaquahhighptsa.org.

 

IHS Special Olympics
At 2-0, the IHS Special Olympics basketball season is off to a great start! Last season, our team placed 2nd in state! The 2012 team is comprised of players from Issaquah, Liberty and Skyline and coached by Cory Foote and Tom Corno. The next game is at IHS on February 6, 2012 (Monday) from 7-9pm. Everyone is welcome to come root for our team! For more information, please contact Sandra Lum, IH PTSA Special Services Liaison.

 

IHS Auction and Fashion Show
Join us for an exciting evening of fun and fashion at the annual ASB Fundraiser for Issaquah High School!  Attend the first ever Fashion Show (sponsored by the PTSA) in our brand new, state of the art Performing Arts Center. Our very own IHS students will strut their stuff on the catwalk modeling outfits from Sports Authority, Macy’s, Suburban Soul and a variety of other well known local businesses. Bid on a wide variety of auction items and if you are the lucky winner take home your treasure! Purchase your tickets online. Seats range in price from $10 up to $40 for exclusive VIP seating which includes your very own ‘swag’ bag! Money raised will benefit ALL Issaquah High students supplying funds for athletics and service clubs as well as a portion offsetting the cost of Senior Prom. So round up your friends and neighbors and we will see you on March 9^th!  Stay tuned to e-news for updates on the fabulous auction items that will be available!

 

Bond Information

 

Maintaining Your Child’s Emotional Well-Being
The January edition of Washington State PTA’s parenting magazine, The Child Advocate, is now available online.  Be sure to check out this issue for some important tips about how to help your children maintain their emotional well-being while dealing with the stresses of the increasingly complex world in which they are growing up. 

 

Issaquah Schools Foundation (ISF)


Donor Alert
If you made a gift to the Foundation during the 2011 calendar year, you should have received an Annual Report and year-end tax statement. If not, please contact Tina Weber.

Community Conversations
The next entry in the ISF/IEA/PTSA /ISD sponsored Community Conversations film series—‘Race to Nowhere’—will be shown on Thursday, March 1, at 7 pm at the Issaquah High School Performing Arts Center. This critically acclaimed documentary is a must see for parents and students. Filmmaker and mother Vicki Abeles turns her lens on the culture of hollow achievement and pressure to perform that has invaded America’s schools and explores the price our kids pay for this ‘race to nowhere.”  Attendees will have the opportunity to share their reactions to the film during a post-screening panel discussion featuring District parents, students and personnel. Tickets to ‘Race to Nowhere’ are $10 in advance and $15 at the door and can be purchased online. Space is limited. Click Here to see a theatrical trailer.

Think Spring
Celebrate spring at the Nourish Every Mind Luncheon! This year’s event will be held on Thursday, May 10 from 11 am – 1 pm at the Issaquah Community Center. If you’ve attended before you know the Luncheon is the place to be to network, catch up with friends and hear first-hand how donor funded ISF programs are changing the lives of Issaquah School District students. If you haven’t attended in the past, add it to your ‘to –do’ list. Save-the-Date cards will be mailed soon. In the meantime, you may call or email Michelle Weldon, to add your name to the invitation list.

After-School Homework Labs
Does your student need homework help or a safe supervised location to work on group projects? Remind them to utilize the After School Homework Labs at our middle and high schools. Funded by ISF donors, After School Homework Labs are staffed by teachers and/or counselors who offer assistance on a variety of subjects. Visit your school’s homepage to learn what’s offered at the After-School Homework Lab at your location.

Anticipation Builds
30 applications … nearly $130,000 in requests … and $75,000 to distribute. Who will be among this year’s Academic Enrichment Grant winners?  Results will be announced in March.

Alumni Outreach
We’re looking for ISD grads who are passionate about education for our newly formed Alumni Committee. Headed by Issaquah High School grad Jay Kipp (2001), our Alumni Committee seeks to create connections between past and current grads, become a  resource for Alumni Reunion planners, and investigate how alumni can best support our current students—be it as a mentor, speaker, sage, or ...? Your input will help determine the path the committee takes. Curious? Contact Jay Kipp for more information.

 

Dates of Interest
February 1                 Finding Kind
February 4                 Mock SAT exam 
February 6                 Six-week SAT Test Prep Math Classes begin    
February 9                     Six-week SAT Test Prep Verbal Classes begin
February 10                IH PTSA Meeting--IHS Main Office
        9:00 am             Coffee and Conversation
        9:30 am             Meeting Begins
February 11                PTA Region 2 Mid-year conference
February 20                Washington State PTA Legislative Focus Day
February 20                President’s Day—No school
February 21-24           Mid-winter break—No school