November
2009
In this issue….
Issaquah Schools Foundation (ISF)
Volunteers for Issaquah Schools (VIS)
Please join us for the next IH PTSA meeting on
Friday, November 13. NOTE: this meeting will
begin at 9:00 am, rather than
the typical start time of 9:30. At 10:00,
we will welcome a representative from “Volunteers for Issaquah Schools”
followed by Principal Paula Phelps at 10:30. In addition, each month we will
receive updates on the School’s rebuild progress.
The Issaquah High PTSA is now 1035 members strong! A benefit of membership
is receiving one student directory per membership. The student directory
will be mailed the first week of November so keep your eye out for it. If
you don’t receive one and you think you should, contact Karen Knitter at mindydog3@comcast.net.
If you
haven’t already joined there is still time, click here for our membership
form. Please hurry - there are
only a limited number of extra directories in this first printing. If you
would like to receive a National PTA membership card please contact Karen
Knitter at mindydog3@comcast.net.
THANK
YOU to all who have contributed to our Pass the Hat program. We have raised over $20,000 to support the Classroom Grants and
other needs of our IHS and PCFC students. This is a wonderful start to
our efforts, but the District budget is tighter than ever, and we expect more
funding requests than in previous years.
One way
you can help raise money for Issaquah students at no cost to
you is to shop with local merchants who support Issaquah High. Our Community Partners
provide direct funding support to IH PTSA when you enroll as an Issaquah High
supporter. Albertsons, Safeway and The Issaquah Press all offer programs that provide rebates to IH PTSA,
so be sure to participate.
The
Issaquah High Site Council is comprised of staff, parents, and community
representatives who meet to address issues that impact student learning. The first
meeting of the 2009/2010 school year is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday,
November 17 at 2:30 pm. Karin Allen is the PTSA liaison. Please contact her at kallen@allen-marketing.com if you have any issues you'd like
her to raise on behalf of the PTSA community.
Don't
forget to vote!
There are two races for Issaquah School
Board: Chad Magendanz is running unopposed for
a vacancy, and Marnie Maraldo
and Wright Noel are running for the other vacancy.
The other important issue on the ballot that
affects education is Initiative
1033. This initiative is opposed by IH PTSA, Issaquah PTSA Council,
the Washington, League of Education Voters, Washington
State PTA, Stand for Children and countless other civic and education
groups. While it may be noble in its stated purpose -- to control the growth of
government -- in fact it is an ill-suited tool because of the way it is set up.
It allows for no flexibility in economic upturns, where excess revenues could
be put in the rainy day fund and used during downturns. And even though the
revenues it is based on include sales tax, business tax, and property tax, any
refunds of excess revenues collected would be returned only to property owners.
In fact, it has been called a reverse Robin Hood scheme. Sentiment - good;
execution - horrible. Go to www.no1033.com for
more information.
PLEASE NOTE: In King County, where most of the State’s likely no
voters reside, the ballot was printed incorrectly so that I-1033 is hidden
below the instructions, separate from the rest of the voting. So
look for I-1033 at the bottom of the left-hand column, under the
instructions, and vote NO.
Legislative Roundtable – The Snoqualmie Valley PTSA Council is hosting a
legislative roundtable on November 9, from 6:30-8pm at Mt. Si High School. There will be representatives from the 5th
and the 45th Districts.
Anyone interested from the Issaquah Local Units is invited to attend.
There
is a Special Education Community Resource binder available at the Issaquah High
Counseling Center. This binder is for reference only and not for check
out. This binder contains information on support groups, therapists,
seminars, and community organizations for special needs such as: autism, Asperger's, ADHD, dyslexia, etc. For more
information, please contact: Sandra Lum, IH PTSA Special Services Liaison
at 425 644-4589 or Ms. Dori Robinson, transition
counselor at 425 837-6034.
Senior Parents – Are you the parent everyone asks,
“What’s going on at IHS?” Because of your connection to PTSA you have more
information than most parents at IHS. If
you know friends who may not be as tuned in as you, please forward this
newsletter to them. It has important
information every month. If you know any senior parents please let them know
what’s happening. Orders for Caps and
Gowns are due now! Registration for the
Senior All Night Grad Party is happening but the deadline is now! Click on the link below to sign up.
http://www.issaquahhighptsa.org/Forms/Senior%20Celebration%20Registration-Release.pdf
Seniors
are enjoying their last year of high school, but must be planning for next
year, too. Culminating projects, college
applications, scholarships, community service and jobs all need to be happening
too. Questions? Colleen Volk ncvolk@comcast.net
Senior
All Night Grad Party Scholarship Fund
Let’s
make sure all seniors can attend this once in a lifetime event! The All Night
Grad Party is for all seniors. Please
visit www.sallyfoster.com
group #932129 to order gift wrap, paper goods and gifts, 50% of your
order goes to the Senior All Night Grad Party scholarship fund. Of course you
can make a donation directly to the scholarship fund too. Questions? Colleen Volk ncvolk@comcast.net
Issaquah Schools
Foundation (ISF)
Calling
for Kids Returns
Hit All-Time High
More
donors and more dollars made Calling for Kids—the fall edition—a
record-breaking success, raising over $235,200 for our students and schools.
The Foundation extends a huge thank you to every person who gave to the
campaign… especially our hard-working PTSA Representatives and the hundreds of
high school students who called over 10,000 District families. Your efforts
will ensure the continuation of the Foundation’s current slate of programs and
pave the way for investments that will further prepare our students for success
in school and in life.
If
you have not yet made your Calling for Kids donation, it’s not
too late. The Foundation’s ultimate goal is 100% participation. Log onto www.issaquahschoolsfoundation.org/donate
to make a secure online donation today.
Shop for Issaquah Schools
Foundation
Holiday season is upon us and with
it an increase in online shopping. Did you know that you can make two gifts
with one click when you shop at amazon.com? Simply add this link Earn $ for ISF @ Amazon to your
bookmarks and use it as your portal to the amazon.com site. ISF will earn up to
8% on every purchase you make. There is no
cost or obligation to you, yet your purchases will automatically raise funds
for ISF!
Volunteers for Issaquah Schools (VIS)
February
2010 ballot! Each levy is important and
our district is relying on voters to pass all three (3). One will be for basic operating costs, one
will be for transportation costs, and one will be for technology and capital
repairs costs. These are considered
renewal levies – they will renew existing and expiring levies. The passage of these levies will not raise
the local school tax that is part of your property tax. The average homeowner will pay the same or a
lower amount for local school taxes over the lifetime of these levies (4
years).
Did
you know that only 50% of Issaquah School District residents are registered to
vote? That means your next-door neighbor
on either side may not be registered!
Ask your neighbors if they are registered. And if they are not encourage them to get
registered!
Voter
registration forms are available in all schools.
You can also register online at: http://www.kingcounty.gov/Elections/Registration.aspx
Have
you moved? Let the County know where to
send your ballot by going to: http://www.kingcounty.gov/Elections/Registration.aspx
Any
questions about the upcoming ballot measures, please contact Anne Moore at annemoore5@comcast.net.
We are looking for parents of Juniors
who want to be involved with planning Grad Night next year. Colleen Volk,
Senior Celebrations Chair is willing to pass on the information she is learning
in regards to Senior Celebrations and more specifically Grad Night (the all
night party which takes place the night of graduation)
Please contact Colleen Volk at ncvolk@comcast.net