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April 2010

In this issue….

 

Upcoming meeting date

 

Membership Update

 

Site Council

 

Legislation

 

Nominating Committee Report

 

New School Rebuild Volunteers Needed!

 

Reflections

 

Awards

 

Staff Appreciation

 

Issaquah Schools Foundation (ISF)

 

Parent Education

 

ASB Report

 

If you were at the bargaining table…. (results)

 

For Senior Girls – “Prom Dreams”

 

 

Upcoming PTSA Meeting

Please join us for our next IH PTSA meeting Friday, April 9, 9:30 AM, room C-5 (Career Center). Jess Hasken, “Stand for Children” Organizer, will speak to our group at 11:00 AM, following the meeting.

 

 

Membership Update

The Issaquah High PTSA is now 1,065 members strong - our goal is to reach 100% membership.  Please help us reach this goal.  If you haven’t already joined, please consider joining with the other 1,065 members who support the work of our PTSA, which is to support our great school!  If only one parent has joined and the other parent would like to join, the cost is only $8.  (Click here for membership form).  Additionally, community members, grandparents and other IHS supporters can join the IH PTSA as a Supporter Member (Click here for Supporter Membership Form).

 

For more information, please contact Karen Knitter at mindydog3@comcast.net

 

 

Site Council

The Issaquah High Site Council is comprised of staff, parents, students, and community representatives who meet to address issues that impact student learning. Areas in which we are focusing our efforts this year include monitoring progress of the Optimal High School Experience task force, the School construction project, preparing for transition into the new buildings and the return of freshman to our campus. The next meeting is scheduled for May 19.  Karin Allen is the PTSA liaison. Please contact her at kallen@allenmarketing.com if you have any issues you'd like her to raise on behalf of the PTSA community.

 

 

Legislation

Top three legislative session outcomes:

Race to the Top (SB 6696) – State lawmakers took a step in the direction of bold education reform by passing SB 6696 in the final hours of the regular legislative session.  The bill has several key reforms that will accelerate student learning, teacher and principal performance and advance Washington’s “Race to the Top” application, including: authorizing State intervention in low-performing schools; developing new evaluation criteria for teachers and principals, and establishing new criteria for teacher and principal evaluation; and authorizing the adoption of common core standards.  With the passage of SB 6696, Washington advances to the starting line in the $4.35 billion “Race to the Top” grant competition.

 

Basic Education Reform (HB 2776) – In a late night vote just hours before the end of the regular session the House and Senate passed HB 2776 – basic education finance reform.  Under the compromise, the State must begin funding K-3 enhancements, MSOC (maintenance, supplies, operating costs) and transportation in the 2013 biennium and complete funding in the 2017 biennium. 

 

Early Learning (HB 2731) - This bill passed the House and Senate in the same late night series of votes on the final day of session. This bill establishes a voluntary early learning program for three and four-year-olds in September 2011, calling for the program to be phased in over several years before eventually becoming an entitlement for all eligible children. This bill falls short of including early learning in the State definition of basic education. There was much resistance to that idea given that the State is already billions of dollars short on funding the existing definition of basic education.

 

 

Nominating Committee Report

 

Issaquah High PTSA 2.6.45

Nominating Committee Report

March 22, 2010

 

In compliance with Washington State PTA Bylaws, the following report is issued to the membership of the Issaquah High PTSA 2.6.45 allowing 15 or more days notice prior to the election.  The election will take place on April 9, 2010, during the 9:30 am IH PTSA meeting.  An opportunity to make nominations from the floor will be provided. 

 

The 2010 IH PTSA Nominating Committee places the following names in nomination:

For the office of Co-President: Karin Allen

For the office of Co-President: Lisa Gaan

For the office of Co-VP Fundraising: Vicki Hahn

For the office of Co-VP Fundraising: Dianne Bugge

For the office of VP Membership: Karen Knitter

For the office of VP Volunteers: Pat Batt

For the office of Secretary: Debbie Sexton

For the office of Treasurer: Blair Baumer

 

Respectfully Submitted,

Anne Moore, Nominating Committee Member

Blair Baumer, Nominating Committee Member

Pat Batt, Nominating Committee Member

 

 

New School Rebuild Volunteers Needed!

Have you seen the progress on the new school?  Truly amazing! 

 

Many hands will be needed to prepare for the move into the new facilities later this spring and into the summer.  We need you and your students.  This is a great way to get community service hours and be among the first to roam the halls.

 

Please sign up to accept NO Obligation emails as volunteer opportunities arise.  The two ways to sign up are:  Email Lisa Gaan at lisagaan@comcast.net or go to issaquahhighptsa.org and check the “School Rebuild” box on the volunteer form.

 

Please don’t hesitate to contact me with questions,

Lisa Gaan

 

 

Reflections News

Thank you again to all of the students who participated in this year’s Reflections Program.  The work we received was amazing…  you should all be very proud.  We sure hope that we get many of you back again next year!

 

The next two themes for Reflections are:

 

2010-2011: “Together We Can”

and

2011-2012: “Diversity Means”

 

Thank you,

Wendy Logan

Reflections Chair

 

 

Awards

Each year our PTSA gives Golden Acorn Awards to people who have given exemplary volunteer service to children and youth in our school community. The Golden Acorn Award is very special and is given for continued and dedicated service. This is an excellent way to honor PTSA members for their contributions to this association.  Congratulations to this year’s IH PTSA Golden Acorn Recipients -  Vicki Hahn, Debbie Sexton, and Lori VanDeMark.

 

The Outstanding Advocate Award is to recognize and honor individuals for continued and dedicated service to ALL children and a demonstrated commitment to helping create strong policies relating to the health, welfare, safety, and education of children and youth. The award-winner could be a PTA grassroots advocate, teacher, assistant, administrator or community member. Not only does this award allow the PTSA to recognize individuals for their advocacy work on issues concerning children and youth, but also supports financial grants for students pursuing post secondary education. Congratulations to this year’s IH PTSA Outstanding Advocate, Jody Mull.

 

The Issaquah High PTSA is now accepting nominations for the Outstanding Educator Award, created by PTSAs to recognize individuals who have provided outstanding educational opportunities for children and youth that are beyond the normal scope of their jobs.  An educator can be but is not limited to being a teacher, and can include specialists, support staff, administrators or community members.  Please send completed forms, found at issaquahhighptsa.org under “awards”, to gbwestover@comcast.net by the end of April.

 

IHS Staff Appreciation

Please help us honor our teachers and support staff this year during Staff Appreciation Week, May 3rd - 7th. We need help with the Staff Breakfast on Wednesday, May 5th (food and volunteers to set up, serve and clean up) and Lunch on Friday, May 7th, (food and volunteers). We'll send out a list with specific food items and volunteer times later. Thank you for helping us make these events special for the entire staff.

Sally Brunette

sallybru@comcast.net

206-321-9743

 

 

ISF logo.pdf

 

     

Issaquah Schools Foundation 

The Issaquah Schools Foundation’s 12th Annual Benefit Luncheon is coming on Thursday, May 13, 11am to 1pm.  We would love for you to join us in representing Issaquah High School at this year’s Luncheon. Why would I want to do that you may ask?  Here’s your answer:

 

The mission of this Benefit Luncheon is to raise funds to help all students achieve the promise of their academic potential.  Contrary to belief, the Issaquah School District is not wealthy.  While Washington ranks 43rd out of 50 states in per pupil funding, the Issaquah School District is within the lowest 5% (271st out of 295 State school districts) in per pupil funding.  The Issaquah Schools Foundation is the only organization that can bridge the gap between the dollars the State allots for basic education and the funds our schools need to provide students with a high-quality education that will prepare them for success in school and life.  By supporting the foundation, you really can make a difference in your child’s education!

 

Can’t make the Luncheon but want to support the Foundation?  Consider making a donation to the silent auction.  We are in need of items both large and small…. things like airline tickets, timeshare stays, tickets to sporting events, spa services, gift certificates to restaurants, and even gift cards for any amount will go a long way to furthering our goal.  For more information on sitting at the IHS table or donating items to the silent auction, please contact Debbie Rossman at todayathome@comcast.net

 

Surprise!

This year, winners of Issaquah Schools Foundation Academic Enrichment Grant awards were notified not by email or phone call, but with banners. On the mornings of March 18 and 24, winning teachers arrived at their schools to find congratulatory banners hung on their school buildings and in their classrooms. The Foundation thanks the principals—who helped pull off the surprise –and Krista Mui (IMS and PCFC PTSA’s) for coordinating the banner campaign. You can find the complete list of 2010 Academic Enrichment Grant winners at http://www.issaquahschoolsfoundation.org/grants/.

 

Why Pay a Tutor?

Remind your student to use the Foundation’s FREE After-School Homework Clubs and Labs at middle and high schools. Both offer teacher assisted tutoring. Contact your school for its After-School Homework Club/Lab schedule. 

 

Can You Spare an Hour a Week to Change a Life?

Then the VOICE Mentor Program needs you. VOICE, a mentoring/tutoring program funded by the Foundation and the District, matches students in need with caring adults or high school students who can provide one-to-one academic and social support. Please contact Susie Gierke, VOICE Director at 425.837.7139 or voice@issaquah.wednet.edu to apply.

 

 

Parent Education

Here are just two of the Parent Education seminars available in April…

 

“Resisting Raising Children Who Feel Entitled” by Jan Faull

Tuesday, April 20, 2010, 7-8:30 pm, Beaver Lake Middle School Commons

 

and

 

“Understanding Your Child’s Use of Technology, such as Facebook, Youtube, Twitter, and Sexting,”  an Internet Safety Seminar by Andrew Phillips

Thursday, April 29, 2010, 7-8:30 pm, Pine Lake Middle School

 

 

For more information on these and other Parent Ed opportunities, go to http://www.issaquahptsa.org/parented/index.htm

 

 

ASB

The following information is from ASB:

Students of the Month  - February: Creativity

Seniors: Chris Schapp, Alex Fairhart & Gretchen Allen

Juniors: Max Ferrin, Ava Youseffi, Aubrey Chu & Sarah Janssen

Sophomores: Kaileen Dougherty, Ryan Stevens

 

GSA Day of Silence: Friday, April 16th

 

Earth Week: April 19 – 23

·           Ride Your Bike to School Day: April 21

·           Earth Awareness – All Week!

 

All District Bonding Event at the Family Fun Center: Tuesday, April 27th - $15.00 ·   Entry fee grants access to all activities and rides

 

Issaquah High School Blood Drive: April 30th

 

 Emily Carl

 Activities Director

 Issaquah High School

 425-837-6110

 

 

If you were at the bargaining table…. (results)

Earlier this month, the Issaquah PTSA Council was given the opportunity to present input collected from the parent community to the team of teachers and administrators who will be negotiating the new teacher contract. The current contract expires at the end of August. The input was gathered over the last several months from a combination of open-ended feedback from PTSA members across our district and over 1,000 parent and student responses to a “Zoomerang” survey. You can read the paper that was presented to the bargaining team on the PTSA Council website. The paper presents four main community values that we hope the bargaining team will keep at the center of their discussions.

 

 

For Senior Girls – “Prom Dreams”

Prom Dreams is a group of mother-daughter teams whose daughters are currently seniors at Liberty High School.  The group was formed in early 2009 because the girls expressed concern about how the economy was affecting friends and community families.   The girls and their moms brainstormed on ways to help and the result was "Prom Dreams.... Pass It On", a plan that would provide affordable prom dresses to local high school senior girls.   The past year has been spent acquiring high quality dresses from a variety of sources and now the dresses are freshly dry cleaned and ready for sale to girls on a tight budget.  No one is making a penny on this program. 

 

Prom Dress Sales Events will be held at Stella's Vintage Boutique on April 12, 15 & 19, between 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm.  In addition to dresses, there will be a limited selection of shoes, wraps and evening purses.  Dresses are priced between $20 and $30.  A consultant will also be on hand to offer suggestions for hairstyles and make-up colors that will compliment your dress.  Three prizes will be given away at each sales event and treats will be provided.  This program is only available for high school seniors and ASB cards must be presented.  All sales will be for cash.  For more information, please contact Karen Odegard at kpodegard@msn.com or Vanessa McDonald at vanessa@pawnxchange.com or Martha Flittie at Stella's Vintage at (425-444-8857).