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September 2008 Newsletter
Welcome Back-to-School Edition
In this Issue........
- Welcome & Meeting Dates
- 2007-2008 Goals
- Membership Update
- Fundraising Update
- Your PTSA at Work (Including SAT/ACT Readiness Program Update)
- Reflections Art Program
- Legislative Assembly Member Issues Survey
- Issaquah Schools Foundation Luncheon
- Important Issaquah School District News for PTSA Members
- Volunteer Opportunities
1. Welcome & Meeting Dates
The leadership of the Issaquah High PTSA would like to welcome all members, students, staff, and alumni to the 2008-09 school year and hope that each person in the Issaquah High School community will have a happy and successful year. This year promises to be full of exciting changes and opportunities for everyone connected to IHS past, present and future. We hope that you will be able to find information here that will be interesting and valuable to you and your families. We encourage everyone to stay connected to IHS by receiving our monthly e-news and visiting our website www.issaquahhighptsa.org regularly. Our goal is to update and inform all of our members in a timely fashion with what’s happening on campus.
In an effort to increase communication between the school, PTSA and home, the PTSA will be sending monthly e-news to our membership highlighting the work of the PTSA and helpful reminders for important dates and programs such as our popular SAT/ACT Readiness Testing Program, Reflections Art Program, Parent Education Events and our Multi-Cultural Family Night. In addition, we would like to increase awareness for PTSA members to participate in important IHS and Issaquah School District input opportunities enabling decisions made on behalf of our students to have been made with full consideration of a variety of opinions.
The next meeting of the Issaquah High PTSA is Friday, September 12th at 9:30 AM in the school career center (C-4). PTSA members are welcome and encouraged to attend (but not required to). This is a great opportunity to become familiar with the school and to hear updates from Principal Paula Phelps. The September scheduled program will feature Emily Carl, ASB Advisor who will begin her portion of the program at 11:00. Please join us!
The next PTSA meeting at Pacific Cascade Freshman Campus will be held on Friday, September 30th at 9:00 AM in the PCFC Library. Principal Dana Bailey will be available for questions. Please join us! * The PTSA activities of the PCFC are shared between the PTSAs of Issaquah and Skyline High Schools. There is not a separate PTSA for the campus.
2. 2008-2009 Goals
At the September 12th meeting, the Issaquah High PTSA will approve its annual list of goals and theme. The proposed goals center around academic improvement, advocacy, communication and educational program support for IHS students, staff and parents.
3. Membership Update
Last year, the Issaquah High PTSA reached a rare milestone, achieving 100% membership in a high school and we did it for the second year in row. Now it’s time to make it three consecutive years! We are currently at 615 members but need many more members to achieve our goal of 100% membership. If you haven’t already joined please consider joining today. One benefit of being a member is that you will receive one IHS student directory. The directory is a valuable resource for both parents and students! Join now so that you are sure to get a directory! The membership form can be found on the Membership page of the Issaquah High PTSA Website.
The Issaquah High PTSA is one of the largest PTSAs in the area with numerous members and volunteers dedicated to the students at IHS. To reach 100% membership, one member joins for each student enrolled within the school. Frequently, one adult per household joins the PTSA. The membership fee is discounted to $7 for the second adult in a household and we are hoping that members wishing to support the 100% membership goal will download the membership form and enroll a second adult at their earliest convenience. If you know of another adult in the community who may wish to join, please access the link to the PTSA membership page and help prospective members understand that while welcomed, membership does not require attendance at meetings or volunteering -- it simply means that the member supports the work of the PTSA within the school by joining.
For families of alumni and community members without current IHS students, we also offer membership at the "Supporter Membership" level at a discounted rate.
4. Fundraising Update
As PTSA parents, we don’t need to tell you how critical our annual Pass the Hat campaign is to bringing IHS so many wonderful programs and benefits. While our operations and programs rely on revenue from a variety of sources, most fundraising is done through Pass the Hat. Nearly $30,000 of benefits last year brought by Pass the Hat included instructor training for the SAT prep program, after-school science labs, world language white boards, and support that helped enable IHS to have a school magazine. These are but a few of the many great programs Pass the Hat helped deliver. However, last year's PTSA operation coffers are depleted and need replenishment. Contributions to Pass the Hat are tax-deductible and may be matched by your employer. Please consider giving to this most easy of fundraisers by writing a check for $40 (suggested donation per family) to IH PTSA, and mailing to P.O. Box 2541, Issaquah, WA 98027. For more information, including a more comprehensive list of IHS benefits provided by Pass the Hat last year, please visit the Fundraising page of the Issaquah High PTSA website.
In addition, Issaquah High PTSA partners with several area businesses, including Albertson's and The Issaquah Press to provide support to our school.
The next time you shop at Albertson’s using your Albertson’s Preferred Savings Card, simply bring a printout of the bar code below and have it scanned; the Issaquah High PTSA will then be designated as your partner and receive up to 4% of your purchase amount, at no additional cost to you.
When you start a new subscription to The Issaquah Press, $8 of your $26 annual subscription fee will be donated to the Issaquah High PTSA. Current subscribers may renew their subscription now, be sure to mention Issaquah High PTSA and $4 will be donated to the PTSA. A form is available on the Fundraising page of the Issaquah High PTSA website for your convenience.
Thank you for your support!
5. Your PTSA at Work
PTSA was busy working for our students and the IHS staff beginning with many events prior to the start of school. From prepping summer registration mailings to organizing senior events,
our volunteers shine. Staff enjoyed the annual PTSA back-to-school luncheon as they prepared classrooms for the arrival of students on September 3 and PTSA leaders attended trainings and seminars in order to learn techniques to legally manage the assets of the organization that when followed, allow for maximum potential to be reached for our organization, members and mission. On the horizon are plans for Student Recognition, Emergency Preparation, Staff Appreciation Week, Newcomers Welcoming and the distribution of Student Directories to PTSA members.
Second Annual Parent Education Event!
“How to help your student succeed
in High School and beyond”
A presentation by IHS teachers and staff
Sponsored by the Issaquah High PTSA
This unique evening is designed to give parents an academic perspective of what teachers think are essential study skills and habits every student needs to know to be successful with the rigor of high school and in developing higher education eligibility. The importance of parent participation is essential to every student’s success and is highlighted in this program. Parents are given handouts and real tools to assist their students achieve academic success along with resources available to parents and students.
Don’t miss this important one time event!
Tuesday, September 23rd 6:30-8:30 PM. IHS and PCFC parents welcome!
SAT/ACT Readiness Testing Program
Of special note, the popularity of our SAT/ACT Readiness Testing Program is soaring making the logistics and communication more challenging. Providing a legible and frequently checked email address is the only way to ensure confirmation of registration. While our goal is to accommodate all students in our various program sessions, there can be instances of deferred placement or no placement at all based on postmarks on the registration. Juniors and Seniors have first priority for the review classes. Sophomores will be placed to fill the available slots after the September 12, 2008 registration deadline has passed. Look for application deadlines for future sessions to avoid the last minute registration rush that makes filling class rosters difficult. Apply early and please follow the directions on the forms carefully!
It is easy to confuse the terminology and mis-communicate requests, especially in the case of the PSAT test. The best way to understand the various options for testing and test prep is by reading information provided through the school counseling website and websites such as www.collegeboard.com and www.act.org . Please be aware that while IHS teachers instruct the prep classes and the Counseling Center facilitates the actual PSAT test, the SAT/ACT Readiness Program is an IH PTSA program. Registration forms and checks for the SAT/ACT Readiness Program must be mailed to the PTSA postal box provided on the forms and not delivered to the school.
**SAT/ACT Readiness registration forms for winter/spring dates will be posted to our website later in the school year and members will be notified of the availability through this newsletter or check the PTSA website at www.issaquahhighptsa.org . Please be aware that there are many private companies that offer college prep testing in our area as well.
6. Reflections Art Program
The Reflections Art Program offers students the opportunity to create works of art for fun and recognition. Students are encouraged to create and submit works of art in any of the six areas: dance choreography, film/video, literature, musical composition, photography, and the visual arts (which include art forms such as drawing, painting, print making, and collage).
The theme for the 2008-2009 school years is “Wow!” Entries are judged and some selected pieces go on to the district for further evaluation and may move on to the State PTA and National PTA levels. An anticipated deadline for entries will be the beginning of November. More details will be announced during the morning announcements. Or contact Karen Starcevich at karstar2@msn.com.
Complete details about the Reflections program and each category can be found here.
7. Legislative Assembly Member Issues Survey
At the September PTSA meeting, voting delegates will be elected to represent the membership at the Annual Washington State PTA Legislative Assembly in Sea-Tac on October 3-4. The purpose of this Assembly is to learn about the legislative issues which affect our kids, and determine which issues will be priorities for the Washington State PTA this year. Members are encouraged to provide feedback on priority issues for legislative advocacy by the Washington State PTA in Olympia for the upcoming legislative session.
Click here to review the issues under consideration and to take a brief Zoomerang survey.
8. Issaquah Schools Foundation Luncheon
The Issaquah High PTSA is helping coordinate attendance at the annual Issaquah Schools Foundation Nourish Every Mind luncheon on October 16. For further information on attending the luncheon please contact Debbie Rossman at 425-391-4320 or email her at todayathome@comcast.net.
Click here to read more about the Issaquah Schools Foundation Luncheon or to register.
9. Important Issaquah School District News for PTSA Members
- E-news: Families should subscribe to both the Issaquah High E-News listserv and the Issaquah School District E-News listserv to ensure they are getting the most up-to-date, timely information about their student’s education. This includes emergency notifications, day-to-day business, event information, weather closures, breaking news, and much, much more. Go to www.issaquah.wednet.edu/list/ to sign up. If your family is in financial need of a computer, contact Sue Maybee, 425-837-7070, about the District’s surplus computer sales.
- Family Access: This online portal allows families to access individual student’s records, and it is becoming an integral part of the high-school education experience. Families will find their student’s grade book for current classes, test scores, attendance record, class schedule, immunization record, and more. To logon (or to find out how to logon), go to www.issaquah.wednet.edu/family/. Please, make sure that all your family’s contact information—including your e-mail address—is up to date!
- District Web site: This is the place for staff directories, event calendars, family resources, breaking news, finance reports, School Board information, and curriculum resources. You can also find meeting dates and important documents to follow along with District-level processes such as the Boundary Review Committee, construction, and Graduation Requirements Committee. Visit www.issaquah.wednet.edu. The District is launching a new Web site in September that will be even more user-friendly.
10. Volunteer Opportunities
20-25 parents needed to help chaperone the Homecoming Dance the evening of September 27th! More details will be coming soon.
Volunteers are needed to help with the Saturday, October 18, PSAT exam. Two jobs are needed: #1 Check-in helpers from 7-8 AM and #2 Classroom Monitors from 7:30- 11:00 am.
If you are interested in helping please contact Jane Lee at janeandalvin@comcast.net or Lisa Gaan at lisagaan@comcast.net.
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