January 2016 – Agenda Notes (PTD)

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REMINDERS

Donation Ask (Outreach): Small (24 oz or less) bottles of cooking oil, and either canned evaporated milk or canned condensed milk to benefit the Issaquah Food & Clothing Bank.

FOCUS DAY Registration

AIM Insurance Certificates: If you have not turned these in to Laila, do so immediately!

2015-16 WSPTA Deadline Dates can be found HERE in one handy document!

ADVOCACY

WASHINGTON STATE PTA FOCUS DAY IN OLYMPIA IS ALMOST HERE– WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3RD

Please join Washington State PTA members from across the state on Wednesday, February 3rd in Olympia for our biggest advocacy event of the year – Focus Day 2016.

Your presence will help us put education front and center with our lawmakers during the upcoming legislative session. Children are welcome to attend.

The event is free, but please register to attend Focus Day 2016 here.

WHY DOES IT MATTER?

Did you know, despite the fact that the WA State Constitution says our State Budget must fully fund education, only 62.3% of our Issaquah School District funding for general operating costs comes from WA State? A full 34.6% is generated through local fees and the Maintenance and Operation (M & O) Levy.

There’s been progress; in the last 2 years, the legislature added funding of all-day Kindergarten and half of the needed funding for K-3 class size reductions, but those funds didn’t include funds for building the new classrooms to put those smaller classes in. So where will we put them without more funding and changes to the State’s funding structure and allocation for capital improvements and additions?

We have momentum, and we need to say thank you to our legislators for making this happen. But we’re not done, and we need to keep the momentum going. Help us tell our legislators to fully fund education NOW!

ART IN THE SCHOOLS
  • ISF Katrina Brow Biggest need grant – submitting for 2016/2017 (last ask)
  • ISF proposal
    • Invitation by Robin Callahan
    • District level trainings and functions (funding) to fall under ISF Fine Arts Fund
    • ISF looking for elementary level way to support arts education
      • Currently support high school and middle schools only (district wide)
    • Provide consistency and administrative support
    • Grant writing and other financial aspects would no longer be necessary part of Art Liaison job
    • Deeper level partnership with PTSA council
  • Trainings Winter/Spring
  • Current ISF Grant
    • Big kudos to Laila for working through the current grant mishap!
    • For the remainder of the year we will pay out to Art East and then get reimbursed by ISF
    • Carolyn, new programs manager at ISF is contact

BEST PRACTICES MOMENT

PTA Monthly Checklist –  Full Year

 

HEALTHY YOUTH / INFLUENCE THE CHOICE

MARK YOUR CALENDARS! 

Healthy Youth Initiative and Influence the Choice- Drug Prevention Alliance for Youth

(Initiatives of the Issaquah Schools Foundation)

Paper Tigers Movie and ACEs training
Monday, January 25, 7:30 to 11:00 a.m., Liberty High School

Adult HYI members and friends have been invited to join Issaquah School District staff for a showing of “Paper Tigers,” a movie highlighting the impacts of Adverse Childhood Experiences.  The movie was filmed at Lincoln Alternative High School in Walla Walla, Washington and is being shown nationwide to teachers and educators.  Following the movie, HYI members will gather for a short guided discussion.  To attend this movie, please email your rsvp to Barb de Michele (barb@isfdn) no later than Thursday, January 21.  Attendance is limited to 12, so get your rsvp back to her as soon as possible!

HYI Forum:  ACEs presentation and discussion
Monday, February 1, 6:30 to 8:00 p.m., Grand Ridge Elementary School

Adult and student HYI members and friends are invited to a presentation by Pam Ridenour, Issaquah School District Director of Counseling, on the topic of Adverse Childhood Experiences research and the impacts of ACEs on physical and mental health.  The presentation will include small-group discussions about the material.  This is the second Healthy Youth Initiative Forum of the year, with the purpose of providing education and information about major new developments in the field of youth behaviorial health.  A registration link will be sent to members soon.

State of Mind Mini-Conferences:
Saturday, March 19, 12 noon to 4:00 p.m., Issaquah High School
Saturday, April 2, 12 noon to 4:00 p.m., Liberty High School
Saturday, April 23, 12 noon to 4:00 p.m., Skyline High School

Adult and student members of HYI are invited to attend one, two or all three State of Mind mini-conferences focused on topics related to youth mental health.  Each school mini-conference will have a different focus, including how to cope with stress, how to help friends who are struggling with depression, or how to detach from technology. Each mini-conference will also offer a core of basic classes in topics such as the impacts of drugs on the developing brain, healthy relationships, body image, and living with mental illness. Registrations for these conferences, as well as programs with a list of speakers and topics, will be available by February 15th.

Annual Issaquah Spring Clean Event
Saturday April 23, Time to be finalized

This annual event sees youth leaders and adults getting together to focus on clean-up of Rainier Trail (beside the Issaquah Community Center and the old skate park).  Over the years, ITC has seen a major difference in the amount of debris including drug paraphernalia i.e. syringes and beer bottles, cigarette butts, etc.  YODA leaders (Youth Opposing Drug Abuse – the youth coalition of the Alliance) will be taking a lead this year in organizing the day of work.  Come out – everything is provided for you including gloves, tongs to pick up garbage, and garbage bags along with (as always) lots of goodies.   Good day to get some good exercise, meet some great people and do some great work for the community!  Email Katie Moeller for more information at Katie.hirshberg.moeller@gmail.com.

Incredible Intensity of Just Being Human — Kick Off Event
Friday, April 29, 6:00 p.m., Issaquah Senior Center

The Issaquah Schools Foundation and ArtEast are partnering on a project that will bring an art exhibit focused on the themes of mental illness and mental health to Issaquah schools and community.  The exhibit itself will run from April 18 through June 30th and feature juried art located at three different art galleries in the greater Issaquah area. In addition, the exhibit will serve as a platform for panel discussions, tours, and school/community art, poetry and music activities focused on the theme of mental wellness.  Everyone is invited to attend this kick-off event, which will be followed by a reception located at the ArtEast gallery on Front Street in downtown Issaquah.  Put this on your calendars! More information to follow.     

2016 Influence the Choice Video Contest Event is underway!

Entering its’ 4th year, the Alliance’s Video contest is in its final preparation for take off!  High School student videographers from across the Issaquah School District boundaries (including public and private schools) are eligible to enter a 2-minute PSA for cash prizes that will be judged by an esteemed panel of judges and presented at an Awards Ceremony.  This year’s contest categories will be changing but the intent is the same: showcasing the importance of young people’s voices through this art medium to encourage the prevention of substance abuse and promote good mental health.  The timeline for the contest schedule is being finalized and will be shared widely.  In the meantime, if you have questions, please contact Matt Compston, ITC Video Contest Coordinator at  compston75@gmail.com

ISSAQUAH SCHOOLS FOUNDATION (ISF)

Cultural Bridges  magazine published every two months.

 

MEMBERSHIP
Regarding issues with Dual/Family Memberships, please read this: http://bit.ly/1IBbeo5

Do the students at your school need a service project?  Generation Joy needs your school!
Generation Joy is a local non-profit organization (genjoy.org) that works with kids (primarily in the Issaquah School District) to collect school supplies and other needed items for under-served kids in rural Kwa-Zulu Natal in South Africa.  See FLYER for more information or contact Linda Guard directly at ldguard@comcast.net or 425-208-6758.

OUTREACH / F.A.C.E.
How You Can Help

This month’s Outreach Ask for Council meeting: Benefiting the Issaquah Food & Clothing Bank: small (24 oz or less) bottles of cooking oil, and either canned evaporated milk or canned condensed milk.

  1. Lunch For The Break was overwhelmingly successful at Dec break thanks to our generous community !  313 children were provided food for breakfasts, lunches and snacks.  Plans are already in place for February break, continuing to provide food to children who rely on the free & reduced lunch program in the Issaquah School District. For this Feb break, there are now eight schools, with the addition of Grand Ridge, being sponsored: Apollo, Briarwood, Clark, Grand Ridge, Issaquah Valley, Maple Hills, and  Sunset Elementary Schools and Issaquah Middle School. The shopping list for donated foods has been changed slightly from Dec, so please download the new list from the website.  Donation Drop-Off will be Feb 10, 2pm-7pm at 3 locations.   Details at www.LunchForTheBreak.com 
  1. Issaquah Community Services is hoping to reach their fundraising goal of $100,000; to date, they have received $77,422.  ICS is a local non-profit which aids Issaquah community residents with emergency expenses like rent, utilities, transportation, some medical costs, as well as many other types of assistance. Learn more at  http://www.issaquahcommunityservices.org/
  1. YWCA Family Village Issaquah is looking for adult or high school volunteers to help with tutoring and programs at their after-school program which started Sept 1.  Hours would be 2:30-5pm (perhaps 6pm).  For more information and signing up, please contact Sondi Lind,425.270.6800
  1. YWCA Family Village Issaquah is looking for donations of non-perishable snacks for their after-school program.    Items can include granola bars, packaged fruits or any other healthy packaged snacks.  Items can be brought to PTSA Council meetings, or directly to YWCA Village at 930 NE High St., Suite 101, Issaquah, 98029.

Current Programs

  1. ENGLISH FOR WORK – AN ESL PROGRAM through Hopelink.  Learn English. Prepare for Work. Free classes starting each quarter  http://adulteducation.hope-link.org/what-we-do/esl/
  2. Lunch for the Break Feb 2016 is here! We will provide each school age child in a family with a box of food during Mid Winter Break.  Now serving eight schools that include Apollo, Briarwood, Clark, Grand Ridge, Maple Hills and Sunset elementary schools, and Issaquah Middle School.  All school age children in the family are eligible, but you must have at least one child in a school on the list.  Box pick ups are on Feb. 11 from 2-7pm and you may choose one of three pick up locations.  www.LunchForTheBreak.com
  3. OSLC Safe Parking can provide a safe place for Eastside families and single women who are homeless with no place to stay except their cars. No single men, please. Safe Parking times are 9 PM—9 AM. No campers or trailers. This is intended to be a transitional program for families to become stabilized and get into more permanent housing. Intake procedures are required and include criminal records check. Our Savior Lutheran Church 745 Front Street South, Issaquah, WA 98027. FLYER.
  4. Habitat for Humanity recruiting homebuyer applicants for Sammamish development  –  If you’d like an affordable home, please attend a “homeowner information meeting” on Saturday, Jan. 30, 10:45 a.m., at the Sammamish Library, 825 228th Ave. S.E.  To register for the meeting, contact Donna Adair at dadair@habitatskc.org or 206-855-5214. For more information about affordable housing and Habitat for Humanity options in western Washington, go to www.habitatskc.org.
  5. Child Care resources:  http://childcare.org/family-services/
  6. Homeless Youth Services:  Friends of Youth
    1. Ages 15-22 in need of housing, referrals, food, case management, or shelter can go to 16225 NE 87th St, Ste A-1  Redmond, WA  98052.  Drop-In Center   call for hours at 425.298.4846
    2. Short Term Shelter, guys & girls ages 11-17 – call 24-hours 206.236.437
    3. Overnight Shelter with food, showers, laundry, ages 18-24, open 7 days/week Line up: 8:30-8:45pm    16225 NE 87th St., Ste, A-1 Redmond.  Bus Routes Metro 542 and 545
    4. For the nearest SAFE PLACE location, text the word SAFE and your current location to 69866
  7. Study Zone at our libraries !  Issaquah, Newcastle, Renton Highlands, and Sammamish libraries offer drop-in for free homework help from trained volunteer tutors during the week !  Check out the KCLS website for days/times at your library, and all other locations. http://bit.ly/1N3L1d1
  8. Life After High School Programs offered through KCLS   SAT/ACT Math Preparation Tips, The World as Your Classroom, Secrets of College Admissions, Gap Year Study Abroad, College Success for Students with Disabilities, Get a job! The Intelligent Job Search, Your College Planning Checklist    http://www.kcls.org/teens/lifeafterhighschool/
  9. Find out if you qualify for a computers and/or free internet access: http://washingtonaccessfund.org/free-and-low-cost-computers/
  10. Issaquah School District students with financial hardship may be eligible for a free computer.  Please contact your school office to learn how to apply.

PARENT EDUCATION

 

Child Safety Workshop, by Kim Estes of Savvy Parent Safe Kids

Thurs, Jan 14th, 2016
7:00-8:30pm
Grand Ridge Elementary, Library
(for parents of grades K-5)

This workshop is about child safety topics: sleepovers & playdates, teaching body safety, smartphone safety, what apps should kids avoid, online safety, Super 10 rules, red flags and warning signs.  We all want to keep our kids safe… FLYER

 

Safe Dating – Talking to Your Teen, by Robin Wright of Wright Conversations

Tues., Jan 19th, 2016
7:00-8:30pm
Skyline HS, Library
(for parents of grades 6-12)

Safe Dating – Talking to Your Teen helps parents learn more about teen dating abuse and gives parents the tools they need to discuss it with their teens.  Talking to your teen early is the most important step a parent can take to ensure that when they start dating, they clearly understand what a healthy relationship involves. FLYER

 

Success:  Stay Organized, Manage Time and Study Skills, by Jenni Butz of Pacific Learning Academy

Tues, Feb 23rd, 2016
7:00-8:30pm
PCMS
(for parents of middle/high school teens)

Help your teen succeed by learning practical organizational, time management and study skills that can be personalized to the individual learning style. Put basic office supplies to use and reduce mind clutter.

 

Anxiety – Yours, Mine and Ours, by Laura Kastner PhD

Tues, Mar 8th, 2016
7:00-8:30pm
Issaquah High School, Theater
(for parents of middle/high school teens)

This lecture will discuss research on teen stress by author of Wise Minded Parenting (among other publications), Laura Kastner PhD.  Some stress is good! Challenges energize, focus and motivate us.  Stress management and resilience are key personal strengths that can determine success or failure.  Learn how to help, rather than hinder, your teens’ stress management.

 

REFLECTIONS
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SPECIAL NEEDS

The Special Needs Committee meeting is set for Tuesday, January 19 from 10 am-12 pm at the KCLS Service Center.

The topic of this meeting is:  What changes need to be made in order for the Issaquah Council’s Special Needs Committee to meet the needs of the parents in the district and provide relevant resources.  Everyone is welcome to attend.  The more voices the better.

VOLUNTEERS FOR ISSAQUAH SCHOOLS (VIS)
Volunteers for Issaquah Schools (VIS)
School Bond Kickoff Event
Tues., January 19, 2016 *
7-8:30PM at the KCLS Service Center, Issaquah
This event is open to all in the community who would like to hear information about the upcoming April 26, 2016 School Bond. However, this event is particularly important for school/PTA VIS reps and those that will be helping to distribute materials or Honk & Waves, etc for the campaign. This will also be a great opportunity to pick up the window clings and other VIS support items and to sign up for speakers to attend any community or PTA events.
If at any time you have questions, please contact Dawn or Alicia or check the website:http://www.visvote.org/
Contacts:
Dawn Peschek dawn@visvote.org  or Alicia Veevaert  alicia@visvote.org
Website: http://www.visvote.org/

From ISD: April 26, 2016 School Bond Election Information

Why do we need a school bond now?

Enrollment Growth
Rapid and continued growth in the District has resulted in an increase of enrollment by 2,000 students in the past four years. Our schools are fast becoming crowded and we conservatively project enrollment growth to increase by 1,500 to 2,000 students over the next five years.

Full Day Kindergarten and Smaller Class Sizes
State requirements and our own desire to provide free full day kindergarten for all students and reduce class sizes also result in the need for more classrooms.

Land Availability
Property to build schools is becoming scarce and waiting will result in fewer viable options for school sites. In addition, recent interpretations of the Growth Management Act reduce our options for locating schools.

How much is the bond and how will it affect my taxes?
The school bond on the April 26, 2016 ballot is  $533.5M. Residents can expect to see no increase in tax rate as a result of the passage of this bond measure.

What about the 2012 Bond?
Thanks to our voters, we are completing the build out of the projects in the 2012 Bond. We have expanded and remodeled Apollo Elementary, Issaquah Valley Elementary, and Maywood Middle School. Additionally, Liberty High School was rebuilt and remodeled. We are currently rebuilding Issaquah Middle School, Sunny Hills Elementary, and building the new Gibson Ek choice high school for a fall of 2016 opening. We will begin the rebuild of Clark Elementary in the summer of 2016 for a fall of 2017 opening.

For more information, including a list of projects and a quick fact sheet is available at on our District website.

WEBSITE & DIRECTORY

Directories – Directories were distributed. If you (president) did not receive one, see Cindy.

Surveys – It’s important to survey your membership periodically. It’s also a component of awards and Best Practices.  When you are ready to do your survey, let Cindy know.

TRAININGS

Region 2 Mid-Year Conference. February 23, 2016, 5:30-8:30PM, Interlake High School in Bellevue.