April 2016 – Agenda Notes (PTD)

REMINDERS

Donation Ask (Outreach):.

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

Council Nominating Slate: 2016-2017 Nominating Committee Report

 

PTSA Council Luncheon:   May 12th, Pickering Barn

9:30 AM – 11 AM – General Meeting (Current Presidents)
11 AM – 12:30 PM – Luncheon (Current Presidents, Incoming Presidents, Principals & Guests)

Current Presidents – Please note in your evite RSVP if you are able to bring a *store bought* salad that serves 8-10 people. Pasta, quinoa & chicken salads are great options! Pickering Barn policy requires that all food served be prepared in a commercial kitchen.

The Ice Breaker question to ask your Principal this year is: “What was the first concert you attended, and what is the most recent one that you attended (that was not a school concert)?” You will be introducing yourself, new president(s) and principal.


TREASURER

2016-2017 Budgeting Information:

Although Council has not officially approved our 2016-2017 budget (this will occur at our May meeting), here are the proposed budget changes that will affect the local PTSAs.   I wanted to make sure you were aware of these changes as you are working on your budgeting for next school year.  Here are the items to make sure are in your budgets:

  • Council Dues – Elementary $310, Middle $285, and High $260 ($50 increase).  We haven’t raised Council Dues in many years and this increase is necessary to keep up with the rising cost of things such as space rental, supplies, etc.
  • Survey Monkey – $11 – No change
  • Council Parent Ed Fee – $250 minimum (increase from $100) As we have discussed at the last few Council meetings, we are changing our approach to Parent Ed beginning next year.  We are aiming to provide higher caliber speakers next year as well as offering webinar options.  When our Council Parent Ed chair surveyed the presidents a few weeks ago, most were very supportive of this change and were all willing to donate more than $250.  Please discuss with your president/Board to determine how much your school is willing to give.  $250 is the minimum we are asking for but if you are willing to donate more, it would be greatly helpful in getting this new program going.
  • Art Docent Training – Free!  ISF will now be funding Art Docent Training so elementaries will no longer need to budget $75.00 for Art Docent Training!
  • New Gibson Ek High School Donation – Gibson Ek High School will be chartering their own PTSA later this spring.  It is customary that when a new PTSA is established, that all other PTSAs include a donation to the new PTSA in their budget.  The suggested donation amount is $250 for elementaries, $500 for middle schools, and $1000 for high schools.  This is just a suggested donation amount so any amount your PTSA feels comfortable donating will be appreciated.
  • ACT Program/Echo Glen – Please remember that donations are suggested the ACT Program and Echo Glen school, neither of which have their own PTSA.

 

Other Organization Support:

Volunteers for Issaquah Schools – Even though we won’t be running a bond/levy campaign next year (hopefully), it is always suggested that donations we made every year to VIS to help them build up a balance to run the next bond/levy campaign.

Issaquah Schools Foundation – Again, remember a donation to ISF in your budgeting process.  Many schools give a donation to the All in for Kids campaign in the fall, and another donation at the luncheon/breakfast in the spring.

Postage – Several questions have come up on the various amounts of postage that local PTSAs are asked to help with.  The first is the “3 Things Postcard”.  This is the postcard that comes out at the beginning of the year from ISF/VIS/PTSA.  The share your PTSA is responsible for depends on how many students you have.  The amount is pretty similar from year to year so please refer to how much you paid this year for budgeting for next year. You will receive an invoice from ISF in August/September for your portion of the mailing.  The second one is the VIS mailing.  This only occurs during a bond or levy campaign year.  This year, the amount ranged from $100-$400 depending on the size of your school. This only needs to be in your budget in a bond/levy year but many PTAs just leave it in so it doesn’t get forgotten.


ADVOCACY

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ART IN THE SCHOOLS

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BEST PRACTICES MOMENT

PTA Monthly Checklist –  Full Year


HEALTHY YOUTH / INFLUENCE THE CHOICE

HYI / ITC Upcoming Events

Schedule for Incredible Intensity of Being Human

State of Mind Mini-Conferences:
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

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.     


ISSAQUAH SCHOOLS FOUNDATION (ISF)

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    Nourish Every Mind Events and Activities in full Swing!

    1. Nourish Every Mind Online Auction is Open until next Tuesday, April 26th at 8pm

    AMBASSADOR TIP  Look on the auction website site to see what your school is offering – mention it.  Your principal will love you!

      1. So many cools things:  vacations at in Sonoma, Whistler/Blackcomb, Lopez Island, Long Beach, Dining certificates, theaters shows, Seahawks & Mariners tickets, Massages, Art Galleries, PARTIES (Wine Tasting, Casino Party, Tamale Making, Italian Chef Dinner)…the list goes on… 
      2. A great way for those community members not able to attend the Luncheon or Breakfast to still be able to support our students
      3. 100% of the auction proceeds will benefit all students in the Issaquah School District.
      4. Finding the Auction is easy: go to the Issaquah Schools Foundation home page for the link.
    1. Nourish Every Mind Luncheon – Next Thursday, April 28 – seats still available
    2. Nourish Every Mind Breakfast – Wednesday, May 4 – seats still available

    2016 Kateri Brow Grants have been awarded!

    • These special grants are between $1,000 to $10,000.
    • Awarded for programs that reflect vision and innovation in education and respond to a compelling need.
    • Schools receiving grants:  Apollo, Echo Glen, WEB for all Middle Schools, Liberty, Maple Hills, PCMS and Sunny Hills.   

    AMBASSADOR TIP  If your school was listed above, please refer to the Schools Foundation Website, under Grants, Kateri Brow for details. 

     The Incredible Intensity of Just Being Human

    • Nationally acclaimed exhibit
    • Partnership between the Issaquah Schools Foundation and artEast
    • Goal being to stimulate conversation and destigmatize mental illness through artistic displays
    • Two Openings for the public, both in the evening
      • Soft Opening at April 22 at Blakely Hall in the Highlands, 6-9pm
      • Grand Opening at April  29 at Issaquah Senior Center, 6-9pm
    • You can find program and information on the many events by visiting the Schools Foundation Website, under Programs.

    Great Community = Great School!  Look how many Issaquah businesses support the Schools Foundation! 

    • Amazon gives 8% back to the Foundation! Easy – just log in to Amazon through the Schools Foundation website to start making your dollars work for our students. Realtor
    • Christine Kipp donates 15% of her earned fees back to the Foundation.  Easy – Just tell Christine you would like to designate support to the Schools Foundation. 
    • Hot Yoga Experience is proud to give 100% of retail profits to the Issaquah Schools Foundation. Relax knowing you are giving back!
    • Huntington Learning Center of Issaquah is happy to donate $5 for every Academic Evaluation to the Issaquah Schools Foundation.
    • Realtor Jason Maybell is proud to donate 5% of his commission on any Issaquah purchase or sale, directly to the Issaquah Schools Foundation.
    • Optica Vision Care is proud to contribute a percentage of all eyewear sales to the Issaquah Schools Foundation. Annual minimum contribution of $1,000, but with your support a much greater amount will be donated.
    • Value Village gives a portion of the proceeds to the School Foundation to benefit kids.  Just mention Issaquah Schools Foundation when donating clothing or any household items.

     April Dining for Kids

    • Wednesday, May 4th “ALL DAY” at Gas Lamp Bar & Grill
    • Owned by a family in the Issaquah School District, great food, fun patio, fun atmosphere. 
    • Last month $1,500 was raised in one day!

    Recap of the important DATES:

    4/26  Nourish Every Mind Online Auction CLOSES at 8pm

    4/28  Nourish Every Mind Luncheon

    4/29  Grand Opening for The Incredible Intensity of Just Being Human (see above)

    5/4   Nourish Every Mind Breakfast

    5/4   Dining for Kids – Gas Lamp Bar & Grill


MEMBERSHIP

Current membership 14,632
% of children in district represented by a PTSA member ~ 80%
We have passed our goal of 2.5% growth by 2 members HOOOORAY

OUTREACH / F.A.C.E.

Outreach/FACE has it’s own tab on the Council website. 
For recent updates: http://www.issaquahptsa.org/programs/outreach

PARENT EDUCATION

1)    We’re excited to update you on some important developments in our Council sponsored parent ed.  Over the past few months, we’ve been taking a close look at parent ed events in our district and proposed some changes to make it even more convenient and relevant moving forward.  Please see the attached vision, which we proposed at the February PTSA Council meeting, for more information. We’ve been getting very positive responses from parents like you, PTSA Council, the Issaquah Schools Foundation, the Issaquah School District administration, and even external partners like Swedish Hospital.

Our goal is to create a sustainable model of parent education that gives parents in our school district the latest tools, strategies and information to be the best parents they can be, conveniently and affordably, and as a tangible benefit of PTSA membership. When parents have the information to parent well, their children’s brains can develop optimally, allowing them to live up to their true potential.

You are an important part of this vision. We’d like to get together with you this month and brainstorm speakers for our district for next year. To realize a speaker series, we need to book them this spring.  What speakers do you love? Who should be included in our annual lecture series, either in-person or via webinar?  What do you want to learn about as a parent? Ask around your school community, and let us know, we want to hear from you!

Presidents and/or Parent Ed Reps, please join us for a topic brainstorm in the lobby of Swedish Hospital, near the Starbucks, on Wednesday, April 20 at 10:30am.

We look forward to seeing you there!  If you can’t attend, please send us your comments via email by April 20th.

And below are the parent ed events remaining in April and May planned in our district.    Look to each for the age-targets and if applicable to your school population, and please post the details to your school ENews, PTSA websites, calendars and Facebook/Twitter.  See flyers attached to post to your bulletin boards, etc.  (Additional flyers for some events not attached here will be coming soon).

And please send a message to parent-ed@issaquahptsa.org if your school is planning something that got missed below!  We would love to add you to the list to give all Issaquah parents the opportunity to attend.

2)    Strategies in Mindfulness, speaker Sivie Suckerman MA LMHC, sponsored by Beaver Lake MS PTSA

Thurs, April 21st 2016

7:00-8:30pm

Beaver Lake Middle School Library

(for parents and students of grades 6-12)

FLYER – Strategies in Mindfulness

 

Sivie Suckerman, Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Certified Mindful Schools Instructor, presents techniques and strategies for mindfulness at home and in the classroom. Mindfulness has been described as bringing moment-to-moment awareness to thoughts and feelings and the surrounding environment.  Such practices have been used by schools and companies to strengthen focus, decrease anxiety and encourage creativity.  This event is free to ISD parents and their families.

3)    State of Mind Mini-Conferences: Finding a Balance in Your Life sponsored by Healthy Youth Initiative of ISF

(for parents & teenagers)

Sat, Apr 23rd 2016

12-4pm

Skyline High School

 FLYER: State of Mind

Focus: Reliance on Technology; Managing Expectations from Parents, Self, Peers; Finding Your Own Definition of Success.

Professional, technical, and practical information will be exchanged on Substance Abuse, Self Confidence, and Self-Care / Stress Management.  Attendance is FREE, but advance registration is requested at  http://www.healthyyouthinitiative.org/state-of-mind-2016.html.

4)    Social Lives of Elementary Girls, speaker Sheri Gazitt, Teen Wise founder; co-sponsored by GR PTSA & Issaquah PTSA Council

Tues, Apr 26th 2016

7:00-8:30pm

Grand Ridge Elementary Library

(for parents of K-5)

FLYER: Social Lives of Elementary Girls

Back by popular demand!  A workshop about the social lives of our elementary girls.  Understanding girl friendships issues and learn how to help your daughter navigate the important world of friendships in a positive and fulfilling way.

5)    Social Media Platforms for Parents, speaker Tracy Warren of The Social Playground, co-sponsored by MMS PTSA & Issaquah PTSA Council

Thurs, April 28th 2016

7:00-8:30pm

Maywood Middle School Library

(for parents of teens, grades 6-12)

FLYER: Social Media Platforms

As a parent, social media can be scary.  Knowing the basics about these platforms can give you confidence AND peace of mind.  And, just when we all think we have a handle on it – a new site enters the game.  In this session we will discuss the popular platforms YOUR children are using, how they are being used, and potential dangers and most importantly, how to protect your kids!

6)    Screenagers (film documentary), privately sponsored*

Thurs, May 5th 2016

7:00-9:30pm

Issaquah High School Theater

(for parents & teens)

FLYER: Screenagers at IHS

In SCREENAGERS, as with her award-winning documentaries on mental health, filmmaker and physician Delaney Ruston takes a deeply personal approach as she probes into the vulnerable corners of family life, including her own, to explore struggles over social media, video games, academics and internet addiction. Through poignant, and unexpectedly funny stories, along with surprising insights from authors, psychologists, and brain scientists, SCREENAGERS reveals how tech time impacts kids’ development and offers solutions on how adults can empower kids to best navigate the digital world and find balance.  Watch the trailer at: http://www.screenagersmovie.com/

*This showing is privately sponsored by:

Reisha Holton, One on One College Essays

Dr. Maria Elena Lara, Ph.D,Clinical Psychologist

Kara Neary, Educated Choices College and Career Counseling

Kirsten O’Malley, Pacific Learning Academy

Dr. Bizzy Riley, Naturopathic Physician

 In partnership with IHS PTSA

7)    Paper Tigers (film documentary & panel discussion), co-sponsored by Issaquah Schools Foundation & Issaquah PTSA Council

Mon, May 16th 2016

6:30-9:00pm

Issaquah High School, Black Box Theater

(for parents of grades K-12)

“Exposure to chronic and adverse stress (and the altered brain function that results) leaves a child in a fruitless search for comfort and escape from a brain and body that is permanently stuck in flight or fight. That comfort comes in the form of drugs, cigarettes, alcohol, sex, food and more.”  This documentary takes a look at how Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) affect teenage behavior, and how parents, school staff and community members can use positive behavior and social emotional support (PBSES) to reinforce societal norms and expectations. Watch the trailer at:http://www.papertigersmovie.com/ .  Before and after the film, Issaquah School District personnel will discuss real statistics in Issaquah schools, how common experiences and even divorce of parents affect our kids behavior, and our own community efforts to positively influence classroom learning for all students.

8)    Guiding Your Teen on the Bumpy Road to Independence, speaker Kathy Slattengren, M.Ed., sponsored by Skyline HS PTSA

Tues, May 17th 2016

7:00-8:30pm

Skyline HS Library

(for parents of grades 6-12)

FLYER: Guiding Teens

How do you balance trying to keep teens safe while also allowing them increasing freedom? How do you let your teens learn from their mistakes?  Please join us for an engaging discussion on helping your teens grow into adults who can thrive on their own.

9)    Cybercrime:  Keeping Your Child Safe Online, speaker Officer Diego Zanella, sponsored by IMS PTSA

Mon, May 23rd 2016

7:00-8:00pm

Issaquah Middle School, Commons

(for parents of grades 6-12)

Join us for a discussion with our school Resource Officer Diego Zanella in the Issaquah Middle School Commons on May 23rd at 7pm. We’ll discuss how to avoid potential dangers as our kids navigate social media and the online world.  Kids don’t mean to run into trouble online, but their developing brains are curious and want to explore.  A large portion of middle schoolers already have internet-enabled devices and potential dangers include cyberstalking, cyberbullying, sexting, access to pornography, harassment, and assaults.  Learn how to keep your child safe and your family’s information private.  This is an adults-only event. Childcare will be provided in the IMS library.


REFLECTIONS

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SPECIAL NEEDS

 Special Ed 101 Presentation

Tuesday, April 26, at 7 pm
Clark Elementary School Library.  

Speakers:  Issaquah School District Special Services Executive Director, Melissa Madsen, Elementary Special Education Director, Tara Slinn, and Secondary Special Education Director, Susan Wolever.  

This presentation is appropriate for all parents and guardians whose children receive Special education services, are new to the special education system, or suspect their child may be in need of services.  

This presentation is hosted by the Issaquah PTSA Council Special Needs committee.  special-needs@issaquahptsa.org


VOLUNTEERS FOR ISSAQUAH SCHOOLS (VIS)

VIS has it’s own tab on the Council website. This includes links to sign ups and information sent out to liaisons and presidents.
For recent updates: http://www.issaquahptsa.org/category/vis-information-for-presidents
Contacts:
If at any time you have questions, please contact Dawn or Alicia or check the website:
Dawn Peschek dawn@visvote.org  or Alicia Veevaert  alicia@visvote.org
Website: http://www.visvote.org/

WEBSITE & DIRECTORY

Events – Send your event information to Cindy for inclusion on the Council calendar!

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

 

May 20th-22nd WSPTA Convention
June 9th  Training 11:30 – 12:30
August 23rd  Back to School Conference