Sunday, October 25, 2009

End of Quarter, PTSA News & Opportunities

Just a few important reminders as we come to the end of the quarter. And remember there is NO school on Monday, November 2nd (Professional Day). And be sure to vote on or before Tuesday, November 3rd!

PTSA Meeting
PTSA Volunteers needed - Grant Committee, Knightline, Ski Swap
Reflection Art Program
Community Service Hours
Parking Reminder/Student Drop off and Pick Up areas
Poinsettias for the Holidays
Winter Sports Packets
College Visits
All School Play

Julie Rooney
PTSA Class of 2011 Liaison
http://newport-ptsa-2011.blogspot.com/

NEXT PTSA MEETING: WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 28th @ 6:45 p.m.
We’re starting a few minutes early because there is so much to cover this month (but we’ll have LIGHT snacks there too). First segment is a guest appearance from School Board Member Paul Mills who will conduct a brief discussion about what the school district should seek in their levy this spring (covers maintenance & operations). You have a chance to have your input heard! Then an informal chance for you to ask school board candidates Paul Mills and Patti Mann (NHS PTSA board member) questions before you fill out your ballot for the 11/3 election (they are competing for a school board position). The primary discussion is about how teens use Mobile devices, Internet and Social Media – we DEFINITELY encourage students to attend this one to participate in the discussion! The goal is for a better awareness and understanding by parents of what goes on day-in/day-out night-in/night-out on the part of your kids, today’s “Digital Natives”. We will also conduct our regular business meeting that requires your input and participation.

PTSA Volunteers Needed:
- Grants Committee: We are recruiting three candidates to help review staff grants when they are submitted by teachers (November). Contact Eric (dawes@cfmm.com)
- Knightline/Communications: Do you want to help with Knighline preparation OR learn more about web site preparation (in case we move most communications online?) Contact Eric (dawes@cfmm.com)
- SKI SWAP is coming up November 13-15...the sale is Friday & Saturday, and volunteers are needed for any/all of the three days for various tasks! It’s both a fun and social event. It's a great time to stop by and meet other Newport parents & students while you help with our biggest fundraiser of the year.It is not too early to sign-up to volunteer. http://skiswap.info/

Reflections Art Program
Is a National, Washington State and Loal PTA national art program that starts at the local school level K-12th grades. It is a cultural arts competition. The purpose of this program is to provide an opportunity for students to use their creative talents by expressing themselves through their own original works. Each year, Reflections challenges students to create art that supports a specific theme. Art is submitted as visual art; music composition; literature; photography; film/video and/or dance. Art is judged at the local school level and the chosen work proceeds to be displayed and judged at the Council, State and National levels.

This year’s theme is “Beauty Is…..” Art that follows closest to the theme tends to get highest judging marks. Go to www.wastatepta.org/programs/reflections for entry form and guidelines. The art categories are visual arts; film/video; dance; photography; literature and music composition. The deadline for art submissions is November 20th, 2009. Students turn art entries into the Reflections Art Box in the office. Please have photographs and visual art mounted on foam board and in protective shrink wrap packaging, not laminated! Also please fill out entry forms completely, including artist’s statement and parent/student signatures! If you have any questions, please email Laura Adams Guy @ laura@laconrik.com

Community Service Hours
Students can now check their community service hours by going to the community service page of the PTSA website and enter their student www.newportptsa.org/NHSContent.asp?KEY=KNIGHTVALOR

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Parking Reminders & Student Pick Up/Drop off areas
- Please remind your student not to park at Newport Covenant Church. It is a designated park and ride and is not available for student parking.
- Need some guidance about how to pick-up or drop-off students? NHS has TWO designated areas for this (and neither of those are on the WEST side near the Gym! Parents cars are in the way of people who need to use visitor and handicap parking as well as creating a lot of congestion in the parking lot in the morning and afternoon. Please use the turn around by the flag pole (entrance off of Factoria Blvd) or the turn around by the baseball and softball fields (entrance off of Coal Creek).
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Poinsettias for the Holidays
Want a beautiful poinsettia for the holidays? The Senior Party (Class of 2010) is selling them as a fund raiser for $15 each. Go to www.nhsgradknight2010.myevent.com for an order form and more information. These are the largest and longest-lasting poinsettias I’ve found anywhere - they are that fabulous. They’re available in white, red, and pink. Wreaths are also available for $20
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Winter Sports Packets
Winter Sport Packets are available for pick up. Gray folders for first time athletic participation this year. Orange repeat packet – if you played a fall sport. Winter Sport Packets are due in by November 6, 2009. First practices TBD.

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College Visits at Newport:
10/26 2:30………Rice University
10/27 11:15……Cornish College (both lunches)
11:15……Northwestern University (both lunches)
11:15……Evanston (both lunches)
2:30……..Pacific Lutheran University (PLU)
10/28 2:00……..Duke University
10/29 2:30…….Oregon State University
10:45…..Simmons College
10/30 11:15…..Montana State (1st lunch only)
11/05 2:30…….University of Oregon
11/09 2:30……Eastern Washington University
11/18 12:30….PNW College of Art

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All School Play - You Can't Take It With You
Performances November 5-7th at NHS Performing Arts Center. More information regarding tickets and times to follow. Check out the drama website http://web.me.com/scurelop1/Newport_Drama/Home.html
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Tuesday, October 13, 2009

PSAT Reminder

Juniors: Remember to bring your calculator for the Super Wednesday PSAT on Wednesday, October 14th. Room assignments will be posted outside the main office on Monday (10/12) afternoon. Testing begins promptly at 7:30 a.m. Tutorial is available from 11:30-12:30

Class Sweats - available for pick-up in room 2011 after school. Please have your student pick up their sweats as there is no space to store these in the classroom.

School Pictures - are still in the office...send your student in after the test!

Hall Decs - Thursday in the commons under the stairs 3:00-10:00 p.m. The ASB class officers have come up with some great ideas for the ESPN theme. Encourage your student to join in the fun.
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Julie Rooney
PTSA Class of 2011 Liaison
http://newport-ptsa-2011.blogspot.com/

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Super Wednesday, Homecoming

Always a dilemma…..send information as it becomes available, and risk sending too often? Or wait to send information less frequently, but send looooong emails? Today’s is a long one...

Super Wednesday next week
Homecoming Week and Activities
Class Sweat distribution
Counseling News
UW Honors Program Information Sessions
Community Service opportunities
School Pictures
Newport Snowsports Swap Volunteers Needed
School Closure News and Updates
Newport High part of a study

Julie Rooney
PTSA Class of 2011 Liaison
http://newport-ptsa-2011.blogspot.com/

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Super Wednesday Week
NOTE that Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday are 7-period days!

Juniors: All juniors will take the PSAT in assigned classrooms. Room assignments will be posted in the hallways during the week of 10/12/09. Tutorial is available from 11:30 to 12:30.

Usually results are returned mid to late December. As far as signing up for the SAT it is recommended to sign up at least 2 months in advance for a SAT exam. Check out the college board website for more information regarding dates and locations.

Homecoming Week!
Don’t forget to dress up for Spirit Week October 12th – 16th! Hall Decs Thursday!

Monday – Tie Dye
Tuesday – Pirate vs. Ninja Day
Wednesday – Comfy Day (PJ’s & Sweats)
Thursday – ‘80s Day
Friday – Red & Gold Day

- The Homecoming Assembly, as well as the football game, will be on Friday, October 16th. Come support the Varsity football team and find out Royalty!

- Homecoming tickets will be available during lunch on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, and on Wednesday and Thursday after school. Tickets are $13 dollars each, and will not be sold on Friday, or at the door. If you are bringing a guest, please remember, guest passes are due on Wednesday at 3:15 pm. By now our kids should know to buy tickets the first day they are on sale. There is a ridiculous line on the final day.

- Homecoming Tailgate Join the fun at the Homecoming tailgate party and then cheer the Knights on to a victory over Eastlake! $8 each person for dinner only, cost of game is separate. Tickets will be available during lunch Oct 5th – 12th, in the Commons. Tickets to the can also be purchased online at www.nhsgradknight2010.myevent.com .
Homecoming fun during both lunches next week! Come to the Lego Competition on Monday, Giant Twister on Tuesday, Rap Battle on Thursday, and Basketball Hoops competition on Friday!
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Class Sweats - Available for pick up Tuesday, October 13th, room 2111, after school. It will be crowded so be patient!

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Counseling News!

College Visits - You may already know that a number of colleges come to Newport for visits. The colleges and universities think it is important to send a representative to talk to Newport students to let them know what their school has to offer. These are small group (sometimes one on one) informal chats that take place in the conference rooms by the Counseling Center. The exception to the small group is when UW, WSU, and other large local schools visit. Those meetings will probably take place in the lecture hall, with less chance of one on one meetings. The representative is there to answer questions and provide whatever information a student needs. Students are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to meet someone from the school, even if they are still in the information gathering stage of their college search.


Military Academies Visit
Representatives from the Air Force Academy, UWROTC, West Point, & Navy ROTC will be here on Monday, Oct. 12th, during both lunches in the large conference room in the main office.

College Information
The National Association for College Admission Counseling will host a National College Fair for sophomores, juniors and seniors on October 18th and 19th at the Washington State Convention & Trade Center. See Ms. Owen in the counseling center for more information.

The GREATER SEATTLE CHRISTIAN COLLEGE FAIR is planned for Tuesday, October 20, 2009 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Bellevue Christian High School. Admissions professionals representing over 40 U.S. and Canadian Christian colleges and universities will be at the fair to answer questions about Christian higher education. In addition to meeting with college and university representatives, students and families will have the opportunity to attend two different college prep workshops. For directions to Bellevue Christian, and a complete list of colleges and universities that will attend the college fair, go to http://www.nccf.us/. Questions? Don’t hesitate to call 800.366.3344 or email laceyh@spu.edu.


College Visits at Newport:
10/12 11:15…….USAFA/UWROTC (both lunches)
10/13 2:30……..Western Washington University
2:30…….Reed College
2:30…….Seattle Pacific University
10/14 12:30……McDaniel College
12:30……Willamette University
10/15 10:45…….Overland College (1st lunch only)
12:25…...Westmont College (2nd lunch only)
12:25.…..University Of Hawaii @ Minoa(2nd lunch only)
12:25……University of Pennsylvania (2nd lunch only)
10/16 12:10……Boston University (2nd lunch only)
10/19 2:30…..…NW Christian University
2:30……..Biola University
10/20 11:15……Boise State (1st lunch only)
12:10…...Bryn Mawr College (2nd lunch only)
2:30…..…University of Connecticut
2:30……..Case Western University
2:30……..Marymount College
10/21 12:30…...George Mason University
10/22 10:45……Colorado State University (both lunches)
10:45……Hamline (1st lunch only)
2:30……....Marymount Manhattan
2:30……..University of Denver
2:30……..University of Rochester
10/23 11:15…...American University (both lunches)
12:10…...University of Chicago (2nd lunch only)
11:15……Southern Methodist University
2:30……..Washington University in St. Louis
10/27 11:15……Cornish College (both lunches)
10/29 2:30…….Oregon State University
10:45…..Simmons College
11/05 2:30…….University of Oregon
11/09 2:30……Eastern Washington University

College Visits outside Newport High School – (see counseling center for more information)
October 15: National Christian College Fair
October 18: Penn University, Seattle Art Museum
October 20: Pepperdine University; Hyatt Regency Bellevue
October 27: Duke University, Renaissance Seattle

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UW Honors Program Admission Information Nights

Considering applying to the UW Honors Program? You're invited to join the University Honors Program to learn how Honors enhances the UW experience and to have your questions answered by Honors students, staff, and faculty.

The Honors Information Evenings are designed to give you specific insight into the Honors Program, community, and application process. At this event, you'll have an opportunity to:

* Meet Honors students, faculty, and staff
* Get an overview of Honors education with perspectives from Honors advisers and a panel of current Honors students from different disciplines
* Walk through the Honors Program admissions process and timeline
* Learn about a variety of community and study abroad opportunities
* Ask all of your questions about what it's like to be a UW Honors student!

Please join us from 6:30-7:30 pm in Kane Hall 110 on the UW-Seattle campus
on one of the following dates:

* Monday, October 26
* Monday, November 9

As space is limited, please RSVP by October 12!

Brook Kelly
Academic Advisor &
Experiential Learning Coordinator
University Honors Program
206.221.6131
bbkelly@u.washington.edu
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UW Honors Program - Friday information sessions:

Wondering what it means to be in the University of Washington Honors
Program? Come to one of our information sessions on select Fridays from
10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in Room 206, Mary Gates Hall. Learn more about
Honors courses, requirements, and the application process. Please check
below for details and to register for a specific session.

* Oct. 23rd - Room 206, Mary Gates Hall
* Oct. 30th - Room 206, Mary Gates Hall
* Nov. 6th - Room 206, Mary Gates Hall
* Nov. 13th - Room 206, Mary Gates Hall
* Nov. 20th - Room 206, Mary Gates Hall

As space is limited, please RSVP for your desired Friday session. If you are unable to attend one of these sessions please email
uwhonors@u.washington.edu to schedule an appointment.

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Community Service Opportunities
11/14: City of Bellevue, Stewardship Saturdays: care of City park resources
Contact: Christina Krueger @425-452-4195
12/19: City of Bellevue, Stewardship Saturdays: care of City park resources
Contact: Christina Krueger @425-452-4195
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Pictures
All pictures are now available in the main office, including ones taken on Make Up Day. There are many Junior pictures still in the office. I know because I looked today! Picture Retake day is October 21st. You must have your picture packet with you to get a retake.

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Newport Snowsports Swap
It is not too early to sign-up to volunteer! Dates for the sale: Nov 13-14, 2009, Fri 5pm-9pm & Sat 8am-6pm http://skiswap.info/
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School closure news and updates

Worried about how you'll know if school is closed, especially when it's not snowing? In the unlikely event that we would have to close a school due to staff illness, there are now eight ways to stay informed. Take a moment to review the communication tools we are using to send out updates and select your preferred method. View and access our communication tools on-line at: http://www.bsd405.org/newsflash or use the links below.

- BSD 24 Hour Newsline (425)456-4111
- BSD website http://www.bsd405.org
- BSD e-mail notification http://www.bsd405.org/districtnotification
- BSD reSource blog http://bsdresource.wordpress.com/
- Local TV/Radio Stations
- SchoolReport http://www.schoolreport.org/
- Facebook http://www.tinyurl.com/bsdresource
- Twitter http://www.twitter.com/bsdresource

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Newport High one of three in nation being studied

The Successful Practices Network, a national organization partnering with the Gates Foundation, has named Newport High as one of three model schools chosen out of an initial pool of 75, to participate in their final phase of a significant research study. “Researchers will visit the school to analyze how it develops and supports a culture of high expectations and student engagement.” According to the network’s board chair, the three schools “have figured out how to provide all students with a rigorous and relevant education that prepares them for postsecondary education, work and life.”




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Friday, October 2, 2009

Academic Success Workshop

I was going to add this to my next email, then decided it is news on its own. Newport is offering a Student Academic Success Workshop - Space is limited to 15 more students on a first come first serve basis. Please contact Katie Klug by Monday, October 5th. See information below.

Don't forget - Future By Design, the district’s 6th annual college conference
Thursday, October 8th, 6:30-8:00 p.m at Newport All high school students and their parents are encouraged to attend. The full listing of breakout sessions can be found on our website: http://www.bsd405.org

No school on Friday, October 9th (Professional Day). Enjoy the 3 day weekend.

I am also doing some housekeeping to my email list. This message is sent to all parents of the Class of 2011 at Newport. If your student is no longer at Newport, let me know so I can remove you from the list. If you have any changes or additions, please let me know. If you are hearing from me for the first time, welcome! Past messages can be viewed on the blog. Your email address is in the bcc line to preserve your privacy. All requests for removal cheerfully honored. I am missing about 20 email addresses for parents/students out of a class of almost 400! . If you know someone that is not receiving my email, please forward my message to them and have them contact me and I will add them to the list!

Julie Rooney
PTSA Class of 2011 Liaison
http://newport-ptsa-2011.blogspot.com/

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Attention all Parents! Space is Still Available! Student Academic Success Workshop Coming In October!

- Could your student benefit from additional academic support?

- Could they benefit from strategies and techniques that would help them be successful in all of their classes?

If the answer to these questions is “YES”, then please sign your student up for the Student Academic Success Workshop Series!

At Newport High School it is our goal to provide our students with the necessary support so that ALL students have the ability to be successful. With that as our focus, we have designed a series of four workshops in October to teach students strategies and techniques to help them better access and comprehend the content in their classes.

WORKSHOP DATES AND TOPICS

October 6th – General Study Strategies
Techniques for maximizing your study time
Test Taking Tips
Time Management Strategies

October 13th – Reading Strategies
Techniques to increase your reading comprehension
Tips to connect your textbook reading to the content covered in class.

October 20th – Math Strategies
Tips to increase your success in math class
Techniques to help you work effectively in collaborative math groups
Learn where to find additional resources to support your success in math

October 27th – Writing Strategies
Learn techniques to improve your writing style
Tips for citing your sources in MLA style

ALL WORKSHOPS WILL BE IN ROOM 1113 from 3:15 pm – 4:15 pm

Students who sign-up are making a commitment to attend ALL FOUR Workshops.

To sign your student up for the Student Academic Success Workshop series e-mail Katie Klug in the main office at klugk@bsd405.org or call 425-456-7451. Please ENROLL by Monday, October 5th! Space is limited so sign up now! Looking forward to seeing your student at this upcoming event!