Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Hello Junior Parents!

2010 has started out to be a busy year! SAT, ACT, college visits, finals... It seems that our kids are everywhere but home. I guess this prepares us for what's next. Hard to believe isn’t it??

Don’t hesitate to ask if there’s anything you need to know. Or if there is anything that you would like to add. It helps me plan my next message.

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

Today’s news…..

2011 Grad Knight Meeting
Reflections Exhibit
School of Rock - Battle of the Bands - Voting
Knights in Vienna
Focus Day
BSD Education Roadshow
PTSA Meeting
Drama News - "New Works Festival"
Superintendent Coffee Hours
BSD Levy - Vote!!!
BSD Levy - Callers Needed

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2011 Grad Knight Committee Meeting
Come join us Tuesday, January 12th at 6:30 in the NHS Library. We've made our commitment to the company that we will be working with to plan our student's memorable Grad Knight. Now the real work begins!

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Reflections

The Bellevue PTSA Reflections Art Exhibit is at Crossroads this week from January 4th – January 10th. Come see the art from all over the district, and find out if Newport finalist artists move on to the state level. District Finalists in Literature will be invited to read their work on Friday January 8th at the University Book Store in Bellevue at 6:00 pm. All visual arts, photography and music district finalists will be announced at the District Reflections Celebration on Sunday January 10th at 2pm at Crossroads Mall.

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The 3rd Annual School of the Rock - Battle of the Bands is officially ON!

Help Newport win $10,000 for their music programs. Voting ends on February 2nd!

  • Text “ROCK 21” to 24300 to vote for Newport Band
  • There is a limit of ten text votes per day, per phone.
  • Do not include quotation marks or any other words or characters in your text vote. Only votes that say ROCK 21 are counted by the voting system
  • Visit www.TheRockWFP.com <http://www.therockwfp.com/> for all entries and to see how Newport is ranking

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Knights in Vienna

A musical evening of waltzes, swing music, and delicious desserts Saturday, January 16th 7:00 p.m. NHS commons will be a winter wonderland with lights, flowers and centerpieces. Listen or dance as the students of Newport Orchestra perform for the enjoyment of students and adults. Talented musicians and singers from around Newport round out the entertainment. Professional dance instructors will be on hand to get us started. For tickets, visit www.newportorchestra.com, or call Kathy McFarlane at 649-8649.

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WSPTSA Focus Day

Celebrate MLK Day by attending FOCUS DAY , Monday January 18th– a chance to talk with our state legislators about education concerns for this session. Another enormous budget shortfall is projected this year making this issue of critical importance to anyone with students in the state public education system. You can drive, carpool, or join our District bus and socialize with other parents on the ride to/from Olympia. Please email newportptsa@cfmm.com if you want to reserve a seat. This is actually quite fun. You’ll learn a lot, meet some new people, and make a difference for children across the state by just showing up.


This year the chairs chose the MLK holiday for Focus Day and plan to have lots of kid-friendly activities. The theme of the day will be “Cuts Hurt Kids” and the presence of children is meant to reinforce for our Legislators how vital it is to fund education. It would be a wonderful time to bring a large group of high-school students to the Capitol.

Flyer: http://www.wastatepta.org/meetings/focus_day/Focus_Day_2010_flyer.pdf

General Info: http://www.wastatepta.org/meetings/focus_day/index.html


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Education Roadshow

Bellevue parents, teachers and community members are invited to attend the 4th annual Education Roadshow on Wednesday, January 20, 6 pm at Sammamish High School. Dr. John Deasy, Deputy Director of Education at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, will be the keynote speaker (7-7:45 pm). His speech is titled, The Road Ahead: Understanding 21st-Century Schools. Bellevue Superintendent Dr. Amalia Cudeiro also will speak. One of her concerns is closing the achievement gap.

The Roadshow will also include an information fair (6-8pm) and workshops (7:45- 8:45pm) for parents, teachers and community members. Sessions have also been planned for Chinese, Korean, Spanish, and Vietnamese speakers and East Indian parents. Check the BSD homepage later this week for additional detailed information and to plan your Roadshow experience. www.bsd405.org


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PTSA Meeting

PTSA meeting, Wednesday January 27th at 7pm in NHS Library. We will have a very engaging discussion about respect – between school staff, students, and parents. We anticipate covering topics such as tolerance, diversity, and appropriate expectations for school-sponsored events. Yes this means school dances!


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Drama News - "New Works Festival"

Come see two plays written by two Newport students: James Webster’s “Sins of our Father” and Julia Hands’ “An Interruption.” This is an all day festival on Saturday, January 30th. Contact Barb Maduell for more information maduell@comcast.net.


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Superintendent’s Coffee Hours

Similar to the fall series, Dr. Cudeiro has scheduled four more coffee hours to engage our community in a conversation about district goals and how this school year has progressed. Cabinet members will also be joining Dr. Cudeiro to answer your questions.

Check your calendar and join us for a coffee hour that is most convenient for you.

  • January 7, Bellevue High Library, 6:30-8 pm
  • January 14, Interlake High Library, 6:30-8 pm
  • January 20, Sammamish High School (part of the 4th annual Education Road Show) 7:50-8:30 pm
  • February 3, Newport High library, 6:30-8 pm

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Bellevue School District Levy

PTSA has endorsed these levies and encourage you to vote YES on your February 9th ballot.

First is an education program levy, which replaces a levy that expires in 2010 and provides 21% of the district’s operating budget.

Second is a technology/capital projects levy, which will be used to:
• Provide new classroom technology and training in its use;
• Upgrade the former Ringdall Middle School to house middle school students whose schools are being remodeled;
• Complete large-scale maintenance projects such as roofs, flooring, and mechanical, electrical, water and sewer systems;
• Improve or replace sports fields; and
• Provide support for common curriculum and assessments.


Volunteers students and parents needed to make phone calls for the February Levy

PTA is looking for students to phone local residents and encourage them to vote in the February Levy election. Calling will be done at the Puget Sound Energy building in Bellevue, from 5 pm to 8 pm, and you can sign up for any of the following dates: January 25, 26, 27, 28, February 3,4. Food will be served! Signup sheets are in the Main Office.