LAST CHANCE! Have you filled out your budget survey? The BSD has received 2,000 surveys to date. We have over 16,000 students in the district. We need more parent input!!!!

I ask each one of you to complete the survey and tell a friend, parent or community member to do the same! You have until this Wednesday at midnight to get a survey submitted. See the links below to fill out the survey. The final Community Meeting is Wednesday 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Interlake HS which is on the same evening as the NHS PTSA meeting at 7:00. If you haven't attended one of these community meetings and have questions or comments for the Superintendent and Cabinet, I encourage you to attend the community meeting.

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

District Budget Meetings

The district has hosted several meetings, but we would like to host one for parents that speak another language than English. Interpreters will be present for Korean, Mandarin, Japanese, and Spanish. The PAAC worked really hard to assembly interpreters and this was the only time they could get people and a space.

Multi-Language Parent Input Meeting
Time:9:30AM Wednesday, March 24th
Location:BSD ESC Room 122
http://www.facebook.com/notes/bsd-financial-advisory-committee-parent-communication/multi-language-meeting-information/375326008731
or ask for help at the Jubilee Center http://www.jubileereach.org/

Final Community Meeting: Interlake High School on Wednesday, March 24th, at 6:00-8:00 p.m. Those on the Fiscal Advisory Committee learned a lot at the last meeting at Sammamish. FAC heard the concerns about various plans, and the possible consequences. Go to have your questions answered! You can also go to the bsd405.org website to see the updated notes. The Superintendent and Cabinet have been keeping track of all the questions, and trying to get them answered as best they can.

Directions for the On-line survey: Take part in the Budget Survey by using the links below to: Survey open until midnight March 24, 2010

1. Read the list of options on the Reference Guide taking into account the district's goals and mission. Consider which items are the most important to YOU to meet the goals and mission and which are less critical: http://bsd405.org/Portals/0/Departments/Budget/2010 2011 Budget/Reference Guide on Possible Budget Reductions and or Revenue Increases.pdf. Each item on the Reference Guide has points attached to it. One point represents $100,000. Since our goal is to propose reductions to fit the worst-case scenario of $6 million, you will need to identify items whose points together add up to 60. You may choose to make a partial cut for an item and use only half of the points assigned to it. This doesn't change the fact that, ultimately, you must cut 60 points.

2. Once you have made your decisions, please transfer your points to the interactive Input Form and submit via e-mail: http://bsd405.org/Portals/0/Departments/Budget/2010 2011 Budget/Input Sheet Fillable.pdf. Your total points must add up to at least 60 in order to submit.

The way to provide the district with ideas for cuts not represented on the survey or to suggest sources of additional revenue is to use the "Input" form: http://www.bsd405.org/Portals/0/Departments/Budget/2010 2011 Budget/Fiscal Committee Input Form FILLABLE.pdf

If you want to observe the Fiscal Advisory Committee evaluate all the input, and come up with recommendations, come to WISC on Thursday, March 25th and Thursday, April 1st at 5:00 pm. Both Audrey Bennett, PTSA Region 2 Director ptareg2@wastatepta.org and Janet Suppes, Bellevue PTSA Council President janetpta@gmail.com are on the Fiscal Advisory Committee and are also available to answer questions.

For all of you that may be on FaceBook - join the BSD Financial Advisory Committee - Parent Communication. Lots of good discussion happening here! http://www.facebook.com/pages/BSD-Financial-Advisory-Committee-Parent-Communication/246944589944?ref=nf

BSD Budget - Community Meetings

I attended the first of three Budget meetings presented by the district at Newport on Thursday evening. I was impressed with the information and the NEED for our feedback in the form of a survey. The superintendent and her cabinet led the meeting and were very open with information and answering questions. I recognized many teachers and other administration from Newport as well as PTA, yet was disappointed with the parent turnout. So with that said here are some choices that we are faced with:

• Do we increase athletic fees to $100-$200 per participant?
• Do we eliminate swimming, golf, wrestling, and gymnastics?
• Do we cut the 7 period day at the middle schools?
• Should class sizes increase by 1 in all high school classes, and cut 17 teachers?
• Does the district eliminate librarians, specialists, band and/or art at the elementary schools?

I would like you to KNOW and CONSIDER the following:

• Budget cut decisions have NOT been decided.
• Not only cuts are being considered. There will be revenue options to consider as well.
• BSD has a "Your Input Form" on their website. Continue to ask questions and provide input even if your issues/questions are not on the survey.
• The Superintendent and her committee are available for input and feedback at the meetings.
• The district WANTS to hear from the community. Take the survey on-line www.bsd405.org. IF you are unable to take the survey on-line, you can stop by the school and get a paper copy.
• The district has asked for input from all parties (curriculum, transportation, nutrition services, classified, teachers, admin., etc) PRIOR to these meetings. The cuts that you will see in the survey represent this.
• Some of the decisions will involve BEA and union consideration.
• Bellevue Schools Foundation funding is moving from small teacher grants to more systemic funding that helps more teachers/students. This does represent how the district allots some of the funding from BSF (for example for special grants that BSD uses for ILT (training that is funded by a grant from BSF that is not on the potential cut list).
• The survey asks you to review budget cuts that represent the worst case scenario of $6 million dollars. Hopefully it will be less than that. Each of the items under consideration have a point value. You have to come up with 60 points (or more) overall. This information will then be prioritized by the Fiscal Advisory Committee and presented to the District.
• As you consider the "potential" cuts, think about the district mission and what is best for all students.
• The on-line survey will close March 25th.
• The Financial Advisory Committee will prioritize the result of the survey and any additional input provided on the "Your Input Form"
• The 7 period day and why that is not on the cutting block for high school - 23.5 credits are needed for graduation. Allows for some cushion for those students that need to get credit for classes as well as allow for students to focus on a particular course study (class or AP). 5 periods are funded by the state, 2 periods funded by BSD

Call to Action- How can you make a difference:

• You can either sit on the sidelines, and let others make those decisions for you, or you can jump in and have your voice be heard!
• Attend one of the community meetings, March 18 and March 24
• March 18: Community Information Session, 5 p.m. - 7 p.m., Sammamish High School Library
• March 24: Community Information Session, 6 p.m. - 8 p.m., Interlake High School Library
• You will hear a presentation by the superintendent and her staff and have a chance to ask questions. Then you will have the opportunity to review the survey, ask more questions from the superintendent's cabinet, discuss with others, and finally vote your choices- whether you do it that evening or on-line. You decide how to cut $6 million from the budget
• If you don't attend a meeting - Big disadvantage: if something doesn't make sense, there is no one to ask.
• Continue to make your suggestions for cuts or opportunities to raise revenue. These won't be part of the survey, but they will be reviewed and considered by the Fiscal Advisory Committee.
• The Fiscal Advisory Committee will then take all of this information prioritize (rank-ordered) recommendation of how the district cuts the budget. The meeting is open for observation. Check the website for details.

You can contact me with any questions that you might have. I will do my best to get your answer. I ENCOURAGE all of you to take the time to attend the meetings and get on-line and take the survey. Both Audrey Bennett, PTSA Region 2 Director ptareg2@wastatepta.org. and Janet Suppes, Bellevue PTSA Council President janetpta@gmail.com are on the Fiscal Advisory Committee and are also available to answer questions.

For all of you that may be on FaceBook - join the BSD Financial Advisory Committee - Parent Communication http://www.facebook.com/pages/BSD-Financial-Advisory-Committee-Parent-Communication/246944589944?ref=nf

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

BSD Budget - FAC meetings

As you may have heard, the district has formed a Fiscal Advisory Committee (FAC) to take part in gathering information, analyzing data, and making recommendations on district budget cutting priorities for the 2010-11 school year. Because the cuts the district needs to make will likely impact our school and our educational system as a whole, I urge you to attend any of the following community meetings to ask questions and submit your input.

• March 11: Community Information Session, 6 p.m. - 8 p.m., Newport High School Library
• March 18: Community Information Session, 5 p.m. - 7 p.m., Sammamish High School Library
• March 24: Community Information Session, 6 p.m. - 8 p.m., Interlake High School Library

In addition to the community sessions listed above, you can access additional information on the district process and submit your feedback by going to: www.bsd405.org/2010-11Budget.

Please take part in this process and submit your feedback so that the recommendations made by the FAC reflect our priorities.

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Here are some notes from the BSd Financial Advisory Committee - Parent Communications:

• Our Curriculum Tech Coaches and Curriculum Developers are funded by the Tech fund. The district currently has 19-20 of these employees. If they were moved back into the classroom, they would have to be paid out of the General Fund - and they would displace other teachers. Many people who gave early feedback thought cutting them would be a great way to solve the budget problem - but it could actually make it worse.
• Here's a tidbit about the Transportation fund: Money in the Transportation Fund can be used to purchase buses, but money to operate the buses must come out of the General Fund.
• When the BSD builds a new school, the law allows money from the Capital Projects Fund to be used to purchase new furniture, new textbooks, and new equipment for the new building. This is why new schools are usually outfitted with the latest and greatest desks while older buildings continue to use older items.
• The BSD works with 6 types of funding. We'll focus on the largest of these, the General Fund. The others: Technology Fund (from the local tech levy), the Building Fund (from our local Bond and the State), the Transportation Fund (from the Transp Levy and the State), our Debt Service fund, which helps pay interest on our bonds, and ASB funds, which belong to the students but which the BSD must monitor.
• Did you know.....the State can't tell us yet how much money we will have in the 2010-2011 school year? Once they determine the amount to be allocated to our district, then that amount determines the amount of Levy funds we can collect (regardless of what our generous voters have authorized). Makes budgeting tricky.

Always some more information to share. May the March Madness begin!

Girls Basketball - Going to State!

Follies

SAT Prep Class

BSD Fiscal Committee Meetings

Hot Java Cool Jazz

HSPE (formerly WASL) Testing Dates

Jamba Juice Fundraiser

College Planning Day at Bellevue College

College Visits

Community Service

Knight Valor Hours

Career Center News

GLO LO Date Change!

News from the Intervention Specialist

BSF - Spring For Schools

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

Girls Basketball-Going to State!

Girls State Basketball tickets will be sold One Day Only at Newport HS in the Commons.

Sale: Tuesday March 2, during both lunches and after school until 4:00 pm

What: 1 day tickets for Wednesday, 3/3 and Thursday, 3/4 games at the Tacoma Dome.

Cost: Adults $10/day, Students $8/day

Anyone wishing to attend the Girls State Basketball Tournament at the Tacoma Dome must check out through the Attendance Office following normal procedures. This will not be necessary on Wednesday, March 3, as our opening game against Kentwood is at 3:30 pm.

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Follies

Come to the entertainment event of the year! Performances are Thursday, March 3rd through Saturday, March 6th at 7:30 in the Newport Theatre. Tickets are $6 dollars for Students with ASB and $7 dollars for adults and students without ASB. Tickets can be purchased in front of the main theatre doors during lunches.They will also be sold the evening of the performances. Parent volunteers needed. Contact Barb Maduell atmaduell@comcast.net or 425-254-824

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SAT Prep Class - two more students neeed to hold this class!

SAT Prep Inc., offers an excellent opportunity for students to prepare for the SAT. Newport's National Honor Society sponsors this course with a portion of the registration fee supporting students at NHS.

Course C: NEWPORT HIGH SCHOOL

Course: Tuesdays only, 5:30 – 8:15 p.m.

March 16, 23, 30, April 13, 20, and 27. Registration deadline: March 10

Register on line at www.SATPrep.org. or phone 425-823-1370 for person-to-person registration.

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BSD-Fiscal committee begins work

Last evening the district’s new Fiscal Advisory Committee met for the first time, two days after we received this disturbing announcement from the State Superintendent for Public Instruction: Today, the leadership in the state House of Representatives and Senate released their supplemental fiscal year 2010 budgets. In 1994, the state’s per pupil spending was $3,707, adjusted for inflation. The state Senate’s proposed budget for 2010 is $3,815 per student, just $108 per student more than 16 years ago and down $311 from 2007. Because the budget reductions will impact our entire school system, plan to attend one of three community budget meetings to hear an overview of our current financial situation; learn where Bellevue stands compared to other school districts in terms of staffing and spending patterns; and have an opportunity to identify your priorities from among various cost savings and revenue-generation strategies.

Newport High School Library – 3/11/10, 6-8:00pm

Sammamish High School Library – 3/18/10, 5-7:00pm

Interlake High School Library - 3/24/10, 6-8:00pm

Additional FAC Resources: Access meeting video on-line | Access meeting Q&A video | www.bsd405.org/2010-11Budget

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Hot Java Cool Jazz - March 19th at 7:00 p.m., Paramount Theater

This is an awesome program put on by Starbucks featuring some of the top HS jazz bands in the Puget Sound area. Come hear our band and support them. Funds from the function will be distributed to the bands that are playing. So, not only will you hear great music but you will be financially supporting our band program. Tickets on sale now through Newport Band Parent Association (NBPA). Please email Coya Kirby with your ticket order today Kirbyco@comcast.net Ticket prices: $15 – Adult, $8 – Student (0-18), $8 – Senior (65+)

Tickets sold in the commons on the following dates: Thursday March 11^th, 10:45 to 12:55 – lunch, Friday March 12^th, 11:15 to 12:40 – lunch

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HSPE Testing

HSPE (WASL) will be given on March 15^th – March 19^th & April 12^th – April 16^th

^{The full schedule for those two weeks is attached separately.}

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Jamba Juice Fundraiser for the Senior Class
We have 3000 swipe cards to be distributed to students, parents, and other supporters of our PTSA. Every time a card is swiped at the time of purchase, 10% of the proceeds are applied to our PTSA and 2% to the National PTA. Donations are paid on a quarterly basis through-out the year. PTSA is applying this to Grad Knight/Senior Class. So we will benefit from this fundraiser in June and through our students Senior year. Stop by the office to pick up a card!

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College Planning Day 3/25 at Bellevue College

The Washington Council for High School – College Relations and Bellevue College are pleased to announce College Planning Day at the BC main campus. This is an opportunity for your high school students to hear from representatives from universities and colleges in Washington. Bellevue College will host approximately 22 college representatives; each rep will give four information sessions so that students have an opportunity to hear from a variety of institutions. The date for the planning day on the BC campus will be Thursday, March 25, 2010 from 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 noon. Sophomores, juniors, and undecided seniors are welcome to attend this informative event. NHS Students can attend this event with permission from parents submitted to the attendance office.

Students should RSVP http://getstarted.bellevuecollege.edu/CollegeDay2010. Students will see a web page with the title College Planning Day and a gray button that says “Registration,” they should click that button to create a unique profile and get started. From there students will be able to select sessions from four drop-down menus. They will receive a confirmation by email. On Monday, March 22, students who have rsvp’d will receive a reminder email, with links to maps and more event information.

College Visits

ATTENTION JUNIORS:

Get a jump start on your college information gathering for next year!! The Seattle Spring College Fair is happening at Seattle University in less than two weeks. The fair will be on March 6^thfrom 12-3 in the Connolly Center, Seattle University. See Ms. Owen for more information and a list of colleges that will be attending or visit the website for online registration at http://www.pnacac.org/index_files/Page5563.htm

Northern Arizona University will be giving presentations at the Sea-Tac Marriott. Seniors will be Thursday, March 4^th from 7:00 – 9:00 and presentation for sophomores and juniors will be Wednesday, March 3^rd from 7:00 – 9:00. Sign up at www.nau.edu/springevents .

University of Oregon will be at the Silver Cloud Hotel Broadway in Seattle on Sunday, March 7th, at 1:00 pm. RSVP online at http://admissions.uoregon.edu/jduck or call 800-BE-A-DUCK.

University of Hawaii will be at the Hilton Bellevue on March 7^th from 2:00-4:00. Registration is required by Friday, February 26^th. Students can register on line athttp://manoa.hawaii.edu/admissions/rsvp/rsvp_seattle.php or See Ms. Owen for more information.

University of Colorado will be at NHS on Friday, March 5^th at 2^nd lunch, 12:10 – 12:40 in the counseling center.

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Attention College Bound Girls: Find out about College Sorority life. Students and their parents are invited to attend an informal meeting on College Sororities on Thursday, March 4^th at 7:00 pm at the Bellevue Regional Library.

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Community Service Ideas: ( See Ms. Owen in the counseling office for more information)

...Saturday, April 24^th 10am to 4:00pm; Kelsey Creek Farm Sheep Shearing Event (required to pre-register by April 19^th)

…Kelsey Creek After School Volunteers Need: (register at www.myparksandrecreation.com)

…Seattle Aquarium high school volunteer program. Students must first attend orientation, apply and be accepted into this program to volunteer. Only two orientation per year; March 6 or March 9^th . (see counseling for more information)

…Volunteer internships for Bellevue College Occupational Learning Skills program. BC is the only school in the nation that provides college students with significant learning disabilities the opportunity to earn an AA degree. Students must participate in an unpaid internship and need a volunteer to assist with the school to work transition. If you are interested in volunteering contact Kristin Bruhl at kristinl.bruhl@bellevuecollege.edu.

…Mountains to Sound Greenway; join a volunteer event in Feb., March, April, May, June or July. Contact: www.mtsgreenway.org or call 206-812-0122. (13 Saturdays to choose from)

…Girls on the Run Puget Sound; help educate and prepare 3^rd through 5^th grade girls for a lifetime of self-respect and healthy living. Two ways to volunteer. Be a coach or a running buddy. See Ms. Owen for more information.---------------------------------------

Do you have 40 Community Service Hours?
Now is the time to complete your GRADUATION REQUIREMENT! Check your hours at: http://www.newportptsa.org/NHSContent.asp?KEY=KNIGHTVALOR and type in your studentnumber and click GO. Community Service/Knight Valor will have a table set up across from the office on March 2, 16, 23 and April 13. Community Service and Knight Valor deadline for turning in your hours is April 13. The Knight Valor guidelines have been updated to now include Boy Scout Eagle and Girl Scout Gold/Silver projects, as well as 24 hrs for the City of Bellevue 24-hr relay. Turn in all forms to the Counseling Center. Questions? Email nhscommserv@gmail.com. Include Student name, ID, and question or concern

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Career Center News

Upcoming Career-related Programs, Camps & Events

Deadlines are approaching for spring events and summer camps. Swing by the Career Center and pickup a list with due dates and websites if you are interested in any of the following: UW Engineering Discovery Days, UW Summer Institute for Mathematics, Microsoft High School Summer Internship Program, Microsoft’s DigiGirlz High Tech Camp, Museum of Flight’s Women Fly, Expanding Your Horizons and Bellevue College Science and Math Institute High School Laboratory Internship Program.

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Glo Lo date change!

The Glo Lo Dance is sponsored by the Junior Class ASB. The date has been changed to April 23rd (the original date was March 12th the night before SAT). As this is a Junior sponsored dance, junior parents are needed to chaperone. Please let me know if you are available on April 23rd.

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News from NHS Intervention Specialist - Tricked into an addiction!

In efforts to keep people addicted to nicotine in a smoke-free society, tobacco companies are developing new kinds of smokeless tobacco. Don’t let your family be fooled, chewing tobacco contains as many harmful and cancer causing ingredients as cigarettes. It causes recession of the gums, lesions in the mouth and oral cancer. It’s also just as addicting. Educate yourselves and your teen—don’t be tricked into an addiction.

Scott Sturdivan, MA, CDP

Prevention/Interventionist

Newport: T (7-10:30); W (7-3:30); Th (7-11)

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Spring for Schools raises funds to help Bellevue students thrive

On May 27th, over 1,000 business and community leaders will gather to demonstrate their support for Bellevue students at Spring for Schools, Bellevue Schools Foundation's annual fundraising luncheon. Our goal: raise over $500,000 for great public schools.

Will you join us? All donations given at Spring for Schools support programs that benefit every student, every classroom - every day. Please join us! Register Today

Learn more about Spring for Schools, or watch clips from previous luncheons

Interested in helping out? Spring for Schools runs on volunteer power!

Sponsorship offers visibility for your business while helping students.

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Dates to Remember

HSPE Testing (formerly WASL): March 16^th, March 17^th, March 18^th, April 13^th, April 15^th

^{Spring Break: April 5-9}

^{Making the Move to Newport (PTA information night for incoming 9th graders): May 12th}

^{Prom: June 5}

^{Graduation: June 14}

^{Last Day of School: June 17}