Isn't it nice to have the kids back in school? I am hoping to catch up and get organized! And we have a lot of information to catch up on!
Class Sweat Order Deadline
Open House/Back-To-School Night
Student Volunteers Needed
Bus pass & lockers
Picture Make-up Day & ASB cards
Spirit Week & Disco Dance
Varsity Football vs. Skyline (Home Game)
College Visits
Clubs & Yearbook submissions
PTSA Meeting
Updated School Calendar
Julie Rooney
PTSA Liaison Class of 2011
http://newport-ptsa-2011.blogspot.com
This message is sent to all parents of students in the Class of 2011 for whom I've been able to find an email address. Requests for removal cheerfully honored. Email addresses are in the BCC line to preserve your privacy. I'm subject to all the usual PTA restrictions... no soliciting of a commercial, political, or ideological purpose. Questions, ideas and suggestions are welcome and encouraged.
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Order deadline for Class Sweats
Orders for Class Sweats are due by Friday, September 19th. Sophomore ASB officers will be in the Commons at lunchtime on Thursday and Friday this week with samples, forms and taking orders. The money the students raise selling class sweats goes toward Prom and Graduation, which are funded entirely by the students. Let's help our kids have a Prom & Graduation to remember!!
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Open House/Back-To-School Night/Classroom Bucks
Mark your calendars for Back-To-School Night on Tuesday, the 23rd. If you are new to Newport….plan to arrive early (mainly to be able to park) and attend the Grade Level meeting at 6:15. Location of the 10th grade meeting will be posted in the Commons. If you can't arrive early, please consider carpooling.
Classroom presentations start at 7:00. Bring a copy of your student's schedule. Please have your student fill out their schedule on page 5 of the Knightline. Maps will be available.
Be sure to pick up your student directory (free to all PTSA members). If you haven't joined, please do. A membership form is available on page 4 of the Knightline and forms will be available at the membership table.
Browse the array of Newport booster "gear" in the Commons. Don't forget your checkbook!
And when you hear the Classroom Bucks announcement during 2nd period give generously - this money goes straight into our classrooms in the form of Grants to our teachers.
Back-To-School Night is NOT a time to talk about your student's performance or grades. Teachers will offer a brief summary of curriculum. Conversations about individual needs/concerns are best addressed in a separate appointment.
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Student Volunteers Needed for Back-To-School Night
Any student interested in volunteering at Open House/Back-to-School Night from 5:45-8:45pm on Tuesday, September 23rd should come to the main office to sign up. Information about specific assignments will then be distributed prior to the event. Three hours of community service will be earned for this activity.
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Need a Bus Pass or a Locker?
Volunteers will be outside the office Thursday and Friday this week to hand out bus passes and assign lockers.
Information about your student's Metro Bus Pass that I found out today. Your student does NOT want to lose this pass. Lost bus passes are not replaced by the school. Your student will have to purchase a new pass and pay approximately $27 per month until the end of November when the next pass is issued. Bus passes can be purchased at Bartels.
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Pictures/ASB Cards/Student ID
Picture Make-Up day is Wednesday, September 24, beginning at 12:30 in the commons. This is for students that missed Check-In Days and did not have their picture taken for their ASB card. All students are required to have their picture taken and get an ID card.
For all home and away athletic events you must have your ASB card to get in free or at a reduced rate. Always have your ID card with you.
This is not for picture re-takes. Picture Re-Takes will be scheduled in October and your student will return their packet for a re-take. More information to follow.
==============================
Spirit Week & Disco Dance!
The first Spirit Week of the year week be September 22nd – 26th. More information to follow regarding themes for the days of the week.
The Welcome Back/Fall Sports Assembly is September 26th.
The Disco Dance is on Friday, September 26th following the Skyline Football home game. Tickets will go on sale next week during lunch until Thursday, September 25th. No tickets will be sold on Friday or at the door!. Guest Passes are on-line, and must be turned in no later than September 24th at 3:15. http://schools.bsd405.org/nhs/homepage/activities2/index.htm (No faxes, paper passes only).
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Football BBQ - Fundraiser for the Class of 2009
Show your Newport Spirit --Come tailgate with all your friends before the Newport/Skyline football game on September 26th. Burger (3 kinds), salad, soda, chips and a cookie all for only $10 per ticket or $30 for 4 tickets. Dinner served from 5:30 - 6:30. Reserve your spot now; last day to join in the fun is September 23rd. Reservations can be purchased online at www.nhsgradknight2009.myevent.com, at school September 15-19 during your lunch period, or at the GradKnight 2009 table during Back-To-School Night.
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College Visits
Please come to the Counseling Office if you are interested in talking to college recruiters:
Whitman College, Sept 18, 10:45
Tufts, Sept 23, 12:10
Seattle Pacific University, Sept 23, 2:30
John Hopkins University, Sept 24, 2:30
==============================
Clubs
The first meeting of Newport's Debate and Speech Club is scheduled for next Monday at 3:10 in room 2120. New members are always welcome!
Starry Knights Astronomy Club will have a brief meeting Friday at 3:10 p.m. in Room 3104. New members are welcome! We will be planning our first telescope outing for this Saturday if weather permits.
Yearbook
Attention all students. The yearbook is currently accepting submissions for the student life section of the yearbook. Submit photos from your "Summer Adventures", "Now and Then" and "Club Sports" to Ms. Driscoll's mailbox or email. Submit early and increase your chances of getting your photos in the book!
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We invite you to the first PTSA Meeting, scheduled for Monday, September 29th at 7:00 p.m. in the Library
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An updated school calendar can be found on the link http://www.bsd405.org/schoolcalendar
First Day of School: September 15, 2008
Winter Break: December 24, 2008 – January 2, 2009
Spring Break: April 6 – 10, 2009
Last Day of School: June 18, 2009
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Tentative Teacher Agreement...
Signs all point to our kids being in class bright & early Monday morning. If that's the case…….
· Sophomores pick up final schedules in the Outside Gym first thing.
· They must have their summer reading done.
I guess we'll all watch the news to be certain about the final decision on Sunday. The contract will be presented to teachers at 5 p.m.
I am in process of creating a separate email for PTSA Class emails. It will come through as Julie Rooney (nhsclass2011@gmail.com). So please check your junk mail and mark this email as safe.
Julie Rooney
PTSA Class of 2011 Liaison
http://newport-ptsa-2011.blogspot.com/
Schedule Changes
Counselors will be available for appointments starting the first day of school. Go to the Counseling Center and make an appointment with the secretary. Continue to attend classes on your schedule.
Need a Bus Pass or a Locker?
Volunteers will be outside the office at lunch during the first week of school to hand out bus passes and assign lockers.
Class Sweats
If you are interested in Class Sweats you will need to order this week. I have attached the form. FYI - the shorts are a cobblestone, micro-mesh 9" short (red with a white N outlined in Black).
Spirit Week & Disco Dance
Spirit Week has been rescheduled for September 22nd-26th and the Disco Dance will be Friday, September 26th. More information to come.
· Sophomores pick up final schedules in the Outside Gym first thing.
· They must have their summer reading done.
I guess we'll all watch the news to be certain about the final decision on Sunday. The contract will be presented to teachers at 5 p.m.
I am in process of creating a separate email for PTSA Class emails. It will come through as Julie Rooney (nhsclass2011@gmail.com). So please check your junk mail and mark this email as safe.
Julie Rooney
PTSA Class of 2011 Liaison
http://newport-ptsa-2011.blogspot.com/
Schedule Changes
Counselors will be available for appointments starting the first day of school. Go to the Counseling Center and make an appointment with the secretary. Continue to attend classes on your schedule.
Need a Bus Pass or a Locker?
Volunteers will be outside the office at lunch during the first week of school to hand out bus passes and assign lockers.
Class Sweats
If you are interested in Class Sweats you will need to order this week. I have attached the form. FYI - the shorts are a cobblestone, micro-mesh 9" short (red with a white N outlined in Black).
Spirit Week & Disco Dance
Spirit Week has been rescheduled for September 22nd-26th and the Disco Dance will be Friday, September 26th. More information to come.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
A couple quick notes for Day 2 of the strike….
There IS Band Practice this evening. Chuck Johnson is having email troubles and asked for our help getting the word out.
Athletic Events this week:
Friday 9/5 - Varsity Football vs. Woodinville 7:00 @ Woodinville (Pop Cheney Stadium)
Saturday 9/6 – all day
Volleyball Varsity King Co Jamboree @ Newport HS
JV Volleyball King Co Jamboree @ Interlake HS
All events are listed by sport at
http://www.digitalsports.com/school/id/19172/page/athletics.aspx
A question about Class Sweats – on the order form the t-shirt on the front has an N with little N’s in it and the back has Class of 2011 with little N’s in it (they are not flowers).
A couple of you have asked when the days will be made up due to the strike. That depends on how long the strike lasts and how the district & teachers eventually negotiate the makeup days.
If it’s short, all makeup days will be done during the three traditional breaks in December, February, and April. If it’s long…..or if there are snow days…..I don’t know what will happen.
Strike Resources:
BEA information is at http://www.bellevueea.org/
BSD information is at http://www.bsd405.org/
The State and National PTA both advocate for children to be back in the classroom.
Julie Rooney
PTSA Class of 2011 Liaison
http://newport-ptsa-2011.blogspot.com/
Athletic Events this week:
Friday 9/5 - Varsity Football vs. Woodinville 7:00 @ Woodinville (Pop Cheney Stadium)
Saturday 9/6 – all day
Volleyball Varsity King Co Jamboree @ Newport HS
JV Volleyball King Co Jamboree @ Interlake HS
All events are listed by sport at
http://www.digitalsports.com/school/id/19172/page/athletics.aspx
A question about Class Sweats – on the order form the t-shirt on the front has an N with little N’s in it and the back has Class of 2011 with little N’s in it (they are not flowers).
A couple of you have asked when the days will be made up due to the strike. That depends on how long the strike lasts and how the district & teachers eventually negotiate the makeup days.
If it’s short, all makeup days will be done during the three traditional breaks in December, February, and April. If it’s long…..or if there are snow days…..I don’t know what will happen.
Strike Resources:
BEA information is at http://www.bellevueea.org/
BSD information is at http://www.bsd405.org/
The State and National PTA both advocate for children to be back in the classroom.
Julie Rooney
PTSA Class of 2011 Liaison
http://newport-ptsa-2011.blogspot.com/
Monday, September 1, 2008
Bellevue Schools Closed Until Further Notice
Hi everyone– wish I had different news to share.
BSD - www.bsd405.org (message below)
BEA - www.bellevueea.org
Feel free to ask me any questions you have and I’ll try to research them for you. Any days missed due to the strike will need to be made up.
Julie Rooney
From Kelly Munn, our Region 2 Legislation Chair (Kelly has good advice for us because she was active in PTA in Issaquah back when their teachers went on strike. Much of her advice was earned the hard way – through experience):
Don’t support one side over another. For the most part we know and like our teachers. For many of us, it’s instinctive to help the people that directly help our children. Don’t do it. It will prolong the strike. The more support one side gets, the more entrenched the strike will become, the longer the strike will last. The community needs to say “resolve the strike now, it’s not good for children” repeatedly, and to both sides.
The WSPTA has a position on strikes – that they are not good for children. See below. Consistently repeat this message to everyone.
If you distribute information, distribute information from both sides. Remember that this is a strike and that the information WILL BE biased on both sides, sometimes it will be out and out lies, other times it will be sins of omissions. The community does not have a seat at the bargaining table and therefore we don’t really understand what is being negotiated. Both sides will spin the information to their advantage. We will never really understand what is being negotiated.
Don’t bring donuts to the picket lines. The teachers will take it as “support” and it makes them feel supported, don’t take donuts to the admin office either – it does the same to them. We speak for kids, and strikes are not good for kids, we need a strike to end as quickly as possible.
If money is one of the problems, money is not a local issue, it’s a statewide issue. Blame the lack of state education funding. The state does not provide enough money to our communities. Bellevue is perceived as a “wealthy” district, and is wealthy in some areas, but in terms of per pupil funding Bellevue is “middle of the pack” in funding, even with its high levy lid. The state needs to adequately fund school districts and this includes adequately funding teachers. This is not a local school district problem, it’s a state wide funding problem.
Do not believe what you hear. Although leaders, the press, etc. will say that the dispute is about “money” or about “curriculum” or it’s about teachers being “valued”, that is rarely what is actually being negotiated. This is why it’s better for the community to consistently say “strikes hurt children.” We don’t really know what is going on, and the information will be biased at best from both sides.
There is a normal course for a strike to run through. There may be personal attacks on the highest levels of leadership. There may be suggestions that the budget can be balanced with the “reserve fund” (when those funds run out your school district will have to make cuts). The school district may be giving too little information which adds significantly more confusion to the community. Teachers may be concerned that they are “not valued as the professionals that they are” These are all things that are said in most teachers strikes.
Help the school community to repair itself after the strike. Thank the teachers for getting back to work, thank the administrators for making a deal. Recruit people to go to Olympia to work on more funding for schools across the state. Work together with administrators, teachers and parents towards something positive.
UNINTERRUPTED OPERATION OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS 18.6
Resolution, 1986
Revised, 2006
Whereas, The Washington State PTA has a purpose “To develop between educators and the general public such united efforts as will secure for all children and youth the highest advantages in physical, mental, social, spiritual education”; and,
Whereas, Quality Education is a high priority issue for the Washington State PTA; and, Whereas, Washington State citizens have historically valued the reliable delivery of vital services and the orderly management of public institutions including fire and police services and public schools, and,
Whereas, The Washington State PTA also holds that a disruption to the educational system in the form of work stoppages and strikes is detrimental to the best interests of the children and
families affected by those actions, and, Whereas, The Washington State PTA believes that a disruption to the educational system in the form of work stoppages and/or strikes is often detrimental to the best interest of the children and families affected by those actions. While acknowledging that more state resources must be committed to the educational process in the State of Washington, including higher salaries for educational employees: therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Washington State PTA shall work to produce conditions with regard to the collective bargaining process which will consistently produce, in a timely manner, labor agreements negotiated and fully embraced by the direct parties thereto and which will not cause disruption to the school calendar; and be it further
Resolved, That the Washington State PTA will not support work stoppages and/or strikes which interrupt or disrupt the educational day.
Begin forwarded message:
From: "Oxrieder, Ann (C Ann)"
Date: September 1, 2008 6:09:20 PM PDT
Subject: strike update -- please share
Bellevue Schools are closed until further notice.
The Bellevue teachers’ union has announced a strike against the Bellevue School District starting Tuesday, September 2. Because of the strike, all District schools are closed until further notice.
Negotiations continue with the assistance of a mediator from the Public Employment Relations Commission. . . .
The strike and its impact will be an agenda item at the School Board’s regular meeting, Tuesday, September 2, at 4:30 PM.
This information will be updated regularly.
Will there be childcare?
Children already enrolled in the District’s childcare program may sign up for fee-supported services at their regular sites. Full-day Head Start will also be on its regular schedule. Half-day pre-school and half-day Head Start will be cancelled. Additional childcare options are available. Access News Release>
Will there be school sports?
School sports and related practices will continue on their regular schedules. Practices will occur at the same times they would occur if schools were in session. No special practices schedules will be permitted.
Will community groups be able to use District facilities and fields?
Community use of District facilities and athletic fields will continue for the time being.
Ann Oxrieder
Assistant to the Superintendent
Bellevue School District
425 456-4127
BSD - www.bsd405.org (message below)
BEA - www.bellevueea.org
Feel free to ask me any questions you have and I’ll try to research them for you. Any days missed due to the strike will need to be made up.
Julie Rooney
From Kelly Munn, our Region 2 Legislation Chair (Kelly has good advice for us because she was active in PTA in Issaquah back when their teachers went on strike. Much of her advice was earned the hard way – through experience):
Don’t support one side over another. For the most part we know and like our teachers. For many of us, it’s instinctive to help the people that directly help our children. Don’t do it. It will prolong the strike. The more support one side gets, the more entrenched the strike will become, the longer the strike will last. The community needs to say “resolve the strike now, it’s not good for children” repeatedly, and to both sides.
The WSPTA has a position on strikes – that they are not good for children. See below. Consistently repeat this message to everyone.
If you distribute information, distribute information from both sides. Remember that this is a strike and that the information WILL BE biased on both sides, sometimes it will be out and out lies, other times it will be sins of omissions. The community does not have a seat at the bargaining table and therefore we don’t really understand what is being negotiated. Both sides will spin the information to their advantage. We will never really understand what is being negotiated.
Don’t bring donuts to the picket lines. The teachers will take it as “support” and it makes them feel supported, don’t take donuts to the admin office either – it does the same to them. We speak for kids, and strikes are not good for kids, we need a strike to end as quickly as possible.
If money is one of the problems, money is not a local issue, it’s a statewide issue. Blame the lack of state education funding. The state does not provide enough money to our communities. Bellevue is perceived as a “wealthy” district, and is wealthy in some areas, but in terms of per pupil funding Bellevue is “middle of the pack” in funding, even with its high levy lid. The state needs to adequately fund school districts and this includes adequately funding teachers. This is not a local school district problem, it’s a state wide funding problem.
Do not believe what you hear. Although leaders, the press, etc. will say that the dispute is about “money” or about “curriculum” or it’s about teachers being “valued”, that is rarely what is actually being negotiated. This is why it’s better for the community to consistently say “strikes hurt children.” We don’t really know what is going on, and the information will be biased at best from both sides.
There is a normal course for a strike to run through. There may be personal attacks on the highest levels of leadership. There may be suggestions that the budget can be balanced with the “reserve fund” (when those funds run out your school district will have to make cuts). The school district may be giving too little information which adds significantly more confusion to the community. Teachers may be concerned that they are “not valued as the professionals that they are” These are all things that are said in most teachers strikes.
Help the school community to repair itself after the strike. Thank the teachers for getting back to work, thank the administrators for making a deal. Recruit people to go to Olympia to work on more funding for schools across the state. Work together with administrators, teachers and parents towards something positive.
UNINTERRUPTED OPERATION OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS 18.6
Resolution, 1986
Revised, 2006
Whereas, The Washington State PTA has a purpose “To develop between educators and the general public such united efforts as will secure for all children and youth the highest advantages in physical, mental, social, spiritual education”; and,
Whereas, Quality Education is a high priority issue for the Washington State PTA; and, Whereas, Washington State citizens have historically valued the reliable delivery of vital services and the orderly management of public institutions including fire and police services and public schools, and,
Whereas, The Washington State PTA also holds that a disruption to the educational system in the form of work stoppages and strikes is detrimental to the best interests of the children and
families affected by those actions, and, Whereas, The Washington State PTA believes that a disruption to the educational system in the form of work stoppages and/or strikes is often detrimental to the best interest of the children and families affected by those actions. While acknowledging that more state resources must be committed to the educational process in the State of Washington, including higher salaries for educational employees: therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Washington State PTA shall work to produce conditions with regard to the collective bargaining process which will consistently produce, in a timely manner, labor agreements negotiated and fully embraced by the direct parties thereto and which will not cause disruption to the school calendar; and be it further
Resolved, That the Washington State PTA will not support work stoppages and/or strikes which interrupt or disrupt the educational day.
Begin forwarded message:
From: "Oxrieder, Ann (C Ann)"
Date: September 1, 2008 6:09:20 PM PDT
Subject: strike update -- please share
Bellevue Schools are closed until further notice.
The Bellevue teachers’ union has announced a strike against the Bellevue School District starting Tuesday, September 2. Because of the strike, all District schools are closed until further notice.
Negotiations continue with the assistance of a mediator from the Public Employment Relations Commission. . . .
The strike and its impact will be an agenda item at the School Board’s regular meeting, Tuesday, September 2, at 4:30 PM.
This information will be updated regularly.
Will there be childcare?
Children already enrolled in the District’s childcare program may sign up for fee-supported services at their regular sites. Full-day Head Start will also be on its regular schedule. Half-day pre-school and half-day Head Start will be cancelled. Additional childcare options are available. Access News Release>
Will there be school sports?
School sports and related practices will continue on their regular schedules. Practices will occur at the same times they would occur if schools were in session. No special practices schedules will be permitted.
Will community groups be able to use District facilities and fields?
Community use of District facilities and athletic fields will continue for the time being.
Ann Oxrieder
Assistant to the Superintendent
Bellevue School District
425 456-4127
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