Summer News and Updates

I hope all of you are enjoying your summer. It is already mid-July! Looking for some sunshine today! This info should tide you over until your packet arrives in August.

SAT Prep Courses
College Visits and Planning
Senior Awards
Senior Fundraising
News from 2011 Grad Knight Committee
Calendar and Website links
Daily Bulletin
Summer Volunteer Opportunities

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

--------------------------------

SAT Prep Courses
if you are like me, you are receiving all kinds of mail regarding SAT/ACT prep courses. I did a little investigating and asked other liaisons about their experience with these courses. Comments that I have received are below as well as some resources:

Newport has a class (if you can get in) and it is helpful as one it is free and two it prepares the students with lots of practice tests and strategies.
Register for tests early & often.
Do try the ACT at least once.
Colleges accept the highest of each SAT component score.
To be effective, they make the kids go through endless practice exams and coaching. The more money, the more intense the coaching in the areas the student needs. Otherwise, the classes are more generalized. A motivated student could get as much out of doing themselves as they could with some of the more general review classes, but they need to be focused.

College Board Website www.collegeboard.com
Princeton Review - offers classes in the area as well as on-line www.princetonreview.com/
Test Prep Review www.testprepreview.com/
Spark Notes - www.sparknotes.com/testprep/sat2/
Kaplan - www.kaptest.com/College/SAT/index.html
Sylvan http://tutoring.sylvanlearning.com/SAT_ACT_test_prep_programs.cfm

I would love to compile some "test prep" information for our class and the upcoming classes. Let me know which classes you've tried and provide a little feedback on the course plus the cost. I will then compile these results for everyone.
--------------------------------

College Visits & Planning
It’s very, very hard to fit in visits to all the colleges your student will want to see during Junior year. It’s much easier to begin early & visit a few colleges in the summer. Campus tours are offered at most schools all summer long; consult school web sites for details. There won’t be many students present, but the weather will be much better than in February! It’s also wise to check admission requirements at favorite colleges – this is the best time to discover if a school requires something unusual, such as 3-4 years of foreign language.

Colleges that Change Lives Tour & College Fair
August 1st 10:00 a.m. Meydenbauer Center
Presentation and college fair. See the official website at www.ctcl.com for more information

Save the Date: Bellevue School District College Conference
Thursday, October 8th, Newport High School
--------------------------------

Senior Awards
Hope you had a chance to look at the many academic awards listed in the last PTSA newsletter. (Recycled it already? It’s available on line at http://www.newportptsa.org/Knightline/Index.html). These give you an idea of what happens at Senior Awards Night. Many of the awards are things the students have applied for in our Counseling Center earlier in the year – so I’ll try to keep you all informed of what they are & when the deadlines are approaching. Could be useful to check out the forms during Junior year to know what the applications require!!
--------------------------------

Senior Class Fundraising
Help Raise $$$ for 2010 Senior GradKnight celebration when you shop at Albertson's or Safeway. This is a no cost way for all members of NHS community to support Senior GradKnight year after year whether their student is a senior or not. p.s. Feel free to participate after your student has graduated as a way to help NHS students celebrate their graduation in a non-alcohol and drug free environment! The Class of 2011 will be benefiting from this NEXT year, so please sign up if you haven't already done so.

Through the Albertson's Community Partners and the Safeway eScrip program a percentage of your purchases are donated to the Newport High School PTSA to help fund a safe, fun GradKnight party for all Seniors. All future Senior Classes at Newport High School benefit, as well, because the program is passed on to the incoming class of Seniors at the end of the school year. If you are already supporting another organization through Albertson's or Safeway preferred cards, you can support up to three organizations so please include Newport PTSA-Senior Party in your group.

There is no sign up cost. The Albertson's and Safeway cards are not tied to any personal credit card and your information is not shared or sold to other companies.

If you don't have an Albertson's or Safeway card ask for one next time you shop. When you get the card number you may sign yourself up on-line by going on-line to Albertsons.com or eScrip.com. BUT the easy way is to email the information nhsgrad2010@hotmail.com and we will do it for you. If you have forgotten your preferred card numbers: 1/Albertson’s is on your shopping receipt or call 1-877-932-7948. 2/Safeway call 1-877-723-3929

Albertson's has made a change in their program and you must renew your commitment on an annual basis.
--------------------------------

News from the 2011 Grad Knight Committee

Beach towel sales that support 2011 Grad Knight are still available. We purchased some extra towels (to get the good price break) and we would like to sell those soon. PLEASE consider buying a beach towel and/or sending an email out to other parents and ask them to buy a towel. Contact Cindy Hastings for more information cdrhastings1@gmail.com

--------------------------------

Calendar and website links

Fall packets will be sent out in the beginning of August with all the information and paperwork that you will need. Until then here are some important dates prior to school starting August 31st!

Main Office & Athletic office will open August 3rd.
Hours:
8:00 am - 12:00 Noon
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Friday August 14 - Fall Sports Paperwork Turn-In Date - 8:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Tuesday August 18 - Fall Sports Paperwork Turn-In Date - 8:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Wednesday August 19 - Back to School Check-In Day for 11th/12th Graders
Wednesday August 19 - Varsity/JV/Soph Football Begins
Thursday August 20 - Back to School Check-In Day for 9th/10th Graders
Thursday August 20 - F/S Football Begins
Friday August 21 - Fall Sports Paperwork Turn-In Date - 8:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Friday August 21 - 9th Grade Link Crew Orientation Day/Freshman Dance
Monday August 24 - Fall Sports Paperwork Turn-In Date - 8:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Monday August 24 - All Other Fall Sports Begin
Monday August 31 - First Day of School

Mark your calendars - Curriculum Night is September 24th

http://schools.bsd405.org/nhs/homepage/

Sports, Band, Choir and Orchestra

Go to http://schools.bsd405.org/nhs/homepage/sports/index.html

www.newportband.org for information and dates for all things band!

And www.newportchoir.org for all things choir!

And www.newportorchestra.com for orchestra!

--------------------------------

Daily Bulletin
If you want to receive the Daily Bulletin next year by email, please send your email address to Janet Suppes, suppesj@bsd405.org, in August. The current list will be deleted.
--------------------------------

SUMMER VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES!!
Summer is also a great time for students to build up their volunteer hours…..all students need 40 hours of volunteer time to graduate, and those who do 100 or more can earn the “Knight Valor” award from our PTSA. Details http://www.newportptsa.org/KnightValor/Index.html.
Bellevue Arts Fair – Beginning July 23 – July 26th
Volunteers needed for Special Olympics Softball Teams with the Highland Community Center – Tues/Thurs starting June 23-August 27.
Westwood neighborhood is participating in Hopelink’s End Summer Hunger program on the 1st of August. Contact diane.guest@comcast.net or (206) 364-5636. We will just need pickup of the donations throughout the neighborhood (about 128 homes).

June News!

Can you believe there are only 16 days left of this school year and next year our students will be Juniors! It goes by so fast. I will have an incoming Freshman too. Seems like we were just getting ready for high school.

Some last minute news, activities and dates to get on your calendar! Enjoy this wonderful weather! Stay cool...

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

--------------------------
Orchestra Concert Tonight
Powder Puff Football
Knight Valor
Fall Sports Paperwork
Community Service
Mark your calendars
End of Year Notices


Orchestra Concert tonight!
The NHS Orchestras are presenting their final concert of the year this Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. in the PAC. Come hear these award-winning groups play a variety of music, from Beethoven’s Fifth to jazz! Original compositions by Rio Bacon and Jason Wang will be featured, plus a song with “surround sound”. Check it out!

Powder Puff Football
Powder Puff Football is on Thursday at 6 PM! Come out and enjoy the beautiful weather and watch some great flag football! Tickets will be on sale during both lunches on Thursday and at the door. $5 w/ASB, $6 w/o ASB

Knight Valor
Pick up your Knight Valor Certificate and Pin in the counseling center, if you were awarded Knight Valor but were not at the assembly

Fall Sports Paperwork
Fall Sports paperwork is available now outside the ASB secretary's office. Just a reminder that physicals are good for 2 years. So most of us will need to schedule physicals for our JUNIORS for sports next school year. Turn in dates as follows:
Friday, August 14th 8:00-3:30
Tuesday, August 18th 8:00-3:30
Friday, August 21st 8:00-3:30
Monday, August 24th 8:00-3:30

Community Service/Volunteer Opportunities
Upcoming community service opportunities for those in need of some hours: See Ms. Owen in the counseling center for more information.

-Tyee Middle School is looking for volunteers to help set-up & decorate for the 8th grade party. See Ms. Jones in the ASB office
-Tillicum middle school is looking for volunteers for the 8th grade party office on June 20th
-Become part of Seattle’s largest running event and Sea Fair by volunteering at the Rock N Roll Marathon. They need volunteers to pass out water, medals, t-shirts, and food to runners. June 25th – June 27th.
-Bellevue School District is looking for students to volunteer during the summer school program. You can start volunteering the first day of summer school on July 6th.
-University of Washington Medical Center is starting recruitment of the Summer Teen Volunteer Program. Students interested in the program must call their office as soon as possible and sign up.
-Bellevue Parks & Community Services Wants YOU!! Anyone 16 or older can volunteer July 4th from 4:15 to 9:30 at the Bellevue Downtown Park assisting park staff with customer service to the public.
-The Eastside Heritage Center needs volunteers for the 2009 Strawberry Festival. Volunteer shifts are 3-4 hours long.
-Kelsey Creek is looking for summer volunteers

Mark your calendars
Back to Business Day for our students is August 19th. More information will follow in the mail in August
School starts on August 31st

End of the Year Notices:
Library Books
Last day to return library materials without incurring a fine is Friday, 6/5/09.

Locker Clean Out!
Locker cleanout day is June 10, at the end of 2nd period. All students with a locker will be required to go to their locker on June 10th, clean it out, and have a staff member verify that it is clean. Students who are absent can come to the office after school on Thursday, June 11 or Friday, June 12, and a staff member will check out their locker. Students with lockers not checked out by June 12 will receive a fine of $5.
· Locker assignments are posted outside the office. There will be no allowances made for “I didn’t know I had a locker.”
· Locker cleanout is an all-school event. Unless you have an excused absence, there will be no waiving of the fine for “My teacher didn’t tell me.”

News & Updates for the New Year!

Who would have thought that after all of the snow we would be dealing with so much rain...
Lots of news and updates to start the new year!

Class of 2009 Fundraisers
Late AP Testing Registration
Tolo Pictures
ASPEN Team Information Meeting
Knights in Vienna
Elective Fair
January PTSA Meeting
New Action Alert from the Governor - Education Funding
BSF News
New school Calendar

-------------------------------------------------

With all of this rain, do you need an umbrella? Consider ordering one to help the Class of 2009 fundraising efforts for GradKnight while showing Newport spirit!

You can even help out for free by signing up for the Albertson's and Safeway e-script program. Visit http://www.nhsgradknight2009.myevent.com/3/events.htm

Both of these fundraisers will be ours when our kids are seniors, so please support the efforts of the Class of 2009.

--------------------------------------------------


Late AP Test Registration/Payment
The final deadline for students who have not registered and/or paid for their AP Exams has been extended to this Friday January 9th due the recent snow days. To register, go to the Newport Web site. To pay, bring payment to the NHS accountant. Exams cost $86.00 per exam. Students seeking financial assistance should speak with the Dean of Students in the main office.

------------------------------------------------------------
Tolo Pictures

Tolo pictures will be handed out on Friday, January 9, during both lunches.

---------------------------------------------------
ASPEN

Is your student interested in being on the ASPEN Team for the 2009-2010 school year? Save the date of January 15th, 3:10 to 3:45, in room 3119, for a mandatory information meeting. You must attend to apply. If you can't make the meeting, you must see Ms. Velategui in 3119 at 12:40 on January 14th. ASPEN: AIDS Peer Education at Newport is an advanced Health class that focuses on HIV/AIDS and its impact on the world community. After extensive training, students deliver HIV/AIDS lessons to 9-12 graders at Newport and 10th graders at other high schools.
----------------------------------------------------------

Knights in Vienna

The Friends of Newport Orchestra are pleased to present Knights in Vienna, a spectacular evening of waltz and swing music, delicious desserts, and professional dance instruction.

The event will be held Saturday, January 17 at 7:00 pm in the Newport High School Commons and will feature performances by talented students from Newport High School and the Newport High School orchestra for your dancing and listening enjoyment. Dance instruction will be provided by Arthur Murray Dance Studio of Bellevue.

A silent auction will be held in addition to the traditional raffle baskets. Some fabulous items have already been donated by local businesses and students:

Two nights at the Larkspur Landing Hotels in Bellevue
Dinner for six at the Outback Steakhouse
ACT theatre tickets
Dominos Pizza for one year
Amore gourmet chocolates
Dinner for 2 at Mediterranean Kitchen in Bellevue
One night at the Hilton Garden Inn at Issaquah
Bow rehairing from David T. Stone Violins
University Book Store $25 gift certificate
Pasta & Co., cookbook & $25 gift certificate
And ... a string quartet for your event!

Knights in Vienna is incredibly fun every year for students and adults; you won't want to miss it!

Desserts and beverages will be served. Advance tickets may be purchased at www.newportorchestra.com through Saturday, January 10 for $25 (general admission) and $10 (student). A special table for eight next to the dance floor may be reserved in advance for $250. Tickets will be sold at the door for $30 (general admission) and $12 (student).

Proceeds from this event will benefit the outstanding Newport High School Orchestra Program.

--------------------------------------------------------
Electives
Students can come to the Elective Fair on January 20th and 22nd, in the Commons during both lunches. Teachers will be available to talk about the courses and programs they are offering in the coming year.

---------------------------------------------------------
January PTSA Meeting
The January PTSA meeting will be held Wednesday, January 28 at 7:00 pm in the NHS Library.

------ ------------------------------------------------

New - Action Alert Message for the Governor – Follow the link below to take action today

After the Governor released her budget proposal, we shut down our earlier education funding alert, recognizing that we needed to update our message. (Approximately 350 people responded to this first alert.) We have created a new message (linked below) and again strongly encourage all, (even those who responded to the first alert) to complete it and to forward it on to your email lists.

We want to let our elected officials know that despite these very difficult times, there is work that can be done to lay the groundwork for a better education finance structure in the future. We are also expressing specific concern about the proposed 33% cuts to levy equalization money which would adversely affect those districts that already have less ability to raise local levy dollars. Click on the following link and Respond to the Governor's Budget Proposal Today!

State Launches Searchable Budget Website
Last week, following a press conference at the state capitol, the state released a new website that puts all state spending online in a searchable, easy-to-use format. Fiscal.wa.gov is an unprecedented step towards transparency and interactivity in government, and was called for by legislation passed during the 2008 legislative session. The legislation was based on WPC's research and recommendations in Creating a Free, Searchable Website of State Spending, published in December 2007. Read more about this in WPC's press release on the searchable budget website.
----- ---------------------------------------------

Bellevue Schools Foundation News

Your donation making an impact across the district
Whether your child is in elementary, middle or high school, your generosity is impacting all students throughout the district. Here's an example of how your gift is making a difference in both mathematics and science this year…

Math Expressions: Every K-5 student is benefiting from the new Math Expressions curriculum that emphasizes math concepts, computational fluency and problem solving skills. Every student will be challenged to achieve in math with supplementary leveled instruction to support the spectrum of learners from ESL students to gifted young mathematicians.

Thanks to your support, BSF is providing $170,000 towards Math Expressions this year.

Today's Science: All middle and high school students are benefiting from an improved science curriculum, based upon the latest scientific and learning research, and professional development for teachers. Curriculum improvements to the science courses, including Physics in 8th Grade, Biology in 9th Grade and Chemistry in 10th Grade, will prepare every student to complete a college preparatory physics/biology/chemistry sequence by Grade 10 and be ready for Advanced Placement (AP) or college-level science courses by Grade 11.
With your help, BSF is providing $150,000 towards the science curriculum advancements this year.

Spring for Schools Benefit Luncheon
Mark your calendars now! The 21st Annual Bellevue Schools Foundation Spring for Schools Benefit Luncheon will be held on Thursday, June 4, 2009 at Meydenbauer Center, from 11:30am – 1:30pm. More details to follow…

Amazon.com
It's easy to raise money for our schools while you shop at Amazon.com. Just go to the Bellevue Schools Foundation (BSF) website home page,www.bsfdn.org and click on the Amazon link. Amazon will donate over 7% of each sale to support Bellevue schools. Remember, you must go through the BSF website link for BSF to get credit for the order.

Thanks to you, Amazon donated over $4,790 to BSF for our students in 2008!

-------------------------------------------------

New School Year Calendar

The Bellevue School District has published a new calendar, adding the snow days to the end of the school year. First semester finals will be rescheduled (see below), and the semester will end on February 6. The last day of school is June 25. Other changes will be announced as we learn them. Please go to the BSD website for the new calendar. www.bsd405.org

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