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Keep up to date with the Spiritridge PTSA Panther Post by making sure to mark communications@spiritridge.org as safe!
Panther Post 
Weekly Spiritridge PTSA CommUNITY Newsletter
April 18, 2016
 

PTSA Mission Statement

The mission of the Spiritridge Elementary PTSA is to support and strengthen the Spiritridge commUNITY and provide enrichment opportunities for our students. We facilitate information exchange between and among our parents, teachers, and students. We promote parental involvement and a strong partnership with the school, which is essential to the success of our students.

Upcoming Events

  • Apr 21  - Coffee With the Principal
  • Apr 21 - PTSA General Membership Meeting, 6.30 pm 
  • Apr 26  - Family Science Night
  • Apr 26 - 27  - Scholastic Book Fair
  • Apr 27  - Egg Drop
  • Apr 28  - Donuts With Moms Night
  • May 2  - Band/Orchestra Concert
  • May 6  - BSF Spring for Schools Luncheon (save the date!)
  • May 13  - Talent Show
  • May 17  - ArchiTech Night

PTSA Board Positions Available


Are you interested in becoming more involved in the Spiritridge PTSA?  We are seeking candidates for the following positions:  VP Communications, Co-Treasurer, and Secretary.  If you are interested, please email nominatingcommittee@spiritridge.org.
 

Staff Appreciation Taco Bar

Hello 1st grade and kindergarten families!

The 1st grade and kindergarten families are arranging a Staff Appreciation Taco Bar Lunch on Monday, April 18th to thank our wonderful teaching and staff community for all they do for our children.  Teachers and staff are so touched by these efforts!  I appreciate your help in making this fun event a success.  

-Please contact me at jennifer_schultze@hotmail.com with any questions.

Thank you for all your help in making this a great event for our teachers and staff!
 

Family Science Night!  Tuesday April 26th, 6:30 - 8PM

All Spiritridge families are welcome to attend! Come and have science-related fun! Door prizes! Scavenger Hunt! Hands-On Science and Engineering Kits!
 
In addition to the display boards by Spiritridge Scientists, we will have the following presenters: 3D Printer Demo, City of Bellevue, Beebots, Friends of Issaquah Salmon Hatchery, Mad Science, StemBox, Wise Camps as well as local MS and HS Robotics/STEM teams.
 
We will also be handing out door prizes and hosting a Science Fair Scavenger Hunt. Participants will hunt the science fair display boards for grade-specific questions. Completed entries will be included in a raffle for science-related prizes.
 
To make this event a success, we need help! Please consider signing up to volunteer  as we could still use help! Thanks to those who have already volunteered.
 
Questions? Contact Annie Richardson-Lander annie@lander.ca
 

Donuts With Moms Night
 

Calling all Moms, Step-moms, Grandmoms, or any female role model!  You are invited to bring your Spiritridge student for a night of fun games and donut treats.  This event will be Thursday, April 28th, 6:30-8:00pm, in the Spiritridge MPR.  Principal Hetherington will be leading the games and Krispy Kreme donuts will be served.

For more information, please contact Melissa Saunders at MelissaSaunders91@gmail.com
 

 

Call for Golden Acorn & Outstanding Advocate Award Nominations

NOMINATIONS DUE BY 4/22/2016

Who Has Made a Difference at Spiritridge Elementary for You or Your Child?
Each year the PTSA recognizes volunteers who have gone above and beyond in their service to children and the school community.  If you know of someone who you believe should be recognized for their outstanding service, please complete the nomination form and turn it into the school office by Friday, April 22nd.
 
For more information, please contact Melissa Saunders at MelissaSaunders91@gmail.com

 

National Bike to School Month

May is Bike Month! 

Join our Cascade Bicycle Club Bike Month Challenge, where students can receive fun and safety-oriented prizes for recording their minutes of cycling activity in May. In addition, all students who ride on National Bike to School Day (Wed May 4) will receive a prize from Cascade Bicycle Club!  

Register and return form to school, then watch for email updates and use the calendar to record your child's minutes of activity. Turn in your calendar by Friday June 3rd to receive prizes!

For more information, visit Cascade's website at http://www.cascade.org/elementary-schools.

Questions?  Contact our Bike to School Coordinator: annie@lander.ca

 

Talent Show

Spiritridge is going to have a talent show on May 13, 2016! Signups were April 11th-15th at the office.  We will draw twenty-five names which will be announced soon. 

Sponsored by the Panther Leadership Club

Can Eggs Fly? And...What Happens When They Land?

The Spiritridge Egg Drop is Wednesday April 27.  That means your child has plenty of time to work on perfecting his or her egg lander.  

WE NEED VOLUNTEERS!!!
To make this event work, we need some eggs-traordinary volunteers!   Please take this opportunity to sign up for one of the various volunteer positions, all of which will be simple and fun!

Sign up here: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0b4aabaf29a75-2016

Questions?  Contact Susie Pietz sdpietz@comcast.net

Scholastic Book Fair is Coming Soon!

 
Please join us in the Spiritridge library for our Spring BOGO (Buy-One Get-One Free) Book Fair. Browse 100’s of book titles and stock up on all your summer reading. Every dollar spent helps earn money for our school library to use toward the purchase of additional book titles, equipment and much more.

Tuesday, April 26th 8:00am-4:30pm; 6:30pm–8:pm* (During the Science Fair)
Wednesday, April 27th 8:00am-2pm*
 
*PLEASE NOTE:  An adult must accompany all students attending the book fair before and after school.  Hallways and classrooms are closed during after school hours. Parents must use marked parking and should not leave cars in the drop off area.
 
Calling all volunteers! Does your student love the Book Fair?  Then we could use your help! Without volunteers we can’t make this event happen, so please join us: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050848aca628a75-spiritridge2
 
Coffee with the Principal

Date: Thursday, April 21, 2016
Time: 9:15AM - 10:15AM
Place: Spiritridge Gym/MPR

Principal Coffee is an opportunity for our community of parents to gather and engage in conversation with Principal Scott Hetherington and Assistant Principal Susan Webster. The purpose is to provide an opportunity to talk about some specific topics around curriculum, school expectations and district initiatives. Please feel free to stay for the entire time or pop in for a window of time that works for you. Either way we will be happy see you there.

Principals Coffee is the Third Thursday of each month from 9:15-10:15 
 

Multicultural Night Thank You!

Thank you to everyone who helped make Multicultural Night a success.  A special thanks to Michelle and Andrew Escobar for being our Emcees and coordinating the performances, Betty Chempanical for coordinating the food and Ratna Ray for taking charge of the academic challenge dolls. Thanks to the families who made some wonderful poster boards and had items to share from their culture as well as delicious treats to share. The kids did an amazing job in the fashion show and the performances showcasing their cultural heritage.  Thanks to our volunteers who showed up early and stayed late to help with the event.  Lastly, thanks to everyone who took the time out of their weekend to come celebrate our diverse community. Go Spiritridge!

Congratulations Chess Wizards Winners!

Congratulations to the Spiritridge team, Ricky Velchuri, Rishabh Vakil, Shiv Mehrotra, Caleb Lian, Daniel Johnson, and Matthew Nguyen, for bringing home the first place trophy on April 2, 2016!  Three of the kids also placed in the top three individually in their divisions based on their grade levels.  The Scholastic Chess Tournament was a fun, friendly competition between several schools from around the Puget Sound area.  Chess Wizards meets Wednesday mornings at Spirtridge.
 

Smarter Balanced Assessments

 
 
This will be our second year of administering the online Smarter Balanced tests in English Language Arts and Math to all students in grades 3-8. Smarter Balanced tests are aligned with the Common Core State Standards, and they have replaced the previous state MSP tests.  The Washington Comprehensive Assessment Program website contains lots of test-related resources for parents and students:http://wa.portal.airast.org/. From this site, you can also try out a Smarter Balanced practice or training test.  For more information, contact the principal or Chris Lindberg, the district’s manager of state testing, at lindbergc@bsd405.org.

 Smarter Balanced Testing Dates: 

3rd Grade:
April 19-21 Language Arts
June 6-7 Math
 
4th Grade:
April 26-28 Language Arts
May 24-25 Math
 
5th Grade:
May 3-5 Language Arts
May 19 Science (MSP)
June 2-3 Math

 

Community News:

2nd and 3rd Grade Robotics Club

The 2nd and 3rd Grade Robotics Club will meet Wednesdays from 7:45am - 8:45am, April 27 - June 15.  See the flyer and registration form.  Registration due Monday, April 18.
 

Village Theatre

See flyer for more information or visit the website at www.villagetheatre.org.

Stone Soup Theatre

See flyer for more information or visit the website at www.stonesouptheatre.com.

Northwest Boychoir

See flyer for more information or visit the website at nwboychoir.org.

VocalPoint
See flyer for more information or visit the website at vocalpointseattle.org.

WISE Camps

WISE camps offer exciting chemistry and math courses in the morning & afternoon in August for students entering grades 3-9 at Newport High School in Bellevue. The science camps are designed to give students hands-on experience with lab equipment and learn basic chemistry (students will learn the chemistry behind fire, tie-dye, color-changing reactions and so much more!!!). The math camps are designed to excite students about advanced topics with tons of hands-on activities! Cost of the camp includes a t-shirt for tie-dying and lunch on campus for those who choose to do full day. Questions?  Contact Mrs. Baker or Mr. Nonis at wisecamps@gmail.com.  Register at: www.wisecamps.com.  See flyer for details.

More Summer Camps!
There are many more summer camps available.  Please see the PTSA webiste for more details.

Seminar for Parents of 9-15 year olds

What Every Parent Should Know - Middle School: The Inside Story

Sue Acuna, veteran teacher and co-author of Middle school: The Inside Story will share tips to help navigate your student through classes, home life, relationships, entitlement and social media.

Sunday, April 24th 3-5pm
$5/person; childcare available for $10/family (middle schoolers can attend the workshop with parent)

Hosted by Crossroads Bible Church (15815 SE 37th St. Bellevue, WA)
Register by April 17th at kids.cbcbellevue.com.

Join the Family Book Club in Spanish!


A reading program in Spanish for children ages 5 to 10 accompanied by their families. Learn through discussion and fun activities. Analyze stories, learn new vocabulary, and develop critical thinking and comprehension skills in Spanish.

Lake Hills Library 5:30-6:30pm
April/abril 26-Doña flor, Pat Mora
May/mayo 24-Del norte al sur, René Colato Lainez
June/junio 28-Mi propio cuartito, Amada Irma Pérez
Free Green Cleaning Workshops

The City of Bellevue is offering five special green clean workshops this spring. These fun, hands-on classes cover information on avoiding toxic cleaners and resources for making your own green cleaners. Attendees will receive a free green cleaning kit to take home. Adults and children over 7 are welcome to attend. If you would like to attend, registration is required. Please email recycle@bellevuewa.gov or call 425-452-6932 to register. Spaces are limited to 20 people per session. First come, first served.

Workshop dates/locations:

Friday, April 22nd 2016
4:00-5:00PM
Lake Hills King County Library 15590 Lake Hills Blvd.
 
Monday, May 2nd  2016
7:00-8:00PM 
North Bellevue Community Center 4063 148th Ave. NE
 
Wednesday, May 11th    2016
7:00-8:00PM
Northwest Arts Center 9825 NE 24th St.
 
Spiritridge PTSA Website
Check out the Spiritridge PTSA website for information, forms, event happenings and other great information. spiritridge.my-ptsa.org. 

Visit the Newsletter page at spiritridge.my-ptsa.org for  Panther Post submissions.

Monday: Teriyaki Chicken Brown Rice Stir Fry Veggies
Tuesday: Fish & Chips Fish Shapes and Baked Fries Whole Wheat Roll Coleslaw offered on the Salad Bar
Wednesday: Hawaiian or Cheese Pan Pizza Caesar Salad offered on the Salad Bar
Thursday: Penne Pasta w/ Meatballs Garlic Bread Steamed Green Peas
Friday: Dutch Waffle with Warm Cinnamon Apples Turkey Sausage

Popcorn Friday -  3rd grade  We need volunteers to keep this fun weekly event going. Sign up here! 

PTSA Membership


Congratulations to Spiritridge Elementary for receiving the WSPTA Platinum Membership Award for increasing our membership by 20% from last year.  Go Panthers! 
 
If you have already signed up for membership this year you should have received your membership card in your email. Please check your junk/spam folder to see if it ended up there.  Or you can email membership@spiritridge.org to have another one resent.
 
If you would like a copy of the Spiritridge Directory, please be sure to sign up for membership online.

Get Your Child's Name On the Spiritridge Reader Board!

Is your child's birthday coming up? Did you know that the PTSA offers a fantastic fundraiser all year long? Get your child's birthday on the reader board outside of Spiritridge! This makes for a perfect surprise and it's a great photo opportunity for your scrapbook. Simply e-mail (porterl@bsd405.org) or stop in the office in person to pay Linda Porter ֠with a check made out to the Spiritridge PTSA or cash.  It only costs $35.00!

Amazon Shoppers! 

Use this link and a percentage of your purchase with Amazon will go to our school!
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