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Panther Post 
Weekly Spiritridge PTSA CommUNITY Newsletter
January 9, 2017
 

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

  • January 10: (Tues) - Mismatch Day
  • January 11: Education Connections Event
  • January 16: 2017 Focus Day
  • January 19: PTSA Membership Meeting
  • January 21: Collection Day for Clothing/Textile Drive
  • February 3: Pretty in Pink Night
  • February 14: (Tues) - Bucket Filling Day (wear red, pink, and/or white. Special bucket-filling slips) 
  • February 28: MOD Pizza Fundraiser

Scripps National Spelling Bee

Registration for the Spelling Bee has ended.  We have over 130 students excited to participate in this year's spelling bee.  Word lists and study materials have been sent to parents. 

  • Preliminary Round Grades 1-3*:  Tuesday, January 24th, 2017, 6:30pm – 8:00pm
  • Preliminary Round Grades 4-5*:  Wednesday, January 25th, 2017, 6:30pm – 8:00pm
  • School Finals:  Wednesday, February 15th, 2017, 6:30pm – 8:30pm  The top five qualifiers from each grade level from the preliminary round will complete in a school wide bee. 
The Spiritridge Spelling Bee winner will advance to the Regional Finals at Town Hall Seattle on Sunday, March 19th.

For questions regarding the 2017 Spelling Bee, please email spellingbee@spiritridge.org.
Save the Date and Volunteers Needed


WHEN: Friday, February 3, 2017 at 6:30 pm
WHERE: The Marriott, Bellevue
A block of rooms has been negotiated at the Marriott for this event. Call (425) 214-7600 today and book your room for just $169/night. First come, first serve.
 
We are looking for volunteers!  
  •  Help coordinate classroom projects
  •  Help with sponsorship
  •  Help coordinate the week or day of the event
Contact us to learn more! auction@spiritridge.org
MOD Fundraiser

MOD PIZZA
14309 NE 20th St
Bellevue, WA 98007
(425) 214-9903

Good Pizza, great cause!
Bring your appetite and this flyer to MOD Pizza on Tuesday, February 28 and MOD will donate 20% of your bill to Spiritridge! 

On the day of the fundraiser, present a printed version of the flyer to the cashier to receive 20% of the sale. Please note that extra donations within the store on behalf of Spiritridge will not be accepted. Please refrain from setting up any stands or tables for the event in or directly outside of the MOD store, or hand out flyers to people walking into the store.
Clothing and Textile Drive

Panther Leadership Club is hosting a Clothing and Textile Drive. We all have unwanted textiles that are out of fashion, not needed or no longer fit. Instead of discarding surplus clothing and household linens, give them a second life through Clothes for the Cause. This clothing drive allows these items to be reworn, recycled, or repurposed for the good of your cause and our planet.

Collection Day is Saturday, January 21, but you will be able to drop off items before that date (we will have more information on the drop off location soon).

Not sure what we can and can't take? Here is a
quick guide to help you out.
Education Connections Event

When: Wednesday, Jan. 117:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m.
Where: Spiritridge Elementary School
16401 SE 24th St, Bellevue, WA 98008
Phone: (425) 456-5900
 
Topic-
“Who Pays for Public School Education in Bellevue?”
Taxes, Bonds & Levies, Bellevue Schools Foundation & Our PTSAs
Melissa DeVita, District Deputy Superintendent, Financial Services & Operations, will break down the ins and outs of financing public education in Bellevue.
You will discover the important roles and how taxes, levies & bonds fund education and how organizations like Bellevue Schools Foundation and Bellevue's PTSA provide access and support to children in our community.  There will be an opportunity for guests to submit their questions regarding funding questions.
 
Join us for this event, co-hosted by Bellevue PTSA Council. Please register here. The event is free and open to the public (a second session will be held at a later date). For more information, visit info@bsfdn.org.
2017 Focus Day

January 16 | Capitol Building | Olympia

Please join Andy Rivas and other members of the Spiritridge PTSA in Olympia. Focus Day is intended to serve a s focal point for WSPTA's legislative advocacy. We know that the best advocacy programs are year-round. The intent of Focus Day is not to serve as an end unto itself; rather it is a day to bring WSPTA members to Olympia to sharpen the picture of how our advocacy efforts need to proceed. It's a day of training, education, meetings with legislators, and other activities that help members engage directly in the legislative process. 
Registration Cost: Free
Register here

PTSA General Membership Meeting

Thursday, January 19
6:30pm
Spiritridge Library

Agenda items include discussion and vote on proposed changes to our 2016-2017 budget, election of a nominating committee and updates on the Pretty in Pink Gallery Night Gala and Auction. Please join us!


Bellevue PTSA Council Shout Out Award

This year the Bellevue PTSA Council has created the Shout Out Award that will be given out monthly. This award recognizes local PTAs in the district who, through time, with creativity and community help students build for the future by doing amazing things worth recognizing and sharing with the rest of the district. 

We are excited to have selected Spiritridge for this month’s award for the amazing achievement in your recent Student Arts and Crafts fair for demonstrating successful Family and Community Engagement. It was a wonderful community event that focused on the student's work, parent participation and was well received/attended by the community.  

We will be presenting this month’s award on Monday, January 9th, at the Bellevue PTSA Council Meeting. 

On behalf of myself and the entire Bellevue PTSA Council, thank you all for continued commitment to the students, families and community in our district. Keep up the great work and I look forward to seeing the great things you have planned for the rest of the year.

Jess Garcia
2016-2017 Bellevue PTSA Council President


Reflections Update

Immerse Yourself in Art this week at Crossroads

The Bellevue PTSA Council welcomes student, parents and the public to see the wonderful art on display at Crossroads Mall for free January 11-14th. This art is from the Reflections Competition sponsored by the National PTSA. With almost 300 pieces of visual and photographic art from Kindergarten to 12th grade, feast your eyes on the colorful and insightful art based on the theme: What is your story. The art that is on display will be judged to go onto state competition. There will be an opportunity to judge all the art for selection of 10 in our Best in Show Card packet. Also come and vote for the most popular art piece. Art is represented from the Bellevue high schools, middle schools and almost all the elementary schools.

Times for viewing: January 11th, 12-9 PM, January 12-13th 9-9 PM and January 14th 9-5 PM.


Arts and Crafts Fair - 2018 Chair Needed

Arts & Crafts Chair 2018
Next  year is my last year at Spiritridge and I’m looking for someone willing to take over this beloved event. Every year I am amazed at the enthusiasm for the Arts & Crafts Fair – not only the students but adults as well. If you are looking for an opportunity to make a difference at Spiritridge, consider chairing this event. It will be an easy transition as you can shadow me December 2017 and take the reigns 2018. Let’s keep this going as it is school favorite! Contact me at artsandcrafts@spiritridge.org.
-Kelli Lewis

Fun Filled Spirit Days

Thank you to our Spirit Team leaders for organizing these fun days.

December - February
  • January 10 (Tues)- Mismatch Day
  • February 14 (Tues)- Bucket Filling Day (wear red, pink, and/or white. Special bucket-filling slips) 
March- Spirit Week - 27th-31st
  • 27th (Mon)- Crazy Hair/Hat Day
  • 28th (Tues)- Twin Day
  • 29th (Wed)- Pajama Day
  • 30st (Thurs)- Sports Day
  • 31st (Fri)- Color Day (grade level colors- see above) 
April - June
  • April 21 (Fri)- Earth Day (wear green, and be especially mindful of recycling and composting)
  • May 12 (Fri)- Polka Dot/Stripe Day
  • June 13 (Tues)- Beach Day

Yearbook Orders Due

It's not too late to order your Spiritridge yearbook! Order online at ybpay.lifetouch.com and enter the yearbook ID code 3043517. A limited number of yearbooks will be available to purchase on a first come, first served basis when the yearbooks arrive in June. These yearbooks always sell out, so make sure your child's not disappointed and order today. Not sure if you've already ordered? Contact jennifer.topel@gmail.com

Directory Reminder

The 2016/17 directory is online this year! If you have not already signed up for the directory, please visit spiritridge.org and create your account. You can register on the website even if you are not a PTSA member, but only PTSA members can access the online directory.


Community News

Bellevue High School Choir Camp: Information Flyer HERE

Chance to Dance presents The Hope Show: January 13, 2017 at 7PM. In it's 10th year, the Hope SHow at the Theatre at Meydenbauer Center will be an enchanting evening of dance performances featuring The Premiere Dance Center Performance Company. All funds raised by The Hope Show will help "A Chance to Dance Scholarship Foundation" dance scholarships give youth in our community the opportunity to explore the joy of dance. Purchase tickets HERE.


City of Bellevue Tae Kwon Do: Flyer HERE

National Parks: Fourth graders (and family) get free entry to national parks, national forests and other federal lands: http://store.usgs.gov/pass/everykid.html


Pick 6 Sports Foundation: Spring Football information HERE

Summer Reading Skills Programs:  Information Flyer HERE

Spiritridge PTSA Website
Check out the Spiritridge PTSA website for information, forms, event happenings and other great information.
 

Email us at pantherpost@spiritridge.org for Panther Post submissions. Please submit by Friday for Monday's newsletter.


Monday, January 9:
Chicken Nuggets with Sweet & Sour Dipping Sauce, Brown Rice

Tuesday, January 10:
Belgian Waffles with Sliced Strawberries & Whip Cream, Turkey Sausage

Wednesday, January 11: 
Cheese Stuffed Breadsticks with Marinara Sauce, Caesar Salad

Thursday, January 12: 
Macaroni & Cheese with Steamed Broccoli, Whole Wheat Roll

Friday, January 13: 
All Beef Hot Dog with BBQ Baked Beans, Coleslaw

Check your child's lunch account balance and receive emails about them through paypams.com. You can also make payments for a very small fee. You only need to know your child's name and date of birth.
Drop Off and Pick Up Courtesies

PLEASE drive the 20 MPH that is posted for a school zone.

There is no turning left out of the parking lot 8:45AM - 9:00AM.

Don't stop in crosswalks.

If you or your child is riding a bike to/from school, WALK your bike while on school grounds.
 

Popcorn Fridays

Students at one recess each Friday get the chance to buy popcorn for $0.25, (or a popcorn slip earned by picking up trash on the school playground). To make this fun happen each week, we need a few volunteers to either pop or sell popcorn each Friday. 

Friday, January 13
1:00p.m. - 1:20p.m.
1st & 3rd Grade

 

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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Spiritridge PTSA · 16401 SE 24th St · Bellevue, WA 98008 · USA

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