WE ARE SO CLOSE!
It sure felt like a long process - passing the bond, seeing the trees get cleared, hearing the big equipment thunder into position, and watching the workers build our school, brick by brick. But the finish line is in sight! In less than one week, our beautiful new school will be in session! We hope you all share our excitement and are ready for a fantastic year ahead. The Ella Baker PTSA is happy to support your family and our school community. Welcome to the PTSA!
IMPORTANT DATES
Aug 30 - 1:00-2:30 Teacher Meet & Greet Aug 30 - 6:00-7:00 Kindergarten Orientation Sept 4 - First Day of School for Grades 1-5 Sept 4 - 9:20 Parent Coffee Social Sept 4-6 - Kindergarten Family Connections Sept 7 - Kindergarten First Day of School Sept 7 - 9:20-10:00 BooHoo! WooHoo!!! Sept 12 - Registration for Fall Enrichment Classes Begins Sept 13 - Spirit Wear Orders Due Sept 20 - School Picture Day Sept 20 - 6:00pm Curriculum Night Sept 27 - PTSA Bingo Night Sept 28 - Fun Run Kick-off
Note: all PTSA Dates can be found on the calendar on our website http://www.EllaBakerPTSA.org
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
First 2 weeks - Transportation Volunteers
We need 6-10 volunteers before school and after school for the first 2 weeks, to be transportation volunteers and help our youngest students not get lost. You will help the students navigate safely between school and whatever bus/van they will be riding. Sign up here for one shift, or more. Thanks so much for helping to fill this very important need! Theater Chairperson
Do you have a passion for drama and amazing organizational skills? You could be our Theater Chair! The theater chair is responsible for overseeing the Ella Baker Theater Program. Some responsibilities include procuring a script and director, coordinating volunteers for all rehearsals and performances, communicating auditions and rehearsal schedules with families and reserving rehearsal and performance times and spaces. This a really fun program - you won't regret getting involved! E-mail aschan3@gmail.com for more information.
PTSA - WHAT'S THAT? "What's this extra PTSA stuff I keep hearing about?" It's not so "extra" at all. The Ella Baker PTSA is a non-profit organization that provides many programs and services that you may have assumed were provided by the school district. Your fellow parents are working hard to provide support to the teachers and staff, as well as enriching educational opportunities for our children. Just some of the programs that we fund:
- school assemblies
- before/after school enrichment classes
- field trips
- author visits
- community-building events for families (International Night, STEM Night, Family Reading Night, Bingo Night, etc)
- Reflections art program
- theater program
- math challenge
- academic enrichment
- STEAM curriculum and lessons
- playground equipment
- safety patrol support
- staff appreciation
- scholarships
- ... and more
With your generous support (both financial donations and volunteer efforts), we can do even more!
JOIN ELLA BAKER PTSA! On-line registration is live
Become a PTSA member - you can do it quickly and easily with our on-line signup. Members get access to the on-line directory, have the ability to vote on PTSA programs at membership meetings, and get to feel the satisfaction of knowing you are supporting your students' learning environment. Become a member today and support all the important programs of the PTSA!
CELEBRATION BOOKS
Celebration Books is a program of the PTSA that supports the Ella Baker Elementary Library. Families celebrate their student's birthday or special occasion by donating a book to the library, and a note commemorating their gift will be attached inside the cover. You can choose your special book at the Meet and Greet on the 30th, or if you are unable to attend the Meet and Greet, your student will be invited to the library during school to make their selection.
Participation in Celebration Books is an option available as part of the on-line Back-To-School Packet on the PTSA website.
Donations are recommended to be a minimum of $25 and any amount over the cost of the book will be applied to meet the needs of the library, which could include things such as additional books, seating, audio/visual systems, tables, electronic equipment, tables, and other library supplies. Let's show our school library some love!
ELLA BAKER SPIRIT WEAR AVAILABLE NOW
We are taking orders for T-shirts, hoodies, and jackets with the Ella Baker logo. They are available in both children's and adult sizes, so you can outfit the whole family! The ordering link is available at the end of the PTSA Back-to-School Packet or you can jump to Spirit Wear ordering directly HERE. Delivery is expected mid-October.
MEET AND GREET - August 30th, 1-2pm
Come meet your teacher, explore the school, and meet your PTSA! We'd love to say hello and will have volunteers there to answer your questions. We will have laptops available to process back-to-school packet orders, and there will be books available to select your special Celebration Book for the library, if you wish to make a book donation.
FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL - Sept 4th, 1st-5th Grades Coffee Social for parents
It's the BIG DAY! Once the kiddos head into the building, come on around to the front covered area and have coffee/tea and light snacks with fellow parents, sponsored by the PTSA.
BOOHOO! WOOHOO!!! FIRST DAY OF KINDERGARTEN! Sept 7th, 9:20am
Whether you feel like crying or celebrating on the first day of kindergarten, come do it in the company of fellow Ella Baker parents. We can pass you tissues or snacks - whichever makes you feel better! We will be serving light refreshments and PTSA volunteers will be there to answer questions about our programs. Parents of all grades are welcome, this is not restricted to kindergarten parents.
BEFORE/AFTER SCHOOL PTSA ENRICHMENT CLASSES
Looking for something for your student to do before or after school?!
Try Ella Baker PTSA AM and PM Enrichment classes!
Fall offerings include: Monday: Spanish (AM), Theatre – Grades 3-5 (PM), Chess (PM) Tuesday: Art (AM), Flag Football and Basketball (PM) Wednesday: Karate (AM), Lego – Grades K-2 (PM), Coding – Grades 2-5 (PM), Sports – Grades K-2 (PM) Thursday: Yoga (AM), Theatre – Grades K-2 (PM), Math – Grade 4 (PM), Soccer (PM) Friday: Keyboarding (AM), Math – Grade 5 (PM) Registration opens Wednesday, September 12 at 10pm
Please visit the PTSA website for more info! http://ellabakerptsa.org/Program
ELLIPSIS MATH
Do you have a 4th or 5th grader who is passionate about math?
Ellipsis Math will be offering an enrichment program at Ella Baker this year. See the flyer here
All interested students must take a placement test prior to registration. Fall 2018 Ellipsis Math Placement Test Event Date: Saturday, September 8, 2018 Time: 1:30pm OR 3:30pm Location: Lake Washington Institute of Technology (LWIT) Kirkland Campus – West Building Address: 11605 132nd Ave NE, Kirkland, WA 98034 NOTE: If you’ve never been to this Kirkland location before, allow for additional driving time to find this location. Please arrive 20 minutes early for check-in and seat assignments. Pencils and scratch papers will be provided.
PTSA MATH CHALLENGE
Who loves a good math challenge? We do!!! Throughout the school year, there will be 15 math challenges published for your student to try their hand at. The first one will be posted on Sept 21st. Students who complete 12 or more Challenges will be honored at the end-of-year Award ceremony in June 2019. http://www.mathinaction.org/ella-baker-elementary.html
UPCOMING EVENTS
Teacher Meet & Greet - Aug 30th, 1:00pm
Kindergarten Orientation - Aug 30, 6:00pm
The Bear Den
