McClure Middle School on Queen Anne is hosting a parent education night on internet safety. They wanted to extend the invitation to all families in the area:

Parent Education Night on Internet Safety with expert, Stefanie Thomas 
When: March 27th, 2019, 6:30pm
Where: McClure Middle School  Cafeteria
Adults only, please.

This is a parent-education night you don’t want to miss! McClure PTSA invites you to join our winter general meeting and free parent education session on Internet Safety with presenter, Stefanie Thomas. Stefanie is an internet safety expert who has worked with law enforcement for the past 7 years in the area of the exploitation of children online. Sharing what she’s learned, she has educated over 30,000 parents in the greater Seattle area.  All are welcome. No RSVP required. 

Session includes: 

• Cyberbullying 
• Social networking/online gaming
• Online posting
• Sexting
• The reality of tweens/teens as targets
• Cell phone & internet safety tips

For more information, please email presidents@mccluremavericks.org 

Ms. Roy shared this message with QAE families:

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Dear QAE families,
 
Queen Anne Elementary community takes pride in our commitment to making our school environment a welcoming and inclusive place for all our students and families. 
 
In the following weeks, our students will be reading, learning and having conversations around gender diversity. Every class will be reading books from the K-5 Seattle Public Schoolsgender kit and from other resources we have in our school library.
 
Overall, the K-5 Gender Book Kit aims to:

• Meet the Washington State Health Education Standards for Self-Identity, while aligning with grade-level Literacy Standards;
• Reflect the lived experiences of students, families, and friends;
• Provide accurate, age-appropriate information about gender identity and expression;
• Build empathy for people whose experiences are different from their own;
• Decrease bullying and harassment.

 
We want to invite you to come and spend some time with other parents in our wonderfullibrary to see the books we will be sharing with students.  QAE School Counselor Paulina Cuevas-Vega and QAE Librarian Natalie Van Stone will have the books and resources from the K-5 Gender kit available for QAE parents to read, discuss and learn together.  

We think this is an exciting opportunity to get together and have some of those interesting conversations, ask questions and share experiences. 
 
We also believe it will be very helpful for you to know the books and the lessons, so you have the resources and tools to support your children around this topic.

When: Wednesday, March 27th 

Choose the time that works best for you:

• 10:00-11:30am
• 12:30-2:00pm
• 4:30-6pm

 
Sign up by emailing Paulina Cuevas-Vega at pfcuevasvega@seattleschools.org so we know how many people we need to plan for.
 
We are looking forward to sharing these great books with you!
 
To learn more about the K5 gender kit, go to:
 https://www.seattleschools.org/academics/curriculum/health_education/lgbtq_programs__curriculum_and_support

Corinna Luyken grew up in different cities along the West Coast, and after studying at Middlebury College, she settled in Washington State, where she draws inspiration from nature, her family, and the human form. Her debut picture book, The Book of Mistakes, received four starred reviews and has been praised by Entertainment Weekly, The Wall Street Journal, Nerdy Book Club, and more. Her newest book is My Heart.

Corinna Luyken will be at school on Friday, 29 March to talk to us about writing books and how she does it, to tell us where she gets her inspiration, and to answer our millions of questions! 

Books will be available for purchase at the event, so that your child can get a signed keepsake, personalized by the author. Prices below include tax. Please make checks payable to Secret Garden. Download the form below.

For more information, see Corinna Luyken’s website

The QAE IslandWood Fundraising Team of adults and students is hosting a screening of REVOLUTION on Tuesday, April 23 at John Marshall. We invite you to celebrate Earth Day, April 22, by watching this acclaimed documentary by Rob Stewart which highlights his true-life adventure through 15 countries over four years, and where he discovered that it's not only sharks that are in grave danger - it's humans too. Revolution premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and won numerous awards, including the Audience Award for Best Documentary at the Atlantic Film Festival, Most popular Environmental Film Award at the Vancouver International Film Festival, the Audience Award at the Victoria Film Festival and the Social Justice Award at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival. It's a beautiful documentary informing, inspiring and motivating positive action for the future of the planet. The this award-winning movie helps to inspire and find out what you can do to help save our environment.

"Change starts with education. If people are aware of their impact on the Earth, they'll make smarter choices". - Filmmaker Rob Stewart 

When: Tuesday, April 23rd, 2019, 6-8pm
Where: QAE Lunch Hall at John Marshall, 520 Ravenna Blvd
Cost: This is a free community showing with a suggested donation of $5 per adult who attends. Kids are welcome and free! Half of the donations will go towards the Rob Stewart Fund and half will go towards IslandWood Fundraising.
RSVP:
Please RSVP here to reserve your spots...

All are welcome to attend, including families from other schools. We want this screening to be inclusive and accessible to all — if the cost is a burden, please come anyway!

The 4th Graders will be selling popcorn, water and other snacks during the film!

About the Movie
At the age of 13 young Rob Stewart started to practice underwater photography. He grew to be an award-winning biologist, photographer, conservationist, author and filmmaker. In 2012 he released Revolution. It's international release in 2013. Through out his movie he concentrates on the efforts of young people, as they have the most to lose making their motivation high. This movie captures the definition of ocean acidification and how humanities greatest challenge, Revolutuion, ..."won't be stopped until a sustainable human population is reached, human consumption is in balance with the natural world, and the world's ecosystems are restored to full capacity - meaning lakes and rivers and oceans are unpolluted and teeming with fish, and thriving diverse forested ecosystems cover most of the land". The Rob Stewart foundation is loaded with discussion guides and resources for further discussion and ways to take action no matter how big or small. Find out more here...

The online auction is in full swing! Have you placed any bids yet? Take a look at the full catalog now! Here's just a few of the fabulous online auction items:

Here’s an Intro to Circus Class for 4 from SANCA, the School of Acrobatics & New Circus Arts! Here's the chance to bring yourself along with 3 friends to attend an Introductory Circus Class featuring Trampoline, Tumbl-Trak, Trapeze, Aerial Rope or Fabric, Juggling, Tight Wire, Rolling Globe, German Wheel, Unicycle, or Chinese Pole. 

Learn the art and science of American Single Malt Whiskey with this amazing tour and tasting for six at Westland Distillery in SODO! ​

​Your child will have an absolute ball with this week at Peter Fewing Soccer Day Camp! Kids ages 5 - 13 will learn and improve their skills and tactical awareness each day by staff demonstrations, practicing and playing. Each day ends with a World Cup game

The Online Auction supporting QAE launches on Monday, March 11th at 5pm! Getting your mouse finger ready and do it quickly. The online auction will only run from March 11th at 5pm to March 17th at 10pm.

Every dollar raised helps support resources for the kids at the school this year, from the counselor to specialists, and provides author visits, curriculum, SEL tools, and more.

Visit the QAE online auction site now! And don't forget to share it with any friends or family who'd like to support our school while getting some great items. Here's just a few of the great items that can be yours!

Need some culture?

• Seattle Children’s Theatre Family 4 Ticket Package
• 5th Avenue Theatre West Side Story 2 tickets
• MoPop 4 pack tickets

Thinking about summer camp?

• One week soccer camp
• One week Pump it Up camp
• One week creative coding camp

Is it time for self care?

• In Sync Fitness-1 month membership
• IanFitness-1 month membership
• 1 hour massage
• Teeth whitening

Why not indulge?

• Urban Spa Experience - Banya 5
• Grappa restaurant gift card
• Chocolate Tasting 

A message from Shannon Ellmers, our amazing Auction Chair. Can't wait to see you on March 22nd. And be sure to bid during the online auction starting on March 11th.

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Greetings Queen Anne Community!  

I am writing to provide more insight into the year’s fundraising auction.  You already know it is the biggest fundraising event of the year, so let’s get down to logistics! 

Attending.  Our auction centers around a community building approach to fundraising.  In order to make it a community-wide event, we do not charge a ticket price.  All are welcome and all levels of participation are appreciated.

Giving.  Like many auctions, our's is divided between a silent and a live auction.  Unlike many events, our auctions are split and held during different dates.  Our silent auction is online only and will run March 11-17, so get those phones charged! Our live auction celebration is March 22 at Block 41 in Belltown.  The live auction celebration will have a limited silent auction component featuring student photos, class art, buy-in parties, student experience buy-in parties, select baskets, and, of course, a live auction!  We appreciate your donations and support!

Engaging. We are consistently blown away by the support of our community.  Engagement can range from donating an item, to volunteering to help at the live auction, to baking a dessert, to writing thank you cards to donors.  Please reach out if you are interested in further engagement - givebig@qaeptsa.org!

Committing.  RSVP to our March 22 live auction celebration! Though we do not charge a ticket price, we do need advance RSVP for planning purposes.  Because we do need to cover cost, there are donation range options linked to the ticket site, so feel free to give if you are able. RSVP now...

Thank you for your support!  We look forward to celebrating with you on March 22! 

Shannon Ellmers
QAE Auction Chair

The QAE PTSA is hosting a screening of The Most Dangerous Year on Wednesday, Feb. 27th at John Marshall. It was named on the best documentaries at the Seattle International Film Festival and has been featured in festivals around the country. It's a compelling story exploring how Washington families (including some from QAE) with transgender children fought multiple legislative efforts to limit their rights.

​When: Wednesday, February 27th, 6:30pm
Where: QAE at John Marshall, 520 NE Ravenna Blvd
Cost: To cover the cost of showing the film, $5 per adult who attends. Kids are welcome and free!

RSVP:
Please RSVP here to reserve your spots...

All are welcome to attend, including families from other schools. We want this screening to be inclusive and accessible to all — if the cost is a burden, please come anyway!

About the Movie
In 2016 a small group of families with transgender kids joined the fight against a wave of discriminatory anti-transgender legislation that swept the nation and their home state. With the help of a coalition of civil rights activists and ally lawmakers, these families embarked on an uncharted journey of fighting for their children’s lives and futures in this present-day civil rights story. Find out more here: 
​https://www.themostdangerousyear.com/
​
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Our fellow PTSA at Loyal Heights Elementary in Crown Hill is inviting any interested families to attend a Q&A on Saturday with Rep. Gael Tarleton:

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I am the PTA co-President at Loyal Heights Elementary School.  Our community has become increasingly concerned about the state's failure to fully fund education.  While property taxes continue to go up, SPS is yet again facing a potential $40mil deficit, and our PTA continues to raise money to support basic education for our kids.   

In response to our concerns, we have arranged for Representative Gael Tartleton come speak at our school and answer questions. We would like to invite all the staff and families at your schools to attend this Q&A session. 

When: Saturday February 16th at 10am
Where: Loyal Heights Elementary Cafeteria 7735 25th Ave NW

Thank you!  
Natalie Ward
Loyal Heights Elementary PTA co-President

Get ready for QAE's annual fundraising auction! March 22, 2019, 6-11pm at Block 41 in Belltown!

Get ready to join an incredible community of people who are ready to do whatever it takes to help QAE kids succeed. Did you know the annual auction supports 65% of the PTSA budget? Social Emotional Learning. A school counselor. Reading Specialist. These are just a few of the vital services that funds raised from our upcoming auction pay for. Without your help, these important school service could go away!

What you can do to help…
Start collecting auction items! We ask all QAE families to donate at least one thing. But please don’t stop there! The more donated items and services you contribute, the more funds we can raise for our school.

Potential Donation Ideas (Live or Online)
Gift certificates to restaurants, spas, retail stores in our neighborhood and beyond are all sought after items! So when you go out to a favorite spot, just ask - businesses are happy to donate. It's a win-win for them and us! Are you a season ticket holder? Work in the theatre or music industry? Sports, theater and concert tickets are great items to donate. Own a vacation home you'd be willing to rent to a QAE family? Going on a vacation? Ask the hotel/ski resort/b&b/cruise for a donation to the school -- so many places love the idea of being introduced to a whole new community!Camps, experiences, children's classes -- wherever your child attends is a great option! Access to a priceless experience? (movie premieres, private parties featuring a famous chef or sommelier, tours around an interesting workplace)

Additional ways you can contribute:

• Donate an item to your classroom basket
• Volunteer!
• Sign up to bring a baked good for the Dessert Dash
  
• If you have any donation leads, suggestions or questions please reach out directly to shannonellmers@hotmail.com

Ready to make a donation?
Awesome! Either fill out the attached donation form or submit via the online link:
https://qae.schoolauction.net/auction2019/donate_items/new 

Upcoming Dates

• Auction tickets will be available starting Feb. 25th
• Donation deadline, March 8th (donate here)
• Online auction, March 11-17th
• Our annual auction at Block 41, March 22nd

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We are incredibly excited to share this night with you all and to help all the amazing Explorers at QAE! 

Team Auction
Shannon Ellmers, Shalini Nilakantan, Sandra Nanney, Jody Stewart

*The school levy ballots are due on Tuesday! With the snow, remember to send it in if you aren't able to drop it off at a ballot box.*

In its January board meeting the QAE PTSA endorsed a yes vote on both of Seattle Public Schools levy requests on the ballot Tuesday, February 12th. All registered voters should have received a ballot in the mail; King County no longer requires a stamp. 

For more information, please begin by referring to the Seattle Council PTSA statement on their endorsement of both levies:
https://www.scptsa.org/news/2019/1/18/vote-yes-on-the-seattle-school-districts-capital-and-operations-levies
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Calling all bakers! We need your help making sure we have plenty of desserts for our Auction Dessert Dash. If you have sweet baking skills, we would love to add your dessert to the list. You may also sign up and buy a dessert from your favorite bakery around town. Please, give a description of the dessert, list any allergens, and whether you will bring the dessert to the school on Friday or to the venue. 

Use this sign-up to let us know you can contribute a dessert:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0a4eafab22a2f85-calling
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The Auction will take place on Friday, March 22nd, 2019 at Block 41 in Belltown! See the Auction site for more details...

If you have any questions, email jodiemcmurdie@gmail.com. Thanks for your help!

Our annual auction is coming up soon. Join us on March 22nd for an amazing evening that benefits all the kids at QAE. It takes a village to make this event happen. Below are a few volunteer opportunities that we guarantee will be fun! Baking a cake is a volunteer opportunity you ask? Why yes ... yes, it is!

Help Needed - Donate an Item or Experience
Do you have a business that would like to donate something that can be bid on during the Auction? Our Auction team needs help providing great items for both the online and night of auctions. Please fill out the donation interest form or contact givebig@qaeptsa.org directly!

Calling all bakers!
We need your help making sure we have plenty of desserts for our Auction Dessert Dash (our annual auction is on Friday, March 22nd - be there!). If you have sweet baking skills, we would love to add your dessert to the list. You may also sign up and buy a dessert from your favorite bakery around town. Please give a description of the dessert, list any allergens, and whether you will bring the dessert to the school on Friday or to the venue. Sign up for a dessert here…

Help Take Photos of our QAE Students
Calling all photographers, budding photographers, friends of photographers...If you are interested in photographing the children of QAE for our school auction we need you!  We are looking for someone to take individual black and white photos of our students, a favorite part and key fundraising piece of our upcoming auction.  Time commitment would require a few hours in the next month during the school day to photograph students along with the help of other parent volunteers. Please contact Kirsty at knpapadopulos@gmail.com for more information. Thank you!

UPDATE: GRC new date is Wednesday, Feb. 27th at 12:45pm. Hope there's no snow!

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Queen Anne Elementary is taking part in the Global Reading Challenge for the third year! Teams of 4th and 5th grade students have been working had to prepare for this quiz-show style contest at QAE! Among the goals of the GRC are to motivate children to read, develop teamwork and cooperative thinking skills, and have fun. Each year, students from across the city read up to 10 books selected by Seattle librarians and participate in weekly meetings to study these books with their teammates. 

Our winning team will advance to compete with teams from other schools across the city. The program will end with an All-City Final that will take place at the downtown Central Library.

If your child is participating in GRC this year, please join us for our In-School Competition, which will be held at the John Marshall Building on Wednesday, Feb. 27th at 12:15pm. We are so proud of all of our 4th and 5th grade participants!

See the Seattle Public Library GRC site for more information, including the list of books.