Blog Archives

Gym Night, Outdoor Family Movie Night...Auction Party Sign-Ups are OPEN!

3/28/2013

Join Mr. R for Gym Night on April 3!! There are still some spaces available in this and other Adult, Kid, & Family parties:

Gym Night with Mr. R, Ms. Katz, Ms. Cassie & Ms. McGee (April 3, all grades)
Sipping & Shopping at Queen Anne Dispatch (TBD, Adults)
Paella Party (May 11, Adults)
Family Outdoor Movie Night (May 31)
Workout Party & Boxing with Ms. Klope (TBD, 3rd Grade and up)
Big Splash Pool Party with Ms. Minas & Ms. Leckie (TBD, 1 spot left)
Calling All Ladies! (TBD, Adults)
Back-to-School Champagne Brunch (1st Day of School, Adults)

Check the Online Auction Catalog (pages 11-13) for complete descriptions and pricing:http://www.queenanneelementary.com/auction.html.
To sign up, contact qaeauctioninfo@gmail.com.

Thank you,
Christopher Kashap
Sarah Morris
Auction Co-Chairs
qaeauctioninfo@gmail.com

Gym Night, April 3, 5pm-8:30pm! 12 Spots left!

3/27/2013

Let your kids hit the gym with Mr. R, Ms. Katz, Ms. McGee, and Ms. Wiegand for a super-fun evening of activities and games. Drop them off in sporty gear at 5:00pm. Your little athletes will enjoy pizza, gym activities, and some friendly competition while you take advantage of the best childcare in town! Pick-up is at 8:30pm. [12 spots left!. All students, all grades welcome.]
Price: $45.00. If you would like to reserve a spot, email qaeauctioninfo@gmail.com. Pay by check to QAE PTSA - write "Gym Night" in Memo field. Leave checks in AUCTION mailbox in school office.

Only Five Days Left!!! QAE PARENTS -- We need your input!

3/26/2013

The QAE PTSA is beginning the budget planning process for the 2013-14 school year, and parent input on spending priorities is critical to that process. Please fill out this short survey so that your voice is heard!

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ZNHFJ2G

The survey will only be open until Sunday 3/31 at midnight, so please take a few moments to give your input NOW.

Please limit your input to one person per household or PTSA member.
Thank you for your input!

Joani Benoit
QAE PTSA Co-Treasurer

QAE PARENTS -- WE NEED YOUR INPUT!

3/24/2013

The QAE PTSA is beginning the budget planning process for the 2013-14 school year, and parent input on spending priorities is critical to that process. Please fill out this short survey so that your voice is heard!

The survey will only be open for one week (closes on 3/31 at midnight), so please take a few moments to give your input NOW.
Please limit your input to one person per household or PTSA member. A heads up a second survey will be following shortly focusing on communications. We appreciate your time.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ZNHFJ2G

Thank you for your input!

Joani Benoit
QAE PTSA Co-Treasurer

The PTSA is Looking for Nomination Committee Members!

3/22/2013

The PTSA will have open positions on next year's board and we are currently forming a Nomination Committee that will help in filling these positions.

The Nomination committee is tasked with leading the process in identifying and fielding candidates and then matching them with open positions. You do not need to be on the board to participate in this committee. The goal is to have the committee in place by early April with the task to fill all open identified positions by June - a few positions that have already been identified are Secretary, the Community Development Chair, and the Community Garden Chair.

We'd really like your help in identifying people who might be interested in serving on the PTSA, and we'd also like to invite any of you who are interested in serving on the nominating committee to please let us know by April 1st.
If you are interested or have any leads for us, please contact Shelly Dillon (shellyldillon@gmail.com).

Thank you,
QAE PTSA

Spring Before/After School Clubs-- Beginning Registration

3/19/2013

QAE Parents--
We have several great Spring clubs beginning registration. To see a more comprehensive list see the clubs homepage at qaeclubs.weebly.com.

A few offerings:

Art Club with Kids Create!

Spring 2013: BUILD a New World!
A mixed-media sculpture series with Nadine Smith

Come join us for this eight week 3-D art workshop and make art that stands up! We'll start with sculpting our own miniature clay houses , then design and engineer a magical form of transportation with recycled metal, plastic and wood. We'll create the landscape of our new world with shadowbox art, invent a new written language and PAINT our portrait on cardboard and a metal hanger . BONUS for parents: kids use science, engineering and narrative concepts while making art and having FUN!

Age group: Grade K-5
Times:Monday afternoons 3:40 – 4:45 pmCost: $106 per 8 weeks per student
Dates: April 1,- June 3 (No class April 15 or May 27)
Room:  Tree House Building Room 109A (Ms. Meg’s art studio)
Register online at: www.kidscreate.org

Queen Anne Elementary Music Club

Join us as we sing on in to downtown New York City with focused listening and singing activities. We will explore jazz music from New York native composer Duke Ellington. Duke Ellington was made popular by his fancy fingerings on the piano keys. Students will be boppin' around, while also listening to music performed by Charlie Parker, Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong. We will talk about the saxophone and trumpet, as well as the bass and drums. Exploring with the glockenspiels, and tick-tock blocks will be quite a treat for our young music makers!

Ages: K-5
Time: Fridays, 3:40-4:40
Cost: $85
Dates: April: 5th -June 7th (No class on April 19 or May 24)
Room: B140
Register online at  www.seattleslittlestperformers.com

Engineering with LEGO® by Playwell TEKnologies

PRE Engineering: (Grades K-1)
Let your imagination run wild with over 100,000 pieces of LEGO®! Build engineer-designed projects such as boats, bridges, mazes, and motorized cars, and use special pieces to create your own unique designs. Explore the endless creative possibilities of the LEGO® building system with the guidance of an experienced Play-Well instructor. This is an ideal way to prepare young builders for the challenge of Engineering FUNdamentals.

Spring 2013 Session PRE Engineering Club:
Ages: Grade K-1
Time: Tuesday mornings 8:00 - 9:20 am.
Cost: $105 for 7 sessions
Dates: April 23-June 4
To register visit: http://register.play-well.org/registration/new/23065

Math 4 Love

In this class we will see that playing games and working on puzzles can be two of the most fun and effective ways to encourage solid mathematical thinking. Students will learn a wide assortment of mathematical games, puzzles and activities that center around deep concepts of pattern, number, structure, and shape. We’ll play, pose questions, simplify, solve, and invent new challenges. The goal of this class is to introduce kids to the real meat of mathematical thinking in all its elegant glory, and to provide a pathway through games for students to discover what there is to love in mathematics. If you are a kid who likes math, games, or puzzles, this class is for you

Hosted by Math for Love, with Paul Gafni instructing. More info available and registration at mathforlove.com/qae.

Ages: 2nd-3rd graders
Time:Thursdays 8:30-9:15
Dates: April 11 - June 6
Cost: $160. Scholarships availableRoom: B140
Register at: mathforlove.com/qae

American Dance Institute
Session #2: Musical Theatre (grades 3-5, or ages 8-12)

There’s no business like….
This class will have you dancing with joy as you explore the world of Musical Theatre and how it’s genres and styles tell a story. With a Jazz based technique, you’ll dance, act and even sing a little, learning to incorporate these three elements of musicals. Leggings and a T-shirt recommended for girls; sweats and T-shirt recommended for boys. But any loose comfortable clothes or dance attire will be acceptable.

Class Time: Mondays, 3:45-4:45
Dates: April 8 – June 3, 2013; no class April 15 or May 27
Cost: $70
Register now at http://americandanceinstitute.com/Registration.aspx

Thank you!
QAE PTSA

Congratulations: a Successful Auction!

3/14/2013

Thank you for your wonderful support of QAE!
As a result of your generosity, the Auction raised over $150,000 so far. But we're shooting for $200,000 with employee matching!

Early next week we will email Auction attendees your consolidated receipt. All amounts on your receipt that exceed the Fair Market Value (FMA) are tax-deductible and are eligible for Matching Gifts.

The amounts you gave for DESSERT DASH, TEACHER EXPERIENCES, CLASS ART PROJECTS, and RAISE THE PADDLE can grow even larger if your employer matches employee donations. MANY companies match employee donations dollar for dollar. Some match 2:1. The Gates Foundations matches at 3:1!! If you're not sure whether your company matches donations, email us at qaeauctioninfo@gmail.com! We'll find out for you, and find any website or form you need to fill out.

Thank you for helping QAE "Reach for the Stars!"

Christopher Kashap & Sarah Morris
PTSA Auction Co-Chairs

Voice Your Concerns About School Funding At This Saturday's Town Hall Meeting

3/14/2013

36th District Town Hall Meeting Offers Parents a Chance to Voice Concerns About School Funding

Date: This Saturday, March 16
Time: 11 AM – 12:30 PM
What: Join Queen Anne parents as 36th district seatmates State Representatives Gael Tarleton, Reuven Carlyle and Senator Jeanne Kohl-Welles come to Seattle this Saturday to hear from consituents about concerns and answer questions regarding this legislative session. For background about the current state of education funding, please read the recent QAE website posting from the legislative committee.

Location: New City University building at 521 Wall Street, Seattle WA 98121, in Belltown

Coffee and light refreshments will be served.

The Seattle Center Director, Robert Nellams, will be moderating the town hall, and this event is free and open to the public. The 36th District Representatives and Senator are hoping to hear from as many people, organizations, and neighborhoods in the 36th district as can join!

Hope to see you there!

Tanea Stephens (taneastephens@outlook.com) and Angie Masco (angelamasco@hotmail.com) QAE Legislative Co-Chairs

QAE Parent Education Presentation: Becoming Culturally Competent in the 21st Century

3/13/2013

March 21, 7–8:30 p.m.
Lunch Room, Queen Anne Elementary

Workshop: Becoming Culturally Competent in the 21st Century

America has always been a country full of diverse people and cultures. Historically our approach has been to assimilate into dominant cultures values, norms and customs.

Today we are learning to become multicultural. But cultivating these skills doesn’t come easy nor do they happen overnight. We must unpack the ways we’ve been socialized to think about differences, engage in courageous conversations and develop new ways of being.

By working together to develop our cultural competence individually and institutionally we can each take part in shaping our world into one where everyone benefits through inclusivity and the honoring of differences.

America is changing. Are you ready and willing to be a part of shaping that change?

Workshop Leader: Caprice Hollins has over 15 years of experience working with ethnically diverse populations, providing mental health services, facilitating workshops and teaching graduate courses. She founded Cross Cultural Connections, LLC, to provide culturally relevant consulting services to organizations seeking to improve their skills in effectively engaging all cultures.

A native of Seattle, Dr. Hollins Caprice D. Hollins received a B.A. in psychology from Seattle University, and an M.A. and Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Multicultural and Community Psychology from California School of Professional Psychology.

Any questions, please contact Meg Ferris, margaretferris@mac.com.
Thank you!
QAE PTSA

Correction: Minecraft club for Grades 3-5 Begins March 21

3/12/2013

We apologize for the error!
You should receive confirmation if you are enrolled in the class by March 18th.

Thank you!

Minecraft Explores Club

3/11/2013

Queen Anne Elementry PTSA Technology Committee in partnership with a Seattle Pacific University Computer Science Student present the QAE Minecraft Explorers Club.

Grades K-2: Boys and Girls, will work together to create their very own Queen Anne Elementry. They will take on roles, such as Mr Elliott, Mr Jeffery and the teachers to establish their own school community. Where they take this, we don't know, will we have roller coaster in our playground?

Learning Goals: First person experience of civics and community.

Grades 3-5: Boys and Girls will work together to explore their own version of Lewis & Clark's adventure to discover the Pacific Coast. As explorers, they will follow a replica of the actual trail and encounter challenges along the way, including building a fort, surviving in the wilderness, and trading with villages. On reaching the West, the students must determine what kind of civilization they will build.

Learning Goals: First person experience of our region's history, natural sciences, and civics.

Prerequisites: None. No prior Minecraft experience is needed and we encourage 'noobs' to apply!

Grades 3-5:
Thursday 8:00-9:20 am
March 21th: 8 session, no session (April 18) [edited]
Limited to 15 slots:
Cost:$80

Grades k-2
Wednesday 8:00-9:20 am
April 3rd: 6 sessions, no session (April 17)
Limited to 15 slots
Cost:$80

Registration can be found in the office and begins March 12. Registration closes Thursday, March 14.
Questions please contact Jenice Lee jenicelealee@hotmail.com.

Thank you!
QAE PTSA After School Activities

Auction: Sign up for Buy-in Parties TODAY and submit Proxy Bids

3/8/2013

Now the auction is accessible to everyone!

Can't attend the event tonight? You can sign up for the Buy-In parties. AND you can place proxy bids on Live Auction Items.

Download the Auction catalog and Proxy Bidder Form athttp://www.queenanneelementary.com/auction.html.

"Buy-In Parties" are on pages 11-13. (Overnight in the Library, Paella Party, Outdoor Movie Night.....)
"Live Auction Items" are on pages 16-25 (Courtside STORM seats, Swim with an Olympian, Class Art Projects....)

If you want to bid by proxy, you must fill out and sign your Proxy Bidder Form, and send it to qaeauctioninfo@gmail.com before 5pm TODAY.

Photographs by Sarah Vasquez and printed by Yuen Lui will be available on Monday in the Main Office. And you can purchase a photograph of your kid(s). Leave a check for $25 per photo in the PTSA Auction mailbox.

Thank you,
Christopher Kashap & Sarah Morris
PTSA Auction Co-Chairs

Notes from QAE PTSA Legislative Committee

3/7/2013

Dear Queen Anne Community:

Last month, the QAE PTSA Legislative Committee visited with our district's legislators in Olympia during a Washington State PTA-organized rally to support our schools. We wanted to share a few things with you from that day:

·       We have one of the lowest funded public education systems in the country
·       The state funds only 75% of the real cost of a teacher
·       So for every teacher the district employs, local dollars have to cover approximately $23K of their salary
·       The State doesn’t fund full-day kindergarten, a six-period day for middle and high schoolers, updated textbooks, school transportation, utilities or facilities maintenance.
·       Because of these huge gaps in funding, the Seattle district has struggled with over $120M in budget shortfalls over the past three years
·       In an effort to balance the books, the district has cut $45M from their operating budget since 2009, resulting in “significant cumulative reductions”
·       Unfortunately, there are more cuts coming … the district has a projected $19M budget shortfall for the 2013-14 school year.
·       School board representative Sherri Carr and Assistant Superintendent Duggan Harman say we are in a crisis situation, and have been for a number of years.

In response to this, the WA Supreme Court ruled in Jan. 2012 (McCleary vs. State) that the state had an obligation to amply fund basic education, and gave the state till 2018 to meet its obligations.

“IT IS THE PARAMOUNT DUTY OF THE STATE TO MAKE AMPLE PROVISION FOR THE EDUCATION OF ALL CHILDREN RESIDING WITHIN ITS BORDERS....” Washington State Constitution, Article IX, section 1

The big question: will our State’s elected officials obey the Constitution they took an oath to uphold?  Everybody in Olympia says they want to meet the McCleary ruling requirements, but so far nothing has happened. Republicans and Democrats differ on how much to fund by
approx. $1 billion.

MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD!
We must continue to put pressure on legislators so that they will find a way to properly fund education.  The Legislature is currently in session, and is working right now on the 2013-14 public education budget.

Please consider sending a letter to your legislators to remind them that amply funding public education is of paramount importance.

HOW:
Click here to use a pre-written letter (posted at the bottom of the WSPTA page), edit it yourself, or write your own. Including personal stories helps legislators better represent you (and your kids), so include those in the letter, if you can.

WHO:
Click here to find contact information for your legislators.

Please let us know if you have questions or thoughts.

Thank you!
QAE PTSA Legislative Co-Chairs
Tanea Stephens (taneastephens@outlook.com) and Angie Masco (angelamasco@hotmail.com

Join McClure PTA at the McClure Mixer • Saturday March 23 • 7-10pm

3/7/2013

The McClure Mixer is a fabulous chance to bring our community together and for you to get into the middle school groove. Join us for a fun, totally casual evening at the Queen Anne Community Center, where you can mingle with McClure parents and staff, bid on silent auction items, drink our signature Mavarita's and enjoy delectable appetizers. Oh - and you get to help raise critical funds for library books, classroom technology, Writers in the Schools, math and reading tutors, our music program, drama club, and so much more. It's never to early to get involved.

Tickets $30 each. Buy tickets by March 15 to be entered in a drawing for a fabulous prize!
To Purchase Tickets: www.mccluremixer.brownpapertickets.com

Have an item to donate? We weren't kidding when we said it's never to early to get involved.
Contact Chris Karam chris.e.karam@gmail.com

We look forward to meeting you!
McClure PTA

Be a Star with School Breakfast!

3/3/2013

It’s National School Breakfast Week (March 4-8th) and this year’s theme, “Be a Star with School Breakfast” highlights how eating a healthy breakfast allows children to be their very best. Breakfast is served daily in every Seattle Public school.

Breakfast really is the most important meal of the day as it provides the necessary energy to get set for a day of learning and achievement. Some of the benefits of eating school breakfast include:

Higher Academic Scores—Studies have shown eating breakfast at school results in higher test scores.

Improved Behavior—Hungry children are more likely to have discipline problems. Teens who eat regularly are less likely to be suspended from school.

Reduced Tardiness—Kids who participate in the School Breakfast Program are late or absent from school less often.

Convenience and Value for Parents— School breakfast is ideal for busy families trying to get out the door quickly in the mornings. And at an average price of less than two dollars per meal, it’s a great value too.

Thank you!
Wendy Weyer, R.D., SNS
Director, Nutrition Services
Seattle Public Schools
206-252-0685
weweyer@seattleschools.org

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