Dear advocates,
The legislature passed a budget and finished its special session a little after 10 p.m. on May 25. A brief wrap up of closing action..

Final cut from K-12: $1.7 billion. (40 percent of the cuts came from K-12 public schools)
Just over a billion of that is from suspending the I-728/student achievement fund -- again -- and from cutting K-4 class size reduction money. Another $179 million comes via lower salary allocations. The state will send districts 3 percent less for administrative salaries, and 1.9 percent less for teachers and support staff  salaries (certificated and classified employees).  School districts will have to figure out how to absorb the salary loss (reopen contracts and negotiate pay cut, cut other programs or services, etc). Cutting school days is not an option.
-
For more budget materials (summaries; striking amendment, agency reports. Lots of good stuff) go here: http://leap.leg.wa.gov/leap/budget/detail/2011/ho1113p.asp
-
Some positive budget news:

Apple Health remains open to all eligible children
Early learning funded 
Full-day kindergarten funded and expanded just a wee bit
Bonuses for teacher board certification funded
Kindergarten assessments (WaKids) and teacher/principal evaluation pilot funded
Levy equalization assistance funded
Bullying workgroup funded
Drop out programs funded 

Also, HB 1410 - striker on science bill is one of session's last to pass
Rep. Dammier's striking bill on the science assessments passed. Starting with the class of 2015, students will need to pass a biology end-of-course exam to graduate. See more of the bill details below:

Will use the new biology end-of-course exam. Leaves open the option to develop other end-of-course exams at a later date. 
Requirement starts with class of 2015 (most will take the test in 2013). 
Will accept AP, SAT, ACT as alternatives, plus collection of evidence.
Allows retakes (up to twice a year, up to 4 retakes).
Does not establish two tiers for graduation. The version that cleared the House education committee would have allowed        kids to graduate without a Certificate of Academic Achievement if they took more science classes. There was concern about    the costs and logistics of requiring more science classes before the state increased instructional time. (Basic ed reform calls    for more instructional time in middle and high school, and more science, but legislation pending this year pushes                funding for that back to at least 2014-15 school year.)

SB 5919 - education funding

No instructional increase until at least 2014-15
Clarifies transportation funding formula
Allows flexibility in transitional bilingual funding (more if kids need intensive language intervention, less when kids more English proficient)
Quality Education Council must synthesize funding recommendations from work groups
Details minimum allocations for prototypical schools (this is a funding model ONLY; districts can allocate most funds as      they see fit)
An early version of this bill hit resistance from professional associations and advocacy groups by stripping end dates off       basic ed. That language was removed.
The version that passed Senate Ways and Means included language around phasing out I-728 after funding put into basic    education. That language was taken out.

We hope you like the new website banner and footer that were designed by parent, Tony Teske and are up and functioning because of parent, Liz McKay.  Thanks, SO much to them both!  
We appreciate everyone who works hard to make QAE the best place it can be.  If you have a talent that might be helpful, or would just like to volunteer whenever you are needed, please contact Heather Anderson mailto:[email protected], to offer your services to QAE!  
The school year might be coming to a close, but fun and exciting opportunities to volunteer are always available!
Thank You!
QAE PTSA

 This event is the largest fundraiser at Ballard High School and the proceeds are targeted to athletics, music and cheer.  This year the event takes place on August 1st and 2nd at Newcastle.  The Auction/Dinner is the night of the 1st and the golf tournament is Tuesday the 2nd.  It is truly an incredible event that was created by our BHS Foundation – mostly alumni, but now reaches out to our parent community, coaches and booster clubs.


A strong, successful high school is the cornerstone of a community.  We are so fortunate to have this great high school to bring us all together.  Thank you for your time and please contact me if you have any questions. 
 
Sue Verduin
Co-Chair Ballard Golf Classic
206-706-5386
http://www.bhsgolfclassic.com

 

Buy your QAE Yearbook right here!  NO FUSS, NO HASSLE!  http://www.queenanneelementary.com/yearbook.html
We've ordered them already, so when they are gone, they're gone.
Buy it TODAY!!!

Please join us for the last PTSA meeting of the year!  
 
It will be a fun meeting - wrapping up this year, sharing the plans for the fall (new building, teachers, enrollment, etc) with a Q&A session at the end. 
 
When:        Wednesday, June 8th, 2011
Time:         6:30pm - 8:00pm
Location:    Lincoln Library
Childcare available - see below
 
Agenda:

20 Minutes - Official PTSA business (elect new officers, approve 2011/2012 budget and fundraising)
30 Minutes - David Elliott (state of the school wrap up and looking forward to the fall)
30 Minutes - Q & A
 
Childcare will be available on-site by KidsCo. Drop off starts at 6:15pm and kids must be picked up by 8pm.   IMPORTANT - there are 30 spots available, you must sign-up in advance using the link below.  Because of several no-shows for childcare at the last meeting, we are asking people to sign up by June 6th and pre-pay.  Cost is $7 per child - sign up here.    http://qaeptsachildcare.eventbrite.com
 

Your Neighborhood Farmer's Market is Opening Soon! The 2011 season for your Queen Anne Farmer's Market begins Thursday, June 2nd and we would love your help! Quick shifts doing fun and easy tasks with friendly vendors and grateful market coordinators - You're part of the community, now be part of the team! Please contact Kelly Decker (http://[email protected]) to get plugged in, spots fill up quickly! Thank you! 
Kelly Decker,

Queen Anne Farmer's Market

Come join the Seattle Pacific University Mens & Women's Soccer players
and coaching staff for a week of soccer this summer. Our camps are
geared toward the soccer player wanting to take their playing ability to
the next level. At our camp the coaches will work with the players to
improve their technical, tactical, physical and mental skills needed for
soccer. No soccer experience is necessary for our youth camps. We are
offering two weeks of camp June 27-30, 2011 and August 8-11, 2011, our
camp is Monday through Thursday 9-4pm each day, with early drop-off at
8am and late pick-up at 5pm. For more information and to register
on-line please go to www.spusoccercamps.com 


Val Seid
Co-Director
SPU Soccer Camps

www.spusoccercamps.com

Have you ever wondered what the best bike routes are to your school -- for you or your children? Or do you know the best routes and want to share them with other families? The Civil Engineering Department at the University of Washington is conducting a study to help develop bike maps for your school, but we need your input! Please take the survey at http://catalyst.uw.edu/webq/survey/mtlh/118434 to let us know what's important to you when your children bike to school. Respondents may also choose to enter in a drawing for a $25 Best Buy gift certificate. It only takes a few minutes, and will help parents and children identify safe bike routes to school!"

Thank you for your assistance in my research task. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns. You can reach me by email at: [email protected] 

Sincerely,

Michael Houston
MSCE Candidate 2011, University of Washington

Please take the QAE PTSA survey that we've put together to get your feedback about how we are communicating with you.  It closes this Friday, 5/20, so we need you to take it as soon as you can.  As a new PTSA, we are still creating our systems.  Your input is invaluable to us.  Please, please, please take a moment to fill it out.  http://www.queenanneelementary.com/survey.html  
Much Appreciation,
QAE PTSA
Web/Communications Team

SSIA and Coe PTA Present:
Race To Nowhere
 
Tuesday, May 31, 6:30-8:30
Coe Elementary, 2424 7th Ave. W.
 
TICKETS AND MORE INFO: http://www.SchoolsInAction.org
 
Don’t miss this important film! The screening will be followed by a facilitated discussion.
 
 

We had a great turn out of volunteers on Saturday at the QAE Community Garden! We got more accomplished than anyone could have hoped for!  Thank each and every person who came and worked, or donated starts so we can have a working garden for our community enjoyment and for educational pursuits.  
Thanks so much!
QAE Garden Committee

This Saturday, May 14, is a QAE Community Garden work party.  We could really use your help!  Come work with us!  Or if you are busy, please consider donating materials!   We need vegetable starts!  If you are willing to donate starts to our cause, please contact Kristin Teske at [email protected], or drop them off at 211 West Smith St. 
We are looking for lettuces, radishes, carrots, and any other veggies you might have started already.  We would also love Sweet Peas or Nasturtium. 
You can also donate money we will use for any number of things we need, like supplies to build benches and arbors or to buy plants for our edible garden and native garden.  
Thank You!
Kristin Teske
Planting Committee Lead 

SPS Demographics Review Task Force Application
Due Thursday, May 19, 2011
 
Seattle Public Schools is looking for a few volunteers from the community to participate on a Demographics Review Task Force.
 
Current demographic projections suggest that up to 7,000 new students may enter Seattle Public Schools over the next 5 years.  The total student population could rise from 47,000 students today to 54,000 students over the next 5 years impacting every school in the District.
 
The purpose of the task force is to review the impact of demographics on the New Student Assignment Plan and Capacity Management for 2012 and beyond.
 
The task force will also review national best practices, clarifying planning assumptions and current SPS enrollment projections.
 
Who:  SPS staff, local experts and community participants
 
When:  Weekly meetings beginning May 31st with a report to Superintendent and Board by June 30th
 
Where:  John Stanford Center for Educational Excellence
 
If interested, Please contact:
Janet Chin
(206) 252-0102
[email protected]
 
Please include your name, school, phone number an email address.