​Below is a copy of the email being sent by the PTSA to our families on May 31st, 2017. See our Boundaries Info page for more details.

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Dear QAE families,

As you know, Seattle Public Schools sent out a survey last week to all families in the Queen Anne/Magnolia area regarding scenarios for boundary changes that will happen as part of the opening of Magnolia Elementary in 2018-19.

This survey included 5 new scenarios that had not previously been shared with shared with the community. After studying the different scenarios, the QAE PTSA recommends the following:
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• All our families and staff should take the survey. It's one of the best ways we can advocate for our community and our school. Let's make sure they hear our voice! Please make sure you complete the survey by 5pm on Friday!
• We believe that maintaining QAE as an Option School is the best outcome, not just for our school community but for all students in the larger McClure area.
• While there are no easy boundary changes, Scenarios C, D and E do the best at adding capacity for growth while minimizing disruption across schools. We suggest that our parents select C, D and E on the survey.
• In general, Scenarios A-F would be reasonable. We do not consider G - M to be options worth pursuing since they involve significant family disruption across ALL QA/Magnolia schools, mainly increase overall transportation costs to SPS, and eliminate the successful Option School offering in place for the McClure area. Most importantly, scenarios G-M scenarios do not resolve the underlying capacity issues as well as scenarios A-F.

The survey also asks about the three most important considerations about school boundary changes for your family. We encourage you to pick what's most meaningful to your family, but here are four that we believe are important and are in sync with our support of Scenarios A-F:
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• Equitable access to option schools
• Equitable access to services and programs
• Fiscal impact (cost and savings)
• Other (a write-in): SPS honoring published policy is that once admitted to an option school, a student is entitled to attend that school until the highest grade

You can read more about the issues on our Boundaries Discussion site, which we will continue to update. We have also asked SPS to provide details on the the number of students impacted by each scenario and whether grandfathering would be part of the scenarios. We will post responses when we get them.

If you didn't receive the email from SPS, here's the direct link to the survey.

The QAE PTSA recognizes the complexity of changing school boundaries and fixing capacity issues. Fixing overcrowding requires hard choices, and will necessarily disrupt some families in our neighborhood. We will continue to do our best to work with SPS and the larger QA/Magnolia community on a solution. If you have any further questions, don't hesitate to contact us at boundaries@qaeptsa.org or via the PTSA Facebook page.

In service,

​Queen Anne Elementary PTSA
boundaries@qaeptsa.org

Get ready to get down! The QAE All School Family Dance is Friday, June 2nd, from 6-8 p.m. at the John Hay Gym (201 Garfield St. enter from Galer St. entrance).

Join in the fun! We'll have a DJ, balloon twisting and face painting. Dinner is covered too: food truck by Neema’s Comfort Food!

Let us know you're coming and sign up to help with set up or clean-up:
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RSVP and Volunteer here...

Have a favorite tune you are hoping to groove to? Please make a request with the link below by Wednesday, May 31st, so our DJ can get the play list together:

Make a music request here...

If you have any questions please contact Lindsey Carrillo at lindsey.carrillo@outlook.com.

Dear QAE families,
 
Seattle Public Schools sent out an email survey to all families in the Queen Anne/Magnolia area regarding various scenarios for boundary changes that will happen as part of the opening of Magnolia Elementary in 2018-19.
 
The QAE PTSA believes that our status as an Option School is central to our learning culture and benefits all families by giving them an alternative to their attendance area school which also relieves overcrowding. We had planned to share the scenarios that best support our school’s mission and are least impactful all kids in the area. The survey includes 5 new boundary scenarios that had not been previously shared with the community, so our group of parents focused on this issue need some time to dig into their impact. We need some time to do this research.
 
So as a PTSA, we suggest:

• If you have not yet responded to the survey, please wait until next week to fill in your answers. The survey deadline isn’t until Friday, June 2nd.
• After the Memorial Day holiday, the PTSA will send an email with our suggestions for the boundary scenarios that our community should be advocating for.
• If you want to learn more, please refer to our Boundaries Discussion site, which we will continue to update.

 
If you’ll already responded to the survey, no problem, thanks for taking the time to advocate for our community!
 
Have a wonderful, safe holiday weekend. More from the PTSA soon!
 
In service,
 
Queen Anne Elementary PTSA
boundaries@qaeptsa.org

Don't forget: QAE's got talent and it'll be on full display on Wednesday evening. Join us at the QA Community Center: doors open at 5 p.m., show starts at 5:30 p.m. Third graders have been organizing it and can't wait to share with you!
 
WHO ARE YOUR HOSTS? The third grade talent show club has been working hard to make this event special!

WHERE: At the Queen Anne Community Center, in the gym

TIME: Doors open at 5 p.m., and the show starts promptly at 5:30 p.m. We are working hard to end the show by 8:30 p.m.

COST: The show is free! But the talent show club decided they would like to collect any donations you’d like to give to Dwankhozi, and they will have a table for this in the lobby!

WILL THERE BE FOOD? Yes! Across the hall from the gym, the 4th graders will be selling food to raise money for IslandWood. The 4th graders are planning on selling sandwiches, hot dogs, pizza, chips, popcorn, candy, water, juice boxes, and baked goods. Dinner is covered! Food sales will only be from 5-5:30, and during intermission.
 
ANYTHING ELSE? Yes, so glad you asked! We are asking that parents not leave their kids unattended during the show, as it’s distracting for the performers and we’re hoping to keep a quieter show environment this year. We will have all lights off except the stage lights this year, which also will make moving around during the show dangerous. We know it’s a long time for little ones to keep still, so you are welcome to accompany them to the hallway or outside if they need a break.
 
WHAT IF MY CHILD IS PERFORMING? WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW? Please have your child ready to check in at 5 p.m. This is particularly important if they are in the early grades, as they will likely be at the start of the show. Our greeting committee will give them further instructions then about where they need to wait, when they will go on, etc.
 
See the Talent Show page for more details...

​McClure Middle School is having an end-of-the-year BBQ and wants to invite 5th grade families that have students attending McClure next year. It is a very laid back celebration with grilled hot dogs for sale. Some staff will be there. A chance to mingle mainly with families and pick up the summer reading lists. Thursday, June 8th from 5:30 - 7 p.m. at the McClure courtyard.

​Top Ten Reasons to Get Excited About QAE Sounders Day!

10. We have our own block of seats all together.
9. Watch world-class players in our own back yard.
8. Experience the magic feeling of watching the game from the Hawk's Nest.
7.You can buy garlic fries inside the stadium.
6. 25 QAE kids (congrats!) will high-five the players as they walk onto CenturyLink field.
5. Join almost 300 fellow QAE fans to cheer on the Sounders.
4. See Jordan Morris, Nico Lodeiro and Clint Dempsey show off their skills!
3. QAE teachers and Principal Roy are attending.
2. Kids are encouraged to use their outside voices.
1. We are QAE @SoundersFC.

See you at the match!

Sounders vs. Real Salt Lake
Saturday, May 20th, 2 p.m.
CenturyLink Field

See our QAE Day at the Sounders page for more details..

If you haven't yet, please complete Seattle Public School's Family Survey that is sent to the families of all district students. It's an important tool for the district to track progress and understand what needs to improve and what's working well at all our schools. 

Each parent should have received an email with a unique link to take the survey. They ask that only one parent per household fills in the survey. If you have questions or didn't receive the email, see the Family Survey site.

SPS Explanation of the Family Survey
The Family Survey is administered each spring to families of K-12 students. The survey provides an important opportunity to reflect on your child's school and the district as a whole. All Family Survey responses are confidential. Surveys are also administered each year to all school staff and students in grades 3 through 12. Results from these surveys are used to guide improvements at the school and district level. 

Update: Thanks to all those who attended 2017 QAE Night at Safeco Field!

The Queen Anne Elementary community has a group of tickets to watch the Mariners take on the Rays on Saturday, June 3 at 7:10 ​p.m. The sun is setting later, so it should be a beautiful night at Safeco Field. Plus we get discounts on tickets AND it's Nelson Cruz bobblehead night!

When: Saturday, June 3rd, 2017, 7:10 pm.
Where: Our block of seats will be in the View Level (3rd) Deck at Safeco Field
Cost: $20 per ticket plus $0.86 credit card fee if you order online. Regular price is $31.
Why: Enjoy an evening at the ballpark with your QAE friends. Get a bobblehead to boot! A portion of the ticket sales will be donated towards next year's Islandwood trip.

The deadline to purchase tickets has been extended to Monday, May 22nd. Get your orders in soon!

Purchasing Tickets

• By check to Mr. Jeffrey - you may have received an order form in your orange folder or you can print the registration form. Fill it out and return to Mr. Jeffrey in the library. Tickets are just $20 each when paid by check.
• Order online - the QAE PTSA is handling online orders. There's an extra $0.86 fee per ticket to cover the credit card processing fees.

Receiving Your Tickets
Mr. Jeffrey will distribute the tickets to your child's class and they will be sent home in the orange folders.

Questions?
Contact Mr. Jeffrey at jsriley@seattleschools.org or stop by the library!

A portion of the proceeds from the ticket sales will help fund next year's fifth grade class to IslandWood! The deadline to purchase tickets is around the corner - Monday, May 22nd! Check your calendar - can you join us at the ballgame? 

The fabulous staff at Via Tribunali Queen Anne will be giving out cards good for a free pizza with a small donation to the current 4th grade class trip to Islandwood next year. Suggested donation is $20. Cards will be available all evening (5-11 p.m.) and no purchase is necessary - people are welcome to just come by with a donation and get a free pizza card, but of course we hope it's a QAE community event where we see lots of families dine there!

Via Tribunali is located at 317 W. Galer St. For more information, please contact Robin Mohr at rmmohr@yahoo.com.

Support our students, skip having to cook at home and enjoy food that the kids (and adults) will love. Win - win - win!

Below are notes from the May 1st meeting at McClure regarding the proposed boundary changes to schools in the Queen Anne/Magnolia area. For more context and other details, see our Boundaries & Option School information page.

Timeline/ Next Steps:

• June – next community meeting with revised scenarios. 
• September – final scenarios shared with limited time after for comment
• October – final plan introduced to school board
• November – school board votes on final boundary plan associated with opening Magnolia School

What can YOU do!

• Read the recap of the meeting below.
• If you haven't perused yet, see the SPS materials presented at the meeting.
• WRITE to growthboundaries@seattleschools.org, enrollmentplanning@seattleschools.org, and to schoolboard@seattleschools.org, expressing your strong support of QAE remaining an Option School. We have example letters to help you get started.
• With the next meeting in June, SPS is looking for as much feedback as possible on all of the scenarios (A-H) as well as any other comments regarding boundary changes. 
• A team of QAE parents is forming to help craft our plan and message on why QAE remaining an Option School is important to the entire QA/Magnolia reference area.  If you have ideas or would like to join the effort, please email president@qaeptsa.org.
• Attend the June meeting and be prepared to share your story as to why QAE should remain an Option School. 
• Keep an eye out for emails from the QAE PTSA and on the PTSA's Facebook page for updates.

Meeting Recap
The meeting had three sections: Opening Remarks, Break Out Sessions, and Comment Period.

Opening Remarks:
Ashley Davies – Enrollment Planning for SPS

• Opened with introductions of SPS staff and SPS Board Members
• Introduced parent leaders from all 5 schools who recently met to uncover common ground and solutions to capacity issues for QA/Magnolia  (Heath Dixon, Ian Stewart, and Karrie Sanderson are the QAE parent reps on this group)
• Ashley walked through the presentation, highlighting the new material.  The new materials included:
  • QA/Mag Middle School student density
  • Walk zones for all schools in QA/Mag
  • Neighborhood counts vs. capacity for all of QA/Magnolia
  • Proximity Polygons  for all schools in QA/Mag that show the closest school for each polygon.
  • Two new Scenarios assuming that QAE becomes a neighborhood school – Scenarios G and H
  • Starting point "Pro / Con " list of  each of the scenarios presented 

Break out session:
Posters of the currently proposed 8 boundary scenarios (A-F) in the attachment were on the walls around the room.  Attendees were encouraged to view each scenario and write comments on a comment sheet about what they saw as the pros and cons for each scenario.

A bit more info on Scenarios G and H:

• Scenario G -  This scenario redraws ALL boundaries for every school in QA/Mag cluster so each school is under their 'right sized" capacity.  However, this scenarios shows the similar section of the current Coe area STILL assigned to Lawton as in scenarios A-F.   Scenario G, the attempt draw boundaries that keep all schools at or below capacity, results in a significant increase in students who are disrupted from their current schools and there are STILL kids from QA that have to get bused to Magnolia.
• Scenario H – This scenario is an attempt to keep all kids who live on QA (east of 15th Ave) in QA schools (Coe, Hay, or QAE).   However, both Coe and Hay remain OVER their capacity in this scenario.  Basically, if you want all QA kids to go to QA schools, both Hay and Coe will be over capacity.  And the necessary boundaries are drawn in such a gerrymandered way that students 2 blocks from Coe would have to go to QAE.​

Open Comments from Attendees:

• Using a lottery system, attendees were invited up to speak and share their thoughts on the current set of scenarios
• Most speakers were focused on scenarios G and H since they were new vs. the previous meeting
• Many speakers were from the current Coe community and they spoke passionately about NOT having to bus their children from QA to Magnolia, so they were advocating for Scenarios G and H which turn QAE into a neighborhood school.
• Several non-QAE speakers discussed an idea to make QAE a neighborhood school and then creating an Option School “cohort” within QAE with any extra seats going to neighborhood students assigned to QAE.   QAE parent leadership at the meeting expressed that there is NOT support for this idea (nor do we have full details of what the idea entails)
• QAE speakers spoke about:
  • The important role QAE already plays toward relieving capacity for Coe, Hay, and other schools. 
  • The importance of having an Option School that meets the learning needs of students who might not thrive at a more traditional school. 
  • The large increase in number of students that would be disrupted in Scenarios G and H, compared to A - F for little to no real gain in capacity relief for the schools that are requesting QAE become a neighborhood school.

The Queen Anne Elementary Garden has received a $2,000 grant from the Whole Kids Foundation! Check out the write-up in the Queen Anne View about the grant!

Our wonderful Garden Coordinator Andrea Hildebrandt has big plans build on integrating the garden into our Five Pillars of learning. And as the weather is getting better, be sure to join us after school on Wednesdays for Gather in the Garden. Take a little time after school to help our garden grow and learn about earth and plant science!