Happy Holidays! While everyone is busy preparing for the upcoming holidays, Governor Gregoire has published her 2011-2013 balanced budget. Many state programs have been eliminated or cut all together. Listed below are the cuts that will directly affect K-12 programs.  

How do cuts affect K-12 students? 

ELIMINATED 
K-4 class size reduction. This was also cut from the current budget on Dec. 11 by the legislature. Payments to school districts will end in February. Schools must honor contracts through this year and will have to tap their reserves to pay extra staff. Going forward, this cut translates to about 1,500 fewer K-4 teachers in 2011-13. 


Funds for highly capable students 

SUSPENDED 
I-728, the student achievement fund. Often dubbed the “class-size reduction initiative,” I-728 funds could be used to reduce class size, or to provide extended learning opportunities, professional development for educators, pre-K support, or building improvements relating to class-size reductions. I- 728 was first reduced, then suspended entirely, in the current biennial budget. 


REDUCED 
Levy Equalization Assistance. LEA would be cut by 6.3 percent overall, but the governor’s plan would organize districts into tiers, and cut the least from the most property poor. Background on LEA:  School districts are allowed to ask voters to pay for enhancements to basic education –such as for extracurricular activities, more class offerings or additional instructional time. But because some districts have low property values or land is not taxable – local assistance can vary dramatically. To help balance it, the state provides LEA funds to make property tax rates in property poor districts closer to those in property rich districts. 
 
Navigation 101, by 6 percent. Navigation 101 is a life skills and planning program for students in grades 6 through 12. 


OTHER CUTS: 

SUSPENDED: I-732, cost of living raises for teachers; bonuses for national board certification; bonuses for working in challenging schools; step-schedule salary increases 


REDUCED: Funds for alternative routes to teaching; funding for the state superintendent’s office (OSPI) and the Professional Educator Standards Board (cuts of 10 percent, to each) 


PROGRAM REDUCTION: The proposal also would eliminate or reduce smaller programs, grants and allocations, including multi-year pilot programs and specialized programs that are not central to school operations. Eliminations would include Beginning Teacher Pilot Mentoring Program, Focused Assistance Program, Superintendent and Principal Internship Program, middle and high school applied math grants, Leadership Academy, career and technical education program start up grants, Readiness to Learn Program, and Washington Reading Corps. 


If you would like more information on the cuts to education go to http://www.wastatepta.org/advocacy/interim_session/2011_13_budget_highlights.pdf

Seattle Public Schools Accounting department supervisors are working diligently in tandem with the technology departments regarding credit card payment process/policy for Full Day Kindergarten program fees payments.  However at this time the credit card payment option is not available.
SPS will broadcast credit card payment information just as soon as we are able.
 

McClure will conduct the school visit tours on the following dates: 


 Thursday Jan. 13th, Thursday Jan. 27th, Thursday, March 17th (all from 9 am – 10:30 am).


There will also be an evening tour available on Thursday, March 24th from 6:30 – 8:30pm.


When thinking about middle school, please take the time to tour McClure…you will be surprised at all of the opportunities this great Queen Anne school has to offer!

Register NOW for Queen Anne Little League Baseball!  We are excited about the upcoming season and look forward to another fun year of baseball. All kids 5-18 are welcome.  To get things going click on the link below to register, or go to www.qall.org for more information

Join us this Wednesday, December 15th, for a holiday sing-a-long. We'll gather in the gym from about 2:45PM until the end of the day. We'd love to have you join us, especially if you love to sing

YOU CAN NOW MAKE YOUR DONATION TO THE QAE FUND DRIVE VIA CREDIT CARD ON OUR WEBSITE!
 OR MAKE YOUR PLEDGE TO THE QAE FUND DRIVE TODAY AND PAY IN 2011!
For your convenience, we are introducing a new PAYPAL FEATURE ON OUR WEBSITE.  Just click on the “donate to QAE PTSA online” button (AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST) and make your donation. 
Want to defer your payment to the QAE fund drive until the next tax year?  You can pledge today and pay later (either via check or via the new PayPal button on our website).  Please let us know today what you are planning to donate as it really helps with our planning.  
We are aiming for having the bulk of our fundraising done before March because that’s when we have to commit to the district for any additional headcount for teachers, aids, etc. for next fall.  Knowing what funds are coming in this year will help us start the 2011 school year in a strong position.  


Our goal is 100% participation from all QAE families, so please fill out the attached form and mail or drop it off in the office right away. 
Thanks for your generosity! 





Gifts to Queen Anne Elementary PTSA are tax deductible to the extent provided by law. 
Please mail or drop into the QAE PTSA box in the school office by December 17, 2010.

My/our gift to the Queen Anne Elementary 2010 Fund is: 
[   ] $5000:                 Would fund classroom tutor or interactive white boards and software 
[   ] $2000:                 Would fund leveled libraries for all readers K-5 
[   ] $1000:                 Would fund one laptop computer for shared laptop cart (10 needed, 30 preferred)
[   ] $575:                   Amount per student needed to reach our goal
[   ] $250:                   Would cover the cost of a bus for a field trip for 2 classrooms
[   ] Other amount    $________


[  ] Check enclosed payable to Queen Anne Elementary PTSA
[  ] My/our gift will be matched by ________________________________
[  ] Pledge payment, effective date _________________________________


_________________________________________________________________________
Namephone #
_________________________________________________________________________
Street Address
_________________________________________________________________________
CityStateZipemail address

Queen Anne Elementary Media Group/Book Club - This important event WILL STILL HAPPEN, but the date is TBA!

As a part of bringing our school community together and exploring different aspects of education, Queen Anne Elementary is going to have regular Media Group/Book Club get-togethers.  These events will also help us learn a common language and a set of considerations regarding what we want for our students and our school!

Logistics: 
Who:       All Queen Anne elementary parents, staff, and community members are invited  (adult event - no childcare provided)
When:     TBA
What:       Discuss education in the context of a book selection
How to prepare:       Read "Education Nation" by author Milton Chen and make notes of what you want to discuss from your reading
 

The QAE PTSA is pleased to offer an Art Club lead by Kids Create Art (http://www.kidscreate.org/).
The theme for the 2011 Winter Session is “A World of Art and Architecture.”
 
A World of Art and Architecture
Have you ever wondered what buildings are like all around the world?  Join professional artists Nadine Smith and Nicole Appell as we journey around the world to discover a wide variety of building styles.  Imagine you live in a village in Botswana.  What is your house like?  Perhaps you've landed in China and have found yourself in an ancient palace.  What is it like inside?  Or maybe you are overlooking la via from a balcony in Venice.  Let’s get creative with recycled materials and build a world of art and architecture! 
 
Monday afternoons from 3:40 to 4:45
Queen Anne/McDonald Elementary at Lincoln Room 103
January 24th through April 11th, 11 sessions, no President’s Day
Cost $130
Open to all grades, K-5
 
You are welcome to sign up before Winter Break.  Complete the registration form and return it to the school office with your payment.  Last day for registration is January 14th.
 
Any questions, please contact Kids Create or email QAE PTSA Enrichment Committee Chair, Alison Payauys (apayauys@gmail.com).
 

Do you know someone who has a child who will be entering Kindergarten next year or is considering transitioning their older child?  
 
To assist people in decision process, Queen Anne Elementary will be hosting two meet and greet events.  This is a great opportunity to talk with Principal David Elliott and meet the wonderful teachers to hear more about the philosophy and vision for the school.
 
The two events will be on Tuesday, December 14th and Wednesday, January 5th both from 8-9:30pm.
 
The events, sponsored by QAE PTSA, will held in a home of one of the parents on Queen Anne.  To keep the evenings intimate and causual, each night will have a limit of 40 parents to attend, so it is for NON ENROLLED parents.
 
If you know someone who would like to attend, please have them visit http://www.queenanneelementary.com/salon.html.  We will then follow up with confirmed attendees with the address of the event. 
 
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me directly.
 
Thanks
Anna Bertrand (mailto:annalbertrand@yahoo.com)
QAE Communications Co-Chair.
 

Are we meeting student need?
... And the next step: Using your voice 


Community conversations around School Reports moves to the Central region Tuesday, while voices from the education revolution speak Wednesday at Aki Kurose MS.
-
Your child. Your school. Is there anything we should be doing differently? Central region schools meet Tuesday, 7-8:30 p.m. at Washington Middle School, 2101 S. Jackson St., Seattle 98144.


Your region's executive director for schools and your local school principals will be in attendance. The evening will include an overview of your region's School Reports and breakout discussion sessions centered on improvement plans and next steps.


Meeting details (locations, region definitions, etc)
Look up your School Report (improvement plan is on page 2 of the report)
Tools for parents, community and schools


Last stop: West Seattle meets Thursday, Dec. 9, at West Seattle High School.


School Report community meetings are co-sponsored 
by the Seattle Council PTSA and Seattle Public Schools.
-
-
... Next step: Using your voice: Ben Austin of California's Parent Revolution and Trise Moore of the Federal Way School District will lead a conversation about how parents can get engaged to support their child's success in school and beyond. Pizza, child care provided.


Wednesday, Dec. 8 at 5:30 - 7 p.m., 
Aki Kurose Middle School - Auditorium, 3928 South Graham Street, Seattle. 
Register for this free event. 


The Education Revolution series is sponsored by the League of Education Voters


Trise Moore is a parent of two children and the Family & Community Partnership Director for Federal Way School District. She has built a team of parents and community leaders that helped the district gain Harvard Family Research Project's recognition as one of six exemplary family engagement programs in the nation.
Ben Austin has served as the executive director of the Parent Revolution since April 2008. Prior to launching the Parent Revolution campaign, he directed the successful campaign to transform Locke High School from the worst high school in Los Angeles into a college preparatory model of reform.

Thanks to the 22 families who have sent in their donations to the QAE fall fund drive!  Thanks to their generosity and quick response, we have raised $21,625 to date, 34% of our goal.  
We still have $41,000 to go to reach our fundraising goal for the year.  There are less than two weeks remaining before winter break, so please send your donation in today!!  Since we now have our own QAE 501-3c (tax ID) number , please make your check payable directly to QAE PTSA.  Remember that 100% of your donation is tax deductible and may be eligible for company matching.  

Check out David Elliott’s 5 minute video at the bottom of this message or go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R86wb2cPSpk for his insight into the importance of this fund drive. 

Lost your donation form?  There are extra copies available in the school office or print out this and return to QAE PTSA, 4400 Interlake Ave N, Seattle, WA 98103

My/our gift to the Queen Anne Elementary 2010 Fund is: 
[   ] $5000:                 Would fund classroom tutor or interactive white boards and software
[   ] $2000:                 Would fund leveled libraries for all readers K-5 
[   ] $1000:                 Would fund one laptop computer for shared laptop cart (10 needed, 30 preferred)
[   ] $575:                   Amount per student needed to reach our goal
[   ] $250:                   Would cover the cost of a bus for a field trip for 2 classrooms
[   ] Other amount    $________


[  ] Check enclosed payable to Queen Anne Elementary PTSA
[  ] My/our gift will be matched by ________________________________


_________________________________________________________________________
Namephone #
_________________________________________________________________________
Street Address
_________________________________________________________________________
CityStateZipemail address


                                                                                               Donate to QAE PTSA online!

Hi All,

Hi Everybody!  In an effort to help everyone stay better informed, you will now get a daily newsletter from us.  Whenever new information is available, a newsletter will go out.  Please check it, as it is full of fun, interesting and important information

Thanks to the 19 families who have sent in their donations to the QAE fall fund drive!  Thanks to their generosity and quick response, we have raised $21,225 to date, 33% of our goal.  


We still have $42,000 to go to reach our fundraising goal for the year.  There are two weeks remaining before winter break, so please send your donation in promptly!!  Since we now have our own QAE 501-3c (tax ID) number , please make your check payable directly to QAE PTSA.  Remember that 100% of your donation is tax deductible and may be eligible for company matching.  

Check out David Elliott’s 5 minute video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R86wb2cPSpk or click on David below, for his insight into the importance of this fund drive. 

Lost your donation form?  There are extra copies available in the school office or print out this and return to QAE PTSA, 4400 Interlake Ave N, Seattle, WA 98103


 My/our gift to the Queen Anne Elementary 2010 Fund is: 
[   ] $5000:                 Would fund classroom tutor or interactive white boards and software
[   ] $2000:                 Would fund leveled libraries for all readers K-5 
[   ] $1000:                 Would fund one laptop computer for shared laptop cart (10 needed, 30 preferred)
[   ] $575:                   Amount per student needed to reach our goal
[   ] $250:                   Would cover the cost of a bus for a field trip for 2 classrooms
[   ] Other amount    $________


[  ] Check enclosed payable to Queen Anne Elementary PTSA
[  ] My/our gift will be matched by ________________________________


_________________________________________________________________________
Namephone #
_________________________________________________________________________
Street Address
_________________________________________________________________________
CityStateZipemail address