Dear QAE Community,
I’d like to thank all the parents and QAE staff who attended our mid-year QAE PTSA General Membership meeting. We welcomed over 120 parents, nearly 100% of our staff, and special guests from Seattle Public Schools and the City of Seattle as we addressed 2015-16 facilities issues and as the QAE Staff and students rolled out our One to World program. Facilities. As a school with growing enrollment we’re aware of the facilities constraints. In 2013-14, we converted our Tech Lab into a classroom and this school year the staff lounge was converted into a classroom. The last spaces available for classrooms are the portables where our Music Program, Learning Lab, and Onsite Childcare reside. We are actively working with the district to mitigate the current proposal, which would result in either the loss of over half our childcare seats or will displace Music, the Learning Lab, or both over the next two school years. The QAE PTSA has prepared a response to the district and is working with QAE staff to outline concerns and ready our parent community. Our top priority is to find solutions to preserve onsite childcare while also developing plans to support families should we lose onsite childcare. Technology at QAE and SPS. Two weeks ago, on Friday, January 23rd, Superintendent of Seattle Schools Dr. Larry Nyland, Chief Information Officer Carmen Rahm, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Learning Michael Tolley and Mr. Jim Lengel, author of Education 3.0 and technology consultant to SPS visited QAE to see our One to World program in action. I was able to observe their reactions to seeing teachers and students using digital tools: they were excited, delighted, and asked thoughtful questions. They were energized to see our teachers integrating tech tools into the classroom and to see how students were responding. The following day, Seattle Public Schools hosted their Teaching & Learning Technology Vision Summit. I attended this event with Ms. Meck, Ms. Smith, and Mr. Elliott. Fifteen different groups mapped out ideas about what integrating technology into learning should look like. As each group presented how they want to see technology working in the future, I was seeing examples of things our teachers are doing every day in their classrooms. It was incredibly exciting to see how far along our school is in this process. It was a pleasure to open the second half of our meeting to QAE staff so they could present One to World to families and outline the resources that will follow. As this program has rolled out, I've been able to see that we're not handing over devices to our children, we’re giving them opportunities to become journalists, musicians, researchers, scientists, writers—we're giving them powerful tools that support their learning, ability to collaborate, and to solve complex problems. I would like to thank the following distinguished guests for taking time to attend our meeting, learn more about technology integration at the elementary school level, and their willingness to support our students, teachers, and families in Seattle Public Schools.
I would also like to thank the following teachers and students who presented their work:
The QAE PTSA will continue to partner with QAE staff and communicate information about the One to World program and Facilities. In service, Amy Janas PTSA President Queen Anne Elementary Please contact Amy Janas at amyjanas@gmail.com if interested.
Current and Upcoming PTSA Volunteer Needs Co-Treasurer, OPEN Assistant Treasurer, OPEN Enrichment Committee Co-Chair - OPEN Source, evaluate and recommend alternatives for before/after school care and activities Manage registration, rosters, schedules Communicate new enrichment sessions to QAE families Communicate with other board members to promote new sessions, schedules. Enrichment Assistant Volunteers - OPEN Help student’s transition from their classroom to their enrichment program, verify absent students, and float between different enrichment classes. Registration discounts are available to Enrichment Assistant Volunteers. Volunteers are needed Monday – Friday, from 3:30pm to the end of the last class (typically 4:45pm) Facilities Committee Chair - OPEN Lead Facilities Committee and volunteers. Stay up-to-date on BEX IV issues Serve as a liaison between QAE and SPS for facilities project Help QAE staff with site improvement requests Communication with other board members to find volunteers and promote events Legislative Co-Chair - OPEN Lead advocacy efforts to further State and National PTA goals Communicate and support advocacy efforts with Local Unit membership Membership Co-Chair - OPEN Maintain member information and submit to State PTA as required Facilitate and grow PTSA membership The first General PTSA Meeting of the school year will be next week, Wednesday, October 29, 7pm - 9pm in the school cafeteria.
QAE PTSA will review the plans for the year, talk about what is funded, goals for the year and hear from special speakers about education issues up for vote on Tuesday Nov. 4th. Childcare will be available in the library for a nominal $5 suggested donation. Hope to see you there, QAE PTSA Dear Queen Anne Elementary Families,
Welcome to our wonderful school and community! We are so happy that you have chosen to enroll your child at Queen Anne Elementary. It’s hard to believe that just three years ago we opened our doors with just 112 students; this year we are projected to open our doors with 280 kids! We couldn’t have grown so fast or so successfully without our amazingly dedicated group of teachers, staff, parents and students. We can honestly say that everyone involved with Queen Anne Elementary is 100% committed to providing a positive and enriching experience for your entire family. But there’s still much work to be done, and we’d like you to join in the fun! Please consider becoming a member of our PTSA and volunteering your time. It’s a terrific way to stay connected with the school and your child’s education. Join our PTSA! The Queen Anne Elementary PTSA is part of the larger district and national PTA organization. The primary role of our PTSA is to advocate for all children at Queen Anne Elementary and across our state. A major part of that advocacy includes working hard to support the staff, helping to build a strong school community, and raising funds toward meeting those goals. Your membership will help you stay informed, give you a voice in your child’s education, and connect your family to the QAE community and the larger state and national PTA. Be a Volunteer! There is unlimited opportunity for YOU to participate in the Queen Anne Elementary PTSA to help our school be the best it can be. We are so fortunate to have parents with many backgrounds, talents, and ideas. If you have an idea that could benefit our school, please let us know and if possible, volunteer to bring your idea to life. Volunteer opportunities can be ongoing, monthly, or even one-time events. Offering your support through time, talent, and other means is a great way to help the school and your child - and a chance to meet other parents and QAE community members. There are several Board Positions open – including Co-Treasurer and Legislative/Advocacy Co-chair– and many other opportunities to get involved. How to Join: Annual membership in the Queen Anne Elementary PTSA is $15 for an individual or $25 for a family membership (two adults in the same household). A membership signup form and other information can be found here. You will also receive this letter and the membership signup form in your child's orange folder, which will be sent home with your child on the first day of school. Last year we had about 90% of Queen Anne Elementary families as members of our PTSA. This year our goal is 100% participation (please note, if you were a member last year, you will need to join again). We will be sure to keep you informed of upcoming events and activities as they arise and look forward to meeting and working with each of you and your families in the coming school year. Sincerely, Your Queen Anne Elementary School PTSA Executive Committee John Ruljancich, Co-President Lee Wierdsma, Co- President Brook Wessel, Co-Treasurer Shelly Dillon, Secretary The Queen Anne Elementary PTSA is looking for volunteers for jobs and committees. If you want to get more involved in the PTSA and one of these positions interests you, please send us an email:
1) Budget/Finance Committee members. The Budget/Finance Committee helps to create the budget, monitor the PTSA's financial health, and ensures funds are spent appropriately. We are looking for parents who have experience in accounting, finance or budgeting and who would be willing to lend their expertise to this important committee. The time commitment would be 4-6 hours of time in budget preparation over the course of the next two months, plus another 4-6 hours over the rest of the academic year, and then 2 hours of an audit. If interested, please contact Yazmin Mehdi, the Treasurer, at yazminmehdi@hotmail.com. 2) Enrichment Committee member. Alison Payauys, the Enrichment Committee Chair is looking for parents interested in helping her find clubs and childcare for after and before school enrichment. If you are interested in this, please contact her at apayauys@gmail.com 3) Website Team members. Do you have a background in web development or design? We need your help redesigning our website, and thinking about web requirements for a technology school. Contact Liz McKay at lizge@hotmail.com. 4) For all other volunteering opportunities please contact QAE Volunteer Coordinator Scott Houghton at escotthoughton@gmail.com Thanks to everyone who attended the Queen Anne Elementary PTSA Charter Meeting on August 10 (there were over 70 of us!). It was a wild success: our officers have been elected, many board positions filled, and a large number joining the PTSA as members - congratulations! Meeting minutes will be posted to the PTSA section of the website later this week.
Stay tuned for more from our newly formed PTSA. Elected: President: Karrie Sanderson Vice-President: Jill Gallagher Secretary: Kate Bagley Treasurer: Yazmin Mehdi Appointed: Technology Committee Chair: Suzi LeVine Enrichment Committee Chair: Allison Payauys Facilities Committee Chair: Steve Tatge Parent Volunteer Coordinator: Scott Houghton Website Committee Chair: Liz McKay Special thanks to the PTSA Steering Committee for all their help in making this happen. If you still have not indicated your attendance, please do so by registering here.
The purpose of the meeting is to vote to formally organize as a PTSA and sign up charter members. This meeting is sponsored by the PTSA Steering Committee. Principal Elliott and Ms. Katie Cryan Leary will be attending. Meeting Location: basement meeting room of the Queen Anne Branch of the Seattle Public Library (400 W Garfield). Enter from 4th Ave W at street level, or through the main entrance and down the stairs. 6:30 – 7:00pm arrivals and socializing 7:00 – 7:55pm meeting 8:00 pm at ENZA Restaurant for more socializing Please bring your checkbooks to this meeting! Checks are the preferred method of payment for dues ($15 for individual, $25 for 2 adults in household). We cannot accept credit cards, unfortunately, but can take cash, if necessary. Please make checks payable to SCPTSA with QAE PTSA in the memo field. Childcare: Two babysitters have been employed to entertain and supervise children at the library from 6:30pm to 8:00pm. Children must be aged four and older. No children in diapers, please. It would be helpful if children could wear their bright green Queen Anne Elementary t-shirts. Please note that neither the steering committee nor the PTSA can assume liability for childcare offered during this meeting. Updated information regarding PTSA positions and nominees The Queen Anne Elementary PTSA will be chartered – with your help – on Tuesday, August 10th. The official meeting will begin at 7pm and end by 8pm, but join us at 6:30 to socialize. The location will be announced once we have a final count of attendees. Please RSVP here if you haven't already. We need at least 25 individuals to become members and pay dues to charter our group. Childcare will be available.
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Queen Anne Elementary will be forming its first Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) and we need you!
Mark your calendars for Tuesday, August 10 at 7 pm for the charter meeting (location TBD). All enrolled families and interested community members are invited to become charter members of the Queen Anne Elementary PTSA at this meeting. A minimum of 25 individuals must be present and sign up for membership. Meeting details on location, childcare and nominees will be forthcoming. Please let us know that you will be attending by registering here at your earliest convenience. At the charter meeting, we will be voting to officially organize as a PTSA, electing executive officers, approving standing rules, and collecting membership dues ($15 per individual, $25 for 2 adults in household). If you have an interest in a leadership role, please contact qaedesignteam@hotmail.com prior to July 27. Please include a bio, your area of interest, and relevant experience. Nominees will be presented for President, Vice-President, Treasurer and Secretary at the charter meeting. Design team members will be serving as the nominating committee. Terms for elected officers are one year, with a preference for two consecutive terms. Visit the PTSA section on our website to learn more about various positions and commitments. Check back at the PTSA section on our website as it is updated with standing rules, officer nominees and committees. |
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January 2024
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SCHEDULE2023-24 On-Site Schedule
7:55am - School Day Begins 2:25pm - Dismissal Wednesday Early Release 1:10pm - Dismissal |