Subject: Information from SPS: Free Thanksgiving Meals, Furlough Day, Winter Weather

_To All PTA Members - Information from Seattle Public Schools Free Thanksgiving Meal for Families on the Free and Reduced Lunch Program  
Local NBA stars Brandon Roy, Jamal Crawford, Will Conroy, Isaiah Thomas and Spencer Hawes team up with Councilmember Bruce Harrell and Mayor Mike McGinn to give away 2,000 Thanksgiving dinners to families on the free and reduced lunch program.
 
The "Thanks-Give-N-Go Turkey Give-Away" takes place on Tuesday, November 22 from 5-8 pm at the Rainier Community Center located at 4600 38th Avenue South, Seattle WA. All families who are on the free and reduced lunch program can receive a free Thanksgiving meal.
 
To sign up, go in person to one of Seattle Parks and Recreation's community centers listed below to reserve for a free Thanksgiving dinner by Monday, November 21st:
 
Rainier: 4600 38th Avenue South
Van Asselt: 2820 S Myrtle St  
Garfield: 2323 East Cherry St
Yesler: 917 E Yesler Way
Miller: 330 19th Ave E
South Park: 8319 8th Ave S
Delridge: 4501 Delridge Way SW
High Point: 6920 34th Ave SW
Jefferson: 3801 Beacon Ave S
Ballard: 6020 28th Ave NW
Bitter Lake: 13035 Linden Ave N
Furlough Day at Seattle Public Schools on January 24: Early Dismissal for Students  
School will be dismissed three hours early at all Seattle Public Schools on Tuesday, January 24 because teachers and other staff represented by the Seattle Education Association will be taking a half-day of furlough time.
 
This loss of instructional time is a result of a difficult budget situation at Seattle Public Schools. Both the District and the SEA, the teachers' union, agree that furlough days are the best way to minimize the impact to our students and prioritize classroom funding.
 
Students who receive bus transportation will receive rides home on January 24 three hours early, after lunch.
 
Please note: The January 24 date is not on the District wall calendar. We are notifying families now to ensure you have time to plan. Additional furlough days will be held when school is not in session and will not directly impact school days for students and families.
 
Winter Weather: How to Find Out if Your School is Delayed or Cancelled  
When we are expecting snow or inclement weather, a Seattle Public Schools central office team continually monitors conditions across the district.  That includes having staff drive some of the streets that are typically more treacherous in snow and ice. 
 
After consulting with other agencies, a decision is made about whether to delay school by two hours or if a closure is necessary. That decision is typically made by 5:30am.
 
You can learn if there is a school delay or closure through:
 
·         Local TV and radio stations
·         The District website at www.seattleschools.org
·         An automated phone call sent to you
·         The Public Schools Emergency Communications System at www.SchoolReport.org
 
Staff and families will receive one of the following four messages:
 
1. Seattle Public Schools: Schools open on time - buses operating on snow routes. No door-to-door service. No Preschool or Head Start. 
2. Seattle Public Schools: Two hours late - buses operating on snow routes. No door-to-door service. No Preschool or Head Start. 
3. Seattle Public Schools: Two hours late - buses operating on regular routes. No door-to-door service. No Preschool or Head Start. 
4. Seattle Public Schools: Schools closed.
Transportation: "Snow route" means that buses only run on roads that are maintained by the City that receive snow removal. Students who ride buses will receive notice of snow routes in the U.S. mail the week of November 21.
 
Please note: During winter weather conditions, safety is our top priority. Our buses may run up to an hour late in the afternoon during slick weather conditions. Please make sure students are dressed warmly.