M0NSTER B S H - Creekside PTSA

PTSA Board Members:
Happy Thanksgiving
President:
Creekside PTSA Newsletter – Volume 4, Issue 3, November 2013
Creekside Elementary * 20777 SE 16th Street * Sammamish, WA 98075
Kavitha Kumar
[email protected]
Executive VP:
M0NSTER
B SH
Jackie Firth
[email protected]
and
Linda Arnold
[email protected]
Treasurer:
Amy Lowrance
[email protected]
A Frightfully Fun Time
Secretary:
Michele McCoy
[email protected]
We hope your family had a spooktacular time at the Monster
Bash Dance Party last Friday. It was fun to see the elaborate
costumes by the kids, the excitement of going through the
haunted house and the terrific dance moves by the kiddos on
the dance floor. The activity tables and the games were fun
for one and all. The kids had a great time at the Scavenger
hunt. The treats available there satisfied the little goblins
hunger needs. Thank you to all the chairs and the
volunteers of all the Monster Bash Dance Party for putting in
so much effort in planning and putting together this
wonderful event for all of us to enjoy! Kudos to you all for a
job well done !
Co-VPs Fundraising:
Lisa Bourdeau
[email protected]
and
Kim Meade
[email protected]
Co-VPs Volunteers:
Christine Chafin
[email protected]
and
Marquelle Morgan
[email protected]
Co-Chair of
Communications:
Theresa Nguyen
A Message From Your Creekside PTSA
Yummy Treats !
Cute Monsters
Scavenger Hunt with
Ms. Rhodes
[email protected]
Bucket Filler
and
Ghada Madkour
[email protected]
Halloween Decor
Awesome Games
Webmaster:
Jackie Firth
[email protected]
Community Liaison:
Christine Watson
[email protected]
Check out Creekside PTSA’s
website for the latest PTSA
news and events. Like us on
Facebook!
PTSA Hotline:
(425) 837-5260
NEW
Monthly Facts About Your Creekside
PTSA
Why You Need To Be Involved
Fact #2
It’s Important For The School
Schools are becoming more and more dependent on
parent groups. The parent groups are responsible for
almost all of the school’s fundraising revenues. They
provide support to teachers and administrators, and
they create a caring and supportive atmosphere in the
school.
Contents
PTSA Monster Bash
1
Monster Bash Event HIghlights
2
Clubs @ Creekside
3
Save The Date
4&5
Cookies & Cocoa with Santa
6
Cultural Fair 2014
7
ISF
8 &9
Gift A Book Birthday Club
10
Things to Order
11
Volunteer Appreciation Raffle
12
M0NSTER B
SH
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
Creative Costumes
Follow the signs to the Dance Party
Face Painting for Everyone all night long !
So many Spooky crafts to choose from.
See You All At
Monster Bash 2014
Dancing The Night Away
Geography Club
Highlights
Our 1st Geography Club
comes to an end in November.
Thanks to Meenakshi Sudip and
Sudip Roy for bringing the
concept to the school and
conducting the club.
We did not come remotely close to our goal,
with only 25% of families participating !
The kids brought so much energy to this
fundraiser and loved it. They pretty much
could have run it themselves and learned so
much from doing it.
So we are calling it a success and will
possibly try it next year during back to
school.
We hope to make about $1000 from it for the
5th grade camp ! We are still $6,000 away
from our Camp Goal !! Watch out for news
about a new possible 5th grade fundraiser !
Believe, Dream, Inspire
We are delighted to inform that we received some amazing pieces from
students for the Reflections Program on October 28th, 2013.
This year’s theme was “Believe, Dream, Inspire” – entries are currently
on display by the hallway on the 2nd Floor (above the Library). It will be
on display until Nov 13, 2013. We encourage everyone to come and see
the artistic talents of some of the Otters !
Upcoming Events
After an outstanding spelling bee last year, Creekside PTSA
IT’S BACK !
is happy to announce that
Open to all students Grades 1-5.
Must register by Friday, November 8th. Details on rules,
dates and link to online registration can be found at
http://creeksideptsa.ourschoolpages.com/Page/Pta/Spell
ing%20Bee
**November 8th : Registration deadline for
Spelling bee.**
November 13th: Initial spelling bee round (Written test)
November 20th: Final spelling bee
Note to parents: Before you can register your child you
will need to create an account on the PTSA website. To
create an account, please go to
https://creeksideptsa.ourschoolpages.com/Packet/Join
November 5
General PTSA Meeting @ 9:30am
November 8
Spelling Bee Registration Deadline
November 7 & 21
Bank Day (Save At School)
November 12 -15
Fall Scholastic Book Fair
November 13
Initial Spelling Bee Round
November 15
Math Club Registration Deadline
November 20
Final Spelling Bee Round
December 2 -13
Eager Math
December 6
Cookies & Cocoa with Santa
January 10
Eager Reader Begins
Fall Scholastic Book Fair
The Fall Scholastic Book Fair is almost here!
Please join us
November 12-14 and
grab some great titles for the family, your
child's classroom, or even get a jump on your
holiday shopping. Convenient hours before and
after school.
Tues (Nov 12) 8:30 - 9:30am and 3:30 - 5:30pm
Wed (Nov 13) 8:30 - 9:30am and 5:30 - 7:30pm
Thurs (Nov 14) 8:30 - 9:30am and 3:30 - 5:30pm
Can't make it in person? No worries - shop our
online fair and the books will ship to your
child's classroom for free. Even better, the
online fair runs November 3 - 23, so you have
more time to shop. Visit our homepage at
http://bookfairs.scholastic.com/homepage/cree
ksideelementary2 for more details.
IMPORTANT!
Last Year 2012 Spelling Bee Trophies
When you send your kids
to school with money to buy their own books,
please remind them that sales tax will be
added to their purchase total, so they might
need to bring a little extra cash.
Want to volunteer for this fun event? Contact
Laura Shelby at [email protected] or Sally
Dudy at [email protected].
Math Club
Welcome to a new school year! We are currently soliciting 5th grade students to form teams for the “Creekside
Math Club” . The “Creekside Math Club” will help prepare kids for the “Online Math Olympiad” and other Math
competitions like the WA state Math Olympiad. If your child is interested in joining the team, or if you can help
out volunteering or interested in coaching the students or have any questions, please contact Supreeth Ranganna at
[email protected]. Registration
closes Nov 15th 2013.
We started out strong last year with our 5th grade team winning a gold and lots of team prizes at the WA state Math
Olympiad. Let’s keep the tradition going..
Below are the details of the math club.
1.
This club is run by parent volunteers and have funding from PTSA to cover the registration for the Math
competitions encouraged by the club.
2.
We plan to meet once a week on Friday evenings for the class. We need coaches to make this a successful
endeavor for our kids!
3.
We have our Creekside already registered for the online Math Olympiad. The details of the program can be
found at: www.moems.org
a.
The highlights for students are the five monthly contests, given from November to March. No
traveling is required. These contests provide an incentive for students to intensify their study of
math.
b. Creekside has offered to give space for the math tests that are conducted once a month.
Timings TBD.
4.
Apart from the online math competition, we encourage our kids to compete in the Washington State Math
competition held in May - http://www.wsmc.net/olympiad/
5.
Also, these coaching classes will gear up the kids to other competitions like Math Is Cool & Blaine team
events (if interested!). We can look into these later.
Much Anticipated Eager Math & Eager Reader
Online Tally
Are Almost Here !!
Eager Math
Creekside PTSA is proud to sponsor Eager
Math again this year! The goal of the program
is to encourage students to improve on their
math fundamentals in an enjoyable way. The
program will run for 2 weeks starting
December 2nd through December 13th.
Eager Reader
Eager Reader, an 8 week program designed to
improve reading skills and to develop a love of
reading, will begin on January 10th, 2014 and
end on March 7th, 2014. Book prizes will be
awarded on March 10th, 2014.
NEW THIS YEAR !!! An online tally for both programs. Stay tuned for further
information!
We encourage all students to participate Eager Math and Eager Reader. We have
great prizes throughout the course of both programs. Any questions or if you would
like to volunteer, please contact:
Adrian Bradley [email protected]
Min-Hua Burton [email protected]
Santa
Is Coming …..
To Creekside Elementary
December 6th
Meet Santa
Free Hot Cocoa & Cookies
Music
Arts & Crafts
HELP WANTED
We are looking for someone to chair this fun event, please
contact Christine Chafin at [email protected] or
Marquelle Morgan at [email protected] if
you are interested.
Coming In February
Friday February 7th 5:00pm – 7:00pm
REPRESENT YOUR COUNTRY OR STATE !!
4th
Creekside’s
4thAnnual Festival of
Countries From Around The World
&
States In The USA
Your Opportunity to Share Everything You Love
About Your Country OR State
Food – Dance - Arts – Music – Culture – Traditions – History - Crafts
Represent your Country or State in the Cultural Fair or HELP with event planning .
Please contact Ghada Madkour at [email protected]
November 2013
With Gratitude
November is the time to reflect and give thanks. With such a wonderful
community, our blessings are bountiful and our ‘thank you’s’ plentiful.



 Parents -- For your continued support of our students. When a need is expressed,
you respond with the resources to fill it.
 PTSA – Our valued partner with whom we share ideas and talents. A special shout
out to our PTSA/ISF reps who share the Foundation message with their school community.
 Volunteers – Did you know the community contributed over 35,000 volunteer
hours to the Foundation last year? Our sincere appreciation to all who sealed, stamped, entered data, manned a
booth, mentored, served on a committee or lent a hand in any way.
Sponsors – It really does take a village to support our children. We applaud the businesses large and small, who
give generously of their funding and expertise to elevate education for our students. Please view our sponsor list
and remember to shop local when you can.
The District – For sheltering us (visit us at our portable at ISF anytime), collaborating with us and allowing us to help
fulfill their vision.
Your Children –They’re our inspiration and we’re grateful for the opportunity to serve them.
Thank you everyone. You are the Foundation!
Your Ideas Wanted
Online applications for Academic Enrichment Grants go live on Monday, November 4. Teachers, staff and parents may
apply for projects that reflect creativity and innovation in education and/or support school needs not currently covered by
building or district budgets. Grants are awarded in two categories: Classroom Enrichment for projects that cost less than
$1,000 and Kateri Brow Big Idea/Biggest Need for projects in the $1,000 - $10,000 range. Grants are presented ‘blind’—
school and teacher names excluded—to the review committee and are judged on innovation, merit and need.
If you have a great idea, talk to your teacher and/or principal and plan to attend our Grant Workshop on Tuesday,
November 5 at the District Administration Building. Who knows, the Balloon Brigade may stop by your child’s classroom
next March. For more information please contact Michelle Weldon, [email protected].
Donor Dollars at Work
We had to share the letter below from Susan Mundell, Principal at Apollo Elementary. It’s a testament to the
power of your donation.
“What a huge support you are to Apollo! I truly appreciate your work to help our students succeed. I’d like to say
thank you for funding Apollo’s Blast Off to Summer Reading program for the past two years. This funding has
allowed us to provide books for our students to read over the summer. As a result, the achievement gap between
our low-income students and our general population has decreased. I’m very proud that our students are not
sliding back in their skills over the summer but are continuing to get better at reading. Your funding has helped us
achieve this goal!”
Youth Explosion
Congratulations to the newest members of the Issaquah Schools Foundation
Board – our five high school Trustees. Our new Trustees –all seniors-- will
represent the student voice, help determine policies and procedures raise
awareness of the Foundation at their schools and serve as an alumni
connection after graduation. We’re excited to welcome them onboard.
Pictured Left to right, Eric Hall, Issaquah High School, Jasmine Vu, Issaquah High
School, Madeline Houlihan, Liberty High School, Helen Wang, Skyline High School. Not
pictured, Guari Sharma, Skyline.
Call for College Bound Mentors
Over 300 Issaquah students are eligible for the State’s College Bound Scholarship for low income students.
We’re seeking adults to serve as mentors, advisors and friends to students admitted to the program. College
Bound Mentors make a four year commitment to follow their mentee through high school. The time
commitment is significant, but the payoff is priceless. For more information please contact Susan Gierke, VOICE
Mentor Co-Director, 425-837-6801.
Seeking Success Stories
If your child has an inspiring story about their experience with a Foundation funded program, let us know. His or her photo
and story could be featured in our upcoming Annual Report. Contact Lynn Juniel, [email protected]
for more information.
Creekside
Gift – A – Book
The following students have recently had their birthdays recognized with
book donations to the Creekside Library. Thank you very much for your
wonderful contributions !
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
August – September - October
First Name
Last Name
Alexia
A
Ashley
Z
Ava Grace
P
Avery
A
Becca
R
Cassie
F
Colby
S
Emma
Q
Eric
Z
Frida Maria
S
Gavin
F
Helen
D
Jeffrey
D
Katherine
X
Kiley
P
Nikita
K
Paige
C
Satyasai
K
Sebastian
H
Sicheng
Y
Sophia
R
Taryn
C
Gift-A-Book is a great way to help our librarian add new books to the Creekside Library, as well as honor
Violet
your student. You can honor
your student for any occasion – N
birthdays are great ways to do so.
To obtain a donation form or for more information, please contact Theresa Nguyen at
[email protected] or Meagan Rhodes at [email protected].
Brown Bear Car Wash
After a busy summer of road trips and camping we know your
car is probably in need of a little TLC! Get your Brown Bear Car
Wash Tickets and help Creekside PTSA at the same time!
STOCK UP NOW!
1 for $6
5 for $25
10 for $40
To purchase these tickets, please contact Lisa Bourdeau
at [email protected] or Kim Meade at
[email protected].
Creekside PTSA – New Website!
Check it out!
Our Webmaster has worked tirelessly to give our
PTSA a new, fresh look! Check out our new website
at:
http://creeksideptsa.ourschoolpages.com/Home
Passive Fundraising for
Creekside PTSA
Creekside PTSA is participating in the
following passive fundraisers.
Please read below to find out how you can
support Creekside.
eScrip & Safeway
is a
proven, passive fundraiser that contributes a
percentage of your grocery loyalty cards from
participating business partners, credit card and
debit/ATM card purchases to our PTSA.
Getting signed up is easy! If you would like to
sign up or get more information, please click
here or contact Theresa Nguyen at
[email protected] for more information.
You’ll be able to find information about all our
programs, PTSA meeting minutes, financial reports
and other helpful information.
For the upcoming General PTSA meeting, you can
see copies of financial reports by going to our
Creekside PTSA website, under “Important
Information” then “Finances” or by clicking here.
Appreciate
The volunteers
Please help us appreciate and honor the Volunteers here at Creekside.
Put in the name(s) of any volunteers that you appreciate for their service to
the school and kids. We will draw names the 2nd Wednesday of every month
and honor them.
Everyone is welcome to recommend names.
Thank you,
Creekside PTSA
October Volunteer of the
Month
Ghada Madkour
Ghada has a kindergartener and 5th grader
at Creekside. She has been involved in
various school and PTSA activities since
Creekside opened. This year, Ghada
serves as the Co-Chair of Communications,
Co-Chair for the Halloween Monster Bash,
Chair for the Annual Cultural Fair and helps
with many other PTSA events and
volunteers in the classrooms. Please join us
in thanking Ghada for her dedication and
service!