Thursday, September 22nd, 6:30pm

Please come to the school Commons for the Primary Curriculum Night on Thursday at 6:30pm. You will have the opportunity to hear from Principal Barker and meet your child's teacher. This is the time you will hear about all the plans for this school year. There is no child care available, so please make arrangements so that you are able to come and participate in this informative and important evening.  

A great program has been brought to my attention this week by one of our fantastic parents! The Redmond Bike Helmet Program is a great way to outfit the entire family with an inexpensive way to keep the brain safe while getting exercise and fun on your bikes or other wheeled contraptions! Here is what this parent had to share with everyone!
"The Redmond Bike Helmet Program. It's great! We made an appointment and then went to the Public Safety Building by the library. The gal helping us was very knowledgeable and fit us all with new helmets for only $10 each. She also reviewed with the children how the helmets should be worn. As far as I know, this program is available for any Redmond resident."
RBHP Link: http://redmond.gov/cms/one.aspx?objectId=1236&contextId=169

I could also use some parent volunteers this week to assist me with the Bike Safe, Bike Smart Unit in Phys Ed. I am teaching this unit to all 3rd-6th grade classes and it has gone really well so far! Students are learning the rules of the road and how to bike to school safely. I need, however, to be more available to our beginning learners that have yet to learn to ride a bike. This takes much of my focus and time, so help is dearly needed! Please let me know directly at jshull@lwsd.org if you are available to help out during my Phys Ed classes this week!
Thanks!
Mr. Shull

Membership Forms Due Wednesday, September 28th 

In today's economy, the role of PTSA has changed. School districts faced with smaller budgets, fewer teachers and larger classrooms have been forced to make cuts. Today's PTSA plays more of a supportive role in the education of your children. 
Did you know that PTSA helps fund:
1. $300 for every teacher to buy supplies for their classroom?
2. Balls, jump ropes and other playground equipment?
3. Stipends so teachers (not parents) can lead our choirs, math club and ASB?
4. Art Smart - the primary means of art education in our schools?
Please consider joining PTSA, it makes a difference in your child's education. Send in your Membership Form today!

Membership contest is a tight race!  Current leaders are:
Explorer-  Mrs. Shaw
Kindergarten: Mrs. Yen
1st- Mrs. Davis (aka Ms. Darrow)
2nd- Mrs. Dahl (Mrs. Bennett is trailing by ONE membership!)
3rd-  Ms. Stone
4th- Mrs. Williams
5th-  Race is too tight to call!
6th- Mr. Jones
And leading the pack overall is Mrs. Williams.  Every class with 100% participation will receive an ice cream party!  Currently the school is at about 60% membership.

Wednesday, September 21st, 9:30-11am, Portable Room 8
If you have signed up to volunteer for Art Smart or you want to find out more, join us on Wednesday, September 21 at 9:30am in portable Room 8. Younger children are welcome, we'll have coloring materials on hand. Please email Christine (ccherkis@dickinsonptsa.org) or Joy (jsilver@dickinsonptsa.org) if you plan to attend or if you would like additional information regarding the Art Smart program.

Wednesdays 9/28-12/7, 2:10-3:10pm
Register online at www.chess4life.com
Emily Dickinson/Explorer Chess Club is a professionally-run, after-school enrichment program for kids interested in learning how to play chess or improving their game. The club is open to all grade and skill levels, both recreational and competitive. Beginners, as well as more advanced players, are encouraged to enroll. During chess club, students get formal instruction combined with various learning activities, along with structured play time. Although a specific curriculum is outlined, classes are tailored to the overall ability of the students.In addition to learning the basic rules of chess, classes typically include lessons on fundamental opening principles, middlegame tactics and strategy, as well as basic endgame technique. Coaches also work with students in other areas like visualization, preparing for tournament competition, board habits, and much more. Strong emphasis is placed on learning life skills, improving chess ability, and having fun!
Note: Parent participation is required for 1 or 2 classes each session depending on number of participants.  After registering online please email jmayo@dickinsonptsa.org with at least 2 dates that you would like to supervise. 
* There is an additional $5 fee for non-PTSA members.

Note: The dates in the paper copy that came home are incorrect. The paper copy says that Chess starts January 12th, but it actually starts September 28th.

Come Join the Band! Elementary Band is ready to start up!
Music is an integral part of a child's development, and Performance Music (Band, Choir, Orchestra) is the best way to learn Music! Your students have or will soon see a demonstration at their school.
Band meets Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 8-8:35am, at Evergreen Junior High.
First Day of Elementary Beginner Band: Monday Sept 19th
More information at: https://sites.google.com/site/ejhmusicdept/EvergreenElementaryBand
Hope to see you there!

It's that time of year again - time to enroll for choir at Dickinson/Explorer. Choir is a before school with occasional evening performances. There are two choirs at Dickinson/Explorer:
Primary Choir (grades 1 & 2, Kindergarten can join in January) Primary Choir meets on Tuesday mornings from 8:15 - 8:55 (Explorer students are released for the start of their school day)
Intermediate Choir (grades 3 - 6) Intermediate Choir meets on Wednesday mornings from 8:15 - 8:55 (Explorer students are released for the start of their school day)
Enrollment for both choirs *closes* Friday, September 30, 2011.
(Closing date is necessary to facilitate preparation for the first choir class - Please note, Students who do not enroll by Friday, September 30th will have to wait until the January term to enroll)
First day of Primary Choir - Tuesday, October 4, 2011
First day of Intermediate Choir - Wednesday, October 5, 2011

There is a $10 fee per child for each choir term. Please bring cash/check (made out to Dickinson PTSA) to the first choir rehearsal. To enroll your student, please email the following information to jkelleher@lwsd.org:

          Student Name

          Parent Name
          Teacher's Name
          Parent's email address

I am looking forward to another great year in choir.
John Kelleher 

Sign up now for Math Club! There are two different Math Clubs available, one for 3rd and 4th graders and the other for 5th and 6th graders. These competitive teams are open to math learners of all levels. Math Club is a wonderful opportunity to build math competency and have fun! Carol Woodard runs both clubs with enthusiasm and great skill. Math club challenges, entertains and is a great experience for all participants.

          3rd and 4th Grade Math Club Information and Contract
          5th and 6th Grade Math Club Information and Contract 

Percussion Ensemble will be auditioning for new members for our fifth season on Wednesday, October 12, 2011 from 11:00 - 11:30 am, in Room 137 (Mr. Kelleher's classroom). 

Percussion Ensemble is a *select* group of students from Fifth and Sixth Grade at Emily Dickinson/Explorer Elementary schools. Not all students who audition will be chosen. Current members do not have to re-audition, but if they will not be continuing they need to notify Mr. Kelleher of their decision by Wednesday, October 12, 2011, or they will lose their seat.
Due to some very positive changes in our recess and lunch schedule, Percussion Ensemble rehearses once a week from 11:00 -11:30 during our school day. Percussion Ensemble is a *year-long commitment*.  Dickinson students will have to miss their lunch recess every Wednesday afternoon to participate in Percussion Ensemble. Explorer students will be missing 30 minutes of class time to participate. *Important* Please discuss this commitment to the Percussion Ensemble, and keeping current with homework with your student before allowing them to audition.  
Percussion Ensemble plays at most assemblies here at Dickinson/Explorer, and is featured at two concerts - one in December and one in May/June.  I am always looking for other possible performance opportunities. Percussion Ensemble has a uniform we wear when we perform.  This polo shirt will be ordered once our Ensemble is chosen.  Cost in the past has been around $18.00 - there are scholarships available for those who qualify. Percussion Ensemble Permission Form.

October 1st, 9am

Dickinson/Explorer will be participating in the annual ALS walk in Seattle on October 1st as our big kick-off to a great year of community service! Please join the Dickinson/Explorer team at http://web.alsa.org/site/TR?fr_id=7407&pg=entry and come out to support this great cause.

We are also using the ALS walk on October 1st to celebrate the beginning of another great year of Sparrow Club at Dickinson/Explorer! This year, we will be sponsoring a 7-year-old child named Kaylie who has a brain cell tumor. Sparrow Club will be holding monthly community service projects to help our new Sparrow, Kaylie. For every hour of community service students do, a corporate sponsor will donate $10 to our Sparrow. Sparrow Club is a program where kids are helping other kids in their community. We are ecstatic to see how all the Dragons and Eagles will be helping our Sparrow Kaylie this year!

Sparrow Club is searching for corporate sponsorship for this incredible program.  Please contact Katie Stone (cstone@lwsd.org) if you know of any connections that could help our students support our Sparrow, Kaylie.

Six-week series begins Thursday, September 29th - November 3rd, 7-9pm: Sara Gardner, Series: Helping the Behaviorally Challenging Child, Series Fee $120, LWSD Resource Center Board Room, Register by Tuesday, September 27th. 

Details including Times and Locations on the LW PTSA Council Website.

• It's not too late to join Cub Scouts! If you missed our September joining night...don't fret! Boys in first through fifth grade can join Cub Scout Pack 546 at any time! Our next pack meeting is October 3rd, 6:30pm in the Dickinson Commons. If you have questions, email pack546@hotmail.com or call Holly White at 836-8727.
• Smart with Art/First Friday Workshops at BAM (Bellevue Art Museum). Parents: Drop off your kids for an exciting art workshop and you can enjoy some free time for yourself! First Friday of the Month (open to students age 5 & up), 5:30-7:30pm, Pizza Dinner provided. Visit the museum and create an integrated work of art in the studio! $30 per child (sibling discount available), fee covers dinner, tour, and art materials. Upcoming October 7th session will highlight the special exhibition, Michael Cooper: A Sculptural Odyssey 1968-2001. Here is your opportunity to get creative by building, painting, collaging and designing your own wooden car inspired by the work of artist Michael Cooper. Sign up for workshops at www.smartwithart.net.

Please remember to add messenger@dickinsonptsa.org to the safe senders list of your email provider.  For help, go to www.safesenderslist.com. 

- Dickinson PTSA