BLUE is on Safety Patrol this week.  Safety Patrol Schedule

It is hard to believe this week brings us to the end of nearly two months of school.... time has been flying by! This week I am offering an opportunity to come to school and meet with me to discuss a variety of topics. I will be updating parents on the many adjustments we have made to systems in the school, and will be available to discuss your questions in a community forum. I will be available to the community this Thursday from 7:00-8:00 in the library, and look forward to meeting with you!

Karen Barker
Principal, Dickinson Learning Community
Lake Washington School District

Thursday, November 3rd, 6pm 

On Thursday, Nov 3rd, Evergreen Junior High Principal Jan Olson and Assistant Principal Anne Balicki will hold an overview of the current status of the Middle School Transition for Dickinson and Explorer parents from 6-7pm (immediately before Principal Barker's "Principal Chat") in the Dickinson Library. They will discuss the approach the schools are taking to this transition and will go over the planned schedule for roll-out, as well as what has been defined already and what is still to be determined. Please join us for this informational meeting if possible.
You can also find information about the transition on Evergreen's web site at:   http://www.lwsd.org/school/ejh/Pages/MiddleSchoolConfiguration.aspx 

Thursday, November 3rd, 7pm 
Immediately following the Middle School Transition Information Meeting, Principal Barker will be available for a Principal Chat. This will be a chance to discuss topics in a community forum.

Child care will be provided by the PTSA for school age children during the Middle School Tranisition meeting and the Principal Chat. We will have 5th grade Girl Scouts, supervised by an adult PTSA member, in Mr. Kelleher's room. There will be a G-rated movie showing. Please RSVP to Laura Cannistra (lcannistra@dickinsonptsa.org) to reserve your spot.

2011-2012 PTA Reflections Program

Reflections Contest Entries are due tomorrow!
All Dickinson/Explorer students are invited and encouraged to use their creative talents to demonstrate their interpretation of what "Diversity Means..." for this year's Reflections Program. The Reflections Program is a National PTA and Washington State PTA cultural arts competition. The purpose of this program is to provide an opportunity for students to use their creative talents by expressing themselves through their own original works. Students may submit an entry of their original work in any of the following six arts areas; Literature, Music Composition, Photography, Visual Arts, Film/Video, and Choreography/Dance.
The official deadline is Tuesday, November 1st! Entries can be turned in to the office anytime up to the official deadline. Entries must be accompanied by an entry form. See the bulletin board in the Dickinson lobby for information and entry forms. For detailed information, official entry forms and rules please visit the National PTSA Web site at: http://www.wastatepta.org/programs/reflections/program_details.html
For questions, contact Christine Cherkis (ccherkis@dickinsonptsa.org) or Holly White (hwhite@dickinsonptsa.org). 

Friday, November 4th  

This year is a great year to collect and turn in box tops and labels. Classrooms will compete for a special treat each collection period and be able to see how they match up to other classes via a sign in the cafeteria. Then we will earn points towards cool stuff for the whole school.
Our first collection day will be Friday, November 4th so send in any box tops and labels and have the kids put them in the box in the classroom. For more information, see the PTSA website. For questions, please contact Kristin Raffensperger (kraffensperger@dickinsonptsa.org).

If you picked up one of the Donor's Choose gift cards at Starbucks and are trying to decide what to do with it, check out this link: ttp://www.donorschoose.org/donors/search.html?state=WA&community=2977:1&school=44428

The following teachers have projects submitted (or are soon to be submitted):
     Leanne LaFrambroise
     Heather Frazier
     Gwen Moore
     Karen Roll
     Maureen Scofield

Thank you for your support for these important projects!

November ASB Meetings:
· Student Store Committee: Oct. 31st 8:15-8:45 Ms. Elmer room 112
· Community Service Committee: Nov. 1st 8:15-8:45 Ms. Stone's room 126
· Spirit/Dance Committee: Nov. 2nd 8:15-8:45 Ms. Scofield P-4
· 5th/6th Grade Leadership Meetings :. 2nd 11:30-12:00 Ms. Elmer room: 112
· Student Council Meeting: All Leaders and Representatives: Nov. 3rd 8:15-8:45 in Library

Spirit Days:
November 8th: Seahawk Day/Green and Blue Day
November 10th: Red, White and Blue Day

• St John Vianney-Finn Hill Holiday Tree Sale: Help support local high school students earn their way to Tijuana to build homes. Ninth annual youth group tree sale, 11/25 - 12/21. St. John Vianney Church (12600 84th Ave NE Kirkland 98034), M-F 5-8pm. Sat 8-9pm. Sun 8-5pm. Questions or special orders: Ken Goodwin 425.823.6840, goodwin.hp@gmail.com.

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