The Dickinson Community
Messenger January 2, 2012 |
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GREEN is on Safety Patrol this week. Safety Patrol Schedule |
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Principal Post
Dear Dickinson/Explorer Families,
This year I have been especially thankful for all of the generous gifts of time, ideas, support and resources that our school community brings to our students. Six months ago I came to lead your schools, and I have learned what a wonderful community we have to support all of the students of Dickinson and Explorer. It is the work of staff, parents and students together that makes for a strong and vibrant school community. Many of you are aware of the tireless work that our school counsellor Deb Wilson puts into our school community. Deb teaches social skills to our students in classrooms, coordinates family services, arranges for students that are in need to receive food and supplies.... to name only a small portion of what she does for our schools.
This holiday season Deb arranged for a non-profit group to donate hundreds of new holiday toys, and on a few weeks notice and help of amazing volunteers set up a 'Holiday Lane' for families from Dickinson/Explorer and Dickinson Preschool to be able to select a gift for their child that they might not otherwise be able to provide. It was a truly beautiful scene to see what the team pulled together, and in that moment I was reminded of how very grateful I am to have Deb Wilson at our schools.
One way that you can continue to support students and families in need at Dickinson/Explorer is to donate snacks for Deb to distribute to students that are hungry during the day at school. Many students come to school without the nutrition that they need to adequately focus and learn. Teachers often take on the responsibility of purchasing snacks for students in need, but Deb can help alleviate that burden by providing them with snacks for those children. Throwing an extra box of crackers or granola bars into your cart at the grocery store or Costco is an easy way to support her work. Any donations can be delivered straight to the main office at any time.
I hope that you all had a restful and restorative break, and are looking forward to a wonderful New Year!
Karen Barker
Principal, Dickinson Learning Community |
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Science Celebration is Waiting for a Volunteer We have the 'How To' book, we have the space, we have the kids looking forward to the event. What we are missing is you. The person who can take the book, make the calls and put it all together. This event can only happen with the dedication of our volunteers. Please email Margo Mallicoat (mmallicoat@dickinsonptsa.org) or Heidi Schimke (hschimke@dickinsonptsa.org) by Friday, January 6th if you have the love for the event, or the time to make it happen. |
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Open House to Meet LWSD Superintendent Candidate January 10th, 6:30pm
The Lake Washington School District (LWSD) and City of Redmond will host an opportunity for the public to meet and talk with Dr. Traci Pierce, the LWSD Board of Director's preferred candidate for its next District Superintendent. The community is invited to this informal open house on Tuesday, January 10 from 6:30 to 7:30 pm in the Bytes Café, first floor, Redmond City Hall, 15670 NE 85th Street. Dr. Pierce will say a few words to those gathered at 6:45 pm. Light refreshments will be served. The LWSD School Board conducted an internal search for its new Superintendent in October and November and announced Dr. Traci Pierce as their preferred candidate at the December 5 board meeting. Dr. Pierce will replace Dr. Chip Kimball, who is leaving to take a school superintendent position in Singapore. The board decided to look for a qualified internal candidate because continuity and a smooth transition will be necessary due to the many major district initiatives culminating next year.
Dr. Pierce is currently the deputy superintendent of instructional services for LWSD and has not yet been hired as Superintendent. The series of gatherings throughout the district to meet Dr. Pierce will introduce her to the community while asking for public input to the school board.
For more information on the open house, contact Talley Hudson at 425-556-2101 or thudson@redmond.gov. To learn more about the potential superintendent or the search process, contact Kathryn Reith at 425-936-1342 or kreith@lwsd.org. |
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Explorer Enrollment Information Night
Thursday, January 12th, 6:30pm
Lake Washington School District parents are invited to Explorer Community School's Enrollment Information Night - Thursday, January 12, 2012 at 6:30pm at the Emily Dickinson school commons - 7040 208th Ave. NE Redmond, WA.
Explorer is a Lake Washington School District choice elementary school located on the Emily Dickinson campus. One of three choice elementary school programs in the Lake Washington School District, Explorer offers a small elementary school environment staffed by three certified teachers in multi-aged classrooms grades one through five. Explorer's curriculum promotes academic excellence, strong self esteem, a love of learning and a belief in the importance of community. Parent volunteers are vital to the school's success in meeting these goals and a high level of parental involvement is required.
Attendance at this evening information night is a requirement for all families who wish to enroll a child for the 2012/2013 school year. Additionally, attendance is required to maintain a child's spot on the waitlist. Failure to attend will result in your child's name being removed from the waitlist. We are unable to offer childcare; therefore this is an adult only evening. Details regarding Explorer enrollment can be found at http://www.lwsd.org/school/explorer/About-Us/Pages/Explorer-Enrollment.aspx or call (425) 936-2533. |
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Dickinson/Explorer Career Fair February 23rd On February 23rd from 9am to 11:30am Dickinson/Explorer will be hosting a Career Fair. We are recruiting guest speakers from a variety of careers. The speakers will speak to several classes and will only talk for about fifteen minutes per class. We are looking for community members represented in the trades, aeronautics, medicine, and the arts. We would love the speakers to be represented by both genders and various ages. The speakers can tell of their career journey (i.e. what schools they attended, other jobs they have had and the importance of life-long learning).
Please contact Deb Wilson, School Counselor, or Kari Boyd, School Counseling Intern, if you are interested in participating, (425) 936-2530 or dewilson@lwsd.org. |
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Chess Club
Sign ups for the winter session of chess club are now available online at www.chess4life.com (look under the link for school classes, Emily Dickinson). Any student in grades K-6 interested in learning the rules of chess or increasing his/her knowledge of the game is welcome. Instructor is Andrew Dawson and the tuition is $130 per child for the Winter quarter 2012, with a 10% sibling discount. Questions please contact Chess4Life Center in Bellevue, 425-283-0549, kids@chess4lift.com, or register online at www.chess4life.com. Details:
Wednesdays 2:00-3:00 (Jan 11 - March 14), Portable 4
Parents are required to volunteer to assist with supervision at least once per session. After signing up, please email 2-3 preferred volunteer dates to jmayo@dickinsonptsa.org. |
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Middle School Transition News
Over the past several months, Evergreen Junior High has coordinated PTSA workgroup meetings consisting of both junior high and elementary representatives to focus on the middle school transition. Dickinson's representative on this work group is Andrea Stoppani, and Explorer's representative is Alisoune Lee. The Junior High staff has also attended PTSA meetings at each of the feeder elementary schools and has met with the Front Office staff from each elementary school to find out what processes are similar and what will be new for the incoming families. In January, registration for middle school will kick off. For parents, an important step is to review the school choices to determine the best fit for your child. LWSD has a rich offering of middle school alternatives that are described here: The Choice schools hold their mandatory information meetings in January.
The following Evergreen transition activities will take place in January: January 23rd - Middle school registration will be kicked off at Dickinson by a visit from the Evergreen middle school counselors. Counselors Barbara Gregory and Dawn Riley will meet with the 5th and then 6th grade classes and present information about elective classes. January 24th - A Coffee Chat for Dickinson parents will be held from 10 to 11 am. Jan Olson, principal, and Anne Balicki, assistant principal, will host an informational meeting in the Evergreen Junior High library. Middle School information will be presented, and there will be time for questions. Two Parents' Nights will be held in January as well. These are for parents and guardians only. Meetings will begin in the EJH Fieldhouse. Parking is available at EJH and the Dickinson Elementary campus. Carpooling is encouraged. The dates of these meetings are as follows: January 24th 6:45 pm for parents of 5th graders January 31st 6:45 pm for parents of 6th graders On each evening prior to the general meeting, parents of Special Education students are invited to an informational meeting with Evergreen Special Education staff. The meeting will start at 6pm in room 124. |
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Save those Books (and Games and Movies...) Has the spring cleaning bug got you early? Clearing out space for those incoming Christmas gifts? Don't give them away yet! The 2nd Annual Used Book Fair is scheduled for March 12-15, 2012. We need your books (children's and "grown-ups"), games and movies (G, PG only please). Please be sure to put them aside in a box or two, and clearly mark them 'For the Used Book Fair.' We'll get back to you in February to let you know where and when to bring them in. Sorry, we don't have the space to store them in the interim. And thanks for thinking of us! Any questions? Contact Susan Seabrooks at sseabrooks@dickinsonptsa.org. |
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Community Fliers, Events, and Information
Remember to check the Community Bulletin Board for sports registrations, community events, lectures, and other important information.
- Girl Scout Troop #43797 wanted to take a moment to express their excitement and appreciation for the very successful winter coat drive held in December at Emily Dickinson Elementary. We helped many kids at our school. Thank you for your generosity and kindness for those in need. We really wanted to thank our secret shopper who went far beyond the call of duty with many brand new jackets for children at Emily Dickinson.
- Parent Effectiveness Training (P.E.T.), based on "Parent Effectiveness Training" by Dr. Thomas Gordon. Classes Thursdays Jan 12th - Mar 8th, 7-9pm, Fee: $100, couples $150. Taught by Doug Love (www.douginkirkland.com). To register call 425-556-2314.
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For Your Calendars
January
2 No School-Winter Break
3 Environmental and Adventure School Information Night, 7pm
5 International Community School Information Night, 7pm
5 Renaissance School of Art and Reasoning Information Night, 7pm
10 LWSD Superintendent Open House, 6:30pm
10 International Community School Information Night, 7pm
12 Explorer Enrollment Information Night, 6:30pm
16 No School - Martin Luther King Jr. Day
17 Northstar Junior High Information Night, 6:30pm
18 Stella Schola Family Information Night, 7pm
20 Big Theater Performance, 7pm
21 Big Theater Performance, 2:30 & 7pm
23 Career Fair
24 Evergreen Junior High Coffee Chat, 10am
24 PTSA Special Needs Meeting, 7pm
24 EJH Parents' Night (5th grade parents), 6:45pm
31 Half-Day - Conferences
31 EJH Parents' Night (6th grade parents), 6:45pm
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 - Dickinson PTSAon our website. |
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| TAKE NOTE | |
School Phone Numbers
Office: 425-936-2530
Safe Arrival: 425-936-2531
the Lake Washington School District Parent E-Newsletter. |
| SUPPORT YOUR SCHOOL WHILE YOU SHOP | |
We are part of the Amazon School Rewards Associates Program. When (and ONLY when) you use THIS link, 6% of qualifying purchases will be donated to Dickinson PTSA.
Mention Dickinson PTSA before you begin your checkout at Everything Party and 10% of the purchase price is donated to our PTSA.
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