Odle Viking News: Oct 5 2008

A note from Jerry Schaefer, Odle MS Principal:

Mr. Blough, Odle's new orchestra teacher, was injured in a boating accident on Lake Washington on September 27th. Mr. Blough was admitted to Harborview Hospital in Seattle with a fractured pelvis and broken leg. He is currently recovering from successful pelvis surgery at his parent's home. Mr. Blough will be out 4-6 weeks undergoing rehabilitation. We are hopeful for a speedy recovery. Mr. Blough is anxiously anticipating his return to working with his orchestra students.

It is with great sadness that I inform you that this boating accident tragically took the life of Heather DeHart, orchestra director at Tyee Middle School. Situations of this magnitude are challenging to comprehend and the healing process often requires the support and involvement of the entire Bellevue School District.

A fund has been established at Bellevue Schools Foundation in memory of Ms. DeHart's love of kids and music. Rememberances can be made to the:

Heather DeHart Fund, Bellevue School Foundation Music Endowment

Checks payable to Bellevue Schools Foundation and mailed to

12111 NE First Street #320, Bellevue, WA. 98005

or donate online at www.bsfdn.org

A student scholarship fund will also be established at the Music Department of Central Washington University in Ms. DeHart's name.

Flu Immunization Clinic offered at Odle - Monday, Oct. 13th

Odle students and their family members (parents, siblings who are 6 months and older) are welcome to stop by the Flu Immunization Clinic on Monday, Oct. 13th from 2:30 - 4:00 p.m. in the Odle library. Students and siblings must be accompanied by a parent. The company that is administering the clinic will bill your insurance for the following carriers: Medicare A - B, Secure Horizons, Aetna, Premera, Regence, Pacific Care. If you do not have one of these insurers, you can still pay a small fee for the immunization. Questions? Contact Odle School nurse, Sonja Reid at reids@bsd405.org

Washington State Healthy Youth Survey - Oct. 13th - 17th

Odle Middle School is participating in the Healthy Youth Survey during the week of Oct 13 - 17. This survey is a statewide survey which asks questions that are related to students' increased risk of injury, poor health outcomes, and alcohol and drug use. Survey results are used by schools, communities and the state and local health departments to plan programs to support ur youth and reduce their risks.

The survey will be taken by students in grades 6 and 8 and it is voluntary and anonymous. Additional information about the survey and directions on how to opt-out of the surveycan be found at www.hyw.wa.gov

Navigating Through Middle School: Sixth Grade Parent Night
Thursday, October 16, 2008
6:30 - 7:30 PM
Odle Middle School, MUR

Learn tips to help your 6th grader have a successful start to middle school:
� Communicating with teachers and school staff
� Helping your child with homework and using the planner
� Opportunities for your child to get extra help: tutorial and homework club
� Providing social connections for your child through extracurricular activities
� Using Parent Internet Viewer and teacher's web pages
� Attendance policies

IMPORTANT! Drop-Off and Pick-Up: Please help alleviate traffic jams!

In order that all parents are able to drop off and pick up their Odle student in a timely and safe manner, and to ensure that Odle traffic DOES NOT back up into 8th St. and the light, the following is being asked of all drivers/cars during the AM/PM drop off and pick up times.

ALWAYS form 2 lines when pulling into the parking lot in front of the school
DO NOT leave your car unattended in these 2 drop off/pick up lanes.
ALWAYS pull your car up as far as you can in these 2 lines: making sure to move forward as the car in front of you moves forward
ALWAYS watch for children as they move to meet their ride
ALWAYS keep a continual flow of movement in these two lines - DO NOT stop to wait for your child unless you see them and they see you as well
PLEASE do not block the crosswalks or the access road to the back parking lot of the Bellevue Aquatic Center

All student pick-up after 2:45 PM, should be done so on the SOUTH side of the building for student safety. Pick-up times on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays are 2:33 PM (after school), 3:07 PM (after tutorial), and 4:10 PM (after activities). On Wednesdays, pick-up is at 1:23 PM. Please make sure you are on time to pick your child up. If your child is waiting longer than 15 minutes for a ride, for safety, your child maybe escorted to Club Bellevue, a supervised activity.

We GREATLY appreciate your partnership in this effort to eliminate traffic issues at Odle. Thank you in advance for your cooperation and aid.