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Odle PTSA Email &
Newsletter Editor
Debbie Patel
odleptsa@hotmail.com
Odle PTSA Co-President
Krista Hammer
krista_hammer@yahoo.com
Odle PTSA Co-President
Dominique Vincenti
dominique.vincenti@nordstrom.com
Viking News Submissions
The Odle Viking News is distributed on the first and third Wednesday of every month. Submission requests are due on the first and third Monday, and may be sent to the newsletter editor. |
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Wednesday, November 30, 2011 Success = Odle's Only Option |
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Wednesday, Nov. 30: Internet Safety Parent Education Night, 6:30 pm, MUR
Thursday, Dec. 1: FOOM Monthly Meeting, 7:00 pm
Thursday, Dec. 1: Arena Conferences, 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Friday, Dec. 2: Prism Winter Potluck, 6:00 pm
Wednesday, Dec. 7: Winter Band Concert, 7:00 pm
Thursday, Dec. 8: Winter Choir Concert, 7:00 pm
Monday, Dec. 19 - Monday, Jan 2: No School, Winter Break |
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Guest Speaker Tonight! Please join us for lots of great information from a highly recommended expert from the Seattle Police Department
Internet Safety, Facebook, Cyber-bullying, Cell Phones, Texting & More!
Essential information for monitoring your children's online and social media activities
- how to respond to cyber-bulling effectively
- keep your child's social networking page safe & private
- the reality of posting and sexting
- rules to implement and ensure safety online
SPECIAL GUEST: STEFANIE THOMAS
Advocate with the SEATTLE POLICE DEPARTMENT
Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force
Location: Odle Middle School (MUR)
November 30, 6:30 pm
Hosted by Odle PTSA & Bellevue PTSA Council |
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Arena Conferences
Dear Odle Parent(s)/Guardian(s):
I am writing today to let you know about Fall Conferences. Your parent representatives met with staff representatives to come up with a conference plan. The details are below:
Date: Thursday, December 1st, 4 - 8 pm (one night only)
Format:
- For General Education and Special Education classes: This year, there will be both Arena Conferences in the Library and Portfolio Conferences in teacher classrooms. Students will bring home information for each of their teachers which will let you know if that teacher is doing Arena Conferences or Portfolio Conferences (the format is by teacher choice)
- For PRISM core classes: As in past years, there will be targeted conferences for PRISM LA/SS, Science and Math only. These targeted PRISM conferences are by invitation only.
New to Odle: All parents new to Odle this year are invited to trainings in the computer lab at 5, 6, and 7 pm in order to learn how to access Parent Internet Viewer (sessions are identical - parents choose the time that works best for them)
Upon Arrival: All parents will be given a sheet of paper with a general schedule of the night, an alphabetical listing of where teachers are, and a map of the school
Feedback: Before leaving, we will ask parents to fill out a short survey about conferences so we can better meet parent needs next year
1. A Spanish translator will be available during the conference to assist Spanish speaking parents.
2. For any other language, support can and will be arranged upon request. Please send your request to the Principal, Eric McDowell McDowellE@bsd405.org - who will ensure that adequate support will be available.
I want to encourage all parents to attend conferences this year and to give feedback upon leaving so we can continue to improve our service to parents. To avoid lines, etc., it is best to arrive early if possible. The biggest lines are right in the middle of the evening (between 5:00 and 7:00). If you can attend on either side of that window, you will most likely have the shortest wait.
I look forward to seeing you on Thursday, December 1st.
Eric McDowell, Principal
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Prism Winter Potluck
We hope you can join us for the Prism Winter Potluck in Odle's MUR on Friday, December 2, 2011, from 6 - 8 pm.
Prease bring enough for 8 - 10 people:
- Sides and salads - people with last names beginning with A - G
- Entrees - people with last names beginning with H - N
- Desserts - people with last names beginning with O - T
- Beverages - people with last names beginning with U - Z
- PPAC will provide paper products.
Please pass the word to other Prism families who may not be in the Prism contact list. |
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Give the Gift of Camp Orkila
A message for all Odle families from Principal Eric McDowell and Odle's 6th Grade Team
Did your student have an awesome time at Camp Orkila? Would you like to make that opportunity possible for this year's 6th grade class? Do you have plans to make charitable donations prior to the end of 2011? If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, please consider making a tax-deductible donation to Odle's Camp Orkila Fund. Donations are eligible for company matching, including Microsoft and The Boeing Company.
Planning for our annual 6th grade trip to Camp Orkila is well underway. More detailed information will be sent home soon to our 6th grade families, but we wanted to share this opportunity for giving with you now. Our trip to Camp Orkila is fully funded through individual payments and generous donations from Odle families, the PTSA, and ASB. The cost of camp has risen slightly this year, and we are looking to our wonderful Odle community for help. Your donations help make camp a possibility for all students and help cover camp fees for our fabulous high school volunteer counselors and Odle staff who go to camp. We are sending the largest 6th grade class ever this spring. This will require our sending additional high school counselors and Odle staff members.
Please help make this experience possible again this year. Families with students in any grade level are welcome to support the 6th grade camp experience. If you are interested in helping us reach our camp fundraising goal, please bring a check payable to Odle Middle School to the front office. We thank you in advance for your support of 6th Grade Camp!
Principal Eric McDowell and Odle's 6th Grade Team |
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Bus Routes During Snow Days
Dear Odle Parent(s)/Guardian(s):
Attached is a Snow Route PDF Document for all students who take buses to and from Odle. It outlines possible "Emergency" stops should we have ice and snow on the roads this winter. If your student rides the bus, you will want to have this handy "just in case."
Eric McDowell, Principal |
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Spanish Newsletter
Si a ud. le gustaria recibir una version en espanol de las novedades del Viking cad otro mes, por favor mande un email a odleptsa@hotmail.com con su nombre e, e mail, con lo siguiente " novedades del Vking en espanol por favor." Nosotros solo tenemos a 20 familias en nuestra lista y hemos enviado ya una version en espanol en el mes de Noviembre, este ano.
Gracias.
If you would like to receive a Spanish version of the Viking News by mail every other month, please email odleptsa@hotmail with your name and mailing address with the words "Spanish Viking News Please." We only have 20 families on our current mailing list and have sent one Spanish version (the November issue) so far this year.
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Book Fair at University of Washington Book Store in Bellevue
December 1st thru 4th
Please support Odle Middle School this holiday season by shopping at the U of W Bookstore in downtown Bellevue December 1 to 4. For every purchase (some exclusions apply) 25% will go to Odle Middle School. |
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Skate and Raise Money for Odle PTSA at the Same Time
If you plan to go ice skating at the temporary ice rink at the Bellevue Downtown Park please remember to tell rink staff when you pay the entrance fee ($10.00 which includes skate rental) that you are from Odle. They will give $3.00 of every admission to our school PTSA. This special promotion is valid November 25 - December 16, 2011 & January 3 - 8, 2012 (excluding Mondays).
Be sure and visit the concessions booth at the ice rink and support Sammamish High School! |
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Legistlative Corner
Two weeks ago the Bellevue School Board invited our legislators in to talk about the budget. There weren't a lot of people attending. The legislature is going to be cutting $2 billion (yes a B) from the already strapped budget. Projected costs are (I believe) about $600 million to education. This is after a $1 billion cut to education last year. Some proposals include cutting all funding for school transportation, raising class sizes (again), cutting out a week of school, and it goes on. That's not even counting the much more costly cuts to higher education.
Our legislators say they seldom hear from their constituents about education, and judging by the attendance at Tuesday's meeting I'm sure they're right (but they say if they have a bill dealing with pets, they'll have 400 people visit their offices, no exaggeration!).
It's very easy to contact your legislator. The easiest way is just to call 1.800.562.6000. This will connect you to an operator (not a machine!) who will take down your feedback and send it on to your legislator. A better way is to email them directly or, even better, write them a personal note. Email addresses and US addresses can be found on http://www.leg.wa.gov/LIC/Pages/hotline.aspx . Personal stories about how cuts impact you (problems with class sizes, teachers not being paid more for national board certification, etc.) are the most useful, but just repeating the mantra of protecting the investment in our kids. It costs a whole lot less to educate than incarcarate (I believe the state spends over $30,000/year/inmate and about $10,000 for our students!).
Also, be sure to tell them whether you want an all cuts budget, raising revenue or a balanced approach.
Catherine Smith
Legislative Representative |
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Odle Middle School Spring Fundraiser - Save the Date
Friday evening, March 23, 2012
Tam O'Shanter Country Club in Bellevue
An opportunity for Odle Parents, Teachers & Staff to have a fun evening together and raise some funds to benefit all kids in the Odle community.
Stay tuned for more details!
Any questions or would like to volunteer to help on our committee?
Please contact Julia Krill at jkrill@windermere.com.
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Dear Parents,
The Success Initiative Feedback Email is still available for you to give constructive feedback on the new success initiative. Suggestions for improvement as well as compliments will be collected and passed along to our principal and the faculty success teams so that they can make the program as effective as possible.
The feedback email account is designed for people who want their beedback to be anonymous. Names and email addresses will be removed by our webmaster or one of the PTSA presidents before the comment is forwarded to the principal. If you have a question and would like the principal to respond to you personally, go ahead and just email him directly. Thank you for comments we have received so far. They have been anonymously forwarded to the principal and vice principal.
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 ALL HANDS ON DECK! HELP KIDS BE SUCCESSFUL AT ODLE!
The faculty "Success Team" has requested some extra help from parents after school in the Work Completion Zone (MUR) and Homework Club (Library). This will mainly be light supervision with an occasional question.
To make it very easy to sign up, we have put a "SUCCESS CALENDAR" on the PTSA website: http://www.odlemiddleschool.org. Parents can simply click a spot and add or delete their name. Please consider signing up to help once a month after school at Odle from 2:33 - 4:10 (M, T, TH or F).
If everyone takes a spot, we will all have played a role in creating a supportive and effort-rewarding school atmosphere so that our students can thrive.
Parents who plan to volunteer regularly for success, please fill out a VIBES form which can be found in the attendance office. It is free and easy to fill out, and once you have done one, they are kept on file and do not have to be done again. The district requires these forms for regular volunteers and field trip chaperones, etc. |
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Thank You, Boom Box Donators
Thank you Wei and Stella Hua! Odle PTSA and the World Language teachers would like to thank Wei and Stella Hua for their donation of four boomboxes that will be used to play language CD's and language practice tapes for students. We really appreciate your generosity! |
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Bellevue School District News |
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Applications for Several District Committees Close November 30
Title IX Advisory Committee
Equity is an important value in the Bellevue School District and the District regularly engages in reviews to ensure we keep this value in sight. One area which needs review is the District's federal Title IX compliance. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 protects people from discrimination based on sex, in education programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance. The District is establishing a committee to serve in an advisory capacity as the District reviews its Title IX compliance efforts. Learn more and apply
English Language Learners (ELL) Advisory Committee
The ELL Advisory Committee will determine the service delivery models most suited for English Language Learners in the Bellevue School District for consideration of program implementation. This committee will sunset after a formal recommendation to the Director of Student Services and/or Superintendent's Cabinet but may be reconvened for input on additional ELL matters. Learn more about the ELL Committee and apply
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School Board Community Converstions
The Bellevue School Board wants to hear your voice. In an effort to create multiple ways for parents and community to connect and access their school board, members of the Bellevue School Board will be holding several forums. The goal is to provide an opportunity for parents, community and educators to interact with school board members directly about education in our schools. Two forums are scheduled, one for parents and the general community and one for educators. Board members will take questions and engage in conversation about issues and opportunities.
Community Forum
Monday, December 5 at Sammamiash High School Library 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm
Educator Forum
Monday, December 12 at Interlake High School Library 4:30 pm to 6:00 pm |
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Bellevue Schools Foundation News |
Announcing the Bellevue Schools Foundation (BSF) Enrichment & Innovation Grants Awarded to Odle Middle School:
At Odle we are grateful to have teachers who come up with and create wonderful grant proposals for programs and equipment that benefit all of our students. We are also very thankful to our Bellevue Schools Foundation for helping raise the standard of learning at all of our schools not only by providing grants but by supporting Odle in so many other ways. Part of Bellevue Schools Foundation's mission is to fund excellent programs that help our students learn. We are also grateful to the support Odle parents have given the PTSA as Odle PTSA partnered on funding two of the grants below with PTSA funds. On behalf of Odle PTSA, as Grants Co-Chairs, we would like to thank the Bellevue Schools Foundation (BSF) along with the following teachers for providing the following programs:
Mr. Brendan Williams, science teacher, was awarded $1,000 to purchase leveled science reading books for science classes. Mr. Williams coordinated with other Odle science teachers to incorporate both regular and PRISM classes to start science libraries in their classrooms. Mr. Williams also worked with science teachers from Highland Middle School so that a similar grant was written for Highland students. Leveled science books will mean that students will have a variety of books on science pertaining to the curriculum, at a student's own reading level. The books obtained with this grant are among the best available supplements for science teaching according to the National Science Teachers Association. Having books at so many reading levels will provide access to science curriculum to a broad number of students at their reading level thus increasing their understanding and retention of this material.
Mr. Barney Blough, orchestra teacher, was awarded a $500 to pay for a guest conductor at a multi-school honors orchestra. This orchestra will be chosen among all the middle schools, student musicians will work with this conductor after school to prepare for a special concert.
Ms. Amy Helm, language arts teacher, was awarded a $260 for the Odle Digital Myth Project for seventh grade students to write original myths and publish them using digital media. Myths will be available for online reading and possibly for purchase.
Ms. Patty Shelton, district social studies coordinator, was awarded a $1,200 for all middle schools to have the author of The Red Scarf Girl, Ji-Li Jiang, come to all the middle schools and present her book and her stories to the 7th grade students at Odle and other district middle schools.
Besides the Enrichment & Innovation Grants the Bellevue Schools Foundation has been very active in helping Odle students. Bellevue Schools Foundation supports Odle's Starting Strong Program, AVID, Nationally Board Certification for teachers, VIBES mentoring program, and professional development for regular classroom and PRISM teachers. Please consider donating to Bellevue Schools Foundation, Odle is a much better place because of the BSF and their efforts. You may also support the BSF by going through the the Bellevue Schools Foundation website to access Amazon.com for purchases.
Linda Deardorff and Phyllis Knoll
Co-Chairs Odle PTSA Grants Committee |
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Shop Amazon for Bellevue Schools!
Getting started with your holiday shopping? Click through the link on the Bellevue Schools Foundation website (or here) to enter Amazon.com and Amazon will donate 7% of your purchase at no cost to you! This is such an easy way to support Bellevue students. Please share with your friends and family as well. |
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Phonathon
Thank you for your support for BSF. The phonathon raised $51,000 so far (more than last year, but less than 2 years ago). Email and US mail letters are going out to those who've pledged and those we weren't able to contact or you can give at www.bsfdn.org (the big donate now button). Please continue to support this wonderful organization. |
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Community News and Events |
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Boys Lacrosse - Registration Now Open for Sammamish Lacrosse Club
- Lacrosse, the fastest growing team sport in the country, combines some of the best aspects of many other sports into one, while at the same time allowing for players of all sizes and skill sets the ability to contribute and compete.
- Lacrosse is a spring sport, with practices starting in February for kids in 5th grade and above, March for the younger kids.
- Sammamish Lacrosse Club serves boys from Kindergarten through High School that live within the attendance boundaries of Newport, Interlake, and Sammamish High Schools.
- For more information, or to register, please go to: www.SammamishLacrosse.com
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Only Two More Weeks to Sign Up to Board and Ski this Winter with the Bellevue Ski School
We are the only District-Approved snow Sports program for 2nd through 12th grade students.
Our program offers Saturday Board and Ski Lessons and Transportation to the Summit -
6 week session from January 7th through February 11th or
8 week session from January 7th (no ski school February 18th) through March 3rd.
Registration ends December 15th, so please sign up now on our website www.bellevueskischool.com for this Great Board and Ski Program.
Please join us and enjoy the SNOW, and BOARD & SKI with your friends!
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