Beagle Bugle
newsletter 12.15.14
 
In This Issue
Corporate Matching-ASAP
December Principal's Letter
Vision & Hearing Screening
Heritage Night
Events Update
Fundraising Chair
Community Event-Beauty & the Beast
Explorer School Info Night
IXL Math - November Winners
Extra Extra!
In Every Issue
IMPORTANT DATES
Link to District Calendar (Filter for Rockwell)

Dec. 19, Friday
Lost & Found items will be donated!

Mon, Dec. 22- Fri, Jan. 2 
Winter Break/No School
(Last Day, Friday 12/19 and 
Return Monday, Jan. 5)

Jan. 15, Thursday
Vision and Hearing Screening

Jan. 19, Monday
No School - Martin Luther King Jr Day

Jan. 22, Thursday
Rockwell's Heritage Night 6:30 pm

Jan. 27, 29, 30
Half Day/Conferences, 11:30 release

Jan. 29, Thursday
PTA General Membership Mtg, 7:00 pm
Rockwell Library, 
Guest Speaker: Mayor of Redmond
CORPORATE MATCHING & HOLIDAY SHOPPING

 

Submit Your Corporate Matching ASAP! We rely on you!
  • Rockwell's PTA programs such as field trips, enrichment programs, classroom grants, and much more rely heavily on our parents submitting their PTA donations (such as Pass the Hat) for corporate matching! Many area companies have a matching program (such as Microsoft an many others) so please don't delay and get your donation matched asap!  
  • Additionally, lots of companies will pay our school for your volunteer hours spent here. If you're unsure, please check with your H.R. department.
Holiday Shopping?
  •  Give a little back to Rockwell PTA by using our AmazonSmile link!  Bookmark it and use the link every time you shop.
  • Everything Party in Downtown Redmond donates a portion of your purchase back to Rockwell PTA. (Just tell them "ring this up for Norman Rockwell Elementary" at the beginning of the transaction.) They have a great selection of toys & crafts in addition to party supplies and seasonal items.
DECEMBER PRINCIPAL'S LETTER

Dear Rockwell Families,

 

It is such an exciting time of year around Rockwell! The students are (quite literally) vibrating with excitement about the upcoming break, and the celebrations and special time they will get to spend with family and loved ones. We are excited, too: excited to see the progress the students have made, excited to pause and prepare for the next leg of our journey together this spring, and excited to see all of the students return after break, rested, happy, and ready to learn.

 

Thank you to our amazing PTA for providing us with a delicious teacher birthday luncheon on December 11. The Fiesta Feast was fantastic! We are so fortunate to work with such a dedicated and helpful parent group.

 

Loom Bands Wanted: We have a team of students on our Anti-Bullying Committee who have been teaching others how to make loom band bracelets and other items out at recess. This is a very popular activity and we go through the materials very quickly. If you have unused loom bands at your home or would like to donate any to their cause, please send them in!

 

Boundary Adjustment: As many of you know, work on the district's boundary adjustment continues. The Lake Washington School District is working now on adjustments to school attendance boundaries, to go into effect next fall. If you missed the public input meeting for our area, the boundary input form for the Redmond Learning Community is open online through December 15. Information and maps for the different scenarios under consideration are posted on the district website. The link to the online input form is on the same page of the website. Please take a few minutes to review the information and provide feedback to the boundary committee by the deadline.

 

Winter Weather and Emergency Release: With winter comes unpredictable weather. We try to maintain as much open play space on the playground as we can while keeping the kids safe, so please plan for mud, rain, and/or snow. Also, please make sure that you have updated local emergency contacts on your child's emergency card. In the event of a school closure, we will not release children to anyone not listed on their emergency card. Additionally, if we initiate emergency release procedures because of weather or any other event, please bring photo ID - the person assisting you may not know you, and our student release team will be checking every ID.

 

Rwandan Orphans Project: In this season of giving, Jean Long, one of our dedicated parent volunteers, has stepped up and volunteered to chair our efforts to partner with and support the Rwandan Orphans Project in Kigali, Rwanda. Jean is planning a school-wide event this spring to engage our students and parents in making a difference for children taken in off of the streets of Rwanda. If you would like to learn how you can become involved, please contact Jean at [email protected].

 

Things to keep in mind as you prepare for this last week:

  • We have many, many lost and found items. Please come and look this week if your student is missing anything; all items still here at the end of the school day on Friday will be donated to charity.
  • Please report any trips to Kerry Bauman in the office at [email protected]. We must track all absences.
  • All LWSD schools will be closed for Winter Break December 22, 2014 through January 2, 2015. School reopens on January 5.
  • There is NO SCHOOL Monday, January 19, to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Thank you all for being our partners this year. We appreciate you every day. Enjoy your break and Happy New Year from all of us at Rockwell!

 

Kirsten McArdle

Principal

VISION AND HEARING SCREENING VOLUNTEERS

Parent volunteers are needed to assist with Rockwell's Vision and Hearing Screening Day on Thursday, January 15th.  No experience is necessary.  School nurses from the district will train parent volunteers in screening.  A school nurse will recheck any child with a questionable screening result.  The only requirements are your time, willingness, and being an approved volunteer with the district.  

 

We are in need of volunteers for a morning shift (8:15-11:15am) or an afternoon shift (11:45am-2:30pm), or come for the full day (8:15am-2:30pm) for double the fun!  

 
Please contact Jan Stemple with your questions or to volunteer.

Thank you,
Jan Stemple
VHS Chair
HERITAGE NIGHT IN JANUARY

Save the date! Heritage Night will be held January 22, 2015

 

We still need volunteers and families to sign up for individual booths. This event encourages both students and their parents to share their cultural cuisine, traditional dress and honored customs. Families bring food, share music, pictures and literature from their country. 


 

Please consider signing up to volunteer and participate in this event.  You can contact Ariane Newell to sign up. Don't delay as this event is coming up quickly!

 

Jennifer Myrick

VP Events

EVENTS UPDATE

Many thanks to Shweta Arora For volunteering to co-chair Disco Bingo Night 2/6/15 and also to Valdene Claux for co-chairing the All School Dance 3/20/15!   

 

It may seem along ways off, but before you know it will be time to party at the Ice Cream social.  We are still looking for someone to chair or co-chair this event..ice cream lovers encouraged to inquire! 

 

-Ice Cream Social - May 21st: Chair or Co-Chairs needed

 

Please email Rockwell PTA's VP of Events,  Jennifer Myrick if you can help.
FUNDRAISING CHAIRPERSON NEEDED

Are you great at finding deals and raising money? 

 

This position is perfect for someone who is good at finding creative ways to raise money for Rockwell's PTA. 

 

-Coordinate annual "Pass The Hat" fundraiser at Curriculum night in the fall 

 

-Stay up-to-date, find, and apply for: Local money saving programs (scrips programs at local stores such as PCC and Bartells etc), box tops, contests, local restaurant nights, apply for local or national PTA or corporate grants etc...

 

Please email our PTA president Cari Scotkin if you can help!

COMMUNITY EVENT: BEAUTY AND THE BEAST MUSICAL
"Be Our Guest" this holiday season at a fun, family-friendly musical...Disney's Beauty and The Beast, Jr

Youth Actors (mostly from area schools in LWSD) perform this classic tale live on stage. Many in the cast have Rockwell connections (a current student and a few alumni too)! 

Performances at Redmond High School's Performing Arts Ctr:
Dec. 18 & 19, 7pm (Thurs and Fri)
Dec. 20 & 21, 2pm, (Sat and Sun Matinees)

Tickets are $12, General Admission at the door. 

CHOICE SCHOOL INFO NIGHT: EXPLORER COMMUNITY SCHOOL

Lake Washington School District parents are invited to Explorer Community School's Enrollment Information Night - Thursday, January 8, 2015 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 in Redmond. 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 highly encouraged for all families who wish to enroll a child for the 2015/2016 school year. Following the presentation, you will have the opportunity to sign up for a school tour. We are unable to offer childcare; therefore this is an adult only evening. 


 

Details regarding Explorer enrollment can be found HEREor call (425) 936-2533.

IXL MATH - NOVEMBER PRIZE WINNERS
IXL Math Practice Continues

Prizes were distributed to the following students who have practiced IXL math and earned points. Keep up the great work. Parents thank you for helping to develop a culture of math here at Rockwell. Thanks to the Lake Washington Schools Foundation for IXL subscriptions for all students. Parents - please visit www.mathinaction.org to learn more about Math at Rockwell.

-Parent IXL Math Coordinators

Kindergarten - Lydia (D, E), Aiden J (C,D), Cooper C (A), Alexander F (A), Clara (B, C), Tharan (C,D), Atul (F), Oliver (B,C,D, E, F), Hyeon (B, C), Matteo (A), Anthony (C), Eleanor (A,B), Sonia (B, C), Ava (F), Anisha (E,F), Thomas (C, D, E), Riya (A), Alanna (A), Balazs (A), Trisha (B), Elain (C), Vishnu (A), August (A), Marcus (A), Cooper (B), Alexander (B), Clara (C), Ekansh (B), Kexin (A), Neev (B)

First Grade - Matthew S (C), Aditya V (A), Eva X (D), Anu A (C), Paval D (C), Haruka I (A), Selin I (B), Mihir M (B), Sarath S (E), Steven H (E, F), Trisha L (E, F), Ayushi S (A), Lachlan C (D, E), Prisha K (B), Sanj S (A), Romy Y (D), Vedant G (A), Dhruv I (C), Andrew L (A), Liya S (D), Yohan Y (A), Rebecca Z (D), Grace Z (C), Chloe D (B), Rotem R (B), Sawar S (A, B), Julien W (B)

Second Grade - Hiba A (A), Abhay C (A), Addison C (A), Selin G (A), Adam N (E), Logan A (B), Ren F (B), Aiden K (C), Tawan S (C), Braden D (ABC), Layla A (F)

Third Grade - Todd B (E), Stella C (A), Connor N (D, E), Sai H.P. (B), William S.(A), Shriya T.(B), Shaunak L. (C), Aditya B.(A,B, C), Leah Z.(B,C), Kelyan W. (A), Saanvi T. (A), Jackson S. (A), Uzair K. (B, C), Madilyn B. (A), Michael S. (A), Sofia L.(A), Brendan H (B), Beth Yue D. (A,B, C), Aiden C. (D, E), Chloe C (C), Aparna I (B), Jordan K (C), Chhavi A (B), Troy H (B), Ebru S (D,E), SriKrishna (A), Uzair K (C), Tooba M (B), Jaisal V (A), Emily W (A)

Fourth Grade - Alexandre C (A, B, C), Shripad G (C), Alexander C (C, D, E), Megan G (A), Manindra G (B, C), Chloe H (B), Eitan J (A), Bryson T (B), Sohil B (B), Ian C (C D), Kashvi P (B), Louise L (D, E), Katelyn Y (D), Nicolas A (A), Katie H (C), Kartik K (A), Emily L (A, B), Kirill U (B ), Fredo G (B ), Anjali M (C ), Arnav M (A ), Nicolas T (F), Amol V (D ), Ian C (E ), Aarav K (B ), Kashvi P (C ), Katie H (D ),
Eden K (A ), Nicole K (A ), Maleekah K (B ), Pranav S (A ), Tushar Z (B ),

Fifth Grade - Zayna A (D), Marc A (D), Ila B (C), Bryce J (D), Preston J (C), Jack P (C), Sriyukti T (C), Timothy V (C, D), Regen W (B), Qiaochu Z (D), Aidan G (D), Maya A (F), Rayna B (C), Caroline B (A), Yasaswini G (B)Jonathan K (C), Zachary M (B, C), Bradley S (B), Jonathan C (D), Yasmine E (C), Cassandra L (A), Bryant S (A), Xin S (C), Elliotte W (A), Lina A (A ), Aaryan J (A ), Lennard A (A ), 
Ali E (A ), Jack U (A ), Jacob W (A ), Elizabeth A (D ), Tanvi D (A ), Liam G (C ), Sebastian H (C ), Preston J (D ), Maya K (C ), Anna P (E ), Marie P (E ), Qiaochu Z (E ), Sayan B (B ), Caio D (C ), Lily D (A ), Madeline F (A ), Keisuke M (A ), Haven R (A ), Sawako T (C)
EXTRA, EXTRA!!   ITEMS OF INTEREST! 
-Thank You for the most wonderful fiesta Staff Birthday Luncheon! It was fabulous! It is such a treat when someone makes lunch for you and we were lucky enough to have leftovers the next day! 
From, the very grateful Rockwell Staff

-Choice Schools Info Sessions: Info Sessions for the various LWSD Choice schools begin Dec. 10 and run through January. See the Tandem Calendar for full list of dates, times, and locations of the meetings. Check Here for application process and more information. 
IN EVERY ISSUE

-Volunteer Application:   LWSD Volunteer application. It's easy to complete and is good for 2 years. Fill yours out or check your renewal status today!

 

-Rockwell PTA Facebook Page: Stay connected and updated on Rockwell PTA info, school & community events, important dates, and more on our Facebook Page.  

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The Beagle Bugle welcomes article submissions from students and parents.  Student journalists may submit articles about current events, students opinion-editorials and poems or short stories.  Parents may submit articles about PTA events and school related topics. 

Any article that is unrelated to PTA or Rockwell must be approved by the Lake Washington School District, and will be posted on the Community Bulletin Board.  The Lake Washington School District website has more information on the submission and approval process.

Short pieces will be edited for inclusion in the Bugle, longer pieces will be posted on the website with a link in the Bugle.  The Deadline for submissions for the next weekly Bugle is the preceding Thursday.  The Bugle Staff reserves the right to be selective regarding the materials that are publicized.

Contact the Bugle staff or submit articles at [email protected]
  
Sincerely,
Angie Ballas
Beagle Bugle Editor
Norman Rockwell Elementary PTA