Beagle 
Bugle

PTA Newsletter 09.07.15
  
Website: 
In This Issue
PTA Website Update
Pass The Hat Fundraiser
PTA Membership Benefits
Safety Patrol Needs 5th Graders
Back To School BBQ
Photographers Needed
Kinder-First Grade Highly Capable Program
Room Parents Information
Art Docents Information
IXL Online Math
Ellipsis Math Classes
Art For Kids Classes
Spirit Wear Orders
PTA/Sounders Soccer Night
Advertise in Student Directory
Orchestra Info
PeachJar E-Flyers
From the Bugle Editor
Quick Links
IMPORTANT DATES
(Filtered for Rockwell)

Sept. 7th, Monday
No School - Labor Day

Sept. 10th, Thursday
 "Curriculum Night"
Curriculum Night for Parents to meet the teachers in the classroom, learn about the upcoming school year, and sign up for classroom volunteer opportunities. 
-Grades 3, 4, 5 from 6pm - 6:45pm
-Grades K, 1, 2 from 7pm - 7:45 pm

Sept. 18th, Friday
Back to School BBQ - Family Event
5:00 pm - 7:30 pm

Sept. 22nd, Tuesday
Room Parent Orientation/Training
7:00 pm in the Library

Sept. 28th, Monday
Art Docent Orientation/Traning
7pm - 8:30pm in the Library
PTA WEBSITE - UPDATE YOUR ACCOUNT TODAY
**If you haven't done your online First Day PTA Packet yet, please do so ASAP...especially if you want your student listed in the directory. After you register for the Rockwell PTA website, you will be able to order your yearbook, T-shirts, join the PTA, donate to Pass The Hat Fundraiser, and more...all in one place!

For those who already have accounts: Now that you have your teacher assigned, please log in and update your account with the new grade and teacher info for your child(ren). "My Account" is found below the paw print icon on the left side of the home page. www.normanrockwellpta.org

While you're in your account, verify that your email/address/cell phones are still up-to-date...especially if you originally signed up last year!  This will help us in creating the directory with the info YOU entered. 
PASS THE HAT & CORPORATE MATCHING
Thank you for donating to this years Pass the Hat program via Online Back to Business/Dog Days. Pass the Hat* replaces the "traditional" means of collecting funds for the PTA. We do not fundraise by selling wrapping paper, cookie dough or magazine subscriptions like other schools. Instead, we encourage a one-time donation to cover the many programs the PTA sponsors throughout the year. The funds you donate to Rockwell are crucial to the academic enrichment of our student population. 

Did you know that you can potentially double your donation to Rockwell PTA at no additional cost to you?  Yes, it's true!

Norman Rockwell PTA is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization.
Therefore, we would like to remind you that several corporate employers in the area have a Matching Gift program. Contact your Human Resources Department, research your corporate websites and submit your donation to your employer to be MATCHED today!  

We will have a Pass the Hat collection again on Curriculum Night (Thursday September 10th). 

*Here is a link if you would like additional information on Pass the Hat. You may donate online at anytime!

Thank you,
Pass the Hat Co-VP's
PTA MEMBERSHIP - JOIN TODAY
Our goal is to always have 100% membership! Don't forget to join PTA - you can join on our website here.

Did you know that your PTA Membership offers money-saving benefits? Check here to find out how your PTA membership can provide savings not only in our state (Wild Waves, FedEx OFfice, Great Wolf Lodge), but also lots of savings on the national level as well! Additionally you can find out why join a PTA and where the membership dues go. 

If you have already signed up, you will be receiving your PTA membership cards soon.

Rockwell Membership Chair
NEEDED: 5TH GRADERS FOR SAFETY PATROL
Attention 5th Graders! Are you interested in joining Safety Patrol?

I'm looking for students that would like to join Safety Patrol. You would help to provide a safer environment for all students at Norman Rockwell.

We could use more help in the morning. Patrollers need to arrive to school by 8:05 each morning, so you wouldn't be able to participate if you have to ride the bus, unless of course, your parents can give you a ride to school.  If you participate in band or orchestra, that's not a problem, as I can set up a substitute for you the two mornings you would be gone for those activities.

If you'd like to join the awesome Safety Patrol Squads or would like more information, please contact Mrs. Mobley - Thank you!
BACK TO SCHOOL BBQ - ROCKWELL PTA FUN FAMILY EVENT
FRI, Sept. 18th from 5pm-7:30pm

Please join us for our annual, all school, welcome back barbecue! This is a great opportunity to meet your student's new classmates and families. Menu options will include Hamburger, Gardenburger or Hot Dog, Sliced Cheese, Variety of Salads, Variety of Fruit, Potato Chips & Cookie. Cost is $5 and tickets will be sold at the event only (no pre-sales).

Can you help for half an hour?  Short volunteer shifts listed here on our website. 

Welcome Back BBQ Chair
YEARBOOK PHOTOGRAPHERS NEEDED FOR BBQ
We have a lot of ground to cover and cute faces to capture this year. If you will be attending the Welcome Back BBQ and love to take
photographs, send us an email. We need three photographers for the Back to School BBQ, on Friday, September 18st - for the blacktop, play structures and soccer field. We look forward to seeing all of the great moments you capture!

Interested in helping out on the yearbook staff this year? The
software is easy to learn, the yearbook staff is fun and the kids are
cute! You can work on the yearbook from home at any time convenient for you. Send an email if you have questions or would love to join the team.

If you have photos from the first week of school, please upload them
directly to the secure LifeTouch website. Register and use our NEW school access code: PHEBEV.

Thanks,
Minerva Butler
Gaby Olson
Maya Shani
Yearbook Co-Chairs
KINDERGARTEN - 1ST GRADE HIGHLY CAPABLE PROGRAM 
The Kindergarten - 1st Grade Highly Capable (K-1HC) program provides the most highly capable kindergarten and 1st grade students the opportunity to engage in rigorous and challenging curriculum in their neighborhood schools. The program is designed to address the needs of students who have been identified as having exceptional cognitive and academic ability. During the first half of the 2015-16 school year, highly capable kindergarten students will be identified. Services will begin in February 2016.
 
To learn more, attend the parent information night for parents of kindergarten students. Two sessions will be offered on September 17 at Redmond High School Performing Arts Center, 17272 NE 104th St., Redmond. Identical sessions will take place from 4:30-6:00 p.m. and 7:00-8:30 p.m. 
 
For more information, go to the Kindergarten-1st Grade Highly Capable Program web page. 
ROOM PARENTS NEEDED AND ORIENTATION MEETING

-Do you like to go to parties? YES
-Do you like to eat at parties? YES
-Do you like to play games at parties? YES
-Do you like to plan parties? NO, well then get a friend (or 2, 3 or 4+ the more the merrier) because it's always fun to do with friends!!!  Someone can be the PARTY PLANNER, you can be the CPA, another the DIR. OF COMMUNICATIONS, and a PERSONAL PHOTOGRAPHER is always great to have on staff!!

Our kids would love for you to come be their Room Parent!  Come play games with them, have fun with them, watch them with their school friends, and eat yummy treats.  Our teachers depend AND really enjoy your help also!!!
  
We understand there is a time commitment. If this is a concern or issue, work with your team and split the parties. (Take the lead for one party that you can attend, and be in a supporting role at the other parties.) Other parents may also be in your same situation and would love to co-share as a Room Parent, BUT can't commit to the whole year. Talk to your teacher, or other parents, or contact me.  
 
You may sign up as a Room Parent at Curriculum Night (this Thursday evening, September 10th) in your child's classroom or go to the PTA website volunteering page.

ROOM PARENT ORIENTATION MEETING:
-Tuesday, September 22nd at 7:00pm
-Rockwell Library
-Please plan to attend as we discuss and share what we have to look forward to this year! (Both new and "seasoned" room parents are encouraged to attend to share ideas.)
 
Renee Lawson
Room Parent Chair
ART DOCENTS NEEDED AND ORIENTATION MEETING

More Art Docents Needed!

There are already over 30 Art Docents signed up, but more are still needed. Some classrooms still don't have one.

It's a once-a-month lesson, and you coordinate with the teacher regarding the date/time--so it's a flexible and fun volunteer opportunity for both stay-at-home and working parents alike.  It takes about an hour to do the class, plus some set-up and clean-up.  When you see how much the kids get out of it, you will see why it's one of Rockwell's most enduring and popular programs.

You don't need to be an Art expert whatsoever--the curriculum is already set out for you.  You don't need to be a Picasso--very little, if any, artistic talent is needed.  All you really need is some time, some patience, and a good sense of humor and fun :)  

  ART DOCENT ORIENTATION DATE:
  Monday, September 28th
  7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
  Rockwell Library

Art Docent lessons begin in October and run through May/June.  The highlight is the annual Art Showcase in May, when the students' masterpieces will be on display for the entire school to enjoy!

Please contact your child's teacher, or me directly, if you are interested or have questions. Many teachers will have sign-up lists out at Curriculum Night as well.

Looking forward to a fantastic year of Art Docents!

Art Docents Chair
IXL ONLINE MATH PROGRAM BEGINS SOON
The Lake Washington Schools Foundation has again awarded Rockwell with a grant funding IXL Online Math subscriptions for all Rockwell students!

IXL Math is an excellent tool to help sharpen students' math skills-with
practice questions, immediate feedback and explanations to solidify
understanding of each concept practiced - from pre-K to Pre-Calculus!

Each student will be receiving an IXL Math Login ID and password (please note: if your child was at Rockwell last year, these will likely be the same). Students can use IXL at school or at home by accessing here.  

Parents, please take advantage of this opportunity to strengthen your child's math education, by encouraging them to practice on the website regularly and/or as assigned by our teachers.

The Rockwell PTA is again sponsoring the Prize Program; with small prizes students can earn each time a milestone is reached at checkpoints throughout the year. The first progress checkpoint is September 30th. If you have any questions, please contact us. 

Minerva Butler
Susan Reiger
IXL Math Coordinators
ELLIPSIS MATH FOR 4TH AND 5TH GRADERS
Ellipsis Math is designed for students who enjoy math enrichment above the normal curriculum. At Rockwell, classes are available for  fifth graders, fourth graders and advanced third graders. Classes will focus on math topics and practices in which prepare students to compete in a number of local and statewide math competitions. Students will work  independently as well as in teams. 

All interested students are invited to take a placement test on September 15 (Tuesday) at the Library from 3:10 - 4:10PM. Sign up for placement test and details about the program is available here.

Ellipsis Math 4
4th graders and advanced 3rd graders
September 24, 2015 through May 26, 2016
THURSDAYS
3:10 - 5:00 p.m.
Room 120
Coach: Rizwana Masude

Ellipsis Math 5
5th graders 
September 22, 2015 through May 24, 2016
TUESDAYS
3:10 - 5:00 p.m.
Room 120
Coach: Kateryna Senyuk 

Parents of qualified students will be required to volunteer to help with the classes under the PTA program guidelines.
ART FOR KIDS - AFTER SCHOOL CLASSES
Art for Kids School will be offering after school art classes at Norman Rockwell Elementary for the Fall 2015 semester. Because of the great interest in these classes, spaces in the classes will be chosen by a drawing from those who have submitted registration forms.

Classes will take place after school on:
  • Mondays from 3:10-4:10pm (ages 5-8), 4:25-5:25pm (ages 9-12) 
-or-
  • Wednesdays from 1:45-2:45pm (ages 5-8), 3:00-4:00pm (ages 9-11), and 4:15-5:15pm (all ages). 
Please visit the Art for Kids page for more information, semester dates, pricing, and to register for the lottery; you may register for the lottery online or print a registration/lottery form and return it to the Art for Kids box in the office.

Registration deadlines: 
Sunday, September 13 (online registration)
Monday, September 14 at 3:05pm (hard copy registration).

For more information on the registration/lottery, please contact: Elizabeth Rosemond 
PTA Art For Kids Chair

One parent/guardian MUST volunteer to be at the school during at least one art class during the semester for each student attending an AFKS class. This is required under the PTA program rules.
ORDER YOUR ROCKWELL BEAGLES "SPIRIT WEAR"
WE'VE GOT SPIRIT!  YES WE DO!
 
Online ordering for SPIRIT WEAR will be available TODAY 
through MONDAY, September 14th.

Show your school spirit! Order your new SPIRIT items (t-shirts, sweatshirts, etc...) Online Only Here via PayPal.                                                                              
If you do not have PayPal or a credit/debit card, please email 
Stacy to coordinate a spirit wear order.  Orders made during Dog Days and online will be delivered to your student's classroom by Conference Week in October.
 
WE'VE GOT SPIRIT!  NOW YOU CAN, TOO!       
Yea Beagles!!      

Spirit Wear Coordinator
SOCCER FANS - LWPTSA NIGHT AT THE SOUNDERS GAME!
It's time for Sounders Day 2015! We are proud to again partner with the Seattle Sounders to bring you this fun family event.
This year we'll watch the Sounders take on the LA Galaxy at Century Link field on Sunday Oct. 4 at 6:30 p.m.

You can buy tickets now at this link.

Once you get to the landing page, be sure to copy the promo-code above your school, and click onto your school. Once on your individual page, use that promo code so that you can sit with your school (and raise money for your school's PTA)!

Tickets are sold in a first come first serve basis, so book early to secure best available seats. 

Questions? Email at sounders.day@lwptsa.net 
Need ten or more tickets? contact Sounders rep Gary Boyle @ (206) 512-1220
ADVERTISE IN OUR STUDENT DIRECTORY
ROCKWELL DIRECTORY ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITY
LOCAL BUSINESSES WELCOME!

The PTA is now accepting ads from local businesses for print in the Student Directory. Over 500 directories are distributed to the families in the Rockwell community, and it is a great way to promote your business. Single ads should be business card sized - 3.5" x 2". The cost is $100 per single ad, or $250 for a full-page ad (the size of three singles)!

Please contact Directory Chair Chamu Kallem with your submission. Checks made out to Norman Rockwell PTA can be sent to the school office, c/o The Rockwell Directory. Submissions will be accepted until October 2nd 2015, and the PTA retains the right to approve or reject advertisements.

*The directory is a closed directory, designed solely for personal use between Rockwell students and parents. Potential Advertisers will not receive a directory unless an employee has a student in the school. Information within the directory cannot be used for direct marketing purposes.  
ORCHESTRA INFORMATION FOR 4TH & 5TH GRADERS
Redmond Region Elementary String Orchestra classes for 4th and 5th grade students! 
  • Level  1 - Beginners (4th graders who have never played before) 
Plan to attend the parent AND student information meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 8th at 7:30pm in the Rockwell gym and watch for a flyer the first week of school with more information. Classes are before school from7:35-8:20am on Monday (violin and viola), Wednesday (all instruments) and Friday (cello only) mornings in the Rockwell gym. The first class will be on Monday, Sept. 14th! 

  • Level  2 - (mostly 5th graders who have completed at least one year of instruction)  
Classes are on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 7:35-8:20am in the Rockwell gym. The first class will be on Thursday, Sept. 10th. Bring all music from last year, a folding music stand, emergency form and $5 materials fee. The book to purchase for Level 2 is "Sound Innovations for String Orchestra" Book 2.

PEACHJAR E-FLYERS COMING TO YOUR INBOX
LWSD and PeachJar e-flyers: It's a new way to get info from local non-profits and will be delivered right to your inbox. You'll get great info on community classes, camps, registrations, performances and more from local non-profits! Less Paper sent home and less searching online...it will come to you!
For information on how to get your non-profit flyer listed in the PeachJar system for LWSD families, check here.
FROM THE BEAGLE BUGLE - UNSUBSCRIBE INFO & MORE
  • If you have left Rockwell and wish to unsubscribe from the Bugle, just scroll down to the very end of this email and click the link for "Safe Unsubscribe".
  • Attention Chairs: Announcements may be made via the Bugle, website, and Facebook page. Submit your requests/articles to rockwellbugle@gmail.com (See below for submission guidelines).
  • There will be more announcements regarding after-school enrichment classes (Chess, Lego, Coding etc) in the coming weeks...keep reading the Bugle for new announcements.
  • Not getting the Bugle newsletter? Be sure to subscribe!  If you think you already have, please check your spam folder, and email rockwellbugle@gmail.com if you need further assistance. The Beagle Bugle is also found in the archives in the News section of our website and can be found on our Facebook Page each week. 
QUICK LINKS - IN EVERY ISSUE

-AmazonSmile: Give a little back to Rockwell PTA by using

our AmazonSmile link!  Bookmark it and use the link every time you shop.

 

-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 & school info. Stop by and "Like" us!  


 -Bookmark & Register for your account on our  New PTA  Website. Calendar info, announcements, forms, ordering items, and much more!

Subscribe!
Join Our Mailing List
Bugle Article Submissions Welcome
  
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, upon approval, will be posted in the Peachjar eflyer system.  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 rockwellbugle@gmail.com. 
  
Sincerely,
Angie Ballas
Beagle Bugle Editor
Norman Rockwell Elementary PTA