Beagle 
Bugle

PTA Newsletter 09.14.15
  
Website: 
In This Issue
Principal's Letter
Back To School BBQ
Enrichment Class: Aspiring Authors
Enrichment Class: Coding with Kids
Enrichment: Spelling Bee
Enrichment Class: Ellipsis Math Classes
Enrichment Class: Art For Kids Classes
4th Grade Salmon in the Classroom
Pass the Hat Update
Volunteer in the Health Room
Website & PTA Training for Chairs
Art Docents Training
Room Parent Training
Spirit Wear - Last Call
Long-Term Facilities Planning
Extra - Extra!
Quick Links
IMPORTANT DATES
(Filtered for Rockwell)

Sept. 14th, Monday
Spirit Wear Orders due by 3pm

Sept. 17th, Thursday
Chairperson/PTA-Website Training
7pm Library

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/Training
7pm - 8:30pm in the Library
PRINCIPAL'S LETTER FROM KIRSTEN GOMETZ
Dear Rockwell Families,
 
Thank you for a wonderful start to the school year! Your students are doing well, and we are seeing everyone start to settle into routines. You, too, are supporting us by maintaining traffic etiquette, lining up at the curb instead of blocking the bus lane, and getting your kids here before the 8:30 tardy bell. Thank you for your support!
 
A few reminders: 
  • Please remember to drop off students between the mailbox and the sign in the drop off lane only, and ONLY from the right side of the car. We have staff there to greet them between 8:15 and 8:30, so please do not drop them off before 8:15; there is no supervision available until that time.
  • Please make sure your child receives adequate sleep. The recommendation at this age is about 10-12 hours per night. They work (and play) very hard here all day, and a good night's rest helps them tremendously.
  • Please remember to dress for all weather - we have recess outside on all but the rainiest of days, so students need something at school that has a hood, preferably waterproof, for when the weather turns wet!
We are looking forward to seeing you at the Back to School Barbecue on Friday; it will be held from 5-7:30 at the blacktop/covered area. Please remember that school rules still apply - students must stay where we can see them (not in the woods) and normal safety rules are still in effect (sticks and other items stay on the ground; no climbing trees). Your help in supervision is appreciated so everyone has a fun and safe evening together.
 
Thank you all for sharing your children with us; we enjoy them so much and are looking forward to a wonderful year!
 
Principal, Norman Rockwell Elementary School
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).

Volunteers still needed! Can you help for half an hour?  
Short volunteer shifts are listed here on our website. 

Welcome Back BBQ Chair
ASPIRING AUTHORS - AFTER SCHOOL CLASS WITH GRASSHOPPER ENRICHMENT
Aspiring Authors, grades 2-5
Wednesdays, 1:35-3:05, Room 144
9/23-11/18, no class 10/14, 11/25

** Celebrate the Authors tentative date, 12/2

$168, plus $25 resource fee for materials and instructional editing
Minimum 10 students/Maximum 18 students

Parents of enrolled students commit to chaperoning in the classroom at least once during the session. 
 
We need your help at our publishing company this Fall and want you to join our team! Using a unique two brain approach in a positive and friendly environment, students are inspired to write and "publish" their own book.  This is a fun and challenging adventure where each student will be an author, editor, and artist "hired" by the publishing company to create their masterpieces. As a company, they will assemble and bind the books creating professional results.
 
Students will learn how to use the elements of story building to captivate their readers and enhance their illustrations to make their words come alive.  Their books will be a treasure to cherish.  In a culminating activity, students will be the stars of an evening with parents and friends to "Celebrate the Authors". 
 
Register online here at Grasshopper Enrichment.

PTA Aspiring Authors Chair
COMPUTER PROGRAMMING CLASSES BY CODING WITH KIDS
Coding with Kids / BEGINNER / Grades 2-5
Tuesdays, 3:10-4:10pm
9/22-12/15 (no class 10/13)
$228 / 12-week session ($19/wk)

Want to become a coding ace and write your own games? Join the Coding with Kids programming club! In just a few weeks, you will be creating your own animations and computer games that you can share and play with family and friends. We teach real coding concepts (loops, conditions, variables, etc.) in a fun way. Students also develop important life skills, such as critical thinking, problem solving, creativity, perseverance, and time management skills. The programming tool we use in class is Scratch ( scratch.mit.edu), a drag-and-drop environment developed by MIT Labs for elementary and middle school students. No typing skills required. Scratch provides lots of creative outlets, such as backgrounds, characters, sounds and colors, which makes programming even more fun! To quickly see what kids can create in Scratch, watch this little video. Laptops will be provided.
 
Coding with Kids / INTERMEDIATE / Grades 3-5
Fridays, 3:10-4:10pm
9/25-12/18 (no class 10/16, 11/27)
$209 / 11-week session ($19/wk)

This class is for kids who have previously attended at least one session of Coding with Kids classes (or other coding program) and are fairly familiar with Scratch. Students will be introduced to more advanced coding concepts and enjoy working on NEW and fun projects, such as developing their own calculator or imagining, designing and creating a multi-level maze or platformer game! We will also work on developing best coding and debugging practices. As with the Beginner class, the programming tool we use is Scratch (scratch.mit.edu), a drag-and-drop environment developed by MIT Labs for elementary and middle school students. No typing skills required. Laptops will be provided.
 
REGISTRATIONS: 

QUESTIONS? Contact us at after-school@codingwithkids.com

*Coding with Kids offers FREE TUITION (full refund) to a permanent parent volunteer, who is willing to assist each week of the session. If interested, please email Jitka Brejlova, the co-founder of Coding with Kids. If no permanent volunteer is found, then each parent will be required to volunteer at least one week during the session.

SPELLING BEE AT NORMAN ROCKWELL
Welcome to the 4th year of Spelling Bee at Norman Rockwell! 
Norman Rockwell School Spelling Bee is open to all students from grades 1-5.  

The online enrollment starts on 9/14 and will end on 9/25. The fee is $25, with checks to be made out to "Rockwell PTA/Spelling Bee Club" and given to the office or to the student's teacher. The fee covers enrollment, a participation certificate, and entry into the Final School Spelling Bee provided that the student qualifies by first passing the Written Round Test. 

This year the Club will run a bit differently and there will be no weekly coaching classes; however students will still find this years word list and other necessary information on our website www.youthspellingbee.com. 

Please see key dates below! 
*Sept. 25th, 2015 -Deadline for enrollment
*Jan. 29th, 2016 -Written Round - Spelling and Vocabulary Test (students must pass this test to qualify for the Final School Spelling Bee)
*Feb. 27th, 2016 -Final School Spelling Bee 

Spelling Bee is a great way for students to expand their word knowledge and learn how to stand up in front of peers and compete in a friendly way.

Please email nrspellingbeeclub@gmail.com with any questions. We look forward to helping your child achieve their goal!

Sarita Valji, Barbara Puk, and Chamu Kallem
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. 

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.
ART FOR KIDS - AFTER SCHOOL CLASSES
Registration Deadline is TODAY: 
TODAY - Monday, September 14 at 3:05pm (hard copy registration tunred in to the office). 
*If you registered online via the website, the deadline was Sunday night and you don't need to also do a paper reg.)

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.

For more information on the registration/lottery, please contact: Elizabeth Rosemond 
PTA Art For Kids Chair
FOURTH GRADE PARENTS - SALMON IN THE CLASSROOM
The Salmon in the Classroom program is an important & exciting part of the 4th Grade experience - and is still in need of a 4th Grade parent chairperson or co-chairs! 

We receive coho salmon eggs from the local hatchery and raise them from egg to alevin to fry in a chilled aquarium tank in the school.  In April/May, students release them in Bear Creek, a local stream.  
 
None of this happens without funding from the PTA, and the volunteer efforts of parents.  So, what can parents do?  

The most important job is the chairperson, the parent who takes on running the program and getting other volunteer parents to assist students in feeding the salmon and helping during the salmon release field trip.
 
The previous chair of this program, Tim Nightengale, is available to training the new chair/co-chairs and is happy to answer any questions about the program!

This program starts soon!
PASS THE HAT UPDATE & CORPORATE MATCHING
Thank you for donating to Pass the Hat via Curriculum night and Online Back to Business/Dog Days. 

Currently, we have reached 75% of our fundraising goal. 
We encourage donations, in addition to corporate matching, to be completed by the end of the month. Please share this Pass the Hat Link with your friends and family who may wish to donate as well. Donations can be made any time during the year.

Pass the Hat replaces the "traditional" means of collecting funds for the PTA. We do not fund raise by selling wrapping paper or cookie dough 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! 

See you at the school BBQ!

Thank you,
Pass the Hat Co-VP's
HEALTH ROOM VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Our Rockwell health room gets many visits from our students each day. If a parent volunteer isn't present to help the students our office staff must deal with these interruptions to their work day. The Rockwell staff does a wonderful job of taking care of our kids, but it would be wonderful if parent volunteers could help alleviate some of their work load and at the same time get to know many of our wonderful students.
 
Volunteering in the health room is a flexible volunteer position. Many volunteers help one day a week, but you can volunteer a couple times per month if that works better for your schedule. The health room high traffic times are during lunch and recess, so those are the volunteer hours most needed.
 
We will be doing a training for all interested volunteers later in the month. If you have any questions or you are interested, but are unsure please contact Tedra Stratton and she can give you the scoop on what it is like to be a health room volunteer! 

Health Room Chair
PTA CHAIRPERSON AND WEBSITE TRAINING

Thank you so much for chairing an event or program at Rockwell Elementary this year! 

Did you know that the new PTA Website is doing some of the work for you?  
You're invited to come learn how the new PTA website is keeping track of potential volunteers, how our webmaster can help you set up online signups, and how to access shared reports as it pertains to your event. You will also learn a few of the "ins and outs" of chairing a program at Rockwell. 

Thursday, Sept. 17th 7pm
Rockwell Library

*Bring a laptop if you have access to one!

Questions? 
Email Felice Nightengale (Rockwell Webmaster) 
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 - don't let your child's class be one of them!

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.

Looking forward to a fantastic year of Art Docents!

Art Docents Chair
ROOM PARENT MEEITNG
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!!!
  
You may have signed up in your classroom on curriculum night, but some classes still need a room parent or co-room parents (split up the duties with a co-parent!) Talk to your teacher or contact me if you're not sure if your class has a Room Parent yet.  
 
Room Parent Training/Orientation: 

Tuesday, September 22nd at 7:00pm in the library.

Please plan to attend as we discuss and share what we have to look forward to this year! New and seasoned room parents encouraged to attend!
 
Renee Lawson
Room Parent Chair
LAST CALL FOR SPIRIT WEAR ORDERS!
We have received orders for 166 items! Don't be left out of the fun!
TODAY is LAST CALL to get your spirit wear order done!

Order online here: PTA Website or fill out a form in the main office by 3pm today (Monday, 9/14/15). Make checks payable to Norman Rockwell PTA.

**If you ordered online by check, please bring your payment to the office by 3pm today or your order will be cancelled**

Shirts should be delivered to classrooms mid-October.
Adult sizes are sized for men; females may consider ordering one size down. Up to one inch in length of Shrinkage may occur. Items cannot be returned. 

Thank you for showing your school spirit!

Spirit Wear Coordinator
LONG-TERM FACILITIES PLANNING
As you may be aware, the district is outgrowing its school buildings and some buildings are aging. The Long-Term Facilities Planning Task Force met on a regular basis for the past year to discuss this issue and come up with a draft recommendation to the district to resolve this issue.
 
You can provide feedback on the draft recommendations through following methods:

-       Visit the online open house

-       Join the conversation in person by attending a community meeting: Mon, Sept. 28th, 6:30 - 8:30pm at Redmond High School

-       Attend the Task Force town hall meeting: Wed, Oct 7, at 6pm, at Rose Hill MS (13505 NE 75th St, Redmond)
 
The Task Force will consider all the input and make final recommendations to the school board, which will take the final action.

Emily Papel & Sayo Hinitz
LTFPTF Members, Rockwell Elementary & Redmond Middle School
EXTRA - EXTRA! (SMALL BITS OF NEWS)
  • Local Businesses - Advertise in our Rockwell School Directory! Find out pricing and submission guidelines here.  
  • 5th Graders interested in the morning safety patrol can email   Mrs. Mobely for more information!
  • If you have photos to share with the Yearbook staff of Back to School and the upcoming BBQ on Friday night please follow these instructions: please upload them directly to the secure LifeTouch website. Register and use our NEW school access code: PHEBEV.
  • October Cheer clinic with Redmond High School Cheer for ages 5-15. More info here. 
  • Kinder/First Grade Highly Capable Program Information Sessions for parents: 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. 
  • LWPTSA/Seattle Sounders Night: 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.

    Be sure to copy the promo-code above your school, and click onto your school. 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
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!

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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