Beagle 
Bugle
PTA Newsletter 
04.11.2016

  Website: 
In This Issue
SCHOOL BOND - REMEMBER TO VOTE ASAP!
Principal's Letter
Ecology Run
Coding with Kids - Spring Registration
MOD Pizza - Dine Out for Rockwell
Spring Teacher Bday Lunch
Musical Tickets On SALE!
Musical Program Sponsors
Spirit Wear Coming Soon
Family Movie Coming in May
Extra Extra!
Math Challenge 13 Available
Used Book Sale
Book Signing
2016/17 PTA Roles Open
Quick Links
IMPORTANT DATES
(Filtered for Rockwell)

April 12, Tues
Red Tuesday - Wear Red to support the school bond!

April 13, Weds
Ecology Run (pledges due by the 15th)

April 14th, Thurs
School Bond Sign Waving by the Roundabout at 116th and 162nd - 
anyone welcome

April 19, Tues
LWSD-PTSA Special Needs Group Mtg

April 19, Tues
Dine Out for Rockwell - all day
MOD PIZZA (See below)

April 20th & April 27th
Lake Washington Schools Foundation Luncheon and Breakfast Fundraisers 

April 21st, Thurs
Rockwell Spring Teacher Birthday Luncheon

April 23, Sat
Seussical The Musical Jr.
Rockwell's 4th & 5th Grade Musical
Redmond High School Performing Arts Ctr. (RPAC)
3pm & 7pm 
VOTE YES FOR SCHOOL BOND BY APRIL 26TH!

YOUR BALLOTS CAME DURING SPRING BREAK!!  BE SURE TO VOTE SOON AND VOTE YES BY APRIL 26TH! 

HELP SPREAD THE WORD....
  • Visit www.vote4lwsdkids.org (and like them on Facebook) to find out more about the bond, how to add your personal endorsement to their website (click endorse now), how to sign up for phone banking (make phone calls to voters to remind them to vote), participate in sign-waving day, and more!
  • Print a sign for your car & office windows
  • Post on Social Media! Change your profile picture, share links endorsing the bond, and educate your friends and neighbors!
  • Email information to your neighbors and homeowners associations with this information and encourage them to vote yes.
Remember: This bond will NOT raise taxes.  Find about more about the Bond here and please remember to vote YES by April 26!  
PRINCIPAL'S LETTER - FROM KIRSTEN GOMETZ
Dear Rockwell Families,

Welcome back to school! I hope everyone had a wonderful break, resting and reconnecting, and getting ready for our final few weeks. The weather has been doing an excellent job reminding us that summer is on the way. There will be many springtime activities coming up (PTA events like family movie night, our Art Showcase, Ice Cream Social, and Used Book Sale, and Field Day, to name just a few) and we hope to see you here celebrating with us.

I just returned from a week in China with Mrs. Weinmeister, one of our 5th grade teachers, where we participated in a cultural and educational exchange with four different elementary schools in Changzhou, Chengdu, and Xi'an. The schools hosted us as part of a Sino-US Educational Seminar where they sought our expertise on Positive School Culture and Classroom Education Strategies, and Mrs. Weinmeister also taught a series of demonstration lessons with Chinese students through the aid of an interpreter. We also visited many classrooms and were given guided tours by students, and taken to see many of the significant historical and cultural sights in China: The Great Wall, The Forbidden City, The Terra Cotta Warriors of Xi'an, and we even spent a morning visiting the Giant Pandas at the Chengdu Panda Breeding Center. Our visit with the people of China left us humbled and changed; I realized what a wonderful position we are in, as educators, to build understanding internationally and to learn from one another in the pursuit to provide a world class education for our children.

I am so appreciative that all of our students are able to enjoy the rich benefits of being part of a vibrant and international community like ours. Thank you all for working with us in building such a positive and curious community of learners. You are a large part of what makes Rockwell great, and I am so happy you are here.

Principal, Norman Rockwell Elementary
NORMAN ROCKWELL ECOLOGY RUN-THIS WEDNESDAY!!!
Please Support the Norman Rockwell Ecology Run

Every spring, the fifth grade classes get to attend "Outdoor Education", a three-day camp, where the students receive lessons in exploring ecosystems, understanding natural resources, and improving outdoor skills. The cost of this camp to our families can be a burden, so we hold this annual fundraiser to offset some of the expense. It is a one-day fun run to raise money for every fifth grader, and whatever is raised is divided evenly by the number of students to reduce the cost for every family. 
  • The funds raised by ALL students will help 5th graders go to camp this year, where they learn about our northwest ecology!
  • The primary (K-2) class that raises the most money will win an extra 20 minute recess
  • The intermediate (3-5) class that raises the most money will win an extra 20 minute recess
  • The kindergarten through fourth grade class that raises the most money overall will earn a PIZZA PARTY!
  • Students will collect flat pledges prior to running laps at the Ecology Run. 
    • Students who raise $25 or more will receive an Ecology Run Spirit wristband
    • Students who raise $50 or more will receive the wristband and a 2016 Ecology Run T-shirt
    • Students who raise $100 or more will receive the wristband, the T-shirt, and their name will be added to the "Hall of Fame" plaque by the office
  • All donations are eligible for corporate matching - if your company participates in a matching program, please consider matching your gift.
    • Simply note: "ASB-Outdoor Education" to designate the payment to the correct account.
The donations are all flat donations - they are not based on the number of laps that are run. We encourage every child at Rockwell to participate if possible - because eventually every child will become a fifth grader and receive these benefits for their own Outdoor Ed camp experience. In the past we have raised over $10,000 - which is an amazing help to offset the cost of the trip!
 
The fifth grade teachers will be outside during lunch recess on Wednesday, April 13th to facilitate the run. (AM Kindergarten students will run during their morning recess.) All pledges need to be received by Friday, April 15th.


If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Weinmeister or Mrs. Honkawa.
 
Thank you so much for supporting our students and participating in the Ecology Run!
 
The Fifth Grade Team
CODING WITH KIDS - SPRING SESSIONS
Coding with Kids - Beginner/Intermediate Level
Grades 2-5
Tuesdays, 3:10-4:10pm
8-week session, April 19 to June 7 
$159
Want to become a coding ace and write your own games? Join the Coding with Kids club! Both beginners as well as returning, intermediate level students are welcome! BEGINNERS will use fundamental coding concepts, such as loops, conditionals, and variables, to create fun interactive stories, quizzes, or simple games. INTERMEDIATE students will be introduced to more advanced concepts, such as nested conditionals and functions, which will allow them to build more advanced projects, for example multi-level maze or platformer games. Laptops will be provided.
The programming tool we use in class is Scratch, a drag-and-drop environment developed by MIT Labs for kids. No typing skills required. Scratch provides lots of creative outlets, such as backgrounds, characters, sounds and colors, which makes coding even more fun! To quickly see what kids can create in Scratch, watch this little video: http://vimeo.com/80961102.


Coding with Kids - Advanced
Grades 2-5
Fridays, 3:10-4:10pm
8-week session, April 22 to June 10 
$159
Has your student already taken 2 or more Coding with Kids sessions? Then s/he is ready to learn about GAME DESIGN in this advanced class! Students will be introduced to advanced concepts, such as arrays (lists) and sorting algorithms and build FUN games that include game physics! The programming tool we use in class is Scratch, a drag-and-drop environment developed by MIT Labs for kids. No typing skills required. Scratch provides lots of creative outlets, such as backgrounds, characters, sounds and colors, which makes coding even more fun!

QUESTIONS? Contact Coding with Kids at 

REGISTRATIONS: 
APRIL 19TH (TUES) - DINE OUT AT MOD PIZZA FOR ROCKWELL!
April 19th DINE OUT at MOD Pizza 

Join your friends, family and Rockwell Staff at MOD Pizza ALL DAY!
Download MOD Dine Out Flyer onto your phone for a digital copy or
Look for the paper flyer in kid mail by Friday. Flyers must be presented at the Bella Bodega MOD. VALID ALL DAY!

20% of your total will go to PTA.

Share this with your coworkers, neighbors or sport teams! Everyone benefits! Tuesday, April 19th MOD Pizza will be serving up "Simple food for complex times".
SPRING TEACHER BIRTHDAY LUNCHEON - APRIL 21ST
Twice a year we feed the Teachers and Staff to celebrate birthdays! 
We will be having a SPRING
 PICNIC
 THEME Birthday luncheon on April 21st and we need your help!  We ask the parents whose teachers have a birthday from January to June to participate in this one, yet anyone can volunteer to bring items. 


The PTA will provide the 'picnic' sandwiches, but help is needed with other items. Please sign up to bring a food dish(s) or other items needed. In addition, we will need assistance with set up and clean up. All food needs to be at the school by 10:45 am on Thurs, April 21st.  Don't forget to label your dishes with your child's name and teacher and we will return them to you via your child unless you opt to pick them up at 2:00 pm.

SEUSSICAL THE MUSICAL, JR. TICKETS ON SALE NOW!


SEUSSICAL THE MUSICAL, Jr. 
Saturday, April 23rd
R.P.A.C. (Redmond Performing Arts Center at RHS)
3pm & 7pm

Don't miss our 4th & 5th grade cast perform Seussical the Musical Jr. live on stage. These talented kids are currently hard at work rehearsing to put on a fabulous show. The Cat in the Hat, Horton the Elephant, a Sour Kangaroo, Thing 1 and Thing 2, Jungle citizens, Who citizens, and lots of birds and other creatures will all sing and dance their way into your hearts!  

**Tickets are on sale now via our PTA Website (through April 21st)**

Family Purchase/those with students at Rockwell (options to pay online or by check)
-or-
Guest Purchase/Friends & Family without a student at Rockwell can order online as a guest

*Paper order forms will also be going home this week if you prefer that method

*Any available tickets will be sold at the door (but are on a space-available basis and are not guaranteed)
SPONSORS NEEDED FOR OUR MUSICAL PROGRAM

Hello Rockwell Parents and local business owners,

Rockwell PTA's Theatre production, Seussical Jr. The Musical will take place on 4.23.16 at the RPAC (Redmond Performing Arts Center at Redmond High School). 

Are you interested in advertising in this upcoming event, or would you like to congratulate a member of the production or cast and tell him/her how well he/she is doing?  Your advertisement will appear in the program/playbill and reach out to approximately 1000 viewers. Check this link for details. All revenues go to the Rockwell PTA.
SPIRIT WEAR COMING SOON!
SPIRIT WEAR COMING SOON!

Nothing shows school spirit more than wearing our school colors - Purple and Yellow! But why not add PINK and BLACK for spring? 

Spirit wear orders will be processed ONLINE using the PTA website.
Please go to the PTA website and create your account IF you have not already done so. (Tip: This is necessary for next years' back to school packet, too.)

Paper order forms will be made available in the school office and will be sent home in kid mail. Online orders are preferred for better efficiency and organization. Checks must be attached to paper forms; payable to Norman Rockwell PTA.

Spring Spirit wear - - it's coming soon!!

Please THANK Julie Odle - Incoming Spirit Wear Coordinator for volunteering her time and energy to ensure the students/staff of Rockwell reflect Beagle pride!

FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT - MAY 20TH - "UP"
Family Movie Night- MAY 20th 6-8:30pm
Featured Presentation: UP! (Rated PG) Parental Guidance is required.

"Enjoy the little things in life for one day you'll look back and realize they were the big things."

Norman Rockwell PTA is proud to sponsor Family Movie NightŪ! UP!
It's going to be a fun night for the whole family! 

Parental Guidance is required during the movie. This is not a drop-off event. 

More information coming soon...MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

*Can you coordinate a few movie nights for next year? This volunteer position is still open - train now with Stacy! 
EXTRA PIECES OF INFORMATION - IMPORTANT DATES & MORE

  • TEACHER/STAFF APPRECIATION WEEK will be celebrated at Rockwell during the week of May 16-20. More information to come soon.
  • Update your calendars with the NEW DATE for our annual Art Docent Showcase, Ice Cream Social and Used Book Sale which is now on Thursday, May 5th from 6-8pm. 
  • Our PTA Website now has a translation feature-enabling it to be translated into many different languages!
  • SBA TESTING DATES FOR GRADES 3,4, 5 are posted on the school site here. 
  • Nominate a teacher! Seattle Mariner's Radio Network & WSECU will be awarding $500 classroom grants and tickets to a game to 24 remarkable teachers throughout the 2016 Mariner's season! More info here. 
  • Sign up here to volunteer for recess Running Club - spring is here and the kids want to run!! Tues/TH at lunchtime. Volunteer whenever you can!
  • Keep saving Box Tops and Labels for Education for the next collection! Every bit helps.
MATH CHALLENGE #13

Math Challenge #13 is now available here. For this challenge, 12 qualified submissions will randomly selected for the prize.  Grab some friends and family and work on challenge together!

The challenge due date is Thursday 14 April (before 3pm).

Let the challenge begin!
USED BOOK SALE - MAY 5TH
Spring Cleaning? Save all your gently used books for our Used Book Sale on Thursday, May 5th! Please drop off your donations in the Rockwell Library. 

Thank you!

Diane Davenport
Teacher Librarian
USED BOOK SALE - SPECIAL BOOK SIGNING - MAY 5TH
May 5th 5-7pm Special event: Book Sale and Book Signing by local author!

Owner of Frankie's Pizza & Pasta - Frank will autograph his cookbook just for you! 5-7pm in the library. Make plans to attend Rockwell PTA's special event book signing with our favorite restauranteur & Rockwell grandparent!

$15 for a single book or 2 for $25! Frankie's Italian Cook Book Sale and Signing.

Stacy Hatch
ANNOUNCING PTA ROLES AND NEEDS FOR 2016/17

Rockwell Parents: 

Your help is needed to keep our PTA Board and enriching programs running next year for our students and school community!
 
Each and every parent: Please strongly consider how you can help our school by thoroughly reviewing the available openings. Your child and the school benefits when parents are involved with the PTA.
 
Your kids are the future of our school and so are YOU! 

Some open positions for 2016/17 include: 
  • President or Co-Presidents (Board). Good at leading, organization, delegating. Please consider this role and feel free to email the current co-presidents (Ellie O'Rourke and Cari Scotkin) with any questions. We'd like this role in place asap to start training. 
  • Fundraising VP (Board) Oversees Fall Pass the Hat Fundraiser and assists fundraising chairs as needed. 
  • (Non-board) Yearbook Chair, Movie Night Chairs, Reflections Art Contest Chair and more!!
CLICK HERE to view all open positions. LET'S GET THEM FILLED! THANK YOU!

*PS: BIG Thanks to those who have already stepped up to fill roles for next year! You put the "Rock" in Rockwell!
QUICK LINKS - IN EVERY ISSUE
-View Rockwell's Peachjar E-Flyers - a great resource for community events, classes and camps.

-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 yearbooks and spiritwear, and much more!

-Submit Photos to the Yearbook: Please upload them directly to the secure LifeTouch website by visiting Lifetouch. Register and use our NEW school access code: PHEBEV
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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