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Issue #46 December 6, 2013
Principal's Corner
Principal Westra
One of my favorite quotes about education is by Plato. He said:

 

"Do not train a child to learn by force or harshness; but direct them to it by what amuses their minds, so that you may be better able to discover with accuracy the peculiar bent of the genius of each."

 

I love this quote because it assumes that every child is a genius in some way. If we agree with Plato, which I do, the question is what is it for your child? How has your child demonstrated his or her "bent of genius"? You probably already know what it is but, if you don't, think about what it might be. Observe your child when he or she is absorbed in an "amused mind". And when you realize it, tell your child because every child deserves to be told specifically how we believe he or she is a genius.

 

After working with this staff and observing them with our students, I can confidently say that your child has a teacher who believes this, too, and is working hard to find out "what amuses their minds..." to better engage them as learners and identify their "peculiar bent of genius".

 

Have a wonderful weekend,

 

Rebekah

PTSA General Meeting and Movie Night Thursday, 12/12
Bring your kids (4 years and older) to see Monsters University, while parents get together for the PTSA General Meeting to hear Chris Carlson, Lakeview Dad and member of the Lake Washington School Board, answer your questions about school funding, curriculum and growth plans. Ms. Westra will also discuss the district bond and levy. The movie will begin promptly at 6pm. We'll have water, pizza and snacks for sale. Cash or checks only. Parents will need to stay next door in the cafeteria for the PTSA meeting. No drop-offs.
Winter Wishes Gift Donations
The final day for gift collection is approaching fast! Bring all items unwrapped to school office on or before Friday, 12/13. (They are donated to a local charity after this date). Please return all gifts with their original Winter Wishes tag attached with the family number and gift number. For questions or to help out, please contact Dana Laursen at danalaursen@live.com.
Shop Amazon for Lakeview PTSA 
Did you know Amazon will donate a percentage of your online purchase to the Lakeview PTSA. All you have to do is use this link, http://www.amazon.com/?&tag=lakevelemesch-20Shop, to access Amazon. It's that easy! Bookmark and share the page link. Thank you for your support. 
Family Game Night 2013: Wrap-up and Pictures
A capacity crowd descended upon Lakeview Elementary for Family Game Night 2013 to celebrate math! Families enjoyed each other, pizza and drinks before bursting into the gymnasium to play games facilitated by our own Lakeview Elementary Staff.

All players that completed their passports were delighted by the on-site balloon twister walking away with a fun keepsake. Many families took advantage of shopping with Blue Highways games to take games like the ones they were playing home to continue the learning and fun. Several parents attended a Zeno Math workshop on easy ways to incorporate the love of math into their home life.  Four grand prizes were awarded including best superhero costume. A picture gallery from Family Game Night 2013 is available at http://sdrv.ms/186nuWa.

Thank you staff members Rebekah Westra, Dori West, Karla Coghlan, Tonya Davidson, Linda Gahnberg, Kellie Adams, Heather Nease, Keri Levinson, Luke Johnson, Jamie Tiffany, Cori Fraley, Sarah Jensen, Elle Dootson, Betsy Anderson and Heidi Coebergh.

Thank you to parents Lisa Kawaharu, Becco Zou, Julie Barker, Megan Gardner, Karen Tipp, Lucy Thomas, Gia Parsons and Rachelle Kortus.
Monthly Math Challenge for December
Get your math challenges in before winter break if you can this month.  
You will have the option to turn your challenge in by Monday, 1/6. Additional copies of the challenge are available on the Lakeview PTSA website at http://lakeviewptsa.org/ptsa-programs/online-math-reading/zeno-monthly-math-challenges/.

Congratulations to November winners Kate Marshall in Mrs. Lailey's Kindergarten class and Ian Heuberger in Mrs. Tiffany's 3rd grade class!  
The class with most-participation honors for the second month is a row is Mrs. Coghlan's second grade class!
Lakeview PTSA Facebook Page
We want to make sure everyone can easily find all the information they need about the many things the PTSA does at Lakeview. We created a Facebook page as an additional way to share information. Find out about enrichment classes, family fun nights, volunteer opportunities, and much more! Be sure to "like" the Lakeview PTSA page and follow our news.
Spanish Class for K-2nd Graders
Hola and hello! Give your child the gift of language this holiday season. At Sponge, we strive to encourage lifelong interest in language, people, and culture. Our current unit, Games and Activities, centers around vocabulary and phrases related to talking about hobbies and favorite things to do, playing in a team, and encouraging our friends! Native-speaking teachers guide students through a curriculum devoted to active learning that places language in context through games, stories, art and music.

Sponge is excited to be offering Spanish for K-2nd students at Lakeview Elementary. Visit www.spongeschool.com for more information and to register. Feel free to email Sponge at info@spongeschool.com with any and all questions! Register today and secure your spot in class.
We've also started registration for our spring in-center session - learn more online, or give us a call!

2013-2014 LWSD Calendar 

The Lake Washington School District calendar link: http://www.lwsd.org/SiteCollectionDocuments/Global/2013-14-District-Sheet-Calendar.pdf

In This Issue
Principal's Corner
PTSA General Meeting
Winter Wishes
Shop Amazon for Lakeview PTSA
Family Game Night
Zeno Monthly Math Challenge
New PTSA Website
Spanish Class for K-2nd Graders
2013-2014 LWSD Calendar

Upcoming Events

Tue, 12/10 7pm
Community School Information at ICS

Thu, 12/12 6pm
Lakeview PTSA General Meeting at Lakeview

Tue, 12/17 7pm
International Community School Information Night at ICS

Thu, 12/19 at 7pm
Lakeview Intermediate Choir Concert in Gym

Fri, 12/20 at 2:30
Lakeview Holiday Sing-a-long Assembly in Gym

Monday, 12/23
No School: Winter Break Begins

Quick Links  
 
PTSA Fundraising Links  

Got news? Submit your article concerning Lakeview, PTSA, LWSD, or LWSF by sending an email to lakptsacommunications@gmail.com. Submission deadline is the Friday before the next issue.
Work Hard, Be Kind, Be Safe!