The Dickinson Community |
Messenger
June 9, 2014
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Principal Post
It is with honor and appreciation that I announce the retirement of two institutions at Emily Dickinson: Susan Fowler and Carol Woodard have announced to staff this week that this will be their last year of teaching. Below each of them have added a personal note, and I hope that over the next week and a half you will have the opportunity to share your sentiments about the impact they have made on our school and your children.
Katie Stone will be moving to the 4th grade team next year, and Elizabeth Miles will return to her partnership with Jon Hodgson and Polly Carter on the 3rd grade team. I will be hiring a 2nd grade teacher next week; 'teacher shopping' is my favorite thing to do! I am looking forward to these last few days of school, which are full of celebrations and success stories, and hope that you all enjoy this busy time of year as well.
Sincerely,
Karen Barker
Principal
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Message From Susan Fowler
Greetings Parents,
I wanted to let you know that I am retiring this year. I have had the privilege of being a part of teaching at this site since 1996.
In 1996, at the beginning of my tenure with Lake Washington School District, I was hired as the lead teacher to build the new community school on the campus of Emily Dickinson Elementary. I worked with our principal david Larson (yes, the small /d/ is correct) to build an amazing school that we named Explorer Community School. In 2000 I transferred to Emily Dickinson as I was ready for new challenges.
I have loved teaching your children and working with so many of you. I shall take countless wonderful memories with me as I move forward to my next adventure.
A sincere thank you for all of your kindness, support, and good wishes over these many years!
All My Best,
Susan Fowler
2nd Grade
Emily Dickinson Elementary
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Message From Carol Woodard
Hello,
After 39 years in the classroom, I have decided to retire. I taught eleven years in the Tahoma School District, three years at the International School of Helsinki in Finland, two years at the Frankfurt International School in Germany, and the last twenty-three years in the Lake Washington School District (three years at Lakeview and twenty years at Emily Dickinson).
I have also taught courses to teachers for Pacific Lutheran University, the University of Washington, and St. Louis University in Germany. I am a retired downhill ski instructor after teaching skiing for 25 years. Thus, teaching has always been in my blood. While I was encouraged for many years to get my doctorate and to teach full-time at the university level or to get my administrator's degree to be a principal, my real love and passion has always been teaching in the classroom and working with the children. I followed my dream and it has been a very rewarding career.
For the past twenty years, I have especially loved working at Emily Dickinson which I consider "My Home School" teaching 4th, 5th, or 6th grade. Each of my students has been very special to me. It has been wonderful for me to watch my students discover books and develop a love of reading; to see their math skills and abilities grow; to see them become skillful writers; to see them become "little scientists" in all the experiments we have done; plus to watch them enjoy learning about important events and people in the history of Washington, the United States, and the World. I am so proud of every one of my students for each success they have had in my classroom and later in their lives.
For the past 15 years, I have taught 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th, graders in my after school math clubs. It has been exciting for me to watch their math skills and their self confidence in their abilities grow. I am so proud of them for all the ribbons, medals, trophies, plaques, and awards that they have brought back to our school from all the math competitions we have attended over the years.
I have absolutely loved working at Emily Dickinson all these years and will miss everyone greatly. I am very excited to be off to new adventures this fall, but you may see me return as a "Sub for the Day" occasionally, when I am not off traveling somewhere!
Sincerely,
Carol Woodard
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Lunch... Lunch... Lunch Accounts
The end of the year is fast approaching and it is time to settle up all accounts. You may send in checks or cash or call 425/936-1393 and put in on a credit card. Any monies left over will carry over to next year or to your new school. If you would like a refund you need to go to the Resource Center and they can help you. Report cards WILL NOT be sent home for anyone with a negative balance. Any questions call me at 425/936-2530 or send me an e-mail at ksimmons@lwsd.org. I will try and answer your questions.
The Lunch Lady,
Kathy Simmons
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Volunteer Tea Celebration and Awards
Thursday, June 12, 8:15am-10:30am, Dickinson Commons
Join the Dickinson/Explorer staff, parents and students as we celebrate a wonderful year of learning and recognize some of the dedicated volunteers who enrich the lives of our children. Enjoy breakfast while the teachers and choirs sing and cheer on our many award recipients. There will be supervision on the playground between 8:15am and 8:45am.
We will honor the following amazing volunteers and present their awards at the Volunteer Tea. Congratulations to all!
Golden Acorn Award
The highest honor we give to a PTSA member. This Washington State PTA sponsored award recognizes outstanding service in the school and the community over a period of years. A donation to the Washington
State PTA scholarship fund is given in these individuals' names.
Jen Mayo Tanya Rusak
Outstanding Volunteer Award
Recognizes individuals whose contributions have continued at a significant level, showing dedication to all things Dickinson and Explorer.
Eileen Chinn Matt Loschen
Cindy Deffe Kristin Raffensberger
Gretchen Loschen
Star Award
Presented to individuals who have devoted a great deal of time to the Dickinson/Explorer community, in a variety of areas over a period of years.
Kelly Barrysmith Kim Mendenhall
Vicki Boardman Lacey Puhl
Laura Cannistra Jennifer Rojas
Stephanie Castor Ashley Short
Teresa Henke Marcia Stann
Dragon Pins
Presented to individuals for their outstanding effort in support of our children.
Abhilasha Sanklipur Judy Kaethler
Amy Maxim Krishma Reddy
Angela Butcher Lisa Seeley
Cami Baias Loretta Coetzer
Carrie Soldatek Michelle Wilcox
Farah Khurrum Molly Hepkin
Heather Johnson Rebecca Desai
Jenny Uveric Rebecca Marcy
Jessica Fung Renee Long
Tanya Roseberry Songhee Reistad
Wendy Bechtel
Pamela Starnes
Corine Bergstrom
Angie Hoad
Michelle Traina
Priti Rathore
Thusha Lingham
Ann Cygan
Kathy Duncan
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2014-2015 PTSA Budget and General Membership Meeting
Thursday, June 12, 7pm, Dickinson Library
Please join us on June 12 at 7:00pm in the library for the PTSA general membership meeting. At this meeting we ask our general membership to approve our 2014-2015 PTSA budget. This is a great opportunity for the general membership to learn about your budget. Do you know how the funds will be spent and what the PTSA board determines are priorities for spending?
Please make an effort to be a part of this important process. We look forward to seeing you there. If you have any questions about the budget prior to the meeting, please feel free to ask Kim Mendenhall, kmendenhall@dickinsonptsa.org or Tanya Rusak, trusak@dickinsonptsa.org. We would be happy to help. Here is a link to the budget. A copy of the proposed budget is also available on the PTSA board in the school lobby.
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Help Still Needed For Field Day
Friday, June 13, 1:30-3:15pm
Emily Dickinson & Explorer's annual Field Day is this Friday.The "Dreagles" are all really excited to have fun in the sun! There will be new and exciting stations! In order to make this day possible, we are going to need many volunteers. If you would like to volunteer to help on this day, we would love to have you supervise one of the stations. Please e-mail Ms. Russo ASAP at rerusso@lwsd.org. Thank you!
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All School Barbeque
Friday, June 13, 11:30am-1:00pm
Come One, Come All to the All School BBQ!
Save the date: Friday, June 13, from 11:30am-1:00pm.
Menu: Hot Dogs, Hamburgers, and all the trimmings.
Cost: Student/Child $2.50, Adults $3.25.
Volunteers needed! Please contact Kathy Simmons at ksimmons@lwsd.org if you are able to help serve. Field Day to follow!
Thank you!
Kathy Simmons
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Auction News--Save the Date!
Saturday, November 15, 2014
Save the date and plan on attending our upcoming auction in November. It will be a night to remember filled with delicious food, fun, old and new friends - all while raising the money needed to fund the
important programs you and your children have come to love and depend upon. This is our PTSA's major fundraiser and it is held once every two years. We need every family to help us reach our goal to
keep our quality programs, as well as fund new programs in the future.
How can you help? Mark your calendars and plan on attending this fun event. Invite your family and friends to join you. Sign up to volunteer your time and talent to make this night a success. Procure a donated item for the Auction. Volunteer chairs are needed for the following: Communications Chair, Database Chair, and Slide Show coordinator. We need the support of every family.
Do you know a local celebrity or athlete? Have connections to radio or tv stations? Does your family or a friend have a vacation destination to put up for bid for a weekend getaway? "Unmask the Possibilities" is the theme for our upcoming Auction in the fall. We are currently putting together some experiences for people to bid on and benefit our school! That's why we need your networking help in finding these treasures. Not everyone has a vacation week to donate, but there are so many ways
to contribute - and the auction benefits every child at Dickinson/Explorer, so we really need everyone's support! If you have any of the above resources, or have an idea for an auction item, please contact Kathie Roth-Johnson kjohnson@dickinsonptsa.org as soon as you can!
Thank you for your continued support of our school community. There's No Place Like School. For more information and volunteer opportunities, please contact Brenda Swanson at
bswanson@dickinsonptsa.org
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Thank you for a Great Carnival
Thank you to the entire Emily Dickinson/Explorer community for their support of our annual carnival. The Emily Dickinson PTSA supports the carnival as a fundraiser but it really is about our children enjoying the end of a school year, seeing their school in a different way and building community support. Again, we can't thank you enough for all that our community does to support our school!
Tanya Rusak and Kelly Barrysmith
Carnival Chairs
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Box Tops & Labels Results
So the tallies are in and here are the results from the last box tops and Campbell Soup labels.
The most labels collected were:
1. Mrs. Carter's class: 745 labels for Campbell Soup Labels and 150 box tops
2. Mr. Jones' class: 540 Campbell Soup labels and 127 box tops
3. Ms. Stone's class: 141 Campbell Soup Labels and 303 box tops
4. Ms Bergstrom's class: 74 Campbell Soup Labels and 162 Box tops
5. Ms Pietersen's class: 40 Campbell Soup Labels and 157 Box tops
Great job to all of the classes! Please remember to save your box tops and your labels over the summer so that we that can start the beginning of the school year off with a great turn in. Have a fantastic and safe summer!
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Lost and Found
Ever wonder what happened to that sweater, jacket, coat, lunch box, or hat? It could be hanging out in our Lost & Found. Please come on by and see what you may find. We will be donating all left over Lost & Found items to a good cause after school lets out, so stop on by and check it out.
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Sidewalk Chalk Drive
Please donate sidewalk chalk to the school so that D/E students can enjoy another sunny or rainy day recess option! A box will be located in the front lobby of the school. You can drop off the chalk or send it to school in a bag with your student. Thanks for your support!
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Bus Volunteers Still Needed for the First Week of School
Would you like to be part of a team that ensures kids get home safely during the first week of school? Would you like to help out at the school, but can't commit to a full year position? Will you have a fifth grader next year? Be a first week bus volunteer!
This is an important and meaningful way to help out at school that is time bound to the first week!
Time Needs: Ideally we need parents who can sign up for the full week (so we can do a one-time briefing on the process) but we will take all offers :-)
Mornings: 8.40-9.10 am - We need 2 more volunteers
Afternoon: TThF 3.15 - 4.15 - We still need 5 more
Afternoon: W 1.45 - 2.45 - We need 5 more volunteers
Think it's too much? Some ideas...
--Ask a parent at your bus stop to pick up your kid that first week...
--Share the role with another parent alternating days.....
--What about the dads - would they like to get involved?
--Got a 5th grader next year? let them volunteer (we need them too)
If you are interested please contact aobrien@dickinsonptsa.org & thank you in advance for your support.
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ASB News
Spirit Week!
Wednesday, June 11: WACKY TACKY Day
Thursday, June 12: Twins +more Day (twins, triplets, quads etc.)
Friday, June 13: Grade Level Color Day:
- Kindergarteners: Red
- First: White
- Second: Blue
- Third: Orange
- Fourth: Green
- Fifth: Pink
- Staff: Black
Student Store: Wednesday, June 11
- Pre-orders due: June 11
- Store open during recess: 10:00, 11:00, 11:30 & 12:00
- Free Gift with every purchase!
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Community Fliers, Events, and Information
Remember to check the Community Bulletin Board for sports registrations, community events, lectures, parenting classes, camps and other important information. Here are just a few of the many events posted on the board:
East Meets West is a cultural summer camp that allows students to experience traditional Indian culture. July 21-25, ages 7-12. More information can be found here.
Do you need help with school supplies? More information about Hopelink's program can be found here.
The Foundation of Fine Arts in the Schools, a Washington nonprofit organization presents the Everyone Can Draw Summer Art Program. For more information, or to register, email Ilene Adler, PH.D. at
register@artwizards.org, or call (206) 525-6075.
Camp Invention: create and invent by exploring science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) concepts. For more information including dates and price, please click here.
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For Your Calendars
June
11 Student Store
12 Volunteer Tea, 8:15-10:30am
12 PTSA General Membership Meeting, 7-9pm, Dickinson Library
13 Field Day & All School Barbeque
18 Half-day, Last Day of School
August
27 Class Lists Available through Parent Access--after 4 p.m.
28 Meet & Greet, 11am-12pm
September
2 First Day of School
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Submissions for Messenger
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Nondiscrimination Notification
The Lake Washington School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, gender, marital status, creed, religion, honorably discharged veteran, military status, sexual orientation including gender expression or identity, the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal by a person with a disability, in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies: Director of Human Resources 16250 NE 74th Street Redmond Washington, 98052 (425) 936-1266 |
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SCHOOL PHONE NUMBERS | |
Office: 425-936-2530
Safe Arrival: 425-936-2531 |
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THE VIRTUES PROJECT
June's Virtue is CONFIDENCE
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Learn more at the:
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SUPPORT OUR SCHOOL WHILE YOU SHOP!
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Simply click the amazon school rewards box before shopping and 4-10% of your purchase goes to our school, automatically!
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Everything Party
offers a large selection of party supplies and seasonal decorations. Every time you make a purchase at their Redmond store, mention Emily Dickinson before checkout and 10% of the proceeds will be donated to our school.
Register your Safeway card with eScrip. Every time you use your Safeway card for savings, a percentage of your purchase will be donated to Dickinson/Explorer.
Register your Target REDcard
to the fundraising
program and select Emily Dickinson! Target will donate a % of your purchases to our school every time you charge purchases on your Target card.
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