Come See the Reflections Art Exhibit!!! 

Seattle Council PTSA President Lauren McGuire will say a few words of introduction and explanation, but mostly this is a chance to see all the submissions - drawings, paintings, photography, music, dance and film -- from our creative kids, and meet the artists.

Save the date: on Sunday, January 6 from 2-4pm, on the Seattle Center Main Stage, we will celebrate and recognize all our artists. We will announce the finalists whose work will move on to the State level.  And, there will be cake!!

Please help us spread the word - Send this information to friends and family

Questions? E-mail Daphne Dejanikus (dsdejan@hotmail.com) or Leanne Hawkins (hawkins1022@msn.com), SCPTSA Enrichment/Reflections co-chairs

Seattle Public Schools Short Term Capacity Management Community Meeting   

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

7-8:30pm at the Auditorium, John Stanford Center, 2445 3rd Ave. S., Seattle

-From SPS

Enrollment is growing at Seattle Public Schools, with almost 50,000 students this year. Projections show continued year-to-year increases in enrollment for the next five years, with an enrollment of more than 57,000 students by the 2021-22 school year, if current trends continue.

While the School Board approved a list of projects that would be funded if the Building Excellence (BEX IV) levy is approved by voters in February, the BEX revenue would not be available to meet next year's needs.

In the meantime, the District is developing a Short Term Capacity Management Plan, which will outline recommended changes to schools to ensure the District has enough seats to meet enrollment next fall. This plan will likely include some minor renovations and could add portable classrooms for next year.

The District invites the public to learn about the latest recommendations at a community meeting from 7-8:30pm on Tuesday, December 11. Attendees will have an opportunity to ask questions.

In addition, the Seattle School Board will hold a Work Session Wednesday, December 5 to study both the Short Term Capacity Management Plan and the New Student Assignment Plan (NSAP) Transition Plan for the 2013-14 school year.

Both issues are scheduled to be introduced at the January 9, 2013 School Board meeting, with board action on both short-term capacity management and NSAP Transition Plan scheduled for the January 23, 2013 board meeting.

For more information on BEX IV. 

For more information on capacity management.

Preparing for Legal Marijuana

- From Prevention WINS Coalition & Community

Since initiative 1- 502 was approved last month, parents have been asking what they should be saying to their children about the law and about marijuana.  In response Nathan Hale High School's Raiders Against Destructive Decisions (RADD) and the Roosevelt High School PTSA will host parent education nights in January.  Both will feature Kevin Haggerty from the University of Washington Social Development Research Group. 

Tuesday, January 15

7pm at Nathan Hale High School

Thursday, January 17

7pm at Roosevelt High School

Elementary Parent Education -

Coalition members Christine Milton and Carolyn Bernhard have developed a 30-minute presentation for 5th grade parents about how to talk to their children about drugs and alcohol as they transition into middle school.  For more information please contact Inga Manskopf, Prevention WINS Coordinator | Adolescent Medicine

Seattle Children's, Tel. 206-987-7612    

College Goal Sunday

-From SPS

College Goal Sunday is a series of statewide events that provide free information and assistance to students and families who are applying for financial aid for post secondary education by helping them complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).  The FAFSA is an essential first step in accessing college financial aid.

Seattle Public Schools will be hosting six College Goal Sunday events across the district.  We would really like to see our students and families benefit from the incredible services available at these events.  Trained volunteers will be on hand at each site to walk students through the FAFSA process. Our goal is to have all SPS seniors complete the FAFSA.  College Bound Scholarship seniors must complete their FAFSA by January 31, 2012 in order to meet the deadline for priority funding.

College Goal Sunday dates and locations are listed below:

January 9 (3-7pm) at Cleveland HS

January 10 (6-8pm) at Franklin HS

January 16 (6-8pm) at Roosevelt HS

January 16 (4:30-7:30pm) at Rainier Beach HS

January 23 (6-8pm) at Ingraham HS

January 24 (6:30-8:30pm) at West Seattle HS

The Seattle Public Libraries will also be hosting two College Goal Sunday events at the Central Library (1000 4^th Avenue) on Saturday, January 12 from 11am-5pm and Sunday, January 13from 1-5pm.  Students are encouraged to attend these events as well.

Additional information about College Goal Sunday can be found at www.collegegoalsundaywa.org or klrillo@seattleschools.org.

Upcoming Reflections Refresher Webinars

Do you need a refresher course on Reflections? Please note the upcoming Webinars for PTA council's and local PTA units.

Upcoming Refresher Webinars  

For PTA Councils

December 12 1pm ET/10am PT Registration Web Link

January TBD

For Local PTA Units

December 13 1pm ET/10am PT Registration Web Link

January TBD   

SCPTSA Votes to Endorse Operations and Capital Levies Renewal

Help Support Continued Funding for Our Schools by Scheduling a Schools First Levy Presentation at Your Next PTA Meeting

Renewal of two critically important Seattle school levies will be on the February 12, 2013 ballot. The campaign to ensure successful renewal begins now and we need each and every PTA's support!

• The Operations Levy provides more than a quarter of the funds needed to operate the Seattle Public Schools.  This levy provides funding for basic day-to-day operations, teachers, instructional assistants, textbooks, classroom supplies, bilingual and special education services, bus transportation, student activities such as athletics, arts, extra-curricular and co-curricular activities, professional development and training.  

• The Capital Levy (BEX IV) renews our commitment to providing safe, quality schools for our kids.  This levy will provide much needed funding to maintain and improve our aging existing schools and provide earthquake safety upgrades at 37 schools.  BEX IV will renovate and build schools to help meet the substantial and continued growing enrollment in Seattle's public schools, 1,400 additional students this school year alone!

PTA's have been the backbone of every successful campaign to ensure our critical school levies are renewed.  Get involved today!

• Schedule a brief presentation by Schools First for your November board or general meeting.  Schools First is the volunteer network of parents and education advocates that campaigns for renewal of our school levies. 

You and your school community are essential to our school levies renewals for all our schools and all Seattle Public Schools students! 

• Contact Kerry Cooley-Stroum at kcs@seanet.com for more info and to schedule a Schools First (www.schoolsfirstseattle.org) presentation at your next PTA board or general meeting.