Weekly Bulletin - Jan 18, 2011

Monday January 18th, 2011

Upcoming Events Calendar:

Dear Salmon Bay Families:

One thing each of you has in common is that every one of your students is learning to think mathematically---they “do math.”  I hope you will join us for our Salmon Bay Math Night. We have had to postpone the date  (Thursday, January 27) but would still like your participation and input.  We will talk about: what does math instruction look like at Salmon Bay, at different grades, ways to help students who struggle with math, and who want to do even more math, as well as ways for parents to look at/interpret district and state math assessments.  In case you didn’t see an earlier request in the bulletin, I’m repeating this message again, and also asking you to feel free to e-mail (jreed@seattleschools.org) me any other things you’d like to see at this, or other math nights. We will re-schedule the date, as soon as we can, and let you know.  In the meantime we welcome your ideas.

A WEP reminder:   Just as we did last week, if there is a change in the WEP classes we will send you an automated phone call and e-mail, so be sure to check your messages. At this point we will try to re-schedule the WEP that was cancelled last Friday, possibly on Thursday Jan 27. Please wait for final confirmation of that re-schedule, but this is a heads-up.  You can always call the main office, as well, if you have questions.

Martin Luther King Day:I hope you enjoyed the long week-end, and perhaps you took time as a family to attend a MLK event, or had a conversation at dinner about why we have this holiday. Today our middle school students attended a theater production from Living Voices with a performance about the civil rights movement from the point of view of a young African American student of the times. This could also be a good conversation for you with your student. Elementary classes will be continuing this theme throughout this month, with a peace and Justice assembly next month.

Thank you for everything you do to send your student to school ready to learn.

Jodee

Did you know…..

Tidbits that may be of interest to you……

Michelle Ota

This week was full of learning. Jodee and I ventured on a learning walk where we got the opportunity to look at middle school Math classes and an intermediate Math class. We were able to dabble in circumference and radius, square root, developing rules around multiplication and finding connections around skip counting and repeated addition.  One of the common themes among all the classrooms we observed was the rich discourse at each level we observed.

I was able to sit in with the band and observe tuning and the rehearsal of a piece that required students to work together to support a student in his saxophone solo.

The icing on the cake and to end the week, was the voice of a first grader asking for help to solve a dilemma between he and a classmate at lunch….heartwarming!

Outside the classroom- it was nice to see three students step up during lunch to help our community keep the cafeteria spic and span. It was phenomenal to watch inclusion happen not only in the classroom, where I see students going out of their way to include students on class assignments/projects, but on the basketball court.  Peer coaching and peer encouragement is what middle school students

Hello Salmon Bay Elementary Families,

They say that absence makes the heart grow fonder.  Well after being away with my family for a month, I certainly am fond of Salmon Bay and all the great things that happen here.  I am especially fond this week of….

Caitlin Racey– She did a spectacular job of managing all of the elementary Volunteer Coordinator job duties that I told her about, and the thousands that I failed to mention.  Thank you Caitlin.

Alodie Loney– Our former scrip coordinator, who has moved her family to the Bayou.  Her patience, kindness and commitment to our scrip program was so appreciated.  Her coffee hours gave a great lift to Tuesday mornings, with her presence and all that extra caffeine.  We will miss her and wish her family all the best.  Thank you Alodie

Suzanne Waller– Our new scrip coordinator, who just started Salmon Bay this year with a delightful kindergartener in Amy’s class.  Suzanne is expanding the scrip program to every morning and afternoon, will begin selling Safeway cards, needs a few more afternoon sellers and plans to keep coffee hour going on Tuesday mornings.  Thank you Suzanne

The Playground Committee – Who is excited about giving their opinion about what makes a fun playground?  I am and so can you - be.  There is a meeting that is designed for all parents to come and give their feedback about our new possible playground and what it could be.  The committee has tried to make this meeting accessible for all parents so join us this Saturday, 10:00 at Ballard First Lutheran.  Thank you Playground Committee

The quick accessibility of our parent board meeting minutes – Who could be fond of that you say?  I am.  How great is it that if you cannot attend one of our monthly parent board meetings, that everyone is welcome to, you can read the quick version, in minutes form at http://www.salmonbayschool.org/announcements/2011-01-15_january-13-2011-minutes

Thank you Susan Motte.

The Peace and Social Justice Assembly – Don’t miss your opportunity to celebrate a consistent and important theme of this month, Salmon Bay’s Elementary Peace and Social Justice Assembly.  You will hear more from your student’s teacher, but plan to be in the stage area from 8:35-9:15 to inspiration and youthful wisdom.

Lastly,thanks for all of the good wishes for my family and our adventure and thank you for all you do for Salmon Bay.  It is one of the many special places in the world, really. 
Happy to be back.    Megan

MIDDLE SCHOOL VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR’S NOTE

WEP!!! #2:Is this Friday, 1/21. Thank you for volunteering again this week!!

If you are planning to volunteer to help with any of the WEP Activities, you will need to have a background check on file here at school (A Criminal History Information Form – CHI). We need to have a new form turned in every year! Forms are available in the main office, on the Seattle School District website, or on our school website – salmonbayschool.org - under “forms”. If you are not sure if you have turned in a form yet, please send me an email (jlphillips1@seattleschools.org) and I will check. Thank you!

WEP #3:  Be sure to save the date….Thursday, January 27^th for WEP #3!  This will be the make-up day for the missed WEP on Friday, 1/14.

Beads and Arts and Crafts Donations for WEP Activity:Cleaning house? Finding old arts and crafts projects, or collections of beads that you probably won’t use? The WEP Beading/Jewelry/Space to Create class would love to have any of your old materials; we’ll put them to good use or pass them on to others that would like to use them. You can drop donations off in Room 317 with Melanie or in the office marked for Melanie. Thanks in advance for anything you can share!

WEP INVOICES:  Will be sent by email this week from Jerri harden (our bookkeeper).  If you still have a balance due for WEP, be on the look out for the invoice this week.  If you have any questions regarding payment for WEP, please contact Jerri Harden at -  jlharden@halcyon.com

8th GRADE PROJECT! VOLUNTEER NEEDS!Eighth Grade Project is getting under way, and we are still in need of a few volunteers. We need volunteers to help……

1. Mentor students one-on-one.

2. Additional adults to help staff work with kids after school (probably Tuesdays).

3. Readers/editors to give feedback to students as they work through the drafting process.

If you would like to volunteer, please contact;  Melanie Shelton at - meshelton@seattleschools.org or Jessica Phillips at -  jlphillips1@seattleschools.org   As with all volunteer jobs, please be sure to have your Background check on file. If you are not sure if your form as been turned in, please contact Jessica Phillips to confirm or to get more information.  Thank you!

TUTORING VOLUNTEERS!We are in need of parent volunteer tutors to help with Math and Language Arts for Middle School students. Tutors are needed Monday through Friday during 5th and 6th periods (from 12:45 – 2:45pm) in both Math and Language starting in January. Please let me know if you are interested in volunteering to be a tutor! Thank you!!!

AUCTION VOLUNTEERS!If you would like to volunteer to help with the All-School Auction this year, or if you want to be added to the email distribution list for the Auction Committee, please contact our wonderful Auction Chair – Edith Fuchs at – eka@nwlink.com Or you can contact me and I will be sure to get you in touch with Edith! Thanks!

Do you have any books lying around that your child loved reading in first or second grade but has since outgrown?  Kim Post, our elementary reading specialist, needs your gently used first and second grade level reading books to help build her collection of reading material.  Any questions contact Kim at kdpost@seattleschools.org or 252-1769.

Cleaning house?  Finding old arts and crafts projects, or collections of beads that you probably won’t use?  The WEP Beading/Jewelry/Space to Create class would love to have any of your old materials; we’ll put them to good use or pass them on to others that would like to use them.  You can drop donations off in Room 317 with Melanie or in the office marked for Melanie.  Thanks in advance for anything you can share!

Let’s play Salmon Bay!  12 days until our design workshop!  We’ve been getting out the word through invitations (did you get one?), posters (did you see one?) – and even KOMO News got in on the act by writing a great article about our project (read it here:  http://ballard.komonews.com/content/salmon-bay-giving-kids-autism-place-play).  You have ideas and questions about the playground’s design, and we want to hear them.  Remember:  an hour’s worth of your time at the design workshop is valued at $20, which the city matches at double the amount through their Neighborhood Matching Fund! 

The first design workshop will be on Saturday, January 22nd, from 10-noon, at Ballard First Lutheran Church.  Please come – and bring a friend! 

Happy New Year from the Auction Committee!We have successfully started the auction kick-off activities and many people are already working on making this important and fun school event a success. Come get involved and join the party!

In case you can’t wait to start working on your costume – the theme is …

2011 A Space Oddity

There are several ways you can contribute:

-       Join our auction team!Experience what makes our community special by being part of an auction task team. Make new friends. Have a look ‘behind the curtain’ and learn what it takes to make our most important school event happen. Please contact Edith Fuchs by email (eka@nwlink.com) or phone (206-779 1220).

-       Donate items to our auction! You can donate conveniently online at http://salmonbayschool.org/parents/fundraising/auction/donor_form, or mail in or drop off a donation form (available in the school lobby, or download attached file). Watch out for auction letters coming home by kid mail or mail carrier! Salmon Bay family donations are the most sought after items at the auction. Those special dinners, crafts, and services from our Salmon Bay families are what bring in the most money, so make sure to turn in your donation before our deadline February 18th. For information regarding donations or to volunteer to be part of the procurement team, please contact Julie Nachtwey by email (julie@nachtwey.com) or phone (206-781 5229).

-       Come to the event, have fun, and enjoy the satisfaction of buying the things and services you wanted anyways while knowing that the $$ will directly support your kids receiving the quality education they deserve. 

MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW:  Sat, MARCH 26^th, 2011 North Seattle Community College, 5-10.

Easy commute. Plenty of parking (yeah!). Great venue. Fun decorations and costumes.

It's that time of year again... time to think about your favorite bottle of wine and one that you want to share with the other good folks of Salmon Bay.

 Here's how it works.  We will have a wine grab where auction attendees can pay $25 and before they leave the auction they will get to grab a bottle of wine to go.  What will they get?  The hope is that they will get a great bottle of wine that will become one of their favorites as well!  The wines that end up in the wine grab are mostly $10-$30 bottles (with the occasional $30+!).  We are looking for your favorite wines to be donated - the ones that you buy as a gift when you're going to a friends house for dinner, or as a treat when friends come over.  For instance, I discovered a 2006 Castle Rock Syrah that is $14 and amazing.  That would be a good candidate for a wine grab donation.  

Another idea is to get a case of your favorite wines so that you get the case discount, and then donate half of them to the wine auction!  Whichever way you choose, we would really like to make this year's wine auction a big event.  We've done this the last two years and sold out within the first 30 minutes of the auction and lots of people were disappointed they didn't get to participate.  And, if you have higher end bottles of wine, you can also donate those!  Anything around $30 or more will end up in the silent auction. Ready to donate?  

Take your wine over to Michelle Chamberlain's house at 7023 22nd Ave. NW (just a couple blocks from school).  There's a trunk on the porch where you can put your donation and there will be a clipboard to note your name, what you brought and the approximate value.  Or you can give your bottles to Audrey Lee, Cassy Johnson or Kevyn Hauser.  Thanks for your help!  Cheers!

Michelle

bzzz, bzzz, bzzz:   That bee in our bonnet wants to make some money, honey, and all proceeds benefit Salmon Bay!  If you’re a pretty good (adult) speller, enjoy the company of good friends, and are looking for some fun – then the Second Annual Spelling Bee is for you!  Here’s how it works:

• A written, qualifying round starts us off, open to all paying contestants ($10 fee). 
• Short acoustical intermission with Alan Wenokur, Dan Peters & Robin Lofstrom (aka Crwth).
• Top 12 spellers will then participate in a traditional spelling bee.

If you missed this fun event last year, you won’t want to miss out this year!  Donations for beer, wine and our Bee Sting drink happily accepted.  $10 entry at door.  Saturday, February 5^th, 7:00-10:30 pm.  Ballard Big House event space, 2007 NW 61^st St. (the funky old church with the tricycles on the porch).  Winner receives prizes and bragging rights.  Questions?  Contact Anna McAllister at mcallister.anna@gmail.com, Donna Mack (donnamack@comcast.net) or Robin Wise Lofstrom at robin@lofstrom.com. 

NEW SCRIP HOURS:  Purchase scrip at the table located in the front foyer near the office;  hours are Tuesday and Friday mornings 8:15 - 8:45, and Thursday afternoons (right after school).

GIFT CARDS AVAILABLE THIS WEEK!   We now have Starbucks cards for $10 and $25, Fred Meyer/QFC cards available for purchase in $50, $100, $200, and $300 amounts, PCC cards available for $20, and Snoose Junction available in $10 and $25 increments. The PCC cards are rechargeable, just add funds at the cash register and then use the card to pay.  

eSCRIP:  The eScrip program allows you to support Salmon Bay programs with minimal effort!  Simply go to www.escrip.com, securely register your credit cards, debit card, and selected store club cards (club cards require use of account #, not phone #), and designate Friends of Salmon Bay as the group you would like to support.  Now, every time you shop at any one of the hundreds of participating merchants using one of the registered cards, a percentage of your purchase goes directly to the school!

Come “hang out” with other Salmon Bay middle school parents. This is a fun, informal opportunity to connect with each other and talk about the issues we all face in raising adolescents. Suggested topic this month: Rudeness! What is it? Where does it come from? What do we do about it? Share your frustrations and successes (or... talk about something completely different:).

When: Monday, January 31st, 7:00 pm.

Where: The Naked Tap, 8564 Greenwood Ave. N. (North of 85th and Greenwood intersection, just South of Safeway)

If you know you’re planning to come, you can e-mail at zkublin@hotmail.com. If you’re a spontaneous type, just show up!

Students:  Please go onto the Source FIRST to view your second semester classes before seeking a schedule change.

The goal at Salmon Bay Middle School is that students take a wide variety of exploratory classes over the course of their three years.  This may mean that students aren’t always taking their “first or second choice” exploratory classes.  Because schedule changes can be challenging, we will consider making schedule changes if:

1. The student is missing a “required” class.  Example:  No math, or PE assigned.
2. The student is assigned to the same class twice in the day.  Example:  You have two math classes.
3. You want to be in Band.
4. No class has been assigned to a specific period of the day.
5. Other: _________________________________________________

Exploratory Class Change forms are available in the main office. 

Forms are due to Karen in the main office no later than January 26^th.  Late submissions must be approved by Jodee.

Thanks,

Karen

Softlife Creature Making classes are full for winter quarter. If you are interested in putting your child's name on the wait list for spring quarter, or would like to be contacted in the event of a cancelation for winter quarter, please email Coco Howard at softlife@mac.com.

SPANISH CLUB:  Starts Tuesday February 1^st afterschool.  Meet in room 214.

K-5 Class Tuesday’s 2:35-3:35 Room 214, Cost $100

More info or questions contact Martha 783-1012

Recommendations for Year Two revisions to the New Student Assignment Plan have been submitted for Board action, and a vote is expected at the January 19th Board meeting.  You can view a presentation of the recommendation at http://www.seattleschools.org/area/board/10-11agendas/010511agenda/nsap11-12.pdf

Some highlights for Salmon Bay families:

• Salmon Bay is classified as an Option School, and as such our enrollment tiebreakers are 1) sibling 2) Geographic Zone and 3) lottery.  A map of Salmon Bay's recommended geographic zone is availalble through the weblink provided above.
• For students entering 9th grade, the following parameters will guide enrollment (text taken from District recommendation):

High School Open Choice Seats

Set target enrollment for 9th and 10th grades based on 25% of each school’s functional capacity − But, if projected 11th and 12th grade enrollment is more than 50% of functional capacity, reduce 9th and 10th grade targets accordingly

 If the grade or school’s projected enrollment is:

• 90% or less of the target (based on functional capacity), the minimum number of Open Choice seats will be 10%

–There will be more Open Choice seats added (above the minimum) if attendance area enrollment is less than 90% of target enrollment

• 91% -100%of the target (based on functional capacity), the minimum number of Open Choice seats will be less than 10%

• More than 100%of the target (based on functional capacity), there are no Open Choice seats

• Also for incoming 9th grades, please note that IF you apply to attend a high school other than your student's assigned attendance area school during Open Enrollment, AND you receive a new assignment to your choice school, THEN you WILL LOSE your spot at the originally-assigned school.  Families will NOT receive an opportunity to choose among the two schools once selected to receive a new assignment.  So please be CERTAIN that you want your student to attend the application school, because if you get it, you're stuck with it!

Got all that?  If not, please contact your FOSB co-chairs Kelly Bryant (kbryant96@yahoo.com) or Jane Davies (cj_davies@msn.com).  We'll try to steer you through all those vocabulary terms :)

Dear Salmon Bay Parents,

    Spend your summer vacation on the beautiful, fascinating island of Bali!  At the end of last year I sent a message inquiring about interest in a Salmon Bay family tour to Greece or Bali, Indonesia. The feedback came in overwhelmingly for Bali, so I would like to give you more details about this adventure to Southeast Asia.

We propose a 14-day "Bali and a little Java" tour beginning Sunday, August 7 and ending Saturday, August 20 and would like to invite those interested to our home for a slide show and orientation of the tour Thursday, January 27, 7:00 PM.  Please RSVP to either rctouring@comcast.net or 206 789 9156. We encourage your questions and concerns and hope to hear from you soon, because it is never to early to start planning for your summer vacation.

    Julie Coen, mother of 6^th grader Salmon Bay student

Hello Salmon Bay families! My name is Laura Coyer, and I currently run a piano studio in Ballard that includes families from Salmon Bay as some of my current students. I have a few openings in my studio, and I would love to welcome you to our music community and to help you begin your journey of music. 

Lessons are $34 weekly for a 30 minute slot and $50 weekly for a 45 minute slot. I teach beginners through advanced, and I welcome all who are eager to make music part of their lives.

I have Masters and Doctoral degrees in piano performance and have been teaching piano and music for over 15 years. I'm a current member of the Washington State Music Teacher's Association, and am an active performer in the Seattle area. My studio is only 6 blocks from Salmon Bay on Jones, and just north of 65th. 

Please call or email me if you'd like to set up a time to meet or if you have any questions. 

Thank you, and I look forward to hearing from you! 

Dr. Laura Coyer

(206) 788-9655

ljcoyer@earthlink.net

Baseball and softball season is just around the corner and Ballard Little League registration is now open. For over fifty years Ballard Little League has offered baseball and softball programs to girls and boys from ages 8-16* who live within certain boundary limits**.

Registration is now easier than ever with our online registration.  Visit ballardLL.net to learn more or to register online.  You may also come to our in-person registration night at:

 Sunset Hill Community Club

3003 NW 66th Street

January 26th - 6:30 - 8:30pm.

If you have any questions about the program, please contact Patty Lott at 784-2527 or p.lott@comcast.net.

Also, be sure and visit our Facebook page and become a fan of Ballard Little League.

Tell all your friends and don’t miss out on the fun!

*Age Eligibility: Baseball players must be 8 years or older, and less than 17 on April 30, 2011. Softball players must be at least 8 years or older, and less than 17 on December 31, 2010.

**Ballard Little League boundaries require that you live north of the ship canal, west of 8th Avenue NW, south of 85th NW and east of Puget Sound.

Registration is now open for Northwest Seattle Little League, which is open to boys and girls who are at least 6 years of age as of April 30^th, 2011 and live in the approximate area in Seattle between Northwest 85th Street and Northwest 145^th Street and between Puget Sound and I-5.  Online Registration is available at www.NWLittleLeague.org.  Families can also find out more about our league in person at the Meet and Greet / Cleat Exchange in the cafeteria atWhitman Middle School, 9201 15th Avenue NWon Saturday, February 5 between 9am and noon.  For more information regarding our league, including volunteer and sponsorship opportunities, tryout dates and upcoming player, coach, and umpire clinics, please visit our website or contact us at NWLL@hotmail.com.

Are you a single parent looking for information and support to help you raise children in this complex world? Come to this free six week parenting class for single parents.  Learn and share ways to nurture cooperation, respect, and joy in your single parent family.  The focus will be on parenting children aged 3-10 years.  The class facilitator will be Kim Buehlman, MA, LMHC. 

Limited, free childcare is availablefor children aged 3-10 yr.The parenting book for this class isPositive Discipline for Single Parents  by Jane Nelsen.  The cost of the book is $10 (scholarships are available).

Registration is required-call 206-694-6727 

When:  Six Wednesdays, Feb 2, 9, 16 (no class on Feb 23)and March 2, 9, 16  from 6:30-8:30 pm.

Location:  FamilyWorks, 1501 N. 45th Street, Wallingford

Give the gift of yoga to your teen.

YOGA for TEENS taught by Salmon Bay parent, Mary Kay Bisignano Vadino

5 week session, $40.00  begins Jan. 9th, classes meet 4pm Sundays at Taj Yoga in Ballard/crown Hill.  Contact mkvadino@comcast.net for more info.

Play Baseball/Softball with North Central Little League

Sign up now for the 2011 baseball/softball season!  North Central Little League offers programs for boys and girls ages 5-18 years-old living in Phinney Ridge, Wallingford, Fremont, Greenwood (south) and Ballard (east).  Go to www.northcentrallittleleague.org to register.

2011 Classes/Events Coming Up:

Half-Day K Class: Tuesdays ongoing

Middle School Open Studio: Wednesdays 3 - 5

Manga Drawing: Mondays Jan. 24 – 2.14

Silk Painting for Adults:Wednesdays Jan 12 – Feb. 9 from 7 – 9 pm

Book Making for Adults: Mondays Jan 24 – Feb. 14 from 7 – 9 pm

Early Release Art Time: Wednesday, Feb. 2  from 1 – 4:30 (Barb will walk group over after school)

Special Event:

Kids Art Night

Friday, Jan. 21^st from 6 – 9

Drop your artist(s) off to enjoy artist endeavors at the Space.  It’s a win-win!  Kids will have fun with Barb and Clare (our amazing summer assistant) and you can go have fun as well. 

The evening will be Open Studio format: several art projects available including sewing, jewelry making, drawing and building.  PJs are encouraged!  Space is limited. Pre-registration required.