Weekly Bulletin - April 4, 2011

Upcoming Events Calendar:

APRIL

PRINCIPAL’S NOTE

Dear Salmon Bay Families:

You deserve kudos, kudos, and more kudos!

Thank you for your “out of this world” support of the Salmon Bay at the auction.   Your generosity,  with both your checkbooks, as well as your time, was amazing. That support took so many shapes and forms: procurement, food, organization, hard work before, during and after, attendance, publicity, and, above all: PARTICIPATION.  Thank you! The energy from the event has flowed throughout the building all week, and beyond.  Our students are so lucky to have a true model of community to watch and learn from.

This week will take a moment on Friday to recognize a couple of our students.  In case you haven’t been aware of it, we often recognize students for their spirit of kindness, participation and responsibility when we do class assemblies.  One of our 7th grade students, Leo Pfeifer, won a second place in a national video documentary competition for C-SPAN. He also received some camera assistance from Ian Derby also in 7th grade.  We will also recognize Colin Fallon, 6th grader who, after winning the Salmon Bay Geography Bee, went on to the state contest and placed 9 out of 100 contestants. 

Every day our Salmon Bay students continue to show their initiative and confidence as independent learners!

Have a good week!

Jodee

ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL’S NOTE

Did you know…..

Tidbits that may be of interest to you……

Michelle Ota

Middle School Reminder: As the weather gets nicer please remember the school does have a dress code policy to reduce the disruption at school.  For boys we tend to see sagging pants…but if we see boxer and briefs we will ask students to change or put on a belt. For girls often it is the spaghetti strap tops and the short skirts. We ask that there are no under garments showing (bra straps) and that the skirts are only 5 inches above the knee.  This is also on page 6 of their student planners.

Sneak Peeks:

Middle School LA class working on literary essays. It was nice to see students using different revision strategies. I watched one pair of students working together, and one read aloud the essay and the other tapped the table with a pencil if something sounded “off”.   

In a math class students were learning to solve quadratic equations using the factoring method. Thank you to Canon for helping me out with values of a, b, and c….I was slow at first but eventually it all came back to me.

In another class students were learning to read text and find direct quotes. Some great biographies are being read Tupac, Joe Namath, Clint Eastwood, King Tut, Amelia Earhart, Marie Curie, etc. I can hardly wait for Biography night…

ELEMENTARY VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR’S NOTE

Know why you feel light and springy this week?  The weather?  Heavens no, it is because it is April and we all know what April is…. Poetry Month. 

THANK YOU OOPS!!

I forgot to say, that our friend Jay (Dotson), took awesome photo magnets for us on auction day.

Thanks Jay for providing us a photo journal of all of our different costumes and hairstyles.

GAME NIGHT:

Did you know, in a few days time, you can play games on some one else’s dime.  

FOSB RETREAT:

The FOSB retreat is so neat, we sit around a have a treat.   We talk overall and in generalities – we talk about things, amongst personalities.    Join us for some spirited discussion this Saturday from 9:00 – 2:00.  Details below.  Our retreat agenda will be sent home tomorrow. 

Enjoy your week.  Megan

MIDDLE SCHOOL VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR’S NOTE

MIDDLE SCHOOL PARENTS SOCIAL NIGHT: Monday, April 4th, 7:00 P.M. - ?

The Naked City Brewery and Taphouse 8564 Greenwood Avenue, 98104 (just south of Safeway).

All middle school parents welcome! No agenda - just get to know or re-connect with other Salmon Bay

middle school parents. If you don't know anyone yet, so much the better! We'll have name tags. Dinner

menu available. Questions? Contact Zara Kublin at zkublin@hotmail.com

MIDDLE SCHOOL DANCE:  Friday, April 15th, 1 – 2:30pm.  We will need volunteers to chaperone and make Shirley Temples!!!  Please let me know if you would like to volunteer to help chaperone the dance! 

FOSB RETREAT:  This Saturday, April 9th 9 – 2pm.  Everyone is welcome.  Details are in the FOSB section of this Bulletin.  Please be sure to RSVP!

CALENDAR:  I will be sending out the annual Spring Calendar next week with important dates for the rest of the school year!  Stay tuned!

ALL SCHOOL INFORMATION

BEDBUGS!

Yes, bedbugs. Because of the increase of bedbugs throughout the nation, we are now starting to see bedbugs being brought into some buildings around our district. Although there have been no cases identified here at Salmon Bay, the district now has a procedure for dealing with them (identification, contact custodian, work order goes in for pest control treatment, etc). The other recommendation for prevention from the district administrators is to limit anything brought in from home such as pillows and stuffed animals, especially on “pajama days”.  That was specifically how the latest case got into a classroom. 

~Interesting topics as always,

Nurse Julie

FRIENDS OF SALMON BAY PARENT INFORMATION

FOSB ANNUAL BOARD RETREAT – SATURDAY APRIL 9TH 2011 – 9:00 – 2:00

ANNUAL FOSB RETREAT- All are welcome

This is an opportunity for the group to put aside some of the regular monthly business and dig a little deeper into the philosophy of the group and our plans for the coming year.  Everyone is welcome!  Breakfast type snacks and coffee are provided and we share a potluck lunch.  RSVP to Jane Davies cj_davies@msn.com or Kelly Bryant at kbryant96@yahoo.com would be appreciated but not required.  Topics of discussion this Saturday will be an overview of the Alternative Education Survey, which parents participated in within the last month and a discussion of joint decision making opportunities between our staff, our administration and us parents. 

Robin’s address:

12551 1st Avenue NW

OTHER FOSB NEWS:

Tuesday Morning Coffee Chats!
Kill several birds with one stone....buy your scrip, have a cup of joe, and visit with other Salmon Bay parents (including Kelly and Jane, co-chairs of FOSB). It is a fun way to hear what is going on in and around school and get to know other parents.....and get your caffeine!  Every Tuesday morning around 8:30am in the lobby of school.

PIE (Parent Information Exchange) presents- Salmon Bay’s All School  GAME NIGHT

A night to turn off your TV, computer and electronics…

…and discover…

Hosted by-BLUE HIGHWAY GAMES Unplug and reconnect!  April 8th, Friday

Salmon Bay Cafeteria  6:30 – 8 pm

Drinks and pizza will be served.  (Suggested donation of $1/slice)

Drop by and discover the engaging games of this generation.

Playground Committee News:

Your Playground – Your Vote!  As we wind down for this year, here’s where we’re at:

• We each get to vote as to scope and budget, and that vote occurs at the April FOSB meeting.
• The playground steering committee will be in the library from 6:00pm-7:00pm before the FOSB meeting, presenting the following:
  • Phase I, which is modified somewhat from the concept presented at the Open House.
  • Phase 2, which brings back some of the elements from the current concept.

Please head into the FOSB meeting informed about each option, and be prepared to vote.  That’s the purpose of our 6:00pm meeting. 

Remember, you can view Concept 1 on the playground’s website at http://sites.google.com/site/letsplaysalmonbay/, and in the cafeteria as well.  While there will be some time to discuss the project at the FOSB meeting where we vote, coming to the meeting beforehand will help move the discussion along and free up the agenda for other business as well. 

CHILDREN AND FAMILY OPPORTUNITY TO SING WITH MARY K MCNEIL    

Dear Parents,

Your children have been invited to sing at an International Children's Festival at Town Hall on Saturday April 23rd.  The festival will take place on the stage downstairs.  We will sing our peace songs and Jonah Falk will join us to perform his original composition with us.

I don't know what time we will be singing yet - but please mark your calendars and plan to bring your children.  I will send more details as soon as I have them.

Thanks,

Mary K.

MIDDLE SCHOOL  PARENTS SOCIAL NIGHT  Monday, April 4th, 7:00 P.M.                 

The Naked City Brewery and Taphouse

8564 Greenwood Avenue, 98104 (just south of Safeway)

All middle school parents welcome! No agenda - just get to know or re-connect with other Salmon Bay middle school parents.   If you don't know anyone yet, so much the better! We'll have name tags.

Dinner menu available.

Questions? Contact Zara Kublin at zkublin@hotmail.com

SALMON BAY SWEATSHIRTS have arrived! 

They will keep your family warm and toasty for years to come... that is, if you remember to write your name on the tag!  Sweatshirts can be purchased in the lobby during Tuesday coffee hour and Friday mornings before school.  Or you can buy them from Megan if you can track her down. Adults sizes M-XXL in black, royal & red and cost $25.  Kids sizes S-XL in black, royal, red and purple and cost $20.  Email me with any questions - Jen Busch jbusch9@gmail.com

Robotics Team starting up!   (4th-8th graders)                                                                     
ROBOTICS TEAM
(4th-8th graders)

Robotics team is starting this week.

We will meet on Wednesday in room 214 after school until 4:30.  (Note: There is no after school activity bus on Wednesdays).

The robotics team will be associated with FIRST® LEGO® League (FLL).  The team will design, build and program robots using the LEGO MINDSTORMS® Robotics kit.  Each year FIRST put's out a challenge to the teams in the league.   The challenge is released in September and the teams have about 2 months to create their robot and put together a presentation on a current science topic.  In December, teams will go to state qualifying competitions to participate in the Robot Game and to show their presentation.

We are forming the team now so that we can get some familiarity with what it takes to build and program robots.
For this spring we will be meeting once a week on Wednesday after school for 2 hours.  In the fall, when we get to the regular season, we will probably need to meet twice a week for 2 hours, and maybe a couple of Saturdays.

Middle schooler's please sign up using OST forms.  Grade schooler's please sign up using after school activities forms (found outside Megan's office).

For more information, or if you would like to help, email the Robotics Team Coordinator tomkolar@comcast.net.

For more details on FLL see:  http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/fll

SCRIP NEWS

Did you know that by buying gift cards and using them for your weekly shopping, you help raise money for our wonderful school?  Scrip brings in about $5,000 a year.  That's money that could be used to buy classroom supplies!  And all you have to do is spend your money differently.  Easy as pie!  

I'm at the table in the front of the building every day, Tracy is there on Thursday afternoons and I bring the box to FOSB meetings.  If you don't normally come in to the building, feel free to e-mail me and we'll figure out a way to connect.  

We currently have Fred Meyer/QFC cards for $50, $100, $200 and $300.  Safeway for $100, PCC for $20, Starbucks for $10 and $25.  

Have a great week!  Suzanne Waller suzaroo@gmail.com

MIDDLE SCHOOL INFORMATION

Photographers & Photos Needed for 8th Grade Slide show      

Flash your camera skills for a fun event - parent or student photographers are needed for the the 8th grade slide show/end-of-year celebration. If you can take pictures at school and/or school events, or have photos from earlier in the year, please contact Ben Goldarb @  bengoldfarb@gmail.com or

(206) 313-2649 for details.

Assistance League of Seattle Summer Scholarship

If you are looking for a summer activity for your child, but may not be able to afford it, please go to www.seattle.assistanceleague.org or more information.  Applications are on-line.  The April 1st deadline is quickly approaching so please look into this scholarship.  Please refer to the website for the programs restrictions.  Thanks, Anthony Malaki, Counselor

Ecology Youth Corps

Will your child be turning 14 years old by July 5th or July 29th, then they may be hired to be a part of the Ecology Youth Corps.  The EYC is responsible for cleaning up our community green spaces, while getting paid for it.  You can go to www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/swfa/eyc/nwro.html or talk with Anthony for more information and an application.  The application deadline is April 5th.

ELEMENTARY ANNOUNCEMENTS

Chess Club News for April

We will be making chess club t-shirts again this week.

If your child would like a shirt, just have them bring in clean t-shirt (color or white) and we will put the chess club logo on it.

We have found that shirts that have been washed at least once tend to take the ink better.

DISTRICT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Open Enrollment extended two weeks through April 15

The new dates for Open Enrollment are March 15 - April 15. Significant changes in transportation service for next year are under consideration, with a decision expected at the Feb. 16 School Board meeting. The Transportation Department will be sending out letters notifying families about students' transportation eligibility for next year. Open Enrollment is being extended to give families more time to consider whether these proposed changes will impact their choices for next year.

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

Hoopaholics Spring Break Basketball Camp - Details                                               

Details

Hoopaholics spring break camp is an opportunity for players to learn more about the game and have fun in a great environment.  Players will learn and work on: Shooting, footwork, ball handling, triple threat, and will play in game situations. Players should bring water and a snack.

Go to www.hoopaholics.com for registration

Bill Supports Alternative Schools, by John Miner, Thornton Creek Principal

The Washington State House of Representatives is working on HB 1521, a bill that would recognize schools of innovation in the state. Thornton Creek School is named within the bill as an example of an innovation school in Washington.

Parents, please write your legislator and our School Board directors to request their support for HB 1521. The passage of this bill will help with work that the alternative schools have embarked on within the district. Seven of Seattle's alternative schools have begun working with SEA and SPS to establish operational assurances that will support creativity and innovation within the alternative schools.

The more support for HB 1521 that legislators receive, the more likely that the bill will pass. You can find our Board members' e-mail addresses at schoolboard@seattleschools.org.

Thank you for your help!

Positive Parenting of School Age Children

Would you like to learn about communicating more effectively with your children, have a better understanding of their behavior, and help build their self-esteem? You can in this free six-week parenting class designed for parents and caregivers of children ages 5-12. We will also talk about positive discipline techniques. The class facilitator will be Kim Buehlman, MA, LMHC.  Limited, free childcare is available only for children aged 5-12. 

Registration is required

for class and childcare. The parenting book for this class is $10 (scholarships are available). 

Please call 206-694-6727 to register

When:  Six Wednesdays, May 4 to June 8, 2011 from 6:30-8:30 pm

Where: at BF Day Elementary School, 3921 Linden Ave N.  98103 This class is free but donations are greatly appreciated.

Positive Discipline: The Early Years – Julietta Skoog

Hello parents!

I still have room in my Positive Discipline: The Early Years workshop happening this Saturday, April 2nd at the Phinney Ridge Neighborhood Association (9:30-12:30). Contact me for more info 

If you are interested in delving even further, my 7 week Positive Discipline, Parenting from the Heart begins May 3rd and registration is also open for that (Tuesdays, 6:30-8:30.)  

Please feel free to forward to anyone you think may be interested.

Happy parenting!

Julietta Skoog

www.juliettaskoog.com

Space to Create    www.spacetocreate.net    1414 NW 70th Street  784.0401

2011 Classes/Events Coming Up:

• Bookmaking for Kids - Monday 3.28-4.11 from 3:45-5:15
• Pajama Pants, Thursdays, April 7 and 14 from 3:45-5:30
• Ukrainian Egg Workshop
  Two different sessions:
  Adults:  April 7th 7-10pm
  Parent + Child:  April 9th 9am-noon
• Kids Night Out Friday, April 1 from 6:00 – 9:00 pm

Piano Lessons offered for all ages and abilities

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 Ave NW, 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. 

¯Dr. Laura Coyer    (206) 788-9655   ljcoyer@earthlink.net

SUMMER CAMP OPPORTUNITIES

Fayezart Summer 2011 Day Camps!

Camp 1: Art for Arts Sake I - $350 
July 18th - 22nd, 9:30am - 2:30pm (Recommended age 9 - 13 year olds)

Camp 2: Art for Arts Sake II - $350 
July 25th - 29th, 9:30am - 2:30pm (Recommended age 9 - 13 year olds)

Designed for the young Artist who is serious about his/her personal artistic growth. Campers will make real art using professional art mediums, focusing on the Elements of Art and Principles of Design. Faye will lead the students through step by step detailed techniques creating Illusion of Depth and Illusion of Form. Because of the extra hours of the camp there will also be plenty of time for campers to explore there own favorite mediums and creative expression. Examples of available mediums include: clay/pottery, watercolor, acrylic, oil pastel, chalk pastel, print making and more.

• A light snack will be provided around 10:45 & a lunch break at 12:15. (Please bring your own water bottle.)
• After the last day of camp we will host a mini opening gallery exhibit for family & friends. Enjoy refreshments while mingling and discussing the young artists's creations!
• Campers will pick up finished pottery the following week.

Send $175 deposit along with the completed registration / liability form to Faye Baker.

COHO KIDS TIME SUMMER  CAMP INFORMATION - 2011

Summer Camp 2010 registration starts on March 28th.

Registration for next school year is also open now.

All registration materials are available online this year, and only online.

Here are the steps:

Go to: www.ballard-bgc.org

-click on “child care” tab (top) then Coho (left)

-all forms must be completed and signed (including immunization forms)

-turn completed forms into Coho Kids Time, with $25/week deposit to reserve space starting on March 26th.

Call 297-7764 or email coho@positiveplace.org with any questions

We hope to see you soon!

Be sure to check out the Summer Youth Programs at the University of Washington.   

UW Summer Youth Programs offer 2 and 3 week full-day programs for both elementary and middle school students.  In addition, middle school students also have the option of enrolling 2 week ½ day short courses on a variety of topics (e.g., Robotics, Computer Game Design, Young Writers Workshop, Dance).  Registration is now open.  We encourage parents and students to visit our website at: www.summeryouth.washington.edu for more information.  

Summer Camps at the Burke Museum!

Registration now open

Little Dinos!
For kids entering Kindergarten or 1st grade
July 5 – 8, 9 am – 12 pm

Little Explorers!
For kids entering Kindergarten or 1st grade
July 5 – 8, 1 – 4 pm

Dinos!
For students entering 2nd or 3rd grades
Session 1: June 27 – July 1, 9:30 am – 4 pm
Session 2: July 11 – July 15, 9:30 am – 4 pm

Dr. Mossbreath's Mystery
For students entering 4th, 5th, or 6th grades 
July 25 – July 29, 9:30 am – 4 pm

Girls in Science
For girls entering 7th, 8th, or 9th grades
July 18 – July 22, 9:30 am – 4 pm

REGISTRATION IS OPEN NOW!

To register or for more information about Burke Summer Programs, contact Burke Education.
Phone: 206-543-9681
E-mail: burked@u.washington.edu