Nelsen Middle School

October 12, 2009 PTSA Updates

QUICK NOTES:

* Late Start Days - October 16, 23, 30.  School starts 9:25am.

Nelsen on KOMO-4!

Nelsen Middle School will be featured on the KOMO-TV, Channel 4, morning news broadcast on Monday, October 12th between 6 and 7 am.  Paul Deanno, the weatherman, will be featuring Nelsen and making special weather reports for us! 

FALL FUNDRAISER FOR ASB!  -  Official Turn-In Date:  October 13, 2009!

This fall Nelsen Associated Student Body (ASB) will be holding a fundraiser.  The money raised will be used in many ways at Nelsen.  ASB pays for and supports all after school programs (except detention and homework club), all student recognition – awards, honor roll celebrations, citizen of the month celebrations, as well as paying for buses for field trips, sports trips, and music trips.  We will be selling cookie dough this year.  The kickoff will be on September 29, 2009 through October 13, 2009.  The cookie dough will be delivered here at the school on November 17th at which time all of the items will need to be picked up for the students to deliver.  We appreciate all of your support!

**Also, if we could get parent help to count money on October 13th and with help with the delivery on the 17th of November.  That would be great!!  Please contact Becky Schlosstein at rebecca.schlosstein@rentonschools.us.

“I AM A MILITARY KID”

The Nelsen counselors will be facilitating a support group for kids whose family members are in the military.  This group was created to help military kids increase their ability to handle the stresses of life, whether these are related to everyday problems or to their own unique experience as a military kid.  The group will meet for 10 sessions during school.  We will rotate meeting times so students will miss a different class each week so they will not fall behind in their school work.  If you would like your student to participate, please contact Genie Fairhart @ 425-204-3015 or genie.fairhart@rentonschools.us.

Attention Nelsen Artists! 
This year’s PTA Reflections Art Program theme is “Beauty is…”

The Reflections Art Program allows entries in the following categories: Literature, Musical Composition, Photography, Visual Arts, Film/Video, and Choreography/Dance.

Students may submit an entry that was created as a classroom project or one that you created independently at home.  Students can submit more than a single entry and can participate in multiple categories.  All entries must be your own original work.

If you are interested, general information, rule sheets, and signup forms are available from the Nelsen Library; just mention Reflections.  This is your chance to show us how creative you are by participating and possibly creating a winning entry.  Winners from Nelsen will compete against winners from other Renton schools.  If you are a winner from the Renton School District, you can go on to compete with winners from Washington, and ultimately the rest of the Nation.  Let’s see what Nelsen can do…

November 16, 2009 is the deadline to submit your Reflections art entry along with your Student Entry Form.  The forms are also available on-line at:  http://www.wastatepta.org/programs/reflections/forms.html

Any questions?  Contact Ken Wallace, Reflections Chair, at kenwallace1@gmail.com

**NIFTY NELSEN NIGHT.  October 23, 6:00 - 8:00pm  [NOTE CORRECTED TIME!]

Nifty Nelsen Night ("NNN") is an opportunity to reward deserving students with a night of their own.  The teachers will send home papers explaining how students can attend.  Younger siblings and parents are invited and encouraged to attend (no older siblings, please).  It is supervised by Nelsen staff and parents.  The entire school is open with the following events:

-  Dance in the Cafeteria
-  Free pizza and pop in the Cafeteria
-  Basketball in the Gym
-  Computers in the Library
-  Movie in the Theater Room
-  Arts and Crafts
-  and Much More!

We need chaperones, and general parent volunteers.  If you can help, please contact Geri Garl at fourgarls@comcast.net.  This is a HUGE event, and requires 30 or more parents to be successful.  The kids REALLY look forward to this.  If you can only volunteer once or twice during the year, or in the evenings, this is the perfect event to do so!  Plus, it's a lot of fun, not just for the kids, but for parents too!

**BOOK FAIR, October 20-23, 2009.

The Book Fair is heavily dependent on parent volunteers. We will need help for set up the day before students come in (Monday, Oct. 19, between 12:30pm and 2:00pm school), then to run the Fair during day shifts (Oct. 20-23), the evening of Nifty Nelsen Night, and clean up after NNN.  We can use your help, even if you can only do one hour or less.

There are 3 shifts to choose from:

    *  7:30am - 10:00am
    *  10:00am - 12:30pm (lunchtime)
    *  12:30pm - 2:45pm Tuesday through Thursday.
    *  Friday’s shifts are from 9:15 – 12:00 and 12:00- 2:45.
    *  Book Fair is open Friday evening during Nifty Nelsen Night, 6:30pm - 8:30pm.

Finally, clean up will start immediately after the kids leave at 8:30pm. Much help will be needed!

If you can help with any part of the Fair, please contact Heather Thorpe, Book Fair Chair, at 206-972-8930, or e-mail heather_thorpe@hotmail.com (note: there is an underscore line between “heather_thorpe”)

The librarian will use the proceeds from the Fair to purchase library books.  We appreciate the Nelsen community’s long history of supporting reading and the library through book fair purchases.  Thank you for your help and support!

**HEALTH SCREENING, October 27.

Vision and hearing screening for 7th graders will be conducted all day Tuesday, October 27th.  The nurse, Mrs. Pennington, is in need of at least 5-6 volunteers in both the morning and the afternoon, to help with vision screening.

The specific times are morning shift from 7:55-11:00 am, and afternoon shift from 11:20-2:25 pm.  Mrs. Pennington also understands parents have other obligations to work around, therefore, volunteer times can be flexible.  If health is your thing, or even if it isn't, but you want to help, please contact Karen Carpenter, at e-mail 2bacarpenter@comcast.net

JOINING ASB SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES AT NELSEN.

It is very easy to join sports and activities at Nelsen!  First, a student needs an ASB card, which may be purchased from Mrs. Folkerts in the attendance office.  Second, a student shows up for the activity!  Announcements are made throughout the school.  For our sports teams, a student does need to try out and our traveling team does make some cuts, so the student does need to attend all practices.  All of our sports teams will have a 2 week period of everyone practicing, then the traveling team will be chosen.  If you have any questions, contact Becky Schlosstein, at rebecca.schlosstein@rentonschools.us

  
LATE STARTS.

Just a reminder, ALL RENTON SCHOOLS will start 90 minutes late on most Fridays during the 2009-10 school year.  For a schedule of all late start Fridays, go to the calendar at the Renton School District website http://www.rentonschools.us/Home.aspx, and click on the 2009-2010 School Year Calendar on the right-hand side.

Please remember to visit the District site throughout the school year for transportation news, school announcements, and other pertinent information.  The site is GREAT resource for all Renton families!

From the Nelsen News, October 2009

KUDOS FROM THE PRINCIPAL, COLIN FALK 
The year is off to a great start thanks to all the parents, students, and staff members at Nelsen.  I would like to acknowledge a few groups for their hard work and dedication to kick off the year. 
1.        The Positive Behavior Support Committee (PBS):  If you are unsure what this is, just ask your student about the posters hanging all over the building, the “bucks they get paid,” and the goofy role playing they had to do the first day of school. 
2.        The Sixth Grade Transition Committee:  The sixth graders were wonderful on their first day, and I want to acknowledge the team of staff members who put the day together. 
3.        THE FANS and ASB Students:  They came in during summertime to get the school off to a great start and work with the incoming 6th graders.
4.        PTSA:  They provided a wonderful breakfast for the staff to start off the year.
Quote of the Month:  Education is the key to all the locked doors. 

FALL FUNDRAISER
This fall Nelsen Associated Student Body (ASB) will be holding a fundraiser.  The money raised will be used in many ways at Nelsen.  ASB pays for and supports all after school programs, all student recognition—awards, honor roll celebrations, citizen of the month celebrations, as well as paying for buses for field trips, sports trips, and music trips.  We will be selling cookie dough this year.  The kickoff will be on September 29 through October 13.  The cookie dough will be delivered here at the school on November 17 at which time all of the items will need to be picked up for the students to deliver.  We appreciate all of your support!

NURSE NOTES
Vision and hearing screening for 7th graders is scheduled for Tuesday, October 27th during science classes.  All 7th graders who have glasses are to bring them to school for the screening that day.  This year we will not be checking the students for scoliosis (abnormal curvature of the spine), since that requirement was removed by state law last spring.  Contact me if you would like more information about that change in the law, or if you would like to have me screen your child for scoliosis.  The PTSA will be recruiting volunteers for the screening day. If you are interested in helping, please call me or e-mail Karen Carpenter (425-254-9630, or 2bacarpenter@comcast.net.
We still do not have complete shot information for many students.  Students are required by state law to be up-to-date with immunization information in order to attend school.  If your child needs shots, or the information at school is not current, you must take care of it immediately.  For further information, please call 425-204-3002.

NIFTY NELSEN NIGHT
We are back again this year for a family evening of fun on Friday, October 23 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.  The evening will include a DJ and dance, pizza, open gym, movies and much more!  Just a reminder, this evening is open to Nelsen students who qualify (details to be given to students soon!), their parents or guardians and younger siblings.  Please do not bring any students from other schools or high school students.

Remember

·  School Start Time: 7:50 a.m.
    Students should not arrive on campus before 7:30a.m. No adult supervision is available before then.
·  Late Start Fridays: School Start Time: 9:25 a.m.

Nelsen Administration - Contact Information.

Main Office                           425-204-3000
Attendance                           425-204-3010
Cafeteria                                425-204-3018
Nurse, Sue Pennington                 425-204-3002
Registrar, Susan Dean       425-204-3001
Transportation                      425-204-4455, or http://www.rentonschools.us/Departments/Transportation/BusRoutes or
http://nelsen.rentonschools.us/files/BusRoutes/MS_routes.pdf

Colin Falk, Principal                        colin.falk@rentonschools.us 
Elaine Love, Asst. Principal           elaine.love@rentonschools.us
Becky Schlosstein, Asst. Prin.       rebecca.schlosstein@rentonschools.us
Renton School District Website    http://www.rentonschools.us/Home.aspx

COMMUNITY NEWS

William Shakespeare's comedy A Midsummer Night's Dream

William Shakespeare's comedy A Midsummer Night's Dream will be presented at the Renton Stake Center of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on October 15,  16, and 17 with two performances on Oct 17. The address of the church is 19714 106th Ave SE 98055.   This is a non-religious event sponsored by the church with the purpose of providing a free cultural and educational experience for church and community members.
 
Admission is free with a suggested donation of a non-perishable food item to benefit the Kent Food Bank.  Park in any stall in the parking lot, but please enter through the front doors of the building.  Seating is open, so arrive early to ensure a good seat.
 
Jugglers, singers and other Greenshow entertainers will begin performing in the lobby at 6:30 PM each night and at 12:30 PM on Saturday for the matinee performance. The mainstage production will take place at 7:00 PM each night and at 1:00 PM for the Saturday matinee performance.
 
The play is directed by Kristina Yuen (mother of four Renton School District students!), and features students from Lindbergh High School and Nelsen Middle School, as well as Hazen, McKnight, Kentridge and surrounding elementary schools. Adults from the surrounding area also play key roles.

COMMUNITY NEWS

On the Web at http://ltgov.wa.gov/PressCoverage/newsreleases/2009/
10062009GeneralsEssaycontest.htm

COMMUNITY NEWS

FALL FAMILY CONCERT - Oct. 25

Allied Arts presents the Fall Family Concert, performed by the Seattle Philharmonic Orchestra, on Sunday, Oct. 25 at 3:00 p.m. at the IKEA Performing Arts Center.  The Center is located adjacent to Renton High School.

A highlight of the concert is the opportunity for several Renton music students to participate in several numbers.  Under the directorship of Adam Stern, the concert will feature the music of two great French composers, Maurice Ravel and Claude Debussy.  Sunday’s concert will include the ever popular "Bolero" by Ravel.  Student musicians were selected by their instructors, including Lauren Daugherty, Lindbergh High School.  Lindbergh musicians include Daniel T., Danielle D., Ruthie G. (Violins), Tommy O. (viola) and Jaymie M. (bass).   Allied Arts' mission is to keep the ticket prices low so the entire family may attend.
They are supported in this endeavor by the Renton School District and the Municipal Arts Commission of Renton.

Tickets are:  Students (age 18 and under) $3, Seniors $5, and Adults $8.  They may be purchased at the door or in advance at LA Frames, Inc. at 308 S. 3rd in downtown Renton or King and Bunny’s Appliances in the Highlands at 4608 NE Sunset Blvd.

PTSA NEWS

The next PTSA meeting will be Thursday, October 20, 2009, 7:00pm, in the Multi-purpose room (to the right of the front entrance).  Everyone is welcome to attend!

Thanks to all who have become members and supporting the PTSA.   It is not to late - You can still join!

Join Nelsen Middle School’s PTSA!

2403 Jones Ave S

Renton WA  98055

Ano  Another wonderful school year is beginning – Nelsen’s incredible staff is ready for our students – and PTSA welcomes them and you back to school!  The PTSA’s goal   is to enrich our children’s school experience in a variety of ways.  Our many activities need parent help and financial support to succeed, and they include:

All School Picnic
Book Fairs
Chaperoning Dances
Eighth Grade Dance
Health Screenings
Incentive Days
Jr. Achievement
Jr. Honor Society
Nelsen Music Association
Nifty Nelsen Night
Reflections
Staff Appreciation

Please feel free to contact us about an activity that interests you, or for any suggestions or questions.  Meetings third Tuesday of each month, except in December.  All are welcome to attend!  Thank you!

Erica Conway, PTSA Co President               (206) 605-9745,    email  ericaconway@hotmail.com
Geri Garl, PTSA Co President                      (206) 550-7945,    email  fourgarls@comcast.net
Karen Carpenter, Membership Chair           (425) 254-9630,    email  2bacarpenter@comcast.net

That's it for now!  Thank you, everyone!

Geri Garl and Erica Conway
Co-Presidents, Nelsen PTSA