Nelsen Middle School

October 16, 2009 PTSA Updates

PTSA MEETING

The next PTSA meeting will be TUESDAY,  (not Thursday, as originally written) October 20, 2009, 7:00pm, in the Multi-purpose room (to the right of the front entrance).  Everyone is welcome to attend!

NEW - Atlantic Street Center Boys’ and Girls’ Club will be starting two new after school groups soon!

“Life Skills for Girls” will meet on Tuesdays after school and “Life Skills for Boys” will meet on Thursdays after school. This is an opportunity for students to come together to create friendships and  learn how to deal with gossip, peer pressure, aggressive behavior, gang violence and other issues they may be facing.  Students will learn new skills, play games, and have fun!  There will be many opportunities for fun activities: arts and crafts, basketball and flag football.

Space is limited. Interested students may pick up a registration form in the attendance office and return it to Mrs. Fairhart as soon as possible. 

Questions?   Contact Genie Fairhart at Genie.Fairhart@rentonschools.us

NEW -  Nelsen Music Association Meeting

Our NMA meeting is Thursday, October 22nd at 6:00 pm in the Nelsen Choir Room/Orchestra Room.

Lauren Daugherty
Nelsen/Lindbergh Orchestras
425-204-3076/Nelsen MS
425-204-3292/Lindbergh HS
lauren.daugherty@rentonschools.us
To see school grades:
https://gateway.rentonschools.us

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

RENTON SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS

Renton School Board resolution opposes Initiative 1033 on Nov. 3 ballot

October 15, 2009―Renton School Board members at their recent meeting took action against Initiative 1033, the Tim Eyman-backed tax-reform initiative on the Nov. 3 ballot.
The board joins a broad coalition of state business, labor, community and education organizations that oppose the initiative which would cap the yearly growth of state, county and city general funds at the rate of inflation, plus population growth.
Opponents say the initiative will create greater need for statewide cuts, which would further devastate public services and education, and impede recovery from the recession.
Eyman has said the initiative would lower property taxes and provide another barrier to keep state and local officials from raising taxes.
Renton School Board’s legislative representative Pam Teal worked on the wording of the Board’s resolution which states the measure would further erode the state’s P-12 education funding, causing deeper cuts to the district’s budget.
State economic forecasters have predicted that the initiative would eliminate most if not all of the state school levy funding in five to six years: an elimination of 25 percent of state school funding that is sent directly to districts.
Find out more about this initiative and other ballot issues, including Renton School Board races.

Randy Matheson | Executive Director, Community Relations | Renton School District | 300 SW 7th Street Renton, WA 98057 | p: 425.204.2345 c: 206.375.0632

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

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.