Nelsen Middle School

December 8 PTSA Updates

QUICK NOTES:

* Late Start Days - Dec. 11, 18.  School starts 9:25am.
 
* Winter Break - Dec. 21 - Jan. 1.  Return to school Jan. 4, 2010.

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THE ASB COOKIE DOUGH FUNDRAISER!

A BIG THANK YOU to the Nelsen community for their support for the cookie dough fundraiser.  We loaded in 5,200 pounds of cookie dough at 12:45 and it was all picked up before 5:00.   It was due to parents coming to pick up their students’ order, and for students picking up before they went home!  We cleared close to $10,000 for our after school activities and student recognition programs!  Thank you Nelsen Families and Community Supporters!!!

THANK YOU NELSEN FAMILIES, FOR THE STAFF DINNER!

Thank you so very much to everyone who contributed for a successful staff dinner during Parent-Teacher Conferences.  Your contributions helped sustain the staff!  We cannot thank you enough for your help and participation!  This truly shows how much we care about our school and the teachers!  THANK YOU AGAIN!!!!

PTA Reflections Winners

This year Nelsen had a total of 32 entries covering the categories of Visual Arts, Photography, Literature, and Film Production.  Way to go students!  We also had help from several judges this year.  If you know the following judges, please let them know how much we appreciate their participation and time that they gave this year:  Cindy Wade, Rhodora Darang, Esther Rich, Scott Jones, Margie Lindberg, and Karen Kawamoto.  Thank you to the parents and teachers that encouraged the students to enter.  And now to the winners: 
           
Visual Arts -   1st Place: Miggi Wu with “The Beauty is the Snowy Eagle”
                      2nd Place: Mickee Cheung with “Beauty is Friendship”
                      3rd Place: Colette Perry with “Opalescence”

Photography -1st Place: Elizabeth Holm with “Bee on a Flower”
                       2nd Place: Elizabeth Holm with “Inside a Tulip”
                       3rd Place: Elizabeth Holm with “How Michael Sees Things Through a Water Bottle”

Literature -     1st Place (Tie): Ashley Wasisco with “Beauty”
                       1st Place (Tie): Shanti Mattox with “To Me, Beauty is Family”
                       3rd Place:        Elizabeth Beltran with “Beauty”

Film -               1st Place: Niko Bautista with “It’s You I Like”

The following students will have their entries move on to the next level of competition, Local PTA Council, and compete with other Renton Schools:
                        Miggi Wu, Mickee Cheung, Colette Perry, Elizabeth Holm, Ashley Wasisco, Shanti Mattox, Elizabeth Beltran,
                        Niko Bautista, Samantha Stuefen, Ashley Wallace, Kimberly Luu, Abrianna Tatum-Bolar, Darian Schriner, Ray Godwin

There will be a Reflections Awards Ceremony for the PTA Council winners to be held on January 7, 2010 at 7:00pm at the Ikea Performing Arts Center.  You are welcome to attend, whether you have been notified as being a winner or not.  The Ikea Performing Arts Center is on the East side of Renton High School.  Please remember to mark this on your calendar so you don’t forget about this ceremony.

PTSA NOTE:  A VERY BIG THANK YOU TO KEN WALLACE for all the hard work and dedication he put towards The Reflections Program this year.  The certificates and prizes were fantastic!

McTeachers Night Thank You

Thank you to all the families who supported Nelsen at McTeacher’s Night in November.  We raised over $500!  A portion of the money raised will fund the lunch for presenters at Impact Day at the end of January (more information on Impact Day will be coming in the January newsletter).

Celebrate Diversity!

Please join us for our annual Cultural Family Potluck
Bring a favorite family dish to share and stay awhile to learn and play

Thursday, January 14th, 2010
Dinner from 6:00-7:00pm
Open Gym and Family Games from 7:00-8:00

Everyone is invited!

 

New After School Clubs Presented by the Atlantic Street Center Boys’ and Girls’ Club

“Life Skills for Girls” meets on Tuesdays after school and “Life Skills for Boys” 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.

All students are welcome! Students may pick up a registration form at the group.

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

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, December 2009
PRINCIPAL NOTES
"I’m bored!  There’s nothing to do!"  As a parent, I am sure you heard those lines plenty of times.  You won’t hear that from students who are involved with after school activities or sports at Nelsen (at least not while they are at school).  The first quarter has already passed and it is important that your child is involved in activities at Nelsen beyond the school day, as studies have shown that students involved in activities in school are more likely to be successful.  For a list of activities that are offered, check out your student’s agenda book.
Principal’s Quote of the Month
Without involvement, there is no commitment.

DISCOVERY APPLICATIONS
Applications for the Discovery (Gifted) Testing will be accepted through Dec. 16.  The process for referring a child for testing involves 2 forms, one filled out by you as the student’s parent and one filled out by the teacher.  These forms are available in the attendance office or from the counselors.   If questions, contact Jody Hanawalt at 425-204-2401.

PARENT CONFERENCES
A big thank you to all participants—parents and staff.  Communication is essential for our students to achieve success.  If you were unable to attend and have questions or concerns, please call your student’s counselor to set up a conference. 
Mr. Jones, 6th grade - 204-3013
Ms. Fairhart, 7th grade -204-3015
Mr. Graham, 8th grade—204-3017
Thanks to the PTSA for the delicious dinner provided on Tuesday evening! 

DELAYED-START FRIDAYS
Nelsen Middle School is finding our collaboration time, delayed-start Fridays to be very productive, and having a good effect on student achievement.  The 90-minute periods on most Fridays throughout the school year are spent using a model called Professional Learning Communities where teachers meet as a school-group or in grade-level teams and have meaningful discussions and work sessions on what students should learn, how they will know when they have learned it, what to do if they meet expectations, and next steps.
The training sessions lead to in-depth discussions and practice to allow teachers to problem solve and share with each other what is working well in classrooms and for individual students.  Some of the topics we will cover this year include reading intervention and instructional strategies, cultural competency, math interventions and instructional techniques, and high yield instructional strategies.

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 NEWS CALENDAR
Carrie's Note:  Each student receives a copy of the "Nelsen News", to bring home each month.  If you have not received one, or are missing the December issue, ask your child if he/she has it in their backpack, or binder.  Attached to each Nelsen News is a copy of the Calendar of the month.  Due to server limitations, I am unable to attach it or reproduce the same, in its original format.  Here is what I can extract from it:

December 10
2:45 – 4:00pm  Club Meetings:  Homework; Fitness; Computer; Math Help
3:00pm               Basketball Game at Nelsen Gym

December 14
2:45 – 4:00pm  Club Meetings:  Homework
3:00pm               Basketball Game at Dimmitt

December 15
Period 2, 3, 5      Winter Concerts
2:45 – 4:00pm   Club Meetings:  Math Help; Fitness; Homework

December 17
2:45 – 4:00pm   Club Meetings:  Homework; Fitness; Computer; Manga; Math Help; Basketball Practice

Please be sure to ask your child for the Nelsen News at the beginning of the month, and regularly check with them for any other important school handouts!

The e-mail updates are not intended to replace regular U.S. mail, or written material sent through the students. The updates serve as additional notice, or a precursor of things to come, and help to rally parents and promote camaraderie.  This will especially help for upcoming events that may require parental support.  Please remember to ask for, and read the school handouts!

Thank you!

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

Gymnastic Clinic, Dec. 12 and 13

Come and Join us at our Mid Season Gymnastics Clinic for High School and Middle School students


Where?     Metropolitan Gymnastics - 6822 S. 109th Kent WA. 98032 - (425) 282-5010


When?      December 12th from 3 to 8pm and December 13th from 11 to 4pm.


Who?        You will have a chance to work with club coaches with many years of experience as well as level 9-10 gymnasts.


What?       This clinic gives you a chance to learn new inventive ways to learn and perform a skill, you will be practicing on all AAI equipment and foam pit.  We will also be focusing on all four events.  Each day will be broken up into 5 stations (45 minute rotations).

Pricing:     $130 for both days, $90 for one day

For questions or to register you can call 425 282-5010 or email at info@metropolitangym.com.

COMMUNITY NEWS

Salvation Army Renton Rotary Food Bank

The last few months have been extremely busy for The Salvation Army Renton Rotary Food Bank, and the shelves are empty.

Please take food or drop off a check payable to the "Salvation Army", to Captain Terry, or one of the volunteers at the Food Bank located behind Renton High School at 206 South Tobin Street.

You can help by conducting a food drive at your office, school, service club, or just write a check, TODAY PLEASE.

To view a detailed news article go to this link:  http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/south_king/ren/news/68676452.html

For current information on a Lindbergh Food Drive in Fairwood, CLICK HERE

COMMUNITY NEWS

Fairwood News in Real-Time, Any Time

Fairwood Community News, Inc. (www.fairwoodcommunitynews.com) is an established, comprehensive and FREE News Source for the greater Fairwood area.   Fairwood Community News covers news about our neighborhood schools, organizations, businesses and developments in our area.  If it has something to do with our community, FCN is interested in sharing it with the greater Fairwood area.

 

Features: Check out the site; you'll find information about everything: Lindbergh, Nelsen and feeder elementary schools; A Community Calendar is well-used and updated regularly - add your own group's events by emailing FCN;  Homeowners Associations have dedicated pages; and Classified advertising is also FREE.

If you have news to share, let Fairwood Community News know about it.  They want to hear from you.

To view the site, go to http://www.fairwoodcommunitynews.com/index.html

Contact Information

Tami Tedro-Howard
Fairwood Community News
PO Box 58843
Renton, WA 98058
e: info@fairwoodcommunitynews.com
www.fairwoodcommunitynews.com
206.856.1662

 

COMMUNITY NEWS

City of Renton to Open Shelter December 8

Highlands Neighborhood Community Center Open from 8:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.

Renton, WA: The City of Renton’s shelter at the Highlands Neighborhood Community Center, 800 Edmonds Ave NE will be open Tuesday, December 8, 2009, from 8:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. to assist residents during the cold wave.

Residents are asked to be careful and remain in their homes for their own safety. To stay warm, wear extra clothing and use extra blankets. Residents are also urged to check on their neighbors who may need help, such as the elderly or people with special needs. Be sure they have emergency supplies.

With temperatures expected to remain close to or below freezing, the roads can get extremely icy and unsafe and the city urges drivers to prepare for winter driving conditions. Citizens are reminded to have their personal/family emergency plans ready including food, water, alternative shelter, a land-line telephone, transistor/battery-operated radio and other tools that can help respond to an emergency. Citizens should have enough supplies for at least 72 hours and beyond.

Residents in need of assistance during business hours should call the City of Renton Human Services at 425-430-6650 or 425-430-7500 after 5:00 p.m.

For information and locations of other shelters in King County visit,
http://www.kingcounty.gov/safety/prepare/news/2009/December/
05shelters.aspx

Here are some steps that you can take to help you be prepared:

·         Dress appropriately before going outdoors. The air temperature does not have to be below freezing for someone to experience cold emergencies such as hypothermia and frostbite
.
·         Make sure to keep your gas tank near full to avoid ice in the tank and fuel lines. Keep extra blankets in the trunk in the event that you are stranded and have to wait for help.

·         Prevent water pipes in the home from freezing, and thaw them if they do freeze . (American Red Cross website): http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/0,1082,0_579_,00.html)

·         Stock your emergency car kit, especially with a battery-operated radio, water, blankets, and non-perishable foods. (Emergency car kit checklist): http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/winter/emergencykit.htm)

News and Information Resources

·         Northwest Weather Service (Seattle)
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/sew/

·         Winter Safe Driving:
http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/winter/

·         Regional Public Information Network
www.rpin.org

·         City of Renton website
rentonwa.gov

COMMUNITY NEWS

KING COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM - THE "STUDY ZONE ONLINE" 

The following information is from the KCLS's website, and located at:  http://www.kcls.org/studyzone/study_zone.cfm

The library site has a wealth of information.  Check it out at:  http://www.kcls.org/index.cfm

Study Zone Online provides access to Study Zone tutors over the internet, using the Brainfuse classroom.  Students in grades K-12 can join an online Study Zone classroom to get help in math, science, English and social studies.  At this time Study Zone Online is available only through a library computer.

2009-2010 Study Zone Program Calendar
Scheduled of planned program closures.
Rules of Conduct

Online Tutor Schedule
Volunteer tutors are currently available online Mondays through Thursdays 3-8pm & Sundays 3:30-6pm
Online hours will be expanded as additional tutors become available.
How does Study Zone Online work? - View a demo of the Study Zone Online
Study Zone Online uses the online classroom designed by Brainfuse, allowing for simultaneous live chat and whiteboard drawing functions.  As with the Study Zone tutors in the library, Study Zone Online take place in a group setting with 1-5 students for each tutor.  Students can work individually with a tutor or students can work together in a group and get help from a tutor as they need it.  Students can even use our online worksheets for skills building practice.

How do students join Study Zone?
There is no need to sign up in advance, just log in any time during Study Zone hour.  All you need is your library card.  Students can also drop in to work with live tutors at most KCLS libraries.   To find a live tutor at a library near you see the regular Study Zone program and the Study Zone Tutoring Schedule.

Who are Study Zone tutors?
Study Zone tutors are volunteers from our communities who must pass a Washington State patrol background check and complete a program orientation before they begin tutoring. Study Zone tutors can provide help in all subject areas up to the 8th grade level and also specialize in one or two subjects each up to the college-prep level.

Interested in volunteering to be a tutor? 
Be a Study Zone leader! The Study Zone needs dedicated volunteers to help students with their homework.  The minimum commitment for Study Zone Online is 3 hours, one day per week. Training and support are provided.

PTSA NEWS

2010 PTSA Meeting Schedule
Meetings start at 7:00 pm, in the Nelsen Multi-Purpose Room.  Everyone is welcome!

o         No meeting in December, 2009
o         January 19, 2010
o         February 23, 2010
o         March 16, 2010
o         April 20, 2010
o         May 18, 2010    [General Membership – Elections]
o         June 15, 2010  [Last Meeting]

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

Join Nelsen Middle School’s PTSA!

2403 Jones Ave S

Renton WA  98055

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:

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

NELSEN MIDDLE SCHOOL PTSA MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION

Name ____________________________________  Name ______________________________________
                                                                                                                      (for 2 members)
Phone ___________________________________         Email_______________________________________

Address___________________________________ City/Zip____________________________________
Student(s) Names(s) ___________________________________________________  Grade(s)_________
Home Elementary School ______________________________________

¨  Membership    $15.00 per Person or $27.00 per  Family     Total Enclosed:  ____________________
Are you interested in helping?  If so, please note which activity you would like to help with:
_____________________________________________________

Checks payable to: Nelsen Middle School PTSA.  Please return to the school office.  Thank you!!
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« « « «  SUPPORT THE KIDS!!  « « « «

PTSA does little fundraising, and operates on a very small budget.
In order to keep the PTSA going, and in lieu of a major fundraiser, we are accepting donations or pledges.
Your donation is tax deductible, and a receipt will be provided.

I would like to donate the following amount:
¨ $15    ¨ $20    ¨ $25    ¨ $30    ¨ $40    ¨ $50    ¨ Other ­­­­­__________

 

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

Geri Garl and Erica Conway
Co-Presidents, Nelsen PTSA