Nelsen Middle School
February 2 PTSA Updates
QUICK NOTES:
* Late Start Days - Feb. 5, 12, 26. School starts 9:25am.
* No School - Feb. 15 (Presidents' Day) and Feb. 16-19 (Mid-Winter Break).
Need information on emergency school closures due to bad weather?
The Public Schools Emergency Communications System (PSECS) web site at http://www.schoolreport.org provides a report of school schedule changes due to adverse weather conditions and other emergency situations for member school districts, colleges and private schools.
From the Renton School District's "FAQ" page.
PTA Reflections Update [This is a corrected article]
There were 200 art entries from 12 local PTA units that qualified to compete at the PTA district level. The top 50 entries were displayed at the Reflections Award Ceremony held on 1/7/10. Nelson had 5 entries in this competition. Three entries won and are going onto the PTA state level of competition, and two entries received honorable mention. The results are as follows:
Photography - 1st Place (Outstanding Interpretation): Elizabeth Holm with “Inside a Tulip”
2nd Place (Award of Excellence): Elizabeth Holm with “How Michael Sees Things Through a
Water Bottle”
Honorable Mention: Ashley Wallace with “Winter Wonderland #2”
Visual Arts - 2nd Place (Award of Excellence): Miggi Wu with “The Beauty is the Snowy Eagle”
Literature - Honorable Mention: Elizabeth Beltran with “Beauty”
Let’s congratulate these winners and wish Elizabeth Holm (with her two entries) and Miggu Wu best of luck in the PTA state level of competition!
Next year’s PTA Reflection’s theme will be “Together We Can…”, so start thinking about what you might create to enter next year’s competition.
This year Nelsen had a total of 32 entries covering the categories of Visual Arts, Photography, Literature, and Film Production. Way to go students!
The Valentine's Day Dance is scheduled for February 12, 2010. We do need volunteers! If you can help, please contact Geri Garl at fourgarls@comcast.net.
PTSA NEWS
2010 PTSA Meeting Schedule
Meetings start at 7:00 pm, in the Nelsen Multi-Purpose Room. Everyone is welcome!
o February 23, 2010 - NEXT MEETING!
o March 16, 2010
o April 20, 2010
o May 18, 2010 [General Membership – Elections]
o June 15, 2010 [Last Meeting]
8th Grade Dance Committee.
If you are interested in helping with the 8th Grade Dance, contact Geri Garl, at fourgarls@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
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, February 2010
KUDOS FROM THE PRINCIPAL
The year is half over and it is once again time to acknowledge the positive things happening at Nelsen.
1. Kudos Genie Fairhart for another successful Cultural Potluck.
2. Kudos to Scott Jones for a wonderful Impact Day.
3. Kudos to Andrea Sylvester, Ginger Montague and the Fine Arts department for planning and Elaine Love for coordinating a moving Martin Luther King Jr. assembly.
4. Kudos to Becky Schlosstein for orchestrating Incentive Day.
5. Kudos to Vince Davis for the informative and entertaining PBS videos.
6. Kudos to Sarah Cockle, Renee Barut, and Marcy Caruso for obtaining a grant for $1000 from the Renton Circle of Giving.
7. Kudos to the Benson Hill Fred Meyer for donating $2800 to Nelsen.
Be sure to talk to your student about all the positive things that are happening at Nelsen on a daily basis.
Principal’s Quote of the Month : Kind words do not cost much; yet they accomplish much.
SPRING PLAY
Is your child an actor or part of the stage crew for It’s ALL Greek to Me!? Please plan on attending our parent/participant meeting on Feb. 11 at 4:30-5:00 p.m. This is an important meeting to talk about rehearsals, costumes and the timeline for the play. Please email andrea.sylvester@rentonschools.us if you have questions.
JUNIOR HONOR SOCIETY
The Nelsen Chapter of the National Junior Honor Society will be sponsoring a clothing drive February 22—26. After several of our members volunteered at the Renton Clothing Bank in December it was decided to try and boost the inventory by doing this drive. Please put clean clothing in plastic bags or in a box and take them to room 205. We appreciate your help and support in this community service.
D.C./ NEW YORK TRIP
If you are still considering the trip to the east coast this summer, please see Ms. Rademacher in room 203 or email at diane.rademacher@rentonschools.us ASAP! Thank you.
THE MEASUREMENT OF STUDENT PROGRESS
The MSP testing will be upon us before we know it. The MSP will replace the WASL as the middle school assessment test this spring. Below are a few facts to know about the MSP.
1. The testing will be May 5—21. Please make sure your student is present. Absences not only impact the student, but also count as a zero for Nelsen.
2. Sixth graders test in Reading and Math.
3. Seventh graders test in Reading, Math and Writing.
4. Eighth graders test in Reading, Math and Science.
5. We will be taking the test with paper and pencil, not computers.
Watch for more information as the testing window approaches.
Learning Gateway
Skyward Family Access
The Learning Gateway is a web-based tool for student/teacher communication and connects family members to Skyward Family Access for real-time access to student information, such as grades and attendance.
If you have not activated “your” account, it is easy to do. You should have received a letter in mid-November. That letter listed an activation code that is required for your initial log on. If you have not received your activation code, please feel free to drop by the school and come on up to the computer lab to retrieve it. We can set you up right then and there with your own account. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday, my hours are, 8:00-2:30 and Thursday, 8:00-4:00.
Access to student information is provided and restricted as required by the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act. Parents will need to show photo ID to obtain their activation code. Parents and guardians only need to activate once. Once you log in and open Family Access, if you do not see all children in your family or your contact information is incorrect, please contact your child's school to make necessary corrections. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at 425-204-3056.
Thanks, Terri Zura
Governor’s proposed 2010 budget cuts deeper into education, services
State’s estimated $2.6 billion shortfall means further reductions for school district programs, staffing
January 14, 2010―Governor Chris Gregoire recently released her 2010 budget to balance a projected state shortfall of $2.6 billion. The governor is required by law to draft a balanced budget by the end of the calendar year using existing revenue.
The governor’s budget is estimated to cut about 8,000 teaching positions in the state and all funding for:
· all-day kindergarten for low-income families,
· preschool for 3-year-olds,
· gifted education (Discovery program in the Renton district), and
· would cut funding that allows districts to lower class sizes in kindergarten through fourth grade.
Renton School District loss could total $4.3 million
Renton School District could lose as much as $4.3 million under the governor's proposal. Although it will not be clear how deep the cuts to the district’s budget will be until the Legislature and the governor adopt a budget expected in early spring, Renton Schools Superintendent Dr. Mary Alice Heuschel has begun work to prepare the district’s budget for next school year that includes the governor’s cuts. Every department and school budget is being audited to find efficiencies.
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
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 current 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.
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.
Thank you!
RENTON COUNCIL PTSA NEWS
Contact Your Legislators!
As you already know, school districts in Washington state are facing drastic budget cuts. Renton SD is preparing the budget for next year and needs input from parents. Starting next week, there will be an online survey to define budget priorities available. We are counting on you to help us get the word out to our families about this survey. Last year, a similar survey only had 700 respondents and 93% were staff members! As soon as we have the link for the survey, we will forward it.
If you have not done so, call or write to your legislators and tell them to preserve education funding.
Marcie Maxwell, 41st district Representative posted this on facebook:
"Who had a larger crowd in Olympia and who generated more emails for hearings important to their cause yesterday - gun advocates or education advocates? Answer - gun advocates.....PLEASE SPEAK LOUDER EDUCATION ADVOCATES! Let's hear from more of you around WA State! Ask legislators to support Ed reform/QEC-HB 2776; Race to the Top-HB 3035, 3038, 3059; Levies-HB 2893; Early Learning-HB 2731; and support K-12 budget."
Note from Washington State PTA:
Take this opportunity to send your legislator a message about the importance of avoiding any further cuts to K-12 education this year. You can find contact information for your individual legislator http://www.leg.wa.gov/pages/home.aspx
Or even easier is WSPTA’s http://capwiz.com/npta2/wa/home/, which allows you to send the same message to both of your Representatives, your state Senator, and the Governor.
✶✶✶✶✶✶✶✶✶✶✶
Governor’s proposed 2010 budget cuts means more reductions for Renton Schools
Governor Chris Gregoire’s 2010 budget will mean many cuts to state agencies to make up for a projected state shortfall of $2.6 billion. The cuts include many education programs like all-day kindergarten, gifted education and funds to keep classes low in kindergarten through fourth grade and more. It is also estimated the state will cut more than 8,000 teaching positions: which means 36 teaching positions will be cut by the state in Renton Schools.
Renton Schools could lose as much as $4.3 million under the governor's proposal. Although the Legislature is currently working to prepare its own budget, Renton Schools Superintendent Dr. Mary Alice Heuschel is working to prepare the district’s budget for next school year that includes the governor’s cuts.
The district has scheduled community meetings to offer more information on what the Governor’s cuts will mean to the district and to provide opportunity for public input on the district’s required reductions.
Renton School District
Community Budget Sessions
· Tuesday, Feb. 23, 7 p.m.
Hazen High School Library
1101 Hoquiam Ave NE
Renton 98059
· Thursday, Feb. 25, 7 p.m.
Lindbergh High School Library
16426 128th Ave SE
Renton 98058
· Monday, March 1, 7 p.m.
Renton High School Commons
400 S 2nd St., Renton 98055
Thank you,
Annie Hetzel
Renton PTSA Council Co-President
president@rentonptsa.org
SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS
Nominations sought online for annual Ahead of the Class teacher appreciation awards
January 14, 2010—Local business leaders are looking for your help in recognizing Renton teachers as part of the annual Renton Chamber of Commerce "Ahead of the Class" awards.
Ahead of the Class award is truly a unique and wonderful opportunity to honor Renton teaching staff that work to nurture and prepare children for a productive future.
This year’s main sponsor for the award is the Seattle Seahawks.
Teachers selected will receive a cash award of $500 and be honored at a community gala on May 11, 7 p.m. at the Renton IKEA Performing Arts Center at Renton High School.
Nominations due online (http://civildialogues.org/aoc/) by Wednesday, February 5.
Randy Matheson | Executive Director, Community Relations | Renton School District | 300 SW 7th Street Renton, WA 98057 | p: 425.204.2345 c: 206.375.0632
SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS
Excerpts from Renton School District's "Good News". The full articles are at:
Nelsen Middle School received a check for $2,800 from the Fred Meyer store in nearby Benson Hill Plaza thanks to a customer’s purchase of a winning lottery ticket. In late December, Miklos Atyim, a customer at the store, purchased a winning lottery ticket for $280,000. Store director Randy Welk (middle, presenting check to Nelsen principal Colin Falk) says the state lottery provides stores that sell winning lottery tickets with one percent of the winnings. Welk said he receives many requests for donations, but decided to give the funds to Nelsen Middle School to support local education and because of the large number of parents, staff and students that are customers at the store.
SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS
Renton Community Foundation celebrates 10 years of community support by giving teachers and community organizations $42,000 in cash grants
‘Circle of Giving’ campaign awards teachers $19,000 in classroom funding
January 21, 2010—The Renton Community Foundation today celebrated a decade of philanthropy by granting $42,000 in cash awards to Renton School District staff and community organizations through its 2010 Circle of Giving Campaign. The funds were awarded at a special celebration at the Renton Senior Activity Center
The Nelsen Middle School team, won an award to purchase a set of folktales to use when teaching cultures of the world.
Congratulations!
Read the story (http://www.rentonschools.us/FILES/DISTRICT/Community%20
Relations/RCF_COG_awards-1-23-10.pdf)
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
Preschool Night/Open House at
Cross and Crown Lutheran Preschool
Tuesday, February 2, 2010 from 6-8pm
Do you have younger siblings who will be ready to attend preschool in the fall? Is your neighbor down the street new to the area and isn’t sure which preschool to attend? Then invite them to attend Preschool Night at Cross and Crown Lutheran Preschool on Tuesday, February 2nd from 6-8pm.
The address is 10940 SE 168th Street, just down the street from Lindbergh High School.
Cross and Crown Lutheran Preschool offers a 2-day class for preschoolers (must be three years of age by Aug. 31st), and both a 3-day and a 5-day class for class for pre-Kindergarteners (must be four years of age by Aug. 31st).
Preschool Night is open to all perspective preschool students and their families – there will be crafts for the kids, and the teachers will be available for everyone to meet and answer any questions. For more information, call the school at 425-255-5910, or visit their website at www.cclutheran.org/preschool.
COMMUNITY NEWS
CVAC BASEBALL / SOFTBALL REGISTRATION 2010
The Cascade Vista Athletic Club (CVAC) is a local PONY affiliated baseball and softball league. We provide excellent programs for all
youth 5-18 in the Renton, Kent, South King County area.
Registration for CVAC Baseball and Softball will be on the following dates and times:
02/06/10 Play It Again Sports – Renton 12p-4p
Registration forms should be available online at www.cvac.org beginning 01/07/10.
Due to new Washington State Legislation there will be new forms required for registration. It is highly recommended that you register
in person and not through the mail. Feel free to print out the forms once they are available, fill them out at home, and bring them with
you when you register.
If you have any questions please feel free to email them to cvac.president@gmail.com.
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
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
That's it for now! Thank you, everyone!
Geri Garl and Erica Conway
Co-Presidents, Nelsen PTSA
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January 13, 2009
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