The Skyline PTSA Scoop Skyline High School PTSA

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1 The Skyline PTSA Scoop Skyline High School PTSA This is Skyline! Local Unit Sammamish, WA Co-Presidents: Ina Ghangurde and Janine Kotan Editor: Becky Lawrence Nov. 1, 2013 Issue 1 Highlights PTSA News PTSA Membership PTSA Directories PTSA Parent Ed Navigating the Path to College update PTSA Student Enrichment Grants Reflections Update New Deadline Service Learning Hours Form Collection Issaquah Special Needs Group Pacific Science Center Teen Cafe We are on Facebook Save the Date ISF News VIS News PTSA News PTSA Membership SKYLINE FAMILIES, YOUR MEMBERSHIP MATTERS! The Skyline PTSA needs your support to support all of our students and staff through programs and grants. Your membership gives PTSA a stronger voice for student advocacy. JOIN TODAY by visiting DIRECTORIES COMING SOON! Did you register online for a PTSA membership but still need to pay? Please do so as soon as possible through the website or mail your check to Skyline PTSA, 3020 Issaquah-Pine Lake Road, #24, Sammamish WA Only paid members will receive a directory.

2 Navigating the Path to College Our first Parent Ed presentation was a big success with over 100 in attendance. Thank you all for coming. The PowerPoint from the September 30 Parent Ed presentations by Diane Hogle and Karen Edgar is available on the Skyline Counseling Center website at: Contact Roseann Popa at order2popa@comcast.net for any questions regarding our Parent Ed program. Student PTSA Enrichment Grants Chairperson needed for this important position. Contact Ina Ghangurde at: inamukund@outlook.com. Need Funding? If your ASB club or activity is in need of funding to support a unique opportunity, the Skyline PTSA Student Enrichment Grants could be the ticket! Grants will fund specific learning opportunities at Skyline High School when other resource pathways are not available (e.g., Booster Club, ASB, school district budget). Here are just a few examples of the types of enrichment projects that we envision: Drama Club award to bring in a guest director from the Village Theatre to work with students in a 3-hour workshop Panel discussion of local scholars or business community members for a joint JSA, Honor Society, and DECA event Visiting scientist program for the Biology or Engineering Club that outlines the Science & Engineering Practices in the Next Generation Science Standards (to be released Spring 2013) Purchase of plant materials/pots for the Harry Potter Club to plant Mandrakes on the Skyline campus (beautification project) Catering from local business for Japanese Club Grandparents Luncheon served in traditional style/décor by club participants Students should get creative and think outside-the-box of normal funding sources! Go to to download the application form and scoring rubric. [To save time and resources, please note the funding restrictions on the application.] REFLECTIONS DEADLINE EXTENDED! ALL SUBMISSIONS ARE DUE MONDAY, NOVEMBER 4TH. ALL REFLECTIONS-RELATED FORMS AND INSTRUCTIONS ARE AVAILABLE ON SKYLINE PTSA WEBSITE,

3 Service Learning Hour collection on Nov 4 during lunch in the Commons Look for the table in front of the doors, facing the flag pole. Completed forms can be turned in during lunch on the Nov 4, or placed in the Service Learning drawer in the College and Career Center. Visit the link for information about the program or to print a new form. sandi.dong@comcast.net with any questions. Issaquah Special Needs Group Special Education Conversation with ISD Special Services Administration Tuesday, Nov 12th, 7:00-8:30 at Issaquah High School Library All parents in the district whose children who receive special education services, Early Childhood through Transition, are invited to attend. Please come prepared with any questions and concerns you may have about your student's education program, related services and/or accommodations. The Special Services Administration Team will be Dr. Marilyn Holm, Melissa Madsen and Susan Wolever. For more information please contact Becky Gordon at info@issaquahspecialneedsgroup.org or visit IssaquahSpecialNeedsGroup.org Pacific Science Center Teen Science Café The Pacific Science Center is expanding its very popular Science Café program. The currant Cafés meet monthly in Queen Anne, Kirkland, and Tacoma restaurant/bars and are open to all ages but geared toward adults. The idea is to provide opportunities for anyone in the community that is interested to talk with local scientists and researchers about their work and current and cutting-edge ideas in science and technology, all in a relaxed and informal setting. Now the Science Center is starting a similar program geared toward high school students. Teen Science Cafés will be free to attend, feature free snacks and hands-on activities. Three good reasons to go: 1) Learn about real work that is being done in the Seattle area from the researchers themselves 2) Learn about careers that are possible for you if you pursue science and technology 3) Learn something about a topic that you just find interesting

4 Continued. Teen Science Cafés will be held on the second Wednesday of every other month from 7-8:30pm, starting this November and continuing through the school year. Check their website for updates and more information November Teen Science Café: "Genetic Warfare: Barriers to Infection & How Viruses Break Through" Wednesday, November 13, p.m. Old Fire House Teen Center* Speaker: Greg Brennan, D.V.M., Ph.D., Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center Old Firehouse Teen Center is located at NE 79th St., Redmond, We are on Facebook! Hey Skyline Facebook users - please 'Like' the Skyline PTSA page. This is a place to get current, up to the minute news. Here is the direct link: SAVE the DATES: Legal Marijuana and Teens Forums Monday, December 2 6:30 p.m. Open House and Video Presentation 7:00-8:30 Forum Sammamish City Hall Council Chambers Monday, January 27 6:30 p.m. Open House and Video Presentation 7:00-8:30 Forum Issaquah High School Performing Arts Center Thursday, February 6 6:30 p.m. Open House and Video Presentation 7:00-8:30 Forum Liberty High School Performing Arts Center

5 ISF News November 2013 With Gratitude November is the time to reflect and give thanks. With such a wonderful community, our blessings are bountiful and our thank you s plentiful. Parents -- For your continued support of our students. When a need is expressed, you respond with the resources to fill it. PTSA Our valued partner with whom we share ideas and talents. A special shout out to our PTSA/ISF reps who share the Foundation message with their school community. Volunteers Did you know the community contributed over 35,000 volunteer hours to the Foundation last year? Our sincere appreciation to all who sealed, stamped, entered data, manned a booth, mentored, served on a committee or lent a hand in any way. Sponsors It really does take a village to support our children. We applaud the businesses large and small, who give generously of their funding and expertise to elevate education for our students. Please view our sponsor list and remember to shop local when you can. The District For sheltering us (visit us at our portable at ISF anytime), collaborating with us and allowing us to help fulfill their vision. Your Children They re our inspiration and we re grateful for the opportunity to serve them. Thank you everyone. You are the Foundation! Your Ideas Wanted Online applications for Academic Enrichment Grants go live on Monday, November 4. Teachers, staff and parents may apply for projects that reflect creativity and innovation in education and/or support school needs not currently covered by building or district budgets. Grants are awarded in two categories: Classroom Enrichment for projects that cost less than $1,000 and Kateri Brow Big Idea/Biggest Need for projects in the $1,000 - $10,000 range. Grants are presented blind school and teacher names excluded to the review committee and are judged on innovation, merit and need. If you have a great idea, talk to your teacher and/or principal and plan to attend our Grant Workshop on Tuesday, November 5 at the District Administration Building. Who knows, the Balloon Brigade may stop by your child s classroom next March. For more information please contact Michelle Weldon, mweldon@issaquahschoolsfoundation.org.

6 Donor Dollars at Work We had to share the letter below from Susan Mundell, Principal at Apollo Elementary. It s a testament to the power of your donation. What a huge support you are to Apollo! I truly appreciate your work to help our students succeed. I d like to say thank you for funding Apollo s Blast Off to Summer Reading program for the past two years. This funding has allowed us to provide books for our students to read over the summer. As a result, the achievement gap between our low-income students and our general population has decreased. I m very proud that our students are not sliding back in their skills over the summer but are continuing to get better at reading. Your funding has helped us achieve this goal! Youth Explosion Congratulations to the newest members of the Issaquah Schools Foundation Board our five high school Trustees. Our new Trustees all seniors-- will represent the student voice, help determine policies and procedures raise awareness of the Foundation at their schools and serve as an alumni connection after graduation. We re excited to welcome them onboard. Sharma, Skyline. Pictured Left to right, Eric Hall, Issaquah High School, Jasmine Vu, Issaquah High School, Madeline Houlihan, Liberty High School, Helen Wang, Skyline High School. Not pictured, Guari Call for College Bound Mentors Over 300 Issaquah students are eligible for the State s College Bound Scholarship for low income students. We re seeking adults to serve as mentors, advisors and friends to students admitted to the program. College Bound Mentors make a four year commitment to follow their mentee through high school. The time commitment is significant, but the payoff is priceless. For more information please contact Susan Gierke, VOICE Mentor Co-Director, Seeking Success Stories If your child has an inspiring story about their experience with a Foundation funded program, let us know. His or her photo and story could be featured in our upcoming Annual Report. Contact Lynn Juniel, ljuniel@issaquahschoolsfoundation.org for more information.

7 VIS Volunteers for Issaquah Schools October/November News DID YOU KNOW... Our school district has three levies that will expire in 2014? The Issaquah School District has submitted three replacement levies for a special election on February 11, 2014, to continue funding the current level of service and opportunities for our students. This month, we d like to introduce you to the importance of levies in our operating budget in general. In each of the next three months, we will talk about each levy separately. WHY HAVE LEVIES? The state s definition and funding of Basic Education does not fully cover the actual needs of a modern school. As just one example, Basic Education does not include technology, so school districts receive zero dollars from the state to put computers in the classroom, or to maintain Family Access or teacher/school/district websites. Washington State ranks 43 out of 50 states in per-pupil education funding, according to Education Week ; Issaquah ranks 257 out of 295 Washington school districts in revenue per student. A levy or bond measure is the one funding mechanism provided by law that enables the local community to invest directly in the quality of its schools to overcome these shortfalls. WHAT IS THE LEVY CAP AND WHY DOES IT EXIST? By law, school districts are limited in the percentage of their budget that they can collect from local levies to supplement basic education, in order to prevent over-reliance on local dollars for school funding. Through a quirk in history, Issaquah s levy limit is set at 28.97% of the state and federal dollars received by the district during the prior year, while Bellevue s cap is 34.66%, which allows them to collect approximately $9 million more per year than Issaquah. FAST FACT: The Issaquah School District has the highest bond rating (Aaa) of any public school district in Washington State on Moody s scale and has received exemplary audit reports for eleven consecutive years. For more information go to or contact Ina Ghangurde or Janine Kotan, Skyline PTSA Co-Presidents