JEFFERSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SOARING SENTINEL THE OFFICIAL SQUAWK OF JEFFERSON March 2017 A Publication of the Jefferson PTA SCIENCE NIGHT COMING TO JEFFERSON INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Love and Logic Pearl 2 Reflections Winner Applebee s Thanks Early Release Cancels Volunteers Bingo Thanks 4 Building Update 4 Classroom Makeover 5 Book Fair 5 PTA Leadership 5 PTA Does What? 6 Have you heard of STEM or STEAM? Are you wondering what they mean or what they stand for? STEM is Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, while STEAM is Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics. The new middle school, Leona Libby Middle School opening in the fall is going to have a STEAM emphasis. The Jefferson PTA is hosting an evening of hands-on science activities for the whole family. The fun starts at 6:0pm on Thursday, May 18 and continues until 8:0pm. We are looking for volunteers to help staff the booths, especially any scientist, engineer, or other tech-savvy parents. If you have questions or would like to volunteer, please email Ches Maier at francesca.maier@gmail.com. IMPORTANT DATES March 2: March 24: March 27: March 1: April 10-11: April 11: April 14: April 17-21: April 20: May 18: It s a Jungle Out There School Musical, 6:0pm Movie Night!! 6:0pm, Moana School pictures, Class pictures SOAR Assembly, 9:0am SBAC Testing PTA Meeting, :0-4:0pm New Building Groundbreaking Buy One, Get One Free Scholastic Book Fair Culture Night, 5:0pm Science Night, 6:0pm
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Page M A R C H 2 0 1 7 PTA REFLECTIONS CONTEST ANOTHER DISTRICT WINNER Fifth grader Eleanor Allison placed second in photography at the district level competition for the Reflections contest. Her photograph has advanced to the state level for continued competition. This information was not in hand last month when the other Jefferson students district showings were reported. The state level competition is adjudicated at the spring PTA Convention, April 28. APPLEBEE S FUNDRAISER THANK YOU The Applebee s Pancake Breakfast fundraiser netted the PTA $71. A super big thank you goes out to Molly Stegen for selling a huge number of breakfast tickets. And of course special thanks goes to all the teachers and staff who served the breakfasts on a Saturday morning. Thank you for going above and beyond to help the PTA have a fun fundraiser. DISTRICT CANCELS FOUR EARLY RELEASE FRIDAYS One touch of nature makes the whole world kin. William Shakespeare The Richland School District recently announced that four early release Fridays have been cancelled so that students can make up some of the lost instructional time due to bad weather this winter. Students will now attend school for a full day on the following Fridays: April 14, 21, 28, and May 5. The last day of school is set for Thursday, June 15, pending approval by the state. As previously announced, the snow make up days are May 26 and June 12-15. IF YOU VOLUNTEER AT JEFFERSON... The Richland School District has changed the registration process for volunteers. What used to be a paper application is now on-line and includes a background check through the Washington State Patrol. You will be required to upload a picture or scan of your current Washington Driver s License. 1. Go to www.rsd.edu 2. Select Jobs,. From the drop down menu, select Volunteer Information 4. Click on the Online Application Link and follow the on-line directions. This process and background check are to ensure that our students remain safe. Thank you for your time and efforts as a volunteer!
Page 4 M A R C H 2 0 1 7 Bingo Night a Huge Success!! Thank you to all who came out for Bingo Night! It was a huge turnout and a lot of FUN! Everyone had a great time, though some went home happier as winners of an Xbox One, 2 TV, and book filled gift baskets. Thank you to all who donated prizes for the themed gift baskets and raffle. Thank you especially to staff member Mary Garfias for the photo session and Jeff Sperline from Sperline Raikes Law Office for the donation of making out a will, valued at $1000. As ever, a HUGE thank you goes to all the teachers, staff and PTA members who worked so hard to make the night one of our best ever. The world is mud-luscious and puddle-wonderful. e.e. cummings Through everyone s support, we raised $1,92 for our school!! Already planning for next year Kristin Coffman, Kristin White, & the PTA Bingo Committee BUILDING UPDATE As of April 1, we will have a large fence around the construction area. This means construction is beginning and we will lose some playground area. Groundbreaking is supposed to happen April 14, or thereabouts. And last, we officially have the new address for our new school building: 1550 George Washington Way
Page 5 M A R C H 2 0 1 7 Classroom Makeover Kadlec and KNDU-TV recognize the important work of teachers and know that teachers are asked to do more with less, specifically when it comes to classroom supplies. In response, Kadlec and KNDU have partnered to host the Classroom Makeover program. Each month, we choose one deserving teacher to receive a $250 gift to use towards classroom supplies. We encourage students and parents to submit nomination forms by logging into nbcrightnow.com. BOOK FAIR COMING SOON! Watch for flyers and book marks announcing the arrival of our spring Buy One, Get One Free Book Fair. It was in the forest that I found "the peace that passeth understanding." Jane Goodall The Book Fair will run April 17-21. Students and parents (grandparents, too!) can come in to purchase books during lunch recesses and right after school. The Book Fair will also be open during Culture Fair night, April 20. Book Fair is made possible because parents volunteer to work a couple hours during Book Fair times. If you would like to work Book Fair, please contact Phyllis Baxter at phyllisabaxter@gmail.com or text her at 509-205-5848. Contact Info for PTA Leadership President: Melissa Blacketer, 08-5792, melissablacketer@yahoo.com Vice President: Lacey Kogan, 66-454, evanlacey@hotmail.com Secretary: Patti Miller, 420-0485, wwl51chocolate@aol.com Treasurer: Kylee Genetti, 420-4112, kagenetti@gmail.com Membership: Kristin Coffman, 946-610, kmcoff1@gmail.com
Page 6 M A R C H 2 0 1 7 W H AT T H E P TA D O E S & P R O V I D E S... Movie nights Blue daily take home folders Craft night Reflections art program Talent show SBAC testing snacks 5th Grade end of year field trip Giving Tree Meals for teachers during conferences Yearbooks Calming baskets Book Fairs Playground equipment Donated books to students and for Field trips and trip buses classrooms School directory 5 Days of Giving (December) Science Night Anti-bullying assembly Skate Nights School newsletter The Soaring Sentinel needs your ideas, stories, suggestions, and announcements. Send ideas to Phyllis Baxter phyllisabaxter@gmail.com 509-205-5848 Published almost monthly during the school year. Look! Look! Look deep into nature and you will understand everything. Albert Einstein Next PTA Meeting Tuesday, April 11th (always 2nd Tuesday of the month) :0-4:0pm Jefferson Library (or Staff Lounge) Childcare provide JEFFERSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 1525 Hunt Avenue Richland, WA 9954 Phone: 509-967-6250 www.rsd.edu/schools/jefferson