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C A L E N D A R
May 15
TEA RSVP DEADLINE
May 18
GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
6:15 pm
At School
May 19
** NO SCHOOL **
SCHOOL FUNDING WALKOUT
NO ENRICHMENT CLASSES
At School
May 21
ART WALK
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
At School
SPRING INSTRUMENTAL
MUSIC CONCERT
7:00 pm
Lunch Room
May 27
PARENTING TOOLBOX
WORKSHOP - DR. JODY MCVITTIE
6:30 pm- 8:30 pm
At School
May 28
LAST DAY TO CHECK OUT
LIBRARY BOOKS
At School
June 3
EARLY DISMISSAL -- 12:55 pm
June 4
CHOIR CONCERT
7:00 pm
At School
June 5
ALL LIBRARY BOOKS DUE
At School
June 12
FIELD DAY AND SPRING FLING
3-5 in the am and K-2 in the pm
At School
June 15
5TH GRADE PROMOTION
1:45 pm
At School
June 16
LAST DAY OF SCHOOL
Early dismissal -- 1:55 pm
A NOTE FROM MS. BREIDENBACH
I have a huge favor to ask of all parents. Please take a few minutes and scour your child’s
bedroom and other areas of the house for books that need to be returned to the classroom or
school library so that students in future years may also enjoy them. If you come across books
your child has outgrown, feel free to drop them off in the office. We will find a welcoming
home for them.
If your child does not have a public library card, now is a perfect time to sign up for one so
she/he will have almost unlimited books to choose from for that hour a day of summer
reading. You’ve heard me say it over and over again: One hour a day is the minimum.
Although attending college isn’t a requirement for a fulfilling and successful life, I want every
child to have the option to attend college. The time dedicated to literacy activities now will
have a direct impact on college opportunities.
Scores from the Smarter Balanced Assessment (SBAC) are slowly coming in, but schools have
not yet received directions about when and how to release them to parents. I believe the
central office will ask all schools do so at the same time and in the same manner. You will
receive your child’s test scores as soon as I am allowed to share them with you. The State of
Washington requires that parents of any third grader who receives a 1 on the test (the scale is
1 to 4 with 3 and 4 being the “passing” scores) have a conference with the teacher and myself.
We will need to talk about school interventions and a home reading plan to support the child
to show proficiency with grade level standards.
As the weather continues to get warmer, students may be tempted to come to school early to
play with friends. I will ask you once again to hold firm and never drop off a child before 8:25
in the morning. It’s a safety issue. I have no supervision for students before that time and get
frustrated when I have to leave meetings to supervise children who were dropped off too
early. Please…..never arrive a moment before 8:25.
Are you moving over the summer and not returning to Fairmount Park in September? Please
contact Kathy in the front office if you know your child will not be here for the 2015-2016
school year.
FINAL 2014/15 GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
How far have we flown in a year, Falcons?
Please join the Fairmount Park Elementary PTA on Monday evening, May 18th at 6:30 pm, for
the final general membership meeting of the school year — during which we will reflect on
the accomplishments of the past year, discuss plans for the summer and for the future, and will
elect executive committee officers and vote to approve an operating budget for the 2015/16
school year.
The YMCA will generously provide complimentary child care for the meeting, for up to 30
children in the K-5th grade age range, on a first come, first serve basis. Child care and meeting
check-ins begin at 6:15 pm.
May 14, 2015
WWW.FPEPTA.ORG
VOLUME 1, ISSUE 33
Don’t Miss The Art Walk!
Mark your calendar for Thursday, May 21 from 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
COUNSELOR'S CORNER WITH MRS. PENDERGRASS
Helping Kids Find Their Voice
How many of us hear our parents’ voices in ours when we say to our
kids in the thick of conflict, “Watch your attitude!” If one could actually
“watch” their attitude, and use words to describe what’s truly going
on, one might say to that comment, “My attitude shows that I’m mad
at you,” or perhaps, “I’m disappointed in myself and therefore retreating, or sulking, or whining, or talking back in a defiant and disrespectful tone.” But we all know that’s highly unlikely in that heated
moment, unless you are Spock from the Planet Vulcan!
We do know, however, self-reflection or this kind of awareness is the
first step to sorting out our feelings and talking through an issue.
That’s why we work so hard here at school on the simple formula,
“Stop, name your feeling, calm down.” Parents can assist in this
awareness and identification process by responding with reflective
words such as, “I see you’re feeling angry,” or even, “I bet you’re mad at
me about that; let’s talk more when you (or we both) calm down.”
We also work here at school on how (our tone) we say things when
there is a problem or conflict. Students learn about the difference
between saying something in a passive, assertive, or aggressive way.
If we want kids to try to solve their own problems first, we have to
help them find their assertive voice, using respectful words and a
tone that shows they mean what they say, without being threatening.
You can practice at home. Ask your kids about potential problems
and issues at school. Have them say what they can first do in their
head (say to self, “Stop. I’m feeling angry. I need to calm down with a
deep, belly breath…”), then role play ways to assertively speak up to
directly address an issue. “It bothers me when you grab my shoulders
when we’re in line. I want you to please stop touching me.”
[For more on how to help your child find their assertive voice, see
Dr. Michele Borba’s 7 points:
http://micheleborba.com/blog/how-to-raise-an-assertive-child/
VOLUNTEER TEA
On Tuesday, June 2nd from
3:15 pm - 4:00 pm, we would love
to celebrate our amazing
volunteers. Have you chaperoned
a field trip, volunteered
in a classroom or sharpened
pencils? We want to thank you!
Please rsvp to your classroom
teacher by May 15th if you can
join us for tea and treats in the
courtyard. Students will be
supervised on the playground by
Ms. Breidenbach and teachers.
Come, relax and enjoy some well-deserved downtime. Rain date is
Thursday June 4th from 3:15 pm - 4:00 pm.
GIVING COLUMN
MS. WEST would love seeds for her plant unit. (veggies, flowers,
herbs etc.)
THE NURSE would love extra pants, socks and unused undies for
boys & girls sizes to fit Kindergarten - 2nd grade.
SUPPORT OUR TEACHERS
There will be no school on Tuesday, May 19th, as teachers throughout the Seattle Public School District unify to send an important
message to the state legislature. If you are available to support
their efforts, please consider participating in West Seattle and/or
downtown activities.
The staff of Chief Sealth International High School invites the
community to join them in “not sitting idly by” as we implore the
Legislature of the State of Washington to comply with the Washington State Supreme Court’s Order to adequately fund Public
Education for our students: Tuesday morning, May 19th, 2015 from
8:00 - 10:00 am in front of Chief Sealth International High School.
Seattle Education Association has organized the following events
throughout the day:
8:00 am
Picketing near the following high schools: West Seattle, Chief
Sealth, Rainier Beach, Franklin, Garfield, Roosevelt, Ballard, and Hale
11:00 am
Gather at Seattle Center - Broad Street, by EMP (see attached map)
11:15 am
March to Westlake Plaza via 2nd Avenue
Noon - 1:30 pm
Rally at Westlake Plaza
1:30 - 2:00 pm
March back to Seattle Center via 4th Avenue
NEED CHILD CARE FOR THE TEACHER WALKOUT?
Seattle Parks and Recreation
The City of Seattle is providing free supervised drop-in activities at
21 community centers for children in kindergarten through 8th
grade on May 19. The activities will be available from 7 am to
6 pm. Registration is available at the community centers and online
at www.seattle.gov/parks/. Child care is available on a first-come,
first-served basis. Please register early to reserve a spot.
Child Care Resources
Child Care Resources, an organization dedicated to providing child
care information and referrals to families, is available to help
families identify a child care option for May 19. Families seeking
assistance in finding child care can call Child Care Resources at
206-329-5544 or visit their website at www.childcare.org.
Please watch the Seattle Public Schools website for any further
details relating to the May 19 walk out.
Do you have an announcement for the Falcon Flyer? Please email your request to [email protected] by Tuesday at 5:00pm.
Art Walk Gear is Here!
Visit www.zazzle.com/fpepta to purchase items featuring Art Walk poster art by Ms. Kelly's class
COME TO ART WALK!
“When can I take home my art?” is the curious question Fairmount
Park student artists are chirping this spring. “After we celebrate it at
Art Walk!” is my reassurance. But what is Art Walk?
Art Walk is the culminating exhibition of all the year’s beautiful art
projects displayed throughout our school. Each student will have
three pieces on display that represent the drawing, painting,
printmaking, textile and ceramic work they have done this year.
That is over 1,000 art pieces! Volunteers are hard at work hanging
these pieces as this Falcon Flyer is published.
Art Walk on May 21, 5:00 pm -7:00 pm is an open time to stroll slowly
through the halls getting to know our community as artists. What
they made, how they did it, what they found challenging, what they
are really proud of will be a meaningful way to connect to your kids
and all their neat school mates. Food trucks will be on site for the
event (Chopstix, Wicked Pies, and Franks Franks).
Volunteers are still needed for the night of the event:
Face Painting: 1 hour shift
Welcome Table: Orient people and collect the suggested $1 donation
- 2 volunteers at 4:45 - 5:45 pm
- 2 volunteers at 5:45 - 6:45 pm
Cafeteria Set Up:
- 4 volunteers at 6:30 pm to get the cafeteria set up for the instrumental concert
Email [email protected] if you can help.
Thank you, see you all at art walk, Susan Maude
PARENTING TOOLBOX WITH FAMILY
MEETING FOCUS
Dr. Jody McVittie will return on May 27th to
expound upon her March Positive Discipline
workshop, which was a great success and sparked
interest in and discussion regarding scheduling
and implementing family meetings. Summer is a
great time to start the weekly meeting routine -- so
please plan to attend from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM in
the auditorium at school.
All are welcome, and child care will be provided by awesome
YMCA staff for up to 30 children in the K-5th age range. Child care
check-in begins at 6:15 PM.
END OFYEAR INSTRUMENTAL & CHOIR CONCERTS
Spring Instrumental Concerts:
• Concert #1 - Thursday, May 21 at 7:00 pm in the Fairmount Park
lunchroom. Come early for the Art Walk festivities, stick around for
the concert.
• Concert #2 - Friday, May 29 at 10:00 am during our Friday
Assembly.
Spring Choir Concerts:
• Concert #1 - Thursday, June 4 at 7:00 pm in the Fairmount Park
lunchroom.
•Concert #2 - Friday June 5 at 10:00 am during our Friday Assembly.
Need more details? Go to www.mrpendergrass.com for
end-of-the-year choir and instrumental information.
NOMINATING COMMITTEE REPORT
The (Spring) 2015 Fairmount Park Elementary Nominating
Committee places the following names in nomination:
For the office of President; Hillary Shaw
For the office of First Vice President; Jasmine Aryana
For the office of Second Vice President; ( )
For the office of Secretary; Heather Whelan
For the office of Co-Treasurer; Renee Hopkins
For the office of Co-Treasurer; Charles Anselm
The nominating committee has confirmed that all nominees have
been a member of a PTA for at least 30 days prior to the election,
and meet other requirements as stated in the Washington State
PTA Uniform Bylaws.
Respectfully submitted,
April Kristjansson, Heather Whelan and Susan Saffrey
Do you have an announcement for the Falcon Flyer? Please email your request to [email protected] by Tuesday at 5:00pm.
Rally Route
FAQ for May 19, 2015 One-Day Strike
1. Why are educators calling a one day strike and holding this march?
The Washington state legislature is in contempt of the State Supreme Court for failing to fund basic education in
Washington. The legislature is also planning to ignore or overturn Initiative 1351, passed by voters to lower class sizes,
which rank 47th in the nation. Parents and voters need to know that legislators are cutting deals right now that will
leave our kids far behind. A strike is far from our first choice, but we can’t allow the legislature to continue to fail our
kids. We’ve tried just about everything else!
2. Who is going on strike?
All educators represented by the Seattle Education Association: office professionals (SAEOPs), paraprofessionals and
certificated staff, which includes teachers.
3. Will schools be closed on May 19? Why is another day being added to the school year?
There is no school on May 19th because of the strike. State law requires that the school year be 180 days, regardless of
snow, natural disasters, water main breaks, strikes, or closures of any kind. So, June 16th will be the new last day of
school.
4. Why are legislators getting such a big raise this year, but educators are getting almost nothing?
Good question -- apparently their own salary committee carries more weight than the state Supreme Court and the
majority of voters! While legislators enjoy an 11% raise, the state Senate plans to give us a 1.8% raise. And that’s after
six years of getting no raises at all from the state! They also plan to make us pay $200 more per month for health care
than other state employees, so we will actually go backward.
5. What can we do to help?
In addition to joining us on May 19th, call the state legislative hotline at 1-800-562-6000 and tell them to fund education as they have been directed to by the courts and by voters!
6. Will 260 day (year round) employees be striking also?
Some SEA members, especially SAEOPs, work year round (260 days). These staff have three choices: one, choose to
work as normal; two, use personal leave, if they have any available, to join the strike; or, three, join the strike on an
unpaid basis.
7. Will evening events and athletic games still go forward?
Concerts, plays, project nights, etc. and other parent/public events can go ahead as planned. Scheduled athletic
games will also go ahead as planned.
8. Can I talk to my students about this? What should I say?
If a student asks you, you can share why we are going on strike for the day, including that we are trying to make their
classes smaller so that they can get more time with their teachers.
9. Can we talk to parents about this?
Yes, but do not use district mail to share information about the walk out (with parents or your colleagues). We
welcome parents to picket at the school sites in the morning and join us for the march in the afternoon. We will try to
accommodate everyone on buses, but parents should consider carpooling with fellow parents where possible.
10. Are schools which had planned to go to camp still going?
Yes!
11. Will students still take their IB tests and AP tests that day?
Students at Ingraham High School will still take their IB tests that day. Advanced Placement (AP) tests will all be over by
the 19th, so there is no conflict.
12. Where do I go to participate in the strike?
We are starting at 8 AM at each of the large high schools in the district (except Cleveland and Ingraham; staff and
supporters should instead go to Franklin and Ballard). All elementary and middle schools staff and parents should go
to the neighborhood high school. Buses will leave from the high schools to the march and rally around 10 AM and
return to the high schools around 2:00 PM – 2:30 PM.
MADISON MIDDLE SCHOOL
Dear Families of Graduating 5th Graders,
Madison Middle School PTSA is excited to invite you to our End of the Year Celebration and
Potluck on Tuesday, June 2nd from 6-8 pm in the Madison Commons area (our auditorium/lunchroom). There will be members of the PTSA, students from ASB (Associated Student Body),
and some staff available on hand to answer questions. Students will give a tour of the school and
answer questions about what it’s like to attend Madison. You will find information about Band and
Music Boosters, the MOST program (afterschool activities), athletics at Madison and how to use the
Source.
This is an exciting transition in your children’s lives. It can also be anxiety provoking for both
student and parent. We hope to calm your nerves and get everyone in the house looking forward
to the upcoming school year…before your summer has started!
Plates, beverages & utensils will be provided. Please bring a dish according to your child’s last
name. Of course, if you have a favorite dish to share, by all means BRING IT and ignore the suggestions below!
A-K Main dish
L-R Side Dish/salad
S-Z Dessert
We hope that you & your family can join us. For those students attending other schools, we wish
you the best! Keep those connections between your classmates.
Warmly,
The Madison Middle School PTSA
Contact Kara Centioli for any questions at [email protected]