Briarwood Elementary School, Renton WA
Issaquah School District
Local Unit 2.6.5
January, 2015
Volume 6, Issue 3
Bear Facts Newsletter
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Online version available—w/full color and links
See our website
Happy New Year and welcome back! I hope you all enjoyed your winter break. After a two week
vacation, I am excited to kick off an exciting and fun 2015! I want to say thank you to my PTA
board who work so hard to make all of our events happen; I couldn’t do it without all of you!
I would also like to thank all of our families that helped make our Caring thru Sharing program and
Food Drive a huge success! You opened your hearts and added to your shopping lists to make the
season brighter for many families in our community. The Issaquah Food Bank was able to help
make the holidays brighter for over 400 families and 1,000 children in our community!
We recently distributed the PTA Directory and all PTA members should have received this as well
as their Briarwood tote bag! If you’re a member and haven’t received a directory and/tote bag,
please email us at [email protected] and let us know and we will get one out to you. I
want to thank Laila Collins and Maria Bassett for their efforts in raising membership and getting
the directory and totes out.
Also, if you haven’t yet joined PTA this year, please visit our website at
www.briarwoodelementarypta.org . It’s never too late to join! Thanks to Jeff Carr and Erika Deaton for chairing this position as well as Sharon Mendoza for all her assistance to them with the process.
Coming right up is our Art & Cultural Family Night
on January 23rd! In addition to having several fabulous art projects, we are celebrating the cultural
Reminder:
diversity of our students by asking them to create a
PTA General Meeting*
poster about their heritage. Students will receive an
(Continued on page 3)
Monday, Jan 26 @6:30 PM
Anne Livingston
Child Tech Expert
All are Welcome!!
*Meeting Agenda on our website
President:
Karin Manning
[email protected]
Secretary:
Diane Oberg
[email protected]
Treasurer:
Alison Larsson
[email protected]
VP of Fundraising:
Rebekkah Leibowitz
[email protected]
Co-VP of Programs:
Hollie Archibald
[email protected]
Erin Thacker
[email protected]
VP Family Nights:
Laila Collins
[email protected]
VP Communications:
Maria Bassett
[email protected]
MEMBERSHIP UPDATE
VP of Volunteers:
Louisa Pardo
[email protected]
Thank you to everyone who has taken time to join PTA
so far this year! We have over 360 members as of the
first week of November!
At-Large Member*:
Karen Nelson
[email protected]
Briarwood Library
Guest Speaker:
2014-2015 PTA BOARD
Our goal for the year is 450 members (79%), including
100% teacher participation (which we achieved last
year). Watch for our Goal Meter in the front hall at
school to track our progress!
THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS!
To the following Chairs and their teams of volunteers who did an outstanding job with their November and December events:

Pizza Bingo: Michelle Peeples, Sharon Kellerman

Scholastic Book Fair: Katie Breuel and Hollie Archibald

November Staff Lunch: Nicole Morgan (and Mike Harris/Drew Terry on
the turkey deep-fryer!)

Student Directory: First-time Chairs Jeffrey Carr, Erika Cooper Deaton
(with special help from Sharon Mendoza)

Variety Show: First-time Chair Emily Klein (assisted by VP Laila Collins)

Lunchtime Book Swap: Tanya Platt (and VP Erin Thacker)

Holiday Caring Through Sharing: Kristin Slocum and Michelle Splaver

January Staff Lunch: Nicole Morgan
Website:
http://briarwoodelementarypta.org/Home
Staff Liaison*:
Kelsey Smith
[email protected]
*Appointed Position—all others elected
Newsletter Editor: Maria Bassett
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
December Winners MAH/RAH.2
Program Updates/Recaps ........ .2
Next Year’s Board……………….….3
Volunteer Recognition..………..…3
District/State/National PTA .... .4
Advocacy/Legislative News ...... .4
Community/District News ....... .5
Calendar ................................... .5
Programs
& Event
Updates
SCHOLASTIC
BOOK FAIR
RECAP
Thank you to all who supported
our Fall Book Fair in November.
We had total sales of over
$9,000, which meant that we
received nearly $5,500 in Scholastic Dollars and other rewards.
The proceeds will go toward
reading enrichment in many areas of our school.
STAFF APPRECIATION
Thank you to those parents who have
contributed to our first 2 Staff Luncheons—the staff is always very appreciative! There are 3 luncheons remaining—mark your calendars:
March 17: Soup and Salad
May 5: Cinco de Mayo
June 9: Texas BBQ—hosted by 5th
Grade Parents
To get added to our distribution list,
contact Chair Nicole Morgan,
[email protected]
GIFT A BOOK FALL
DONOR LIST
Thank you to everyone who participated in our Gift-A-Book Program from September through
December 2014. Through your
generous donations we added 64
books to our school library.
See the PTA website for a complete list of donors.
Program Chair: Sharon Mendoza,
[email protected]
DECEMBER WINNERS OF THE TRAVELING BEARS
Math at Home: Ms. Peschl’s Class with 43% Participation
(Come see us during the First Popcorn Friday each month for fun games at Math Tables!)
Program Chairs: Loan Chen, [email protected], and Lovenia Hardin, [email protected]
Reading at Home: Ms. Peschl’s Class with 35% Participation
(Watch for the “goal meter” in the lunchroom—we’re trying to hit 1 MILLION
minutes of reading for the school year. After December, we’re at 250,000.
Keep up the great work!)
Program Chairs: Amy Carr, [email protected], and Erin Reddekopp,
[email protected]
Congratulations! The traveling bears will be in your classrooms for the
month of January in recognition of your classroom achievement!
REMINDER: These programs have 2 different prize structures:
 Monthly Class Competition—based solely on participation. You can read 20 minutes or
2,000 and it all counts the same. The more who participate, the better chance your class has
to win the bears.
 Half-Yearly Prize Drawings (scheduled for February and June) - these are based on the
amount of minutes you read. If your child meets an average of the monthly goal (300 for K2, 500 for 3-5), they will be entered in the prize drawings. Fun math prizes for MAH, and
gift certificates for books you can choose yourself for RAH. February 6th is the first one.
MULTICULTURAL AND ART NIGHT
Friday, January 23, 2015 6:30-8:00 PM, Multi-Purpose Room
Want to travel around the world?
Bring your Briarwood Bear to Multicultural and Art Night
to get their official Briarwood passport with photo. The
night is full of amazing ethnic snacks for sampling, information about many countries that influence our school
directly, art projects, Kim’s Tae Kwon Do demonstration,
Makah tribal dancers, hula, Indian classical music….and much more! Don’t miss this incredible
experience!
If you would like to volunteer, we would LOVE all hands on deck! Please visit the volunteer tab on
our website for a list of current opportunities—many still available!
Program Chair: Danielle Hunter, [email protected]
MISSOULA CHILDREN’S THEATRE IS COMING!
Is there an aspiring actor/actress at your house? Missoula Children’s Theatre will be at
Briarwood March 2-6. There are parts for kids from kindergarten on up and a few assistant
director positions for older students. It is a wonderful melding of magic, drama and selfconfidence building.
Missoula Children’s Theatre staff will audition interested K-5 students
Monday, March 2 for BLACKBEARD THE PIRATE. Rehearsals will take
place all week, with final performances on Friday, March 6. Participating
students must clear their schedule of all normal activities to practice. A
small program fee will be charged (financial support is available). Registration is now available on our website. The deadline is February 13, 2015.
Program Chair: Paul Dutton, [email protected]
JOIN US ON THE BOARD NEXT YEAR!
Do you want to:
 Get to know other Briarwood parents?
 Be actively involved in making decisions that will directly affect your kids?
 Keep your organizational/leadership skills current while being a stay at
home parent?
Being on the PTA Board is a really fun way to do all of the above! You will directly help shape
Briarwood student life, classroom enrichment activities, family events, school support, and community relations. PTA provides numerous informative training sessions throughout the year.
Programs
& Event
Updates
The election for PTA officers for the 2015-16 school year will be held at our PTA General Meeting
on April 20, 2015. The Nominating Committee is now looking for anyone interested in serving on
the Board.
The positions we offer are: President, VP of Programs, VP of Fundraising, VP of Family Nights,
VP of Volunteers, VP of Communications, Secretary, and Treasurer. Many positions can be
shared between 2 people.
If you are interested, or would like more information contact us by February 13, 2015.
Nominating Committee: Hollie Archibald, Diane Oberg, and Erin Thacker (emails on Page 1)
OUR BIGGEST VOLUNTEER AWARD OF THE YEAR!
January isn't just the start of a new
year, it is also the start of clay art projects at Briarwood. 2nd Grade created
a jolly bunch of snowmen on January
8th. These will be glazed and sent
home later in the month. Each grade
will be completing a clay project in the
coming months.
The Golden Acorn is a PTA award given every year to outstanding volunteers
for their service to our school and community. The Golden Acorn specifically
recognizes the contributions individuals have made at Briarwood Elementary
and within our local community.
In addition to the clay, our Great
Artist lessons will still be taking
place. This program introduces children to some of the world’s great artists and one of their masterpieces.
This is an excellent way to acknowledge and appreciate someone who puts a lot
This year, students will be exposed to
of heart and energy into our school!
one or more of the following artists:
Monet (Water Lilies), Kandinsky
If you are interested in learning more about the process or to nominate some(Concentric Circles), Da Vinci (Mona
one, visit our website for complete information or contact the committee memLisa), Cezanne (Apples and Oranges),
bers (below). Nomination deadline is February 13, 2015.
Matisse (Goldfish) & Van Gogh (Starry
Golden Acorn Committee: Maria Bassett and Karin Manning, [email protected] Night). Each lesson allows students to
create their own masterpiece using a
different art medium while using the
Great Artists’ work as inspiration.
President’s Message
(Continued from page 1)
official Briarwood Passport with their picture inside! We will also have live entertainment so please join us.
Please see the article on Page 2 for more information about this event and how to sign up.
Be sure to check out these masterpieces the next time you are at the school.
Program Chair: Erin Thacker,
[email protected]
We have many other fun events planned for 2014 including a second Lunchtime Book Swap, Science Fair,
McTeacher Night, Ice Skating Party, Field Day, and Carnival. None of these events are possible without our volunteers. We need LOTS of help to make these events possible, so please visit our website to see all of the volunteer
opportunities that are available! If you’ve never volunteered before, this is your chance! We will gladly take any
amount of time that you are able to give.
Our next PTA Meeting is Monday, January 26th at 6:30pm in the Library. We will have a guest speaker, Anne Livingston who will give us a quick sample of what parents can do to help prepare their kids for the digital world.
She will be at Briarwood in the Library on Thursday, January 29th at 6:30 p.m. for our Parent Education night. We
hope you will join us!
THANK A VOLUNTEER!
If you would like to thank a great volunteer—send a quick note to the PTA email address: [email protected] by Jan 25. Your nominee will be entered for fun prizes at our January General Meeting on
the 26th. THANK YOU for recognizing their efforts!!
Chairperson Still Needed for
our Upcoming Invention
Convention, scheduled for
April, 2015.
Please contact VP of Volunteers,
Louisa Pardo if you are interested or
for more information. [email protected]
Washington State PTA
FOCUS DAY
Show Up, Stand Up, and Speak Up
Beyond
Our PTA
On Monday, January 19, 2015 WA State PTA, along with family and friends will meet in Olympia
to promote the 2015-16 Top 5 Legislative Priorities (image below). Come by carpool, bus, or
train—we need a large presence! Bring 15 in ‘15 is the slogan—can we bring 15 parents, kids,
grandparents and neighbors? Join PTA’s from around the state on the Capitol steps and in meetings with legislators.
Issaquah
Council
PTSA
Let’s Show Up, Stand Up, and Speak Up to encourage a solution this year to the state’s education
funding crisis. See the Event Flyer for more information about the event.
Advocacy Chair: Paul Dutton, [email protected]
Upcoming Classes/Training:
Jan 20: Screen-Free Activities
for Kids @ Clark Elementary
Jan 21: Teen Drug/Alcohol Use
@ Pine Lake Middle School
Jan 23: Art Docent Training—
Fused Glass @ artEast
Jan 26: Internet Safety w/Anne
Livingston @ Briarwood (see
below)
Feb 27: Art Docent Training—
Painting @ artEast
Check the Issaquah PTSA Council
Website for complete information
National PTA
Following National PTA has never been easier!
In addition to an information-packed website, a fun easy-to-follow blog (“One Voice”),
and an online magazine (“Our Children”)
which is the leading source of PTA-related
news, the National PTA can be followed on
social media!
Facebook: listed under “Parent Teacher
Organization”
FROM WSPTA:
ESTABLISHING HEALTHY
HABITS IN YOUR HOME
January is a good time to focus on creating
healthy habits and safe decisions in your
home.
WELLNESS/HEALTHY EATING:
Educating your kids about health may prevent them from getting the next cold or flu
that circulates the school.
Tips for staying healthy this season are available online.
Twitter: @NationalPTA
YouTube: National PTA
Pinterest: National PTA
Instagram: nationalpta
Flickr: National PTA
STAYING HOME ALONE:
Deciding whether your child is mature
enough to stay home alone is a big decision.
Tips for making this decision are available
online.
SHARE SMART AND
STAY SAFE ONLINE
DATE: Jan. 29, 2015 6:30 PM
PLACE: Briarwood Library
Please join us for a night with
internet privacy expert Anne
Livingston.

Learn what elementary
school kids are doing online

Understand the risks they
may encounter

Learn how to establish rules
and contracts

Learn tips for managing
your digital family

Hear what is ahead in middle school.
Sponsored by the Issaquah PTSA
Council
January 2015 – Happy New Year!
Our community rocks! Your donations topped off our All in for Kids Annual Fund
campaign in December, allowing us to begin 2015 with even more support of our
students and schools. Because of you, the Start Strong Program for freshmen will
be expanded and we’ll be able to fully fund our Academic Enrichment Grants.
THANK YOU for continuing to elevate education for every student in the District.
Our best wishes for a fantabulous 2015.
Mail Call
If you made a donation to the Foundation during calendar year 2014, please keep an
eye out for your tax-receipt letter. It should hit your mailbox by Monday, January
26th. Call us at 425-391-8557 if your copy does not arrive by this date.
In Our
Community
ISSAQUAH SCHOOL DISTRICT
Upcoming School Board Meetings:

January 28, February 11, March 11
7:00 p.m. at the ISD Administration Building
Planting the Seed
Mark your calendars and plan to join us for the Annual Nourish Every
Mind Luncheon, Thursday, May 14th at Issaquah Community Center and/or
Nourish Every Mind Breakfast, Wednesday, May 20th at Eastridge Church.
The Breakfast and Luncheon are THE BEST ways to learn about the District/
Foundation partnership and see how students directly benefit from your investments. Plus, both events are inspiring and fun!
See the website for complete calendar of activities:
issaquah.wednet.edu
If you’d like to join us as a Table Captain or event volunteer, please contract Audrey
Clark, [email protected].
The King County Library System (KCLS) is a network of
library branches throughout King County, as well as
mobile “Library2Go” vans that serve those who can’t
reach a branch.
Click Here to see the rest of the ISF January Newsletter.
Upcoming PTA Events
SPOTLIGHT ON KCLS
Of course there are books, but there is so much more to
the library system. Did you know they offer the following services:
 Computers and WiFi
 Meeting Rooms available to the public
JANUARY:
19
23
23
26
29
WSPTA Legislative Focus Day, Olympia WA
Popcorn Friday, 2nd Recess (25 cents/bag)
Family Multicultural and Art Night, 6:30-8:00 PM, Commons
PTA General Meeting (Grants), 6:30 PM, BW Library
Share Smart and Stay Safe Online Seminar, 6:30, Library
FEBRUARY:
5
13
23
27
28
DEADLINE: January MAH/RAH Minutes Due
Popcorn Friday + Math Tables, 2nd Recess (25 cents/bag)
PTA Board Meeting (all are welcome), 6:30 PM, Library
Popcorn Friday, 2nd Recess (25 cents/bag)
DEADLINE: Golden Acorn Award Nominations
50+ Community, and Individuals with Disabilities
 Databases for things like Geneology, Job and Career
Searching, Philanthropy, and more
Specifically for kids, there are designated times for
Homework Help (for grades K-12), Booklists by age
group and area of interest, infant/toddler/preschool
story times, as well as many reading programs/contests
for older kids.
The FIVE CLOSEST BRANCHES to Briarwood are:
 Renton Highlands (smaller, older location)
MARCH:
2-6
5
 Services for New Immigrants, English Learners, the
Missoula Children’s Theatre
DEADLINE: February MAH/RAH Minutes Due
 Renton Downtown (currently closed for remodel)
 Fairwood (newly remodeled, opened Dec 2014)
 Newcastle (smaller, newer location)

NOT GETTING OUR WEEKLY
E-BLASTS?
Create an account on our website (Not the same thing as joining
the PTA—only name and email are required)

Click on the “Weekly E-Blasts” email preference
 Issaquah
VISIT A BRANCH TODAY!