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SES PTSA NewsletterSES PTSA Newsletter Volume 7, Number 2 The Newsletter for PTSA November/December 2012

Inside this Issue

Principal’s Message and

PTSA Board Contacts pg. 1

Classes of Distinction pg. 2

V.I.C’s, Popcorn Tuesday’s

and Spiritwear pg. 3

Volunteers of the Month pg. 4

Enrichment Programs,

Reflections Competition

and Essay Contest pg. 5

Winter Bazaar info pg. 6

Walk-A-Thon Update pg. 7

Great Gift Ideas, Box

Tops and Escrip pg. 8

Reading Buddy Program

and Cougarisms pg. 9

Lost & Found, Emergency

information and Teacher

Appreciation pg. 10

Are you a PTSA Member? pg. 11

Odds & Ends, Save The

Dates, Volunteer info. pg. 12 2012-2013 PTSA Board Members

President Ali Paredes paredesali@hotmail.com Treasurer Cynthia Chow cynthiachow@comcast.net Secretary Diana Reul-Shapiro dianareul@hotmail.com VP of Fundraising Vantana Cornick vpcornick@me.com VP of Enrichment Michelle Dutton michelle@smartwithart.net VP of Enrichment Kari Hull kari@huli.com Legislative Chair Rebecca MacLean rebecca_maclean@yahoo.com Executive Member Kim Kanzler kim.kanzler@encompassnw.org Executive Member Teresa Brown danandteresa@hotmail.com Executive Member Janell Wickersham janell@wickershammail.com Executive Member Amy Workman jamworkman@comcast.net Executive Member Cindy Conlon conlonfamily@msn.com Executive Member Sue Pitman sue@epitman.com Newsletter Editor Diana Reul-Shapiro dianareul@hotmail.com

Please visit out SES PTSA Website at: www.septsa.com

Mark Your Calendars!

Nov 16-21 - Teacher Conferences

Early Release 11:55am

Nov 22-23 - Thanksgiving - No School

Nov 27 - Picture Retake Day

Nov 28 - PTSA Board Meeting—9am

Nov 30 - Winter Bazaar– 5pm-8pm

Dec 6 - 3rd Grade Vocal Concert

Dec 6 - 5th Grade Band Concert

Dec 13 - PTSA Board Meeting - 7pm

Dec 20 - Winter Break Begins

Jan 2 - Classes Resume

Jan 9 - PTSA Board Meeting - 9am

Jan 24 - PTSA General Meeting

Snoqualmie Elementary

School PTSA

Message from Principal Kramer

One of Snoqualmie Elementary’s many successes is our high level of family partnership. I

am consistently impressed by the dedication all of you show to your children and their

education. For some families that means a parent volunteers weekly in the classroom. For

other families that means they provide a distraction-free homework spot. Family partnership

looks different for each family but is vital for your child’s success at school.

Beginning November 16th, we have three days of conferences, during which you will have

an opportunity to talk with your child’s teacher and further develop your partnership with

them. This twenty minute conversation provides you with the chance to learn about your

child’s progress in school, but also provides you with time to share with the teacher about

your child’s skills, interests, needs and dreams. Your teacher wants your child to succeed!

To get ready for the conversation look at your child’s homework and schoolwork that comes

home. The focus of the conference will be on how well your child is doing in school. The

teacher will also talk about how your child can do even better. You will probably hear

positive feedback about your child’s progress and areas for improvement. Be prepared

by thinking about your child’s strengths and challenges beforehand. Be ready to ask

questions about ways you and the teacher can help your child with some of his or her

challenges. Be sure to bring a list of questions that you would like to ask the teacher.

Thank you for your partnership! I look forward to seeing you during conferences.

Sincerely,

Kerstin Kramer, Principal

Sign-Up today to receive DEALS

from LOCAL businesses and SUPPORT SES!

www.msnoffersforschools.com

School Directory is coming out soon! Become a PTSA Member today to receive one!

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September’s Classes of Distinction

October’s Class of Distinction:

Miss Glenn’s 2nd Grade Class

October’s Class of Distinction:

Mrs.Hodgins’ 5th Grade Class

October’s Classes of Distinction

September’s Class of Distinction:

Mrs. VonCappeln’s 1st Grade Class

September’s Class of Distinction:

Mrs. Cuddihy’s 5th Grade Class

Each month we recognize two classrooms whose

students show exemplary behavior and school

citizenship outside of their classroom.

Congratulations to each of these amazing classes!!!

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Snoqualmie Elementary strives to create an environment that inspires creativity, academic excellence and an enthusiasm for learning. We recognize students whose behavior choices help create this environment.

Listed below are September's and October’s Very Important Cougars (V.I.C.). Congratulations to these students for their hard work and outstanding citizenship!

Popcorn Tuesdays

Students may purchase

popcorn during lunch for

25 cents a bag.

Proceeds go toward ASB.

Every Friday is

Spirit Friday! Show your Cougar Pride

every Friday by wearing

our school colors (blue and

white) or by wearing your

official SES Spiritwear.

September’s Very Important Cougars

October’s Very Important Cougars Kindergarten Cassidy Weaver

Lilli Loder Rogan Gillespie Daniel Elliott Finola Harper Aaron Davis Jaxon Hayes

Neva Keighley Spencer Ste. Marie Reese Anderson Claire Johnson

Kennedy Kearns

First Grade Chelsea Falk

Carter Ray Jackson MacLean Whitney Wassilie

Clay Crooks Lily Baldwin Liyana Islam

Carly Workman Marshall Smith

Ava Query Ronin Calender

2nd Grade Parker Jones

Shivani Jayaprakasam Gabe Henry

Olivia Shanks Hunter Herman Madelyn Wolf

Emily Thurmond Tyjah Johnson

3rd Grade Ben McCall

Connor Lane Eleanor Bonikowsky

Nathan Kepner Camden Pennington

Carolee McCarty Bailey Witzenman

Ryan Gerlitz

4th Grade Audrey Esteban Grace Pitman Aidan Collins

Jaclyn Huntzinger Aileen Cha

Nathan Trumbull

5th Grade Tylor Zwiefelhofer

Dylan VanVleet Keara Ryan Aiden Cales

Audrey McNames Nicolas Marrero

Kindergarten Elle Baldwin Olivia Smith Jay Nelson Ryan Caro

Sarah Sauer Brayden Heard Matias Esteban Briggs Wilson

First Grade Aiden Darby Kelsey Lingo Logan Cezar Eve Henry

Curtis Jarocki Alexis Shapiro Kailah Bratton

Casey Johnston Nathan Dickerhoof

Rachel Bova

2nd Grade Kyan Zimmerman

Taylor Simon William Feng Emma Smith Kaelee Duong

Jacob Llewellyn Isabella Bailey

Jonathan Quintero

3rd Grade Mahad Shakil Maya Assefa

James Human Mary McCutchan

Ian Hayes Maddy Zwiefelhofer

Sahi Chitrapu Livi Olson

4th Grade Mason Chandler Riley Paredes

Luke Henry Grace George

Peter Riley

5th Grade Mason Moe

Hope Terpiliowski Cannon Walker Amrutha Susarla

Cole Quinn Megan Salaya

Congrats to all our V.I.C.’s!

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Kristi Henry has been chosen as our October Volunteer of

the month. Kristi was nominated by both Mrs. Caires and Mrs.

Gjurasic for her outstanding efforts in preparing their classes

for the Walk-A-Thon! Both classes were decked out in full

spirit thanks in part to Kristi. Said Mrs. Caires, “She created

our entire theme for our class for the walk-a-thon- she

designed/made all the t-shirts, banners, signs, and created

themed goodie bags with walk-a-thon reminders and thank you for all students

to take home to their families!” Thank you Kristi!

Oct

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& N

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Volun

teers

of

the M

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Greg Dutton, is our next volunteer of the month. Greg is

dedicated to school and serving the kids in this community.

He has regularly been a helper through WatchDoggs. In

addition, Greg always takes on the big events at school and

lends a hand where needed. Including the Book Fair and

Field Day and most recently was seen happily handing out

lap prizes and cheering kids on at the Walk-A-Thon. Thank you, Greg,

for being a presence in our school.

DeAun Green is just getting started at SES with a

kindergartener. She has already been a regular this

year at school. She has been helping out at the Cou

gar Trail this fall- toting babies along with! She has

also volunteered with Staff Appreciation goodies.

We look forward to having her as part of the SES

“Village” for a long time to come! Thank you DeAun and welcome!

Victoria Gerlitz is chosen as our November volunteer of the

month. She is one of those gals you see at school for number

of events. She has recently helped out with Cougar Trail,

Health Screenings, Walk-A-Thon and Staff Appreciation

days. And that is just so far this fall! In addition to time in

these areas, Victoria is a regular in her classrooms and

helping out wherever and whenever! Thank you Victoria,

for all you do!

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SES PTSA After School Programs Check our website for more information: www.septsa.com

Click on After School Programs.

Winter Session After School Programs information will be coming out soon! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact:

Michelle at michelle@smartwithart.net.

Reflections

The Reflections Program is a National PTA and WSPTA cultural arts competition.

The purpose is to provide an opportunity for students to use their creative talents by

expressing themselves through their own original works. Each year the Reflections

Program challenges students to create art that supports a specific theme.

This year’s theme is “The Magic of a Moment…”

Snoqualmie Elementary participates in 3 categories:

Visual Art, Photography, and Literature (poetry, prose).

For more information, please visit our website: www.septsa.com and click on Reflections.

If you have any questions, please contact Kim Kanzler at kim.kanzler@encompassnw.org

or Ali Paredes at paredesali@hotmail.com.

Washington State PTA Men's Essay Contest

Doesn't this title sound misleading? This is actually a great opportunity for kids' to

celebrate the important men in their lives and have a chance at winning some prizes!

The Washington State PTA "Men's Essay Contest" recognizes the important and

different contributions that men make in children’s lives and in their education. All men

involved in a youngster’s life ~ fathers, uncles, grandpas, brothers, step-fathers,

mentors, neighbors, pastors and friends ~ impact the children they care about.

Research clearly shows that male involvement positively influences academic success at

all levels of schooling ~ preschool through college! When male figures are involved with

kid's schooling, kids enjoy school more and perform better in and out of school.

For more information, please visit:

http://www.wastatepta.org/programs/PTA_mens/Mens_Essay_1213.pdf

or contact Michelle Dutton @ michelle@smartwithart.net.

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“Candy Cane Lane”

Please join us for

Snoqualmie Elementary PTSA’s

Annual Winter Bazaar

Friday, November 30, 2012

5:00 to 8:00pm

Please bring 2 non-perishable food items per person as admission. (To be donated to a local food bank for families in need.)

*Let your children enjoy free crafts while you shop!*

*Bid on memorable teacher experiences during a silent auction!*

*Support the 5th Grade trip to camp at their bake sale!*

*Buy a chance to win a cake in the cakewalk!!*

*Photo opportunity for families and friends!*

*Shop nearly 20 vendors for gifts!*

*Visit the Holiday Craft in the library where, for $5 kids can make a

gift worthy craft and wrap it!*

*Pizza and beverages available for purchase!*

*Visit the PTSA booth to purchase SES

Cookbooks, Entertainment Books, Spirit Wear and Cougar Cards!*

For vendor information, please contact Cindy Conlon

conlonfamily@msn.com

We need you!

We need at least 80 volunteers for crafts, games and food.

Please contact Ali Paredes at paredesali@hotmail.com

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Walk-A-Thon Update - $32,457 Raised!

Most Laps for Boy and Girl per Grade Level $10 Target Gift Card

Preschool

Boy Stephen West

Girl Grace Heath

Kindergarten

Boy Logan Green

Girl Kaeley Brummer

FIRST

Boy Wyatt Harper

FIRST continued...

Girl Ella Dale

Girl Madeleine Evans

Second

Boy Parker Jones

Girl Olivia Shanks

Third

Boy Ryan Gerlitz

Girl Lydia Zuray

Fourth

Boy Ethan Kaser

Girl Ebey Thurmond

Fifth

Boy Banner Hovinga

Girl Emilie Field-Darragh

Girl Mia Bel

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Grade Level

Class per grade with highest percentage returned envelopes -

Receives a cupcake party!

Class per grade with most miles - Receives State Farm

Pedometers

Preschool Ringeon—AM Tori - AM

Kindergarten Orcutt Orcutt

First Heinz Heinz

Second Wood Ziemkowski

Third Synder Synder

Fourth Gjurasic Crumb

Fifth Hodgins Cuddihy

Class with most spirit Spirit Trophy and Popcorn Passes Gjurasic - 4th Grade

Class with most money raised Pizza Party Gjurasic - 4th Grade

Teacher with most laps Extra PE Class with Mr.. Mac

and Trophy Mr. Z (K-2) and

Mrs. Roubicek (3-5)

Most Money Raised Nintendo 3DS XL with

Super Mario Bros. Caleb Brown - Gjurasic

2nd Most Money Raised 3D Camcorder Quinn Brayton - Heinz

3rd Most Money Raised PowerWing Scooter Reghyn Barbre - Zylstra

4th Most Money Raised Camera Sloane Dutton - Hodgins

5th Most Money Raised Jumbo Kendama Lydia Hammerly -Barnes

Most Pledge Signatures Compass Adventure

GeoCache Trip Ellen Vincent - Christian

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Looking for a gift idea for a teacher, family, friend?

When you purchase Cougar Cards, you’re purchasing gift cards that are used just like cash.

You can use these cards to purchase everyday items like food, clothing, and other essentials. The

amount you pay is the value of the card, but with every card you purchase through PTSA, you earn

money for SES. These make great gifts for teachers or other special people in your life!

Do you already go to Starbucks every morning? What about buying Bath & Body Works gift

cards for your friends? Maybe you plan to get your favorite teacher a gift card to Barnes & Noble

or Michael’s. Or your family needs clothes from the Gap, Old Navy and Kohl’s. Why go to the

retailer to buy a gift card, when you can get it through the PTSA and actually make money for our

school? And it costs you nothing but the price of the gift card you were already going to purchase.

It’s a win-win!

A few examples include (and percentage (%) of your gift card purchase that goes back to SES):

Starbucks: 7% Safeway: 4% Amazon.com: 4% Barnes & Noble: 9%

Gap: 14% Build-A-Bear: 8% GameStop: 8% Bath & Body Works: 13%

Michaels: 4% Old Navy: 14% Whole Foods: 3% Papa Murphy’s Pizza: 8%

Panera: 9% J. Crew: 13% Subway: 3% Banana Republic: 14%

Chipotle: 10% Claire’s: 9% Home Depot: 4% AMC Theatres: 8-16%

Sephora: 4% Shutterfly: 11% Lowe’s: 4% Pottery Barn Kids: 8%

Coldstone: 8% JCPenney: 5% Pottery Barn: 8% Bed, Bath & Beyond: 7%

Contact Rebecca MacLean at Rebecca_maclean@yahoo.com to purchase your cards today!

Did you know that Snoqualmie Elementary

raised over $1,500 last year just because our

SES families remembered to swipe their

Safeway card? If you have already registered,

thank-you and keep swiping your card!! You

need to register every year, so please fill out

the eScrip form that was attached to the PTSA

welcome packet at the beginning of the year

and send it back to school. Thank you for

continuing to support our amazing programs at

SES! Please email Rebecca if you need a form

rebecca_maclean@yahoo.com.

Box Tops

and Campbell’s

Labels for

Education

Our Box Tops and Campbell’s Labels for Education

Contest will begin soon. This year our goal is to

collect $1,600.00 in Box Tops and 10,000

Campbell’s Labels for Education. As always, if you

want to send in any labels now, there is a drop box

at the front of the school and in each classroom.

Start saving those Box Tops today!!! Thanks for

your support of this program!

Box Tops and Campbell’s Label Coordinator:

Vantana Cornick, vpcornick@gmail.com

Entertainment Books and Cookbooks - Great Gift Ideas!!! Entertainment books offer great deals for your family and you can get yours for $30!

Whip It Up! Cookbook - Enjoy recipes from SES staff and families! It’s only $10!

If you are interested in purchasing, please contact Ali Paredes at paredesali@hotmail.com.

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Snoqualmie Elementary Cougarisms

Donuts for Dad - An Opportunity for students to share a hot cup of coffee or

cocoa and a sweet donut before school with a special man in their lives -- great

for dads, grandpas, uncles, etc. This will be on Friday, Feb. 15, 2013 at 8:30am.

Muffins for Mom - An Opportunity for students to share a hot cup of coffee

or cocoa and a sweet muffin (they’re really donuts!) before school with a special

woman in their lives -- great for moms, grandmas, aunts, etc. This will be on

Friday, February 1, 2013 at 8:30am.

What is The Reading Buddy Program? Reading Buddies is a one-to-one reading program using volunteers as mentors and tutors in grades K-5 through out the Snoqualmie Valley School District. The goal of The Reading Buddy program is to assist students who need additional help to become successful readers and confident students.

Who can be a Reading Buddy Mentor? Anyone who desires to help a young student succeed in reading and have a meaningful experience with language. Parents, grandparents, guardians, retirees and senior citizens, employees, employers, college students and people who just enjoy students are encouraged to join!

What is the Mentor role?

To work with the same student each week, helping to improve specific reading skills. Providing encouragement, support and just being a friend.

How much time does it take? Each session with students is 30 minutes per week. The program operates from November to May.

Who is in The Reading Buddy program? Students that have been selected by classroom teachers from grades K-5.

How will I know what to do?

All Reading Buddy volunteers receive support and assistance throughout the year by Katie Morris, the SVSD Literacy for Life Lead Teacher. Members also benefit from “Coffee House Chats” each trimester where they can share ideas, learn new strategies, and gain experience on literacy topics presented by guest teachers.

This is a program that has the potential to support many children at SES. Unfortu-nately we have only a small handful of volunteers at this time. Please consider adding 30 minutes of time to your already scheduled classroom vol-unteer time to make this important connection with a child.

How can I become a Reading Buddy Mentor at SES?

Ali Paredes at paredesali@hotmail.com.

Be a Reading Buddy!

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Information Resources

Emergency Hotline (425) 831-8494

www.svsd410.org

www.schoolreport.org

Emergencies such as snow, ice, power outages and floods can

alter school schedules and affect bus transportation for

students. Please save and refer to this information

if you are in doubt about conditions.

Teacher Appreciation

Teachers have been feeling the love this fall thanks to our Teacher Appreciation Committee!

We have hosted 2 fabulous treat day events so far this year including an August "Back-to-

School" luncheon and a October "Halloween!" treat day!

Our staff and teachers really love these days of homemade goodies!!!

If you are interested in joining the teacher appreciation committee for future events,

please contact Janell Wickersham at janell@wickershammail.com.

LOST & FOUND

Our Lost & Found is growing!

Please check it for

any missing items!

Everything will be donated on November 27th!

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Are You a PTSA Member Yet? Why not?

Anyone can become a PTSA member!

* Parents * * Grandparents * * Friends *

* Aunts & Uncles * * Community Members * * School Volunteers *

Sign up for a business membership and your company information

and website link will be displayed on the PTSA website and on Facebook!

For just a few dollars, you can support the students and staff at SES!

INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP-- $12.00

FAMILY MEMBERSHIP-- $18.00

BUSINESS MEMBERSHIP-- $16.00

School directory included with membership! - Coming out soon!

Please visit www.septsa.com for more information or to register.

*Walk-A-Thon!

*Art enrichment!

*Reading Buddies!

*Teacher grants!

*Turkey Trot!

*Scholarships!

*Grade level experiences!

*After School Programs!

*Book Fair!

*Watch D.O.G.S.!

*Academic goal support!

*Family Fun Nights!

*Winter Bazaar!

And MUCH MUCH MORE!

Snoqualmie Elementary School PTSA is:

Our membership goal is 350! We currently have 276 members!

If we reach our goal every kid in school will receive a popcorn pass!!!

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Are you an shopper?

If you access amazon.com through the SES PTSA

website, 4%-7% of your purchase will be

donated to SES. You don’t need to enter

any additional information for your

order, Amazon will automatically credit

us. www.septsa.com

SAVE THE DATE!

Book Fair January 28—February 1

Book Fair Family night on

January 31 with the 5th

grade spaghetti feed!

Interested in becoming

more involved at SES?

Thank you to all who have signed up for the

variety of volunteer opportunities. We are

always looking for volunteers for various at-

school and take-home activities.

The school district tracks volunteer hours.

Please remember to sign out in the office

when you have finished your volunteer shift.

We want the district to know how hard we

work for the students at SES!

If you would like to sign up to volunteer or

have questions, contact: Ali Paredes at paredesali@hotmail.com.

SAVE THE DATE!

Art and Science

Fair Friday, March 22nd

6:30 to 8:00pm

PROUD PTSA SPONSOR!

Would you like to be a PTSA sponsor?

Contact Diana at dianareul@hotmail.com.

Art Volunteers Needed! If you are interested in volunteering in your child’s art class, please visit: http://vols.pt/bfhRQo