If you would like to view the minutes from April's PTA meeting, click here.
We hope to see you at Tuesday's meeting: May 12th - 6:30 p.m.
If you have items you would like considered for the May agenda, please contact President Jodi Boutin.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Sunday, May 3, 2009
North Thurston rethinks music cuts
LACEY – Fifth-grade band and orchestra will be saved under North Thurston’s newest budget reduction proposal.
District officials had considered cutting the program to save $135,000, but parents showed support for the program, so the district will instead look for efficiencies in scheduling the band and orchestra teachers, said spokeswoman Courtney Schrieve.
The board reviewed a proposal of $4.8 million in cuts to the district’s 2009-10 budget. Districts throughout the state face budget cuts because of shortfalls in state funding to public schools.
Other proposals include:
• Eliminating the Talented and Gifted program for first grade.
• Raising high school athletic fees from $75 a sport to $100 a sport. The football fee would be $125.
• Raising middle school athletic fees from $40 a year to $60 a year.
• Reducing full-time librarians at the middle schools.
• Increasing lunch prices by 25 cents.
• Eliminating food reimbursements for teachers, administrators and other adults who are traveling or at meetings.
• Lowering the temperature of the district’s pools and pool buildings, which one respondent suggested could save $36,000.
There will also be a reduction of 26.5 full-time equivalent teachers throughout all the grades, but that will be reached through retirements, resignations and the non-renewal of one-year contracts, so layoffs will not be necessary, Schrieve said.
Other staff reductions include eight administrators or supervisors, one office professional at each of the middle and high schools, a mechanic and 3.5 full-time equivalent custodians.
The school board will consider adoption of the budget reductions at its meeting at 7 p.m. Monday at the district office, 305 College St. N.E., Lacey.
Venice Buhain is the education reporter at The Olympian. She can be reached at 360-754-5445 or vbuhain@theolympian.com.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Volunteer Coordinators Recognized
Volunteer Coordinators: Volunteer Coordinators from our elementary and middle schools were recognized by the School Board on Monday in honor of National School Volunteer Week this month. These women have dedicated countless hours to managing volunteer efforts in their schools to support staff and students. Last year the district had more than 4,000 volunteers donate an estimated 160,000 hours to our district. Thanks to Partnership Services Administrator Jackie Crowley for her leadership of this giving group:
- Lori Underwood-Evergreen Forest
- Espie DiIorio - Horizons Primary
- Mona Whitt - Horizons Primary
- Jodi Elliot - Horizons Primary
- Tammy Anderson-Horizons Intermediate
- Pam Davis-Lacey
- Julie Evans-Lydia Hawk
- Ruth Dilworth-Lydia Hawk
- Dawn Gramling-Meadows
- Claudia Rodriguez-Meadows
- Leslie Stepherson-Meadows
- Dawn Borgen-Olympic View
- Tina Sempek-Pleasant Glade
- Teresa Scott-Seven Oaks
- Heidi Peppley-Seven Oaks
- Raymi Bates-South Bay
- Karmen Galvin-South Bay
- Aimee Smith-South Bay
- Kim Rohr-Woodland
- Jodie Warner-Lakes
- Sam Lee-Lakes
- Nina Hoppe-Chinook
- Karen Edwards - Nisqually
- Sabrina Hageman-Mt. View
- Jodi Boutin- Mt. View
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Book Fair at Barnes & Noble for Mt. View
04/24/2009
Mountain View teacher visits China : MVE teacher Joan Hicks recently returned from an educational trip to China, where sh visited two schools. The first grade teacher has been sharing facts about China with her own class. "The students there seemed to be learning a lot even though they were very poor," Hicks said. "They were learning English and using inquiry in science and small cooperative groups. Some of their teaching styles are the same but many are different. They also require a lot of memorization. The 50 students to a classroom were amazing to watch as each student's full attention was on the teacher." She also visited a middle school in Nanjing which had more than 1,000 students grades 7-9. "It was an amazing journey."
Mountain View Elementary Book Fair (April 24-30) at Barnes & Noble: MVE library and PTA will host a book fair this Saturday at Barnes & Noble in west Olympia. A portion of the sales (with a MVE mention at the cashier) will help earn them some money. The 6th graders made ceramic dragons (the Fair theme) that will be on display in the store window. Students can share their drago poems and drawings and hear Tacoma author Amanda Noll (originally from Australia) also came to MVE last week and wrote dragon poems with students. She will be at the event on Saturday as well to do a reading from her new picture book, I Need My Monster, and sign autographs.
Lacey Spring Fun Fair still seeks parade participants (May 16-17): There is still time to sign up your group or school to participate in the annual Lacey Spring Fun Fair at noon on May 16 at St. Martin's University. Go to www.laceyspringfunfair.com and click on Application forms to sign up today! This free weekend has been providing a fun weekend for families since 1988, including over 40 free kids' activities, food booths, arts and crafts and local music -- including many groups from NTPS on Saturday. Come one come all!
"Bowl for Kids Sake" needs teams for fundraiser: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Thurston County still needs bowling teams for their annual "Bowl for Kids Sake" fundraiser, to be held 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., May 16 at Westside Lanes in Olympia, "Our local BBBS enables many of our students to build relationships with positive mentors and assists our families," said Seven Oaks teacher Laurie Jones, who helped organize school teams for the event. Her husband Roger is also director of the agency. "In doing their job, they help us to do our job." No particular bowling skill is involved. You just need a big heart to help kids For more details you can contact Laurie or BBBS (943-0409).
The above information was published by NTPS, which posts and emails similar information weekly. Click here for previous posts.
Mountain View teacher visits China : MVE teacher Joan Hicks recently returned from an educational trip to China, where sh visited two schools. The first grade teacher has been sharing facts about China with her own class. "The students there seemed to be learning a lot even though they were very poor," Hicks said. "They were learning English and using inquiry in science and small cooperative groups. Some of their teaching styles are the same but many are different. They also require a lot of memorization. The 50 students to a classroom were amazing to watch as each student's full attention was on the teacher." She also visited a middle school in Nanjing which had more than 1,000 students grades 7-9. "It was an amazing journey." Mountain View Elementary Book Fair (April 24-30) at Barnes & Noble: MVE library and PTA will host a book fair this Saturday at Barnes & Noble in west Olympia. A portion of the sales (with a MVE mention at the cashier) will help earn them some money. The 6th graders made ceramic dragons (the Fair theme) that will be on display in the store window. Students can share their drago poems and drawings and hear Tacoma author Amanda Noll (originally from Australia) also came to MVE last week and wrote dragon poems with students. She will be at the event on Saturday as well to do a reading from her new picture book, I Need My Monster, and sign autographs.
Lacey Spring Fun Fair still seeks parade participants (May 16-17): There is still time to sign up your group or school to participate in the annual Lacey Spring Fun Fair at noon on May 16 at St. Martin's University. Go to www.laceyspringfunfair.com and click on Application forms to sign up today! This free weekend has been providing a fun weekend for families since 1988, including over 40 free kids' activities, food booths, arts and crafts and local music -- including many groups from NTPS on Saturday. Come one come all!
"Bowl for Kids Sake" needs teams for fundraiser: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Thurston County still needs bowling teams for their annual "Bowl for Kids Sake" fundraiser, to be held 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., May 16 at Westside Lanes in Olympia, "Our local BBBS enables many of our students to build relationships with positive mentors and assists our families," said Seven Oaks teacher Laurie Jones, who helped organize school teams for the event. Her husband Roger is also director of the agency. "In doing their job, they help us to do our job." No particular bowling skill is involved. You just need a big heart to help kids For more details you can contact Laurie or BBBS (943-0409).
The above information was published by NTPS, which posts and emails similar information weekly. Click here for previous posts.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Next meeting - May 12th - elections
Please join us for the next Mt. View PTA meeting:
Tuesday, May 12th, 2009 - 6:30 p.m.
Note the early start time!
Mt. View Elementary School Library
Business will include:
Tuesday, May 12th, 2009 - 6:30 p.m.
Note the early start time!
Mt. View Elementary School Library
Business will include:
- Review of our standing rules, as required by the WA State PTA By-laws
- Election of 2009-2010 officers
Nominating Committee Report
Your nominating committee has been beating the bushes for members who are interested in contributing as elected Board members for 2009-2010.
At the April meeting, the nominating committee's report was presented for the membership's review with the following members registering interest and availability:
President - vacant
Vice President - Keli Wetherald
Secretary - Shawn Smith
Treasurer - Tabitha Gant
Obviously, we are still in search of the right person or persons to be on the ballot for President and open to other members on the ballot for all positions. The nominating committee does NOT select next year's officers but tries to find members who have an interest. There is NO prior experience required. If, like this past year, there is an interest by two persons in the position of Vice President, then our standing rules allow us to have co-Vice Presidents.
Click here for the full report.
Elections for 2009-2010 officers will be held at the May meeting:
Tuesday, May 12th - 6:30 p.m. - Mt. View Elementary library
Note the early start time!
Nominations from the floor for any of the elected positions are welcome, during elections, by members in attendance. Proxy votes are not allowed.
Questions? Contact President Jodi Boutin or Membership Chair Brian Morgan.
At the April meeting, the nominating committee's report was presented for the membership's review with the following members registering interest and availability:
President - vacant
Vice President - Keli Wetherald
Secretary - Shawn Smith
Treasurer - Tabitha Gant
Obviously, we are still in search of the right person or persons to be on the ballot for President and open to other members on the ballot for all positions. The nominating committee does NOT select next year's officers but tries to find members who have an interest. There is NO prior experience required. If, like this past year, there is an interest by two persons in the position of Vice President, then our standing rules allow us to have co-Vice Presidents.
Click here for the full report.
Elections for 2009-2010 officers will be held at the May meeting:
Tuesday, May 12th - 6:30 p.m. - Mt. View Elementary library
Note the early start time!
Nominations from the floor for any of the elected positions are welcome, during elections, by members in attendance. Proxy votes are not allowed.
Questions? Contact President Jodi Boutin or Membership Chair Brian Morgan.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
NTPS unanimously elects new Superintendent
I assume you already knew of the new NTPS Superintendent? I found it interesting that he was unanimously selected by the School Board. If you missed it, here’s the article from the Olympian:
Former Seattle schools superintendent gets hired
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
LACEY, Wash. -- Former Seattle Public Schools superintendent Rajinder "Raj" Manhas has resurfaced as the new superintendent of North Thurston Public Schools.
The North Thurston schools board Friday night selected the 60-year-old Manhas to replace Jim Koval, who is retiring. Manhas was superintendent of Seattle Public Schools from 2003 to 2007.
He will take over for Koval in Lacey, Wash., on July 1.
In Seattle, Manhas announced he was leaving after four years on the schools job after his contract expired, calling it "a personal decision" he made in the interest of his family. He was criticized by Seattle parents in trying to erase a $35 million budget deficit in part by closing and consolidating schools.
In Lacey, he was selected by the North Thurston Public Schools board unanimously from among three finalists. The others were Molly Ringo, associate superintendent of K-12 Support at the Everett School District, and Glenn Gelbrich, deputy superintendent of the Salem-Keizer Public Schools in Oregon.
Manhas has been executive director for Seeds of Compassion, which organized last year's Northwest visit by the Dalai Lama. He said after two years away, he wanted to return to public education.
"We're honored that Mr. Manhas selected North Thurston Public Schools as the only district he applied at to become a superintendent," North Thurston board president Aaron Owada said in a news release.
Manhas has a background in banking and finance.
He told The Olympian that North Thurston shares some cultural and ethnic similarities with Seattle and has a good plan for improving academic achievement.
---
Information from: The Olympian, http://www.theolympian.com
Former Seattle schools superintendent gets hired
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
LACEY, Wash. -- Former Seattle Public Schools superintendent Rajinder "Raj" Manhas has resurfaced as the new superintendent of North Thurston Public Schools.
The North Thurston schools board Friday night selected the 60-year-old Manhas to replace Jim Koval, who is retiring. Manhas was superintendent of Seattle Public Schools from 2003 to 2007.
He will take over for Koval in Lacey, Wash., on July 1.
In Seattle, Manhas announced he was leaving after four years on the schools job after his contract expired, calling it "a personal decision" he made in the interest of his family. He was criticized by Seattle parents in trying to erase a $35 million budget deficit in part by closing and consolidating schools.
In Lacey, he was selected by the North Thurston Public Schools board unanimously from among three finalists. The others were Molly Ringo, associate superintendent of K-12 Support at the Everett School District, and Glenn Gelbrich, deputy superintendent of the Salem-Keizer Public Schools in Oregon.
Manhas has been executive director for Seeds of Compassion, which organized last year's Northwest visit by the Dalai Lama. He said after two years away, he wanted to return to public education.
"We're honored that Mr. Manhas selected North Thurston Public Schools as the only district he applied at to become a superintendent," North Thurston board president Aaron Owada said in a news release.
Manhas has a background in banking and finance.
He told The Olympian that North Thurston shares some cultural and ethnic similarities with Seattle and has a good plan for improving academic achievement.
---
Information from: The Olympian, http://www.theolympian.com
Monday, April 6, 2009
Congratulations to Bev, former Region 4 Director
Bev Young Reed is our past Regional Director and is an amazing advocate for students and PTA local units in our area. From the weekly Friends of NTPS email updates earlier this month:
Volunteer Recognition
NTPS volunteer extraordinaire Beverly Young Reed recently won the "Extreme Makeover American Dream Edition" contest from ABC/KOMO-TV for her volunteer commitment despite personal financial hardships. The award includes $5,000 for Young Reed and another $5,000 to the charity of her choice -- she chose the Homeless Backpack program at the Thurston County Food Bank which supplies food supply backpacks to elementary schools in our district.
While Bev's husband is on disability due to health conditions, she has continued to help care for him and their five children and volunteer at numerous schools, including Meadows, Woodland and Evergreen Forest Elementary and River Ridge High School. "I volunteer to make a difference," she said, adding that the award money will help her family do some much needed home and car repairs. Bev says she has always had a heart of service for others. "As a teen I would do community projects for the elderly or disabled."
Her roots to the district run deep as she was one of the first 6th graders to attend Evergreen Forest Elementary herself. She is the Volunteer coordinator for River Ridge High School, and "Front of House" mom for River Ridge Theater Department. She was also one of the founding board members for "Fairy Godmothers to the Rescue" helping low-income Timberline students get prom dresses. Congratulations Bev!
Volunteer Recognition
NTPS volunteer extraordinaire Beverly Young Reed recently won the "Extreme Makeover American Dream Edition" contest from ABC/KOMO-TV for her volunteer commitment despite personal financial hardships. The award includes $5,000 for Young Reed and another $5,000 to the charity of her choice -- she chose the Homeless Backpack program at the Thurston County Food Bank which supplies food supply backpacks to elementary schools in our district.
While Bev's husband is on disability due to health conditions, she has continued to help care for him and their five children and volunteer at numerous schools, including Meadows, Woodland and Evergreen Forest Elementary and River Ridge High School. "I volunteer to make a difference," she said, adding that the award money will help her family do some much needed home and car repairs. Bev says she has always had a heart of service for others. "As a teen I would do community projects for the elderly or disabled."
Her roots to the district run deep as she was one of the first 6th graders to attend Evergreen Forest Elementary herself. She is the Volunteer coordinator for River Ridge High School, and "Front of House" mom for River Ridge Theater Department. She was also one of the founding board members for "Fairy Godmothers to the Rescue" helping low-income Timberline students get prom dresses. Congratulations Bev!
Sunday, April 5, 2009
A Window to the World of Work
04/03/2009
Last week nearly 100 middle school students from our district got a chance to job shadow at more than 32 local business or other places of work. This was the 25th year for "Window to the World of Work," a partnership between North Thurston Public Schools Partnership Services and the Lacey Chamber of Commerce. Sponsors ranged from Anchor Bank and Costco, to the Lacey Police Department and McChord Air Force base. Several district offices, including Community Relations, Mountain View Elementary and Technology and CTE also hosted students.
"As an elementary principal, working with middle school students gives me a needed perspective," said Mountain View Principal Randy Weeks. "The students are always gracious and eager to learn, and it helps me reflect on what I do and how I do my job. I highly recommend hosting a Windows to the World of Work student."
In addition to participating in some hands-on job assignments -- from making signs to sorting flyers and money -- students had to interview their work mentors about experience, education and other skills needed to do their host's job.
"It gave you a good idea of daily life in a workplace life and how hectic it can be," said Ellie Jones, a Komachin 8th grader who shadowed the district's Community Relations and Communications department. "It helped me figure out what I need to prepare for as a writer and being able to handle multiple things in one day and meet deadlines. Taking the photos was fun too. "
Special thanks to all the businesses and other mentors who participated, middle school counselors, students for putting their best feet forward, and of course, Jackie Crowley, Partnership Services administrator who has organized the event for many years with business recruitment support from the Lacey Chamber of Commerce!
The above information was published by NTPS, which posts and emails similar information weekly. Click here for previous posts.
Last week nearly 100 middle school students from our district got a chance to job shadow at more than 32 local business or other places of work. This was the 25th year for "Window to the World of Work," a partnership between North Thurston Public Schools Partnership Services and the Lacey Chamber of Commerce. Sponsors ranged from Anchor Bank and Costco, to the Lacey Police Department and McChord Air Force base. Several district offices, including Community Relations, Mountain View Elementary and Technology and CTE also hosted students."As an elementary principal, working with middle school students gives me a needed perspective," said Mountain View Principal Randy Weeks. "The students are always gracious and eager to learn, and it helps me reflect on what I do and how I do my job. I highly recommend hosting a Windows to the World of Work student."
In addition to participating in some hands-on job assignments -- from making signs to sorting flyers and money -- students had to interview their work mentors about experience, education and other skills needed to do their host's job. "It gave you a good idea of daily life in a workplace life and how hectic it can be," said Ellie Jones, a Komachin 8th grader who shadowed the district's Community Relations and Communications department. "It helped me figure out what I need to prepare for as a writer and being able to handle multiple things in one day and meet deadlines. Taking the photos was fun too. "
Special thanks to all the businesses and other mentors who participated, middle school counselors, students for putting their best feet forward, and of course, Jackie Crowley, Partnership Services administrator who has organized the event for many years with business recruitment support from the Lacey Chamber of Commerce!
The above information was published by NTPS, which posts and emails similar information weekly. Click here for previous posts.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Bingo for Books, Celebration of the Arts
03/27/2009
Bingo for Books at MVE: The Mountain View Learning Center held its 2nd and 3rd grade "Bingo for Books" Wednesday night in the Mountain View cafeteria. Teachers Jane Lehnis and Wendy Lippmann organized a fun night for families. Each child in attendance went home with several new books. Smiles permeated the event as shouts of "BINGO" rang out (with Principal Randy Weeks as the caller). Komachin 8th grader Samantha Farler did an excellent job as emcee. If you missed this event, keep your ears open for the next one, it is a ton of fun!
Visual & Performing Arts
Schools celebrate the Arts: Meadows and Mountain View Elementary schools celebrated the arts on Monday with their respective school communities. At Meadows, families were invited to different rooms in the school to participate and observe a variety of activities from quilt blocking and salmon cycle art and poetry in classrooms, to hip hop dance in the gym and a "fake cake" art display with live saxophone music in the library. Wonderful staff-created art was also featured, including a detailed fish carving and bonsai tree by Edward Kim. Students were also preparing their costumes for the annual Species parade, including tie-dyed shirts and mustang heads. Organizers of the event included: Cynthia Kelly, Betsy Perkins, Laura Van Etten, Matt Tuttle.
Likewise at Mountain View, sixth grade teacher Scott Nye led a standing room only,collaborative effort to showcase the fine arts in the school library, including music, art, poetry, and storytelling. Performance groups included: Mountain View Marimba Ensemble, Wesley Basulto, DJ McFadden, Mountain View String Quintet, Griffen Gibson, Samantha Eagle, Deja Williams, Mr. Lippman, Isiaha Lapassa, Daniel Soto, Aaron Stone, Victor Ortega, Emily Haapala, Alex Haimes, and Brandy Do. Suzanne Cofer, Vickie Hanson, Sheila Whybrow and Jennifer Lyne, Orchestra also helped organize the successful evening that was topped off with refreshments donated by Starbucks and a viewing of the art displays.
The above information was published by NTPS, which posts and emails similar information weekly. Click here for previous posts.
Bingo for Books at MVE: The Mountain View Learning Center held its 2nd and 3rd grade "Bingo for Books" Wednesday night in the Mountain View cafeteria. Teachers Jane Lehnis and Wendy Lippmann organized a fun night for families. Each child in attendance went home with several new books. Smiles permeated the event as shouts of "BINGO" rang out (with Principal Randy Weeks as the caller). Komachin 8th grader Samantha Farler did an excellent job as emcee. If you missed this event, keep your ears open for the next one, it is a ton of fun!
Visual & Performing Arts
Schools celebrate the Arts: Meadows and Mountain View Elementary schools celebrated the arts on Monday with their respective school communities. At Meadows, families were invited to different rooms in the school to participate and observe a variety of activities from quilt blocking and salmon cycle art and poetry in classrooms, to hip hop dance in the gym and a "fake cake" art display with live saxophone music in the library. Wonderful staff-created art was also featured, including a detailed fish carving and bonsai tree by Edward Kim. Students were also preparing their costumes for the annual Species parade, including tie-dyed shirts and mustang heads. Organizers of the event included: Cynthia Kelly, Betsy Perkins, Laura Van Etten, Matt Tuttle.Likewise at Mountain View, sixth grade teacher Scott Nye led a standing room only,collaborative effort to showcase the fine arts in the school library, including music, art, poetry, and storytelling. Performance groups included: Mountain View Marimba Ensemble, Wesley Basulto, DJ McFadden, Mountain View String Quintet, Griffen Gibson, Samantha Eagle, Deja Williams, Mr. Lippman, Isiaha Lapassa, Daniel Soto, Aaron Stone, Victor Ortega, Emily Haapala, Alex Haimes, and Brandy Do. Suzanne Cofer, Vickie Hanson, Sheila Whybrow and Jennifer Lyne, Orchestra also helped organize the successful evening that was topped off with refreshments donated by Starbucks and a viewing of the art displays.
The above information was published by NTPS, which posts and emails similar information weekly. Click here for previous posts.
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