A enormous "thank you" to parent volunteer, Kelly Malcolm, Health & Safety Committee Chair and fifth grade teacher, Mr. Dean Drugge for getting Bennett's Emergency supplies up to date, restocked and ready. In the event of an emergency the staff and students at Bennett will be well prepared. Thank you Kelly and Dean!

Don't Forget! Celebrate Dr. Seuss's Birthday with Read Across America
Millions of children, teens, and adults are busy making plans to be part of the nation's largest reading celebration. Are you? Read Across America Day-March 3-is just around the corner. Bennett is celebrating today with a read-in. Set aside time for your family to put on hats and read with the one of the world's most cherished cats! Visit www.nea.org/readacross for ideas and resources!

PTSA Committee News

Sock Hop Bop Til You Drop

Thursday, March 13th 6:30-8:00 pm in the gym. We welcome the whole family, friends, and staff to join us for an evening of socializing and fun while our own DJ plays our favorite songs! Come have fun with your kids while we dance, hula hoop, and make ice cream floats. This is a free PTSA sponsored event. Volunteer sign up board by the office.

Young Scientist Week

We need many volunteers to help put on this fun, educational event for our kids and families.

We need volunteers for events during Science Week and for Family Science Night on March 26th . Look for a sign up board near the main office to appear after mid winter break. Hope you can help!

Thanks from the Young Scientist Committee!

For questions regarding volunteering for Young Scientist Week contact Cathycuddallen@aol.com or 425-885-1646

Cleaning Supplies Drive

Our cleaning supplies drive to benefit the Eastside Women's Center at the Redmond YWCA is continuing!.

The YWCA housing programs in East King County offer safe, affordable housing and support services for homeless women and families. YWCA staff members partner with residents to develop and work on self-sufficiency plans to help them reach their goals and build better lives.

Every variety of cleaning supplies are needed! This drive will be ongoing throughout the remainder of the school year, so next time you are at Costco, pick up an extra item and drop it off in the box outside the office. The Social Concerns Committee thanks you!

End Summer Hunger

March 10-14th our students will be participating in Hyperlinks'

End Summer HungerCoin Drive. This is Hyperlinks' most important campaign this spring.

There are nearly 11,000 low income and homeless children in Hyperlinks' service area who receive free and reduced-fee breakfasts and lunches during the school year. During the summer months these meals are not available and families already in crisis are presented with a serious problem--putting food on the table for their children. The End Summer Hunger campaign makes sure that families do not have to choose between paying the rent and busying groceries.

The program's focus, "kids helping kids," is a way to show that children can help make a lasting change in our community. Students will be given coin collection bags the week of March 3rd, and are asked to bring in spare change to deposit into their grade's coin receptacle. The kids wanted to make this a little more competitive this year, so the grade level that raises the most money will receive a Special Party!

Look for those collection bags and join in the fun!

Principal's Post

By Chris Thomas

I hope everyone had a great Mid-Winter break. Wasn't the weather fabulous? My family and I "hit the slopes" (Snoqualmie Pass) on one of the days and it was a blast- no major bruises either!

Volunteer Opportunities

Bennett Elementary has always had a wonderfully involved group of parents. If you have not been involved with any of our school programs this year, we welcome you to play a role at school. Of course, those who are interested must complete volunteer paperwork and have a background check. More information can be obtained in the office at Bennett.

The following is a list of opportunities for parent volunteers:

Classroom helpers - Check with your child's teacher to see if there are any opportunities to help them in the classroom. Specifics: Teachers usually like it if parents can help out on a consistent basis (i.e. each Tuesday from 9 to 10. . .). Also, it is important to note that classroom help is not intended to directly involve you and your child. It is a time for parents to help the teacher with things that will enable them to focus even more on meeting student needs in the classroom.
Lunchroom or recess help - Come join your child for lunch. Not only will it be fun for you and your child, having you around will add to the positive role models during lunch.
Before/after school -We can never have enough adult help during these times. Whether it's supervising students in specific areas on the playground or guiding students to their bus, your presence is valuable.

Other opportunities for parents to volunteer. . .

Field Trips
Science Week (Contact PTSA)
Fundraisers (Contact PTSA)

If you have any ideas or questions about volunteer opportunities, please let me know.

From The Office

Note to Parents:

Remember to write a permission note to the office/bus driver if your child is riding the bus to a friend's house (no note = no ride).
Please remember to use the attendance line to report all absences (425-456-4801).

Here comes the WASL!

The Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL) will take place April 14^th through April 30^th. Students in grades 3-5 will be assessed in reading and mathematics with the addition of writing for 4th and science for 5th. These two weeks will demand a great deal of student energy. To help your child be at his/her best, we offer the following recommendations:

Be sure your child gets plenty of sleep throughout the two weeks (8-10 hours a night should suffice)

Be sure your child gets a healthy breakfast every morning (small snacks will be provided each day during a break)

Have your child wear comfortable clothing

Make sure your child gets to school on time

Please do not schedule early dismissals or appointments for your child

We appreciate your help.

Greetings from the Art Room!
Youth Art Month begins March 1st. Here are some ideas to help you celebrate with your little artist!

Check out the online gallery for the Bellevue School District at http://curriculum.bsd405.org/C7/Visual%20Arts/Document%20Library/BSD%20Student%20Gallery/index.htm
Visit a local museum! B.A.M. has a FREE kids craft sculpture event on March 1st and 8th from 1-3pm http://www.bellevuearts.org/calendar.htm
S.A.M is always FREE for kids 12 and under and if you have a teenager check out the ARTattack! teen events-SO COOL! For more info visit: http://www.seattleartmuseum.org
Go outside and play! We just finished our spring SAKURA (cherry blossoms) in the art room. A FREE visit to the Bellevue Botanical Gardens might inspire more art from nature. Visit http://www.bellevuebotanical.org for more information.
Register your child for a summer art course! The following local organizations offer tons of fantastic classes:
http://www.artscool.org/
http://www.cityofbellevue.org/page.asp?view=9991
http://www.cornish.edu/
http://www.kirklandartscenter.org/
http://www.ktub.org/
http://www.pratt.org/
http://www.sewardparkart.org/
http://www.gageacademy.org/
http://www.seattleymca.org/
In other news. . . We are about to start our paper mache projects and need more donations of paper products (the cardboard roll from paper towels and toilet paper, egg cartons, and of course NEWSPAPER).

Thanks for your help! --Gina Ray, Art Specialist

Safety Corner

By Roger Allington

Let's talk about crosswalks. By law there is a crosswalk on each leg of any intersection unless crossing is prohibited and appropriate signs are in place. These crosswalks exist whether marked or "unmarked" on the roadway. Where a crosswalk is "protected" by the presence of a STOP sign or signal it is obvious why one should use the marked crosswalk. However, where crosswalks are not "protected" there are good reasons NOT to mark crosswalks.

A number of very thorough studies over the years have indicated that marking an unprotected crosswalk does not increase the safety and worse; most such studies have shown that pedestrians using marked, unprotected crosswalks have twice the chance of being injured. No absolute cause for this higher severity rate has been positively identified but many traffic safety professionals believe that the problem is caused by pedestrians feeling they are "protected" by the pavement markings and hence, reduce their vigilance.

So, why mark crosswalks at unprotected locations, specifically near Bennett School? Find out in our next edition!

Opportunities for Parent Involvement

** VIP Lunch Club ** - Thursdays from 11:45 - 12:30 (indoors). Contact Regina Feinberg, Bennett's Speech and Language Specialist at feinbergr@bsd405.org, 425-456-4840

** Playground Volunteers ** - Before school & during lunch recess. Younger siblings are welcome. Contact Margie Landreth, Bennett's Office Manager landrethm@bsd405.org or 425-456-4800

** Staff Appreciation Coordinators are needed for the following classrooms ** - Tews, Norby, Bauman, Stewart, Silver-Hill. Contact Mary Kay Westmoreland, PTSA Staff Appreciation Committee Chair, thewestmorelands@hotmail.com, 425-653-1641.

Information about VIP Lunch Club: Every Thursday, Bennett students are invited to our VIP lunch club. The students meet together for lunch and conversation and then we play group board games. Favorites are Apples to Apples Jr., Whoonu, Kids on Stage and UNO! Invitations are made by the Bennett teaching staff and participation is optional. Lately, new students come by and ask if they can participate! This is a special treat for those kids who want the opportunity to enjoy peer activities in a smaller, quieter setting during lunchtime. The kids are making connections with other kids, listening and taking turns. They are learning to be good sports and practicing not having to always be first! It's a lot of fun! We rotate our 1st and 2nd graders and our 3rd-5th graders. Most kids end up coming once or twice each month. With volunteers kids could come more often.

Information about Playground Volunteer Opportunities: Bennett has two fantastic staff members who cover the entire playground before the bell rings and during recess. More adults equal safer students and children making smarter choices. Parent volunteers on the playground make a significant difference with their presence alone. If you are able to commit as frequently as once a week or as infrequently as once a month - we need you! Volunteer to help before school (8:40-9:05) or during lunch recess (11:40 - 12:35).

Information about Staff Appreciation Coordinators: Facilitate appreciation activities from the class during Staff Appreciation Week (May 19th - 23rd). Plan a luncheon for the Bennett teachers and staff along with other staff appreciation coordinators from the same grade level. Luncheons remaining are:
   March - Kindergarten team
   April - Fourth grade team
   June - all coordinators

Community Service Announcements

Lost iPod Nano

My son Théo was bringing his new light blue iPod Nano home and thinks it may have been misplaced at school. If you or your child have found a blue third-generation iPod Nano (shaped like a square), please contact Yves ("Eve") Arrouye at 425 445-4234 or yves@arrouye.net.

Théo's nickname and last name (Arrouye) as well as an email are engraved on the back of the iPod. Thanks for your help!

Bond to Modernize Schools to be on March 11 Ballot

The Bellevue School District Board of Directors has just authorized a second phase of its school modernizations with a $545 million bond to be placed on the March 11, 2008 ballot. If the bond is approved, the average annual local school tax rate between 2008 and 2015 - projected at $2.13 per $1,000 in assessed valuation -- will be 7 cents lower than the actual average annual tax rate between 2000 and 2007.

The bond would pay for the rebuilding of Ardmore, Cherry Crest and Spiritridge elementary schools; improvements to Bellevue and Sammamish high schools that will bring them up to the high standards of recent work done at Interlake and Newport; and the modernization of three or four middle schools, including Tyee and Chinook. These two schools are a priority based on the need for more space to house increased student enrollments and architects' assessments of the overall condition of the buildings. While all middle schools need significant modernization, the order of the next school or schools after Chinook will be determined in light of finances and conditions at that time.

If funds remain after completing these scheduled projects, additional improvements - such as additional multipurpose space -- could be made at Enatai, Bennett and Puesta del Sol elementary schools.

The board approved this option after considering two different packages. The board's decision to include as many facilities as possible within the bond package was based on several factors:

the need to keep the district's building modernization program moving forward;
the district's successful experiences in completing high-quality projects on time;
the current climate in which construction inflation rates have slowed somewhat; and
the knowledge that the average tax rate over the next eight years would likely be lower than the average tax rate of the past eight years.

More information will be posted on the school district's website - www.bsd405.org - as it becomes available.

Viva Las Vegas!

You are cordially invited to attend Viva Las Vegas! The 14th Annual Interlake High School Auction benefiting all student programs including Sports, PTSA and Music. Glendale Country Club 13440 Main Street, Bellevue, WA Saturday, March 29, 2008 $58 per person After March 9, $65.00 Doors open at 4:30pm for Silent Auction and Happy Hour First Silent Auction Closes at 6:00pm Dinner at 7:00 pm - Live Auction at 7:30pm The evening concludes at 10:00pm Register online at http://ihsboosterclubauction.maestroweb.com/

Pacific Northwest United Water Polo

A local, non-profit water polo club, based at Edgebrook Pool in Bellevue . The Club provides year-round training for ages 10 through 18, tournament play on a local, national, and international level, and is a feeder for high school water polo teams in Bellevue and beyond. The program emphasizes hard work, integrity, respect, confidence and sportsmanship. SPRING SESSION STARTS FEBRUARY 25, SUMMER SESSION STARTS MAY 19. Beginners welcome!!
Want to have fun in the water?? Play one of the fastest growing team sports in the country!
Check out our website or register at: www.unitedwaterpolo.org or call coach Tim Reed at 425-896-0495

Recycle Your Electronics and Support Tillicum 8^th Graders!

It's spring cleaning time . . . get green! Bring your recyclable electronics to Tillicum Middle School parking lot @ 16020 SE 16^th Street, Bellevue on Saturday, March 29, 2008 from 10 am to 4 pm. The list of recyclable items and fees can be viewed on the Tillicum PTA website: http://www.tillicumpta.org/TMSContent.asp?ID=658 Tell your friends, neighbors and businesses! We accept cash or checks only. A portion of your fee will benefit Tillicum's 8^th grade class.

News from The PTA Parent Magazine

Every Minute Pays Dividends

Even small amounts of time spent involved with your child's education can help boost student achievement. Parent involvement has been shown to increase test scores, homework completion, attendance and even graduation rates. For ways to get involved even though you are strapped for time, consider the following ideas, many of which can be adapted for pre-school, afterschool programs, or even summer breaks:

Start at home - Even before you volunteer at the school or PTA, consider the opportunities you have at home. Set aside time each day to talk to your child about school activities. Monitor homework and class projects. Try to plan family activities that support what they learn in school.
Determine limits - Figure out just how much time you have to volunteer and feel good about it. Every bit helps and is valued.
Inform leaders - Ensure that PTA or school leaders know specifically how much time you have to volunteer and particular projects or activities you would like to volunteer for.
Communicate regularly - Take five minutes on your lunch hour to call or e-mail your child's teacher. Regular, open communication with teachers is important, especially if a problem arises.
Involve your employer - Successful schools are supported by local businesses and community members. Encourage your company to "adopt" a school by donating supplies or equipment, or by providing speakers or mentors.
Join PTA - Just by joining PTA you are adding your support and voice to millions of others in support of children. PTA speaks out in support of children's education, health, safety and well-being-not all parent organizations do that. Your membership gives PTAs strength on all levels-local, state and national. Adapted from PTA's parental involvement guide found at www.pta.org/spanish/makingtime_tips.pdf.

Other PTA Resources:

Bellevue Schools Foundation (BSF)

How your student benefits from an investment in BSF. . .

National Board Certification - TEACHERS

This year, 88 teachers in the Bellevue School District are going through the rigorous process of National Board Certification, the largest class yet! Bellevue ranks #1 in the state in Board Certified teachers (126), and Washington State ranks 10th in the nation overall.

Students benefit from teachers who are focused on 'the big picture' and how they can help their students learn in more effective, engaging and thoughtful ways. Teachers who have gone through the certification process comment that while it is very demanding, the results are well worth it.

AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) - STUDENTS

Imagine students sitting in small discussion groups where, one by one, the students pose questions and, with the help of the others, come up with how to answer them - "What was the main reason to find easier trade routes to India and how did that affect the way we live today?"

With the guidance of the tutor, students share their thoughts and ideas with each other. They confirm they understand the answer or, if they don't have the answer, where to go to get more information. And by using the Cornell method of note-taking, each student learns to look for and ask the more pertinent question, one that digs deeper, pushes them to compare and contrast the information, as well as have variable sources to support their statements.

These are all skills learned in their AVID class, a nationally recognized study and time management skills program for middle and high school students. Due to the success at both the middle and high school level, this year the district is expanding the program to include all 5^th grade students.

Thanks to the support from parents and the greater Bellevue community, this year the Bellevue Schools Foundation is providing $232,700 toward National Board Certification and $114,000 to the AVID programs respectively.

Spring for Schools Benefit Luncheon

Mark your calendars now! The 20th Annual Bellevue Schools Foundation Spring for Schools Benefit Luncheon will be held on Thursday, June 5, 2008 at Meydenbauer Center , from 11:30am - 1:30pm. More details to follow. . .

Amazon.com - Thank you!

Many thanks to all who are using the Bellevue Schools Foundation (BSF) website link when shopping at amazon.com. In 2007, the Foundation received over $5,000 for the schools from amazon.com.

No matter what time of year, whenever you're shopping on amazon.com, it's an easy way to raise money for our schools. Just go to the BSF website home page, www.bsfdn.org and click on the amazon.com link. BSF receives over 7% of each sale. Remember, you must go through our website link for BSF to get credit for the order.

The Friday Flyer Newsletter | Bennett Elementary PTSA 2.3.22

www.bennettelementary.org | TheFridayFlyer@yahoo.com

Editor: Denice Malone

Information contained in directories, newsletters, or membership lists published by The Friday Flyer may not be used for solicitation, commercial, political, ideological, or any other purposes not consistent with the Washington Congress of Parent and Teacher by-laws.

The Friday Flyer is a bi-weekly newletter distributed via email. Articles need to be submitted to thefridayflyer@yahoo.com by the Wednesday before publication Articles may be edited for content.

The following are publication dates for the remainder of the school year:

Mar 14, Mar 28, Apr 18, May 2, May 16, May 30, and Jun 16

Bennett PTSA Executive Board 2007/08
Marian McDermott, Co-President, ma_mcdermott@hotmail.com 425/653-1235
Sue Bentsen, Co-President, sue@bentsen.us  425/644-5005
Vanessa Swanson, Treasurer, vswan@lynden.com  425/641-6626
Heather Gibbs, Co-Treasurer, heather@thegibbs.us  425/746-3483
Kris Moazez, Secretary, krism@mmpunion.com  425/643-8396
Clay Dawson, VP Education, clayd43@msn.com  425/643-6298
Alison House, VP Fundraising, alihouse@comcast.net  425/653-5411
Michelle Ball, VP Community, michball@winisp.net  425/564-8315

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Bennett Elementary PTSA | 17900 NE 16th Street | Bellevue | WA | 98008