Dear Parents,

I hope everyone had a wonderful break-dare I say that it was too long? Anyway, I have enjoyed my conversations with students this week. Lot's of stories about the Winter break and lot's of excitement about being back to school. It's clear that we're on our way to a great 2009!

Makeup days

To make up the five school days, the District and Bellevue Education Association have agreed to add five school days to the end of the school year. The last day of school will be Thursday, June 25th. If you are interested, revised school calendars will be available at the front office.

Kindergarten Information Night

If you have a child entering Kindergarten this fall, please join us Thursday, January 29 (6:30-7:30 pm) for our annual Kindergarten Information Night. The Information Night is intended to help parents further prepare their child for the rigors of Kindergarten in the Bellevue School District . In order to enroll your child in Kindergarten, they must be five years old by August 31, 2009. The Kindergarten Information Night will be held in the library at Bennett.

Grade Reports

In early December, you should have received a Progress Report that indicates how well your child has done meeting the learning expectations for the First Trimester of the school year. The Progress Report uses a scale of 1- 4 to show you your child's performance. A 1 means that your child is significantly below grade-level expectations for this time of year; a 2 means your child is working toward meeting the grade-level expectations; a 3 means your child has met the grade-level expectations for the fall; and a 4 means your child exceeds the grade-level expectations at this time in the school year.

If you would like to see a blank copy of the Bellevue School District Progress Report so that you are clear about what it will contain, you can retrieve a blank copy from the Curriculum Web at http://curriculum/C11/C5/Elementary%20Report%20Card/default.aspx <http://curriculum/C11/C5/Elementary%20Report%20Card/default.aspx> . From there, click on the grade level you desire.

Chris Thomas
Bennett Elementary School
Principal

Bennett PTSA Website

Looking for information about Bennett?

Our PTSA website covers school programs, parent involvement, fund raising, calendars and anything else you can think of!

Check out http://schoolbennett.org/default.aspx

PTSA Committee News

Auction News

"Planting the Seeds for Success"
March 28, 2009

Procurement Drive!!

All solicitors who procure auction items received by January 30th will be entered into a drawing to win your choice of two lift tickets to Stevens Pass, or an extra bottle of wine at your table the night of the auction! Make sure your name is listed on the "Solicitor Name" line of the procurement form. All donations received thus far will also be eligible to win!

Share your special gifts, talents, hobbies or "stuff" with us! Maybe you have a great contact who might be willing to donate an item. You can donate directly through our website's online procurement form (www.schoolbennett.org) , or download the form and cover letter to distribute yourself. You can also find procurement forms at the auction kiosk outside the front office. Questions? Contact Procurement Chair Cindy Mehlhoff, cinmehlhoff@hotmail.com.

ReUse a Shoe Project

The Bennett Eco-Kids are starting a tennis shoe drive for the Nike ReUse
a Shoe Project and it will run from January 12 - January 30. Our school
goal is to collect 100 pair of shoes, which will be used to create sport
and playground surfaces such as tracks, indoor and outdoor basketball
courts, tennis courts, and synthetic turf. This is one the Nike's
longest-running environmental programs and to date, more than 21 million
pairs of shoes have been collected. Any brand of athletic shoes may be
donated but they must be dry, free of mud, and cannot contain metal. If
you have shoes to donate, please send them to school and place them
inside the collection box located by the Bennett office. Thank you!

Focus Day 2009

Focus Day 2009 will happen on Thursday, February 26th. Bellevue PTSA has organized a bus, and we'd like to have as many Bennett parents on the bus as possible!

A no-hassle way to show the legislature that PTA is involved - no driving or parking, and PTA leaders provide educational information on the trip. Bring a friend!

For more information, please check out this website: http://www.wastatepta.org/leg/session_09.htm

If you're interested in participating, or have questions, please send an email to bethantuttle@hotmail.com.

Art for Kids

Art for Kids School will again be offering art classes, for the Winter/ Spring semester. These are ongoing classes and projects are not repeated (new and returning students are welcome). The program is process oriented and designed to enhance your child's enjoyment of art and creative expression. The emphasis in the program is to acquaint children with various materials to enhance their self-esteem in regards to their creativity and to develop skills (in a sequential- learning program, similar to piano lessons). Children have an opportunity to explore their creativity through a variety of materials including pen and ink, watercolors, acrylics, pastels, clay, and plaster. Drawing techniques are incorporated in these classes as well as painting and sculpting techniques. All supplies are furnished. The instructor is a professional, degreed artist.

To learn more, and to register your child, please visit our website at www.artforkidsschool.com.

If you do not have Internet access, or if you have additional questions, please call the Assistant Director, Keyan Meymand at (206) 774-9970. Classes are small and prompt registration is essential to reserve a space!

From The Office

Bellevue School District
Kindergarten Registration Information 2009 - 2010
Web Site: www.bsd405.org ______________________________________________________________
     Kindergarten Registration begins Monday, January 26, 2009. Please call your neighborhood school for actual registration times.

    Kindergarten registration continues at your neighborhood school through the last day of school (6/18/09) and resumes when the elementary school offices open in August. (Registering early is encouraged.)

      Children must be five years old by August 31, 2009. Bring birth certificate and social security number*. (*Disclosure of a student's social security number is voluntary and is used as a student identification number in the district.)

     To locate your neighborhood school, visit our website, click on "Departments;" then "Transportation Services;" and then "School Boundary Information" where you can enter your address.   OR, call 425-456-4200.

   ATTEND A KINDERGARTEN INFORMATION MEETING:
SCHOOL DATES & TIME & LOCATION

ARDMORE January 27, 2009 - 7:00 p.m. - School/Cluster 2
BENNETT January 29, 2009- 6:30- 7:30 p.m.- School Library
CHERRY CREST February 10, 2009 - 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. - School Library
March 25, 2009 - 9:15 - 10:15 a.m. - School Library
CLYDE HILL January 22, 2009 - 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. - Cafeteria (adults only please)
February 10, 2009 - 8:30 - 9:30 a.m. - Cafeteria (adults only please
August 28, 2009 - 1:00-2:00 p.m. - Brown Bag Lunch - a chance for parents and kindergarteners to meet their teacher, explore their classroom, eat lunch on the playground and tour the school.)
EASTGATE
@ Bellwood (301 151st Pl. NE) January 22, 2009 - 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. - School Library
ENATAI January 27, 2009 - 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. - Gym
LAKE HILLS January 15, 6:00-7:30pm - Literacy Family Night for Preschool - 5th Grade
May 13, 6:30-7:30pm - Kindergarten Orientation
MEDINA February 12, 2009 - 9:00 a.m. - School Library
April 22, 2009 - 6:00 p.m. - School Library
NEWPORT HEIGHTS January 29, 2009 - 6:30 p.m. - Gym
PUESTA DEL SOL January 21, 2009 - 6:30 p.m. - Gym
August 26, 2009 - 6:30 p.m. - Information/Social (details will follow)
PHANTOM LAKE January 22, 2009 - 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. - School Library
April 16, 2009 - 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. - School Library
SHERWOOD FOREST January 21, 2009 - 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. - School Library (for parents)
April 24, 2009 - 10:45 - 11:45 a.m -Classroom visits for parents & kindergarteners
SOMERSET January 29, 2009 - 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. - School Library
March 26, 2009 - 9:15 - 10:15 a.m. - School Library
June 11, 2009 - 9:15-10:30 a.m. - School Library, parents & kindergarteners
SPIRITRIDGE January 26, 2009 - 6:30 p.m. - School Library
STEVENSON February 3, 2009 - 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. - Stevenson Cafe
WOODRIDGE
January 29, 2009 - 6:00 - 7:15 p.m. - School Library
February 5, 2009 - 9:00 - 10:15 p.m. - School Library

Bellevue Schools Foundation

YOUR DONATION MAKING AN IMPACT ACROSS THE DISTRICT -
Whether your child is in elementary, middle or high school, your generosity is impacting all students throughout the district.

Here's an example of how your gift is making a difference in both mathematics and science this year...

Math Expressions: Every K-5 student is benefiting from the new Math Expressions curriculum that emphasizes math concepts, computational fluency and problem solving skills. Every student will be challenged to achieve in math with supplementary leveled instruction to support the spectrum of learners from ESL students to gifted young mathematicians.

Thanks to your support, BSF is providing $170,000 towards Math Expressions this year.

Today's Science: All middle and high school students are benefiting from an improved science curriculum, based upon the latest scientific and learning research, and professional development for teachers. Curriculum improvements to the science courses, including Physics in 8th Grade, Biology in 9th Grade and Chemistry in 10th Grade, will prepare every student to complete a college preparatory physics/biology/chemistry sequence by Grade 10 and be ready for Advanced Placement (AP) or college-level science courses by Grade 11.
With your help, BSF is providing $150,000 towards the science curriculum advancements this year.

==========================================

Coffee & Learn
Want to learn more about how BSF supports Bellevue students? Join us for Coffee & Learn, a popular midmorning series that puts you face-to-face with District officials to learn about programs that BSF is funding.
Our January Coffee & Learn will be held on Wednesday, January 21, 2009 from 10am - 11am here at the ESC offices in Room 200 (the Board Room). This was originally scheduled for December, but was postponed due to schedules and weather.
Topic: Math Expressions is Elementary!
Speakers: Kirsten Pickering and Amy MacDonald
Elementary Technology Coaches for grades K-2 and 3-5 respectively
Space is limited! To request an invitation, please email info@bsfdn.org or call 425.456.4199.

==============================================

Spring for Schools Benefit Luncheon
Mark your calendars now! The 21st Annual Bellevue Schools Foundation Spring for Schools Benefit Luncheon will be held on Thursday, June 4, 2009 at Meydenbauer Center , from 11:30am - 1:30pm. More details to follow...

==============================================

Amazon.com

It's easy to raise money for our schools while you shop at Amazon.com. Just go to the Bellevue Schools Foundation (BSF) website home page, www.bsfdn.org and click on the Amazon link. Amazon will donate over 7% of each sale to support Bellevue schools. Remember, you must go through the BSF website link for BSF to get credit for the order.

Thanks to you, Amazon donated over $4,790 to BSF for our students in 2008!

For further information on any of the above, please contact:
Gillian Doyle
Bellevue Schools Foundation
tel: 425.456.4199
email: gillian@bsfdn.org

BENNETT ELEMENTARY HOODED SWEATSHIRTS

Show Your Spirit!

Bennett Elementary Hooded Sweatshirts

*    Two Designs to Choose From
*   Navy with White Lettering and Paw Print
* Available in Youth and Adult Sizes
*    Only $16 for Youth sizes and $20 for Adult sizes

Please fill out the form below and give to school office (*Please call me to let me know your order is in the office!) with "Bennett Sweatshirts" on the envelope (checks only please). Delivery time is 2-3 weeks. You will get a call when your shirt(s) have arrived. Questions? Call Chris Douglas @ 425-603-1718.

Youth Size: Small      Medium     Large
Adult Size: Small      Medium      Large      Extra Large
Style: #1 - Large Center Emblem -- or -- #2 - Small Pocket Emblem
Price: Youth $16.00      Adult $20.00

Name:________________ Child's Name:_____________ Teacher:____________

Phone:________________ Email:________________________________________

Circle choices of style, youth or adult sizes: TOTAL
Order #1      Style # 1 or #2      Size: Youth or Adult      S     M      L     XL      ENCLOSED:
Order #2      Style # 1 or #2      Size: Youth or Adult      S     M      L     XL
Order #3      Style # 1 or #2      Size: Youth or Adult      S     M      L     XL      $________
Order #4      Style # 1 or #2      Size: Youth or Adult      S     M      L     XL
Order #5      Style # 1 or #2      Size: Youth or Adult      S     M      L     XL

2009 Informational Meetings for 5th Grade Parents

Each middle school in the Bellevue School District will host an information evening for fifth grade parents. Although it may seem early, planning for next school year has already begun! The district open enrollment period is January 12 - February 13, 2009. We invite you to attend any of the presentations that are of interest; however please note that Chinook and Tyee are full and cannot accept any students who do not reside within that attendance area.

Click here for a list of presentations: Middle School Presentations

The Friday Flyer Newsletter | Bennett Elementary PTSA 2.3.22

www.bennettelementary.org | TheFridayFlyer@yahoo.com

2008-2009 Editor: Meg Mylan

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 only.You may subscribe or unsubscribe using the link at the bottom of each email.

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Bennett PTSA Executive Board 2008/09

Joe Mehlholff, President

Cynthia Coron, Vice President

Christie Allemand, Vice President

Vanessa Swanson, Treasurer
Kristin Nash, Secretary

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