The next edition of the Friday Flyer will be published on Friday, September 18. Please send submissions to thefridayflyer@yahoo.com by Wednesday, September 16.

The First PTSA General Membership Meeting is this Tuesday, September 8, at 7 PM in the Bennett Library.

PTSA President

With our first week of school behind us, and our first General Meeting coming up Tuesday the 8th, there are two questions that seem to be filling my email boxes and keeping my phone ringing consistently: 1) With class sizes so large, why is the PTSA asking for Teacher Aide money, and where is it going, and 2) What is this new policy about the PTSA sponsoring programs?
While I really hope you will all attend our meeting next Tuesday in order to voice your opinions and thoughts on both subjects, I will use this forum to attempt to at least begin to explain the answers we have for both.

First, Teacher Aide. Because of our fundraising efforts last year, we were able to donate just over $40,000 towards Teacher Aide, which is intended to help directly in the classroom, and effect every single student at Bennett. As many of you know, the District cutbacks have left our class sizes large this year. I have heard many parents, and agree with them, that this is less than acceptable. We are very lucky at Bennett to have a great staff and Administration that can handle the toughest of situations, but I don't think I need to tell you that 30+ kids in a classroom is just too many for even the best of teachers to be effective with. This is literally the single largest reason I became involved with the PTSA, and am passionate about making changes at our school. In a perfect world, the funding would come from the District, and our Teachers would have 18-21 kids per class, and the PTSA could function solely to add money for Field Trips, Extracurricular Activities, and a few Enrichment Programs here and there. Unfortunately, this is not the reality. We are seeing classes with 26-30 students, which means the Teachers are spread too thin, and the people that suffer are the children. So, while I absolutely believe that we should be involved in inducing change at the District and even State level, I also know that the reality of the situation is that changes at that level are slow to happen. Our kids need the help now. So, in my opinion, if we want to ensure our kids receive the best education they can get at Bennett, we need to help our Teachers reduce their classroom size through the use of a Teachers Aide. That Aide can help in a plethora of ways, whether it's taking a group of kids out of the classroom and working with them separately, allowing the Teacher to spend more time with the other children left in the classroom. Or that Aide may take individual children and work with them specifically. How the Aide works with the class will be driven by our Principal, our curriculum, and by tested and proven methods. Our role is to make sure that the Aide is there.
We have some perfect working examples right in our District. Schools like Medina, Cherry Crest, and Enatai spend upwards of $100,000 on Teacher Aide alone. If you look at their test scores, you'll see that they are scoring quite a bit higher than us. It's not a coincidence. Because they invest in Teacher Aide, their classroom size is reduced, and the children all receive a better educational experience.

The argument is valid that the District or State "should be" providing enough resources for our schools. But the fact is, it just isn't happening. Furthermore, because we have such a great base of resources to work with, a fairly small investment on our part can supplement our children's education and make it rival any Public, and even Private schools. As I said in the first Friday Flyer, our goal is merely $300 per student for the year...which breaks down to under $2 per day of school they attend. If you shop the local Private schools, I think you'll agree that they are quite a bit more than that.

The second question about the new District Policy about PTSA sponsorship of events and activities is a bit tougher for me to answer at this point. Frankly, I am still muddling through it a bit. It was passed to me two days before school began, and it reads that should the PTSA sponsor an event or activity, that the activity must be attended by a PTSA representative at all times, the PTSA must collect and deposit all the money that event or activity generates. I am still researching all the effects this policy may have on all of our events and activities, from clubs like Art and Math, to the Foreign Language Program, and so on. Rest assured, however, that we WILL find a way to keep all of the great programs we have in place for our children. If that means making some adjustments to what insurance we require them to carry, who must be present in order to use the building, or whatever accounting is necessary, we will make it happen. I will hopefully be having discussions both with the District, their legal department regarding insurance (which happens to be an area where I have a bit of expertise), and Ms. Hepworth before our Meeting Tuesday, and will have some more insight at that time.

While this first week has been full of surprises, some new challenges, and adjustments for everyone, I want to take a second to just reiterate how very excited I am about our upcoming year. With the exceptional group of folks that are volunteering and our new Principal whom seems to have endless energy and an amazing commitment, I am certain we will have a banner year at Bennett. PLEASE consider coming to the first meeting of the year Tuesday. Like last year, I commit to keeping our meetings on time, on task, efficient, and purposeful.

Thanks!
Joe

PTSA Committee News

Walkathon

**** WALKATHON 2009 - ATTENTION GREEN BENNETT BULLDOGS*******

Please look in your child's folder this Friday, September 4, for the GREEN packet of information for this years Walkathon.

We have some NEW booths this year and lots more volunteer slots- so please please volunteer if you can.

Please contact Andrea Pohle - andreapohle@yahoo.com if you are interested in volunteering.

This years THEME is GO GREEN - "Changing the world one step at a time..."

Date: Friday September 18th, 3:30 - 6pm - all families welcome.

Please refer to the Bennett school FUNDRAISING page on our website for information online as well.

Be on the look out for more information weekly and daily as we count down the days to show time....

Please contact Hilary Ohara for any other questions - hilary@greenm3.com

Bennett Foreign Language Program

Foreign Language classes will start the week of Monday, September 28th.
Postcards will be sent out soon regarding student placements, so check your
mailboxes. We are looking forward to another great year.

BFLP Board 2009

Math Olympiads

The Math Olympiad Program is a program for students in 4th and 5th grade to explore math more intensively with creative, non-routine problems. A team of up to 24 students will meet weekly with this year's coach, Mr. Ralph Levin, will be this year's coach. The team will meet once a week before or after school on a date and time to be decided. There is a $50 registration fee per student. We urgently need a parent volunteer to take over the duties of collecting tuition and a few minor administrative tasks. If you are interested in keeping this very interesting program going, please contact me at spoteet6@hotmail.com. You can learn more about the program at their website:
http://www.moems.org/

Thank you.
Steve Poteet

From the Office

Thanks to everyone for your understanding at this crazy, busy time of year if we aren't helping you as fast as you would like, we are trying to get things done the best we can!

Thank you to all families who have turned in their forms. Please remember, we need the "Confidential Health Form', please update your student's profile and any PTA forms. They can be given to your child's teacher or turned in to the office.

Child absent?? Call the attendance line (425-456-4801) or email at bennettattendance@bsd405.org

Lunch money can be turned into the office or your child's teacher in the form of a check or cash...or you are welcome to use the PayPams system.

Library Corner

Hello Bennett Families,

It has been a pleasure to welcome back or meet your children. The students have been excited and curious about the library's courtyard mural. Thank you to the PTSA for funding artist Ryan Henry Ward's interpretation of the tea party from Alice in Wonderland. It has been wonderful to keep the blinds up, and let the light in.

You are more than welcome to check out books from our library. These books can be for your children or for your own reading pleasure. We also have a parenting section in our library filled with books about homework, behavior, learning styles, even local hikes.

Come visit the library on Curriculum Night. Take a look at the district supported databases. Peek at this year's award nominees. Create a library account for yourself. I look forward to seeing you there.

Please remind your child to return all library books by his/her library day. Below is a list of when classes visit the library.

Monday: Silver-Hill, Warner, Wiley, Posey
Tuesday: Halstead, Honn, Cordell, Gervais/Johnson, Salman
Wednesday: Custer
Thursday: Elms, Eicher, Bauman, Young
Friday: Drugge

Thank you for your help,

Mrs. Bolivar

The online catalog is temporarily down.

Bellevue Schools Foundation

How does Bellevue Schools Foundation help students?

From safety net programs to high academic standards and teacher training, BSF funds programs that touch every school, every student - every day.

BSF raises funds to support Bellevue public schools in four areas: Academic Rigor, Student Support, Teaching Excellence and Community Engagement. This school year, BSF will grant $ 870,000 to help all Bellevue students thrive.

Learn how BSF helps students go to www.bsfdn.org.

Keep up to date on BSF's work to support great schools in Bellevue - email Bennett reps Sue Bentsen sue@bentsen.us or Kris Moazez krism@mmpunion.com.

You can help Bellevue students succeed!

BSF raises funds from the entire Bellevue community to support great schools - but parents are our most dedicated supporters.

Our goal: raise $200,000 for Bellevue schools from parents by Thanksgiving.

How can you help?

Join thousands of Bellevue parents and give a gift to BSF.

Look for info in the mail, or give securely online via the BSF website listed above .

Volunteer for Phonathon November 9-13 and ask parents to support great schools through BSF. (425) 456-4199 or email Sue or Kris!

-785-2236 (cell)
www.SueBentsenDesigns.com

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? Email Pam McCormack: pjmmjm@comcast.net.

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

The Friday Flyer Newsletter | Bennett Elementary PTSA 2.3.22

www.schoolbennett.org | TheFridayFlyer@yahoo.com

2009-20010 Editor: Meg Mylan

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Bennett PTSA Executive Board 2009/10

Joe Mehlholff, President

Cynthia Coron, Vice President

Karine Keely, Vice President

Vanessa Harder, Vice President, Fundraising

Lynne Daugherty, Treasurer
Kristin Nash, Secretary

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