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BEAGLE BUGLE
Newsletter
IN THIS ISSUE:

  • PTA Fundraising
  • Pantry Packs
  • Math Challenge #1 - DUE this week!
  • Yearbook 2020-2021 Available for Pre-order NOW!
  • Reflections program
  • Parent Education Event
  • General Membership Meeting information
  • Volunteer opportunities
IMPORTANT DATES:

  • October 8 - Math Challenge #1 (due by 3:20pm)
  • October 8 - Parent Education Event hosted by Clara Barton PTSA
  • October 9 - Beagle Fetch Day
  • October 12, 13, and 15 - Virtual Conferences
  • October 16 - No School
  • October 22 - PTA General Membership Meeting 6-8PM



Hello Rockwell Beagle Parents! 
I hope this message finds you all well, and that you are settling in to remote learning. I have always been proud to be a Rockwell Beagle, but this year, I am wearing our colors with even more pride, as I see the amazing amount of work and dedication our teachers and staff are pouring into our kids. I feel blessed to be part of this amazing community.

Fundraising:
First, let me answer the question you may be asking: “Why are you fundraising if school is remote?” While we recognize that we are all living in difficult times, the PTA is still servicing our school and our Rockwell community. We are committed to fully funding our academic grants for our teachers and specialists. These grants typically cover things like math manipulatives and games, magazine subscriptions, field trips, Toymaker, etc. While the types of items may change this year, the need has not changed, even though we are remote. Seventy percent of our fundraising this year will go toward these academic grants. We also have families in our Rockwell community that are experiencing hardship and are in need. Twenty percent of funds raised will go toward our scholarship fund. The remaining ten percent of funds will go toward administrative costs and unforeseen needs. If your are able, we ask that you please contribute to the PTA this year, even though school is remote. 
  • Annual Beagle Contribution – This is the time of year when the PTA typically holds our annual fundraising campaign, the Annual Beagle Contribution (ABC).   We have lowered our ‘standard’ request this year and are asking all families that are able to please contribute $50 per student to the PTA. If your company matches giving contributions, please consider submitting a request, as these matching funds will be incredibly important for us this year. Donations may be made online. If you would like to give, but prefer to make the donation via check, please reach out to our PTA President, Elaine Bentzinger for details.  I want to be very clear, if your family is unable to give this year, we completely understand.  There are additional ways you can help financially, even if you are unable to participate in the ABC fundraising campaign this year. 
  • Corporate Matching – This is quite possibly one of the easiest ways to provide extra funds to our school's PTA. Our programs rely on your donations as well as your corporate matching! Many local companies match donations to non-profit organizations so you can get your Annual Beagle Contribution donations matched. Please check with your employer to find out if the money you donate to the Norman Rockwell Elementary PTA can be matched. More information is available on our website here.
  • Amazon Smile - Select Norman Rockwell PTA as your charity of choice at https://smile.amazon.com/gp/chpf/homepage?orig=%2FAlso be sure to turn Smile on in your Amazon app.  See how to activate here.
  • Give with BingPlease join “Give with Bing” (it’s free)! Once you navigate to the site, turn Give mode “on” and then search for and select “Norman Rockwell Elementary PTA” as your non-profit of choice. After that, simply use Bing for all your searching needs. The more you search on Bing, the more points you’ll earn—and each month Norman Rockwell PTA will receive a donation.  If you sign up for Give with Bing before Sept. 30, 2020, Microsoft will give you 1,000 points to donate towards the PTA, so start telling your friends and family about this as well! And if you have existing points, you can donate those as well! 
  • Box TopsDid you hit the grocery store today? Costco? Please download the latest Box Tops app on your phone, scan your receipt, and submit. Our Box Tops funds are down considerably since the move to a digital platform, so please do what you can to assist.
  • Microsoft Alumni Giving Are you a Microsoft Alumni? If you are, did you know that every hour you donate to the PTA can be matched with a $10 donation? These funds add up quickly, so please reach out to our PTA President, Elaine Bentzinger for more information. 

 

Elaine Bentzinger
PTA President



IT’S TIME TO BE ALL IN FOR KIDS!

With a new and very unique school year upon us, you may be feeling a little helpless right now. Many families are struggling and most of us would like to help. What can you do right now to make a difference? 
Go ALL IN FOR KIDS with a donation to the Lake Washington Schools Foundation! We've been helping students, families, and schools in the Lake Washington School District for fifteen years with programs like Balance in Mind, LINKS Mentoring, Pantry Packs and Reach for Success grants. With your help, we can ensure that every student in our district has what they need to succeed this school year, no matter what form school takes.


Math Challenge #1
Due by Thursday, October 8th
Math Challenge is back for this school year! For those who are new to the program, Math Challenge is a PTA sponsored program that is offered free to all students at Rockwell. 
There are 15 challenges total for the school year and each challenge contains math problems that are appropriate for each grade level. This program is optional and our aim is to encourage students to enjoy learning and working on math. It is a great family activity, as we encourage the students to work with family to discuss and solve the questions. Please feel free to try more questions than the minimum required for your grade level in order to qualify.  
Once the student completes the challenge, simply email their paper by the due date to [email protected] 
Our first Math Challenge is now available. You can access the challenge here. The due date for Math Challenge #1 is Thursday, Oct. 8th by 3:20pm. 
Please contact us if you have any question or if you need additional information about this program.




REFLECTIONS ART COMPETITION
"I Matter Because…" 

The Reflections Program is a National PTA and Washington State PTA cultural arts competition which was started in 1969 and is the largest arts in education program of its kind in the United States. The purpose of the program is to provide an opportunity for students to use their creative talents by expressing themselves through their own original works, created around a specific theme. A student may submit an entry in any of the following six arts categories, or as a special artist (an option for students with disabilities who receive services under IDEA or Section 504):

*Please note that the LWPTSA is unable to accept 3D art for 2020-2021.
Submit your entry
·        Rockwell submission forms are available (coming soon!)
·        NEW for 2020: All artwork will be submitted digitally. Details to come.
·        Deadline for Entries: Wednesday, 10/28
·       Additional advice on putting together your submission will be coming


Please let us know if you have any questions!

Lindsay Burke




2020-2021 Yearbook Available for Pre-Order!
Pre-orders are now open! You can place your order by going to the Lifetouch<https://ybpay.lifetouch.com/Order/SelectJob> and using Yearbook ID #4886521. Please order soon as we only print a limited amount.
Softcover Yearbooks are $25
Hardcover Yearbooks are $30



FREE live parent education event, "Unexpected Gifts: Grit, Resilience, and the Power of Failure"
 
WHEN: Thursday, October 8 from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
 
Certified Parent Coach® Christy Keating will share her tips on raising well-adjusted kids, thoughts on when it’s okay to let your kids fail, and how to help them succeed by finding creative solutions to the challenges they face—whether that be at home, at school, or in life. Christy offers powerful insights, compassionate understanding, and specific tools and strategies to help parents guide their children to success. 

To register: To register for the webinar, parents/attendees can go to this link: https://heartfulparentacademy.mykajabi.com/unexpectedgifts
Hosted by: Clara Barton PTSA!


Next Beagle Fetch Materials Distribution: October 9th, 1:00 - 3:00 PM

Last name: Time:
A-G 1:00 – 1:30
H-L 1:30 – 2:00
M-R 2:00 – 2:30
S-Z 2:30 – 3:00
AND
We're still distributing yearbooks! 
The next distribution will align with the next Materials Pick-Up on October 9th. Please try to come at the same time you would to pick up supplies.





Mark Your Calendar!
Thursday October 22, 6-8 pm

Upcoming General Membership Meeting
 
The fall 2020 General Membership meeting is scheduled for October 22 from 6-8pm. As you may have seen in Mr. Clark’s newsletter on Friday, Rockwell is part of a pilot program to enhance inclusion and inclusive practices at our school for all learners.  We will have a guest speaker from the TIES Center at University of Minnesota to discuss the program with us. Additionally, we will be conducting our regular business, including review and voting on the budget for the 2020-2021 school year. Please join us! 


Volunteer Opportunities for this School Year!

  • VP of Fundraising! Oversees Annual Beagle Contribution and supports chairs for Dine outs; bi-annual Box Tops and Spirit Wear orders. Supports varying programs like Read A Thon
and other passive income opportunities. Please contact [email protected] if
interested in more information.

  • Pantry Packs Program Needs Volunteer Drivers - Norman Rockwell is looking for volunteer drivers that could help out with food deliveries once a month. This is a great opportunity to help out your community and kids at Rockwell. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Krisitin Bauer at [email protected]


All of these volunteer opportunities have lots of support and training. Any amount of volunteering would be greatly appreciated!


STAY INFORMED

You might find the following additional resources useful:

Norman Rockwell Elementary | Email | Website
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