BEAGLE BUGLE - ROCKWELL PTA AND SCHOOL NEWS
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: SALMON IN THE CLASSROOM

The salmon are starting to swim!! They are now in the "fry" stage and will be getting hungry soon.  The next two months are a very important (and exciting) time to be at Rockwell!  Throughout the week, Fourth grade teachers bring students to the tank to observe this amazing life cycle as it happens.   The most important part for the students, is they feed the fry!  

We need 4-8 more adult volunteers!   Training is provided - to be scheduled in the next 7-14 days based on the fry.

Task:  20-30 minutes  at noon  to supervise small groups of kids feed their fry. Ideally, volunteers will be pick a day and rotate through the next two months until salmon are ready to be released during a 4th grade field trip.
A sign up genius will be made available for volunteers once training is scheduled.

Contact Nate by this Friday, March 3rd if you can volunteer.  The fish need 4th grade parents; aiming for two-three parents per 4th grade class (a couple 3rd grade parents are welcome to learn, too).

Salmon Chair
essayPTA ESSAY CONTEST
Entries Due Wednesday, March 1

"Men Making a Difference" is a statewide essay contest.  It explores the important and different contributions that men make in the lives and education of children - from our children's perspective. All men involved in a child's life - fathers, uncles, grandpas, brothers, step-fathers, mentors, neighbors, pastors, coaches, and friends - impact the children they care about.  

Is your child willing to write an essay about an important male in their life? Read over the complete details here  and submit your entry & application by March 1 st .

PTA President

readROCKWELL CELEBRATES "READ ACROSS AMERICA"
February 27-March 3

This year marks the twentieth anniversary of Read Across America, a time in which we honor Dr. Seuss and celebrate reading.  RAA is sponsored annually by The National Education Association and focuses on motivating children to read.  The celebration takes place each year on Dr. Seuss's birthday (Thursday, March 2 nd ) when schools, libraries and community centers participate by bringing together kids and books.  Rockwell will be celebrating RAA with a weeklong tribute February 27 th to March 3 rd .  You'll see many signs of our celebration around the school... balloons, student art, Green Eggs & Ham lunch option, a Student Council sponsored Cat in the Hat Spirit Day on Friday, and daily drop everything and read breaks.  For more information, visit: www.nea.org/readacross .

Let's keep reading a priority - grab your hat and read with the cat!

Teacher Librarian
ADVOCACY UPDATE

How will WA State Pay for Our Kids' Education?

What education funding models are they talking about in Olympia right now? What are the benefits and challenges of the "prototypical school" model our state currently uses? What are the benefits and challenges of "student-centered" approaches, like the one recently proposed in our WA State Senate?

COME FIND OUT NEXT WEEK! EVERYONE IS WELCOME!
 
Because PTA is a nonpartisan organization, this will be a nonpartisan, educational event.
 
Guest Speaker:   Kelly Munn, League of Education Voters, State Field Director
 
WHEN:  Thursday, March 2, 2017; 12pm to 1pm
(directly following the LWPTSA Council Membership Meeting - so grab some coffee and bring your own lunch)
 
WHERE:  Lake Washington School District Resource Center -  BOARD ROOM
(Redmond Town Center: 16250 NE 74th St, Redmond, WA 98052)
 
This year is an historic opportunity to make a difference in Washington. Many important changes to our education system are being discussed, and important state budget issues are being decided as our legislature tries to comply with the 2018 deadline to fully fund basic education. Our advocacy opportunity this session has a short time frame and a deadline. If we miss it, we may not get another opportunity of this magnitude for a long while.
 
Learn more now so you can speak up effectively and knowledgeably on the issues that matter to our community and the future of our kids!
 
LWPTSA Council VP Advocacy


REDMOND HIGH PRESENTS "THE JUNGLE BOOK"
March 2-4; 9-11

Redmond High School Drama will journey through "The Jungle Book"  March 2-4 and 9-11.

This action-packed adaptation of the classic adventure story is based on the original Rudyard Kipling story. Meet the precocious Mowgli, who is as fierce as any of the members of his wolf pack. Upon learning that he is a human and not a wolf, he seeks to reconcile these very different identities. Will he decide to remain with the pack, or return to the world of humans from which he was born? Will he learn the Law of the Jungle in time to defeat Shere Khan, the most feared animal of all? Mowgli's quest for identity is at the heart of this amazing story, set within a grand jungle adventure.

Ryan Colombe, who stars as Mowgli, says, "Every moment of this show is full of entertainment, energy and emotions."

The drama department's talented students have been working hard for many weeks to assemble the show, which is suitable for all audiences.

Shows are at  7 p.m. in the Redmond High School Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $10; half price on Thursdays.

RHS PTA
running
RUNNING CLUB RETURNS
Tuesday, March 7

Rockwell Running Club Returns  Tuesday, March 7!!!
 
Spring is here and the kids want to run, run, run!!! Please welcome Kindergarten students to Running Club, joining all students in grades 1 -5. Looking for parent volunteers to help with the Rockwell Running Club on Tuesdays and Thursdays during lunch recesses, from  11:50 a.m. - 1:10 p.m. Please sign up now through 

Rockwell PE Teacher

spiritNEW SPIRIT WEAR ON SALE
Deadline: March 8

For spring we are excited to offer a new BEAGLE graphic, making now the perfect time to show your school pride and LOOK YOUR BEAGLE BEST!!

Don't hesitate...Spirit Wear is on sale NOW through Wednesday, March 8 .

All Spirit wear orders will be processed ONLINE using the PTA website .

If a paper order form is preferred, they are available in the office.

Spirit Wear Coordinator
yearbook
ORDER YOUR YEARBOOK

Time to Order a Yearbook - Deadline to order is March 17

We won't be selling any books during the last week of school - so order yours now.

Previous yearbooks are available to view in the s chool office.

Prices:   Soft cover ($22) or Hard cover ($25)

Don't remember if you ordered a yearbook during back to school days?  
 
Click on this link (sign in if needed):

Thanks!
Yearbook Editors
spring
SPRING RESOURCE FAIR
Saturday, March 18

All parents and students from the Lake Washington School District are invited to attend Lake Washington PTSA Council's Spring Resource Fair. It will be held on  Saturday, March 18, 2017, 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., at the Lake Washington Institute of Technology, 11605 132nd Ave NE, Kirkland, WA 98034. 

Admission is free for everyone to attend.
 
Rockwell PTA President
 
danceROCKWELL 2017 RAINBOW DANCE
Friday, March 24

Annual All-School Dance Party is scheduled for Friday, March 24 from 6-8pm at the Redmond High School Cafeteria. There will be dancing, games, a photo booth, food for sale and lots of fun!

The cost is $5 per person, with no family paying more than $20 even if you have more than 4 people! Children 4 and under are free. All kids must be accompanied by an adult.

Concessions, drinks, toys, glow sticks and photo booth print tickets are only $1 each. Admission and concession tickets can be paid at the door or pre-ordered by March 16.

NEW THIS YEAR: Pre-order a large pizza for your family to enjoy for only $10. All pizzas must be pre-ordered. Deadline is March 16.

Volunteers are needed for 45 minute shifts and will receive one individual admission ticket for free! Order forms and volunteer sign up will be on the PTA website this week.

Dance Chair
MATH CHALLENGE #9 WINNERS

Thanks for all those who participated in Math Challenge #9.  Congratulations to the following winners: Emma L, Sonia L, Ayushio S, Anika B, Vihaan K, Raghav K, Sydney K, Ren F, Sota E, Cate B, Anurag K.

The next Math Challenge will be available   online,  Friday, March 3  after  3pm . 

Cheers,
PRESIDENT UPDATE

KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION 
If you live in Lake Washington School District (LWSD) and your child will be five years old on or before August 31, 2017, it is time to register them for Kindergarten. Registration takes place at your neighborhood school during regular school hours. While registration will continue throughout the school year and summer, parents are highly encouraged to register students as soon as possible. Doing so helps ensure class sizes are balanced and adequate staff are hired in time for the new school year. Don't delay - register today! 

LAST DAY OF SCHOOL
Snow days extend the last day of school to  Friday, June 23.  Five  Wednesdays are now full days ( 3pm release). 

PARENTING AND THE TEEN BRAIN
Parenting and the Teen Brain, Jennifer Kennett, Eastside Family Counseling, Tues., Feb. 28, 6:30 p.m., Inglewood Middle School - Have you ever wondered just why teenagers seem so alien? There is new research showing that the answer lies in the brain. Come learn about how the teenage brain differs from an adult brain, and what you as a parent can do differently to communicate with a brain that is still under construction!

PTA ESSAY CONTEST
THIS Wednesday, March 1 entries are due!
Is your child willing to write an essay about an important male in their life? Read over the complete details here and submit your entry & application by March 1.
Use PTA number 2.8.47 on your application 
NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE NEEDED ASAP
We are in need of three PTA members who can build next year's Board of Directors (currently a total of 12  members-- although only 4-6 will need filled based on term limits and outgoing 5th grade parents).
TASK: talk to existing Board members to confirm their position placement and seek new individuals to fill remaining positions by  May 11. 
Nomination Committee must be filled by March 30th or we are in jeopardy of losing our PTA status. 

This is a big deal, Beagles!

Email  Stacy by  Wednesday, March 1.

ROCKWELL RECOGNITION:
Elizabeth Rosemond- After school academic enrichment programs have been planned, staffed and successfully running since the start of school. Art, Chess, Coding, and Lego's are just a few of the program's Elizabeth has managed to bring to Rockwell! Choreographing these programs based on class sizes, room availability and coordinating volunteers takes a special person to orchestrate so many moving parts!! Thank you for working your magic, Elizabeth! 

** additional recognition goes out to ALL of the volunteers for finding parking, holding up signs at the flagpole, accounting for absences, and supervising enthusiastic students!  Thank you, enrichment volunteers!

Pam Teh- webmaster extraordinaire! To all of us (except Pam), the above links and announcements on the PTA website  come alive with just a click on the link. Pam keys in every detail, uses special computer language and makes those links "active" and user friendly. Take the member benefits button .  We tasked her to put our idea into action. She did. In just a couple of hours.

New spirit wear items, prices, design? No problem--Pam completed the keystrokes and added carrots with an active link prior to the deadline.  Thank you Pam, for seamlessly doing the behind the scene stuff so we don't get caught in any sticky web messes!

Patience Djeuji- Movie night hit an all time high attendance  on Friday!  What could be better than planning an evening for families to wind down together after a busy week? Patience would answer, "nothing!" Patience and her family are new to Rockwell this year and right away asked how she could help make things happen. In October, she gathered notes on how to host movie night. She has swept the gym floor and took a crash course in operating the equipment, sought volunteers and bought snacks, and then..... did it all again in February!  Thank you Patience for being new to Rockwell, willing to step in/step up and creating one of the PTA's most relaxing and enjoyable family evenings of the year. Merci beacoup!

PTA President
PRINCIPAL UPDATE

It is hard to believe we are already looking spring in the eyes! The hallmarks are all around: the weather is more wildly unpredictable than ever (please keep an eye on lost and found!), our spring gardens are bursting through the earth, and the sounds of spring performers auditioning or performing grade level concerts are in the air. 

I hope everyone has seen the news about the LWSD plan to make up the hours lost to our three snow days this year. The last day of school for students will beFriday, June 23. Students will be released at 11:30.  The following Wednesdays will now be full days, with students releasing at 3:00: March 22, April 12, May 3, and May 31. Wednesday, June 21 will also be a full day of school, releasing at 3:00. These adjustments are necessary to ensure that all students receive the necessary hours of instruction as mandated by the state.  We realize this affects plans as well as afterschool programs, and our PTSA is working with these programs to determine any adjustments. These will be communicated to affected parents and students as information is available. 

While this requires flexibility, we ask this of you: please ensure that your students are in class every day possible. Our data collected in December indicated the impact of extended absences, including vacations, on students: We found that  7% of our student population was missing 5 or more days of school in December. This has a significant impact on classroom instruction as well as on learning for students who cannot make up that missed instruction upon return. Our attendance goal for the 2016-2017 school year is to significantly decrease this missed instructional time, lowering the number of students missing 5 or more days of school (45) to fewer than 10 (1.5%) in May and June 2017. Please, help us make this happen.

Finally, thank you all for your ongoing support and engagement in the growth of children. We appreciate it deeply.

Rockwell Principal
SPELLING BEE CONGRATULATIONS

The Spelling Bee Club hosted its 5th Annual Norman Rockwell School Spelling Bee on Saturday, Feb 25th. There were 31 spellers from grades 1-5 who performed exceptionally well. Below are the names of the school champion, runner ups and grade level champions. A big shout out to you kids!

Recognition
Speller
Grade
Teacher
2017 School Spelling Bee Champion
AVINASH KARTHIK
3
Ms. Breier
1st Runner-up
VAISHNAVI VUTTRAVADIUM
4
Ms. Kollman
2nd Runner-up
LILY ANDERSON
5
Mrs. Conklin
1st grade champion
NIDHI KARNATI
1
Mrs. Ranniger
2nd grade champion
ATUL VIJAYACHANDRAN
2
Mrs. Holmen/Ms. Melum
3rd grade champion
AVINASH KARTHIK
3
Ms. Breier
4th grade champion
VAISHNAVI VUTTRAVADIUM
4
Ms. Kollman
5th grade champion
LILY ANDERSON
5
Mrs. Conklin

The Spelling Bee lasted 16 rounds to determine a champion. The championship word that the winner had to spell was "gesticulations". A team of five 1st graders did put a good show with their spelling skills. All 31 spellers competed with honor and we are proud of each and everyone of these courageous students. On behalf of the Spelling Bee team, we would like to THANK the Rockwell PTA, the library, the office staff, Rita the custodian and Mrs. Mobley for handing the trophies and certificates to the winners and participants. A big thanks to all the volunteers!

The Spelling Bee Team
QUICK LINKS - IN EVERY ISSUE

Places to earn: 
Click here for all the easy ways that your shopping can benefit Rockwell!

View the flyers approved by LWSD and targeted to Rockwell from local organizations...sports tryouts, after school classes, and community events. 

Join PTA to access all the directory information.

Volunteer Application:  
It's easy to complete and is good for 2 years. Fill yours out or check your renewal status today! Do it now and be ready to volunteer when school begins!
 
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Yearbook Photographs:
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Bugle Article Submissions Welcome
  
The Beagle Bugle welcomes article submissions from students and parents .  Student journalists may submit articles about current events, students opinion-editorials and poems or short stories.  Parents may submit articles about PTA events and school related topics. 

Any article that is unrelated to PTA or Rockwell must be approved by the Lake Washington School District, and may be submitted to the Peach Jar E-flyer system.  The Lake Washington School District website has more information on the submission and approval process.

Short pieces will be edited for inclusion in the Bugle, longer pieces will be posted on the website with a link in the Bugle.  The Deadline for submissions for the next weekly Bugle is the preceding Thursday.  The Bugle Staff reserves the right to be selective regarding the materials that are publicized.
Contact the Bugle staff or submit articles at
Denise Waters
Beagle Bugle Editor
Norman Rockwell Elementary PTA
Norman Rockwell Elementary - Redmond, WA