ICS PTSA NEWSLETTER

January 14, 2025

See the ICS Calendar for more upcoming event dates.

JOIN THE PARENT MEETING ONLINE THIS THURSDAY, JANUARY 16

We're meeting this Thursday online; the Teams link is here. Hope to "see" you there!

ART DAY IS NOW PHEONIX DAY!

You voted and we heard! To better encompass the variety of cultural, culinary, musical, and yes, artistic, offerings of our parent-lead day of fun and learning, Art Day will now be known as PHEONIX DAY! Thanks to everyone who voted, and everyone - please take a look under the Volunteering headline to see how you can help our first Pheonix Day be a success. Forever we rise!

ONE MORE CHANCE TO ORDER LOGOWEAR

Some kids were disappointed when they found out that their parents didn't order ICS gear for them. In response to this, the ICS Spiritwear store is open again for a short period of time, from January 13-31. Get your gear before it's too late! Click on this link to preview and order.

EARN VOLUNTEER TIME ON PHEONIX DAY (PREVIOUSLY ART DAY)

ICS Pheonix Day is finally happening on Monday, January 27!

This is a fun day when students get to learn something new while spending time with friends. On Pheonix Day, the PTSA provides lunch to all ICS Staff, Art Day volunteers, and Instructors and we need your help to make this possible!

For this luncheon we are providing brown bag lunches. Volunteers commit to making 10 sandwiches, packing them in labeled lunch bags, and bringing them to the school lounge between 10 AM and 10:30 AM on Monday, January 27, where a volunteer will collect them in front of the school. This is a wonderful opportunity to collect 3 hours of volunteer time!!

Sandwich recipes and more details are available on the signup here. Please help if you can. Thank you so much for all your support to make this most anticipated luncheon a success!

For any questions, email mwidjaja@gmail.com.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: CLASS ASSISTANTS & PREP HELP

Pheonix Day is almost here and there are still a few volunteer spots to fill. This is a super fun way to support your students! The signup is open here - please check and see how you can contribute. All classroom spots are to assist parent leads - no special skills required! Thank you for helping to make Pheonix Day happen!

FOCUS WEEK VOLUNTEERING – GET READY NOW

Focus Week may seem a long way away – but May is really just around the corner for overnight trips. Announcements will be coming later this month and through the spring about volunteer opportunities during Focus Week and how to sign up. All volunteers will be selected by the teachers and administration according to the needs of the trip; the PTSA is only facilitating recruiting volunteers. If you are considering volunteering to help with a local or overnight trip: do TWO things now in January.

First, check your volunteer status and renew if it will expire before June 2, 2024! If you don’t know how to check this, reach out to maryoemig@icptsa.org for assistance. Second, check with your employer on whether you can be scheduled for time off. Don’t put in the time yet as no selections are made but rather, determine whether it is possible before you offer yourself as a volunteer. We will need solid commitments from our overnight chaperones and backup chaperones. We will need male and female chaperones.

Parents thinking about volunteering for the senior experience should be exploring the dates of May 18 through May 23 (a get ready day and a recovery day on either side of the trip).

Parents thinking about volunteering for travel trips should be exploring the dates of May 17 through May 23 (that includes one day to prep and one day to recover).

REFLECTIONS 2024-25 LWSD WINNERS

We are delighted to announce that there are 7 students from ICS who have won awards in the LWSD Council level of the competition! Congratulations to all the winners and good luck to all for the State level of the competition! Winners are listed below.

REFLECTIONS OPEN HOUSE: JANUARY 24

LWPTSA Council invites Reflections students, families, chairs, judges and all community members to join us on Friday, January 24, from 6:30 to 8:00 PM, at the LWSD Resource Center! At our Reflections Open House, we showcase the incredible and inspirational original artwork by our local PTAs' finalists who have advanced to the council-level competition, and we feature the winners who are advancing on to the WSPTA-level round.

MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY

Marting Luther King Jr Day is a federal holiday in the US that honors the life and legacy of civil rights leader Dr Martin Luther King Jr. This year, MLK is celebrated on Monday, January 20. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a Baptist minister and one of the most impactful Civil Rights activists in the 1960's. He was a leader who believed in nonviolent, peaceful protest to end racial segregation and provide people of all races with opportunities for a better life.

Ways to celebrate:

1. Look for where you can give, not receive- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. believed in fighting for the wellbeing of all humankind. He encouraged performing good deeds for his community. Dr. King's legacy shows us that when we work together and support each other, we can make a better world for future generations.

2. Learn your nation's history- Read books, visit a museum, watch a documentary. Learning about the past can be a great way to put things into perspective about how far we have come as a nation.

3. Remember Dr. King's message of kindness and respect for others- Learn more about Martin Luther King's message and his mission by reading, watching, or listening to some of his revered works. Rewatch the famous "I have a dream" speech or spend time reading and reflecting on other pieces of Dr. King's published works.

Seattle MLK events.

LUNCH & LEARN: THE SHIFT TO 6-PERIOD HIGH SCHOOL DAY

LWPTSA Council invites everyone to join us at noon on Thursday, January 16, as we welcome LWSD Deputy Superintendent Scott Beebe, who will discuss the upcoming shift to a six-period high school day. Hear about what steps the district is taking to implement this change, and what families should know about how it will affect their students' graduation pathways.

WHEN: Thursday, January 16, from 12:00 to 1:00 PM

WHERE: Zoom — Register here

TOPIC: The Shift to the 6-Period High School Day

SPEAKER: Scott Beebe, LWSD Deputy Superintendent — Student, School & Instructional Services

Lunch & Learn consists of virtual sessions held on select Thursdays during the school year, where we share short presentations, followed by Q&A, on topics of interest to our PTA and school community. Lunch & Learns are always free to join. Grab your lunch, log on, and learn with us!

Questions? Email LWPTSA Council Executive Vice President Bhaskar Ravikanti, at EVP@LWPTSA.net.