Here’s what’s happening for the week of January 20, 2013

THIS WEEK AT MERIDIAN PARK

January 20 – No School – Martin Luther King Day

January 21-23:  Drama Club auditions/rehearsals begin 12:00-3:30 p.m. (these are 1/2 days due to conferences.)

January 21- 24 – Early Dismissal 11:50 am for Teacher Conferences

January 22 – Ballots Mailed for Levy

January 25 – Kinderfest at Shoreline District Office, Shoreline Room 10:00 am – Noon

LOOKING AHEAD

January 27 – No School – Teacher Work Day

January 29 – Kindergarten Visitation at all Shoreline Elementary Schools 9:30 am

January 30 – MP Skating Party at Lynnwood Bowl & Skate 6:00 – 8:00 pm

January 31 – Spirit Day – Teacher Switch Day

PTSA SURVEY – WE NEED YOUR HELP!

One of the Meridian Park PTSA’s strategic goals for this year is to create a survey to ask for feedback about how we can better serve the Meridian Park community. Results of the survey will be shared at the General Membership meeting on Tuesday, April 1st.

We invite parents, teachers, staff, and community members to complete the short survey.   The survey will stay open until January 31st.  Click here to begin the survey.

A print version of the survey is available in the office.

If you have any questions, please contact Kim Ositis, PTSA President, at mpptsapresident@gmail.com.

CHEETAH CHAMPS VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

Cheetah CHAMPS (Children Have Amazing Mentor/Parent Support) is an exciting volunteer program at Meridian Park that is open to dads, moms, stepparents, grandparents or any important adult in your child’s life who can spend a few hours at Meridian Park volunteering in a variety of fun and exciting ways.  As a Cheetah Champ, your day would begin with check in at the MP office at 9:00 am with your student, review schedule, pick up a t-shirt, have a picture taken with your child(ren) and then prepare to spend the next several hours making a difference at Meridian Park.  A typical Cheetah Champ day includes helping in the classroom, passing out Cheetah Cheers to excited students, supervising and participating at lunch and recess.  The students love having their family member at school, teachers appreciate it and staff are grateful for it!  You will feel an enormous sense of pride and satisfaction by helping the school community and engaging with your child at school.

Volunteering is easy!  Click the link below, fill out the form and you will be contacted to confirm a day that works for you.   Currently, we are asking for Cheetah Champ volunteers from 9:00 am through your student’s lunch period, however, schedules are flexible.  There are lots of Cheetah Champ volunteer opportunities waiting for you!

Feel free to contact Jill Steinberg at jrsteinberg@comcast.net for more information.

Click here to sign up as a Cheetah Champ!

BREAKFAST IS AVAILABLE AT MERIDIAN PARK!

Just a reminder that MP students can eat a supervised breakfast at school.  Cost is $1.75 (unless you have a free or reduced meal).  Enter school at 8:45 am through the lobby front door or the back door near the lunchroom.    Students will need to proceed to their classrooms at 9:05 am.

SUPPORT THE SEAHAWKS

Let’s show our support for the Super Bowl bound Seahawks!  Students are encouraged to wear any and all Seahawks gear or the colors blue, green, or gray every Friday in January to show support.  Go Seahawks!

SKATING PARTY – Thursday, January 30 from 6:00-8:00pm

Join us for a MP skating party on Thursday, January 30 from 6:00-8:00pm at Lynnwood Bowl & Skate, 6210 200th St. SW, Lynnwood.  Admission is $6.50 which includes quad skate rental.  Pay an additional $3.00 for in line skates.  Parents are encouraged to participate.  No drop-offs allowed.  Hope to see you there!

BROWN BEAR CAR WASH TICKETS

Brown Bear Car wash tickets are now available for purchase for $5.00 each.  Contact Tracey Poole at Tlp07@stevepoole.com to buy yours now!  Proceeds benefit the 6th grade moving on ceremony.

MPPTSA WEBSITE

Thanks to Frank Kleyn for refreshing the MP PTSA website!  Check it out at http://mpptsa.org.   You will find information about: Membership, meeting minutes, standing rules and budget documents, forms, contact information, Cheetah Chatter newsletters, PTSA sponsored classes, upcoming events, photos, fundraiser information, and more!  Visit http://mpptsa.org and click on the “Follow” button that appears in the bottom right hand corner of your browser window.  By following the site, you will receive an email notifying you of new posts. Recent posts include information about getting involved with this year’s Shoreline Classic Car Show and Approved Board Meeting Minutes.

KINDERFEST

Kinderfest is an opportunity for parents who will be enrolling their children in kindergarten to hear and learn about the programs offered by the Shoreline School District. Kinderfest will be on Saturday, January 25 from 10:00 – Noon.  We encourage you to come at the beginning to to hear the Superintendent’s welcoming message; however you are welcome to come and go as your schedule allows. Childcare will be available.

KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION FOR 2014-15

Kindergarten registration for Shoreline residents with students starting kindergarten in the fall of 2014 will begin on Monday, February 3, 2014 at your neighborhood school. In order to attend kindergarten in the fall, a child must be five years old by August 31, 2014. All elementary schools in the district will have kindergarten visitations on January 29, 2014 at 9:30am. Letting your home school know that you are attending the visitation is not necessary, but highly appreciated for planning purposes.

Kindergarten registration for non-Shoreline residents will also being on Monday, February 3rd.  All non-Shoreline residents will need to register at the District offices (18560 – 1st Ave NE) in the Instruction building.

For more information on kindergarten registration, please contact Cathy Allred at 206.393.4211 or cathy.allred@shorelineschools.org.

BASIC EDUCATION FUNDING IN WA STATE PRESENTATION – January 25 at 1:00 pm Shoreline City Hall

Come hear about how public schools are funded in Washington State.  If you thought that the McCleary decision “fixed” basic education funding for children in the State of Washington, this presentation is for you.

Citizens for Shoreline Schools is excited to welcome Thomas Ahearne, lead plaintiffs’ counsel in McCleary v the State of Washington, the largest public education funding lawsuit in our state.  Mr. Ahearne will explain what the McCleary decision means for students and communities, what “full funding” means, what kind of progress has been made, and what to expect next.

SAVE THE DATE!

February 3 – Kindergarten Registration Begins

February 4 – PTSA Meeting 6:30 – 8:00 pm in the Library

February 5 – Westside Band Festival 7:30-8:30 pm Shorewood High School 6th Grade

February 11 – District Orchestra Performance – Spartan Gym   7:30 pm  6th Grade