Here’s What’s Happening for the Week of March 21, 2016

THIS WEEK AT Meridian Park

March 25 – Spirit Day: TWIN DAY!

LOOKING AHEAD

PTSA GOLDEN ACORN AWARDS
It’s that time of year when we have the honor to nominate a Golden Acorn Award recipient and an Outstanding Educator Award. Do you know of a teacher or MP volunteer who deserves to be recognized?

The Outstanding Educator Award
Each year, the Meridian Park PTSA gives Outstanding Educator Award(s) to honorees who develop and inspire students academically and personally, support student activities, work with parents and children, involve parents and community members, and employ innovative instructional techniques and/or classroom management strategies. If you would like to nominate an outstanding educator, please submit your survey by March 21, 2016. Outstanding Educator Award Nomination Survey.

Golden Acorn Award Nomination
Each year, the Meridian Park PTSA gives Golden Acorn Award(s) to honorees who give exemplary volunteer service to children and youth in our school community. The Golden Acorn is given for continued and dedicated service. The individual who receives the Golden Acorn Award should have volunteer experience at the local unit level, as well as in the community and/or with the school district. This is an excellent way to honor PTSA members for their contributions on behalf of children. If you would like to nominate an outstanding volunteer, please submit your survey by March 21, 2016. Golden Acorn Award Nomination Survey.

COMMUNITY FORUMS – NEXT YEAR’S DISTRICT CALENDAR
You are encouraged to be informed and involved about the proposed calendar for next year which involves 2 hour early release every Monday. Please see the district website and/or visit a remaining community forum on either of these remaining dates:
March 23, 4 pm, Einstein Middle School
March 23, 7 pm, Shorecrest High School

SCHOLASTIC SPRING BOOK FAIR AT MP
The spring Scholastic book fair will take place the week of April 11th – 15th, and will be open 8:40 AM until 4:00 PM.
We need volunteers for a successful book fair. If you can help out at the book fair, please contact Jenny Hillger about days and times that work for you. jenny.hillger@shorelineschools.org/206-393-4125.

The Meridian Park PTSA Needs You!
The Meridian Park PTSA is looking for nominees for the Executive Board for the 2016-17 school year. This is a wonderful time to become involved in leadership opportunities that will govern and support PTSA events and activities throughout the school year, and to make a difference in your school community.
Open positions include Co-President(s), co-VP(s) of Events, and co-Treasurer. The Co-President(s) oversee the MP PTSA who run monthly meetings, participate in event-planning and act as a liaison with the principal, teachers, and community. The Co-VP of Events is a perfect job for someone who likes to plan events. The Co-Treasurer would be a great match for someone who is good with numbers and likes to balance a checkbook.
Need more information? Please contact Jill Steinberg at MPPTSApresident or Linda Tsai (Nominating Committee) at neonfish by March 14, 2016.

STATE TESTING
State testing for grades 3-4-5-6 is scheduled for April 26-June 2 at Meridian Park. This is the second year that Washington will use the national Smarter Balanced Assessment for Literacy and Math; Grade 5 will also complete the State Science Assessment.

The specific testing dates for each grade level are as follows:
GRADE 3 – May 3-4-5, June 1-2
GRADE 4 – May 10-11-12-13
GRADE 5 – May 17-18-19, May 26, June 1-2
GRADE 6 – April 26, May 3 & 5, May 10

FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Thank your for recent conferences and our partnership. Our theme this month is sincerity or being sincere, so please ask your student(s) or include in family conversations. Congratulations to Math O, Global Reading, Drama, and other groups. Happy Spring -As a reminder, on-time attendance is very important on your student’s testing dates, so please mark the dates on your calendar and limit out-of-school time. We need students in school during the entire day on the day of the test. Additional info will follow in March and April.
Mr. T

APRIL IS AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH
The MP PTSA is gearing up to decorate the front lobby bulletin board to kick off April and Autism Awareness Month. Are you interested in volunteering an hour or two of your time to help us decorate? If so, please contact Jill Steinberg at jrsteinberg.

SPRING FAMILY FUN NIGHT – NOODLEPALOOZA
SAVE THE DATE! Spring Family Fun Night at Meridian Park!
On Thursday, April 14th, Meridian Park will be the place to be as we hold our first ever NOODLEPALOOZA with the Scholastic Book Fair! More details to come!
We are looking for volunteers to help plan this event. Interested? Please contact Jill Steinberg at jrsteinberg or Dana Doerksen at gasbarri.

SAVE THE DATE!
April 5 – PTSA General Membership Meeting 7:00-8:30pm
April 7 – LGBTQ & Allies Family Potluck Dinner at Shoreline Center 5:30-7:30pm
April 11-15 – Scholastic Book Fair
April 14 – Spring Family Fun Night – Noodlepalooza