Message from the President

February could not have started out better! A Seahawks win in Super Bowl 48 and Wednesday's parade have made the 12th man very happy! We definitely showed that we're dedicated fans who are ALL IN! Thank you to so many of you for accepting January's challenge to set a volunteering goal as part of the Sunny Hills T.E.A.M. (Together Everyone Achieves More). If you haven't done so already, I encourage you to go "ALL IN" by setting a goal to volunteer (3) three hours or more during the remainder of the school year. ALL IN simply means you support the TEAM and want to contribute in some way. There are MANY ways to go ALL IN at school or at home:

Volunteer on a PTA committee Volunteer in your child's classroom Help at home with classroom prep needs for your teacher (they

would love it and all you have to do is ask!) Read more with your child at home Take time to read about education and advocacy issues Help provide a food/supply item for a classroom activity or Staff

Appreciation lunch The list goes on and on!!

Warmly,

Kym Clayton

Sunny Hills PTA President 2013-14

In This Issue

Published bi-monthly by Sunny Hills Elementary PTA | Sammamish, WA | Unit 2.6.25 | www.sunnyhillspta.org President: Kym Clayton - sunnyhillspta@gmail.com Editor: Kina Yukish – kinay@comcast.net | 425.837.7400

Sunny Hills Elementary

Sunny Hills Elementary PTA

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GM Meeting Minutes

PTA Financials

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PTA Information Message from PTA President 1 Membership Update 2 PTA Founders’ Day 2 Dr. Suess Celebration 3 Silent Fundraising 3 Metro Bus Tickets Donation 3 Mixed Bags Fundraiser 3 Box Top Collection Contest 4 Labels for Education 4

What’s been happening? Reflections Contest Reception 5 Reflections Entries 6 Eager Reader 7 Family Bingo Night 7 Screen Free Week 7 General Membership Mtg 8 Staff Appreciation 8 New Reader Board 9 Arts of Africa – Jan. Art Walk 9 Yearbook Art Contest Winners 10

What’s happening in district/state? School Levies /Honk & Waves 11 Focus Day 11 Child Advocate Magazine 12 Our Children Magazine 12

What’s coming up? PTA Essay Contest 13 Book Fair – March 1st 13 Science Fair – March 13th 13 Nourish Every Mind Fund Raiser 14 Nourish Every Mind – Helpers? 14 VOICE Mentor Program 14 Iss Meals Program 14 Calendar – Mar & Apr 15 ISF Presentation – Matt Glover 15 WSPTA Convention 16

Jan/Feb 2014 Issue

President- Kym Clayton Vice President- Monica Rockwell

Secretary- Jennifer Murai Treasurer- Mark Hill

Board of Directors- Click here for board information

PTA Executive Officers

PTA Information

PTA Membership Update PTA Membership Update and “14 in 2014” Challenge! Did you know that PTA Membership is a year-round focus? We are currently at 106% PTA membership (which means there is at least 1 PTA member to represent each student at Sunny Hills). Although this is a nice gain in membership over the prior year, National PTA and WSPTA recently announced a nice membership incentive. If Sunny Hills PTA signs up at least 14 new members between February 1st to April 15th , we will be entered in to a drawing with WSPTA for free attendance to the WSPTA Convention in late April. National PTA will also enter our PTA into a drawing to win $1,000 for our school! Help us achieve the 14 in 2014 membership challenge and JOIN TODAY! Want more information on why becoming a PTA member is such a great thing? Click here to Learn more about WHY you should become a PTA member!

PTA Founders’ Day Each February 17th we have the opportunity to celebrate PTA Founders’ Day (Feb 17, 1897). Founders’ Day is when we celebrate the legacy and work of our PTA founders—Alice McLellan Birney, Phoebe Apperson Hearst, and Selena Sloan Butler—to better the lives of every child in education, health and safety. It is a time to reflect and take pride in our achievements, and renew our commitment to be a:

Powerful voice for all children Relevant resource for parents Strong advocate for education

Our founders represented women of imagination and courage. They had a simple idea—to improve the lives and future of all children. They understood the power of individual action, worked beyond the accepted barriers of their day, and took action to change th e world for all children.

We are so grateful for our PTA Founders’ legacy and the continued efforts by our current PTA leaders and members on behalf of children and families.

PTA Information

Get Ready to Wear Your Crazy Hats! On Friday, February 28th, we will be observing Dr. Suess’ Birthday and participating

in Read Across America Day. In honor of Dr. Seuss, we encourage all students to

wear a Seuss themed hat or any other type of crazy hat. The class with the most

participation will win a prize. Questions? Contact Kym Clayton.

“Silent” Fund Raising There are MANY WAYS to support "Silent" fundraising efforts of critical PTA programs without ANY extra hassle. Here are just a few examples. Don’t forget that many companies also have Matching Funds for your donations. Click HERE for a complete list of our “Silent/Easy Fundraisers” and see how YOU can participate! Every little bit helps!

Shop at Amazon and Earn Money for Sunny Hills - When you use this link to make your Amazon purchases, Sunny Hills PTA earns 4%-8.5% on all your orders at NO extra cost to you! As more sales are generated through our site, a higher percentage of the total sales will be donated to Sunny Hills PTA. Bookmark this link or add to your favorites in your browser! Please ask your friends and family to use this link too!

Target "Take Charge of Education" - Support Sunny Hills when you shop at Target with your REDcard! Designate Sunny Hills as your school to sign up. It only takes a minute and Target will donate 1% of your purchases to our school! Don't have a REDcard? Go to Target.com/redcard to sign up - you automatically get 5% off your purchases!

Jamba Juice "Sip to Support Schools" - Every time a "Sip to Support Schools" swipe card is presented at the time of a Jamba Juice purchase, 10% of proceeds will be donated to Sunny Hills PTA and 2% to the National PTA. Pick up your free swipe cards in the front office!

Metro Bus Tickets Renewing your tabs? You can help our community! When you renew your tabs and pay a

congestion fee, you'll receive a flyer for free Metro bus tickets. Please consider completing

your form and dropping it off at the Sunny Hills office. The forms will be turned in to receive

the bus tickets. These tickets will be donated to students and families in need at Tiger

Mountain Community High School. (One form is processed by King County Metro per

family.) Questions? Contact dawisler@msn.com

Mixed Bags Fundraiser It's not too late to order from Mixed Bags! Mixed Bags is available all year on-line. The products can be viewed/ordered at www.mixedbagdesigns.com. Make sure and put the Sunny Hills ID# 228748. Questions? Contact Amy Gathright

PTA Information

Box Tops for Education - Winter Collection Drive & Classroom Contest It's time to get those scissors out once again! From now until February 26th, each student

submitting 10 or more box tops will receive one free Friday popcorn certificate. This drive

will also include a classroom competition! The classroom that

submits the most Box Tops at the end of the drive will be rewarded

with the Golden Mustang Trophy! The winning classroom will get

to keep the trophy on display in their room. Your student should

have received a collection sheet in their kid mail this week. Drop off

the completed form in the Box Tops collection box in the office.

Extra sheets can be downloaded and printed at home by visiting

www.sunnyhillspta.org . Box Tops are redeemed for cash and used for educational items,

programs and events sponsored by the Sunny Hills PTA. A complete list of participating

products and store coupons can be found at www.boxtops4education.com. Questions?

Contact Emily Loney at Emily.loney@live.com .

Labels for Education As long as you are checking your products for Box Tops,

keep an eye out for Labels for Education UPC codes as

well. Your child should also be bringing home a Ziploc

bag with an informational sheet about the Labels for Education program. Simply clip the

Labels for Education Logo with UPC code, place them in the Ziploc bag and return to the

Labels for Education collection box in the office. Labels for Education UPCs/barcodes can be

found on over 2000 participating products. When we submit these Labels we earn 1 point

per label which Sunny Hills can redeem for FREE arts, athletics and educational items. Last

year, we were able to use the points earned from the LFE program to order new playground

toys for the school. Please visit the Labels for Education website at

www.labelsforeducation.com for a complete list of participating products. Questions?

Contact Emily Loney at Emily.loney@live.com .

What’s Been Happening?

Reflections Art Contest Reception Thank you to everyone who participated in the Reflections Art Program – you all did such a great job! All entries will receive a participation prize and be featured in the yearbook! A Big THANK YOU to our Reflections chair, Patty Heavey, and Katie Brown for coordinating this wonderful program for Sunny Hills PTA!

The following students’ entries continued on to the District Level and were featured at the Reflections Art Reception:

Mia S, 5th Grade Keshavan B, 2nd Grade Taylor J, 4th Grade Julia R, 5th Grade Ashlesha M, 3rd Grade Digant D, 4th Grade Luke M, Kindergarten

Kevin G, Kindergarten Augustine T, 4th Grade Elaine G, 4th Grade Arshia B, 4th Grade Abby R, 3rd Grade Callie M, 4th Grade

Our school had 3 entries that went on to the state level. Our winning entries were from: Julia R (5th grade), Taylor J (5th grade), and Keshavan B (2nd grade). Congratulations! Congratulations again to all of our talented artists!

What’s Been Happening?

Our Fabulous Reflections Entries

What’s Been Happening?

Eager Reader (Jan 9 – Feb 27) Eager Reader is coming to an end! Congratulations to the top 4 classes who have reached over 90% participation! Your entire class will receive coupons for free goodies at TCBY/Ms. Fields in the Issaquah Highlands.

Melton’s class with 100%!!! Nakamura’s class with 95% Belcher’s class with 92% Hirt’s class with 90%

GREAT JOB EVERYONE, and don’t forget to keep on reading!

Family Bingo Night (Jan 15th) Bingo and Brownie Night was a huge success thanks to each of you! Thanks for coming to join your classmates and friends in a fun evening of bingo, brownies, and prizes. We filled the gym with over 400 people, devoured 500 brownie bites, downed over 200 cartons of milk, and handed out hundreds of prizes. A big thank you to all those that helped set-up, man the tables, and clean-up afterwards. I think we set a record for quickest clean-up ever! Like they say, many hands make light work. A special thanks to our wonderful principal, Leslie Lederman, and her amazing side kick, Tia Kleinkopf, along with many of our teachers who all came to share the night with us and call the bingo games. It’s great to be part of such an amazing community of educators, parents, and students. Thank you!!

~ Kim Spataro, Bingo Night Chair

Screen Free Week (Jan 13-17th )

Screen Free Week was a great success! We had many Sunny Hills Students participate this year. A special thank you to the volunteers that made it happen: Mary Doyle, Erin Ehlinger, Jaime Menold, Amanda Rench, and Monica Rockwell. One parent reported “It was GREAT to watch my kids find other activities to play and work on together. It really helped me take into consideration how much time we all spend in front of a screen. I ended up reading a couple books myself and that hasn't happened since we were on vacation!!”

~ Katie Brown, Screen Free Week Chair

Hats off to Katie for a well- run program with great incentives and creative ideas to help us all get through the week!

What’s Been Happening?

PTA General Membership Mtg (Jan 17th)

We had a great General Membership Meeting at the Beaver Lake Lodge on Friday, January 17th . The 2014-15 Nominating Committee members were elected. The committee consists of: Tracy Drake, Amy Gibbons, and Faye Curnow, with Ayana Meissner and Amy Gathright serving as alternates. The nominating committee is responsible for vetting and slating the elected officers of the PTA. Those positions are: President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary. We are grateful for their willingness to serve on this important committee!

Additionally, the Sunny Hills Reflections entries were on display for everyone to enjoy while eating and mingling at the meeting. The 3 entries that went on to the state level were also announced. Our winning entries were from: Julia R (5th grade), Taylor J (5th grade), and Keshavan B (2nd grade). Congratulations again to all of our talented artists!

Meeting for this meeting will be posted and approved at the next GM meeting in March. To read previous GM minutes, click here.

Staff Appreciation Events

The Staff Appreciation committee continued to spoil our staff in the new year! In January, they provided yummy snacks with a Chinese

New Year theme for one of the staff meetings. Special thanks to Heather Duenaz, Jaime Menold, Kathy Dillon, Connie Fortier, Tisha Giulini and Lisa Small for donating/preparing all the goodies that the staff so enjoyed. February also saw the committee feed the staff during an after school staff meeting. Many thanks to Tisha Giulini, Jaime Crothers and Cara DiCostanzo for their donations which made this possible.

~ Stephanie Shipley & Alison Tobey,

Staff Appreciation Co-chairs

What’s Been Happening?

Reader Board Have you seen our new reader board yet? We love seeing our PTA dollars at work! Thank you to Margaret Cravotta Freese for doing such a beautiful job! Be sure to check out the many events going on in our community.

Art Walk – Arts of Africa

In January, Sunny Hills’ students had the opportunity to explore the Arts of Africa in our second Art Walk of the year. For this presentation, Art Walk co-chairman, Heather Rogers partnered with the Seattle Art Museum’s outreach education program. The program provides a suitcase full of relevant objects to introduce students to a given art topic. Among the artifacts was a traditional wooden stool from Ghana, textiles from Mali, beaded jewelry from East African nomadic tribes, music, masks,

sculptures, and cowrie shells. These objects displayed among selections of images combined to immerse students in the diverse cultures of Sub-Saharan Africa. Students learned how the geography and environment of each region influence the materials and form of artwork. In addition, they learned the various ways people use art as a means for identification of the self and the community. Think Seahawk gear!!! Students were especially delighted to explore ways masks and costumes are

used during ceremonies and rituals.

What’s Been Happening?

Yearbook Cover Contest Winner

The Yearbook Committee would like to thank the over 75 students who entered our Yearbook Cover Contest. Narrowing down grade level winners and our overall cover winner was a tough process due to the amazing group of artists we have here at Sunny Hills. We'd like to thank each of you for your entries. We know a lot of time and effort went in to each and every entry. Here are our grade level winners. Our grade level winners will have their entry featured in a special section of the yearbook. Our winners are: Kindergarten - Makana B from Mrs. Winn's class; 1st Grade - Katy D from Mrs. Dunn's class; 2nd Grade - Taylor McC from Ms. Nakamura's class; 3rd Grade - Gareth B from Mrs. Stookey's class; 4th Grade - Kanush S from Ms. Foryan's class; and 5th Grade - Erin F from Mrs. Reece's class. Congratulations to our Grade Level winners! Now we'll announce our Cover Contest Winner! The winner of the 2013 - 2014 Sunny Hills Yearbook Cover Contest is Julia R, a 5th grader in Miss McCallister's class! Congratulations, Julia! Your artwork will grace the cover of this year’s Sunny Hills Yearbook! But wait - that's not all. We also have a back cover contest winner. We had one entry that the committee felt was perfect for our back cover and so we'd also like to congratulate Charlie H, a 5th grader from Mrs. Dean's class. Your entry will be on the back cover or our yearbook this year! Congratulations, Charlie! Congratulations once again to all of our winners! Questions? Contact Cheryl Furey

What’s Been Happening in District/State?

Honk & Wave Events Thank you to all of our fearless teachers and volunteers, who braved the cold on January 30th , to remind us all to VOTE!!! The PTA supported the school levies and the community responded. Thank you!

Levies Update It looks like all 3 Levies on the February 11th ballot have passed for the Issaquah School District! Thank you to all the wonderful community members who show their support for our children and our schools!

Focus Day in Olympia – Feb 4th Thank you to our wonderful Sunny Hills' PTA members and students for attending the 2014 Focus Day in Olympia. Focus Day is an annual event where PTA advocates from around the state of Washington gather in Olympia to meet with legislators. Governor Inslee, Marcie Maxwell, Representative Chad Magendanz, and many others joined in the rally in the Capitol Rotunda. We appreciate the time they spent with PTA members to discuss concerns and needs for all children in our state!

What’s Been Happening in District/State?

WSPTA article from the Child Advocate Magazine Creating Healthy Habits In Your Home

Educating our kids about healthy habits may prevent them from the next cold or flu circulating around school. In the most recent issue of WSPTA’s The Child Advocate magazine, they outline some helpful tips to creating healthy habits in your home, such as adequate sleep and spending time as a family eating healthy foods. Click here to read the other healthy habits and the rest of the current issue.

National PTA article from Our Children Magazine What Should Our Children Know About Money? What should our children know about money? That’s the question National PTA put to Warren Buffett in the February/March issue of Our Children magazine. An article written by the billionaire investor gives his top seven tips to raising a financially literate child. Buffett also discusses his Secret Millionaires Club, a competition in which students can meet him personally and win $5,000 for developing the best business. Click here to read this article and the rest of the February/March issue!

What’s Coming Up?

PTA Essay Contest for Students! This program recognizes the significant and different contribution that men make in children’s lives and their education. All men involved in a youngster’s life - fathers, uncles, grandpas, brothers, step-fathers, mentors, neighbors, pastors and friends - impact the children they care about. Washington State PTA sponsors a statewide essay contest - open to any student from kindergarten through 12th grade - to explore this vital relationship. For more information or to enter a student’s essay, go here. Postmarked deadline is this Saturday, March 1, 2014.

Barnes and Noble Book Fair – March 1st Come help support our Library!! Barnes & Noble in Issaquah has partnered with Sunny Hills to help give back to our school! They will be hosting a book fair Saturday March 1st 10-2PM where families from Sunny Hills’ can purchase items from their store and a portion of the proceeds will go towards books for our school! This year students from Sunny Hills will be participating in a fun scavenger hunt at Barnes and Noble. Help us continue to foster our kids reading education by providing them options that they are excited about!

Sunny Hills Science Fair The Sunny Hills annual Science Fair will take place on Thursday March 13th from 4:00pm to 8:00pm in the Gym. Come see over 100 fantastic student projects covering all fields of science. There will also be some external exhibits from the Friends of Issaquah Salmon Hatchery, the Sammamish Water Company and Dr. Shipley. The goal of the Science Fair is to encourage students to explore science in a fun, relaxing environment and to share what they learn with their peers, teachers and parents. We are grateful for any efforts you make to encourage your children to complete a project and participate in the Science Fair. Student exhibitors will set up their projects in the gym from 12:55 to 2:00pm on March 12th. Projects must be taken home after 8:00pm on the evening of the Science Fair. As part of the Sunny Hills Science Fair, there will be two Assemblies for Sunny Hills students on Thursday February 27th where The Pacific Science Center Science on Wheels will be putting on a “Radical Reactions” Science Show. This promises to be a fun and interesting assembly for our students. If you would like to volunteer with any of the Science Fair activities (selling Display Boards,

Setting up the Gym on March 12th or cleaning up the Gym after the Science Fair on March 13th, please contact Susan Roberts (susaneroberts@gmail.com) or Edel Black (edelbol@gmail.com).

More info/Questions? Contact Susan Roberts or Edel Black

What’s Coming Up?

Nourish Every Mind - Back & Bigger than Ever Nourish Every Mind – our largest fundraising event of the year—is growing! This spring you can attend the traditional Luncheon on May 8 at the Issaquah Community Center or our new Breakfast on Wednesday, May 14 at Eastridge Church. Both will be filled with Nourish Every Mind hallmarks … touching stories, memorable moments, socializing and lots of fun. Save the date and spread the word!

Help Wanted – Nourish Every Mind Events Nourish Every Mind runs on volunteer power. If you’re interested in joining our team, please contact Lynn Juniel, ljuniel@issaquahschoolsfoundation.org or 425.391.8557.

VOICE Mentor Program Did you know that you can change one life by giving one hour of your time, once a week t0 a student in need? That’s all it takes to become a Volunteers Of Issaquah Changing Education (VOICE) Mentor. Whatever your talent—reading, math, sciences, working with ELL students or being a supportive friend and confidant —there’s a student who will benefit from your contribution. In honor of National Mentoring Month, please take 30 seconds to view the video below and consider becoming a VOICE Mentor. You’ll transform two lives … a student's and your own. VOICE Mentor Program, VOICE@issaquah.wednet.edu or http://voicementorprogram.org/.

Issaquah Meals Program Questions? Contact Amy Wisler What an outstanding community we have! All the dates have been filled for our assigned dates to provide Community meals. Thank you for your generosity and willingness to help others!

All in for Kids Pledge Reminder If you made a pledge and/or indicated an employer match during the All in for Kids Annual Fund Campaign, please follow through today. Respond to your pledge remit letter and fill out any required matching gift forms. You’ll help keep our overhead costs low. Thank you!

What’s Coming Up?

March Calendar Mar 9th Daylight Savings Time Starts (set clocks ahead 1 hour)

Mar 13th Science Fair (4-8pm)

Mar 17th St. Patrick’s Day

Mar 18th

Evening w/ Author Matt Glover (6-7:30pm) ISD Admin Bldg

An Issaquah School Foundation presentation

Mar 20th PTA General Membership Meeting (6:30-8:00pm) Sunny Hills Library

Mar 28th 5th Grade Musical (7:00pm) – “Treasure Island”

April Calendar Apr 7 - 11 Spring Break

Apr 18th PTA Board of Directors Meeting (9:30-11:30am) Conf. Room

Apr 21-25 Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week

Apr 25-27 WSPTA Convention

Issaquah Schools Foundation Presentation

What’s Coming Up?

Upcoming WSPTA Convention 2014 Annual WSPTA Convention April 25, 26, 27, 2014 @ Bellevue Hyatt Hotel, Bellevue, WA

The WSPTA Convention is a wonderful opportunity for PTA members to learn more about advocacy, parenting, and other training topics. You’ll also hear inspirational speakers, Jeff Charbonneau, National Teacher of the Year for 2013, Trevor Greene, National Principal of the Year for 2013, as well as Governor Jay Inslee’s address to convention delegates. Great food, fun people, and lots of prizes, too! If interested in attending, please contact Kym Clayton.