September 9, 2019

The introductions and administrative paperwork are behind us, and now it’s time to get down to business in the first full week of school.  Here’s a rundown of the important information you’ll need in the coming weeks.

IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES

IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO ORDER SCHOOL PICTURES!

If you forgot to send in the order form for your student’s school pictures this past Friday, you have up to four days after picture day to order photographs online which is tomorrow, Tuesday, Sept. 10.  Order online at ios.dorianstudio.com using the following access key to link to your student’s photos:  U3XHSWVB.  Students can always order new photos at Retake Day (10/17) at no extra charge.

TEXTBOOK DISTRIBUTION VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TOMORROW – 9/10

Please help with textbook distribution today through Wednesday.  The school needs volunteers’ help to distribute textbooks to the students.  We still have openings that need to be filled tomorrow, Tuesday, Sept. 10th.  If you can assist, please go to the Textbook Distribution sign-up page.  

This is a super easy job and a great way to help get the school year off to a great start.  As with all volunteer positions, you must have completed the District background check process and been approved to volunteer in the 2019-20 school year.

THEATER PACKAGE RAFFLE THIS THURSDAY AT CURRICULUM NIGHT – 9/12

The Issaquah Middle PTSA will be selling raffle tickets at IMS Curriculum Night this Thursday, September 12th.  Raffle tickets will be $5 each (cash and checks accepted).  The winning ticket will be drawn at the end of the last session around 8:15 pm. You do not need to be present to win.

The prize package (valued at $220+) includes:

• Two tickets to any show of your choice during the upcoming Village Theatre 2019-20 Season;
• A $50 gift certificate to Fins Bistro;
• A signed poster from the Village Theatre’s hit production of “Matilda;” and
• A complimentary membership to the Issaquah Middle PTSA. 

We are looking forward to seeing you at Curriculum Night!  Questions?  Please contact president@issaquahmiddleptsa.org.

TRAINED WALKABOUT VOLUNTEERS NEEDED THIS WEEK!

We need trained WalkAbout volunteers to sign up for at least one shift this week.  There are now only two lunch periods each day.  Please check your schedule and see which WalkAbout shifts work for you:

Remember that only volunteers who (1) have been approved as volunteers by the Issaquah School District; AND (2) have completed WalkAbout Training in a prior year may volunteer at this time.  If you are already trained, you should have received several messages from the WalkAbout coordinators with the link.

For those of you who have yet to be trained, the WalkAbout Training for the 2019-20 school year will take place on Sept. 19^th from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm in the IMS library.

ARE YOU NEW TO THE ISSAQUAH SCHOOL DISTRICT?  CHECK OUT THE NEW FAMILY AMBASSADOR PROGRAM!

Transitioning to a new school and community can be overwhelming for parents and students alike.  The Issaquah Middle PTSA would love to ease your transition by matching you with an experienced IMS parent to answer your questions.

To be paired with a New Family Ambassador, please contact us at familyambassadors@issaquahmiddleptsa.org, and we will match you with an existing IMS parent.  Questions?  Contact us at the same e-mail address.

Returning families, we need you as a New Family Ambassador!  You can make a difference to families who are new to the Issaquah School District and IMS.  Please consider volunteering for this important role!  As an Ambassador, you will serve as a contact person to answer questions and help our new and returning families feel welcome at IMS.  Please email us at familyambassadors@issaquahmiddleptsa.org if you'd like to be paired with a new family this fall for the 2019-20 school year or if you have any questions.

BECOME A PTSA MEMBER TODAY!

Even if you don’t plan to volunteer at the school, becoming a PTSA member makes a lot of sense!

(1) Up-to-Date Info:  First, you get access to up-to-date information about what’s going on at IMS.  In addition to our weekly E-news, you can hear the principal personally provide updates on issues of importance to you and your child and answer questions at every monthly PTSA meeting.

(2) Get Access to the Student Directory: As a PTSA member, you get exclusive access to the online PTSA Student Directory. 

(3) Retail Savings: Members can take advantage of discounts at state and national companies like Great Wolf Lodge, Wild Waves, Office Depot, and car rental companies including Avis, Hertz, and Budget.

(4) Your $ Support Programs for Your Child: Your membership fee and your donations help support a wide variety of PTSA programs that support and enrich our students, families, and staff members.

It’s easy to join online today – CLICK HERE!

JOIN OUR TEAM!  LOOKING FOR A MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR

Are you looking for a low-key way to get involved in the PTSA while providing a lot of value to the organization?  We’re looking for a Membership Director for the 2019-20 school year.  

The Membership Director is a non-elected member of the PTSA Board whose required role is extremely modest – managing incoming memberships and uploading the membership records to the Washington State PTA.  The membership campaigns and marketing pieces are finished and ready to go – there’s nothing more to do.  You also have the full support of the outgoing Membership Director who’s still on the board in a different position.

If you’re interested in learning more about the position, click here for the details or contact Tim Morris at membership@issaquahmiddleptsa.org.

VOLUNTEERING AT IMS

We would love to have you consider volunteering at IMS.  All volunteers must complete the District’s online registration and be approved before they can volunteer at school.  If you were approved to volunteer last year, you still need to sign in to the District’s online system, complete the training, and update the required information.  Please remember there is a delay between completing the volunteer application and getting approval, so don’t wait till the last minute to start the process.  Click here to sign in.

THE FIRST IMPTSA MEETING OF THE YEAR – 9/25

Join us on September 25th at 10:30 am in the IMS Commons for the first PTSA General Membership Meeting of the year.   Meet other parents, learn more about how the IMPTSA helps the IMS community, and be the first to know what’s going on at IMS. We’re looking forward to seeing you there!  Questions?  Send an e-mail to president@issaquahmiddleptsa.org.