October 3rd, 2016

JOIN US FOR COFFEE!
Welcome to the brand new IMS and to a fabulous school year.  The PTSA invites you to attend a morning coffee.  If you are a new parent to middle school, or new to our district, this is a great opportunity to meet people who can help answer your questions about navigating school, sports or the community and to hear from our awesome principal.  Are you a returning parent?  Come help build community and share your knowledge with new parents.  All are welcome! 

Friday, October 28 at 8:30am -10am in the IMS Commons

PASS THE HAT....please...PRETTY PLEASE
A huge thank you to our parent community for helping us raise $7,600 in our Pass-the-Hat.  This is a great start but still short of our $10,700 goal for this school year.  PTSA money raised goes directly back to IMS in 3 key ways:

1.  Student Financial Assistance (assures that every student can participate in field trips, ASB events and has the school supplies they need to be successful)
2.  Classroom Funds (grants every teacher 150.00 to use toward classroom supplies)
3.  Classroom Grants (teachers apply for grants for field trips, speakers, conferences and programs)

Please HELP US REACH OUR FUNDRAISING GOAL so that we can keep supporting these important programs. Click here to donate.

Picture Re-Takes - Need one Volunteer!

We need one person to help at Picture Re-Take Day on October 6 from 7:00 to about 10:30 a.m.  Please contact tara.moe@comcast.net if you're able to help.  

8th Grade Celebration Chairs

The PTSA is looking for chairs for our 8th Grade Celebration.  Each year, after 8th grade promotion, the class attends a special off-site celebration for the afternoon.  This year, for the first time, we will be traveling to the UW, where the kids will be treated to an afternoon in the Hec Ed recreation center, complete with bowling, video games, dancing and more. 

Chairs work with ASB Secretary Julie Morgan to sell tickets at lunches in May, decorate the venue and deliver snacks and goodies as well as staffs the event with volunteers.  If you are an event planner with good organization, this is the job for you!  It's so much fun to celebrate the achievements of our 8th graders! If you would like more information about this job, please contact Tara Moe

IMS Vision and Hearing Screening
Please come help on Monday, November 7th from 7-10 am to make sure that our Middle School is filled with children who can see and hear (no promises on applying those skills).  We need a large group of parents (25-30) to make this annual event happen.  SIGN UP HERE!

 Please remember, everyone needs to have a current ISD volunteer application that has been approved. You can find the link on the IMS website or HERE:  

The Angels of our Community-do you want to be one??

The IMS Angel Student Assistance Program is looking for families that want to purchase or donate items that will support other IMS families that could use help occasionally throughout the school year.  If you want your name added to the potential donor list, please contact Kristin Brennock  or Elizabeth McIntyre .  Thank you in advance for your generosity!

REFLECTIONS IS HERE!!
The 2016-2017  Reflections theme is:   What is Your Story?     Start working now! Complete rules for each category and entry forms can be found at the IM PTSA website.  Important dates:

Fri., October 28 - entries due in school office by 2:30 p.m.  
Wed. November 16 -- Reflections Reception for all entrants 6:30p.m. following PTSA meeting.

DEADLINE APPROACHING THIS WEEK!
Help Washington State PTA Speak Up for Kids!
Please take the 2016 Legislative Issues Surveyhere: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/R8Z2HWG

Our vision is to make every child's potential a reality. PTA works in classrooms and communities across the state, but we also advocate in Olympia for the well-being and education of all children. Every fall, the association selects its legislative priorities, and hearing from you is a valuable step in the process. Your responses will assist voting delegates who attend Legislative Assembly in Olympia October 21-22, 2016 in setting the 2016-17 legislative platform. Thank you for advocating for children. Together we speak in a powerful voice! Deadline to complete survey isOctober 6th.

SCREENAGERS- mark your calendar!
Growing Up in the Digital Age

Film documentary followed by expert panel Q&A
Monday, Oct 17th 7:00-9:00pm
Issaquah High School Theater
For parents and students, ages K-12
Free for Issaquah PTSA members, $5 donation requested for non-members Sponsored by Parentwiser of Issaquah PTSA Council, Issaquah Schools Foundation, & Swedish Medical of Issaquah
Pre-registration encouraged HERE  
 
SCREENAGERS probes into the vulnerable corners of family life to explore struggles over social media, video games, academics and internet addiction. Through poignant, and unexpectedly funny stories, along with surprising insights from authors, psychologists, and brain scientists, SCREENAGERS reveals how tech time impacts kids’ development and offers solutions on how adults can empower kids to best navigate the digital world and find balance.  Watch the trailer HERE! 
 
Additional district events sponsored by Parentwiser* and/or partners this fall:
Oct 19th – “Positive Parenting”, by Issaquah School District and Brooks Powers, 7-8:30pm Issaquah High Theater
Oct 29th – “The Power of Me, Power of We” conference sponsored by Influence the Choice (Issaquah Schools Foundation) and Friends of Youth, 9am-4pm  Register HERE
Nov 7th – “Parenting the Developing Mind”, by Issaquah School District and Brooks Powers, 7-8:30pm Issaquah High Theater
Nov 21st – “Run/Hide/Fight Parent Training” by Police Officer Diego Zanella, Issaquah High Black Box Theater