November 18, 2019

Please join us at our November PTSA meeting that will take place this Wednesday evening at 6:30 pm in conjunction with the Reflections Art Reception.  Here’s a rundown of the important information you’ll need in the coming weeks.

IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES

NEXT NEW FAMILY AMBASSADOR MEET & GREET – 12/10

Thanks to everyone who joined us last week at November’s IMS New Family Ambassador Program Meet and Greet.  As always, we really enjoyed meeting our new and established families in person.

Our next gathering is Tuesday, December 10th from 9:30 am to 11:00 am at the Starbucks located at 1460 NW Gilman Blvd, Issaquah WA 98027.  Hope to see you there! Questions?  Contact us at familyambassadors@issaquahmiddleptsa.org.

BECOME A PTSA MEMBER TODAY!

Even if you don’t want 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 Benefits: 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!

FROM THE SCHOOL DISTRICT:  THE VOICE MENTOR PROGRAM NEEDS YOU!

Volunteers of Issaquah Changing Education (VOICE) is an in-school, volunteer mentoring program that pairs caring community members with Issaquah School District students.  VOICE mentors work one-on-one with students throughout the school year. Some students may need academic help; others may need emotional support or a friend and role model. All benefit from a positive, supportive relationship with an adult role model.  VOICE currently has 200+ students on the waitlist.  We need mentors!  Can you help?  Here's what’s involved:

• Complete a screening process, including a mandatory, in-depth, pre-match training.
• Time commitment of once/week (30–60 minutes) throughout the school year. Schedule and choice of school are flexible to accommodate mentor availability.
• Optional supplemental trainings plus support provided by your mentee’s school and the VOICE team.
• Most importantly, develop a meaningful relationship with a young person and help them thrive.

If you would like to become a VOICE mentor, please apply here.  To learn more, email VOICE@issaquah.wednet.edu, view our VOICE Website, or call us at 425-837-7222.

SPECIAL INFORMATION FROM THE ISSAQUAH SCHOOLS FOUNDATION 

Teacher Grants:  The Issaquah Schools Foundation provides an opportunity for all teachers to apply for grants to fund projects that enrich education, fill unmet needs, and/or serve as incubators for innovation.  Many PTSAs offer teacher grants as well, which is great!  There are times when a grant is for a larger need, may be spread to more than one school, or is simply out of a given PTSA’s budget.  The Foundation is here to support those ideas that teachers have to best support our student’s education. The Foundation’s grant process is all online and opened on November 8^th.  More information can be found at: http://isfdn.org/our-purpose/promoting-professional-development/grants/.

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.