December 16, 2019
 
We hope you’re enjoying the last week of school for 2019!  Here’s a rundown of the important information you’ll need when we come back in 2020.
 
IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES
 
12/18 Holiday Staff Breakfast
12/23 Start of Winter Break
1/6 Classes resume
1/13-14 School Play Auditions – Little Mermaid Jr.
1/16 New Family Ambassador Meet & Greet
1/20 MLK Day – No School
1/22 PTSA General Membership Meeting
1/23 WalkAbout Training @7:00 pm
1/27 Teacher Work Day – No School
1/31 Binder Bootcamp
2/17-21 Second Winter Break

FINAL WALKABOUT TRAINING – 1/23

If you missed the first WalkAbout Training session in the fall, the second (and final) WalkAbout Training session for the 2019-20 school year will take place on Jan. 23rd from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm at IMS.  This training session is mandatory if you’ve never been trained before.  Questions?  Contact us at walkabout@issaquahmiddleptsa.org.

Remember that only volunteers who (1) have been approved as volunteers by the Issaquah School District; AND (2) have completed WalkAbout Training this year or in a prior year may volunteer.

TELL YOUR STORY AT IMS ANNUAL CAREER DAY – 2/7
 
IMS is looking for parents, guardians and community members to give a short presentation about their current or past career and pathway.  Please share this with family and friends who have interesting or unusual careers or have a unique story of how they ended up there. We need a wide variety of professionals to make this a well-rounded event for students to learn about something they might like to pursue in the future. Everyone is welcome to come and share.  Please contact Oracio Valdez at valdezo@issaquah.wednet.edu for more information or to sign up.
ISD TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT:  BE READY FOR WINTER WEATHER
 
All ISD families were mailed an Emergency Transportation Bulletin to their homes in October with information on snow routes and stops as well as school delays and closures due to inclement weather. Can’t find your copy? No problem! You can find an electronic copy of the Emergency Transportation Bulletin on the district website here.
School closures and delays are announced early in the morning, usually between 6:00 and 6:30 a.m. If you anticipate emergency transportation conditions, please check for an announcement on the District or school websites, on social media, or sign up to receive information straight from the District.
 To receive closure information straight from the district:
  • Make sure you are receiving District E-News.  Sign up on our website. Weather delay notifications will NOT be sent via individual school eNews.
  • Check the ISD homepage, wednet.edu.
  • Subscribe to receive weather delay and closure texts or emails from the transportation department at net. Please note this is for weather emergencies only.
  • Check the recorded messages at 425-837-7000. 
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!
 
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.
 
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.
 
ISD RENEWAL LEVY WILL BE ON THE FEBRUARY 2020 BALLOT – 2/11/20
 
The Issaquah School District will be asking voters to approve the renewal of the EP&O levy in February which to allow the district to continue to support the programs and services funded by the previous two-year levy which is expiring in 2020.  Like a subscription, local school levies must be renewed, or the funding will be lost.
 
The 2020 EP&O Levy Renewal Levy continues support for:
  • Career & Technical Education
  • Mental Health Counselors
  • Special Education
  • Safety & Security
  • Dual Language Program
  • Early Childhood Learning & Preschool Opportunities
  • Highly Capable Program
  • Professional Development for Teachers
  • Expanded High School Schedules (7 periods instead of 6) at Issaquah and Skyline High Schools
The Issaquah School District is asking for less than it is legally allowed to collect. This maintains its current programs, while remaining fiscally responsible and sensitive to the overall tax rate. This is NOT a new tax. The proposed two-year levy replaces the expiring 2018 levy at a lower overall tax rate.
 
Please remember to VOTE and if you have a student who will be 18 by the next election, please have them register to vote!
 
Click here for more information
Click here to download a fact sheet with details
Click here to register to vote
 
Thank you!
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Issaquah Middle PTSA 2.6.35
600 2nd Ave. SE
Issaquah, WA  98027
issaquahmiddleptsa.org
 
 
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