A Little Friendly Competition? As I'm sure you are all aware, the bond/levy election is just a few days away. As of Thursday, only 23% of the ballots sent out had been returned. Of the schools in our district, Bear Creek was fourth in ballots returned at 27%. Ugh- not so good. Sunrise was first with 40%. I would love it if we could at least end up in the top three! Come on Bear Creek parents- mail in those ballots! In previous years we've been first in ballot returns (determined by the school your youngest student attends). The ballots must be postmarked by Tuesday, Feb. 9. Let's be able to tell our kids that no matter what happens, we as parents did our best by voting for them. If you have any questions about where and how your money is being spent in the levies and bond measures, please visit www.nsd.org.

Ruby's Diner/Barnes and Noble Night Thursday night should be a lot of fun. Come on down to Ruby's for dinner and then head over to Barnes and Noble. · Teacher readings starting at 6:30 · Trivia questions for prizes including board games and movie tickets · BC teacher and student created Suggested Reading Lists will be available · A portion of what you spend in the store will be donated back to BC PTA **You MUST have the Ruby's flyer with you at dinner in order for 20% to be donated. These came home in Friday folders. The flyer is an attachment below. I will have some extras with me if you are there before I leave for B&N but the store will not have extras to hand out.

The Barnes and Noble voucher is good from Thursday Feb 11th- 15th, and can be used at any B&N in the country. Having it with you makes it easy for the cashier to know how to credit your purchase, but if you forget it just tell the cashier it is for Bear Creek PTA. If friends or family who live out of town want to do some shopping during the 11th-15th, have them tell their store it is for fundraiser #10143550.

Nominations for the 2010-2011 Board If you are interested in being on the executive board during the next school year, please contact Janice at jemerdgen@comcast.net. It is a great way to know what really goes on at Bear Creek and meet other parents who are committed to seeing the school as a wonderful place for every student.

Three propositions will be on the ballot February 9, to continue support for student learning in Northshore School District.  This is a vote-by-mail election both King and Snohomish counties.  Ballots will be mailed by January 22, and must be postmarked by February 9, (Election Day).  Please remember to vote.
   
Proposition 1: Renewal Education Operations Support Levy
Four-year renewal measure that would replace the current levy that expires in 2010.
Provides 20% of the District's budget for educational programs and operations.

Proposition 2: Renewal School Technology Levy
Four-year renewal measure that would replace the current levy that expires in 2010.
Would provide classroom technology and teacher training District wide.
State does not fund technology.

Proposition 3: Capital Projects Bond
Would provide key infrastructure support such as roofs, heating systems and Internet capability for schools and classroom learning spaces.
Would continue renovation of two aging schools: Kenmore Junior High and Woodinville High School.

Would continue a long-range facilities plan to protect our community's investment.
The total school tax rate is projected to remain level over the four years of the measures at $4.07 per $1,000 of assessed property value.  A $50 annual increase is projected for a $400,000 home over the four years of the measures.  More Information is available online at www.nsd.org or by contacting the Communications Department at (425) 408-7670.

Read A Thon
March 1st is our Read A Thon kick off!  This year it is just for fun, not a fundraiser.  We are working with the Everett Aquasox who are kind enough to donate the prizes- Thanks Aquasox!!!
 
The Pajama Night will be on March 16th from 6:30-8:00.  This is for all families to attend!  The more the merrier.  As with all evening events, children need to be supervised by a parent.
 
Pass The Hat
We're still a few thousand short of our Pass the Hat goal.  This money goes towards paying for field trip busses, classroom grants, art docent materials, and much, much more.  If you haven't given yet, please consider making a donation so we can continue these great opportunities for the kids.
 
Upcoming PTA Dates at a Glance
Feb 11th- Ruby's and Barnes and Noble Night
Feb 12th- 9:15 Executive Board Meeting
Feb 23rd- 4:30 CAP Gallery
March 1st- Read A Thon begins
March 16th- Family PJ Night
March 26th- Movie Night
April 30th- BINGO

If your child is interested in doing more educational games online, go to clubbing.com. They can play word games that earn points that can be donated to our PTA. They range in difficulty (some are even a challenge for me!) but are so fun. You do not need to complete a game 100% to still earn points and the games change every so often. There are lots of Bear Creek schools out there- our organization name is: Bear Creek E S (2897120)

Unfortunately, clubbing.com is blocked by the Northshore School District filter.

Congratulations to the Bear Creek kids who have earned an District Honorable Mention and those who are going on to the State level!
 
Literature - Honorable Mention Alexandra Haworth    
Music -State Qualifier Sophie Schmidt, SQ Trent Graham, HM Alece Stancin    
Visual Arts - HM Sarah Davidson  
Photography - SQ Austin Paskerian, SQ Cole Parker    
Dance- HM Megan Hastie    
Visual Arts - SQ Garrett Dawson, HM Baylee Carter    
 

Nominations for the 2010-2011 Board If you are interested in being on the executive board during the next school year, please contact Janice at jemerdgen@comcast.net. It is a great way to know what really goes on at Bear Creek and meet other parents who are committed to seeing the school as a wonderful place for every student.

Read a Thon and Bingo chair positions are still open.  These events are coming up fast! Please contact Debra at 425-844-2670  or dawsoncrew@comcast.net if you would like to know more about either of these positions.

www.vmathlive.com

If you have questions or comments about the VmathLive.com math education opportunity offered through the PTA, please contact Marc Kramer, vmathdad@me.com.

Used by over 250,000 students worldwide, VmathLive is an on-line math resource that engages students as they learn and practice math concepts and skills in a motivating environment. VmathLive is available for grades K - 8, an extended range made possible due to our arrangement with Voyager Learning. Your child will always be challenged to the level of their abilities. Its interactive format provides immediate, targeted feedback and rewards for accomplishments. Parents also have the ability to log-on and check their child's progress and print certificates.

Please Note: This is an individual opportunity for your child to review and strengthen math skills voluntarily at home. It is not a substitute, extension, or supplement to the Northshore School District math curriculum, and your child's teacher is not involved. It is offered through the PTA as simply a fun and engaging way to reinforce math skills, especially toward improving your child's "math facts" speed.

We still have coats, sweatshirts, shirts, pants, mittens, hats and belts that need to go home! Please take a few minutes to look in Foyer B at the lost and found items.

Whatever is left at school will be donated. While it is a good thing for the recipients, it is hard to see some of those almost new clothes be packed up and taken away.

T-shirts $10
Sizes:  Youth S, M, L
Adult S, M, L, XL, XXL
 
Totes $18.50
 
Hats $15.50
 
Blankets $50.00
 
Check them out in the office!
 
20% of the cost goes to Bear Creek PTA

If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact me, Erin Baccus, PTA President   erinbaccus@msn.com or 844-2424. 

President- Erin Baccus
Secretary- Kim Brid
Treasurer- Connie Paratore
VP Social- Valea Coyne
VP Membership- Janice Merdgen
VP Enrichment- Debra Dawson
VP Ways and Means- Marlene Grasser
VP Programs- still open