May 22nd, 2013

President’s Message

 

February is a month made forlove.  When the winter months seem todrag on forever in the Northwest, and it seems that moss will surely start togrow on the inside of our homes, February brings us a needed distraction tofocus on others and to share our love. We like to think that living in this incredible Canyon Park communityallows us to find a place and an opportunity to do just that:  affect others in positive ways, and besupported and encouraged in providing great educational and extra-curricularenhancements for students.  In short, wehope that this month you will find a way to spread the love by impacting ourschool community in a positive way.

 

There are many opportunitiesto share the love at Canyon Park.  The PTSA is involved in many activitiesthat could use your support, energy, and time such as providing support and/orsnacks for students who attend after school help on Tuesdays and Wednesdays(Cheez Its, Gold-Fish, Mini-Pretzels, and Capri Sun are always welcome!), supplyingtreats for monthly staff appreciation events, signing up to be a speaker forCareer Day in May, or making time to volunteer for the end of the yearcarnival, Knights’ Day, in June.  You can also support Canyon Parkfinancially just by linking your Target or Safeway card to CPJH, or using aJamba Juice card (available in the main office) each time you make apurchase.  Your student’s teachers mayneed your help and support with field trips, coming in and helping them duringtheir prep periods, or even simple filing and copying jobs.   Whatever your availability, there are alwaysways for you to be involved and supporting your student’s education at CanyonPark Junior High.  Watch for more information on providing snacks in Mayfor students during their state testing days. 

 

If you are a PTSA member, youshould have received your copy of the directory.  Thank you to Harlan and Cheryl Harris forputting the directory together again this year. It’s not too late to join the PTSA and get your copy of the directory.  You can find the membership form on the PTSAwebsite.  If you do not have your copy ofthe directory, check with your student’s homeroom teacher. 

 

Many of you were unable toattend the Internet Safety Night on February 2nd.  The message that the speaker shared was soimportant to every parent.  We areposting the handouts on the website and we encourage you read them and also totalk with your student about the assembly and some of the topics that were discussedthere.  We thank Pam Mach for setting upthis event.

 

Bring Your Parent to SchoolDay was a huge success.  We loved seeingso many parents come to the school to see what a day is like in JuniorHigh.  We had approximately 160 peoplestop in at the parent table.  Thank you,Jen Lohr, for your great organizational talents.

 

You may have noticed that thewebsite has a new look.  We sincerelythank Kirsten Risden for running a usability study on the website and giving ussuch wonderful feedback.  We also thankthe parents, students, and teachers who took part in the study.  Thank you also to John Roper who so kindlymakes changes for us.  Keep in mind thatit’s a work in progress, but please let us know what you think of the newformat.

 

Please note that the PTSAboard meeting will be March 16th. This is an important meeting for all board members, but you do not needto be a board member if you’d like to attend.

 

Remember to send in yournominations in for next year’s PTSA executive committee and for the people whoyou believe are deserving recipients of the PTA’s Golden Acorn VolunteerRecognition Award for their outstanding service to their school andcommunity. 

 

We hope you will be able toshake off the soggy days of winter by focusing on others.  Share the love not just on Valentine’s Day,but also throughout the year.

 

Have a fantastic mid-winterbreak!

 

Joanna Lowell-Forker and LanellPeterson, PTSA Co-Presidents


 

December's Presidents' Letter
Sunday, December 5th, 2010

With the sights, smells, music and cheer, it is hard not to notice that the holidays are here! At Canyon Park it is evident as well, as students adorned with Santa hats parade through the halls, home baked pies beckon staff to come and enjoy, carols are sung and bells are rung, young and old alike are taking time to give to those in need, and the feeling of excitement hangs in the air.

Yes, it is here again! Each year, Canyon Park comes alive with the holidays and this year is no exception. With the early snow, it danced through our homes and our students' hearts, as they rejoiced having some extra days off during Thanksgiving break. And while many mourned the delay of the much anticipated Turkey Trot, it was rescheduled for Friday, December 17th giving all more to look forward to on the last day of school for the 2010 year. And while the canned food drive sputtered in its start this year, it gained momentum as students, parents, and staff gave generously allowing us to contribute over $770 to Hopelink, as well as several loads to Maltby's food shelter, and our local community schools.

Earlier in November, parents and students treated the staff with harvest desserts of apple and pumpkin, and hot apple cider and coffee raising spirits and energy for doing progress reports. Staff, teachers, parents, and students began gathering on Wednesdays in the library for study help and peer to peer tutoring not only helping students raise their grades, but also building a sense of community.

Counselors, Paul Narancic, and Loni Anthony, as well as Officer Muro, CPJH's School Resource Officer came to the November General PTSA meeting sharing about what they do at Canyon Park, answering parents' questions, and provided valuable insight into what parents should be aware of as their childen strive to be successful students and individuals in Junior High. Also at this meeting, the Nominating Committee for the 2011-2012 Executive board was voted in: Andrea Langkow, Tiffanie Birr, and Tina Houston. If you would like to nominate someone for PTSA President (or Co-Presidents), Vice President, Treasurer, or Secretary please contact Andrea Langkow at (arlangkow@yahoo.com) with your nomination. Dave Sage also reported on the 2010 PTSA grant letting membership know how the grant money was used in helping to purchase burners for the science lab, a camera for Technology Education, teaching aids for the PE Department for health units, training for a new student mentoring program, and books with audio tapes for the special education department. None of these needs could have been met without your generous giving to the PTSA Pass-the-Hat Fundraiser.

While December may bring more snow, we don't want to miss as a day as there are many holiday events taking place in the Canyon Park community. We hope you will take advantage of these enrichments by attending the Choir and Orchestra concert at NPAC on the 7th at 7:00 pm, listening to the band concert on December 15th at 7:00 in the CPJH gym, or enjoying the "Winter Show" by the Drama students on the 15th from 7-8:30 pm. We invite you join in the spirit of giving by donating a favorite holiday appetizer or dessert, or a gift card or item to be used in a basket for the Staff Appreciation event on December 17th (all donations for the drawing need to be turned into the office by December 14th).

The holidays are not just about the lights, or the music but also about the spirit of giving. So, whether you are giving or receiving this holiday season, we hope you will feel the excitement of the season and that the joy that the holidays bring will carry you through the New Year.

Our warmest holiday wishes,

 

Joanna Lowell-Forker and Lanell Peterson CPJH Co-PTSA Presidents

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