Dear Families:

Welcome back and Happy 2013. I hope you had a nice break! 

Volunteering
The volunteer calendar has been updated for the remainder of the school year. 

Please sign up for Yokoyama's Class - here's how it works in 3 easy steps:

   1. Click this link to go to our invitation page on VolunteerSpot: http://vols.pt/LX2EBW
   2. Enter your email address: (You will NOT need to register an account on VolunteerSpot) 
   3. Sign up! Choose your spots - VolunteerSpot will send you an automated confirmation and reminders. Easy!Note:  I have added the direct link to view or sign up for volunteering on Ms. Yokoyama's website located at: more... > Parent Resources > Volunteer Sign Up (prompts you for your email).

Volunteer Training
Volunteer training is coming up on Fridy, January 25th at 3:45pm. Other opportunities to attend or view training will hopefully be available soon. Watch for more information about this training and volunteering the week of January 14th.

Calendar
Spaghetti Dinner - Is coming up this January 17th at 5:30pm. 
No School - 21 January: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Amy

Room 210
Volunteering | Lost & Found | No School Monday, Veteran's Day

Volunteering
I just added volunteer dates for the remaining days of 2012. I sent an email (via volunteerspot.com) to communicate this update as well.

QAE uses VolunteerSpot.com to manage volunteer sign ups. To see volunteer opportunties, you have to receive an email invite. Once you have been invited, you can then either see the volunteer opportunities by 1) digging up the email invite or 2) by creating an account at volunteerspot.com and having been sent an email invite. This is the intended design by VolunteerSpot.com and how they manage security and privacy.  

Currently, parents who have submitted background checks and completed volunteer training are all added on volunteerspot.com and should be able to access volunteer opportunities through volunteerspot.com emails or by creating a volunteerspot.com account (again, that is associated with the same email).

If you have any questions about this or are having trouble accessing room 210 volunteer opportunities, please feel free to contact me for assistance or to get signed up. 

Lost & Found

Missing a sweater, jacket, or lunch box? QAE has two official lost and found spots: one in "The Brick" across from the main office and one in the Treehouse.  

This Lost and Found rack is in the Treehouse, next to Ms. Yokoyama's Cubby Hallway (and pictured below).  So, if you are missing an item or two, check here!  Please consider writing your child's name on their coats, jackets, sweaters. A clothing article with your child's name is more likely to find it's way back to your child's cubby. 


Reminder: No school on Monday, Nov. 12th.  Veteran's Day Observed.

Have a great weekend!

Amy

Room 210 | This Week 
Pizza Contest Update | November School Closures | Parent/Teacher Conferences
Picture Re-Takes | Philanthropy Week: Seattle Animal Shelter | Student eFolios

We had a wonderful Halloween party!  If you were not able to attend, pictures will be up soon on Ms. Yokoyama's blog! A huge THANK YOU to Tiffany (Skyler), Audrey (Henry), Ann (Rohan), Rosa (Federico) and Victoria (Bella) for pulling off such a wonderful, creative and low sugar party!  

> Pizza Contest Update
The Pizza Party Competition results will be announced tomorrow at the Monday Morning Meeting.  Be sure to ask your child about it Monday night! Thank you to everyone for taking time to take the quick survey!  :)

> School Closures in November
>> Monday, Nov. 12, 2012: Closed for Veteran's Day
>> Monday, Nov. 19 - Friday, Nov. 23rd: School Conferences and Thanksgiving holiday.

These dates, and other school events and closures, can be viewed on the school calendar. If you use Google, you can import the QAE calendar to your own calendar (and I think you can convert it to other calendars as well...).

> Parent/Teacher Conferences
Ms. Yokoyama will be meeting with us soon to discuss are little learners! If you don't remember when you signed up, fear not! Ms. Yokoyama will post a schedule later this week or early next week. 

> School Pictures
Picture re-takes will be Thursday, Nov. 8.  Send your photos back to school on 11/8 if you want re-takes.

> Student eFolios
The new eFolio's are here! The new eFolio's are here! What does that mean? Not too much...yet! This week, information will be emailed to you about how to login to child's account to upload images and add other content. If you are interested in volunteering to help with student eFolios, let me know! It's fun to do and a great way to get to know the children! (You can also work on this from home--anytime!)

> PTSA Event | Philanthropy Week: Animal Shelter Drive: Nov. 5-9 (This Week!)
Please consider helping the Seattle Animal Shelter take care of it animals. They are looking for donates of any of the following items: 

Canned cat food
Bleach
KMR – Kitten Milk Replacement 
Carefresh Bedding – for critters 
Oxbow Critter Food – especially guinea pig and rabbit 
Crates – any size 
Dogloo doghouses – to help Seattle’s outdoor dogs 
Kongs – black or green and nubby 
Blankets
rugs
Wet and dry cat and dog food
Small dog treats

Take this opportunity to share the importance of community service with your child. For more information visit the QAE Philanthropy Info page.

Thank you and have a great week!

Amy

Room 210 | October 26thHalloween Schedule | Pizza Party Competition - Yokoyama Kindergartners: Crushing It!
Student eFolios | Cat in the Hat | Game Night

Pizza Party: Room 210 in the Lead!
Thank you to all our parents who have participated in the Explorer Fund Drive survey! We are *very* close to 100% participation!! Thank you, thank you for your fast action and responses! I've been told that we are still, far and away, the leaders.  So, well done!

Spooky, Scary!
Here are the details* for Halloween (which is also an early release day at 1:35pm)
- Students may arrive at school wearing costumes.
- 10:30-ish - All School Parade will start at 10:30am (Feel free to join students for the parade...or meet your child along the parade route!) 
-- Kids will leave the QAE Garden and walk South on Bigelow
-- Right turn on Newton, go two blocks West
-- Right turn on Nob Hill Avenue, go one block North
-- Right turn on Crockett, go one block East to 4th North
-- Re-enter QAE campus at the stairs on Crockett and 4th North
- 10:50-ish - Arrive Back at QAE
- 11:00-ish - 12:00-ish Halloween Party!! (Feel free to celebrate with your child and the class!)
- 12:15 - 1:35: ???
- 1:35pm: Early Release

Special thank you's to: Tiffany(Skyler), Audrey (Henry), Ann (Rohan), Rosa (Federico) and Victoria (Bella) for planning a wonderful and exciting party for the classroom!
*subject to variations and changes, I'll do my best to keep you updated of significant schedule changes

Student eFolios
The children's eFolios are posted! They are currently empty and information will be coming home soon about how to login to your student's account.  Go to Ms. Yokoyama's classroom site and click on Student eFolios. Feel free to poke around or wait for more instructions.

Login at: students.weebly.com
Enter your child's account login: (click on their link to see their user name, it is formatted firstname,last intitial, qaek -- so Sally Smith is sallysqaek)
Password is: explorers

Weebly is very simple to use -- if you want to snap some photos of your child's artwork or scan some writing and add it to their page, try it out (or read a weebly tutorial).  Again, more info will be coming soon!

Cat in the Hat
The field trip was great and our children were super!  We walked from QAE to the Seattle Children's Theater and bussed it back. I'm sure Rene will write more in her blog...so I'll leave the details to her!

Game Night
Given that our kindergarteners had an exhausting day, there were just a few K's at Game Night. For those who did attend, I hope you enjoyed trying out some new games or playing some old favorites.  There will be another game night in the Spring.

Thank you for a great week!

Field Trip Reminder

- Sack lunch.
- We'll leave at 11:00 and be back by 3:00.
- Forecast is for high of 52 and possible showers.

Room 210 Leads the Pizza Party Competition
Awesome parents of 210! Thank you for completing the 
simple, three question participation form! We are in the lead
with 18 entries. To secure our first class competition victory
of the year, please take a moment to fill out the quick form.

>> complete the form << | >> complete the form << 


Whether you have already donated, plan to donate, 
or cannot donate at this time...please complete the form!


School Pride Fridays
Also, Fridays are school pride day.  Wear your favorite QAE color 
or mix and match them! Go Explorers!

: Room 210 | Upcoming Events & News (10/23/2012) :: <-- All emails are archived on Ms. Yokoyama's Blog
Pizza Party Competition | Field Trip: Cat in the Hat | Tradition Object Sack Lunch for Thursday | Family Photos | Game Night!
_____________________________________________________________

Help Room 210 Win a Pizza Party!!

The goal of the Explorer Fund Drive Classroom Competition is 
100% family participation!  Family participation is counted 
by completion of this form (takes less than a minute).

The first class to make it to 100% classroom participation 
by October 31, 2012 wins a pizza party.

>> completion the form <<  

Whether you have already donated, plan to donate, or cannot donate at this time:

>> completion the form <<  

Field Trip Thursday: Pack a Sack Lunch
Please send your child to school with a sack lunch on Thursday. And, 
if you are getting lunch in the lunchroom, let Ms. Yokoyama know.
We'll be hoping on the bus to see Cat in the Hat -- it is a wonderful play!

Tradition Object - Due Tomorrow (Wed.)
Please remember to send in an object to school that represents a special 
“tradition” you have in your family on Wednesday (10/24). 
Read about this is Ms. Yokoyama's blog under "Parent Homework".

Family Photo - Send to Ms. Yokoyama
Please snap a photo of your fab families and email (or print and send in) 
them to Ms. Yokoyama. 

Family Game Night, Thurs. (10/25) - 6:30-8PM
Preview and play some fantastic games! There will be plenty of games for all ages.
Bring a snack to share (if you wish). Sponsored by Blue Highway Games.

October Dates:
Oct. 29- Volunteer Training available from 3:45-4:45pm
Oct. 31- All School Parade and class Halloween Party
Oct. 31- Last Day of Explorer Fund Drive

Complete the form!  Whether you have already donated, plan to donate, or cannot donate at this time!

Thank you! 

Room 210 | Upcoming Events & News (10/16/2012)
Parent Ed Night: Creative Approach & Charter School | PJ Party Friday 
Game Night | Volunteer | Field Trip Lunches | Explorer Fund Drive | October Calendar 
Thursday: 2-for-1: Creative Approach (6:30) & Charter Schools (7:30)
Join us on Thursday night at 6:30 to discuss QAE's application for the Creative Approach Schools (CAS) process.  You'll get an overview of the school vision, proposals related to innovation and increased student achievement and then time for a Q&A.  Next up will be a talk about the Charter School initiative with speakers presenting both for and against I-1240. (Full disclosure: I work on CAS). 

Friday: Marble Jar Celebration!
The room 210 super stars filled up their marble jar!  To celebrate, they have chosen a PJ party for Friday.  Students may come to school Friday in their cozy PJ's and bring one stuffed animal. 


Field Trip - Thursday, 10/25
Permission slips went home today for our field trip to see Cat in the Hat. Please make a note to send your child with a sack lunch. If your child gets lunch at school and needs a school lunch for the field trip, please email Rene to confirm lunch details. 

Game Night - Thursday, 10/25 - 6:30-8:30
Also on the QAE calendar is our Fall Game Night.  Sponsored by Blue Highway Games.  Bring a snack to share if you wish!


Volunteer Training
The last volunteer training until January is scheduled for Monday,10/29 from 3:45-4:45.  Sign up at VolunteerSpot.  
If it helps with your being able to attend the training: at the last after school training, some of us sat in the back with our kids (who colored and ate snacks) and other parents coordinated playground/library playdates.  

Also, to help with planning your schedules, the volunteer calendar for November and December will be released by the end of the week.

Explorer Fund Drive 
Our annual giving campaign is underway! This is the only time of the year that the PTSA asks for direct contribution. 
The PTSA Funds: Ms. Meg and our art program -- 100% PTSA funded.  Our school psychologist, Julietta Skoog -- 50% PTSA funded.  Our Social and Emotional Learning programs (Positive Discipline, Kelso's Choice, Roots of Empathy) -- 100% PTSA funded.  The PTSA funds other educational enhancements, enrichment programs, and 21st century learning tools. The PTSA is asking for 100% family participation and you can donate online.  Any give is big!  

October Calendar
10/25 - Field Trip to see "Cat in the Hat"
10/25 - Game Night, 6:30 - 8:30
10/29 - Volunteer Training, 3:45-4:45
10/31 - 2 Hour Early Dismissal, Halloween Party, Neighborhood Costume Walk

Room 210 | Upcoming Events & News (10/10/2012)
No School Friday | Field Trip | Game Night | Volunteer Training
Explorer Fund Drive | October Calendar 
Thanks to everyone who was able to come out and play in the amazing sunshine at Ella Bailey Park!  It was fun to meet and talk with parents and a hoot to see the kids so excited to be seeing friends outside of school. :)  

No School Friday
School is closed this Friday for Professional Development.

Explorer Fund Drive 
Our annual giving campaign has kicked off! This is the only time of the year that the PTSA asks for direct contribution. 
The PTSA Funds: Ms. Meg and our art program -- 100% PTSA funded.  Our school psychologist, Julietta Skoog -- 50% PTSA funded.  Our Social and Emotional Learning programs (Positive Discipline, Kelso's Choice, Roots of Empathy) -- 100% PTSA funded.  The PTSA funds other educational enhancements, enrichment programs, and 21st century learning tools. The PTSA is asking for 100% family participation and you can donate online.  Any give is big!

Field Trip - Thursday, 10/25
October 25th we'll head down to the Seattle Children's Theater to see "Cat in the Hat".  Permission slips will be sent home next week. You will want to send your child with a sack lunch.

Volunteer Training
The last volunteer training until January is scheduled for Monday,10/29 from 3:45-4:45.  Sign up at VolunteerSpot.  
If it helps with your being able to attend the training: at the last after school training, some of us sat in the back with our kids (who colored and ate snacks) and other parents coordinated playground/library playdates.  

Game Night - Thursday, 10/25 - 6:30-8:30
Also on the QAE calendar is our Fall Game Night.  Sponsored by Blue Highway Games.  Bring a snack to share if you wish.

October Calendar
10/12 - No School
10/25 - Field Trip to see "Cat in the Hat"
10/25 - Game Night, 6:30 - 8:30
10/29 - Volunteer Training, 3:45-4:45
10/31 - 2 Hour Early Dismissal, Halloween Party, Neighborhood Costume Walk

Room 210 Upcoming Events & News (10/1/2012)
Kindergarten Social | Volunteering in Class | BEX IV Levy
Field Trip, 10/25 | PTSA General Meeting 

Kindergarten Social/Playdate
Rain or shine, meet at Ella Bailey to get to know more kinder families!  

 
When: 7 October 2012, Sunday
Time: 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Where: Ella Bailey Park
Who: All Kindergarten Families are Welcome

Ella Bailey Park, 2601 W Smith St., Seattle, WA 98199

Coffee and tea will be available for adults.

RSVP to this Event  (we will plan several all-kindergarten family events over the year, so if you cannot make this one, don't fret!)

Volunteering Now Open in Ms. Yokoyama's Class
- As long as you have completed your volunteer training and submitted your background check data, you are clear to start! 
- Emails were sent out to parents who indicated an interest in volunteering (check your email/junkmail for "VolunteerSpot".   
  If you didn't receive an email, let me know and I'll add you.
- I created a webpage with information about current and upcoming volunteer opportunities in Ms. Yokoyama's classroom.
- Feel free to email me to schedule volunteer times.
- Field trip is coming up on October 25th.  More details as soon as I have them!

The training includes tips to be helpful to teachers and students, an overview of Positive Discipline, and general school information.  Sign up at VolunteerSpot.  
Note: More training times will be available soon.  They are aiming to have at least one training per week for the next few weeks.

Field Trip - 10/25
More information will follow, but we have a field trip planned for 10/25!  Mark the date!

PTSA General Meeting
Is this Thursday, 10/4 at 7:00pm. Business to be covered:

- Our school's plan for project-based learning
- Building Excellence IV Capital Levy - and it's implication for QAE
- Other Legislative and ballot issues
- PTSA's plans for the year

BEX IV Levy
Parents/Voters:  On the February 2013 ballot, two levy items will up for vote:  
1) the BEX IV Capital Levy (six year) -  funds new school construction, additions and major renovations
2) BTA Capital Levy (three year) - small renovations, major maintenance and improvement projects, technology and academic projects.

QAE is currently on BEX IV with a building addition to-be-completed in 2019. We are urging all families to email the school district (link to letter and email address) and ask that QAE's addition be moved up to a 2016 completion date. In the 2015-16 school year we reach max capacity.

And, tomorrow will mark the 20th day of school!  

Best,

Amy

Room 210 Upcoming Events & News (9/20/2012)
Updated Classroom Directory | Volunteer Training
Kindergarten Social | Curriculum Night (reminder)


Kindergarten Social/Playdate
Rain or shine, meet at Ella Bailey to get to know more kinder families!  

When: 7 October 2012, Sunday
Time: 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Where: Ella Bailey Park
Who: All Kindergarten Families are Welcome

Ella Bailey Park, 2601 W Smith St., Seattle, WA 98199

Coffee and tea will be available for adults.

RSVP to this Event  (we will plan several all-kindergarten family events over the year, so if you cannot make this one, don't fret!)

Volunteering & Volunteer Training
Two dates are available for volunteer training, tomorrow, 9/21 at 7pm and Tue., 9/25 at 3:45pm.  If you are interested in volunteering in any capacity (field trips, library, in class, lunchroom, etc.) you must complete a volunteer training.  The training includes tips to be helpful to teachers and students, an overview of Positive Discipline, and general school information.  Sign up at VolunteerSpot.  Not sure where you might volunteer?  See if any of our immediate need volunteer spots catch your eye!

Note: More training times will be available soon.  They are aiming to have at least one training per week for the next few weeks. **UPDATED:  Training Dates Added: Tuesday, Oct. 9th at 7:00pm and Monday, Oct. 29th at 3:45pm.**

Curriculum Night
Reminder to mark 9/27 on your calendar.  Two times are offered: 6:30 - 7:10 and 7:20 - 8:30.