View Ridge PTA

Dear View Ridge Families,

Thank you to all the View Ridge students, staff and families for the notes of appreciation and support as I continue the transition back to work from my recent medical leave.  Upon my return I have hit the ground running and have been working hard to address multiple issues that are current and occurred during my absence.   I can only imagine how difficult those times were on the entire community and I wanted you all to know that currently I am prioritizing all tasks to ensure student safety, build positive connections in the community and focus on quality instruction.   I am so proud of the View Ridge staff and Kathy Jolly and team for keeping the community up and running.  There clearly were challenging times and a huge shout out goes to my friend Kathy Jolly for her leadership and dedication during the winter months.  Now Marcia Boyd, retired principal from John Rogers continues to help during the day while I am on continued part-time leave for a few more weeks.  Thank you Marcia! Continue reading →

For those of you who are interested in volunteering to help out with the Visual Art Display on Arts Night, we are meeting on Mondays during March from 2:15 to 4:15 in the art room to discuss.

March 2nd, 9th and/or 16th (No meeting on March 5)

We will also be meeting on Thursday, March 12 and Thursday, March 19 from 9AM-noon.

Questions?  Please contact Liz Haven.

View Ridge is special.  Each year, our parents and community (via the PTA) write a check for over $185,000 to Seattle Public Schools to supplement our teaching staff and curriculum.  This money supports additional teaching positions in visual arts, music, library, computer, and math and reading specialists.  These programs provide a more diverse curriculum for our kids, and create an environment where our teaching staff can create interesting, relevant and thoughtful experiences inside the classroom. Continue reading →

The Special Education Department will be hosting Regional Meetings for Special Education Staff and families to come and learn about the transformative work under way.  We want to listen to you and hear your questions.  Please plan to join Executive Director Wyeth Jessee, Interim Director Kari Hanson & Ombudsperson Margo Siegenthaler when we visit your region.  

Tickets to Seahawks, Sounders or Husky games. Week stays at vacation homes. Private boat tours.   Rounds of golf. Homemade gourmet dinners and desserts. Parking spaces adjoining our school. Tickets to ballet, symphony or theater. Enviable bottles of wine. Lawn care and housecleaning services.

The 2015 View Ridge Elementary School Auction blasts off on Saturday, April 25^th and your help is needed. We are currently seeking donations of auction items from our parents and community. Have any of the above items, or know a business that might? Consider donating it to the auction and support our Classroom Success Fund, all proceeds of which support teaching and staff positions including music, library and the arts.

Donate directly online. Questions? Contact Erin Thakkar or Nigel Horton.

Wondering how leprechauns do their magic? Come join Ms. Lourde for a fun filled hour of stories and leprechaun science on Tuesday, March 10th or Thursday, March 12th from 3:45-4:45 pm. This month we will read books about leprechauns and unravel, though scientific experimentation, the secrets of leprechaun magic and tricks. Cost is $12.00 (checks payable to View Ridge PTA). Snacks provided.

Questions? Contact Ms. Lourde. Looking forward to seeing you!

Story Hour- March invite

We’re almost at the halfway point through the school year, but we have a lot of new faces around the school that perhaps you haven’t had a chance to meet yet.  Get to know more about our newest staff at View Ridge! Continue reading →

It’s Read Across America Day and Dr. Seuss’ birthday on Monday, March 2nd.  We plan on celebrating here at View Ridge!  Students are invited to bring their favorite picture book from home.  They can also wear pajamas, sweats, or a cozy outfit on this same day.  Students will have an opportunity to share their books with their buddy classrooms.  Stay tuned…the Cat in the Hat might also make an appearance!

Deadline for School Choice forms is this Friday, March 6^th.  Families applying for Advanced Learning seats (Spectrum or Highly Capable) need to submit their form to the John Stanford Center by this Friday

Open Enrollment for school choice opened up on Monday, February 23 and will run through March 6.  Forms are available on the SPS Admissions website.  Since the district has rolled out the Assignment Look-Up Tool, families will not be receiving a next-year assignment letter in February as they have in past years.  As a general rule, your student is assigned to the same school he or she is attending now.  Families who applied for Advanced Learning testing should enroll students by March 6th.  Due to a record number of tests being administered, many families have not received eligibility information yet.  These families should still submit a School Choice Form on time, even if they haven’t yet been notified of Advanced Learning eligibility. Please check the Advanced Learning webpage for more information.  

Million dollar question “It’s Super Bowl XLIX, the Seahawks are on the one yard line with 20 seconds left, the win so close we can touch the hardware, why throw the ball? Did they forget about Beast Mode?” If you have the answer please tell, it still hurts!

Now that we have gotten that out of the way, let’s celebrate what we do know! The Pancake Breakfast was a huge success, thanks again Gordon for coordinating. The Pre-Loved Book Sale raised over $3000, thanks to our Committee Chairs, Gretchen, Carissa and Kari. It was great to see the mile high plates full of pancakes with chocolate chips, whipped cream and sprinkles, along with families leaving with a ton of great books. The money raised from the Pancake Breakfast goes into our general operating fund to help support field trips, teacher grants, other Community Builders and much more. The money from book sales gives Ms. Young, our amazing librarian, greater opportunities to grow our library. Thank you to all who attended and to the many dedicated volunteers who worked throughout the morning. For those who couldn’t make it, there is always next year (wait, I guess that goes for the Seahawks too)! Continue reading →