December 1, 2017 * ISSUE 12.1.17
Upcoming Events

12/8 Principal Open Forum (8:45am)
12/8 PTA Board Meeting (1pm)
12/14 Passport Check Day
12/18-1/1 Winter Break - NO SCHOOL

View Full Calendar
PTA Grants: Taproot Theater, Literacy, Equipment
The PTA voted at the November board meeting to fulfill numerous staff grant requests. 

Asst. Principal Duimovic was granted $900 toward Taproot Theater performances for all K-5 students' social-emotional learning curricula. Grade 3-5 teacher teams were granted online subscriptions to provide extra literacy support for students in need. Srta. Takashima (4) was granted $300 for her classroom library. Office Manager Linda Rochlin was granted $960 to replace aging office equipment (binding machine, etc.). Principal Shearer was reimbursed for four box fans for classrooms. To all the PTA members that make these grants possible by your generous donations throughout the year, thank you! 
Ice Skating in Downtown Bellevue Park
Join us in celebrating the "Magic Season" with ice skating in downtown Bellevue!
Mention you are with Puesta del Sol Elementary and a $3 donation will be made to your PTA for each paid rink admission during the following dates:

November 24 - December 15, 2017
January 2-15, 2018

More details can be found on our PTA Fundraising Page
International Festival
Saturday, May 5, 2018 @ 6:30pm, Newport High School Performance Arts Center

We are excited to announce that this year's International Festival will take place on May 5, 2018 at the Newport High School Performing Arts Center!

A celebrated event nearing the end of the school calendar, the International Festival features our student body in dance, song, and musical acts from across the globe, led by various friends and members of the Puesta Del Sol community, including our dedicated Amity interns.

If you or your group are interested in performing, or would like to volunteer your experience or time, please contact internationalfestival@puestadelsolpta.org

Visit the International Festival PTA homepage for the latest updates or to learn more.
Meet the Principal!
Friday, December 8, 2017, 8:45-9:45am in the School Library
 
You asked and we listened! In order to learn more about our school, how things have been running so far this year, and to get a better grasp on the logistics of getting our students a quality education, we are hosting one final opportunity to meet with Principal Shearer before the year-end. Mark your calendars and get involved! Young children are welcome, but there won't be dedicated childcare. Coffee/tea will be provided.
PTA After School Programs offer Self-Selected Prices
Part of the PTA's commitment to equity and inclusion is recognizing that families have different abilities to pay for the After School Programs sponsored by the PTA. 

We have developed this voluntary 4-tier fee structure to better meet everyone's needs. Each family will be able to select the rate appropriate for their budget. This is completely confidential and does not impact your child's program experience in any way.

- Tier 4 = Full cost of sending a student to the program selected

- Tier 3 = 33% subsidized rate to help families cover some of the cost

- Tier 2 = 66% subsidized rate to help families cover most of the cost

- Tier 1 = full sponsorship for families who not participate otherwise


 

Registration for the next session of PTA After School Programs will open on January 8, with classes beginning January 22. If you have any questions, you may confidentially contact Sr. Shearer at shearerj@bsd405.org or directly contact the PTA at edenhancement@puestadelsolpta.org. 

Get Ready for Math Olympiad!
Math Olympiad begins January 4, 2018!
Who: 5th Graders
When: Monday and Thursday mornings, 7:50-8:50am (Jan 4 - Apr. 28)
Where: Sra Mattson's classroom
Cost: $105

IMPORTANT DATES:
November 29, 2017: Application Packets go home from Sr. Oropeza in math rotation.
December 5, 2017: Parent Registration, Student Application, and Signed Citizenship Contract due to Sr. Oropeza.
December 11, 2017: Students notified of acceptance via parent email.
December 15, 2017: $105 tuition due to PTA via online payment (PTA Scholarships available)
January 4, 2018: Training begins
April 28, 2018: Math Olympiad Competition (mandatory attendance)
Please contact matholympiad@puestadelsolpta.org with questions.



Puesta del Sol Staff Spotlight
 
Sr. Kjell Mattson
Sr. Kjell Mattson is one of our four 4th grade teachers. He has twenty years of teaching experience, including ten at Puesta del Sol. In 2014 he was a "Symetra Hero in the Classroom" recipient. Kjell became interested in learning Spanish in high school, and then majored in it at Central Washington University. He fell in love with the Spanish language and Mexican culture while studying in Morelia Michoacán, México. Kjell met his wife, Claudia, in México, and they now work together. Their two daughters have gone through Puesta del Sol, and even their Welsh Corgi understands Spanish.  

Puesta del Sol Spirit Wear!
 
Puesta del Sol Spirit Wear makes great holiday gifts!

Place your order by December 7th to ensure you receive your items by Christmas.

Visit our Spirit Wear Store

Dining for Dinero at Mod Pizza
 
Join us January 10, 2018 for a second Dining for Dinero night at:

Mod Pizza in Factoria
3622 Factoria B;vd SE
Bellevue, WA 98006

Mod Pizza will donate 20% of all Puesta-related sales to the PTA -ALL DAY!  
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Join the PTA Communications Team!!
 
Do you have a way with words?
Would you like to be "in the know" on what's happening around school? Do you like working with awesome people? You can make an impact and support the PTA on your computer/tablet from home or even while you are out and about! We are looking for a few terrific people to help with our website and newsletter. We have needs in several areas and full training is available, no experience needed.

Contact Liz or Pauline  for more information.