January 19, 2018 * ISSUE 1.19.18
Upcoming Events

1/19 & 1/20 Drama Production (7pm)
1/23 General Membership Meeting (7:15pm)
1/24 Library Training (11:15am)
1/25 Passport Check Day (9:30am)
1/29 NO SCHOOL - Professional Development Day
1/31 Sign-up for Amity International Festival Acts Begins

View Calendar
PTA General Membership Meeting
Tuesday, January 23 @ 7:15pm, Lake Hills KCLS Library Meeting Room.**
Agenda: 
  • Elect Nominating Committee
  • Vote on 2 x Grant Requests ($12,925 total)
  • Parent Alliance for Black Scholars (PABS) introduction
  • Bellevue Quality Schools update - 3 x levies on the ballot in February
**Note New Location!
Puesta del Sol Endorses Bellevue Quality Schools  
The Puesta del Sol Board of of Directors voted to officially endorse Bellevue Quality Schools and the three levy measures that are on the ballot next month.  
On February 13, each and every one of our 20,000+ students need your continued support! Vote YES on the three levies which will allow the Bellevue School District to continue our expanded education. It is up to our voters to renew the levies that fund the expanded education our community demands and our students deserve. Without the 3 levies there will be cuts programs, services and staff.Learn more here: http://bellevuequalityschools.org/ 
Drama Production Opens Tonight! 
Just Another Day in Wonderland, Friday & Saturday, January 19 & 20 @ 7pm, Interlake HS Performing Arts Center
It's NEVER "just another day" in Wonderland, so come see your 4th and 5th graders lose their heads over the story of Alice! Tickets ($10 General / $15 VIP) available at the door as are snacks, candygrams and  flowers! Puesta del Sol 3rd/4th graders get in free with a paying adult! Will the White Rabbit make it to the Tea Party on time? Don't be late and you'll find out! Will call opens at 6:15, House at 6:45.
Staff Appreciation Treat Days
As part of the ongoing effort to show staff how much we appreciate their talents and skills, each grade level has been assigned a day to bring in treats for the staff; look for details from your room parent. (5th graders aren't included due to their busy schedule).

January 10 - 1st grade
February 7 - 2nd grade
March 7 - 3rd grade
April 18 - 4th grade
June 6 - Kindergarten

May 7-11 is Staff Appreciation Week 
January Passport Check
Thursday, January 25 in the Puesta del Sol Library.
Passport Club information can be found on the PTA website. 
Special Itinerary for January is China!  Print the worksheet and check the bulletin board in the gym for answers.  Then bring the completed worksheet on the 25th for a stamp and small prize.
Volunteers are always needed! Sign-up here to help with the January Passport Check!

Have questions or want to learn more about the Passport Club?  Please let us know passport@puestadelsolpta.org.
Puesta del Sol's Spring Auction
"Time After Time" Prom - Saturday, March 24. Bellevue College Gymnasium. Early Check-in Begins at 5pm. 
Standard Ticket price $65/person or $75/person for VIP table.  Ticket includes sit-down dinner catered by CACTUS, two bottles of wine per table, and dancing after the auction with a LIVE DJ.
 
We also NEED your help to make our auction a success!!  Decorating Chairperson and Dessert Dash chairperson needed. If you are interested, please contact our Auction Volunteer Coordinator at auctionvolunteer@puestadelsolpta.org.
Spanish Immersion Through the Arts (SITA) School-Wide Art Workshops
Puesta del Sol received a grant from the Bellevue Schools Foundation to help SITA fund a school-wide art workshop, which will take place in classrooms during January and February.
 
The workshops will be inspired by the work of Mexican mural artists and will focus on UNITY in our school, community and world.  The artwork will be on display during ArtFest on April 4.
 
We are fortunate to have Adriana Morales working with students again.  Adriana is a Mexican artist who worked with students on the school-wide self portrait project last year.  
 
Volunteers are still needed to assist with the 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade workshops.  If you are able to help, please send an email to  sita@puestadelsolpta.org
January 23  - 3rd grade, 9:30-10:30 Garcia/Kimborough, 10:30-11:30 Wilson/Waltero
 
January 25  - 4th grade, 12:30-1:30pm Takashima/Mattson, 2:30-3:30pm Palacios/Von Tersch
 
February 1 - 5th  grade, 9:30-10:30 Hernandez/Profe Ana,10:30-11:30 Oropeza/Mattson
Exchange@Home Pilot Program (Programa Intercambio@Casa)
The pilot program will run February - April 2018.
Give your child the opportunity to gain cultural understanding by using their Spanish, right here at home!

Interest is picking up around the pilot program. Apply by January 15, 2018 to be one of the few lucky families to pilot the program.

This is a unique language and cultural exchange opportunity for 5th grade native Spanish and English speaking students right here in Bellevue. They will spend time with each other's families speaking and learning traditions and culture in the home over 3 months where parents plan activities at their convenience. 

View the bilingual flyer for details. Applications can be turned in to the envelope in the Puesta del Sol resource room or emailed to ISA@puestadelsolpta.org

 
Welcome to Puesta del Sol, Gari!
 A big welcome to Gari Lewis, our new 2nd grade teacher. Sr. Gari was born and raised in El Paso, TX. He began learning Spanish from his grandma, mom and cousins. His family is of Scottish and Mexican heritage, with other family in Argentina.

Sr. Gari has taught for over thirty years! When not teaching, he can be found performing with the Seattle Men's Chorus, participating in his church/volunteer/social justice activities, exploring his love of commercial aviation, or enjoying the company of his Pekingese puppy, Camilla.

Sr. Gari's enthusiasm and gratitude are infectious, and we are so grateful to have him as part of our community.

Registration Open for Girls on  the Run at Puesta del Sol! 
 Fo r 3rd-5th grade girls. 
 
Girls will have fun, build physical endurance and learn important, age appropriate, life skills with trained coaches who are also Puesta del Sol teachers. The program culminates in a fun 5k event. 
 
Girls on the Run will take place Tuesday and Thursday mornings, from 7:30 am - 8:45 am, March 5 - May 2. 
 
To learn more and register visit www.girlsrun.org.
Library Training on Wednesday!
Sra. Brody needs our help in the Library! She has a large stack of brand new books that need protective covers before they can be put on the shelves for the kids to check out.
 
Training on how to cover books is available on Wednesday, January 24 from 11:15 to 11:45am. Once you have been trained, you can come anytime during library hours and help cover new books. 
 
If the Wednesday training time doesn't work, please contact Sra. Brody brodys@bsd405.org to set up an alternate time. 

International Festival!!
 
Saturday, May 5, 2018 @ 6:30pm, Newport High Performance Arts Center

International Festival 2018 preparations are well underway! Don't miss the chance to showcase your talents onstage; register for one of the following opportunities.

1. PTA Sponsored After School Programs - Register now on the After School Program PTA webpage.

2. Family/Child Acts - Sign-up here!

3. Amity Intern Acts - Registration opens on January 31st, 2018. More details on the International Festival PTA webpage.


International Festival is not possible without the contributions of our Puesta del Sol Community. Email internationalfestival@
puestadelsolpta.org
for more information on volunteer opportunities.