April 21, 2017                            www.blainepta.com                                              Vol. 2016-17, Issue 29
Upcoming Dates 
April 22
Spring Grounds/Courtyard Cleanup - 10 am to 2 pm.
April 25
PTA General Meeting CANCELLED
April 26
Tiger Trail Club - volunteers needed ( Sign-Up Genius here)
May 1 - 5
Staff Appreciation Week (more info to come)
May 5
Fiesta! - Blaine Annual Gala @ 415 Westlake (buy tickets here)
May 6
Catharine Blaine Family Fun Night - Mariners Baseball Game
May 19
Blaine's Spring Family Dance @6:30pm  - 4th Grade Fundraiser
May 23
PTA General Meeting (Budget and Board Elections) @6:30 to 8:00
June 2-4
Into the Woods JR. - Musical Performance Presented by Blaine M.S
 
In this Issue
PTA NEWS
  • Interviews for New Blaine Principal -
  • 2017-18 PTA looking for Outreach Coordinators for family nights: Literacy, Math, Cultural)
  • Festa! - Blaine's Annual Gala May 5, 2017 @ 415 Westlake
  • Tiger Trail Club - Volunteers Needed
  • Blaine's Annual Spring Family Dance - 4th Grade Fundraiser - May 19th
SCHOOL NEWS
  • From the Principal - Catharine Blaine K-8 recipient of WA Achievement Award 2016
  • Yearbook Time - Order by 4/27- Order Forms in the Office
  • Office Reminders - No Student Drop Off/Pickup in Staff Parking Lot; Be mindful of the fire lanes and handicapped parking.
  • Job Board - for parents to post for babysitting requests, etc.
  • Attendence Reminders
SPRING ENRICHMENT
  • Spring Enrichment Posted (check the schedule here)
    • Space still available in Glee club, French Club and Mud Club!
  • After School STEM Academy - 4-5th Grade & 6-8th Grade Academies
COMMUNITY NEWS
  • Ballard Girls/Boys Basketball - Summer Camps
PTA NEWS
Interviews for New Blaine Principal

The interview process for our new principal will begin after spring break.

Our SPS HR representative, Sarah Pritchett, is seeking THREE parents to sit on the committee. Ideally, a parent from each segment of our school population (primary K-2, intermediate 3-5 and middle school) would participate. Only individuals who have completed the SEA-mandated interview training course may join the hiring committee. If you have already taken the course, it is not required a second time.

Interviews are tentatively scheduled for Saturday, April 29, so candidates must also be free for most of the day on that day.

Please send your name, contact info, and the grade level of your child(ren) to: president@blainepta.com

The PTA Wants You!!
THE PTA WANTS YOU!
 
The nominating committee has been working hard to fill the 2017-2018 PTA Board Slate.
 
If you've been thinking about how you could get more involved at Blaine, this is the perfect opportunity!
 
The nominating committee is looking for a candidate for:
 
Outreach (family nights):
-          Coordinates and oversees non-fundraising Blaine Family Night events such as: Cultural Night, Literacy Night, Math/Science Night.  Responsible for finding a chair for each night and helping to assist and oversee the events.
-          Works closely with the volunteer coordinator to arrange for the appropriate parent volunteers
  If you would like to learn more about this position, email Becky Shields at volunteering@blainepta.com
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@415 Westlake (in South Lake Union)
7pm-11pm
 
Only TWO WEEKS until the Gala! Get your tickets now! 
Click on Registration & Admission .

So, what can you win at the Gala this year?
Here's a preview...

Enter our Heads or Tails game at the door for $25 for a chance to win a Sounders Suite package.
Our Teachers participate in the Auction by creating a fun "Teacher Experience" that your kids can join.
  • Cruise Lake Union with Mr. Stowell
  • Learn to play the drums from our resident rock start, Mr. Voight
  • Pizza and Movie Nights and MORE

In the LIVE auction, bid on beautiful art pieces created by your kids . Each classroom has done one! Cherished for not only the sentiment but also as gorgeous art to adorn your home.

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Buy a raffle ticket for $35 or 3/$100 and win one of a DOZEN raffle packages valued at $100+ including:
  • Preseason Seahawks Tickets
  • Date Night package: A night at the Marriott Waterfront with brunch for two
  • Gift cards from your favorite restaurants in the Village and Downtown
  • Fabulous Wine & Champagne
  • Family weekend in Leavenworth at Icicle Village
  • Pet Packages
  • Starbucks Coffee Package and MORE!
Awesome Trips and Experiences in the LIVE portion of the auction:
  • 3 nights of comfortable luxury  in the Suncadia House: Sleeps 15! Perfect for multiple families. Generously donated by the Edwards Family. See more here

  • Stay three nights only STEPS from the slopes in the Alpental Condo: Sleeps 7. Views from the heated pool with sauna right out the front door. Generously donated by the Egan Family.


The condo complex is on the south shore of the Inner Harbor within walking distance of the Victoria Clipper terminal, Empress Hotel, and other downtown Victoria attractions. It's also within walking distance of other amenities (restaurants, grocery store, etc). There is also an outdoor pool and hot tub in the condo complex. Book yourself a ride on the Clipper! The rooms are angled to maximize water views, and the fireplace will keep you cozy as you look out over the moonlit bay.

  • SEAHAWKS Tickets, regular season home game TBD PLUS autographed memorabilia.
Sign up and connect with your neighborhood friends at Parent Parties!
  • Crab Dinner at the Foley's
  • Toga Party with the Walds & Lauers
  • Whiskey Tasting with the Lamberts & Halversons
  • Mother/Daughter Yoga
  • Tarot Card & Cocktails with Egans & Lamberts
  • And more

POPCORN FRIDAYS!!!!
EVERY FRIDAY AFTER SCHOOL!
Fundraiser for next year's Islandwood Adventure.
Hallway across from Lost and Found
$1.00/bag (suggested donation)
Menchie's Mondays are back!!
 
Every Monday in May after school!  $3 - Cash only.
 
A portion of all proceeds go towards Catharine Blaine ASB.
Legislative Update

End of the Regular Legislative Session
There is just one more week left of the 105-day regular session, which is scheduled to end on April 23. With much budget work remaining it will require one or more 30-day special sessions to get all business accomplished. Read on for the breaking news - and stay tuned for further updates!
 
Education Funding
The education funding plans included in the operating budget proposal from each chamber have significant differences that will take additional time to negotiate as noted in this Northwest News story ( http://knkx.org/post/time-running-out-washington-lawmakers-get-budget-deal). The Senate's $43.3 billion spending proposal increases K-12 basic education funding by $871 million over the next two-year budget. The House's $44.9 billion proposal increases education spending by $1.9 billion over the same timeframe and it allows for over $300 million in local levy dollars to be collected by districts.
Questions or want to get involved in Legislative issues email: legislative@blainepta.com

TIGER TRAIL CLUB
Wednesdays
Lunch Recess K-5th
 
Students will get a chance to run or walk the "Tiger Trail"- the Tiger paw prints that encircle the Blaine playground every Wednesday moving forward at lunch recess. If your student(s) wish to participate, please make sure they are wearing sneakers- it makes it much easier on their feet!
 
Students can earn "feet" at milestones such as 1 mile, 5 miles, 10 miles and so on. All students that ran last year have their laps and mileage carried forward.
 
Volunteers are appreciated (sign up here). Tiger Trail Club is every Wednesday (12:05pm-1pm) through the end of the year so lots of opportunities to help! And of course- if you aren't able to commit for the whole hour- we really need help during the K-1 recess (12:05-12:30pm).
Thanks, and Go Tigers!  Becky Shields
SCHOOL NEWS
From the Principal

Dear Blaine Community,
 
I am happy to report that we are a recipient of the 2016 Washington Achievement Award
 
Catharine Blaine is being honored for High Progress.
 
This is an extraordinary accomplishment and is a direct reflection of the hard work of our students, the dedication of our teachers, and the support and guidance of our parents. Blaine's award is well deserved. In the past year(s), Blaine has implemented several improvements that have impacted our students' success.
 
The Washington Achievement Awards are sponsored by the Washington State Board of Education and the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. They celebrate Washington's top-performing schools and recognize achievement in many categories. This highly-selective award is based on our school's performance on the Washington State Achievement Index .
 
The Washington Achievement Award is given in seven categories: Overall Excellence, High Progress, English Language Arts Growth, Math Growth, Extended Graduation Rate (high and comprehensive schools only) English Language Acquisition, and Achievement Gap.
                                                
I hope you will visit the OSPI Washington Achievement awards site to learn more about the awards and the criteria for selection.
 
The selection process for the Washington Achievement Award is very rigorous, and all of us take great pride in this accomplishment.
 
Sincerely,
 
Heather Johnson
Principal
Catharine Blaine K-8
Online Tools to Support Student Academics for Middle School Students and Parents

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Login to The Source
Through The Source parents, guardians, and students may view student schedules, assessment scores, attendance, library information, and secondary student grades.  Read more about the Source.

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Login as a Student 
Login as a Parent or Guardian 
Log in as a Staff Member
Schoology is a Learning Management System (LMS) tool that teachers may use to communicate with parents, guardians, and students about day-to-day coursework, such as dates, assignments, and homework submission. Read more about Schoology.

STUDENT DROP-OFF and PICK-UP REMINDERS

Please obey all parking restrictions in the Community Center and Pop Mounger Parking Lots. Both parking lots are owned by the Seattle Parks and Rec and your car may be ticket or towed if parked illegally.
 
Thanks for your cooperation.
It's Yearbook Time!!
Yearbook order forms are due to your homeroom teacher by Friday, April 21st.
Soft Cover $20 / Hard Cover $25 / Current Events Insert $3
After April 21 st, yearbook prices increase by $5.
Checks made payable to "Catharine Blaine ASB".
No orders will be received after Thursday, April 27 th.
A VERY LIMITED amount of extra yearbooks will be available for purchase.

JOB BOARD for Parents to Post & Students to find work.

Parents looking for extra help can now post their needs on the Student Job Board. Yard work, pet sitting, before/after school child help, babysitting, etc. If you have a need, a student will be looking for ways to help you and earn some extra money.
 
The Job Board is located across from the office.
 
If you want to post a job, please use the provided 5x7 index card to write your FULL NAME, job description and contact information and post to the wall.

Attendance

If you need to report your student late or absent, please call the Attendance number at 206-252-1924 or email  CatharineBlaine.Attendance@seattleschools.org.
We appreciate your cooperation as we are required to call on all students absent to ensure their safety.  
Catharine Blaine Office Staff
ENRICHMENT
Latest Enrichment News

An updated schedule can be found here as well as posted on the Enrichment Board outside the main office. 
 
Space still available in Glee club, French Club and Mud Club! 
COMMUNITY NEWS
Ballard Girls Basketball Summer Camp July 10-14
Registration is now open for the Ballard Girls Basketball Summer Camp: July 10-14 from 9am-3pm!
 
For girls 3rd through 9th grade (beginner to advanced), this camp is a fun way to improve your ball handling, shooting, passing and defense. Lots of games and inspiration provided!
 
 
Questions? Please send email to Sara Wetstone at wetstonesara@yahoo.com
Ballard Boys Basketball Summer Camp July 17-21
Registration is now open for the Ballard Girls Basketball Summer Camp: July 17-21 from 9am-3pm!
 
For boys entering grades 3rd through 8th grade), this camp is designed to provide individual skill instruction and team concepts in a fun and safe learning environment. Camp with be enthusiastically directed by Ballard High School coaching staff and players.
Cost: $190 (t-shirt, camp photo & certificate); Early bird $160 register before May 1st.
 
Register at: www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2902344 (not available on mobile devices)
Questions? Please email Mike Broom mrbroom@seattleschools.org
UW Summer Youth Program

This summer we are offering a variety of STEM-focused courses (Green Energy, Engineering Design, Robotics, Microbiology, 3D Printing, Coding in Java, Web Design) as well as a variety of arts and humanities classes, creative writing classes, fashion, mosaic arts and more. 
 
For dates, times, locations and other logistics please visit our website at: http://www.summer-camp.uw.edu/
Please note that limited financial aid is available while funds last.
2550 34th Avenue West Seattle, Washington 98199 Office: 252-1920 Attendance: 252-1924 or  email
Visit the Catharine Blaine school website:  blainek8.seattleschools.org
Tiger Tracks submissions due Wednesdays at 5 pm . Please email Tiger Tracks Editor at  tigertracks@blainepta.com
Visit the PTA website:  www.blainepta.com  * Catharine Blaine PTA on Facebook  * @CatharineBlaine on Twitter


This email was sent on behalf of the Catharine Blaine K-8 PTA 
  
Have something to send out via email? Email  Communications@BlainePTA.com

 
Like  Catharine Blaine PTA on Facebook
 
 
Follow  @CatharineBlaine on Twitter