June 9, 2017                            www.blainepta.com                                                      Vol. 2016-17, Issue 36
Upcoming Dates 
June 13
Volunteer Appreciation Reception - @ 9 - 10 am in the Courtyard
June 14
Tiger Trail Club - volunteers needed (Sign-Up Genius here)
June 15
Incoming Kindergarteners - Popsicles on the Playground @ 4:15 pm
June 15
Spring Concert (Elementary Music, Middle School Band and Glee Club) @ 6:45 pm
June 16
Honor Roll Breakfast @ 8:00 am
June 19
Magnolia Elementary School Boundary Update Meeting @ 6:30 - 8 pm - Blaine Cafeteria
June 21
8th Grade Promotion @ 5:30 pm
June 22
Awards Assembly @ 10 am
June 26
Last day of School - 1 hr early release
 
In this Issue

PTA NEWS
  • Bell Times - Switch to "Two Tier" Needs City Council Vote on Monday, June 20th.  
  • Golden Acorn Nominations - Volunteer Recognition - email to president@blainepta.com
  • Popsicles on the Playground for 2017-18 incoming kindergarteners June 15 @ 4:15pm
  • Popcorn Fridays
  • Tiger Trail Club - Volunteers Needed
SCHOOL NEWS
  • Magnolia Elementary School Boundary Update Meeting, June 19 @ 6:30 - 8pm - Blaine Cafeteria
  • Summer Building Upgrades/Changes
  • Office Reminders - No Student Drop Off/Pickup in Staff Parking Lot; Be mindful of the fire lanes and handicapped parking. Pop Mounger Pool Parking Lot is not a school parking lot.
  • Incoming Ballard Students - Music info and Band Auditions
  • Job Board - for parents to post for babysitting requests, etc.
  • Attendance Reminders.
ENRICHMENT
  • Fall 2017 Cross Country Club info below

COMMUNITY NEWS
  • Magnolia Karate Academy - Summer Camp
  • Magnolia Soccer Club Fall 2017 Registration Now Open
  • Interbay Eagles - Fall Football & Cheer Registration
  • Magnolia Summerfest - Volunteers needed to put on this event
  • Ballard Girls/Boys Basketball - Summer Camps
  • Ballard HS Youth Football Camp
PTA NEWS
"TWO TIER" BELL TIMES UP FOR VOTE
CITY COUNCIL VOTE SCHEDULED FOR MONDAY, JUNE 12th
 
OVERVIEW:  
  • Blaine is currently a Tier Three school which means the as it stands the 2017-18 school day will be: 9:25am - 4:05pm.
  • A "Two-Tier" plan would mean that Blaine's school day would be 9:00 - 3:30 pm.  When we polled our families last year, the majority wanted to move to a Two Tier system so our students would start earlier and get out earlier every day.    
  STATUS:
  • On June 7th, the School Board voted to accept the funding from an existing levy allocation that would enable the switch to a  "two-tier" plan, as well as the funding for crossing guards.
  • At Monday's June 12th City Council meeting, 7 votes are needed to allocate this money to SPS to pay for the "two-tier" plan.
  • Right now, there appears to be support from 6 City Council members that will be in attendance at Monday's meeting.  However, Council President Bruce Harrell and Councilmember Burgess do not appear committed to allocating the levy money to SPS for the busing and crossing guards. Council President Harrell is more likely to vote "yes" if he hears from enough families about the how important the "two-tier" plan to the District's most disadvantaged students. (Summary of info provided by Legislative Chair of the Seattle PTSA, Eden Mack)
WHAT CAN BLAINE FAMILIES DO TO HELP GET "TWO-TIERS" PASSED?
  • Contact Bruce Harrell's office (Council President).- 206-684-8804 e-mail at: bruce.harrell@seattle.gov  ASAP as the vote is on Monday!
  • Please share, if you wish, the impact of the three-tier bell times on your family as well as the fact that there are reports of a greater impact on the district's Title 1 Schools.
  • In particular he may not be very aware of the fact that at our Title 1 schools have experienced an uptick in tardier and absences when the start time moved earlier this year, and next year would be even worse if we stayed on 3 tiers.  Unless we move to two tiers, young children will have to get up around 5:30 in the morning to get on buses at 6:30, and for those families that might not have a parent at home in the morning to drive kids to school are kids who will end up missing school.
If you have additional questions about bell times and busing, please email legislative@blainepta.com
It's Golden Acorn Time!
 
It's hard to believe that the end of the year is almost upon us -- but it is right around the corner!
 
  Every year,  Golden Acorn Awards are presented by local PTAs to volunteers in recognition of their dedication and service to children and youth. Since the beginning of this program, more than 44,000 Golden Acorns have been presented to volunteers throughout Washington State.
   
If you would like to nominate a member of our Blaine community to receive a Golden Acorn Award please send the individual's name and a brief description of their service record to president@blainepta.com.
 
Golden Acorn Awards will be presented at the Awards Assembly on June 22nd @ 10 am.
2017-2018 Incoming Kindergarten -
Popsicles on the Playground
Thursday, June 15
4:15pm-5:15pm
Blaine's Playground (behind the school)
We are excited to have you and your family join our Blaine community. Please join us for our first Kinder event... Popsicles on the Playground
Come meet new classmates and their families. Principal Heather Johnson and the Kindergarten teachers will be there too!
If you're unable to join, please make sure to sign up for Kinder Communication Email at http://bit.ly/blainekinders
Sign up for Blaine School Newsletter "Tiger Tracks" http://www.blainepta.com/tiger-tracks/
                  
SAVE THE DATE for UPCOMING KINDER EVENTS
Playdate at Bayview Park
Sunday, July 23 @ 4pm-6pm.  
              
Playdate at the Magnolia Community Center playground
Thursday, Sept 7 @ noon-2pm

POPCORN FRIDAYS!!!!
EVERY FRIDAY AFTER SCHOOL!
Fundraiser for next year's Islandwood Adventure.
Hallway across from Lost and Found
$1.00/bag (suggested donation)
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
Magnolia Elementary School to Open Fall 2018
 
Community Meeting @ Blaine
 
Monday, June 19 @ 6:30 to 8 p.m.
 
Boundaries for new school being established; will affect surrounding schools.
 
Magnolia Elementary School (2418 28th Ave. W.) is scheduled to open as an attendance area elementary school in Fall 2018 to help relieve capacity challenges and accommodate future growth in Queen Anne and Magnolia.
 
An attendance area will have to be established for Magnolia Elementary School to assign students to the new school. This means that the existing boundaries for Catherine Blaine, Coe and Lawton will likely be changed.
 
Please join SPS Enrollment Planning and the principals of Catherine Blaine, Coe, and Lawton at the upcoming community meeting to learn more about boundary changes and share feedback with district staff. Interpreters will be available.
 
Building Upgrades/Changes Over the Summer

Dear Catharine Blaine families and students,
Good news! This summer a construction team will install new fire sprinklers and replace the water mains.
This project is being paid for through the Buildings, Technology and Academics III (BTA III) Capital Levy. Seattle voters approved this levy in 2010. BTA III pays for many needed renovations and major maintenance projects in school buildings throughout the district. It also provides funds for improvements to technology and academic support infrastructure.
Information about this summer's BTA projects will be posted soon on the BTA website: http://bta.seattleschools.org. If you have questions about the work at our school, please use the "Contact Us" link on the website or call project manager Scott Hogman, 206-252-0709.
As you may know, Seattle Public Schools is experiencing strong growth in student enrollment. In addition, state-mandated class size reduction for grades 1-3 has created a need for more elementary school classrooms. As a result, one portable will be added to our school this summer and ready for our use in the fall.
Sincerely,
 
Heather Johnson
Principal
Will your  K-7th Graders be returning to Blaine next Fall?

Please let SPS Enrollment know whether your K-7th graders plans on returning to Blaine next Fall. It is important to keep close tabs on our enrollment so that we can properly plan for next year's teacher/class assignments.
In order to unenroll from SPS, please complete the "Not Attending" form online. If you cannot complete on-line please submit a written request to the office and the office can unenroll your student(s).
Parking Reminders

Pop Mounger Pool is Now Open!
 
As a reminder to our families, please do not park in the Pop Mounger Pool parking lot at any time during the school day. This lot belongs to the City of Seattle. You may be towed if it is determined that you are not a pool patron.
 
PLEASE DO NOT PARK/STOP IN THE FIRE LANE IN THE FRONT PARKING LOT.
Emergency vehicles need to be able to get into and out of the community center parking lot in front of the school. This lot belongs to the City of Seattle. It is NOT the school parking lot. You may be towed if you are parked illegally.
 
Please do not park in marked disabled parking spots. If you do not have the appropriate parking permits (placards, license plates, and tabs), you may be towed if you are parked illegally.
 
Please do not pick up or drop off in the 32nd Ave W Bus Zone during designated times. These spots need to be available for the safe arrival and departure of our bus students.
 
While we understand that parking can be difficult, we appreciate your cooperation in this matter.
Music News
Incoming Ballard Freshman Meeting. 
Tuesday, June 20th at 7:00 PM, Ballard High School Performing Arts Center. 

It is a time to meet the teachers, learn about the program, hear from current students, and meet other 8th graders that will be in the program next fall!  We will also be talking about next year's calendar of events and answering many questions that people often have as they enter the music program.  
 
Courtney Rowley, Director of Choirs, Ballard High School

Ballard High Band Auditions for Incoming Freshmen June 12-15!
 
Symphonic Band - There is no audition necessary to enroll in the Symphonic Band. All
Freshmen are automatically placed into this class.
 
Wind Ensemble - Open to Freshmen by audition only. If you plan to audition, email Mr. James at
mijames@seattleschools.org to request a 15-minute time slot on June 12th between 3:30-5:00pm or
June 13th between 3:30-6:30pm.
Jazz Bands - Jazz Band Auditions for incoming students will take place on June 14th and June 15th
between 3:30-5:30pm. Email Mr. James at mijames@seattleschools.org to request a specific time.
Percussion - A Percussion/Drumline audition packet will be sent out individually and auditions will
take place on June 20.th from 3:30-5:00pm. Email Mr. James at mijames@seattleschools.org to sign up for a 10-minute time slot.

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. 
FALL 2017 - BLAINE CROSS  COUNTRY/ RUNNING TEAM, BOYS AND GIRLS K-8
 
Please sign-up now for our second season of K-8 XC running at Catharine Blaine. The final roster is not due till September, but help us plan now!
 
Please email coaches Mike McNaul and Jodi Wade at  blainexc@gmail.com  to let us know if your K-8 Blaine student is interested and also if you are willing to volunteer. We are looking for parents to come out and help us make practices and meets safe and fun, all speeds of runners are needed.  Also, this year we want to add a second day of practice each week so more kids are able to make one practice and still do their other activities.  We need one or two adults willing to coach that practice.
 
Once-a-week practices begin September and run through mid October in Discovery Park . Students will need transportation to practice. We will participate in approximately 3 meets with the wildly popular CYO  Cross Country  meets in Woodland Park .  Last year was an amazing season of fun and growth for about 40 Blaine students.  Cost is about $60, to cover t-shirts and meets. More information to come.
 
All abilities and levels of experience are welcome!
Our motto is " Run hard and have fun!
COMMUNITY NEWS
Magnolia Karate Academy
Summer Camp

Registration is open for Magnolia Karate Academy Summer Camp (ages 6-11).
No Martial Arts experience necessary! A desire for FUN is required!

Magnolia Soccer Club Fall 2017 Registraton Now Open

May 15 to July 4th*
Go to www.magnoliasoccer.org and click on the Registration tab.
For U10-U18 (ASSOCIATION) the cost is $150.
For U6-U9 (MOD) the cost is $125.
*Late fee of $35 for registrations after July 4th.  
Please consider volunteering to Coach or Co-Coach with another parent and register at this time, too.  **Our program does not succeed without volunteers!**
Registration Questions: assistant.registrar.2@sysa.org
General Questions: info@magnoliasoccer.com
Registration is now OPEN for the INTERBAY EAGLES -Youth Football League
We are a non-profit organization and franchise member of the Northwest Junior Football League, NYFL.
The NYFL is the premier youth tackle football league in Western Washington and has over 75 youth teams participating.
 
For 2017, the Seattle Interbay Eagles will field: 6 youth football teams, ages 8-14 (teams will be limited to 22 players), a flag football team for 6&7 year olds, and 2 Pep Squads, ages 8-13.

Click on the  link to register for Football and Cheer.
Your Magnolia Summerfest is coming August 4-6th.
It's become a tradition. You meet in the village with family & friends to grab some coffee and great seats for the parade. Or you meet up in the beer garden to toast summer, and whatever else. Your kids are bouncing away in the bounce houses, while you browse the craft booths.
 
This is your event. A group of volunteers have been meeting over the past few months to get things organized, but we can't do this without your help. Can you spare two hours?
Here are some of our needs:
  • Set-up/tear-down: 8-10 people, 2 hrs., Friday am & Sunday pm
  • Beer & Wine Garden: many folks, 2.5 hr. shifts, Friday-Sunday
  • Parade: 10-12 people, 2-4 hr. shifts, Saturday 8am
  • Roamers/Clean-up: 2 hr. shifts, Saturday & Sunday
Grab a friend or two, or make it a family activity, and see if you can find an hour or two to help out. Plus, kids earn bonus community service hours.
 
For more information about our volunteer needs, go to our magnoliasummerfest.org/volunteer
 
Questions? Please email Jason (jason@magnoliachamber.org) or Doug (chair.magnoliasummerfest@gmail.com), and we can help.
 
It's your Magnolia Summerfest. We can't do it without you. Thanks!
 
Jason Thibeaux, Executive Director Magnolia Chamber
Doug Kaimakis, Chair, Summerfest
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 
  
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