May 21, 2021 * ISSUE 5.21.21
Read-A-Thon is going strong until May 31st!

Support the PTA & Read for a Good Cause!

We're midway through our spring Read-A-Thon fundraiser and these kids have so much to be proud of!  
So many minutes of reading already logged, and some great donations that will help fund our PTA programs!

 
It's not too late to register your student's Read-A-Thon Page!

Click Here to get started! 
 
Set it up at today and encourage your child to reach out to the adults in their lives! Challenge your reader to set a goal from now until May 31st. Readers will get a thank you prize at the end!
 
 
  • Get your student excited about reading and give friends and family the opportunity to encourage your child to read even more!  
     
  • This will be our only big fundraiser this year, so please consider who may wish to invite to support your reader by donating to the PTA!

  • Visit the PTA Read-A-Thon info page  for suggestions for online resources and more!  

    Happy Reading!


    Questions? Email deposits@puestadelsolpta.org   
    Upcoming Events
    5/17-5/31
    Read-A-Thon
    5/21
    Ceramic Paint Night 5:30PM
    5/26PTA Principal Coffee and Cafecito Latino
    5/26
    Grow your Mind: Hip Hop Dancing with Harrison! 
    4:30PM (K-2) & 5:30PM (3-5)

    5/27
    Grow your Mind: Emergency Room Doctors! 4:30-5:30PM
    5/28
    Passport Check
    5/31
    No school: Memorial Day
    6/2
    Grow your Mind: A Day in the Life of an Archaeologist  4:30PM
    6/2PTA General Membership Meeting 7PM
    6/9
    La Bienvenida - for incoming Kindergarten families
    5:30-6:30PM
    6/10Bedtime Stories with Sra. Brody 7PM
    6/165th Grade Graduation 6PM

    View Full Calendar
    Searching for our 2021-2022 PTA Board!


    Our Kids Need Your Help!
    Our kids' classroom experience relies on the support of 
    parents like you!
     
    Even though much of the school year was online, 
    Puesta del Sol PTA has been active:
    • Distributing thousands of dollars in grants to Puesta del Sol teachers' needs
    • Supporting resources and programs for the classroom experience and wellness of our kids, teachers and staff in an unprecedented year.
    We need volunteers for the 2021-2022 
    Puesta del Sol PTA board!
     
    Our Greatest Need:
    · Co-President x1
    · Secretary
    · VP of Membership
    · Treasurer, Deposits
     We also have a need for: Director of Communications, Director of Ed Enhancement x 2, Director of Events, Director of Fundraising, Director of School Relations
    E-mail membership@puestadelsolpta.org if you or someone you know would be a great candidate.
     
    Volunteers Needed: Amity Committee Co-Chairs

     

    VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
    Amity Committee Co-Chairs for the 2021- 2022 Academic Year
     
    The Amity Committee helps coordinate and support six Spanish-speaking interns who come to assist teachers and students for a full school year. This is a year-round position with most work done in the spring (interviewing potential interns and recruiting host families) through summer when host families are confirmed and interns arrive just prior to the start of school. 
    Other main jobs include:
    • Serve as a coordinator between the Amity interns and the the school administration and teacher mentors. 
    • Act as a school coordinator for Amity International, make sure paperwork is updated and turned in on time
    • Recruit, place interns with, and support host families
    • Recruit, manage and support liaisons (a person who works on the committee to help support individual interns)
    We will have two open co-chair positions at the end of this school year that will have to be filled as the Amity interns are a critical part of our students Spanish immersion experience.  

    If you are interested in volunteering to co-chair the Amity Committee or have any questions, please contact our current co-chairs, Sara Henson and Kristen McSherry, at amity@puestadelsolpta.org
    Amity Intern Hosts Needed

     

    Looking for Amity Host Families 2021-22
     
    Puesta del Sol is looking for host families for our 2021-22 Amity interns. Host families play a vital role in the success of the program. By welcoming an intern from another country into their home, volunteer host families gain friendship, understanding, knowledge and a connection to the world. Host families will experience new tastes and customs and have the chance to practice their intern's language. Your children will learn about different parts of the world from the intern and may receive extra help with their own language studies.

    At Puesta del Sol, our host families typically host for 13 weeks but this year we are offering longer durations.  You may select to host for Fall, Winter or Spring or half-year, and we will extend full-year if necessary. The Amity Committee needs 20 host family applications for 6 interns to ensure improved matching and experience for our interns and families. You may make a preference for male or female and/or time of year.

    To apply to be a host family, please fill out an application here

    Go to www.puestadelsolpta.org and check out the Amity page under Programs & Events. Questions? Email us at amity@puestadelsolpta.org
    Grow Your Mind: Meet the Dancer! Hip Hop with Harrison
    Wednesday, May 26th



    Join us for a hip hop class with Puesta del Sol Alumni Harrison!

    Wednesday, May 26th

    Come meet Harrison! He's is a competitive dancer and will be teaching some basic Hip Hop moves, and put it together to do a 
    Hip Hop Combo!

    There are two class options based on grade level:
    4:30pm | Kindergarten-2nd Grade
    5:30pm | 3rd -5th Grades
    20 spots in each class 
    *Please only sign up for one spot per household for each time slot. 
    *Sign up required to join the virtual class. You will receive a link to join after you sign up- closer to the class date.

    Deadline to sign up is May 26th at 12:00pm
     
    For more information about Harrison & Grow your Mind events, 



    Grow Your Mind: Emergency Room Doctors!
    Thursday, May 27th


    Puesta del Sol PTA welcomes Dr. Kim Morrissette & 
    Dr. Patrick Solari to our Grow Your Mind Speaker series.
    Thursday, May 27th
    4:30-5:30pm

     
    Join Dr. Kim Morrisette and Dr. Patrick Solari to learn what it's like to work as doctors in the Emergency Room! They will show us how they use ultrasound to look at a heart, and demonstrate suturing.

    Dr. Kim Morrissette is an Emergency physician at Swedish Issaquah. She cares for kids and adults for any injury or illness they have. Dr. Morrissette has been a physician for 16 years. 
    Dr. Patrick Solari is an Emergency Physician at Seattle Children's Hospital where he cares for children and also works at the University of Washington where most of the patients are adults. Dr. Solari specializes in pediatric emergency medicine and has been a physician for 18 years. 

    Kim and Pat are the parents of Matthew and Meghan Solari.

    Visit the Grow Your Mind info page for more information! 


    Passport Check Day | May 28th (Iran)

    Passport Check Day | 2nd - 5th graders
    DUE: Friday, May 28th
    IRAN

    *Due to remote learning, the Passport Check team will be accepting monthly Check at Home forms for those that want to participate in this voluntary program from home.

    For more information about Passport Club and different levels, 
    visit our Passport Club page.

    Questions, Contact: passport@puestadelsolpta.org
    Grow Your Mind: A Day in the Life of an Archaeologist!
    Wednesday, June 2nd



    Puesta del Sol PTA welcomes Dr. Frances Gallart Marques
     to our Grow Your Mind Speaker series.

    Wednesday, June 2nd
    4:30-5:30pm

    Please join Dr. Gallart, a native Spanish speaker, and former Frederick Randolph Grace Fellow at the Harvard Art Museums, as she tells us about a day in the life of an archaeologist. She will lead the talk in English, but will teach us interesting Spanish phrases, while taking us on a tour of a Roman dig and telling us all about ancient toilets! This is sure to be an engaging and 
    educational event.

    Visit the Grow Your Mind info page for more information!

    Bedtime Stories | Thursday, June 10th

    Save the Date!

    We invite you to join us again on Thursday, June 10th 
    at 7:00PM for "Bedtime Stories" with our 
    Puesta del Sol Elementary Librarian Sra. Stacey Brody! 

    All Puesta del Sol families are welcome, 
    you do not need to be a PTA member to participate.

    We will feature stories that are great for all ages. 

    5th Grade: Graduation & End of Year Events

    graduation_cap.jpgfamily-polaroids.jpg
    Save the Date! 
    5th Grade Graduation
    Wednesday, June 16th, 6:00PM
    South End of Puesta del Sol Playground
    In Person!

    Please bring a blanket or camping chairs (chairs will not be provided) and set up on the grass (in the round) in the "bowl" around the south end of the playground. 

    While we are not technically limiting the number of guests, we ask that everyone please be mindful about who and how many guests you bring.

    Graduates will sit with their family and will be called down to the lower center of the bowl to receive their certificates.  They will then return to sit with their families.

    VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
    We are still in need of a few volunteers leading up to graduation 
    and possibly day of (for set-up).  

    Please email Megan Reed at meganjreed@hotmail.com
     and she can work to assign you a volunteer task. 

    ---------------------------------------------------

    End of the Year Events!

    5th Grade Yard Signs:
    Pick-up Sunday, 5/23 from 11am-1pm
    or
    Monday, 5/24 from 5:30pm-7:30pm

    EXCITING NEWS!  
    The PTA is funding Yard Signs for each and every 5th grade graduate 
    this year.  

    Please come pick up your graduation sign at Puesta del Sol on either scheduled day. Just drive through the bus lane and we will load the sign in your car/trunk. Please coordinate and pick up signs for other kids who live near-by.  

    For those that can't pick-up, we are working on having them delivered June 1st - June 3rd, but REALLY hope that most can be picked up. 



      
    Staff Appreciation/Staff Tea:  
    This year, to adhere to Covid precautions, we will be giving teachers and staff a gift box with goodies, teas, and coffees that will also include thank you notes from the kids in the box. 
    Instructions have/will be sent to your students within the week. 

    5th Grade Graduation Slide Show:  
    The 5th grade graduation slideshow will be available to view beginning Tuesday, 6/15 @ 6pm (YouTube link will be provided week of). 
     
    Legacy Gift: 
    A committee has been formed and the final concept
    will be revealed at graduation.
    2020-2021 PTA Board Members
    Co-PresidentAndrew Schnickel

    Co-PresidentAdam Droker

    Treasurer- DepositsMichele Snydsman

    Treasurer- PayablesJingjing Miller

    SecretaryHailey Moilanen

    VP of MembershipCarmel Sasaki

    Director of Communications
    Ronit Droker

    Co-Director of Ed Enhancement
    Gjanje Mathus

    Co-Director of Ed Enhancement
    Amy Miller

    Director of Fundraising
    *Vacant*

    Director School Relations
    *Vacant*

    Director of Special Events
    Carmel Sasaki

    Member At LargeJessica Smiddy





    General Membership Meeting: Wednesday, June 2nd 7PM
    Agenda includes voting on next year's board and budget, and program updates. 
    The board nominees are: 
    • Amy Krell - Director of School Relations
    • Lourdes Dorotik - VP of Membership
    The following positions are still open:
    • Co-President x 1
    • Secretary
    • Treasurer, Deposits
    • Director of Communications
    • Director of Ed Enhancements x 2
    • Director of Events
    • Director of Fundraising

    Nominations will also be accepted from the floor.

    To join the meeting on Zoom:

    Meeting ID: 927 7738 8295
    Passcode: 615173

    Dial by your location
     +1 253 215 8782 US

    PTA Coffee with the Principal
    Wednesday, May 26th 


    Please join us for the upcoming PTA Principal Coffee/Cafecito Latino with 
    Sr. Shearer!
    Date: Wednesday, May 26th
    Time: 6:30-7:30 PM via Teams

    Click Here to Join!

    Puesta del Sol: Cafecito Latino/Principal Coffee (Evento bilingüe para familias/Bilingual event for families)

    Questions? Contact president@puestadelsolpta.org




    Join our PTA!

    Every Member Matters!  
    The PTA is here to advocate for you and your student for just about any issue that affects your student's experience at Puesta del Sol.  

    Being a PTA member gives you and your student a voice at Puesta del Sol!
      Members vote on issues such as programming, budget, and board members. It's a terrific way for older students to learn the value of civic engagement.

    Puesta del Sol PTA membership is open to everyone! PTA is an inclusive organization, and we invite any community members who care about healthy children and strong schools to join. 


    Questions?
    Contact Membership





    Spiritwear Shop is OPEN!

    Shop our online store and show your school spirit! Buy your own Puesta del Sol mask today and support our PTA!

      

    Questions? Contact spiritwear@puestadelsolpta.org
      
    Support Your PTA
    Amazon Smile
    Did you know?? Puesta del Sol Elementary PTA is on Amazon Smile!  
     
    Amazon donates a percentage of your Amazon Smile purchases back to us when you select the Puesta del Sol PTA here:  


    Happy Shopping!
     
    Give with Bing + PTA

    Introducing a new way to give support to your Puesta del Sol PTA through Give with Bing
     
    Join Microsoft Rewards, and your Bing searches will earn Rewards points that are automatically donated directly to Puesta del Sol PTA. Don't forget to make sure you connect to our school's PTA before you begin your Bing searches.

     
    What does the PTA do with our donations?
    This past year has given our PTA community a chance to find creative ways to build community and support our children; some things have been more obvious than others so we want to highlight a few of our for you:
    • Online field trips!  Many classes have enjoyed visits with the Toymaker and other online guests to give them new experiences!
    • Culturally diverse reading material requested by the Racial Equity and Inclusion Team at Puesta del Sol - we have funds for special grants like this available to the school every year
    • Books books and more books!  We fund new books for the library every year in order to make sure our kids can access a great selection of books, especially in Spanish.
    • Handwriting Without Tears Workbooks
    • Classroom funds for each grade level and specialist to allow them to purchase things to best support their jobs 
    • Scholarships for events like the pottery nights, spirit wear, and yearbooks.  We want to make sure ALL families can enjoy what the PTA organizes, whether or not they can afford the costs
    • Zoom account!  Yes, this is a new expense for us and we have definitely been learning and adapting along with most of the world!  The Zoom account allowed us to bring Bedtime Stories to our families at home as well as make our PTA meetings accessible while wearing pajamas.

     
    So many volunteers have made these things and more possible, but at the end of the day we still need to fundraise to sponsor these opportunities for our students. In this last year, our students have needed these programs now more than ever! 
     
    We are hoping the Read-A-Thon gives our students an extra bit of encouragement to read, as well as a formal time for those who wish to donate to our efforts.  It is also a good way to include grandparents or others who are interested in encouraging our students, and wanting to support in any way they can.





    Bellevue School District Board of Directors names longtime Washington State Superintendent Dr. Art Jarvis to serve as interim superintendent. Jarvis to take post on July1, 2021.



    Visit the BSD website for more information.



    Meals 2 Go
    The Meals2Go programoffered by our Nutrition Services team, is designed to provide a FREE breakfast and lunch option for families to access for their children.  


    Meals are provided at no cost thanks to the extension of a nationwide waiver authorized by USDA. This waiver will be in effect for the entire 2020-21 school year.

    For more information contact the Nutrition Services Office at 425-456-4507 or nutrition@bsd405.org.  

    Washington is getting ready to issue Pandemic-EBT (P-EBT) benefits for the 2020-21 school year.  Learn More.

    Additional District Info