Nelsen Middle School

February PTSA Updates

February 22, 2010

Below is an update for the week of February 22, 2010.

 
*  Late Start Days - Feb. 26, March 5, 12, 19, 26.   School starts 9:25 am.

*  Note:  RSD Budget Meeting Dates below:  Feb. 23 (Hazen), Feb. 25 (LHS), and March 1 (RHS).

*  Deadline for RSD Budget Survey, Feb. 28  (See details below).

o         REMINDER:  NEXT PTSA MEETING, Tuesday, February 23, 2010, 7:00 pm, in the Nelsen Multi-Purpose Room.  Everyone is welcome!

 National Junior Honor Society Ceremony

The induction ceremony will be held on Thursday, March 4, at 7:00pm, in Nelsen's gymnasium.  The ceremony has become one of the biggest events at Nelsen, and we will need your help.  The PTSA will be hosting the reception, and we need help with:  Set-up of the cafeteria area;  assisting during the reception;  taking down chairs in the gym after the ceremony.

If you will be attending, and can help with any of the above, please contact Geri Garl at fourgarls@comcast.net.  Thank you!

If you have any questions regarding the ceremony, please contact Ms. Ritchie at 425-204-3067.

 LITERACY NIGHT

Nelsen’s Annual Family Literacy Night returns on Friday, March 19th, from 6:00 – 8:30p.m.   Families will circulate through centers including: a Poetry Slam Café, Environmental BINGO with prizes, Storytelling, Math Literacy, and more.  We will end the evening with a mystery reader and raffle.  Starbucks will be providing refreshments.  Bring your family and join us for a Fun and Free event!!

RENTON SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS
DISTRICT COMMUNITY BUDGET SESSIONS
Governor Chris Gregoire’s 2010 budget will mean many cuts to state agencies to make up for a projected state shortfall of $2.6 billion. The cuts include many education programs like all-day kindergarten, gifted education and funds to keep classes low in kindergarten through fourth grade and more. It is also estimated the state will cut more than 8,000 teaching positions: which means 36 teaching positions will be cut by the state in Renton Schools.

Renton Schools could lose as much as $4.3 million under the governor's proposal.  Although the Legislature is currently working to prepare its own budget, Renton Schools Superintendent Dr. Mary Alice Heuschel is working to prepare the district’s budget for next school year that includes the governor’s cuts.

The district has scheduled community meetings to offer more information on what the Governor’s cuts will mean to the district and to provide opportunity for public input on the district’s required reductions.
Renton School District
Community Budget Sessions

· Tuesday, Feb. 23, 7 p.m.
Hazen High School Library
1101 Hoquiam Ave NE
Renton 98059

· Thursday, Feb. 25, 7 p.m.
Lindbergh High School Library
16426 128th Ave SE
Renton 98058

· Monday, March 1, 7 p.m.
Renton High School Commons
400 S 2nd St., Renton 98055

SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS
DISTRICT BUDGET SURVEY

Last year, fewer than 10% of respondents were parents of students.  The results will help guide where cuts occur.   Please take the time to follow the link and let your voice be heard!

Governor’s budget plan means loss of $4.3 million for Renton Schools
State grapples with $2.6 billion shortfall; meaning further reductions for school district programs, staffing

February 8, 2010―The Renton School District continues to look for reductions to next year’s budget based on Governor Chris Gregoire recently released 2010 budget to balance a projected state shortfall of $2.6 billion.

Renton Schools could lose as much as $4.3 million and 36 teaching positions under the governor's proposal, which cuts funding for all-day kindergarten, gifted education, lower class-size and more. That loss, coupled with $1.8 million in increases to operating costs like hikes in lighting, water and other utilities; higher insurance premiums; and, a state-mandated increase in retiree benefits costs, means the district’s budget cuts for next year could total $6.1 million.

Click here to read how Renton Schools Superintendent Dr. Mary Alice Heuschel has begun work to prepare the district’s budget for next school year, including auditing every department and school budget to find efficiencies.

Take the district’s online budget priority survey (deadline, Feb. 28)
Renton School District is seeking public input through the end of February through an online budget priority survey (click here). Input will also be sought at three community meetings in late February and early March (see schedule at right).

Randy Matheson | Executive Director, Community Relations | Renton School District | 300 SW 7th Street Renton, WA 98057 | p: 425.204.2345 c: 206.375.0632

 SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS

Nelsen Middle School students get a glimpse of the future
School’s ‘Impact Day’ gives students a chance to hear from professionals and ask questions about potential future employment, education

February 2, 2010―Nelsen Middle School recently hosted its annual Impact Day where local professionals present the school’s 1,050 6th- through 8th-graders with information on their profession and what it takes to be successful.

Nearly 40 professionals including business leaders like Phil Smart, philanthropist and owner of Phil Smart Mercedes-Benz, along with a Boeing engineer, firefighter, Coast Guard boat builder, artists and others, took over classrooms with PowerPoint presentations, job-related equipment, and handouts packed with information to help pilot students toward a meaningful future.
Read the story.  http://www.rentonschools.us/FILES/DISTRICT/Community%
20Relations/Nelsen_MS_Impact_Day-1-28-10.pdf