Nelsen Middle School

September 29, 2009 PTSA Updates

QUICK NOTES:

* Late Start Days - October 2, 16, 23, 30.  School starts 9:25am.

* Reflections News.

* Volunteer Opportunities for Book Fair, Nifty Nelsen Night, etc. (See paragraphs marked with a**)

* Community News - Mini Cheer Camp, Oct. 3.; Register to Vote by Oct. 5

*  And Much More!

FALL FUNDRAISER FOR ASB!

This fall Nelsen Associated Student Body (ASB) will be holding a fundraiser.  The money raised will be used in many ways at Nelsen.  ASB pays for and supports all after school programs (except detention and homework club), all student recognition – awards, honor roll celebrations, citizen of the month celebrations, as well as paying for buses for field trips, sports trips, and music trips.  We will be selling cookie dough this year.  The kickoff will be on September 29, 2009 through October 13, 2009.  The cookie dough will be delivered here at the school on November 17th at which time all of the items will need to be picked up for the students to deliver.  We appreciate all of your support!

**Also, if we could get parent help to count money on October 13th and with help with the delivery on the 17th of November.  That would be great!!  Please contact Becky Schlosstein at rebecca.schlosstein@rentonschools.us.

“I AM A MILITARY KID”

The Nelsen counselors will be facilitating a support group for kids whose family members are in the military.  This group was created to help military kids increase their ability to handle the stresses of life, whether these are related to everyday problems or to their own unique experience as a military kid.  The group will meet for 10 sessions during school.  We will rotate meeting times so students will miss a different class each week so they will not fall behind in their school work.  If you would like your student to participate, please contact Genie Fairhart @ 425-204-3015 or genie.fairhart@rentonschools.us.

Attention Nelsen Artists! 
This year’s PTA Reflections Art Program theme is “Beauty is…”

The Reflections Art Program allows entries in the following categories: Literature, Musical Composition, Photography, Visual Arts, Film/Video, and Choreography/Dance.

Students may submit an entry that was created as a classroom project or one that you created independently at home.  Students can submit more than a single entry and can participate in multiple categories.  All entries must be your own original work.

If you are interested, general information, rule sheets, and signup forms are available from the Nelsen Library; just mention Reflections.  This is your chance to show us how creative you are by participating and possibly creating a winning entry.  Winners from Nelsen will compete against winners from other Renton schools.  If you are a winner from the Renton School District, you can go on to compete with winners from Washington, and ultimately the rest of the Nation.  Let’s see what Nelsen can do…

November 16, 2009 is the deadline to submit your Reflections art entry along with your Student Entry Form.  The forms are also available on-line at:  http://www.wastatepta.org/programs/reflections/forms.html

Any questions?  Contact Ken Wallace at  kenwallace1@gmail.com

**NIFTY NELSEN NIGHT. October 23, 6:30-8:30pm

Nifty Nelsen Night ("NNN") is an opportunity to reward deserving students with a night of their own.  The teachers will send home papers explaining how students can attend.  Younger siblings and parents are invited and encouraged to attend (no older siblings, please).  It is supervised by Nelsen staff and parents.  The entire school is open with the following events:

-  Dance in the Cafeteria
-  Free pizza and pop in the Cafeteria
-  Basketball in the Gym
-  Computers in the Library
-  Movie in the Theater Room
-  Arts and Crafts
-  and Much More!

We need chaperones, and general parent volunteers.  If you can help, please contact Geri Garl at fourgarls@comcast.net.  This is a HUGE event, and requires 30 or more parents to be successful.  The kids REALLY look forward to this.  If you can only volunteer once or twice during the year, or in the evenings, this is the perfect event to do so!  Plus, it's a lot of fun, not just for the kids, but for parents too!

**SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR, Oct. 20-23

The Annual Autumn Scholastic Book Fair hosted by the library will be held in the Multi-purpose room from 7:40-2:35 October 20-22 and during Nifty Nelsen Night.  Parent volunteers can help set up on Monday October 19, or pack it up on October 26, as well as run the Fair during the open hours.

If you can help with any part of the Fair, please contact Heather Thorpe, Book Fair Chair, at 206-972-8930, or e-mail heather_thorpe@hotmail.com (note: there is an underscore line between “heather_thorpe”)

The librarian will use the proceeds from the Fair to purchase library books.  We appreciate the Nelsen community’s long history of supporting reading and the library through book fair purchases.  Thank you for your help and support!

JOINING ASB SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES AT NELSEN.

It is very easy to join sports and activities at Nelsen!  First, a student needs an ASB card, which may be purchased from Mrs. Folkerts in the attendance office.  Second, a student shows up for the activity!  Announcements are made throughout the school.  For our sports teams, a student does need to try out and our traveling team does make some cuts, so the student does need to attend all practices.  All of our sports teams will have a 2 week period of everyone practicing, then the traveling team will be chosen.  If you have any questions, contact Becky Schlosstein, at rebecca.schlosstein@rentonschools.us

  
LATE STARTS.

Just a reminder, ALL RENTON SCHOOLS will start 90 minutes late on most Fridays during the 2009-10 school year.  For a schedule of all late start Fridays, go to the calendar at the Renton School District website http://www.rentonschools.us/Home.aspx, and click on the 2009-2010 School Year Calendar on the right-hand side.

Please remember to visit the District site throughout the school year for transportation news, school announcements, and other pertinent information.  The site is GREAT resource for all Renton families!

Nelsen Administration - Contact Information.

Main Office                         425-204-3000
Attendance                          425-204-3010
Cafeteria                             425-204-3018
Nurse, Sue Pennington        425-204-3002
Registrar, Susan Dean         425-204-3001
Transportation                     425-204-4455, or http://www.rentonschools.us/Departments/Transportation/BusRoutes or
http://nelsen.rentonschools.us/files/BusRoutes/MS_routes.pdf

Colin Falk, Principal                       colin.falk@rentonschools.us 
Elaine Love, Asst. Principal            elaine.love@rentonschools.us
Becky Schlosstein, Asst. Prin.        rebecca.schlosstein@rentonschools.us
Renton School District Website      http://www.rentonschools.us/Home.aspx

COMMUNITY NEWS
Lindbergh High School
Mini Cheer Camp, LHS Cafeteria
Saturday, October 3rd, 8:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

Dear Future Cheerleader:

The time has come again for our fun filled fall mini-cheer camp!  This year we are providing you with a day of fun: learning cheers and chants, stunts, and dances, along with fun games and making new friends!  We have added exciting new cheers and dances for those of you who have attended before.  Both boys and girls ages 4-13 are invited and welcome to attend. Camp will be held on Saturday, October 3, 2009 from 8:30 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. at Lindbergh High School’s cafeteria.  Check in time begins at 8:30 a.m.

The cost of camp is $45.00 per camper. This includes a new mini-cheer camp T-shirt, a picture with the LHS Cheerleaders, pictures of the day on CD, and your chance to cheer at a high school football game.

Each child who participates in the camp is invited to cheer with the team during the LHS football game on Friday, October 9th, at Renton Stadium. The game starts at 7:00 p.m. The campers will cheer with the team during 2nd quarter and will perform at half time.

To register or for more information, contact Sarah Cowart, Cheer Advisor, at sarah.cowart@rentonschools.us

Look forward to seeing you October 3rd!

COMMUNITY NEWS

Monday, Oct. 5 deadline to register for Nov. Election

Monday, Oct. 5 is the deadline to register to vote, or make changes to current voter registration, for the Nov. 3 General Election.

You can register online at http://wei.secstate.wa.gov/osos/secure/pages/Onlinevoterregistration.aspx, or download a registration form at http://www.secstate.wa.gov/elections/pdf/2007/MI-VRCard.pdf  and return it by Oct. 5 to the Election’s Office  located at 919 SW Grady Way, Renton, WA 98057-2906.
Two Renton School Board positions are on the ballot.  One Board member, current president Al Talley, is running unopposed.  Board member Pam Teal is challenged by Jim Grossnickle.  Teal was appointed in January 2009 to fill a seat left vacant by Marcie Maxwell who was elected to the state’s House of Representatives.

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

PTSA NEWS

The next PTSA meeting will be Thursday, October 20, 2009, 7:00pm, in the Multi-purpose room (to the right of the front entrance).  Everyone is welcome to attend!

Congratulations to the winners of the membership baskets: Catherine Crosby (Payne) and Kelley Pfluger!!!  Thanks to all who have become members and supporting the PTSA.   It is not to late - You can still join!

Join Nelsen Middle School’s PTSA!

2403 Jones Ave S

Renton WA  98055

Ano  Another wonderful school year is beginning – Nelsen’s incredible staff is ready for our students – and PTSA welcomes them and you back to school!  The PTSA’s goal   is to enrich our children’s school experience in a variety of ways.  Our many activities need parent help and financial support to succeed, and they include:

s         All School Picnic
s         Book Fairs
s         Chaperoning Dances
s         Eighth Grade Dance
s         Health Screenings
s         Incentive Days
     s         Jr. Achievement
s         Jr. Honor Society
s         Nelsen Music Association
s         Nifty Nelsen Night
s         Reflections
s         Staff Appreciation

Please feel free to contact us about an activity that interests you, or for any suggestions or questions.  Meetings third Tuesday of each month, except in December.  All are welcome to attend!  Thank you!

Erica Conway, PTSA Co President               (206) 605-9745,    email  ericaconway@hotmail.com
Geri Garl, PTSA Co President                      (206) 550-7945,    email  fourgarls@comcast.net
Karen Carpenter, Membership Chair           (425) 254-9630,    email  2bacarpenter@comcast.net

That's it for now!  Thank you, everyone!

Geri Garl and Erica Conway
Co-Presidents, Nelsen PTSA