THE EAGLET
April 2004, Edition 8
Director's Message | Field Day | May Events | PA News | 2005 Camp | Poetry Corner | Chief Sealth | WAMoola | Attendance
from the
DIRECTOR'S CHAIR
by Judy Harris
It's hard to imagine, but we are into the last trimester of the year. Our site is looking better and better, thanks to the time you as volunteers and our district maintenance crew have put in. I still have things on my “wish to get done” list. For instance, we need to remove all the student paintings from the deck wall areas so that we can have the site painted this summer. I am also trying to find a way to replace the time-worn lattice and plastic on the west end of the deck with something that is more attractive and functional. While I am dreaming, I want to try to replace our leaky deck roof with a metal-and-skylight one. And eventually, I would like to extend the metal roof to include a covered walkway from the deck to the new office/multipurpose room. I am also working on finding someone to donate sod for our play field so we don't have to wait until next year for the kids to have grass to play on!
Updates on Changes: after having talked at length with Carol Ottness, the head of our district's transportation system, I have decided against implementing a change in how we bus children to increase the length of our school day until I can form a parent committee to look into the various options available to us. I still firmly believe we need a longer school day, but I would rather have our plan based on what will work in the long run than patch a make-shift plan into place for the coming school year. If you would like to serve on such a committee for next year, please email me.
I'd like to send a great big “Thank You” to Mr. Alsdurf for all the hard work he and his volunteers did to make our Young Author's Week such a great success. Although the authors we listened to were fantastic, and the movie “Winged Migration” was great, I was most impressed with the writings of their own that students shared with each other on Friday afternoon. We have some talented young authors of our own here at Eagle Rock, and I, for one, am proud to be a part of it!
Field Day
That's right! Eagle Rock Field Day 2004 is coming up on Friday, May 28. We will have a great time enjoying the sunshine and playing classic field games… including a few wet ones! But we can't do it without you so call or email paigedenison@yahoo.com to volunteer!
Parents are needed to man stations (sack races, relays, water balloon toss etc). Games will get underway following the noon year-end BBQ and will wrap up no later than 3:00. What a great way to start the weekend AND finish up those volunteer hours. “I like it, I love it, I want some more of it….Eagle Rock PE!”
May Events
- May 4 - New Round of Centers Begin
- May 5 - Early Release Day
- May 6 - Eagle Rock Talent Show-7:00 PM @ Carnation Elementary
- May 7 - All School Art Activity-9:45 to 11:00
- May 12 - Class Picture Day
- May 13 - Room Two Play, "Snow White"-11:15, 2:00, & 7:00
- May 14 - Duvall Walking Tour Field Trip
- May 19 - Early Release Day
- May 20 - Snoqualmie Falls Field Trip
- May 21 - All School Art Activity-9:45 to 11:00
- May 26 - Volunteer Appreciation Event 7:00-8:00
- May 28 - Field Day/Hawaiian Day
Parent Association News
Mark your calendars now to be sure you can attend our next meeting: Wednesday, May 5, 7:30pm at the Duvall Fire Station. Your input is desired as we make a decision as to what our group will look like next school year.
Come and discuss the pros and cons of becoming a PTA, a PTO, or remaining an independent PA have your voice heard and your vote count.
At this time of year we also must vote on our leadership for next school year. The way our by-laws read, Barb Hill remains as one of the co-chairs, and Karen Gronberg remains as our Secretary. Would you like to nominate someone in our parent population for the position of co-chairperson or treasurer? Or maybe you could do one of these jobs?
Please talk with one of us if you've got ideas or feedback. See you on May 5!
2005 Camp News
It is time to start planning for the 5th grade camp trip of 2005! All parents of fourth graders should plan on attending. The meeting will be Wednesday, May 19th at 4:00 p.m. at Ixtapa in Carnation. Your coordinator Kate Miller will introduce you to the facilities and curriculum at Camp Islandwood and we will discuss the financial obligations and brainstorm fundraising ideas. Please R.S.V.P. if you can make it by calling Kate at 425-788-9346.
Poetry Corner
Spring So Soon
by Kaitlyn Waddington
When the wind comes
The quiet things speak,
Some whisper, some clang
Some creak.
A blade of grass peeks up from the snow.
Is it Spring already? Does anyone know?
Chief Sealth's Speech
by
Deloa Parrish
……..Every part of this country is sacred to my people. Every hillside, every valley, every plain and grove has been hallowed by some fond memory or some sad experience of my tribe. (Excerpt from the Chief's speech, 1854).
On March 23, our Native American mentor, Roger Fernandes presented Chief Sealth's speech to our children. The essence of the presentation was that the world loves us and we should return that love to all that we encounter in our lives. It was a homecoming for the children and Roger, as they had not sat together in circle with him since the Welcoming Pole was dedicated last June.
In the afternoon, we broke into groups and played Sla-Hal, the traditional Indian guessing game. The K-2 group heard the story of the children who journeyed for gifts to return to their village for peace and harmony. They learned the meaning of putting aside personal desires for the greater good of the community.
The 3-5 group also played Sla-Hal. Then they learned the story of Ai-Yi-Yesh. It is a story of a girl without self-confidence. She leaves her village and is taught by the wise cedar to weave a perfectly beautiful water-tight basket. She returns with this gift, and newly found confidence to her village. Then we talked about the garbage situation on our planet. Did you know that a happy meal makes five pieces of trash? A 4th grader in California convinced McDonalds to switch to more biodegradable materials. What can we do for our contribution? It is up to our children to change the world consciousness in their own way.
On May 20, we will take a journey with Roger Fernandes. “Seeing Snoqualmie Falls through Native Eyes”. Although the program is still evolving, it promises to be a very rich trip.
WAMOOLA for Schools
Do you bank at Washington Mutual Bank? Did you know that every time you use your visa check card Eagle Rock could be benefiting? Every dollar you charge gives ERMA one point. At the end of the year, your points are converted to dollars and donated directly to ERMA (they are offering double points through April 30). It's a easy no-brainer way to support the school. Just log on to http://www.wamoolaforschools.com.
Attendance Reminders
Please call if your child will be absent. You may call 24 hours a day and leave a message on the answering machine. Reasons to keep a child home:
- Temp of 100 or more
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Pink Eye
- Rash on body especially with fever
- Lice
- Chronic Cough
- Injury that needs medical attention
If you ever have a question as to whether your child should be kept home please call the office. If your child is late for any reason, please sign them in at the office and obtain a pass for your child to give to their teacher. This way their teacher knows they are checked in properly and have been counted for lunch if needed.
Any changes from end of the day plan must be called in by 2:30 PM to insure your child gets to the correct place. If we do not receive a note or a phone call, your child will follow his normal after-school plan. If your child normally takes a bus, we will make sure your child is on the bus unless a note is provided that states differently.
If your child should require medication, (prescription or over the counter), it requires an authorization form signed by your child's doctor on site at the school. This form is also available in the office. If you have any questions you may contact Brenda or Jan in the office, or Nurse Karen Heiberg at 844-4582.