Washington-Hoyt Elementary School PTA(253) 571-5700

The green flyer that went out in last Fridays Folder had an incorrect date on it. The BBQ will be held on June 14th starting at 11am.

2nd Annual Evening of the Arts is coming up!! Every class in Washington-Hoyt is working hard to finish up their art piece to put up for auction on Friday the 18th. There are some incredible pieces already finished. We have several art professionals in our school community who have worked with the kids to develop some really beautiful work. Don't miss your opportunity to view and bid on these original artworks.

DATE: Friday, May 18
TIME: 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Bidding from 6:45 to 7:45

- Student musicians will be providing background music.
- Family friendly: kids can make a button and make artist trading cards
- Bake sale
- Wall calendars, note cards and posters for sale

Proceeds benefit In Touch with Art, the PTA program that brings art education into the classroom. Put it on your calendar so you don't miss this amazing event!

Registration for the before school Spanish classes are not due until Tuesday, May 15th. The classes will take place before school on Tuesdays and Thursdays from May 17th through June 12th. The fee is $20.00 for the 8 classes. Enrollment is limited to 15 students and is open to all grade levels. The enrollment form is available for download here. Completed enrollment forms and checks payable to the Washington-Hoyt PTA are due in the PTA mailbox before the end of the school day on May 15th. We have a new PTA Spanish teacher, Jessica Orr. Jessica received a degree in Spanish Literature at UPS last year. She spent 6 months Oaxaca, Mexico, where she enjoyed the rich culture and traditions of Southern Mexico. Jessica has taught Spanish to beginning learners of all ages, and hopes to share both the essential vocabulary and vibrant culture of Latin American Spanish with her students. Please email or call her with questions at jorr20@gmail.com or 253-720-6345.

Our PTA sponsored sessions of before-school French classes will begin on May 30th (note new date!) This Short French Session will be on May 30th, June 1st, June 6th and June 8th from 8-8:45am in Washington Hoyt Art Room. Cost $20 Registration forms on web site or in front hallway. Please turn registration forms to front office. All sessions will be on Wednesdays and Fridays 8-8:45 am (before school). This will be a fun and informative class for all age levels. There will be lots of games, activities and French treats! Please print out the enrollment form attached (one for EACH student) and send it with your check mad out to the Washington-Hoyt PTA. The enrollment deadline is Monday, May 14th. If you have any questions, please contact Yvonne Beardemphl at (253) 241-6914 or email Yvonne.

The Washington-Hoyt 3rd Annual Uniform Sale is coming up - June 15th 3:30 to 5pm!

The purpose of this event is to:
1. Recycle and reuse clothing items
2. Raise money for 5th grade camp for the current 4th graders. This event typically raises $300-$400.

Donate your outgrown, gently used uniform items to the PTA uniform sale. A laundry basket will be placed near the front office for deposit of the items. School pants, jeans, shorts, polos, sweaters, sweatshirts, and other school uniforms can be donated. Clothing needs to be in good condition.

The uniform items will be sold for very low prices: Jeans and pants for $2, polos for $1, sweaters and sweatshirts for $2, and school sweatshirts for $5. If you can volunteer to help with the sale, please email Alison Hoseth.

Camp Invention has a few spots left!!!!  Camp Invention is a weeklong summer enrichment program for children entering grades one through six. The Camp Invention program instills vital 21st century life skills such as problem-solving and teamwork through hands-on fun!!!! Look for your spot from June 25-June 29th.  The hours are 9-3:30!!!!  Inquire with Stephanie Lawrence for more information!  There are a few scholarship spots available! Stephanie (253) 571-5736

We all know that our school wouldn't survive without the hours and hours of hard work by our many volunteers and dedicated educators. Now you have a chance to let those extra special ones know you've noticed all they've done. If you know of a volunteer and/or educator who has consistently gone the extra mile for our school and community, be sure to nominate them for the Golden Acorn Award. This extraordinary award only comes along once a year and the nomination form is your opportunity to shine a light on a deserving person. The benefit of present a Golden Acorn Award is two-fold. First, it recognizes an individual who has given outstanding service to children. Secondly, it supports financial grants for students pursuing post-secondary education. Donations are made in each recipient's name to the fund, which in turn contributes to the future of youth by awarding grants to students who are freshmen entering post-secondary education.

We would like you to participate in the selection of our award recipient(s) through your recommendation. The Golden Acorn Award Committee will make the final decision. Be sure to fill out the nomination form and turn it in to the office by Friday, May 11th. Pink forms were also sent home with your student's Friday Folder last week.

You may also email us with your nominations to pie.alamode@yahoo.com
We will be presenting the award at the June PTA Meeting.
Questions? Contact Deb Llewellyn at 752-1494 or Cindy Harkness at 571-5744

The current 4th grade class is trying to raise money for their 5th Grade Camp experience coming up in the Fall of 2012 by selling Sally Foster "Classic Recipes" Cookie Dough! Yum! If you are interested, please fill out the order form that came home in last week's Friday Folder and returning to school by Monday, May 7th! Money raised will help pay for the teachers to attend camp as well as reduce the cost for all of the students to attend!! Cookie dough will be delivered to school on June 6th. Thank you for your support!!
If you have any questions, please contact Jean Hughes at (253) 752-0248.

Hello Washington Hoyt Families! Wed., May 9th is our annual PTA TEACHER APPRECIATON BREAKFAST! This is a wonderful morning where all of the teachers and staff at WaHoyt get to enjoy a delicious homemade buffet breakfast while dining at beautifully decorated tables - all provided by parent volunteers!

Thank you to all that have volunteered to help out with the Teacher Appreciation breakfast this next Wednesday. It's going to be fabulous! We are still looking for a few more food items. Here's what we need...

1 - egg dish
4 - baked goods
3 - fruit plates

Hoping there are a few more of you who might be able to help out! Remember - you can get the food to me the day before (Tuesday) if that works best for your schedule.

All food can either be dropped off in the health room the day before (Tuesday 5/8), brought in NO LATER than 7:30am on the morning of the breakfast (Wednesday, 5/9) or brought to my house anytime and I'll take it the morning of. To those of you who have already committed yourselves to helping, THANK YOU and I'll send you a reminder email next week.

Warmly, Shannon Rojecki and Wendy Blair 686-6974

Join your school friends and their families at the Washington-Hoyt goes to the Tacoma Rainiers Day on June 3rd! To buy tickets for this fun filled day, print out this form and hand it in to your teacher or in the Front Office by May 11th along with check or cash.
Tacoma Rainiers vs. Sacramento River Cats
Game time: Sunday, June 3rd at 1:30 PM

- You get a choice of two different packages
- Pre-game player autographs on the concourse
- Our school will be featured during the 7th Inning Stretch
- In-game group recognition on the HD video board
And more...

Girl Scout Troop #41577 enjoyed Earth Day on April 22nd by planting a Japanese Snowbell tree and flowers at the Anna Wheelock library. The tree and flowers were donated by the troop to celebrate Earth Day, to help with the Lorax project and to continue their mission of community service. Cheryl, the library manager, was there during the plantings to meet the troop and to say thank you to the girls. In addition, the girls gave an Earth Day recycling bag with a copy of the Lorax project inside it, to Mr. Mason, "the library statue". Vera, Elise, Grace, Molly and Ali found this project to be very meaningful and look forward to seeing their tree and flower gift grow for many years to come. Check out our gallery of photos from our Earth Day Project!

Want to get involved? Following is a list of all the open committee chair positions for next year. If you are interested, please contact our PTA Presidents Amy Mackey or Catherine Feeney.

Academic Triathlon: Coordinate Academic Triathlon in March or April.
Back to School Night Social: September
Golden Acorn: Coordinate with a teacher the process of selecting the Golden Acorn award.
Fund Drive Assistant: Help VP of Fundraising input data and write thank you note cards.
Rainier Game: Coordinate with the Tacoma Rainiers a date and time for Washington-Hoyt families to attend the game together.
Celebration of Learning: Coordinate an Ice Cream Social for the night of the Celebration of Learning in May or June.
Holiday Card Party / Workshop: Organizing the Green Schools Holiday Card Workshop in December, this includes: Advertise event, set-up and clean-up. All materials and supplies are provided. There is a folder with a complete explanation regarding this event.
Litter Pick-up/Plant Sale: Organizing this event. Event takes place in May. Advertise event, set-up, clean-up. All materials and supplies are provided. There is a folder with a complete explanation regarding this event.

PTA Board Positions available for 2012-2013 school year:
Presidents
Treasurer
Secretary

See our Activities and Fundraiser page for more information.

Dear Parents & Students,

GENERAL INFORMATION REGARDING ON-LINE-TESTING FOR GRADES 3-5 FOR THE STATE ASSESSMENT:
THE MEASUREMENTS OF STUDENT PROGRESS (MSP) ASSESSMENT WINDOW:

Paper/Pencil Window: Wednesday, April 25th – Friday, May 17th, 2012
o 3rd: Paper/Pencil: Math Reading

On-Line Window : Wednesday, April 25th – Friday, June 1, 2012
o 4th: On-Line: Math Reading
o 5th: On-Line: Math Reading Science

HOME COMPUTER ACCESS FOR PRACTICING THE ON-LINE-TOOLS TRAINING (OTT) FOR GRADES 3-5
THE MEASUREMENTS OF STUDENT PROGRESS (MSP):
• Students will practice the Online-Tools-Training multiple times on laptops with their classroom teacher.
• You and your child are welcome to download and install the On-Line Training Tools (OTT) and Demo at home.
• Students can use the OTT to practice answering the types of questions they will see when taking the online MSP. The practice at home in support of the practice at school, will bring a higher comfort level and secure knowledge of computer use and test program input.
• Go to: http://www.k12.wa.us/assessment/StateTesting/OnlineTesting.aspx
• The Online Demo (tutorial) is available without download through the “MSP Online Demo (tutorial) Only” link. The Demo gives an overview and introduction to the features of the OTT. We recommend you acquaint yourself by watching the Demo with your child prior to using the OTT at home for the first time.

Please try to schedule appointments and trips outside this window. A final MSP Assessment Schedule will be posted on the office door the first week of May, and indicate specific test dates for specific teachers, grade 3-5. If you have any questions or need assistance to the link above, please contact your child’s classroom teacher.

Steph Seberson & Holly Fitzgerald
2011-12 Test Coordinators

The Washington-Hoyt PTA has started our own Facebook page. You do not have to have a Facebook account to view the page, it is open to the public. If you'd like to received updates from the Facebook page, you need to sign up for a Facebook account and then "Like" our page. Check it out here!