Remember to mail your ballots by February 9, 2010
Vote YES on all THREE Issaquah Levies

Endorsed by Washington State PTA,  Issaquah PTA Council, & Grand Ridge PTSA.
Go to Volunteers for Issaquah Schools for more information: http://visvote.org

Science Fair Kick-Off Event
“Radical Reactions Show”
by the Pacific Science Center & Registration begins
February 6, 2010
10:00am – 12:00pm

Heat!  Light! Gas! Color change!  On Saturday, February 6, the Grand Ridge PTSA will be hosting a dynamic Science Fair Kick-off Event.  Get excited for science during a “Radical Reactions” presentation by the Pacific Science Center.  They will throw fire, turn a Ziploc into an exploding yellow bag and a create a foam fountain!  This will also be the first day to register your spot in the Grand Ridge Science Fair. The doors will open at 10:00 and the show will begin at 10:30. Bring the whole family!

For questions please contact Theora Dalupan grPTSAvpevents@gmail.com. 

Science Fair
March 10, 2010
Registration ends: February 12

Get all your Science Fair information by clicking on the EVENTS menu tab.

It is not possible to run the event without all of the necessary volunteer help. Let us know if you would like to volunteer by emailing Theora Dalupan, Science Fair chair, at grPTSAvpevents@gmail.com

Box Tops

It’s time to bring in your Box Tops. Raffles will be held on January 29, February 5, and February 12.  Remember to submit your Box Tops in a bag labeled with your child’s name and teacher’s name. And please ask your friends, family and neighbors to help support our school.  If you have any questions, please email Pam Cabrera at grPTSAfundraising@gmail.com

Grizzly Gear

Get your Grizzly Gear BASEBALL CAPS in time for “HAT” SPIRIT DAY, February 12th! Pink or khaki, only $15!

We also have a limited number of other Grizzly Gear items still available: golf umbrellas, pj pants, hoodies, stadium blankets, and T-shirts. If interested, contact grPTSAfundraising@gmail.com.  These are available on a first-come- first-served basis.

Volunteer Opportunities

Honk & Wave:  Volunteers needed during drive times on the morning and evening of February 8th.  Be a part of motivating our community to register to vote, and then remember to vote on February 9th.  Join the Volunteers for Issaquah Schools (VIS), Issaquah PTA and your PTSA Board in this effort.  Contact Trina Davis grPTSA@gmail.com

Kindergarten Round-Up: Volunteers needed on March 3, 2:00-6:30pm (2 hour increments), and on March 4, 9:45am-3:15pm (2 ½ hour increments). Contact grPTSApresident@gmail.com.

Volunteers needed for the Science Fair.  If interested, contact Theora Dalupan at grPTSAvpevents@gmail.com.

General Help. Occasionally the need arises for volunteers at the last minute.  Willing to help on an as-needed basis? Please email us at grPTSAvolunteers@gmail.com.

PTSA Award Nominations Now Being Accepted
for Outstanding Educator & Golden Acorn Awards
Nominations due: Friday, Feb. 12

Hollywood has its Golden Globes and Oscars; at Grand Ridge we honor our school community stars with the Golden Acorn and Outstanding Educator Awards. It’s time to nominate individuals for these two special PTSA awards, and we would like your recommendations.

The Golden Acorn Award recognizes PTSA members who have provided exemplary volunteer service to children and youth. The Golden Acorn is very special and is given for continued and dedicated service. Nominees for this award include volunteers that meet the mission of the PTSA: to promote the health, welfare, safety and education of all children and youth in the home, school and community.

The Outstanding Educator Award recognizes staff members who have provided an exceptional learning environment for our students. This person can be a teacher, assistant, custodian, bus driver, administrator, or community member.

Click on the FORMS tab on the menu for printable forms.

Nominations are due by Friday, February 12, 2010, and can be submitted on-line (by answering all the questions on the form in an email) or returned to the front office.

Get Your free Jamba Juice School
Appreciation Card Today!

With the Jamba Juice School Appreciation Card, 10% of every purchase you make will be donated back to the Grand Ridge PTSA. All you have to do is pick up the special Jamba Juice School Appreciation Card outside the PTSA Office, or in the School Front Office. Then, every time a card is presented at the time of a Jamba Juice purchase, 10% of proceeds will be donated back to the PTSA, plus 2% to the National PTA.

After-School Movies
An activity for the kids and extra FREE time for Mom and Dad

• Permission slips are required for a student to attend and must be turned in on the Friday prior to the event date.
• For the safety of the children, no late permission slips will be accepted.
• The cost is $10 per movie, which includes a peanut free snack and water.
• The “walk home” option is only offered to the 4th and 5th Graders.
• This event is totally dependent upon Parent Volunteers. Reply YES on the Permission slip if you can volunteer!

Permission slips can be found on the PTSA Bulletin Board or you can click here for a printable permission slip.

2nd Session movie for ALL grades:
“Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs”

3rd Grade:  Wed, Feb 10th  1:15-3:15pm
Permission Slips DUE no later than Friday, Feb. 5th

2nd Grade:  Wed, Feb 24th  1:15-3:15pm
Permission Slips DUE no later than Friday, Feb. 12th

1st Grade:  Wed, Mar. 3rd  1:15-3:15pm
Permission Slips DUE no later than Friday, Feb. 26th

Sorry, no refunds unless movie is cancelled due to lack of parent volunteers.Questions?  Please contact Peggy Chase at grptsafundraising@gmail.com

Parent Education
“Taking the Stress Out of Parenting and Building
Great Relationships with Your Children”

Thursday, March 4, 6:30 - 8:00pm, Apollo Elementary, 15025 SE 117th St., Renton

Do you want to have more fun and less stress parenting?  Join Kathy Slattengren, M.Ed, founder of Priceless Parenting, for an engaging discussion of effective parenting techniques that also reduce stress. Learn positive ways to respond to parenting challenges – no more yelling or nagging!  We'll discuss key skills including:    

• Finding natural and logical consequences
• Responding with empathy instead of anger
• Setting firm limits & avoiding power struggles
• Guiding your children to solving their own problems
• Using positive discipline

All parents are welcome to attend this FREE presentation.  This is a parents only nonacademic seminar. For more information  contact: Apollo PTSA, Parent  Ed Rep., Debra Hatton (425) 591-7277.

 For more Information on ALL Parent Ed Classes go to http://www.issaquahptsa.org/parented/

PTSA General Membership Meetings

There are only two more PTSA Meetings left for the school year.  Be involved in awarding outstanding volunteers, electing next year's Executive Board of Directors, voting on the calendar of activities and events for the 2010-2011 school year, and much more.  

Meeting date are:

Thurs., March 25, 7pm-8pm in the Library
Immediately followed by "Love and Logic" Parent Education Program.

Weds., May 26, 7pm-8pm in the Library
Immediately followed by a "1st Grade Transition" Parent Education Program.

Meetings are open to all.  Questions? Contact Lida Buckner at grPTSApresident@gmail.com

Join the PTSA!

All it takes is $15.00 for a single person, $25.00 for a family, and $10.00 for a staff membership. All are welcome: grandparents, friends, family members, as well as other community members! Let's support our school by having 100% PTSA membership!

Bonus: members also receive a complimentary copy of the Student Directory.

Click HERE for a membership form if paying by check.

Pay by credit card.

PTSA Membership

Family Membership $25.00 Individual Membership $15.00 Staff Membership $10.00 Sponsor a Membership $15.00

"Feed Gilman" Fundraising Campaign

What is Feed Gilman?

It is our annual “pass the hat” fundraiser where we ask families to donate $30 per family to help fund the PTSA’s programs and events. The PTSA is doing this in lieu of fundraisers that would have the students selling things door-to-door. (i.e. wrapping paper, cookie dough, etc.)

Questions? Contact Nancy Castonguay, VP of Fundraising at grptsafundraising@gmail.com

Click HERE for a “Feed Gilman” form if paying by check.

Pay by credit card.