PRINCIPAL’S MONDAY BULLETIN
Green Lake Elementary
January 23, 2012
jbowers@seattleschools.org
206-252-5320
Really, sometimes life just knocks me out!
-the Alfred Summer, Jan Slepian, 1980
 
Please remember that Seattle Public Schools will be observing a FURLOUGH DAY tomorrow.   Students will be dismissed at 12:00 P.M. and all staff is REQUIRED TO LEAVE THE SAME TIME AS STUDENTS.   Alternative daycare arrangements  MUST be made.
 
JANUARY
24th                  Second Furlough Day
27th                  Snow Make-up Day for all Students – Regular Schedule
30th                  Instrumental Music Concert, 6:30 p.m.
 
FEBRUARY
1st                           Two-Hour Early Dismissal for Staff Professional Development
7th                           Evening Kindergarten Open House, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
9th                           Morning Kindergarten Tour, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.
13th                         Vocal Music Concert
16th                         Afternoon Kindergarten Tour, 1 to 2 p.m.
20th                         Presidents’ Day  (Holiday)
21-24                     Mid-Winter Break
28th                         PTA Meeting, 7 to 8 p.m.
 
FROM THE PRINCIPAL
 
Winter Greetings to Green Lake Families:
 
What an unexpected surprise our snow days were.  It is such a humbling lesson to know that no matter how hard we try to plan and schedule our days, nature always has a way of letting us know who is really in charge!  I hope you were all able to enjoy the snow a little bit.  I know it wreaks havoc with schedules and work and is treacherous for driving and yet, the pace slows down, the beauty arrests me in my tracks, allowing the time to stop and enjoy.  Up in my neck of the woods, we had at least a foot and ½ of snow letting me know winter is still among us.
 
Tomorrow is a half-day furlough day for all staff in the building due to funding cutbacks.  Staff are not allowed to be on the premises or to look at email or make phone calls pertaining to school matters after 12:00.  PLEASE DO NOT COUNT ON YOUR CHILD BEING ABLE TO SIT IN THE OFFICE TO BE PICKED UP AS THERE WILL BE NO ONE IN THE OFFICE TO SUPERVISE.   We have scheduled some staff to come in later in case there is an emergency, but it is for emergencies only such as medical issues or busses not being on time.  Thanks so much for your cooperation.  We would much rather have school and have your child here.
 
Due to our snow weather last week, we will reschedule our MLK observance.  We will have a format similar to last year, and will let you know when it will take place.  Right now it looks like it might be this Friday, the 27th.
 
We will be holding three tours this year for new families assigned to and interested in Green Lake School.  We will have our first one in the evening on February 7th from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.  The other two are during the day on the 9th from 9:30 to 10:30 and then again on the 16th from 1 to 2 p.m.  If you can help it would be appreciated.  Tracy Tavis is our marketing chair and will be coordinating the tours.
 
I hope all of you have noticed the beautiful works of art in the Ollalie garden.  We hope you will appreciate the sculptures like any piece of art work.  It is not a climbing toy to play on so we ask that when you visit during school and after school hours to respect this request.
 
I also had a question before the winter storm about the guidelines for the garden before school.  Once students are on campus, it is the expectation that they go to the playground unless they are with their parent, are on patrol, or are eating breakfast inside.  Once a child arrives to school and the parent leaves, it is our responsibility to supervise and keep them safe.  It is also a quiet time for teachers who are planning and prepping for the day ahead. It is much easier to plan and prep if students are not out running around the upper playground and garden.  We appreciate your support.
 
Peace.
 
Principal Bowers
 
SPECIAL SHOWING
Hamilton International Middle School PTSA presents the documentary Finding Kind on Tuesday, January 31 at 7 p.m. in the Hamilton Commons located at 1610 N 41st Street.  This public showing is free but donations are welcome to offset the costs.  The documentary is targeted at children 11 and older and their adults. For more information on the public showing contact Charlotte Trelease.

In Finding Kind, filmmakers Lauren Parsekian and Molly Thompson, who met while in school at Pepperdine University, set out in a cross country journey of discovery and education. Interviewing women and girls along the way about their lives and experiences, Parsekian and Thompson find, among all of the unique personal stories, some universal truths about growing up as girls. Finding Kind is a document of that journey, and of the filmmakers’ quest to take these experiences and find a common ground of kindness and mutual respect.

In addition to all of the individual girls and women who share their personal experiences about girl on girl bullying with the filmmakers, Parsekian and Thompson include interviews with respected experts and authors in the fields of psychology, education, and the interrelationships of women and girls.

For more information see http://findingkind.indieflix.com/home/

SCHOOL TOURS

McClure Middle School
Day Tours:
8:45 am – 10:20 am
 
Dates:    February 2nd (this is a new date),  and March 15, 2012 (all Thursday days)
 
Evening Tour:   March 22nd , 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
 
No reservations required.   Parents will sign in at the reception table.
 
Eckstein Middle School
Eckstein will host an Information Night for 5th grade risers and their parents/guardians for the 2012-2013 school year on Thursday, February 16, 2012, 6:30p.m. to
7:30 p.m.  This is your opportunity to learn more about Eckstein Middle School!  No reservations required.
 
Salmon Bay School – 252-1720
MIDDLE SCHOOL and ELEMENTARY DAYTIME TOURS
            THURSDAY’s in the Cafeteria
February 2nd, 9th and March 8th, 2012
Middle School Tour begins at 8:30 AM
Elementary Tour begins at 9:15 AM – no children please!!
 
MIDDLE SCHOOL AND ELEMENTARY  EVENING TOUR Thursday, March 1st, 2012
In the Cafeteria
Elementary tour begins at 6:00 pm – no children please!!
Middle School tour begins at 7:00 pm
 
No appointment necessary
We ask you use special consideration of our neighbors in where you park your car.
Please do not block any driveways.
 
Lowell APP @Lincoln School Tours for 2012
APP (Accelerated Progress Program) tour reservations will be accepted starting Tuesday, January 3, 2012 and are required for all tours. 

Tours will take place from 10-11:25 am on, February 10, 2012, February 16, 2012 and March 1, 2012.  Please call the Lowell APP @ Lincoln office at 206-252-5914.  We are located at 4400 Interlake Ave. N.  On street parking is available in the neighborhood.