Issaquah Food and Clothing Bank’s Holiday Gift Barn Program
PTSAs are partnering with Issaquah Food and Clothing Bank to help local families with their holiday shopping. Holiday Gift Barn is collecting gift cards for families to purchase goods and presents. The program serves over 1,200 children in Issaquah each year. Most requested donations: $25 gift cards to Fred Meyer, Target, and Amazon. For more details, visit the food bank’s website. Ask your local PTSA for specific suggestions and information.
TECH Encourages Teens to Become Agents for Change
Join TECH to become community agents for change via active involvement in public assessments, prevention presentations, and advocacy through community service. Applications are open to middle school and high school students, ages 12 -18. Let’s work together for a better tomorrow! If you have questions, email Katie Moeller.
PTSA Looking for Cultural Leaders to Support New Families
PTSA Cultural Leaders are here to support families moving through the Issaquah School District system. Through shared languages and community, we are building a local network of diverse parents to promote conversation, shared resources and information. Help start the discussion by volunteering to be a Cultural Leader! PTSAs are searching for leaders fluent in other languages and willing to work with new families. Contact your PTSA’s Family and Community Engagement (FACE) Chair or email Issaquah Highlands resident Alicia Spinner.
Issaquah Schools Foundation Grants Supporting Innovative Ideas in Education
By championing innovation, the Issaquah Schools Foundation’s Classroom Enrichment and Kateri Brow grants fill gaps not funded by state or federal dollars. ISD parents, students, PTSAs, teachers, staff and administration may all apply for grants. Parents and students are encouraged to write school grants in an effort to help schools move forward through real-time experiences.
Classroom Enrichment grants enhance individual classroom learning environments as well as libraries, computer labs, resource centers and schools. Kateri Brow Big Idea grants fund programs responding to compelling needs and reflecting innovation in education. Applications and information can be found on the ISF website.
Utilize the ISD Weather Emergency Notification Bulletin
Be ready for winter weather! Each year, families receive ISD’s Emergency Transportation Bulletin (ETB). The bulletin includes information on bus routes and stops due to snow and inclement weather as well as instructions on how to find out about school delays or closures. Learn more about weather emergencies on the bulletin.
Volunteers Needed for Grand Ridge Elementary PTSA Cultural Club
Grand Ridge Cultural Club is an optional recess program! Parent volunteers are invited to share their heritage and customs (featuring hands-on activities, games and crafts) from listed countries or cultures. Students can “visit” those countries to explore and learn on Thursdays during rainier months.
This is a fun way for kids to get to know different areas of the world. Sign-up here to volunteer or learn more information about the club.
ParentWiser: Parenting without Power Struggles
Susan Stiffelman will provide families with powerful tools to dramatically improve parenting during a during a Zoom session on Monday, Nov. 7, at 7 p.m. Stiffelman plans to illustrate how kids need us to be the “captain” within their lives, which is more about being in charge as opposed to parental control.
Learn ways to avoid power struggles that once seemed inevitable, how to stay cool when you’ve temporarily lost it, and discover techniques to maintain confidence during parenting storms. Additionally, the presentation will discuss connection and attachment as well as tips to identify and nurture each child’s unique gifts and talents. Register on the ParentWiser website.
Support Issaquah Middle School’s Annual ASB Fundraiser
Issaquah Middle School’s annual fundraiser aims to raise funds for all students! We’re asking students to Pass the Paw, rather than sell to family and friends.
Watch a video from Thuhina, IMS ASB president and liaison, about our Pass the Paw Fundraiser. All funds raised during the next two weeks will determine how we continue our ASB programs at Issaquah Middle School: sports, drama, music, clubs, socials.
The main goal is finding opportunities for our students to participate and be included in all extracurricular activities. ASB programs build community, encourage sportsmanship, promote team building, and create positive experiences for our students! Join us in Passing the Paw!
ARC of King County Conversation on Special Services for Families
Join The ARC of King County for an exploration of resources and services available for students with developmental disabilities and their families during a Zoom session on Tuesday, Nov. 15, at 5:30 p.m.
This informative and informal conversation is a great opportunity to find out what help is available and answer questions regarding access, benefits, services, local community resources, and DDA (waivers, respite care, therapies, behavior support, etc.) Register here for Zoom meeting link.
Family Partnerships: What to Expect at Elementary Conferences?
Family Partnerships invites culturally and linguistically diverse families to attend an overview session that helps with understanding December’s parent-teacher conferences. The Zoom event will start at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 15.
Topics include contacting schools, norms and expectations for parent-teacher communications. The event will be facilitated by district staff and volunteers. Interpretation services available in Spanish and Mandarin. Other language interpretation needed, For other language interpretation services, contact Lorna Gilmour. Register for the Zoom event.
Influence the Choice: Virtual Hidden in Plain Sight Event
Hidden in Plain Sight (HIPS) is an exhibit created by Influence the Choice. The exhibit presents a re-creation of a teenage bedroom with signs of substance misuse. HIPS educates and empowers parents to communicate with their children about risky behaviors that lead to substance use disorders. Substance abuse counselor and mental health therapist Lauren Kula will speak at the online event on Nov. 29, at 7:30 p.m. Register here.
Issaquah PTSAs are 501(c)(3) organizations and 100% tax-deductible. To learn more, visit your local PTSA/PTA website.
Student Leadership Event: Power of Me, Power of We
Calling all 7th, 8th and 9th grade students! This inspirational training, facilitated by Nigel Wrangham (nationally recognized youth leadership trainer) and led by student leaders from TECH (Teens Encouraging Community Health), will provide youth with valuable problem-solving skills and empower them to become change-makers in the areas of substance abuse prevention and mental health promotion.
Participants can also earn volunteer hours for attending. Register with Influence the Choice here.
Cultural Bridges Earns WAFLT Award
Congratulations to Cultural Bridges for receiving the Washington Association for Language Teaching (WAFLT) 2022 Public Awareness Award. This award is given to those who conduct activities or events that build awareness for the study of foreign languages.
IMS Students Create Virtual School Building Tour on YouTube
There are a lot of new changes happening at IMS. A group of students created a project to recreate the school in great detail. Watch the IMS Minecraft video here.
Tracie Jones is a Wisteria Park resident.
