Is your child ready for kindergarten? Come learn about Kindergarten Readiness Skills at Salmon Creek Elementary on February 24, 2011 from 6:00 to 7:00 pm.

Kids ages 3-5 are invited to Salmon Creek School, with their parents  , to enjoy activities you and your child can do together to help prepare him/her for Kindergarten. There will even be fun handouts to take home. Please feel free to invite friends and neighbors who also have preschool children who might be attending school at Salmon Creek in the future.

Early childhood education is an essential foundation for readiness and success in school. Parents and other family members can support their preschoolers by working with them at home.

Monthly family packets, available from the Vancouver School District website, are full of fun, hands-on activities for math, science and art. They include:  a calendar of activities to build skills in math, language, science, fine motor, problem solving, social studies, safety, and cooking; a journal for drawing pictures and writing letters and numbers; a book that children can cut out, color and assemble; and suggestions of books to read with your child.

The Salmon Creek Community Elementary School Scholastic Book Fair will be Tuesday, June 1st through Friday, June 4th, 2010 during school hours; with a special family event on Tuesday, June 1st from 6-7:30 pm. This year, it’s  Buy One, Get One Free!

It’s simple, for every item you buy, you get another item for free! There are books (of course), posters, pencils, activities, and crafts; everything you need to keep your child (or yourself) entertained this summer.

There is also an opportunity to share the gift of books with more students and classrooms, it’s called “One for Books”. Here’s how it works. Donate just $1 and sign a Book Slip with your name or your child’s name on it (this will be displayed at the Book Fair). All of the money raised goes directly to purchasing books for our school. Then, Scholastic Book Fairs will match the “One for Books” dollars raised with a donation of up to one million books to three non-profit organizations devoted to helping families in need: Kids in Distressed Situations, Inc., National Center for Family Literacy, and the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation.

Your children have been working very hard in art class producing wonderful one of a kind art pieces. For those who are unfamiliar with the fundraiser, the students create a drawing in art class which is then sent to a company that turns it into magnets, note cards and many other memorable pieces. The magnets, as well as other gifts featuring your child’s artwork, will be available to purchase on the night of the art show. For all of the items you buy of your child’s artwork, money then goes back into the school. It is a great way to help out the school and collect memories of your child at the same time!

Look for more information about the night coming home soon! Any questions please email April Molinsky at amolinsky@gmail.com.

In the spirit of Halloween, the first Family Movie Night of the school year will be “Monster House”, playing on October 12, 2009 at 6:30 pm.  Bring your pillow and blanket, grab a spot on the floor, and enjoy the show!  The Salmon Creek PTA will also be selling popcorn and Halloween candy for those who want a little snack during the show!

Salmon Creek Elementary students will be working with Mrs. Kadow (aka “Art Teacher Extraordinaire”) to create individual masterpieces.  These masterpieces will be turned into magnets, and will also be on display at the Art Show March 17.  Parents also have the opportunity to order other gift items (notecards, aprons, flags, etc.) featuring their child’s work.  And, in a stroke of genius, the orders will be back in time for Mother’s Day.  Salmon Creek Art Show, March 17, 6:30-8:00 pm.

Ever have to be in two places at the same time?  Well, if you have kids attending both Alki and Salmon Creek Schools, you better figure it out!

As we have yet to figure out how to be in two places at the same time, I believe we will be pulling out the Sock’em Boppers to settle this dispute.

You see, we have two kids attending Salmon Creek Elementary School, and one attending Alki.  Both school’s PTA/PTSA do a nice job of planning Family Nights.  But, on March 17, BOTH schools planned a Family Night!

Salmon Creek Elementary is having an Art Show and Bingo Night from 6:30-8:00.  Sounds like a fun evening.

Alki is having their PTSA Elections for next year, followed by a St. Patrick’s Day Family Fun Night at (you guessed it) 6:30.  Also, a fun evening.

My understanding of a Family Night, is to spend time together, as a family.  We will now be forced to either split-up (just for this event, mind you) or choose one school over the other.  I know we are not the only parents with this dilemma (but, don’t worry Christine and Rachelle, we won’t name names here).

So, if you don’t see us at Family Night, please understand we are at the “other” school.  And, if you do see us, and we have a few black eyes or bruises, well, please understand that as well.

The Alki PTSA will hold their General Membership Meeting in conjunction with Family Fun Night on March 17, 6 pm in the Alki Commons.  On the agenda is the election of next year’s Executive Board followed by Family Fun Night at 6:30.  See you there and be sure to wear green!