Yearbook Orders – It’s Not Too Late!

Here is your final opportunity to order a yearbook for your child! If you have not yet ordered one, and would like to order, please return the completed form and a check for $18.00 to the PTSA office by Monday May 13th. For questions, contact Lainey Sickinger

McTeacher Night!

WHO: All Newcastle Elementary Families & Friends are Invited!
WHAT: 1st Annual Newcastle McTeacher Night
WHEN: Tuesday, May 14, 5-8pm
WHERE: Newcastle McDonald's – 13049 Newcastle Way, Newcastle 98059
WHY: To help raise funds for our 4th graders to go to camp next year

Come watch as your favorite teachers serve up some snack wraps & McFlurries! There will be teachers from every grade ringing up burgers! Our Newcastle 4th Grade Class earns 20% of the sales during our three-hour window. So, come, have fun, have dinner and support 5th grade camp!!!

If you have questions, please contact Kathy Nolan or 425-766-5607

Mark your calendars for May 13th-17th…the Spring Book Fair Returns to Newcastle Elementary!

Next month our school will host a spring book fair in the school library. The University Book Store will bring a great variety of books to sell at school during the week of May 13th-17th. Purchases benefitting Newcastle Elementary can be made at the stores as well as online. Look for a yellow flyer with all the details to come home via Kid Mail on May 9th.This is a great way to support our school and stock up for fun summer reading!

We need volunteers to help with this book fair. To sign up, please follow these 3 easy steps:

1. Click this link to go to our invitation page on VolunteerSpot
2. Enter your email address: (You will NOT need to register an account on VolunteerSpot)
3. Sign up! Choose your spots - VolunteerSpot will send you an automated confirmation and reminders. Easy!

Note: VolunteerSpot does not share your email address with anyone. If you prefer not to use your email address, please contact me and I can sign you up manually.

4th Grade Fundraiser - Jamba Juice

Our 4th graders are selling $10.00 Jamba Juice cards to raise money for next years 5th grade camp!
Please contact any 4th grader through May 3rd to purchase the cards. If you have any questions, please email Lani Pedersen.

Afterschool Enrichment: Time to Register for Lego STEM Class!

Leap4Kidz is enrolling for the spring 2013 session!

Explore physics and engineering through Lego models using gears, pulleys, cams, and motors to bring your creations to life!

Day: Wednesdays
Session: 8 weeks starting 4/24
Time: 1:35 – 2:35PM
Cost: $120
Ages: 1st through 4th grade
Room: Stage

LEAP4KIDZ™ offers project-based STEM programs designed to teach principles and methods of science, technology, engineering, and math to children. This is a hands-on class where students will build and design with LEGO® bricks. Student Builders will develop problem-solving and critical thinking skills while exploring engineering, architecture, inventions and physics.

To Register: www.leap4kidz.com
Click on After School Class and choose Newcastle

The PTSA is Seeking Nominations for Next Year's Executive Committee

Do you know someone who would be great on our PTSA's executive committee for the 2013-2014 school year? It could be you or it could be a friend. We need to fill the President (or Co-President) plus several Vice President (or Co-Vice President) positions. If you have a friend to suggest to us, or if you are interested in a position for yourself, or if you think you might be interested, or if you just want more information, please contact Lissa Wax, Michelle Riley or Kara Beal. We can give you more details on the open positions and we will keep the conversation anonymous or confidential if you would like us to. The deadline for making suggestions to the Nominating Committee is March 31st, 2013.

LAST CALL: Student Candids for the Yearbook!

Hello parents! The Yearbook Committee is looking for some great student photos from the school year thus far.

We are looking for pictures that capture:

• 1st grade performers from their November concert
• Read Across America Week festivities
• 3rd grade performers in “Westward Ho!”
• Fun times at the 4th Grade Wax Museum and Recorder Concert
• 2nd graders performing in their upcoming evening concert

If you have a great photo to share from any of these occasions, please email the image, along with the names of the students featured, their grades, and teachers (if known), to Natalie Roberts.

NOTE: we need all candids submitted by Friday, March 22 to be considered for the yearbook. Thank you all for your help!

Hello 5th Grade Parents!

5th Grade Promotion is just three months away – June 18th! We are looking for volunteers to help make this special event spectacular! Please contact us if you would be willing to help with the following:

- Invitations
- Decorations
- Refreshments
- Slide Show
- Picture Coordination
- Music Coordination
- Programs
- Certificates
- 4th Grade Parent Volunteer Coordination
- Thank You Gifts for Staff

Majority of the volunteering can be done from home. Please help make this event special for our kids and families.

Thank you so much!
Angie Moawad & Kim Elfstrom

PTSA Nominating Committee Volunteers Needed!

Believe it or not, it is that time of year again to start thinking about making nominations for our PTSA Nominating Committee! If you are interested or no anyone who might be interested in being a member of the nominating committee please submit any nominations or information to Kim Plowman or Edana Peacock. We would like to have a minimum of 5 volunteers on the committee. These individuals will work together to create the nominating slate for the 2013 – 2014 PTSA Executive Committee. Please let us know if you have any questions…Thank you!

Golden Acorn News: Nominee Information

Each year our PTSA awards the Golden Acorn to individuals who have given outstanding volunteer service to the children and youth in our school community. The Golden Acorn is special and given for continued and dedicated service. This is an excellent way to honor our volunteers that have gone “above and beyond”! Award winners receive the Golden Acorn Award Pin and a special certificate from the Washington State PTA. The Council also contributes in the winner’s name to the Washington State PTA Scholarship Foundation, which provides scholarships to selected high school students entering post-secondary education. Please take a few minutes and complete the form to nominate someone who is making a difference in our children’s lives. Send the completed form to the PTSA, ATTN: Golden Acorn through kidmail. Nominating forms are due to the PTSA office by Monday, March 11th. The Golden Acorn Committee will make the final selections and notify the winners in mid-March. Questions? Contact: Kim Plowman

Yearbook Orders -- It’s Not Too Late!

This week, order forms were distributed for those children we don’t currently have a yearbook order. The price for the Newcastle Lions 2012-2013 Yearbook is $18 each. If you would like your child to have a yearbook but you did not receive a form and haven’t ordered online, please contact Lainey Sickinger.

PTSA Nominating Committee Volunteers Needed!

Believe it or not, it is that time of year again to start thinking about making nominations for our PTSA Nominating Committee! If you are interested or know anyone who might be interested in being a member of the nominating committee please submit any nominations or information to Kim Plowman or Edana Peacock. We would like to have a minimum of 5 volunteers on the committee. These individuals will work together to create the nominating slate for the 2013 – 2014 PTSA Executive Committee. Please let us know if you have any questions…Thank you!

February 8 Science and Art Family Night

Come see Pacific Science Center’s Super Cool Science Show on February 8 in the Commons! Discover what happens when things get super cool with liquid nitrogen. Watch as gases become liquids, liquids become solids and matter fizzes, freezes and flies. Then participate in hands-on activities provided by KidsQuest Children’s Museum, Friends of the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery, and Liberty High School’s Physettes. Join in the celebration of the Reflections entries, including those that moved on to the Issaquah District competition. One project has been forwarded to the statewide competition!

Be among the first to preview the creative classroom art projects that will be highlighted at the PTSA Reach for the Stars auction on Saturday March 16. Enter the auction raffle for a chance at winning the $1000 cash prize (actual drawing to take place on 3/16). The cost is only $10/ticket or three tickets for $25. This fun-filled PTSA-sponsored science and art family event will go from 6 – 8 pm. Pizza, salad and beverages will be available for purchase.

Volunteers are needed to help at this event! If you can assist with hands-on activities, set up or clean up, please e-mail danielle_dixon@comcast.net.

Unfortunately, the daddy daughter dinner dance at Liberty High School also has been scheduled for February 8, as noted in the recent Newcastle Elementary News. For those of you with daughters interested in attending both the Science and Art family night and a daddy/daughter Valentine’s dance, the Issaquah Community Center (301 Rainier Blvd S.) is hosting its annual dance on Saturday February 9 from 7-9:30 pm for girls, grades 1 - 5, and their dads. Cost is $20 for Dad and daughter(s), and preregistration is required (https://www.issaquahparks.net/Start/Start.asp; Barcode is 44996).

Box Tops Contest in January!

Starting now until Friday, January 25th, we will have a Box Top contest with a party for the classroom(s) that brings in the most Box Tops. So clip and save to help our school earn cash! Each box top is worth $ .10 and last year we earned over $1,300.

Look for Box Tops on General Mills cereal, Betty Crocker desserts, Nestle juices, Green Giant frozen vegetables, Totino’s Pizza, Hamburger Helper, Old El Paso products, Progresso soups, Pilsbury breads and rolls, Yoplait yogurt, Nature Valley granola bars, Welch’s jelly, Huggies diapers, Pull-Ups, Avery office supplies, Ziplock bags, Cottonelle bath tissue, Kleenex, Scott paper products, Hefty garbage bags, and more.

We will also collect Labels For Education, but they will not count for the contest. Each label is worth 1-10 points that can be
used for athletic equipment or academic resources. We must have both the Labels for Education logo and UPC code to receive credit.

Look for Labels for Education on Campbell’s soups, Pepperidge Farm snacks, Prego sauces, SpaghettiOs, Swanson broth, Pop Secret popcorn, Wolfgang Puck soups, BIC stationary products, and more. You can also collect caps from V8 juices.

Clip those Box Tops and send them in with your child to his/her classroom. There will be a collection bag in each classroom. Please don’t drop them off in the container at the front of the school or your child’s classroom may not receive credit.

Thank you for your help and enthusiasm for this simple yet productive fundraiser!
Questions? Contact Trisha Ackley.

Afterschool Programs: Lego STEM Class is Registering Now!

Explore physics and engineering through Lego models using gears, pulleys, cams, and motors bring your student’s creations to life!
LEAP4KIDZ™ offers project-based STEM programs designed to teach principles and methods of science, technology, engineering and math to children. This is a hands-on class where students will build and design with LEGO ® bricks. Student builders will develop problem-solving and critical thinking skills while exploring engineering, architecture, inventions and physics.
Day: Wednesdays
Session: 8 wks, starting 1/23
Time: 1:35 – 2:35PM
Cost: $120
Ages: 1st – 4th grade
Room: Stage
Register at www.leap4kidz.com, click on after school class and select Newcastle.
Remember, class size is limited and on a first come basis.

HELP WANTED - Database Entry

Do you have a few hours to spare? Do you prefer to work from home on your own time? We are in need of someone to help with procurement entries into our database. Absolutely no experience required.... just your time and willingness to help. Please contact Michele Maresh.

Holiday Online Auction -- Now Open!!

Click here to start your holiday shopping AND support our students!
Items include family getaways (Great Wolf Lodge, Leavenworth), birthday parties (Castle Ice, Smart with Art), pampering (facials, hair, nails), fitness (Olympic Physical Therapy, CrossFit, Hot Yoga, YMCA), lessons and classes (martial arts, swimming, chess, lego), entertainment (iPic Theatre, video games), and much, much more.
This online auction is available to EVERYONE. Please share this link with friends, family and neighbors. Bid early, bid often and happy shopping!

Also, did you miss the Auction Newsletter that was sent home in your child's green folder yesterday? We've got you covered! Just click here to view it and learn about the exciting trips we have in store for auction night (including the Galapagos Islands or Sea of Cortez, generously donated by Lindblad Expeditions / National Geographic). Start your 2013/2014 travel planning now!

Donate Food Until November 16th to Vote for a Crazy Hair Day or a Pajama Day!

The Newcastle Elementary PTSA is sponsoring a food drive through November 16th to benefit members of our community as the holiday season approaches. All donations will go to the Issaquah Food Bank. In addition to the pantry staples that they always need, the food bank is currently requesting canned tuna, canned salmon, self-stable juice, baby wipes, toiletries, diapers (sizes 4-6), new socks, new underwear, cleaning products and camping equipment.

Donation bins will be located upstairs and downstairs at Newcastle Elementary. One donation bin in each location will be marked "Crazy Hair Day" and one will be marked "Pajama Day." Whichever bin collects the most food will determine which fun day we have at the end of November. If you have a large amount of donations that you would like us to pick up from your house or if you have any questions, please contact Kara Beal or 425/793-9708.

Polar Express 2012 – Attention Newcastle Elementary Families!

We have a great opportunity to give back to our community this holiday season by donating new toys, games, clothes, stocking stuffers and gift cards to needy families in the Issaquah School District. This year the Issaquah Food and Clothing Bank is hosting a "Holiday Shoppe" at Pickering Place on December 12th and 13th. Registered families in need will be able to pick out and wrap gifts for their own family members.

It is so easy to help out! We will have general wish lists on train tags with gift ideas written on them at the front entrance of school starting November 14th. Pick something out to donate and drop it off at school in the toy bins near the front office. We will be collecting gifts for kids 0-18 years old! The last day to drop off is Monday, December 10th.

If every family is able to donate just one new toy, we could make it a great holiday for all children in our community! If you have any questions please feel free to contact Terri Catalani at 425/306-4585.

Attention Kindergarten Families! KinderConnect Family Night Out!

The KinderConnect Committee invites you and your families to gather at The Rock Wood Fired Pizza at The Landing on Sunday, November 11 from 5 - 8 pm.

This open house style event will give you and your Kindergarteners a chance to mingle with new friends from all kindergarten classes. Families are invited to drop by any time during the 5 - 8 pm window. Families will be responsible for their own food and beverage purchases.

Please check your emails for an Evite invitation from the KinderConnect committee chairs, Kelly Schoembs and Keri Moritz, or feel free to contact either Kelly or Keri for more information.

Volunteers Needed For Vision and Hearing Testing

On Thursday, November 1st our school nurse, Karen Herring, will be conducting both vision and hearing testing on every student at Newcastle. We are in need of volunteers for either morning or afternoon shifts. It is a fun and easy way to volunteer and get to know your kiddo's fellow students.
Click here to sign up

Fall Fundraiser Update!

Our fall fundraiser launched last week to the cheers of students who learned there are many incentives they can earn for selling Entertainment Books. While that is incredibly enticing to the kids (and perhaps not so enticing to the parents), we want to remind everyone that the fundraiser raises significant amounts to support PTSA programs like Art Docent, the Book Room, Science Initiatives and Family Events. We sincerely appreciate the time and effort each family puts into this fundraiser.
Books sell for $30 each. Please have your student collect payment in advance, and once they have completed sales, turn in their order envelopes to the PTSA office by October 5th.
Please use the book sent home to complete your last order. If students ordered more than 1 book, we’ll provide the additional books to the students during the week of October 8th. If you have any questions, please contact Laura Derwin or Meri Hartman

Safeway and eScrip: Please Renew (or Join) by November 1st

Thank you for continuing to give to Newcastle Elementary!

eScrip is an important part of our fundraising program. Even if you’ve signed up your Safeway Club Card before, every year we are required to have members renew their commitment to the eScrip program. Please take 5 minutes to continue contributing to our school. Thank you very much for your support and time.

Are you one of our 343 supporters who haven’t renewed yet? Please renew so Newcastle Elementary continues to earn contributions!

• Go to eScrip.com
• Click on “YES RENEW!”
• Enter either your phone number, email, or Safeway Club Card number

If you are not an eScrip member, your participation can mean hundreds of dollars for our school. You can also register your credit or debit cards, shop at the over 1000 merchants at the eScrip online mall and a percentage of your purchases will automatically be contributed to Newcastle Elementary.

•Go to eScrip.com
•Click on “1-Sign Up”
•Enter School ID # 500004191
•Enter your Safeway Club Card number. Call 1-800-SAFEWAY if you don’t know it.

Questions? Contact Trisha Ackley

Fall Family Event Volunteers Needed! Annual Costume Carnival!

We are looking for volunteers to help with our upcoming Costume Carnival on October 26th. We have spots for set-up, clean- up and helping during the actual carnival! In addition, this year’s Carnival will have a Treat Walk (like a Cake Walk, but with various treats.) If you would like to donate a store-bought baked treat (like cupcakes or a cake,) you can also sign up for that online.

Please log in here

Thank you for helping to make this event a success, we couldn't do it without volunteers!

If you have any questions, please contact the Costume Carnival Co-chairs, Candace Berde & Michelle Riley

Order your Spirit Wear before September 19th!

The deadline to order Spirit Wear is September 19th for delivery on October 16th.
All orders will be delivered to the school.
You will receive a FREE white tshirt for every hoodie purchased before 9/19 deadline.
Place your orders now!

Spirit Wear

Give with Target - Help us get Target gift cards for school!

Want to help our kids? It’s easy. Our school can receive up to $10,000 in Target GiftCards® for books or any supplies we need. Wouldn’t that be great? All we need to do is vote for our school each week until September 8. It’s part of Give With Target®. For every 25 votes our school receives, Target will send a $25 gift card. Find out more and vote at Target Website