We hope all of you will join us for our next PTSA meeting on Thursday, February 25th at 7pm. All are welcome and encouraged to join (whether you're a PTSA member or not). The agenda will include:

• An overview of what the PTSA has done this year during remote learning
• An introduction and Q&A with our School Resource Officer, Officer Davidson 
• A Q&A with Bell's Principal, Mr. Story
  
  

Please email any questions you would like to ask Officer Davidson or Mr. Story topresident@agbellptsa.org

Sign-In Details for the Zoom Meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84766997561?pwd=Rmord0hxMlhqNVl1R2YrdDQ3bjRMdz09

Meeting ID: 847 6699 7561

Passcode: 464235

The annual cost to run Bell PTSA is substantially less this year due to remote learning. In a typical year, the PTSA would fund field trips, on-site educational enrichment (e.g., assemblies, Science Day, S.T.E.M. Night, Artist in Residence, etc.), and community events (e.g., Back to School Picnic, Harvest Party, etc.). Additionally, the PTSA has a reserve fund that is in excess of our estimated annual expenses. Given this, we are reaching out to the community (Bell families and faculty) to get your feedback on where you think the PTSA funds should be allocated. Once we gather this feedback from the community, we will put together a proposed amended budget. PTSA members will then vote on the proposed changes. Please take the time to complete this quick survey. It will only take about 3 minutes.

*The survey can be translated to another language by right clicking and selecting "translate to..."

We would love to create a page in the yearbook capturing our Bell Bulldogs playing in the snow! Please submit your photos with your student's name, grade, and teacher. There are two ways to submit photos:

1. Upload the photos on TreeRing via our school page (via the app or website). This is the preferred way to submit photos for the yearbook.
2. Email the photos to yearbook@agbellptsa.org

The PTSA is the largest volunteer child-advocacy group in the country and Bell has advocacy at the core of everything we do. In addition to our advocacy work, we focus on providing educational enrichment opportunities to Bell students, building our community connection, and giving back to our community. Take a look around our new site to learn more about the work we do and please support this work by joining the PTSA. 

To join, please go to your Forms and Paperwork and complete your Member Information (if you have not already done so), then scroll down and click on Join the PTSA.

The PTSA continues to fund art enrichment programs at Bell and we are thrilled to continue these lessons virtually with Mrs. Lustgarten. Mrs. Lustgarten has created two more lessons this month, both in celebrate of Black History Month. One is inspired by Jospeh Amedokpo and the other by Faith Ringgold. The lessons are available on the Art with Mrs. Lustgarten page. We've also included this video of Faith Ringgold reading her own book, Tar Beach. 

We would LOVE to see your finished art, Bell Bulldogs! Email a picture of yourself with the art you created to art@agbellptsa.org (include the student's name, grade, and teacher). If you need art supplies, please reach out to your teacher or to Bell PTSA at art@agbellptsa.org.

Calling all students! Help create our cover for this year’s Yearbook! This year’s theme is, "Oh, the Places We've Been." What does that look like to you? Create your artistic vision, take a photo of it (or scan it) and email it to yearbook@agbellptsa.org. All entries are due by March 15th.

The winner will receive a free yearbook and other entries may be featured in the yearbook as well. Good luck! If you have questions or need art supplies, please email yearbook@agbellptsa.org.

Make sure to order your yearbook on TreeRing prior to 4/24/21, and please continue uploading photos!

Here are some highlights of the advocacy work the PTA is doing right now during Washington State's Legislative Session:

• Washington State PTA continues to testify in favor of solutions that bridge the digital divide and lead to improved and equitable access to broadband infrastructure. Hear Nancy Chamberlain testify on HB 1460 in the House Finance Committee.
  
  
• Gwen Loosmore spoke in strong support of HB 1139, taking action to address lead in drinking water, in the House Education Committee January 26. The bill passed the House Education Committee and likely will move to the House Appropriations Committee for further debate.
  
  
• The Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education committee heard SB 5386 and SJR 8204, a policy bill and constitutional amendment request that would lower the threshold to pass bond measures to 55 percent. Michelle Nims, former WSPTA president, testified in support of a simple majority for bonds, sharing a personal story on the Everett School District that garnered 58.8% support in a global pandemic but failed to meet the 60% requirement. Listen here
  
  
• WSPTA President Janice Kutzera weighed in Tuesday, February 9, in support of HB 1476, the bill to stabilize K-12 funding gaps due to enrollment decline in the majority of the state’s school districts. Listen here to President Kutzera. In addition, here is the short House Appropriations staff briefing on the bill.

For more info, read the full report: WSPTA's legislative report for week 5. Take a look at our advocacy page to learn more about the current legislative session, advocacy work at Bell, and how YOU can get involved and be part of the change!

While remote learning has been challenging for most families, students in special education and their families are often facing another level of challenges. Trying to navigate remote learning and obtain the services and support needed for kiddos on IEPs and 504 plans is extremely challenging. Lake Washington PTSA Council has a Special Education Group to provide support and resources for these families. Does your family need more support and resources to navigate special education? If so, more info can be found below:

• Special Education Group - Facebook Page
• Special Education Group - Webpage

February is nationally recognized as Black History Month - a celebration of the substantial contributions Black Americans have made to our nation and each of our communities. It's not only a time for celebration, but also an opportunity for all of us to reflect, educate ourselves, educate our children, and continue the work of racial justice. We have created a Black History Month page on our website with a number of ideas on how to do just that!

We have a number of ways to get involved with our school community:

• Calling all 5th grade parents! Each year, fifth grade parents get together and organize a graduation event for Bell's graduating students. We want to ensure the planning gets started so these kiddos have a great send-off. Email president@agbellptsa.org if you can help!
  
  
• We are looking to fill the executive board for next year. Job descriptions for each role are on the Executive Board page. Simply complete this nomination form or email nominations@agbellptsa.org if you're interested or know someone who might be a good fit.
  
  
• We are still in need of an Emergency Preparedness volunteer.More info
  
  
• Other volunteer opportunities can be found on the volunteer page of our new website.

All volunteers must be approved through Lake Washington School District. Please complete the volunteer application if you have not already done so.

The more engaged and involved we are as a school community, the more our students and our school will thrive. 

Below are a few resources for Bell families. View the Family Resource page on our website for additional resources. 

• Kindergarten Registration begins on-line February 18th - Register here. The initial registration period for children who will be five years old on or before August 31 will begin on February 18, 2021 and extend through March 1, 2021. Registration for all K-12 LWSD students is online.
  
  
• Free Student Meals - Free lunches and breakfasts for the entire week are available through the end of the 2020-21 school year. Meals are available for pickup at select locations and at school for in-person students when they are in school. More info
  
  
• Child Care Resources - The district is continuing to work with their community partners, YMCA and Boys & Girls Clubs of King County, to provide child care for students in grades K-5 during remote learning. More info.
  
  
• Technology Support - Lake Washington School District is committed to providing 24x7 technology support for students and families during this year of remote teaching and learning. More info
  
  
• Learn more about Lake Washington School District's plans for returning to in-person learning at lwsd.org/pathway-forward and view answers to frequently asked questions.  If you have questions about LWSD's Pathway Forward, please submit them to the district using this form.

Resources from Bell's School Counselor

Strong African American Families-Teen Program (SAAFT) is hosting a virtual series for families who are parenting teens of color, particularly those who are parenting African American teens ages 14-16. There is no cost to attend this series. The flyer indicates the deadline to register was on the 15th; however, families are still able to sign up. More info.

WELL BEINGS is hosting a virtual event on 2/25/21 at 7pm to support the mental health and well-being of Black youth in our region. Experts, including teens with lived experience, will discuss mental health challenges related to current events, ways to overcome barriers and reduce stigma, coping mechanisms and resources for getting support. More info.

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• Get Involved: volunteer your time, contribute to our programs, attend PTSA meetings. There are many ways YOU can make a difference in your community.
  
• Direct Donations 
• Corporate Matching- An easy way to double your donation!
• Amazon Smiles - Select "A G Bell PTSA" as your charity and shop via AmazonSmiles 
• Fred Meyer Rewards - Link your Fred Meyer Rewards card to AG Bell PTSA

With the launch of Bell PTSA's new website, we now send our newsletter direct from our website, as opposed to going through the school registrar. Please make sure to register on our new site so your information is up to date! 

Alexander Graham Bell PTSA

11212 NE 112th St

Kirkland, WA 98033