Thank you to everyone who has completed the fund allocation survey. If you have not completed it, we ask that you please take a moment to do so. It takes approx 3 minutes (7 questions).

The annual cost to run Bell PTSA is substantially less this year due to remote learning. We are interested in feedback from both faculty and Bell families on how to best allocate funds to bring the most value to our school.

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

Our new spirit wear store is up and running! Historically, we only sold spirit wear 1-2 times per year. We have recently changed vendors and now have spirit wear available throughout the entire school year. There is some cool stuff! Be sure to get your spirit wear, Bell Bulldogs. 

current offer: 20% off all orders over $50 - coupon code: layer21

As we move through the legislative session, it is imperative that community members reach out to their representatives to relay what is important to them. Change happens when we are all informed and engaged in the process.

From Sherry Rudolph, WSPTA Advocacy Director:

Every other day, a Washington child or youth dies at the hand of a firearm.  High-capacity magazines make shootings more deadly and allow shooters to fire more rounds, faster.  The Washington Post estimates that more than 240,000 American students have now experienced gun violence at school, including nearly 7,000 students in Washington.

We have the opportunity to restrict the access of these most deadly weapons in SB 5078, which would limit the sale and transfer of high-capacity magazines over 17 rounds. This common-sense legislation was requested by our Attorney General’s office. Please contact your representatives and ask for their support.

Take action Here or contact your legislators directly via phone or email and ask them to support SB 5078. If you don't know who your legislators are, simply enter your address here.

Some fact about Bell's library:                                         

• Bell's Library has 9,853 books in the collection with an average age of 2004 (publication date) - this is considered an aging collection.
• Currently 10% of Bell's collection “supports an environment that values and promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion," per a recent analysis done by Mr. Marino.       
• Since the fall of 2019, annual funds from the building budget, the PTSA classroom grants, a special grant from PTSA in spring 2020, and other successful grant requests (Donorschoose and East-King School Retirees Association) have supported the purchase of more than 125 new diverse books, but this represents only the beginning of an effort to update and diversify Bell's library collection.     

1. Order books from Mr. Marino's Amazon Wishlist (preferred way to help out)- select the gift registry address, so the books ship direct to Bell.
2. Books can be donated direct to Mr. Marino anytime throughout the year, but please DO NOT donate books that are aged or in bad condition. Any donations must meet the following criteria:
   1. Age appropriate (K-5)
   2. Of interest to students
   3. In good condition

The PTSA organized a staff appreciation event in December and we will organize another event in May; however, we encourage families to show your appreciation throughout the year. The way our teachers have pivoted and implemented an entirely new model for instruction delivery (with very little planning time) is simply admirable. And the way they continue to show up each and every day for our students, no matter what is thrown their way, is honorable. We wanted to remind the community that the Amazon wishlists for teachers and staff are on our staff appreciation page on the website. We encourage all of you to send a small gift from the wishlist or send a thank you card at any time. Let them know how much we appreciate them and all they give to our students, our school, and our community. 

*note: not all faculty members have an Amazon wishlist, but most do.

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. 

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 and please continue uploading photos!

Here are a few of the amazing works of art we received this week. The one on the left is by Olivia Secord (5th grade) and the one on the right is from Hazar Shaban (5th grade). Keep those submissions coming in, Bell Bulldogs!

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. Two parents have reached out thus far (THANK YOU Julie Barker and Grace Brown), but they need a few more 5th grade parents to help out. 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 looking for someone interested in art to help out with the reflections art competition next year (September)
  
  
• 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.
  
  
• We recently created thisvolunteer interest formwhere you can simply select your areas of interest and we will reach out as we begin planning events/programs that align with your interest to see if you're available to help out. It's a simple 3-question form and will only take 2-3 minutes to complete.

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 is some key information for Bell families. View the Family Resource page on our website for additional resources/ info. 

• Path Forward: Lake Washington School District will continue the staggered return of students beginning March 18-19 (A/B) for second and third grade and March 29-30 (A/B) for fourth and fifth grade.

  Group A: Monday and Thursday
  Group B: Tuesday and Friday
  
  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.
  
  

• Kindergarten Registration began 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.

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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