Originally delivered on 1/21/2022 4:01 pm

SUBJECT: Bulldog Blast 1-21-22

January 21, 2022

The LWSD School Board voted to place three levies on the February 8, 2022 ballot:

The members of the Bell PTSA voted to support and endorse these three levies. These levies are crucial, as they fund the gap between state funding and what LWSD students need. We ask that you please vote yes!

The legislative session kicked off on January 10 and there are a number of bills that have a direct impact on K-12 students. Below are a few worth watching and taking action on! 

  • SB 5563/HB 1590: Stabilizing enrollment to pre-pandemic levels 
  • SB 5595/HB 1985 and HB 1664: Increasing school staffing levels for school nurses, counselors, social workers, and psychologists
  • SB 5581 and HB 1808: Right-sizing transportation funding to cover actual costs 
  • HB 1226: Lowering the threshold to pass school bonds from 60% to a simple majority

One simple way to get involved is to subscribe to WSPTA’s Action Network Group. During the Washington State Legislative Session, WSPTA will send action alerts to all subscribers. These action alerts are quick, easy ways to communicate with your legislators on topics they are actively working on. We also encourage our families to read the weekly WSPTA legislative reports. 

Visit our advocacy page for more information.

A message from Ms. Jennifer Cleaves, Finn Hill Middle School Interim Principal and Dr. Stacy Mehlberg, Finn Hill Middle School  Associate Principal


Dear Families and Friends of Future Finn Hill Middle School Falcons:

My name is Jennifer Cleaves, and I am the interim principal of Finn Hill Middle School. My associate principal, Dr. Stacy Mehlberg, and I would like to share information about how to connect to Finn Hill Middle School as your students prepare to transition.


5th Grade Presentations

Our counselors will be visiting the four elementary schools that feed into Finn Hill (Juanita, AG Bell, Thoreau, and Sandburg). Fifth grade teachers will have access to the counselors’ presentations and the required registration forms for students who may miss the in-person visits. All registration forms are due to fifth grade teachers by Monday, January 24. The counselors will be picking up these forms and using them to register students for sixth grade classes.

 

Opportunities to Learn More about FHMS

We invite you to two additional opportunities to learn more about our school:

  • On Tuesday, January 25, 2022 at 7pm, all incoming sixth grade families are invited to an information night. Families may join the meeting on Teams by clicking here. This will be a virtual, synchronous event and will be recorded and linked on our website the following day. Families will have the opportunity to watch a short principal presentation, which will be followed by a question-and-answer session with the Finn Hill administration. 
  • The Finn Hill staff is preparing an informational video that will be posted on our website by Tuesday, January 25th. This video will provide an opportunity to “tour” our building and “meet” many of the teachers and staff who will be working with sixth graders next year. 

 

We look forward to meeting you and working together to support your Falcons!

 

With Falcon PRIDE,

 

Ms. Jennifer Cleaves, FHMS Interim Principal

Dr. Stacy Mehlberg, FHMS Associate Principal

The Bell PTA is looking for 2 more volunteers to serve on the Nominating Committee alongside Keri Morgan, committee chair.

  • The Nominating Committee will identify candidates for the PTSA Executive Board for the 2022-23 school year.

  • Open Board Positions for the 2022-23 Executive Board:
    • Co-President 1
    • Co-President 2
    • Treasurer
    • Secretary
    • VP of Fundraising
    • VP of Community Events
    • VP of Student Enrichment

  • This isn’t a huge time commitment and can be done entirely remotely! 

If you are interested and would like to know more about this position, please contact Keri Morgan at nominations@agbellptsa.org 

As indicated in the email from Dr. Holmen on January 5, only "essential" volunteers are allowed in the building at this time. However, we still have a number of ways to help out remotely, or to support students outdoors.

  • We need two more volunteers to join the Nominating Committee. This committee is responsible for finding folks to nominate for PTSA board positions next year.

  • Help with facilitating play at recess and supervising lunch (outdoors) - sign-up here

  • Help out with Popcorn Friday (outdoors) - sign up here

  • Donate an air purifier to a classroom(s) - sign-up here

  • Support Bell's Pantry Pack Program

  • We’re looking for people to step into board positions for next year (2022-23). The board has term limits of 2 years for each position. Many of our current board members are in their second year. We are already looking, as we want to ensure a smooth transition into next year!
About Bell PTSA
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Looking Ahead
Tuesday, January 25
Half-Day Elementary Conferences (Jan 25, 27, & 28) Preschool Conferences (No Preschool Programs)
Thursday, January 27
Half-Day Elementary Conferences (Jan 25, 27, & 28) Preschool Conferences (No Preschool Programs)
Friday, January 28
Half-Day Elementary Conferences (Jan 25, 27, & 28) Preschool Conferences (No Preschool Programs)
Friday, February 4
Popcorn Friday
Thursday, February 17
No school – Mid-Winter Break (Feb 17 & 18)
Friday, February 18
No school – Mid-Winter Break (Feb 17 & 18)
Monday, February 21
No school – Presidents Day
Thursday, February 24
7:00p PTSA General Membership Meeting
Friday, February 25
Popcorn Friday
Friday, March 4
Popcorn Friday
Friday, March 11
No school – LEAP Day
Friday, March 18
Popcorn Friday
Quick Links
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