Newsletter for the week of Jan. 3, 2023 In this issue:
PTSA meeting: Jan. 18
Staff Appreciation signups
Staff Spotlight
Thank you, sponsors
News & events
Stay informed about what's happening at Leota
Join the next PTSA meeting in person or online
Our next PTSA General Meeting is just around the corner on Wednesday, Jan. 18. Please join us in person or on Zoom--your choice! Agenda will include:
2nd semester activities
Emergency prep for families options
President's and Treasurer's reports
Principal's report
Location details and a Zoom link will be emailed closer to the date. See you there!
Volunteers needed
Learn how you can help make Leota more awesome
Staff Appreciation events
Thank you to everyone who contributed to our previous lunches. The staff are always so grateful, and they often comment how fortunate they feel to be part of our Leota community.
In January we're pioneering a new lunch theme: food from around the world! Please take a look at the signup and consider bringing your favorite international dish. This can be something from your own heritage or just something you love! Be sure to include a label with the name and origin of your dish.
We have almost 90 staff at Leota this year, and we want to show each and every one of them how much we value their contributions to our school. Thank you for signing up!
Pictured below are just a few of the treats shared at last month's Staff Appreciation event. What a delicious start to the staff's Winter Break! Thanks to Vicki Johnson, Karla Pak, and all the other volunteers who made it happen.
Reminder: Volunteer background checks
To volunteer on campus at Leota or any other facility in the Northshore School District, you'll need to submit an online application for a Level 1 background check. Volunteers must update the application every year, and it must be completed before the first day of volunteering. To begin the process, visit the district's Become a Volunteer webpage.
Note: Effective Nov. 1, 2022, proof of Covid vaccination is no longer required for NSD volunteers. The district change is in response to the governor's repeal of Covid emergency proclamations and state of emergency.
Staff Spotlight
Get to know the teachers and staff who make Leota a great place
Tracy Westberg
6th grade Ancient World History & 6th grade Leadership
Favorite meal? Lamb with steamed veggies and potatoes followed by tiramisu for dessert.
What's your superpower? I'm really good at board games and strategy games. My family won't play Rummikub with me because they know I'll win. :)
If you could meet any historical figure, who would that person be? I'm an ancient history teacher, so I'd love to go back in time and talk to a few Egyptian pharaohs.
What sports do you follow? Seahawks football and Mariners baseball.
What kind of books do you like to read? Sports books, nonfiction, or young adult books.
Favorite TV shows? "The Office" and "Parks and Recreation." But I usually just watch sports.
Favorite travel destination? Italy, especially the southern end.
What's on your bucket list? To visit every Major League Baseball stadium.
Why did you decide to work in education? I knew I wanted to teach from a very young age. I used to buckle my little brother in his highchair so I could "teach" him using our little chalkboard. My fifth-grade teacher solidified my desire to teach. Ever since then, I have worked with kids in one capacity or another. And I still love it! Kindra Stevens
8th grade AAP English
Why did you decide to work in education? My grandmother was a teacher. I loved hearing her stories about her students.
What do you like to do on weekends? Ski in the winter, hike in the summer and fall.
What kind of books do you like to read? Fantasy, mystery, historical fiction.
Hobbies? Quilting and dancing.
Favorite meal? Lamb stew.
Do you have pets? Carrick, a goofy Irish water spaniel. Cora, a cat we found while camping, who we brought home and learned was pregnant! Now we have four kittens, too!
What job did you have before you started working at Leota? Waitress.
Do you speak any languages beside English? Spanish.
Favorite words to live by? Use your time wisely! Be sure to check out the next PTSA Newsletter for another Staff Spotlight!
Thank you, sponsors
We couldn't do this without you
The Leota PTSA would like to thank all of the Paving the Way donors, and especially this year's sponsors (listed below). Our programs and events are possible because of you all!
Your generosity is already at work! To date, projects and programs include:
Improving the sound system during emergencies
Fixing the refrigerator door in the nurse's office
WEB T-shirts
Choir
ASB
Let's get social
For the latest news and opportunities, follow "Leota Middle School PTSA" on Facebook and join the "Leota PTSA Volunteers and Info" private group on Facebook. Just click the links below:
Leota PTSA is a parent, teacher, staff, and student membership organization that advocates for all students. We make a variety of educational and community programs possible at Leota. For more information, visit www.leotaptsa.com.
We hope this biweekly newsletter is a valuable resource to learn about the events, programs, and opportunities available to all Leota families. Thanks for reading!
We welcome your feedback and suggestions for the PTSA Newsletter. Please email them to communications@leotaptsa.com.
Favorite meal? Lamb with steamed veggies and potatoes followed by tiramisu for dessert.
Why did you decide to work in education? My grandmother was a teacher. I loved hearing her stories about her students.
