Looking out the window you wouldn't guess it was October. But inside the halls and classrooms of Leota, school is in full swing! Students and teachers alike are deep into learning, creating, making connections, and much more. Check out this week's PTSA Newsletter to learn how you can support our vibrant community!
Leota PTSA is a parent, teacher, staff, and student membership organization that advocates for all students and offers educational and community programs. We want to hear from you! If you have questions or suggestions, please visit www.leotaptsa.com or email president@leotaptsa.com.
Breaking news: Paving the Way extended to Oct. 7!
Thank you to all the families and supporters who have donated to this year's Paving the Way Together fundraiser. We are so close to our goal! If you haven't donated yet, we have good news: The deadline for donations has been extended to Friday, Oct. 7!
Paving the Way Together is a joint fundraiser between Leota PTSA and ASB that benefits all students, teachers, and staff. This is our one and only fundraiser of the year, and your support is critical.
Be sure to check out how we reward your student's fundraising efforts (see below). Students who reach specific milestones will receive the corresponding prizes. In addition, for every $50 the student raises, they will receive a raffle ticket for a chance at the grand prize: 4 seats to the Seahawks vs. 49ers game on Dec. 15! Don't miss out on this chance to be part of the excitement at Lumen Field. The raffle will be held Oct. 19.
Thank you for your continued support of the Leota PTSA and ASB. If you have questions about Paving the Way Together, please email contact@leotaptsa.com.
News and events
Stay informed about what's happening at Leota!
First PTSA meeting of the year!
All parents/guardians are invited to attend the first PTSA General Meeting of the year! Find out the results of the Paving the Way fundraiser, including the grand prize winner; learn the PTSA's plans for the year; and hear from Leota's new principal Mr. Leick and new assistant principal Ms. Henley.
This PTSA meeting will be held Wednesday, Oct. 19, at 7 pm on Zoom. The meeting link will be shared closer to the date. In the meantime, be sure to add this event your calendar!
Future PTSA General Meetings are scheduled for Jan. 18, March 15, and May 17. Stay tuned for more info about them.
Math Olympiad Club
Leota's Math Olympiad Club is currently enrolling participants for the new school year! This free, school-wide math enrichment program is open to all Leota students, at any math level.
Students participate in weekly Zoom meetings with the North Creek High School Math Club to hone their math problem-solving skills. They also take part in many math competitions throughout the year.
If your student would like to join Math Olympiad, parents/guardians must first sign up here to begin receiving communications about the club and its activities. Sign up now! Registration for the first competition is coming up, and classes led by NCHS Math Club will start Oct. 12.
Math Olympiad Club is proudly presented by the Leota PTSA. For more information, email matholympiad@leotaptsa.com.
Survey: what's important to PTSA members?
What issues are important to the Leota school community and students across the state? Make your voice heard! Take this survey to share your thoughts with the Northshore Council PTSA as they prepare for Washington state's 44th legislative assembly. Get your responses in soon; the survey closes Monday, Oct. 10.
Survey results will be shared with delegates from the Leota PTSA, who will soon head down to Olympia to decide which 5 issues are most important to the Leota community. Help them accurately represent Leota PTSA members by sharing your perspective.
Free parent education webinars
Northshore Council PTSA is offering free parent education webinars to all interested parents/guardians:
"Special Education Basics: IEPs and 504 Plans" with speaker Joanna Mathewson, a certified IEP Parent Partner with The Arc of King County. This webinar takes place Sunday, Oct. 9, at 2-4 pm on Zoom. Register here to receive the event link.
"Be SMART" with speaker Jaclyn Condra, a Northshore parent and PTA member who will discuss simple steps that all adults--whether they own guns or not--can take to keep our children and communities safer. This webinar takes place Monday, Oct. 17, at 7 pm on Zoom. Register here to receive the event link.
Volunteers needed
Learn how you can help make Leota more awesome!
Photo retakes
Dorian Studio will be back on campus for photo retakes on Thursday, Oct. 20, 9 am-1 pm. Leota would appreciate having 2 adult volunteers to help things run smoothly. Each volunteer will receive a complimentary photo package of their student. If you'd like to help, please reach out to Melanie Spencer at 425-408-6503 or mspencer@nsd.org.
Staff Appreciation events
Hey there, awesome Leota volunteers! We still have a number of spots to fill for the October Staff Appreciation lunch. Please take a look at the signup and see if you can help.
You’ll notice we’re including signups for events a couple of months in advance--never hurts to plan ahead, right?! Upcoming events include:
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!
PTSA committees
Thank you to Dawn and Surendra for answering the call last month! We are still looking to fill a few more roles on the Leota PTSA. If you're willing to roll up your sleeves to make awesome things happen at Leota, we'd love to have you! Please email president@leotaptsa.com if you are interested in any of the open positions.
Reminder: Background checks for volunteers
If you plan on volunteering on campus at Leota or any other facility in the Northshore School District, please be sure to submit your online application for a Level 1 background check before your first day of volunteering. Volunteers must update their applications every year. To begin the process, visit the district's Become a Volunteer webpage.
Note that NSD still requires onsite volunteers to submit proof of Covid vaccination. If you need a medical or religious exemption, please email Jon Young at jyoung3@nsd.org.
Staff Spotlight
Get to know the teachers and staff who make Leota a great place!
Stephanie Smith
Choir
What are you known for being really, really good at? Singing.
Which celebrity do people say you look like? The choir kids think I have Kristen Bell vibes.
Favorite meal? I looove to eat at Din Tai Fung.
Why did you decide to work in education? I had a great experience in middle school choir, where I felt like I had a home and a safe space, and I wanted to create safe spaces for other students.
What are your pets' names and what are they like? I have three cats: Neji, who is a grumpy old lady; Artemis, who is a BIG (17-lb.) beautiful idiot; and Ruby, who is a crazy kitten. I also have chickens.
Do you play an instrument? Piano, ukulele. I have taught band, so I play a lot of band instruments poorly.
What is your go-to karaoke song? My husband hates it, but "Travelin' Soldier" by the Dixie Chicks.
Favorite words to live by? The only person you can change is you.
Fun fact: I love to wear costumes!
Scott Miller
Social studies/history Mr. Miller's family, from left: Eli, Ryan, Emily, and Scott
Favorite meal? Steak, baked potato, and grilled asparagus.
What do you like to do on weekends? Watch sports, hike, watch my sons play sports.
Why did you decide to work in education? I wanted to make connections with kids and relay curriculum and life lessons.
If you could meet any historical figure, who would that person be? Jackie Robinson. I want to ask him how he did not explode when he was being yelled at and called really bad names. How did he hold it together? Who was his inspiration?
What are your pets' names and what are they like? We have cats. Belle is 9 years old and is scared of anyone not in the family. Pepper is 1 1/2 and is a very wild and crazy cat.
Which celebrity do people say you look like? When I was younger, Mark Spitz, Olympic gold medalist in swimming.
Favorite TV shows? Seinfeld, Friends, M*A*S*H.
What's on your bucket list? Sky diving. Trips to New Zealand, Australia, Italy, Greece.
Favorite words to live by? It is what it is.
Megan Iiams-Hauser
Paraeducator What do you like to do on weekends? Play with my pets, hike, relax.
What are your pets' names and what are they like? Cheeto and Frito are guinea pigs that love to squeak for more food. Dorito is a kitten that loves to play with her Lambchop toy and go outside in her harness.
What kind of books do you like to read? Mystery books.
Favorite TV shows? I watch British television, mostly.
Favorite travel destinations? Australia; London; Salt Spring Island, B.C.
What have you crossed off your bucket list? Pet a kangaroo--they are SUPER soft!
What's on your bucket list? Eat my way around the Middle East or Greece.
Which celebrity do people say you look like? Alicia Silverstone.
Favorite words to live by? Treat others BETTER than you want to be treated.
Be sure to check out the next PTSA Newsletter for another Staff Spotlight!
Share your feedback
Let's keep the conversation going! We welcome your ideas and suggestions for the PTSA Newsletter. Please email them to communications@leotaptsa.com.
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:
What do you like to do on weekends? Play with my pets, hike, relax.
