As students and families settle into new routines, we hope the Leota PTSA Newsletter will become an important resource for you. Use this newsletter to learn about what's happening at Leota, how you can make a difference, and the variety of programs we provide to help enrich the middle school experience.
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.
Support our Paving the Way annual fund
Paving the Way Together is a joint fundraiser between Leota PTSA and ASB that benefits all students, teachers, and staff. PTSA and ASB leaders are pleased to be back at school and offering the great programs that make Leota a special place for students, staff, and families. See below for the full list of programs. They happen only because of amazing volunteers and donations from our community. Your support is critical!
You have until Oct. 1 to be part of this important Leota tradition! You may participate in this fundraiser in up to four ways: PTSA membership + sponsorship + corporate matching + donation. Be sure to check out how we reward your student's fundraising efforts!
Thanks in advance for your support! If you have any questions, please email contact@leotaptsa.com.
Upcoming events
Add these events to your calendar!
Curriculum Night
Curriculum Night returns as an in-person event this year! Walk the same halls and sit at the same desks as your student. Meet teachers and learn about their classwork, standards, and expectations. This event happens only once a year, so you don't want to miss it:
Wednesday, Sept. 14, at 6:30-8:30 pm (start in gym, then visit classrooms)
PTSA General Meetings
The PTSA General Meetings are a great opportunity to learn what is happening at our school, ask questions of school leaders (and get answers!), and meet or reconnect with other Leota parents/guardians. This year's PTSA General Meetings are scheduled for:
Wednesday, Oct. 19, at 7 pm
Wednesday, Jan. 18, at 7 pm
Wednesday, March 15, at 7 pm
Wednesday, May 17, at 7 pm
Stay tuned for more details about these meetings.
Volunteers needed
Learn how you can help make Leota more awesome!
Student Store
The grand opening of the Leota Student Store is Wednesday, Sept. 14! We need 2 adult volunteers per week to make the Student Store happen for our students. It’s a great way for parents/guardians to lend a helping hand, plus it's fun! The Student Store is open every Wednesday during both lunches. For more information or to be added to the volunteer list, please email studentstore@leotaptsa.com.
Staff Appreciation events
Thank you to all our amazing volunteers who made last year’s Staff Appreciation events a success. We’re excited to get things underway this year! 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. If you would like to be added to the Staff Appreciation email list, please contact Vicki Johnson at vicki.johnson@hotmail.com.
Earlier this month we welcomed our fabulous staff back to school with grab-and-go bags filled with drinks, snacks, and treats. We'll need your help putting together the next Staff Appreciation events. Please sign up to help wherever you can!
Thank you to the volunteers who stepped up to lead PTSA committees this year! We are still looking to fill a number of crucial roles. If you have a desire to advocate for Leota's students, staff, and families, and if you're willing to roll up your sleeves to make awesome things happen, we'd love to have you! Please email president@leotaptsa.com if you are interested in any of the open positions.
Of special note: We need a few more helpers to make the Math Olympiad happen. If you would like to volunteer at this exciting event, please email Manish Jain at jainmnsh@yahoo.com.
Staff Spotlight
Get to know the teachers and staff who make Leota a great place!
Hannah Fast
Geometry; Algebra 2/Trigonometry
Favorite meal? Any type of pasta!
Why did you decide to work in education? I had an amazing 3rd grade teacher and I wanted to be just like her. I decided right then and there that I would become a teacher one day.
What sports do you follow? I am a big Mariners fan! My current favorite player is Julio Rodriguez and my all-time favorite player is Ken Griffey Jr.
Which celebrity do people say you look like? I get told I look like Cobie Smulders ("How I Met Your Mother" and "Avengers") a lot.
Do you play an instrument? Does singing count? I love to sing. I am also trying to learn how to play the guitar and ukulele.
What have you crossed off your bucket list? I traveled to Paris when I was 18. I became obsessed with Paris at the age of 6 and really wanted to visit. I hope to go back again in the future.
Eric Breekha
Learning Center Math; Learning Center Academic Lab
What do you like to do on weekends? Boat and fish!
Why did you decide to work in education? To help guide students in becoming valuable members of their community.
What are you known for being really, really good at? Guitar.
If you could meet any celebrity or historical figure, who would that person be? I would like to meet Jimmy Page and hopefully get a guitar lesson from him.
What have you crossed off your bucket list? Crossed the Atlantic on the Queen Mary 2, owned a Porsche, started a band at Leota.
Favorite words to live by? Learned this while in recording engineer school in the '70s: "Don't hammer with a saw. If it isn't broken, don't try to fix it. You can't get something for nothing." These three sayings will apply to almost everything in life.
Fun fact: Mr. Breekha's entire 30-year teaching career has been spent at Leota!
Be sure to check out the next PTSA Newsletter for another Staff Spotlight!
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.
Be in the know
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? Boat and fish!
