Newsletter for the week of Oct. 31, 2022 In this issue:
Recap of October PTSA meeting
Reflections art program
Become a PTSA member
PTA legislative priorities
Staff Appreciation signup
Staff Spotlight
News & events
Stay informed about what's happening at Leota
Recap of October PTSA meeting
Thanks to all the Leota PTSA members who attended the PTSA Membership Meeting on Oct. 19. Special thanks to our guest speakers, Principal Leick and Assistant Principal Henley!
At the meeting we announced the results of our annual fund, Paving the Way, supporting both PTSA and ASB programs. We are thrilled to report the fall drive raised $15,127! Donations made up $12,907 of that amount, while memberships brought in $2,220. Congratulations to our prize winners, too! Pizza party winners will be announced soon, with prizes and pizzas to be distributed to students in their Pride classes on Nov. 18.
We introduced and welcomed the following volunteers to the PTSA board and standing committees (click the image to view it bigger). Special thanks to ALL the volunteers who make amazing things happen at Leota all year long!
Members voted on our annual budget and standing rules so that the PTSA can continue to operate for the students, staff, and parent community for the fiscal year. The agenda also included announcements and updates from various committee chairs.
And finally, following is a high-level summary of the PTSA calendar of programs for the remainder of the school year (click the image to view it bigger). Details about each program will follow in future communications, including this newsletter, the Leota PTSA website, and the Leota PTSA Facebook page. For more info, feel free to reach out to contact@leotaptsa.com.
See you at the next PTSA General Meeting on Jan. 18!
Reflections: a showcase of student art
Calling all student artists! It's time for the annual PTA Reflections Art Program! Create an original work of art in response to this year's theme: "Show Your Voice." Students may submit their completed works in any, or all, of the arts categories:
For more information, email this year's Leota PTSA Reflections chair, Heather Jenks, at heatherjenks@hotmail.com.
Become a PTSA member
Thank you to the 152 Lions who joined the Leota PTSA this year!
It's not too late to support us in our mission to make every child's potential a reality. If you want to build connections with the Leota community, support your child, have a voice in the education of all children, or play an important role in any of the other great things that the PTSA does, please join the Leota PTSA at https://leotaptsa.com/Packet/Join.
Can't remember if you already signed up? You can confirm your membership by logging in to your account summary at https://leotaptsa.com/Account/Summary--look in your orders for "Lionheart Membership." Another way to find out if you have joined is by looking in your inbox for the email from "memberplanet" that contains your PTSA membership card.
Top legislative priorities for state PTA
PTA members from across the state recently came together to learn, debate, and vote on the new legislative priorities the Washington State PTA will focus on for the next two years. At the 44th annual PTA Legislative Assembly, delegates determined the top 5 issues (see image below) and identified 8 additional issues for the "also supported" list.
Leota parent Rachel Fitzgerald attended on behalf of our school's PTSA and was joined by Council delegates and other PTA leaders from across Northshore School District schools, who attended either in-person or remotely as delegates for their PTAs.
In addition to voting on the legislative priority issues, delegates approved one new resolution, "4.16 Equitable and Impactful Family Engagement in Education," and amendments to resolutions 2.23, 18.36, and 18.40 that encompass issues on gun violence, access to highly capable services, and students with disabilities.
Hey there, awesome Leota volunteers! We still have a number of spots to fill for the upcoming Staff Appreciation lunches. Please take a look at the signups 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!
Sandwiches and salads were the theme at October's Staff Appreciation lunch. Thanks to everyone who contributed to this sumptuous spread!
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.
NEW: As of 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
Valerie Olson
Washington State History, Multimedia Leadership, and Leadership
Favorite meal? Since chips and salsa probably don't qualify as a meal, I would have to say any meal inclusive of chips and salsa, or naan and curry.
What do you like to do on weekends? I do a lot of training for running--I try to run a half-marathon each month. And I hang out with my daughters and my parents.
Why did you decide to work in education? I wanted to do something that felt significant, and getting to be a part of the life journey and learning of young people feels very significant indeed! I love my job and feel personally called to this work.
What are you really, really good at? I am good at seeing what is good in others and I love to think of situations in novel ways.
If you could meet any historical figure, who would that person be? I would like to sit down and have a heart-to-heart conversation with Jesus, Thich Nhat Hanh, or Maya Angelou.
Do you speak any other languages? I took five years of French and wish I remembered more of it! It is a personal goal of mine to learn at least some basics of the languages my students speak.
Favorite TV shows? I don't really watch TV, if you can believe it!
What is your go-to karaoke song? "What's Up?" by 4 Non Blondes.
What have you crossed off your bucket list? Running in Disney World. Writing and directing a musical.
Johanna Ventre
Science
What are your pets' names and what are they like? A one-eyed dog named Bodhi and a black cat named Bagheera.
What kind of books do you like to read? Thrillers.
What are some jobs you had before becoming a teacher? Phlebotomist, lifeguard, swim coach, nanny, server.
What's on your bucket list? Zipline in Costa Rica.
Favorite quote? "Dream on, but don't imagine they'll all come true." --Billy Joel in "Vienna" Maria Cisneros
Family Engagement Specialist
What are you really, really good at? I love taking care of students and their families.
Why did you decide to work in education? I love seeing kids learn and grow.
Favorite meal? Seafood.
What are your pets' names and what are they like? Khloe is a very interesting cat. Khloe used to be an indoor cat but became an outdoor cat and is loving the outdoors.
What kind of books do you like to read? Books based on true stories.
Do you speak any other languages? Spanish.
What volunteer work do you do in the community? I recently started volunteering to feed the homeless in Seattle, and I volunteer at Woodin Food Bank and at my local church.
Favorite travel destination? Mexico.
What have you crossed off your bucket list? Trip to Costa Rica.
What's on your bucket list? Trip to Europe. Be sure to check out the next PTSA Newsletter for another Staff Spotlight!
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? Since chips and salsa probably don't qualify as a meal, I would have to say any meal inclusive of chips and salsa, or naan and curry.
What are your pets' names and what are they like? A one-eyed dog named Bodhi and a black cat named Bagheera.
What are you really, really good at? I love taking care of students and their families.
