Apr 09 2018

April PTSA General Meeting—Digital Parenting for Digital Kids

When: Tuesday, April 24 from 6:30-8:30PM

Where: Pathfinder Library

 

Need support when it comes to technology and parenting? Not sure what social media is safe and what isn’t?

Come join us for an informative presentation and discussion about navigating parenting in the digital world we live in. Guest speaker Jo Langford—local therapist, sex educator and dad—will present to us “Digital Parenting for Digital Kids.” Learn how to up your parenting game with understanding “platinum rules” of behaving online with an audience and the “Three M’s” (Maintenance, Monitoring and Mentorship) of a high-quality conversation about what their online interactions actually look like. www.beheroes.net 
 
In addition:
  • Pegi McEvoy, Assistant Superintendent, will join us to address and update on us on the district’s efforts to improve our school bus system.
  • Spirit Wear on sale: New shirts have arrived! Bring check or cash to purchase.
  • PTSA Business: Announcements and time to give us your input.
  • Principal Report: David will update us on school-related items.
Free childcare provided by Blazing Trails for kids 5-12. Signup sheet in Front Office.

Questions: Email us at president@pathfinderk8ptsa.org

Apr 22 2018

 Staff Appreciation week is happening May 7-11th!

Apr 08 2018

Spring News from the Earth Project and our School Garden

We are sprucing up our garden this Spring by expanding current beds, building new ones and gearing up for lots of plants growing in our garden this Spring; getting ready for Spring Build and Starts Sale on Saturday, April 28th from 10am-2pm in our garden (lunch provided) where we will lay the ground work for Janet’s Outdoor Classroom, build more garden beds and focus on working on new signage for our garden to add some more color and messages to our garden; Planning a Mother’s day plant sale for Friday, May 11th and working hard to get every class out into the garden regularly for the rest of the school year.

Monday Morning Meeting on Monday, April 16th will focus on upcoming Earth Week the next week with songs and discussion of place, connection and advocacy regarding nature and the earth.

Come visit our garden this Spring or ask your children about what they did in the garden. Come see the Plants that will be growing in our garden this year include but not limited to: kale, chard, sorrell, peas, green beans, ground cherries, potatoes, tomatillos, tomatoes, blueberries, pumpkins and squash, broccolini, lettuce, fava beans, spinach and more flowers!

We look forward to seeing many of you at Spring Build this year to help build our Janet’s Outdoor Classroom!

Apr 08 2018

Pathfinder’s first LGBTQ family potluck is happening May 17th!

Apr 08 2018

PTSA NEWS—APRIL 2018

 

Apr 06 2018

Science Fair News – Sign Up Now!

Pathfinder’s annual Science Fair is the week after spring break – Thursday, April 19th.

Please turn in your filled in project permission form to the main office or your classroom teacher by this Friday, April 6th.

As your student puts their presentation together, please reference the Project Presentation Expectations sent home and attached here.

We will have a new shipment of tri-fold presentation boards in Andy’s classroom on Monday, April 16th for those that have yet to put their final presentations together.

If you would like to help with set up, clean up, or judging the day of the fair, please sign up at: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0b4bafa92da46-2018

Please contact Andy Darring at afdarring@seattleschools.org or Holly Rikhof at holly.rikhof@comcast.net with any questions.

Here’s the signup form: Scifairkidmail2018 update

Here are the expectations: Science Fair Presentation expectations 2018

Mar 28 2018

Our PTSA needs you- positions available for 2018/2019!

OUR PTSA BOARD NEEDS YOU—POSITIONS AVAILABLE FOR 2018/2019

Have a say in how fundraising dollars are spent, bring new ideas to the table and help continue to make our school the incredible place it is by getting involved in a whole new way. Some of our fabulous board members have kiddos leaving for high school or are moving into other positions so we have some opportunities opening up in the Fall: Treasure/Co-Treasurers, Fundraising Chair and Volunteer Coordinator. In addition, we are also in need of an After School Coordinator to keep this program going.

The three board positions (Treasurer, Fundraising and Volunteer) are all volunteer and require once a month evening meetings during the school year. The ASP position is a paying position funded by the PTSA and will work closely with Lisa Clayton in the Front Office to run the program. For more information contact us at president@pathfinderk8ptsa.org or the contact listed below.

Positions available:

Treasurer / Co-Treasurers: Maintain budget, fiscal records and accounts. Prepare monthly Treasurer’s Reports. Write checks for reimbursements and invoices. Arrange for audits, as needed. Prepare taxes and correspond with IRS as needed. Maintain PTSA insurance policy. Lead PTSA budget committee and act as donation liaison. For more information, contact Chau Robertson at treasurer@pathfinderk8ptsa.org

Fundraising Chair: Leads fundraising committee. The Pathfinder PTSA brings in more than $100,000 each year to fund programs and projects at the school. Oversee our three main fundraisers that fuel the budget: Direct Give (Sept-Oct), wreath-making (Nov-Dec) and the annual auction (March), plus low-key shopping fundraisers like BoxTops, Amazon and Thriftway receipts. For more information contact Susan Elderkin at fundraising@pathfinderk8ptsa.org

Volunteer Coordinator: Volunteer Coordinator actively collects names of family members who would like to volunteer at the school and helps communicate and organize volunteer needs. Is present at PTSA events and meetings to inform families of Pathfinder’s volunteer needs and encouraging families to be involved.For more information contact, Lashanna Williams at volunteer@pathfinderk8ptsa.org

After School Program Coordinator: Coordinates the after school program for Pathfinder PTSA. Includes curating class offerings, creating a catalog each quarter, managing registrations and rosters, coordinating with teachers and the front office, communicating with parents and the school community about the program and collecting invoices and coordinating payment to vendors via the treasurer. Will build and oversee a budget for the program in partnership with the treasurer and communicate with the PTSA board regarding pertinent aspects of the program. A commitment to equity and lifting up marginalized students and families is crucial to this position. This person will need to be present at school from 3:15-5:15 every day there are after school classes in session. Current pay is $900 per quarter. For more information, contact us at afterschoolprogram@pathfinderk8ptsa.org

Mar 26 2018

Registration open for Spring After School Classes

Registration starts Monday, March 26 and closes Wednesday, April 4.

To register for classes online, please go to:  bit.ly/PTSASpringASP

Contact us: afterschoolprogram@pathfinderk8ptsa.org

Session dates:

  • Most classes run April 16 – June 7
  • Bayfest All-School Musical: January 8 – May 31 (already in progress, no registration)
  • Fantastical Fashion: April 19 – May 24
  • No class Memorial Day, Monday, May 28

    Note: Please be aware that Grades 2 & 3 will be camping May 23 – 25; Grade 7 will be camping June 5 – 8; Grades 4 & 5, 6 and 8 will be camping June 12 – 15. Classes will continue as scheduled and there are no refunds for missed classes.

Notes:

You will notice our Spring Quarter of After School Classes is smaller than usual. This is because, after much discussion, it was decided we needed to evaluate and restructure our program to make it run smoother for both our parents and staff and to be more financially sound. This decision was not easy and we acknowledge the impact to those in our community and ask for your understanding and patience. The handful of classes available this quarter honor commitments that were made to vendors and only possible because Lisa Clayton, our assistant principal, and the office staff are willing to take on this extra work without us having a Spring coordinator. Please know that we are also communicating with our vendors about returning in the Fall 2018 once we are back up and running. We would also love to hear from you and your kids about what classes are on your wish list for next year! Contact us: afterschoolprogram@pathfinderk8ptsa.org

Needed: ASP Coordinator for Fall 2018
For more info visit bit.ly/PTSASpringASP or email us at afterschoolprogram@pathfinderk8ptsa.org.

Click here to register for Spring 2018 After School Program classes.

Mar 14 2018

PTSA News – March 2018

AUCTION RAISES $88,000!
Thank you for choosing to support our Pathfinder adventures through your generous giving at our school auction and by purchasing Group Events. This money goes a long way in helping the PTSA fund many incredible programs and needs at our school. To read more: https://www.pathfinderk8ptsa.org/thanks-adventure-huge-success


GROUP EVENTS—MORE ADVENTURES TO COME
Group events are awesome adventures put on by staff and parents for both kids and adults. There are many events going on from now until August and it’s a great way to have fun with friends while supporting our community. To see a full list: https://pfk8.schoolauction.net/auction2018/tickets/ticket_sales.


FUND-A-NEED 2018—A WHOLE NEW ADVENTURE
This year’s fund-a-need was based on community and community building and guess what? Our community went all out in raising over $14,000 to be divided between four different needs. To read more about it: https://www.pathfinderk8ptsa.org/auction/building-community. If you donated, make sure to see if your company will match your donation. Questions: contact PTSA treasurer, Chau Robertson at treasurer@pathfinderk8ptsa.org.


AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM—SPRING QUARTER  / COORDINATOR NEEDED FOR FALL
We are restructuring and evaluating our program. The Spring Quarter will have limited classes and more information will be available in late March with classes starting after Spring Break in April. We are also in need of a coordinator to take over for Fall. For more information, contact us at president@pathfinderk8ptsa.org.


SPIRIT WEAR—COMING SOON!
A new order has been placed and will soon be available to purchase.


Upcoming PTSA Events


EARTH PROJECT WORK PARTY—SATURDAY, MARCH 31st / 10AM-12PM / PATHFINDER GARDEN
Come join us to help prep the garden for our Spring Garden Build in April.


SCIENCE FAIR—THURSDAY, APRIL 19th


APRIL GENERAL MEETING—TUESDAY, APRIL 24th / 6:30-8:30PM / PATHFINDER LIBRARY
Our guest speaker will be Jo Langford, local therapist, sex educator and dad. Jo spoke several years ago at our school and is back by request. He will present to us “Digital Parenting for Digital Kids.” Up your parenting game with understanding “platinum rules” of behaving online with an audience and the “Three M’s” of a high-quality conversation about what their online interactions actually look like. www.beheroes.net


Volunteer Opportunities
Interested in getting more involved? Our PTSA board is looking for a Fundraising Chair and Volunteer Chair for next year. Please contact Ginny and Laura for more information at president@pathfinderk8ptsa.org


For more PTSA information:
PTSA news and information: pathfinderk8ptsa.org
Like and follow your PTSA on Facebook: facebook.com/pathfinderk8ptsa
Follow us on Twitter @pathfinderptsa


Questions/Comments:  Contact PTSA Co-Presidents Ginny Woo and Laura Murray: president@pathfinderk8ptsa.org

 

Mar 07 2018

Thanks to you, our adventure was a huge success!!

Our annual PTSA Pathfinder Auction has made over $87,000 so far!

You know that old saying “it takes a village”? Well it truly took a village (and a half) to make this year’s Pathfinder auction the huge success that it was and we owe huge thank yous to so many. From our tireless parent volunteers that worked all year to make this one night happen, to our staff for donating their time to host group events and for taking time out of their day for class art. To our kids for making priceless, unique art that will hang in homes forever-you were a part of this success and this is for you! To David and Lisa for once again going all out with their performances-you continue to inspire with your love and dedication to our school…and entertaining! And of course to all who joined us in this adventure Saturday night, you chose the right adventure, thank you!

“ One way to get the most out of life is to look upon it as an adventure”

-William Feather

Thank you,

Desirae Wilkerson & Jenny Gutama Kulas

2018 Auction Co-Chairs

More Adventures To Come!

Group Events are just getting started so click here to see what adventures are available. Sign up and join your friends today!

Fund-A-Need

This year’s fund-a-need was based on community and community building and guess what?? Our community went all out in support of this year’s fund-a-need adventure. If you donated to the Fund-A-Need make sure to see if your company will match your donation. Please contact the PTSA treasurer, Chau Robertson with questions at treasurer@pathfinderk8ptsa.org.