Laura Ingalls Wilder PTSA
School year 2006-2007

Wilder PTSA Committees

Click on a committee for more information

A DAD A DAY Logo Wear Sales Sixth Grade Graduation
Art Enrichment Math Adventures Special Needs
Birthday Books Math Club Staff Appreciation
Box Tops & Campbell Soup Label Math Olympiad Student Directory
Bulletin Boards Membership Supply Sale
Cafe Wilder Poetry Pancake Breakfast Theater
Chess Club Parent Education Vision and Hearing Screening
Community Outreach Parent Organizer Watershed
Cook Book Reading Enrichment Web Page/Web Master
Drug & Alcohol Education Redmond Ridge Liason Welcoming Committee
Education Enrichment Reflections Yearbook
Emergency Prep RTC “School Cents”  
Foreign Language Safety Patrol  
Gift Wrap Sales School Beautification  
Health Room School Pictures  
Hospitality Science Fair  
Legislation Sixth Grade Comm. Service  

 

A DAD A DAY
Description:
Heather Bowhay (Chair)
 
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ART ENRICHMENT

Janet Friedberg (Chair)

Description: Now in it's ninth year, the Art Docent Program is run by parent volunteers and has grown to be one of our largest Enrichment Programs .  Each classroom is scheduled for grade specific art lessons at least 6-7 times throughout the year.  Our students experience a wide variety of mediums, including oil pastel, clay, copper as well as varied painting and printing techniques.  After finishing sixth grade, they have been exposed to well over 40 artists and a vast array of creative styles.  For information on our program, please call Canliss Junor (881-9755) or Janet Friedberg (895-9644).
 
 
 
 
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BOX TOPS & CAMPBELL SOUP LABEL
Description: By Submitting Box Tops to your child’s classroom or to the health room, Wilder gets money sent directly to our school.  When you submit Campbell’s Soup Labels to the classroom or health room, Wilder gets to choose from many types of educational equipment to benefit our school.
Melissa Unkel - Box Tops (Chair)
Sara Tschumper - Soup Labels (Chair)
 
 
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BIRTHDAY BOOKS
Description: By donating a book to the Wilder Library for your child’s birthday, you support our library and create a lasting tribute to your child.
Terri Norris (Chair)
 
 

By donating a book to the Wilder Library for your child’s birthday, you can both support our library and create a tribute to your child that will last for years to come!

How To Participate:

•           Fill out the form below

•           Write a check payable to Wilder PTSA.  A $20 donation is recommended per book.

•           Send the form and check to school. For ease of making deposits, we urge you to do this in September or January, regardless of your child’s birth month.

•           IMPORTANT:  Be sure that you and/or your child pick out the book anytime before your child’s birth month! Our librarian, Mr. Simmons, has an assortment of appealing books that would enhance our library.  You are encouraged to select from these books, or, if you prefer a specific title, let Mr. Simmons know at least one month before the birth date so he can place an order for your child.  Ideal times to pick out a book are just before or after school, or you can contact Mr. Simmons to make other arrangement

Complete a Birthday Book form and return it to school with your donation.

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BULLETIN BOARDS
Description: Our focus is to help Wilder utilize the bulletin board spaces in the cafeteria and entry way.  The Bulletin Board Team is available to help reserve space and to create and post eye-catching bulletin boards to advertise Wilder events and activities
Jill Minifie (Chair)
 
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CAFE' WILDER POETRY
Description: Café Wilder is a fun, spirited place where students who love poetry share their favorite poems. Your poem can be an original composition by you, a friend, or a poem of a published poet. Snacks and prizes are always part of the fun!

Claire Beighle (Co-Chair)

Judy Russo (Co-Chair)

 
 

Learn more about Café Wilder Poetry

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CHESS CLUB
Description:
Ginger Clough (Chair)
 
 
In its fifth year, and including more than 100 Wilder chess players from KG-6th grade, the Wilder Chess Club is one of the more active enrichment programs at the school.  Depending on ability, players attend weekly meetings of the Novice or Advanced/Intermediate classes where students are given lectures on various aspects of the game and given the opportunity to match wits with their peers on the chessboard.  Typically in the fall, Wilder hosts its annual tournament for approximately 200 players in the Lake Washington School District.  Wilder players also participate in at least 3 other local scholastic tournaments throughout the year as well as the Washington State Elementary Chess Championships held in April.  In addition to competitive play, the Wilder Chess Club hosts Family Math and Chess Nights and Open Chess sessions (where players can meet informally to play bughouse and other chess variations,) and sponsors a week-long summer chess camp given by local chess experts.  We are always looking for new and creative ways to get students playing chess.
 
For more information on chess activities at Wilder, please contact Ginger Clough at clough_family@hotmail.com or 425-895-1988.

 

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COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Description: We are currently looking for people to help in the classroom at Einstein Elementary, a neighboring school in great need of volunteers.
Nancy Hambacher  (Chair)
 
 

Learn more about the L.I.N.K.S. volunteer opportunity

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COOK BOOK
Description: The staff encouraged the Staff Appreciation committee to create a Wilder cookbook to include recipes from the luncheons.  It will serve as a memento of our time at Wilder as well as a PTSA fundraiser.
Nancy Hambacher (Co-Chair)
 
 
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DRUG & ALCOHOL EDUCATION
Description:
Eric Medeiros  (Chair)
 
 
We are working to provide education to our K-6 children, and their parents. Our goal is to have at least an “Awareness Week” during the school year, where we would have an assembly, handouts, workshop type classes, speakers, for both the children and adults (daytime/after school/evening). We are also working to discover the types of subjects most parents would like to see provided, either to themselves, their children, or both. Subjects might include avoidance of drugs, alcohol & tobacco; stranger danger; good touch/ bad touch --- as well as, encouragement of listening to “gut” instincts; building good self esteem and character; stopping “bully” behavior.

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EDUCATION ENRICHMENT (ASSEMBLIES)
Description: A variety of scheduled assemblies (usually 1x/month) that help enhance kids learning experiences such as science shows, cultural and diversity awareness and education, musical performances and empowerment towards positive choices, etc.
Kelly Cagle (Chair)
 
 
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EMERGENCY PREPARATION
Description:
Lydia Abbott (Chair)
 
 
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FOREIGN LANGUAGE
Description: The Wilder Elementary School Foreign Language program currently offers courses in Spanish, French and Mandarin Chinese. The primary goal of the classes is to inspire interest, confidence, and joy in the children about learning languages.
Tammy Preuss (Chair)
 
 
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GIFT WRAP SALES
Description: Our gift wrap sale is an annual fundraiser for our school.  It takes place in late September or early October and lasts for 2 weeks.  Our 2006 sale was a great success.  Thank you to all who supported this program.
Laurel Fortin  (Co-Chair)
Lisette Kieneker  (Co-Chair)
 
 
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HEALTH ROOM
Description: Parent volunteers staff the Wilder health room tending to sick and injured children.  Basic first aid training is provided.  Volunteers are scheduled for one 3-hour shift per month. 
Debra Richey (Chair)
 
 
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HOSPITALITY
Description: Hospitality Committee at Wilder consists of preparing coffee, drinks, cookies, etc. to most PTSA Board Meetings, and some other PTSA or Wilder events. We provide the set up and clean up of these refreshment tables. Usually the meetings or events are fairly small, and not very frequent.
Mary Ganz (Chair)
 
 
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LEGISLATION
Description: Educate Wilder parents on legislative matters that affect the quality of education in Washington State and our local district.  Enlist the help of Wilder parents to advocate for legislative issues that are supported by the state and council PTSA.
Rebecca Berry (Chair)
 
 
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LOGO WEAR SALES
Description: Wilder logo wear was created to show our school spirit and get the students excited about their school. Sales have doubled over the last two years which shows just how proud the kids are of Wilder. Logo wear is sold during the Fall events. Logo Wear
Kim Allen (Co-Chair)
Lori Cuchetto (Co-Chair)
 
 
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MATH CLUB
Description:
R Wulf (Chair)
 
 

The Wilder Math Club provides an enrichment opportunity for students to participate in challenging and fun hands-on math sessions as they explore the exciting world of mathematics.  Math Club classes are taught by Norm Alston, our resident math expert.  Classes are offered in sessions of ten classes during the fall, winter and spring.  Historically the Math Club has offered classes by grade (e.g., 1st/2nd, 3rd/4th) and by topic (e.g., Stock).  Each year the content of the classes by grade has changed to provide returning students with interesting new challenges.  The Stock class offers an opportunity for 5th and 6th grade students to pick a number of stocks to track over the course of the session.  The Math Club is offered as part of the morning enrichment series and classes are filled by lottery during the month of September.  The classes are sponsored by the Wilder PTSA and there is a fee for each math session.  For more information refer to the Mathematician in Residence Program.

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MATH ADVENTURES
Description:
Anna Tavener (Co-Chair)
Carol Beyer (Co-Chair)
 

The Math Adventures program provides children with some “out of the box” Math experiences.  i.e., topics they may not get a chance to experience in the classroom and in the traditional curriculum.  It emphasizes mathematics over arithmetic and aims to communicate a love and excitement of mathematics.

The program provides students with enrichment style activities which offer a challenge for the students.  This enrichment will be offered as horizontal enrichment broadening ,the students’ current mathematical thinking.  The program is offered to all students in small groups with the responsibility for continued interest and pursuit being given to the students.  Students also learn to play strategic mathematical games. The program is offered to all students K - 5. 

In addition, the Math Adventures committee runs the Mathnificent Day/Night Event which takes place every two years.  It is also involved in running periodic Math Nights throughout the school year.

 

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MATH OLYMPIAD
Description: The Wilder Math Olympiad program is a two part program. The first session begins Friday, October 7th and includes 12 classes. This program involves completing a binder full of review topics and new math challenges. The material, by design, will be above grade level.
Linda Barr (Chair)
 
 
 

Click here for more information on Math Olympiad

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MEMBERSHIP
Description: Joining PTSA is a way to support your child's education in many ways. Membership Fees support your child on local, state and national levels. Here at Wilder, PTSA organizes parents to make our school a better place for our children to learn by addressing the individual needs of our school. September is our big Membership Drive. PTSA Membership Envelopes are distributed the first week of school. After that, they are always on hand in the school office. Each member's name is entered online into the Washington State PTSA database. All PTSA Members receives a free Wilder School Directory
Susan Helgeson (Chair)
 
 
 

Click here for more information on Membership

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PANCAKE BREAKFAST
Description:
Bob Clough (Chair)
 
 
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PARENT EDUCATION
Description: To provide a free, local resource for continuing education for Wilder parents.
Laurie Finkelstein (Chair)
 
 
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PARENT ORGANIZER
Description: Parent Organizer helps parents keep up to date on school activities by email and through the web.
Barry Shaw (Chair)
Tina Stackman
Deb Benton
Ginger Clough
John Hambacher
Ken Martin
Lisa Schrader
Alison Shaw

Sign up for Parent Organizer
Submit information to Parent Organizer

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READING ENRICHMENT
Description: Classic Books and Poetry Cafe are under Reading Enrichment.

Judy Russo (Chair)

 
 

More Information on Cafe Wilder Poetry

More Information on Classic Books

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REDMOND RIDGE LIASON
Description:
Nicole Wiebe (Chair)
 
 
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REDMOND TOWN CENTER "SCHOOL CENTS"
Description:
Tracy Jaffe (Chair)
 
 
School Cents- Redmond Town Center supports local schools by giving money to schools for shopping at RTC. Bring your original receipts (copies are not accepted) to the school and put them in the “School Cents” box or turn them in at Information Central at RTC (across from Abercrombie and Fitch). If you wish to have the receipts you turn in at school returned to you, put them in envelope with your child’s name, their teachers name and note that you would like them returned to you.

All shops at RTC are eligible including Larry’s Market, the Marriot and business offices at RTC (such as the Loews and Second Story Rep Theaters, Edward Jones Investments, Dr Offices, etc). Each dollar spent is worth 5 points and TUESDAY RECEIPTS ARE DOUBLE POINTS! Schools make money based on how many points they accumulate. Receipts are only valid for 60 days from the date of the receipt. There are also other events in which points can be earned, such as Halloween, Friends and Family Shopping day, and Easter. All events will be posted on the school website

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REFLECTIONS
Description: The Reflections Program is a National PTA and Washington State PTA cultural arts competition. The purpose of this program is to provide an opportunity for students to use their creative talents by expressing themselves through their own original works. Each year, Reflections challenges students to create art that supports a specific theme. Themes are selected from thousands of ideas submitted by students to National PTA's Reflections Theme Search.

Kari Hall (Chair)

Shelly Torset

 

For more information refer to the Publications page (Click Here) and refer to the Reflections section.

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SAFETY PATROL
Description:
Roxie Harewood (Chair)
 
 
Safety Patrol is a program that allows fifth and sixth graders to act as mentors. They are responsible to making sure that the younger students are lined up in the morning and helping them remember to keep their hands and backpacks to themselves. They also help serve as a reminder to the older students that they should be setting examples for the younger ones. We have two groups of students. There is a morning group and an afternoon group. They are also responsible for helping everyone cross safely at the crosswalk in front of the building. The afternoon group assists me with students who may not be able to find their bus or they just need a little extra help. We have four squads of about 15-16 students each. Ten of them are morning members and 5-6 members work the afternoon. They are very dedicated students and do a fabulous job.

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SCHOOL BEAUTIFICATION
Description: Volunteers give their time to enhance the look of the school via landscaping projects, flowers and clean up.
Kelly Cagle (Chair)
 
 
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SCHOOL PICTURES
Description: We assist 'Lifetouch Photography' with individual and class pictures in early fall and with individual retakes in late fall. Volunteers are needed to help out. If student does not order a picture packet, they will still have their photo taken. Parents can then contact 'Lifetouch' directly to order any new or additional pictures.
Julia Hilbun (Co-Chair)
Silvana Barbieri (Co-Chair)
 
 
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SCIENCE FAIR
Description: The Wilder Science Fair is an annual PTSA sponsored event dating back to 1994. The committee is responsible for all aspects of organizing and conducting the event, including setting the date, reserving facilities and tables, scheduling volunteers, set-up, clean-up, publicity, etc. The fair is usually held in April or May.
Holly Foster (Chair)
 
 
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SIXTH GRADE COMMUNITY SERVICE
Description: Wilder 6th-Graders are encouraged to volunteer 20 or more hours over the course of the school year within and outside of the school.

Janet Friedberg (Chair)
Kelly Cagle
(Chair)

 
 
This program is a collaborative effort between the 6th grade teachers, parents and the principal.  The goal is to benefit the school, our surrounding community, both locally and worldwide, and the sixth grade students themselves through acts of volunteerism.  It is an affirmation of the positive effect we have on the world around us, and the power each of us has to make a difference.  It is meant to recognize those who make the choice to give of themselves to help others and as an opportunity for each and every child to be seen as a positive role model by their peers.

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SIXTH GRADE GRADUATION
Description: This is a memorable ceremony designed to honor the graduates at the end of sixth grade.  The committee that is responsible for this endeavor is comprised mainly of fifth grade parents.
Pam van Straubenzee (Chair)
 
 
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SPECIAL NEEDS
Description: This committee meets monthly and includes parents whose children receive a variety of special services and classroom supports.
Karen Brechner (Chair)
 
 

Committee information and schedule of meetings:

To be included on a confidential email list for information on special needs events, please send your email address to Karen Brechner (karen@brechner.name). It isn’t necessary to send any information regarding your child or the services he/she receives.

The Lake Washington PTSA Council Special Needs Committee (SNC) is made up of parents whose children receive a variety of special services and classroom supports throughout the schools in our district.  All parents are welcome and encouraged to attend the monthly SNC meetings, which offer the opportunity to ask questions and discuss issues with district administrators, teachers, and other parents.  Meetings often feature guest speakers on topics ranging from writing successful IEPs to the Disabilities Endowment Trust Fund.

The Special Needs Committee works towards several goals:

  • Strengthen parent-to-parent networking and support,
  • Provide ongoing parent education to increase advocacy skills,
  • Promote parents as team members in positive, productive collaboration with teachers, support staff, and administrators,
  • Ensure accommodations, modifications, and support for students in general education through the availability of appropriate, qualified staff development,
  • Advocate for essential supports for teachers in their classrooms,
  • Promote broader community understanding of special needs issues and participation for special needs families,
  • Represent the best interests of ALL students through participation of special needs representatives in the PTSA.

Wilder’s PTSA representative to the committee is Karen Brechner (425-867-9383, karen@brechner.name).  The committee is chaired by Bev Sweet (425-823-9674, bevsweet@yahoo.com).  Please contact either of these representatives with questions or comments you may have.

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SPRING EVENT
Description:
Jaci Guenther  (Chair)
 
 
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STAFF APPRECIATION
Description: Provides monthly luncheons to all teachers and staff as a way of thanking them for taking such great care of our kids!
Nancy Hambacher (Chair)
Joy Arnquist
 

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STUDENT DIRECTORY
Description: Work with office staff to collate and verify student and family information to produce and distribute a school directory in the Fall. An addendum of new students/families and information corrections and changes is also produced and distributed in the Spring.
Kirsten Boone (Chair)
Jacki Reichanadter (Chair)
 
 
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SUPPLY SALE
Description: A service provided by the Wilder PTSA at the beginning of school. In June, parents can pre-order a supply kit which contains all the necessary items for each grade - all in one box! Parents save lots of time, by purchasing a kit. A small portion is allocated to the Wilder PTSA. Kits are picked up at the Open House, a few days before the start of school.
Sara Smith (Chair)
 
 
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THEATER
Description: The 2006 PTSA sponsored Theater Class for 4th-6th grades will be starting at the end of January and will run through March 10th. Second Story Rep will once again be working with students to create two plays. The class will be open to only 50 students. If necessary, a lottery will be used to determine class placement. More information will be coming soon. Sign-up forms will be available on Parent Organizer right after the holiday break.

Kelly Cagle (Chair)

Laurie Finkelstein

 

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WATERSHED
Description: Provide an enriched educational environment where students could experience nature, hands-on science, and learn the importance and interconnectedness of life in the watershed.

Michelle Gnuschke (Chair)

 

 

For more information click here to visit the Watershed web page.

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WEB PAGE/WEB MASTER
Description: Maintain the Wilder PTSA web site (www.WilderPTSA.org) with current information on activities and programs.  The Wilder PTSA web site works in conjunction with ParentOrganizer. Parents can access and pull information from the web site and Parent Organizer pushes information via email to parents on new school matters and changes to the web site.

Barry Shaw (Chair)

 
 
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WELCOMING COMMITTEE
Description: Personally welcome all new families to Wilder, providing them with a Sponsor family, if desired.  Additionally, put on a Welcome Tea for the new families, create and maintain New Family info folders and recruit Sponsor families.

Crindy Stormer (Chair)

 
 
Thank you to all of the many wonderful Sponsor families who have donated their time and energy to welcoming the new families so far this year.  Our success depends on you.  More volunteers are always welcome.

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YEARBOOK
Description:
Malia Johnson  (Chair)
 
 
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VISION AND HEARING SCREENING
Description: Work with our children and other parents, (for about 4 1/2 hrs, one time only)  to test the vision and hearing for every child at Wilder
Kathyrn Dickinson (Chair)
 
 
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Forms

CHAIRS NEEDED!
The following committees need chairs to ensure these great programs occur this year: