Council Website: http://www.bellevueptsacouncil.org/
School District Website: http://www.bsd405.org/
Local Units:
2.3 |
Bellevue PTSA Council Bellevue Children's Academy PTSA Ardmore PTSA RE Bennett PTA Cherry Crest PTA Clyde Hill PTSA Eastgate PTA Enatai PTA Kelsey Creek Home School PTSA Lake Hills PTSA Medina PTSA Newport Heights PTA Phantom Lake PTA Sherwood Forest PTSA Somerset PTSA |
2.3.85 2.3.90 2.3.95 2.3.110 2.3.115 2.3.120 2.3.121 2.3.130 2.3.140 2.3.145 2.3.148 2.3.150 2.3.155 2.3.160 |
Spiritridge PTSA Stevenson PTA Sunset/Puesta del Sol PTA Woodridge PTSA Chinook Middle PTSA Highland Middle PTSA International School PTSA Odle Middle PTSA Tillicum Middle PTA Tyee Middle PTSA Bellevue High PTSA Interlake High PTSA Newport High PTSA Sammamish High PTSA |
News from Bellevue PTSA Council
And so starts another year.
This will be an unusual year for me as Bellevue Council President. My youngest just graduated from Newport HS and is off to the UW next year, so my perspective might be a little different. I have been doing PTA work for years now, and have seen what works and what doesn’t. But just when I think I have all the answers, I see a new plan, a new project, and I stand back in amazement at wonder why we never thought of that.
Bellevue Council was busy last year. Of course we had our Spring Celebration where we presented eight scholarships to ambitious and bright students, who all have a story that make me want to applaud this generation. We also presented a Golden Acorn to Audrey Bennett (you might have heard of her), and Lifetime Honorary Memberships to Audrey and Connie Gerlitz. Pat Voelker was given the Outstanding Service award.
January brought the second annual Education Roadshow. The Roadshow is a conference presented jointly by the Bellevue School District, Bellevue Schools Foundation, Bellevue Quality Schools, and the Bellevue PTSA Council. This year it coincided with the Open House for the newly rebuilt Newport High School. The afternoon started with small group tours for the community, parents, alumni, and friends. The leadership students led the tours, and what was supposed to be a twenty minute venture ended up taking much longer for each group. The graduates from 25 years ago had so many questions for the tour guides! Everyone learned a lot and all had great things to say about the other.
The evening event was the Roadshow, once again put on so wonderfully by Patty Voelker. The topic was technology. The district showcased its Curriculum Web and had various breakout sessions that were very well attended by an estimated 400 people. It was a great demonstration of what we can do for our community when we all come together for a common cause. And of course there was food.
One tremendous improvement for Council this year was the quality and quantity of training offered by our Leadership VP, Audrey Bennett. I attended a class offered to treasurers on how to fill out a 990, mostly for moral support. But the room was packed. The questions were detailed and to the point. I learned a great deal of new information, the most important being – call State when you get stuck. Most likely you aren’t the first one with this question. Audrey showed what can be done if a VP just takes the reins and goes for it.
A special thanks to Connie Gerlitz, our outgoing President. She provides the glue that holds it all together. And her husband Dennis, along with Eric Matson, get the nod for organizing Focus Day and getting everyone onto the buses to Olympia. Their dedication to our children’s education is unfathomable. Thanks to Jennifer Wasierski for Reflections, again a great event to benefit some amazing student artists. Robinswood, our alternative school, benefitted tremendously this year from having Susan Whittlesey be our representative. She made sure the students had warm coats, monthly treats, a terrific prom and lots of food at their graduation.
I am looking forward to another fulfilling year!
Janet Suppes
Bellevue PTSA Council President
Last updated: July, 2008