A Letter from the Seattle Public Schools regarding proposed federal budget cuts for Education in Washington State.

To All Seattle PTA/PTSA Members:

How Federal Sequestration Cuts Would Impact Seattle Public Schools

-From SPS

Under a current federal proposal, major cuts called "sequestration" are automatically scheduled for March 1. The current plan slashes education services, including cutting Head Start by $406 million, cutting special education by $840 million and laying off up to 40,000 teachers and other school employees nationwide. The White House on Sunday issued a state-by-state analysis on the proposed cuts for Education funding in Washington state:

* Title I funds would be eliminated for more than 2,700 schools, cutting support for nearly 1.2 million disadvantaged students.
* At SPS, we would incur a 14.7 percent reduction in Title 1 funds, or about $1.6 million, equating to about 20 teachers.
* Cuts to Special Education (IDEA) would eliminate federal support for more than 7,200 Washington state teachers, aides and other staff to preschool and school-aged students with disabilities.
* At SPS, we would face 8.8 percent reduction in Special Education, or about $1 million, equating to about 12 teachers.
* Head Start services would be eliminated for about 70,000 children, with an anticipated layoff of more than 14,000 teachers, assistants and other staff state-wide.
* At SPS, this would be an 8.8 percent reduction in Head Start services, equating to about four      teachers.

The bottom line: If sequestration occurs, Seattle Public Schools could face a loss of up to $3 million annually, and that would be on top of an estimated $18 million state budget shortfall we are already facing, for a total of $21 million in lost funds.

These $3 million in federal cuts will be devastating as we will not be able to address the specific needs of our most at-risk students.

We have an obligation to serve our special education students, so we would have to cover that shortfall with local resources. Overall, this will mean reduced services District-wide.

If you have concerns or questions about how sequestration will affect
public schools,
you can contact your U.S. Senators and Representatives.

Senators - Senator Home Page Link


Representatives - House Representative Link



Seattle Council PTSA | P.O. 24483 | Seattle | WA | 98124

Maple Auction May 11th!!!!!!

The Maple Elementary School PTSA is very excited to announce that we are sponsoring our 2nd annual spring fundraising auction, Saturday, May 11 at The Jefferson Community Center. The purpose of this fundraiser is to raise funds for important Maple programs, such as after-school programs, creative teacher grants, classroom supplies, and our annual 3-day experience at Camp Seymour for our 4th and 5th grade students. To make this event a success, we are more than ever depending on the generosity of our extended families and our community neighbors. Please find event information as well as donation information attached. If you have any questions about how you can support our efforts, please contact me at 206-788-5794 / PeteTSmith@gmail.com.


Maple Auction Letter
Auction Donation Form
PTSA Spring Auction Letter

Maple Weekly Update - February 18th

Here are some highlights and events for the upcoming week at Maple. 
1.  The PTSA meeting notes for the Feb 12th are now posted for all to view on the blog.

2.  This Thursday, on February 21st, from 6-7:30pm is a Family Engagement Action Team (FEAT) and PTSA event.  The event will include workshops on Maple 101 (logistical information); Maple FAQ; Homework; MSP FAQ; Literacy games; Math games; and puppet making workshops.  Parents will be able to pick 2 options.  The Kindergarten open house will also be taking place.  Please join the PTSA from 7-7:30pm for refreshments.

Have a great week at school. 

February's PTSA Meeting

Tomorrow, Tuesday February 12th, is our monthly PTSA meeting.  Please join us in the teacher's lounge in building B.  Meet and greet starts at 6:15 proceeding to the full meeting at 6:30pm.  The meeting should take an hour.  Child care is provided by CDSA. Please see the link for the full agenda below.

February 2013 PTSA Meeting Agenda

SE Seattle Family Meeting on Feb 16th

The SE Seattle Education Coalition is hosting a family meeting on Saturday February 16th from 10am-noon. The goal is examine current school reports, discuss what’s working and what’s not, and come together for our kids. The meeting is taking place in the Rainier Beach High School library. Registration starts at 9:30am.



The entire community is welcome! Interpretation and group discussions in
English, Spanish, Somali, Tagalog, Chinese, Tigrinya, and Vietnamese.

Snacks and supervised children’s activities will be provided.


Please see the link below for more information:
http://allfivesinfive.org/2013/01/31/216-se-seattle-family-meeting-at-rbhs-10-12/


Tagalog Flyer
Vietnamese Flyer
Spanish Flyer
Chinese Flyer
English Flyer

It's Time To Dance this Friday!!!

The Maple PTSA would like to invite all of our families to join us in the gym THIS FRIDAY February 8th for the Bake Sale and Dance.  Please join us for this fun event from 6:30-8:30pm. 

Please consider bringing a donated baked item (cookies, cupcakes, and other goodies) to the event.  All of the proceeds from the bake sale go to support Maple Elementary.  Remember No Nuts please.  Maple is a nut free zone.  Please let Erin Brannan know if you are willing to donate an item by emailing her at ehbrannan@aol.com.