The International Night Core Planning Committee who took the lead in making this event happen included:

Annie Nelson, Ashley Chen, Chris Amemiya, Cris Ramsdale, Dorothee Graham, Esperanza Deulkar, Gina Craig, Jade Greene, Jamie Cheney, Jamila Reid, Jennifer DeMella, Julie Isaacson, Katie Dodsley, Pam Brady, and Tom Crane.

Abel Balzamo, Adriana  AlfaroZierten, Alexander Hollmann, Andrew Lam, Anne Marie Jehle, Annie Tegen, B. Sue Johnson, Brian  McManus, Britt Fletcher, Carol LaMotte, Carolyn Cunningham, Cassandra  Garcia, Chantelle Dykstra, Charlotte Spang, Cheri Peele, Chris Panks, Christina Nelson, Christina Blue, Courtney Wallace, Dan Brady, David Weeks, Debra Nicholson, Eileen Landay, Emily Compton, Emily Kane, Erica Lerer, Erika Kinno, Erin Taylor, Gwenn Fer, Happie Ari, Helena DeGrazia, Jackie Olson, James Wehmeyer, Janet Buttenwieser, Janet Alviar, Janine Joly, Jason Greene, Jennifer Shernoff, Jenny Stone, Jill Malat, Johnnie Orozco, Jolene Hall, Karen Obegi, Keith Ward, Keturah Bouchard, Kristi Brumbaugh, Linda Nash, Linnea Mahoney, Luna (Runa) Matsuo, Mahmud Jeneby, Maija, Marc Bissell, Marina Gordon, Maris Sovold, Matt Daniels, Matt Draper, Maya Sparks, Mayra Castanos, Missy Koll, Molly Capron, Naomi Lee, Phil Diggs, Sandhya Subramanian, Sarah Shannon, Shana Kelly, Siripunt Vimolchalao, Sue Lee, Tammy Eckart, Tarasin Kongkatong, Teresa Cueto, Tito Rodriguez, Tomoko, Uto, Vanessa Yi, and Veronica Garcia.

Akio Ueno, playing Shakuhatchi (Japanese bamboo flute) 

Angela Fleagle & Diana Einmo, dancing the Sevillanas (traditional Spanish Flamenco dance)

Bethann Shannon, our professional face painter (who stayed all night)

Enedina McGough, dancing and leading our 1st grade girls (traditional Mexican Danza Folclórica)

Japan-American Society of WA, www.jassw.org/suitcase.html (Japan in a suitcase presentation)

The Latin Band in Carnaval featuring McDonald parents Ben Shapiro, Mark Taylor and Chris Amemiya,

    and guest musicians Steve Tanimoto and Matt Jorgensen

Kathleen Wong, teaching the Chinese brush painting class

Our Kindergarteners dancing the Japanese Coal Miner's Dance, led by B. Sue Johnson & Ashley Chen

NW Kung Fu & Fitness, http://www.nwkungfuandfitness.com/ (Chinese New Year lion dance & demonstration)

OmCulture, http://www.omculture.com/ (W African drumming circle)

Planet Afua, http://www.planetafua.com/ (W African dance workshop & performance)

The School of Taiko, http://www.japantaiko.com/ (taiko drummers)

Silk Strings, http://www.silkstrings.info/ (string musicians)

It's here! Bike to School (BTS) Day is only TWO days away! By the looks of all those bikes on the racks so far this month, we are looking forward to a big turnout on BTS Day this Thursday, May 16th.

There is a possible chance of rain, but that won't stop our Scotties! Kids who bike or scooter this Thursday will get a cool rubber bracelet, a piece or fruit and something to drink AND the opportunity to add their name to a Bike to School Day sign. Please remind your kids to stop by the Bike-to-School table to pick up their goodies before lining up for class.

Last minute Bike-to-School Day Q&A: 
 

Can kids ride a scooter instead of a bike?

• Yep, they will still get credit. And a bracelet :)
• Heck, unicycles count too!

Locking your bike? 

• Lock your bikes to the rack in the front of the building on 54th -OR- the rack near the Gym -OR- lock them to the fence over by the gym and at the teacher's parking lot. Please don't lock up bikes on the playground.
• If you don't yet have a bike lock but would feel better if your child's bike was locked during the day - just email or call me (206-235-3665). If there are enough kids needing bike locks, I'll bring a long chain and lock them to the fence (by the gym) all at once.
• Some dedicated volunteers are working on getting additional bike racks for the school, but we won't have any more racks by BTS Day.  Remember. we can lock bikes to the fence back by the Gymnasium.

What if it rains?

• We encourage you to bike even if it's raining a bit! Our Scotties are tough. I'm sure they can take it! :)  
• Tip: Bring a towel to wipe off wet bike seats, or place a plastic bag over the bike seat during the school day. 

What about those bright green "Bike-to-School" calendars? 

• Calendars came home in backpacks on 4/30. If you're missing one, grab one in the main office or call me. 
• Have your kids been circling the days they bike to school? Kids can earn prizes by turning in their completed calendars in to the BIKE-TO-SCHOOL Mailbox in the main office by June 5th. I will make sure they get their prizes before the last day of school!

Want to ride with other parents and kids from McDonald? 
 

• Bike Leaders are meeting at a couple locations and biking to school together. If you wish to do that, let me know and I will hook you up with other bikers. 

NOTE: A little reminder will go home in backpacks on Tuesday too!

Weekly Message from Principal Golosman, 5/13/13

Weekly Message from Principal Golosman, 5/6/13

Hello McDonald International Families,

What an amazing event we had on Saturday night!  Our International Night was well planned and smoothly executed, and I want to thank the many volunteers who made this happen.  Whether you were one of the event planners, or cooked some food, or just helped move some tables, you all created a wonderful evening for families and staff to enjoy together.  By one count we had over 600 guests here for our event.  If you weren’t able to join us, be sure to come next year!

Below are some updates and reminders:

Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) and Measurement of Student Progress (MSP) tests are under way.
This week students will continue taking the MAP test, and also, this week students in grades 3-5 will take the MSP test.  These assessments provide us with valuable data to help monitor student growth and design curriculum and classroom-based assessments that will help increase student achievement.
It is essential that students be on time to school, well hydrated, well fed, and get plenty of sleep during these periods of testing.  Sleep, water, food, and being on time are important every day, and during testing time, this is the best way to lower our students’ stress and help them do their best!
Visit the Seattle Public Schools website to learn more about the MAP Test.

Visit the OSPI website for more information about the MSP Test.

Security reminder:
If you are picking up a student early (before 3:00pm), we ask that you wait in the office, and we will have the student come and meet you.  Please make sure to check in at the office and get a visitor badge before going anywhere else in the school. If you see visitors without a badge, please feel empowered to politely ask them to go to the main office and get one.  We can all help increase the safety of our school!

Incoming Kindergarten and Language preference Forms:
These will be mailed during the week of May 6.  Please watch your mailbox and these must be returned by May 17th.  For the 2013-14 school year, McDonald International School will have four Kindergarten classrooms: two Spanish and two Japanese classrooms.  We look forward to receiving your language preference forms!

Thank you, and have a great week!

Mr. Golosman
Principal
McDonald International School

Dear Parents,

Bike-to-School Month at McDonald starts THIS Wednesday, May 1st!  I hope you and your child will participate in Bike-to-School month activities! Students should bring home a (lime green) Bike-To-School Month Calendar in backpacks this Tuesday, April 30th. Check it out for more information.

How can we participate in Bike-to-School Month?

• Bike (or scooter) to school as many days in May as you can! Encourage your child to put a circle around each day that they ride their bike or scooter to school. See the flip side of the calendar for more details. 

What if we live too far away to safely bike to school?

• No problem. You can bike to and from another place instead of school. To the store, the park, or soccer practice? Keep track by circling all those days on your Calendar.

Do I need to bike with my child?

• We encourage parents to bike with kids and to review bike safety rules together. There will also be BIKE LEADERS meeting up at different directions. So if you’d like to join other McDonald kids & parents as you bike to and from school, contact me and I will hook you up.

What’s in it for us?

• Smiles on your faces knowing you did it
• Stronger muscles
• Cleaner air.  More bikes = Fewer cars on the road
• and PRIZES! At the end of the month (by June 4^th) kids can turn in their Calendars to the BIKE-TO-SCHOOL Mailbox in the Main office. Prizes will be awarded in June (depending on how many days they rode). Prizes donated by Cascade Bicycle Club.

What about Bike-to-School Day?

• Bike-to-School Day is Thursday, May 16th.  All children who bike (or scooter) to school on May 16th will get a cool bracelet!  We hope that you will encourage your child to participate all month long, but especially on Bike-to-School Day.  
• We are still looking for parent volunteers to hand out bracelets and help on 5/16.  See the Sign Up Genius for more info.

Where can my child lock up their bike at McDonald?

LOCK UPDATE: Bikes should be parked/locked at the bike rack in front of the main school entrance, or at overflow racks by the gym. If those racks fill up too, we are also allowed to lock bikes to the fence by the gym (and all along fence in staff parking area) but please DO NOT LOCK BIKES on the playground. Thanks!

• We are also trying to secure additional bike racks. Note: I notice that not all kids lock their bike during the school day, so this is up to you. On the big day, Bike-to-School Day (5/16), we will have more options. Stay tuned.

Looking forward to seeing you and your McDonald bikers on Bike-to-School Day, May 16^th.

Let’s get biking!

Annie Tegen (mom of Sophia Harrison, Grade 1)
tegenannie@hotmail.com

For more information and tips on biking safely, check out Cascade's website. 
 

Weekly Message from Principal Golosman, 4/29/13

Hello McDonald International Families,

Thanks to all the parents who came to the Monday morning assembly to help celebrate our amazing 93% participation rate for our IA fundraising efforts!  And more importantly, thanks again to all the families who participated in the fundraiser!  A participation rate of 93% is something for all of us to be very proud of.  Of course, because the participation rate was over 85%, as promised, I now have a haircut in the shape of an “M” for McDonald on top of my head, and it is dyed blue for good measure.  I’ll be keeping the haircut all week to remind us of the amazing participation of our McDonald International families.

I also want to thank our terrific staff.   I am sure that part of the reason we had such a high percentage of participation is that families know what a wonderful team of teachers, IAs, and other staff we have at our school.  Thanks, McDonald International School staff, for working so effectively to make our school great!

Below are some updates and reminders:

Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) and Measurement of Student Progress (MSP) tests are under way.
This week students will continue taking the MAP test, and also, this week and next week, students in grades 3-5 will take the MSP test.  These assessments provide us with valuable data to help monitor student growth and design curriculum and classroom-based assessments that will help increase student achievement.
It is essential that students be on time to school, well hydrated, well fed, and get plenty of sleep during these periods of testing.  Sleep, water, food, and being on time are important every day, and during testing time, this is the best way to lower our students’ stress and help them do their best!
Visit the Seattle Public Schools website regarding the MAP Test.

Visit the OSPI website for more information about the MSP Test:


Security reminder:
Please make sure to check in at the office and get a visitor badge before going anywhere else in the school.  If you see visitors without a badge, please feel empowered to politely ask them to go to the main office and get one.  We can all help increase the safety of our school!

Incoming Kindergarten and Language preference Forms:
These will be mailed during the week of May 6.  Please watch your mailbox and these must be returned by May 17th.

Second Annual International Night coming up: Saturday May 4!!
This will be a fun night for families!  Volunteers still needed. Please go to McDonald PTA website and sign up, or contact Jade Greene.

Preparing for Middle School?
Hamilton International Middle School will give a presentation to 5th grade parents of students from McDonald International School and John Stanford International School on May 7, from 7-8 PM, in the John Stanford International School library (4057 5th Ave NE).


Thank you, and have a great week!

Mr. Golosman
Principal
McDonald International School

Dear parents, 

Last week we held our final PTA general meeting for this school year. 

For those of you unable to attend, here is a brief recap of what we discussed: 
 
Principal Update - Dan announced that we'll have 4 incoming kindergarten classes rather than the 3 anticipated. This is due to more than 3 classes worth of in-boundary enrolled students. With 3 grades of 4 classes each, we will experience what the district calls a "bubble" for at least 3 years. The building has 18 classrooms which includes the art room. The building can sustainably hold 3 classes per grade. This Fall we'll have 16 classrooms occupied plus the art room. The following year will be a challenge as we could have at least 18 classes of students. Years beyond that will be quite over capacity. 

Budget - We reviewed our current budget and approved the budget for next school year. It's mostly the same as this year's budget, but scaled up for the increased student body. We voted to approve the transfer of unspent general pot funds into the Immersion Support fund at the end of each year, with the exception of funds needed for the start of school and funds that were specifically designated for a particular area of spending. We also voted to approve that the Move-a-Thon will be our primary general pot revenue and other fundraising efforts like Chinook Book, logo wear, Amazon and Scripp purchases would go toward the Immersion Support Fund. 

New Officers/Thanking this year's board - We approved the slate of new board officers to start July 1st. And we thanked those who served our school this year who will complete their work June 30th. 

Immersion Support Fund - We recapped the terrific status of this year's Immersion Support Campaign. Very few schools achieve 93% of their families participating in a fundraising campaign. Truly amazing participation this year. What a community we have! 

School Board Director Sherry Carr came to share her thoughts on key issues we should know about with the District. There will be a lot of important work happening these next six months that we as a school should gather together on and develop an advocacy voice around. Most schools are above capacity - McDonald soon will be, Hamilton is above and high schools are above. Big decisions will be made by this Fall that will affect our families. Up for discussion are boundary lines, whether int'l schools should be "option" schools rather than neighborhood-based, portables, and more. 

Advocacy Needed - If you're interested in working on advocacy issues related to capacity or immersion/international education - please contact Cat Howell, who will lead a team of parents to work on these issues. We will develop an advocacy agenda, figure out how to stay informed of critical meetings and opportunities to get our voices heard, and build relationships with John Stanford Int'l School and the other international schools on our joint issues.

Thanks everyone for your great support of all the things the PTA has worked hard to achieve for our school this year.

Carolyn Cunningham
PTA President
McDonald International School

Download April's Art Room News by clicking on the link on the right.

Weekly Message from Principal Golosman,

4/22/13

Hello McDonald International Families,

Welcome back from Spring Break!  I hope everyone managed to get some relaxation time with friends and family, and I hope your students practiced their reading, writing, and math last week as well!

I know we have all been affected by the horrible events in Boston, and I hope that none of you had any family or friends who were directly affected by this tragedy. If your students know about these events, please feel free to let me know if any of your children are having a hard time with this information.  Of course, feel free to come in and talk about this with me if there is any way I can help.

At our Monday morning assembly we had a visit from “Dr. Decay”, and his archenemies, Brushing (two times per day!) and Flossing (one time per day!) to remind us to take care of our teeth.  Dr. Decay and the Dental Players also asked that students bring in a new toothbrush or toothpaste for us to donate to Project Cool for Back to School (a program of the Seattle/King County Coalition on Homelessness).  Donations can be brought into class where there will be collection boxes.

Below are some updates and reminders:

Second Annual International Night coming up: Saturday May 4!!
This will be a fun night for families!  Volunteers still needed. Please go to McDonald PTA website and sign up, or contact Jade Greene.

International Night - "Global Celebrations" is next weekend, Sat, May 4, 5-8pm at McDonald. Our volunteer parents and teachers have been pulling out all the stops. It's going to be an incredibly fun event! Please help us wrap up the loose ends...

Don't forget to RSVP today so we can plan appropriately. All McDonald families, current and incoming, are welcome to this totally FREE event.

Sign Up to help with pre-event setup and during the event. We need your help!

Can you give any of these outstanding supplies (email jade_e_greene@yahoo.com): crayons, markers, string lights, small bean bags, raffia, bamboo stalks, traditional decorations or fabrics for any of the areas. Keep up on the latest event details here.

May is Bike-to-School Month! What a great time for our McDonald “Scottie Dogs” to get on their bikes (or scooters) and ride. We are encouraging kids to bike to school all month long, especially on Bike-to-School Day which is Thursday, May 16th*(and there will be incentive prizes)!

If you are interested in volunteering to help out, please check out the SignUp Genius.

Look for more information about Bike-to-School month coming home in your child's backpack on April 30th, and/or posted soon at www.mcdonaldpta.org. We hope you'll encourage your child to participate in Bike-to-School month activities. If you can volunteer to help - even better!

Thanks so much!
Annie Tegen & your Bike-to-School Month Team

*Everyone can participate! Kids who live far away and/or cannot safely bike or scooter to school on Bike-to-School day, can still get credit for participating by biking to and from somewhere near their home. Questions? Contact Annie Tegen

Staff Appreciation Week is coming up from May 6-10. Our teachers and staff are dedicated, smart, passionate people and this is a special chance to thank them for their involvement and investment in our children's lives.  Look out for emails coming soon from your room parents with more information about our school-wide effort to show them our gratitude!