The 2023 John Muir Move-a-Thon Move & Groove is on the calendar!

Parents & Caregivers…
Mark your calendars for March because you're invited to see your child on the MOVE* at our John Muir Move-a-Thon Move & Groove! Event will take place on March 17th at school!

This is an annual tradition as part of this joint fundraising partnership with the SE Seattle Schools Fundraising Alliance that John Muir looks forward to each year, which you can learn more about here.
*Students using wheelchairs and other necessary mobility devices are invited to join in the fun; bikes, scooters, skateboards, and roller skates need to stay at home!

Volunteer at the Move & Groove!
The Move-a-Thon committee is seeking volunteers to help make this special event awesome for students and families! If you can help set up before school or during the day with various tasks, please contact info@TheMuirPTA.org.

Sponsor John Muir Students to GET MOVING!
Invite friends and family to sponsor our John Muir students as they GET MOVING! Online donations can be accepted through this site; checks payable to Alliance for Education with SESSFA on the memo line can be accepted at the John Muir Move-a-Thon Move & Groove event - 3/17/23.

Thank you for being an important part of our John Muir community.

PTA Working Meeting Tues Oct 11, 7-830, Boys and Girls Club, Rainier Vista

Please join us for our first PTA working meeting of the year. Everyone is welcome!

When: Tuesday, October 11, 7-830pm
Where: Smilow Boys & Girls Club in Rainier Vista (4520 Martin Luther King Jr Way S). There’s a parking lot on S Oregon Street.
What: Learn how you can support the school community, and share your voice.
Main agenda items: staffing committees, reviewing budget priorities, and discussing community engagement.

Join us! For our June 7th Business Meeting

Hello amazing Muir families, caregivers and staff,


The PTA is having our last Business Meeting for this school year on Tuesday, June 7th 7-8pm.   Everyone is welcome!

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84725216504?pwd=S04yVVJhcUg0Z3BwRkFGdHJkTXR2Zz09

Meeting ID: 847 2521 6504
Passcode: 465801

We will be voting on the new slate of PTA executive officers and sharing our final budget for the year.  

Here is the list of nominees for the PTA exec team:
Co- Presidents - Kasey Halmagyi + Luisa Hoffmann
Co-Vice Presidents - Joanna Gangi + Patricia Gray
Co-Secretaries - Kate Hoerster + Emily Miller
Treasurer - Carlton Wilson

Other volunteer leads:
BLT & Recruitment - Meagan Dixon
Fundraising Rep w/ Southeast Schools Alliance - Julia MacCracken

We are also looking for leads on Events & Communications

Please join us for this final Business Meeting on Tuesday, June 7th at 7-8pm.

Warmly,
The John Muir PTA

Come Join the PTA Executive Team!

Hello wonderful Muir families, teachers, and staff!

Come join the PTA executive team!
Please send nominations to info@themuirpta.org

The following roles are PTA Officers:
1. PTA President (2 positions)
2. PTA Vice President (2 positions)
3. PTA Secretary (2 positions)
4. PTA Treasurer
All other PTA roles are appointed by the officers, informed by interest from PTA members.

President:

  • Attend at least 90% of PTA monthly meetings (8–10 per year)

  • Serve as a spokesperson for the PTA and chief liaison with school leadership and representatives

  • Work with other Officers to appoint committees and other positions

  • Support the overall leadership of the PTA

  • Lead planning for PTA yearly events

Vice President:

  • Attend at least 90% of PTA meetings (8–10 per year)

  • Act as an assistant to the President

  • Support coordination and communication for PTA meetings and engagement with staff, teachers, and community members

Secretary:

  • Attend at least 90% of PTA monthly meetings (8–10 per year)

  • Prepare accurate notes (minutes) from each meeting and send these to members in a timely manner

  • Maintain PTA roster and other key documents; organize key documents

  • Support the development of clear processes to clarify who does what and how (for example: equity guidelines

Treasurer:

  • Attend at least 90% of PTA monthly meetings (8–10 per year)

  • Present the budget to PTA members at regular meetings

  • Coordinate with the PTA’s bookkeeper to share monthly financial reports

  • Help develop an initial draft of yearly budget for review and adaptation

  • Receive, issue receipts for, and deposit promptly. Distribute funds according to the approved budget


We need you!
Please send nominations to info@themuirpta.org


Warmly,
The John Muir PTA

Move-a-thon Fundraiser for 15 SE Seattle Schools

2022 Move-A-Thon


John Muir is joining 15 Southeast Seattle elementary and K-8 schools for a collective Move-a-Thon fundraiser from May 2 to May 13 in partnership with the Southeast Seattle Schools Fundraising Alliance (SESSFA).

Parents and caregivers are invited to cheer for our students as they join together by grade level to run, walk, or roll around the playground in a special Move-a-Thon Move & Groove event on Friday, May 13.Check out the flyer below for specific times and details!

Contactinfo@TheMuirPTAfor questions or information about how to get involved. If you are interested in making a donation, the link is here!

ACT NOW - School Schedule Changes

Hello wonderful Muir families, teachers, and staff!


As some of you may be aware there are some big changes happening around start times for next year - the current proposal has John Muir Elementary starting each day at 9:30 am and ending at 4pm

So far, based on what we've heard, this is not the desired change for many families and staff. The vast majority of students at John Muir are NOT bused to school, as we are a "walking school." A very small number actually use the bus so it seems unnecessary to change our schedule to adapt to busing needs.

To let SPS know your concerns please fill out this form that SPS sent in their recent email.

Some sample wording to include - select Concern:
"My children (enter names) go to John Muir Elementary and I'm very concerned that the start times are changing to put our school at a 9:30 start time. The change in schedule would disrupt so many families' lives, childcare, and work routines."

More info should be coming soon from the school as well. Please let SPS know your concerns and fill out this form and share with our community.

Warmly,
The John Muir PTA exec team

March News and Events

Hello wonderful Muir families, teachers, and staff!


We're Making Walking and Rolling to Muir Safer, Together

The PTA formed a John Muir Safe Routes Community in partnership with our wonderful, crossing guard Mr. Carnell Sheppard, Muir educators, and local South Seattle Mobility Justice leaders. In January 2022 we sent a letter to the Seattle Department of Transportation and city leaders, asking them to improve conditions for those walking and rolling to Muir. In response, SDOT shared several plans they have to improve conditions:

 

Rainier Ave S & S Walden St.
SDOT plans to increase the signal duration (3 seconds/foot) and the Leading Pedestrian Interval (LPI) durations for crossing Rainier. They also will install a 20mph school zone for this intersection. Additional improvements such as building curb bulbs will be made as part of the Metro bus Route 7 project. Several other changes (e.g., no turn on red, providing a protected left turn phase) are being considered. The estimated implementing timeline is fall 2022.

 

Beyond Rainier  

An evaluation for additional safety enhancements is currently underway for 34th Ave S and S Horton St (and 33rd). This will include evaluating the busy uncontrolled intersection with a roundabout where many kids cross while cars are turning to the front of the school. The city is also working with Sound Transit and community members to improve conditions at Martin Luther King Jr. Way S. 

We all have a role to play--if you're driving near the school, please drive slowly and remember to always give pedestrians the right of way. And review these tips for walking safely with your families (includes Spanish translation). 

SDOT will do a drop-off walk around to identify real-time areas for improvement with Muir community members (we welcome volunteers to join; date TBD!).
 

If you have ideas or concerns you’d like to share--or you’d like to join any of our efforts--please email the John Muir Safe Routes Community at johnmuirsaferoutes@gmail.com.


Our school is prioritized on the Safe Routes to School Racial Equity Action Plan. Investing in safe transport to Muir is crucial for advancing equity in our community and city. Thank you to our community for ensuring the safety of those walking and rolling to school!

Upcoming Math Event


Please join us onThursday, March 31 from 6 – 7:30 PM for a fun evening of games, inspiration, and all things math! The evening will start with presentations from community members sharing how they use math in their everyday lives, then families will have a chance to join a breakout room where they will learn some of Muir’s favorite math games! Look for materials to come home with your student the week of the event.

Here's the Teams link for the event:

Join on your computer or mobile app

Click here to join the meeting

Or call in (audio only)

+1 206-800-4125,,627183544#   United States, Seattle

Phone Conference ID: 627 183 544#

Find a local number | Reset PIN

Learn More | Help | Meeting options

We hope to see you all there!



Warmly,
The John Muir PTA

Black History Celebration Event follow-up

Hello wonderful Muir families, teachers, and staff!


Thank you so much to those who joined us last week for the celebration of Black History. What a wonderful thing it was to have so many families together again. The Muir students and staff put so much work into bringing the lessons learned during Black History Month forward in a powerful and engaging way. We also had the opportunity to learn from Black community members who spoke of history, wellness and self-love.

Please add a message to show your appreciation to our wonderful organizers and students - we are collecting thank you messages here: https://padlet.com/chenk52/sgz7iwiifvybt7ph

If you are a parent or a guardian of a current Muir student and would like to see the full recording of the event, please email info@themuirpta.org and we'll share the link with you.


Some additional resources if you are interested in exploring the topics further:

 


Warmly,
The John Muir PTA

Black History Celebration Event

Hello wonderful Muir families, teachers, and staff!

 

Upcoming Community Event - Let’s Celebrate

Join us this Thursday, March 3rd, from 4:30-7:30pm, for an evening celebrating Black Health and Wellness and our amazing school community. We'll start with the video recordings of students' Black History Month performances. The event will feature student and staff performances, including a surprise vocal performance by a John Muir student. 

 

Agenda


4:30pm: Prefunk - Classroom Videos
5:15pm: Welcome - Speech
5:30pm: Black National Anthem
5:45pm: Elmer Dixon + Q&A
6:10pm: Mindfulness
6:30pm: UJIMA Promo's
6:45pm: KD Fit Dance
6:55pm: Purrdie Burrdie Art - have your materials ready (some paper and something to draw with)!
7:15pm: Closing/Duet

Support Local Black Businesses


The Comfort Zone
Food for the Soul - cooked to perfection. Located in the Columbia area of Seattle, The Comfort Zone offers a unique experience, combining delicious home-style foods with southern hospitality. We offer the best soul food in the Pacific Northwest.

Island Soul
Island Soul Rum Bar & Soul Shack is a family-run restaurant featuring a full bar and Caribbean-inspired Soul Food. Located in the heart of historic Columbia City

Safari
At Safari Restaurant, our goal is to bring the joy of food expressed through the unique cuisines of East Africa. Come in today for a taste of East Africa.

Communion
"Seattle Soul" is a cuisine rooted in tradition with innovations based on experiences and influences from Seattle's lush cultural landscape.

Ras Dashen
Cafe serving Ethiopian standards, including spiced meats, vegetarian plates & honey wine.

The Taste of the Caribbean
Taste of the Caribbean is ready to ignite your culinary passion for the flavorful Jamaican food experience.

Bananas Grill
In the heart of Columbia city, we are a family-owned authentic halal fast food restaurant striving to serve you delicious home-style meals. Our menu offers delicious entrées paired with a variety of halal meat options. Come and experience a taste of our home!

Emerald City Fish and Chips
Enjoy crab puppies with just the right amount of spice, sweet potato fries with spicy tartar & garlic vinegar, juicy gourmet burgers, perfectly seasoned oysters & prawns, a variety of po’boy sandwiches, chowder, salad and more

City Teriyaki
Japanese inspired dishes including tempura, yakisoba, and a variety of teriyaki dishes. Located in the heart of Columbia City.

Shopping local with Black owned businesses is a great way to continue to promote Black Health and Wellness right here in our community. Below are some additional businesses you can support:

Nia One Love(Retail)
Family run business promoting unification and culture of the African Diaspora. Services include wholesale and retail marketplace, African Diaspora Education and Culture Marketplace and Guest House rental in Montego Bay, Jamaica

The Station(Coffee shop)
The Station is both a coffee shop and vital community hub. Owners Luis Rodriguez and Leona Moore-Rodriguez have created a space that is safe and welcoming for all, and that celebrates the diverse voices and faces of the community.

Baked From the Hart(Pie shop)
Bill Hart baked his first bean pie in 1971, which is now a staple at his neighborhood pie shop, Baked From The Hart. The signature bean pie is filled with a sweet, custardy navy bean purée and spiced with cinnamon.

Metier Brewing Company(Brewery)
Metier means “one’s calling,” and at Metier Brewing Company our calling is brewing damn good beer and building stronger community to inspire bigger dreams for all.

QueenCare(Beauty)
QueenCare products were designed with thoughts of how to best serve our skin while utilizing aromatherapy to heal and uplift our mood. Each handcrafted product is infused with good energy, love and natural ingredients that will leave your body feeling luxurious.


For a more extensive list of local Black Owned businesses, visit theUrban League.




Warmly,
The John Muir PTA

Upcoming Events

Dear John Muir Community member,


We wanted to share some updates about our upcoming events!


Upcoming Business Meeting: Tuesday, February 8th, 7pm-8pm


Proposed agenda:

  • Budget discussion and revision process

  • PTA board recruitment/ nominating committee

  • Updates from committees


Coming up:

  • Look out for a Black History Celebration event happening after the mid-winter break. More details to follow.

Change in plans: 

  • We will be delaying the planned video screening til later in the year.

 


Warmly,
The John Muir PTA

Translated Levy Materials

Hello wonderful Muir families, teachers, and staff!


We want to reach out about Levy materials and pass on additional information from the SPS website.

The February 2022 levies renew funding for Seattle students, staff, and schools.
 

Seattle voters will be asked to consider renewing two school levies that expire in 2022 to continue funding for our students and schools.

Why Do School Districts Ask for Local Levy Funding? School districts rely on voter-approved levies to bridge the gap between what the state funds and what it costs to support our students.

Voter-Approved Education Levies Support Seattle Students The money we collect from local, voter-approved school levies stays in Seattle. We use these funds to provide the quality of education that our students and families expect and to ensure our students have safe, welcoming schools that support student success.

Please find attached translated Schools First one pagers in 8 languages through the link here.

On the district's website, you can now also find additional informational materials translated into multiple languages:   https://www.seattleschools.org/about/levy/
Scroll down toward the bottom to find overview flyers and presentations! 
 


Warmly,
The John Muir PTA

Community Conversation tonight!

Hello wonderful Muir families, teachers, and staff!


We hope you had a chance to soak up this wonderful sunshine over the weekend! We want to reach out about upcoming events, meetings, and information on vaccine clinics:

 

Join us for a Community Conversation tonight 7-8:30pm (Virtually)!  

  • Tuesday, January 25, 7:00pm to 8:30pm (join at 6:45 to select language channel of choice)

  • Hosted by the Southeast Seattle Schools Fundraising Alliance, this session will cover several topics that impact all of our Southeast Seattle public schools. It is a great opportunity to be in community with the 15 elementary and K-8s in D7 to listen, learn, and ask questions together!

  • Here's the zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83032092727?pwd=ckthT1hoTkYrL3pJQk13YUR2cVFBQT09
    Meeting ID: 830 3209 2727
    Passcode: 658231

Upcoming Business Meeting: Tuesday, February 8th, 7-8pm


Upcoming Community Event: Tuesday, February 15th 

...

Free At-Home COVID-19 Tests

Residential households in the U.S. can order one set of 4 free at-home tests from USPS.com. Here’s what you need to know about your order:

  • Limit of one order per residential address

  • One order includes #4 individual rapid antigen COVID-19 tests

  • Orders will ship free starting in late January

Here's the link to order: https://special.usps.com/testkits


Vaccine Clinics: 


Because vaccination is our most important line of defense against COVID-19, Seattle Public Schools are offering several school-based vaccine clinics. Upcoming clinics will be held at:

  • South Shore PK-8 School (Jan. 26)

  • Olympic Hills Elementary School (Jan. 30)

All clinics are open to all SPS students and staff. Parent or guardian consent is required for students under 18. For more information about these upcoming vaccine clinics, please visithttps://buff.ly/3xdqnrC



Warmly,
The John Muir PTA

Join us for a Community Conversation next Tuesday (Virtually)!

Tuesday, January 25, 7:00pm to 8:30pm (join at 6:45 to select language channel of choice)

This session will cover several topics that impact all of our Southeast Seattle public schools. It is a great opportunity to be in community with the 15 elementary and K-8s in D7 to listen, learn, and ask questions together!

Here's the zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83032092727?pwd=ckthT1hoTkYrL3pJQk13YUR2cVFBQT09
Meeting ID: 830 3209 2727
Passcode: 658231


Spanish:

ÚNASE A NOSOTROS PARA UN CONVERSACIÓN COMUNITARIA
Organizada por la Alianza de Recaudación de Fondos de las Escuelas del Sudeste de Seattle

Está invitado a una sesión de escucha y preguntas y respuestas con Vivian van Gelder, experta en políticas y defensa de la educación con sede en Seattle que representa a PTO Giving Coalition, y miembros fundadores de la Alianza de recaudación de fondos de las escuelas del sudeste de Seattle, incluida Christina Jiménez, educadora de SPS y madre de Graham Hill Elementary.

MARTES 25 DE ENERO 19:00 - 20:30
ID de la reunión de ZOOM: 830 3209 2727 Código de acceso: 658231

Nos sumergiremos en temas que impactan a todo nuestro público del sudeste de Seattle escuelas, incluidos presupuestos, recaudación de fondos, equidad, promoción y más. Para consultas sobre la agenda de la reunión o para enviar una pregunta por adelantado,

Póngase en contacto con sessfundraisingalliance@gmail.com. cantonés, somalí y español habrá interpretación disponible durante la reunión en canales de audio dedicados. Inicie sesión a las 6:45 p. m. para unirse al canal de idioma que elija.

SESSFA:
El segundo Move-a-thon anual de la Alianza de Recaudación de Fondos de las Escuelas del Sureste de Seattle de 2022 alienta a nuestros niños a participar activamente tanto en su escuela como en la comunidad en general saliendo y moviéndose juntos.



Somali:

BULSHADA SHEEKAYSI
Waxaa martigeliyay Isbahaysiga Lacag ururinta Dugsiyada Koonfur-bari Seattle

Waxaa lagugu martiqaaday fadhi dhegaysi iyo Q&A oo lala yeelanayo Vivian van Gelder, Seattle u doodista waxbarashada iyo khabiirka siyaasadda ee matalaya Isbahaysiga Bixinta PTO, iyo asaasayaasha Isbahaysiga Lacag ururinta Dugsiyada Koonfur-bari Seattle oo ay ku jiraan Christina Jiménez, bare SPS iyo waalidka Dugsiga Hoose ee Graham Hill.

Talaado, Janaayo 25
7:00PM - 8:30PM
Ku biir khadka tooska ah ee zoomAqoonsiga kulanka: 830 3209 2727 Koodhka Koodhka: 658231

Waxaan u dhexgeli doonnaa mowduucyada saameeya dhammaan dugsiyada dadweynaha ee Koonfur-bari Seattle, oo ay ku jiraan miisaaniyada, lacag ururinta, sinnaanta, u doodista, iyo in ka badan!

Wixii su'aalo ah ee ku saabsan ajendaha shirka ama aad horay u soo gudbiso su'aal, la xiriir sessfundraisingalliance@gmail.com. Turjumaada Cantonese, Soomaaliga, iyo Isbaanishka ayaa la heli doonaa inta kulanka lagu jiro iyadoo la adeegsan doono kanaalada maqalka ah ee gaarka ah. Fadlan gal 6:45pm si aad ugu biirto kanaalka luqadaada ee aad dooratay.

KU SAABSAN SESSFA
Sannadlaha labaad ee 2022 Southeast Seattle Fundraising Alliance Move-a-thon waxay ku dhiirigelisaa caruurteena inay si firfircoon uga qaybqaataan dugsigooda iyo bulsho weynta labadaba anagoo ka soo baxna oo wada guuraya.

Annaga oo adeegsanayna qaab lacag ururin ah oo iskaashi ah, iskaashigayagu wuxuu noo ogolaanayaa inaan wadaagno agabka, xoojinta cilaaqaadka oo aan ka hirgelino dhacdo wadajir ah dhammaan dugsiyada deriska ah, isku-duwidda iyo u qaybinta lacagaha la uruuriyay dhammaan dugsiyada ka qayb-galaya. Habkani waxa uu awood u siinayaa PTA-yadayada iyo PTO-yada inay xuddun u noqdaan dhismaha bulshada, ka-qaybgalka iyo u doodista

Chinese (Traditional)

加入我們由東南西雅圖學校籌款聯盟主辦的社區對話

邀請您參加與代表 PTO 捐贈聯盟的西雅圖教育倡導和政策專家 Vivian van Gelder 以及東南西雅圖學校籌款聯盟的創始成員，包括 SPS 教育家和 Graham Hill 小學家長 Christina Jiménez 的聆聽會議和問答.

1 月 25 日，星期二 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
使用 ZOOM 在線加入會議 ID：830 3209 2727 密碼：658231

我們將深入探討影響我們所有東南西雅圖公立學校的主題，包括預算、籌款、公平、宣傳等等！

如需諮詢會議議程或提前提交問題，請聯繫 sessfundraisingalliance@gmail.com。會議期間將通過專用音頻頻道提供粵語、索馬里語和西班牙語口譯服務。請在下午 6:45 登錄以加入您選擇的語言頻道。

關於 SESSFA
2022 年第二屆東南西雅圖學校籌款聯盟行動馬拉松鼓勵我們的孩子通過走出去和一起行動來積極參與他們的學校和更大的社區。

使用協作籌款模式，我們的合作夥伴關係使我們能夠共享資源、加強關係並在鄰近學校開展集體活動，將籌集的資金匯集和分配給我們所有參與的學校。這個過程使我們的 PTA 和 PTO 能夠以社區建設、參與和宣傳為中心，同時將重點從我們各個社區的籌款轉移



We hope to see you there! 


Warmly,
The John Muir PTA

Support John Muir Staff

Dear Muir Community Member, 


Let’s show some love and appreciation to our wonderful Muir teachers and staff! It is a stressful time and the staff are showing up for our kids and doing their best to keep everyone safe! We encourage you to shower your teachers with love. Here are just a couple ideas, but feel free to share your own with us!

1. Remind your child each day to give their teacher a compliment or share a kind word.
2. Send your teachers a quick email of thanks and appreciation.
3. Share a note or artwork with your teachers.
4. We have also created a sign up genius to staff a card table and bring treats to teachers this week.

Please consider signing up if you are able. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70a094aa4ab2aa1fc1-support

TIA! Emailinfo@themuirpta.orgif you have questions.



Warmly,
The John Muir PTA