Every year the North Beach PTA recognizes several volunteers, teachers, and staff members for their outstanding commitment to children. The Golden Acorn Award recognizes a volunteer who has given outstanding service to all children in the school community. The Outstanding Educator recognizes individuals who go beyond the normal expectations of their jobs to make the learning environment fun, beneficial, and challenging. The Outstanding Advocate recognizes individuals for continued and dedicated service to all children and a demonstrated commitment to helping create strong policies relating to the health, welfare, safety, and education of children and youth. Please note on the Outstanding Advocate nomination form that Janet Anderson should have been listed as a past recipient of this award for her outstanding work co-founding the Seattle Special Education PTSA. Nomination forms for all three awards are available in the office and are due Friday, May 9th. Questions? Please contact Rick Burke, 783-7644, or rickbmail@yahoo.com or Alicia Edgar, 781-5140, or jawedgar@mac.com.

There's still time to get your tickets for the Spring Fling. The event is this Friday, May 9, 6:30-10:00 pm. Food, drinks, fun, $1 raffle tickets, mini silent kids art auction and live entertainment. Tickets $25 each. Benefits the North Beach Elementary Families Helping Families Fund. Please contact Teresa Schulz @ 206- 271-7984 or TeresaSchulz@comcast.net.

Participation in the Norwegian Constitution Day Parade in Ballard on May 17th has become a North Beach tradition! Come join your classmates and fellow parents in the annual parade this year in beautiful downtown Ballard! This year our theme is Virtues! The parade will be Saturday, May 17. It will start at 3:00 pm and go to about 5:00 pm. Plan to show up a little early if you plan to participate! Staging areas will be near Adams Elementary School around the area of 27th Avenue NW and 61st Street NW. "Hold Harmless Agreements" will be coming home with kids soon. They will also be available in the school office and for download (page 2 only) and printing at http://www.syttendemaiseattle.com/ 2008BallardParadeApplication.pdf. Parents will need to file one Hold Harmless Agreement for each person who will be in the parade.

Do you have ideas, issues, concerns about how our district is doing business? Join us for a CPPS Workshop on the Superintendent's Strategic Plan on Thursday, May 8, 7:30 - 8:30 pm, at Montlake Elementary Gym, 2409 22nd Avenue E. Come hear what the Superintendent's strategic planning team is proposing for Seattle Public Schools. This is opportunity for you to provide input and get answers to your questions before the School Board votes to approve the five-year plan at its June 4 meeting.

Spirit Days Are Back

Friday, May 9

This Friday is PAJAMA DAY!!! Wear your PJ's to school (no boxers).

I have TOO MANY kids that owe money. PLEASE be certain your child has money when buying breakfast/lunch. Remember you may prepay money into their accounts. Thanks for your help. -- Molly

The death toll from the cyclone that recently struck Burma has soared to 22,000 with 41,000 people missing. Most of our Burmese friends in Seattle have been unable to reach a single family member in Burma. Clean drinking water is our first priority. If you would like to make a donation, please make out your check to "WorldAid" and write "cyclone relief" at the bottom. You can put it in Seki's folder, for her to bring home, or contact me at 206.297.0232 or uberger98107@yahoo.com - we would be happy to pick it up. Thank you! Seki Thu (Room 4) and Erika Berg.

Please participate in an important University of Washington survey of parents/caregivers of K-6 kids regarding head lice policies in schools. The survey is anonymous and takes less than 5 minutes to complete. In order for us to learn more about this bothersome problem, it is important that as many parents/caregivers as possible respond. You can see the survey at: https://catalysttools.washington.edu/ webq/survey/tiffad/4883. For Spanish version see: https://catalysttools.washington.edu/webq/survey/ tiffad/49806. Thank you.

Blast from the Past

The Beachcomber, December 19, 1958

Principal's Corner: We have one problem that I would like to call to your attention; it is city-wide in scope. I am referring to dogs that follow children to school. Yesterday 2 dogs were fighting on the playground. This excites children, as you know, and sometimes children in their excitement will attempt to stop the fighting. This, along with other problems dogs create, makes this a rather difficult situation. It is our hope that you will do all in your power to keep the dogs at home. Thanks again for your thoughtful consideration of this matter.