Committees

Somerset Elementary PTSA is extremely thankful for those who continuously give of their time at Somerset. We are grateful for the many who have taken on the duties and responsibilities of chairperson for various committees. These committees benefit many, if not all, of the students and staff in our school. All committees roll up under the umbrella of one of the three Vice Presidents (Ways and Means, Programs, and Communications).

Art Imagination

Julie Yamamoto & Colleen Allison
k-c_allison@comcast.net
VP Programs
A great way to enrich your child's school year through art.

Auction

Mechelle Cheng
auction2011@somersetptsa.org
Website
VP Ways & Means
As our largest bi-annual fundraiser, many hands are needed to run this event. There are several committees including procurement chair (item donation), decorations, guest relations, underwriting and catalog.

Back to School

Sangeeta Gogri and Danielle Johnston Holmes
dajohn@microsoft.com
sangeetagogri@yahoo.com
VP Programs
Description

Bellevue Schools Foundation

Debra Kumar
debrakumar@comcast.net
Website
VP Communications
Founded in 1979, Bellevue Schools Foundation's mission is to promote and help fund the best possible learning opportunities for all students in the Bellevue School District. We raise funds to improve student learning through district wide academic initiatives, curriculum material and book purchases, training opportunities for teachers, and an array of programs that meet students' special needs. We also help bridge the gap between the basic funding provided by the State of Washington and what our District's students need to truly excel.

Care and Share

Melissa Slater
slaterm@bsd405.org
VP Programs
Care & Share was established by the Somerset PTSA to teach Somerset students about philanthropy to help them see perspectives other than their own. Through philanthropic actions taken by PTSA's Care & Share committee, families in need are identified and served both locally and globally. Care & Share representatives work in tandem with Somerset staff representatives. Specifically they work with the teachers who lead Somerset's Student Council to develop a timeline for giving throughout the school year.

Chess Club

Ellen Schoonover
efandjj.schoonover@comcast.net
VP Programs
An evidence-based classroom program, Roots of Empathy's mission is to build caring, peaceful, and civil societies - child by child - through the development of empathy in children.

Child Safety / Emergency Preparedness

Teresa Chan-Healy
teresachanhealy@yahoo.com
VP Programs
Weather-related events and natural disasters occur without warning. How would we do if basic services such as water, gas, electricity or telephone were cut off? What if bridges or tunnels collapsed, or highways became impassable? It is possible that some schools could be cut off from city services for hours or even days, depending on the seriousness of the emergency. It is the goal of the Emergency Preparedness Committee to provide Somerset Elementary School with sufficient supplies for at least one day (the eventual goal will be to assemble supplies that could last for three days).

Cookie Dough

Donna Lee
da-lees@hotmail.com
VP Ways & Means
Description

Database & Directory

Irene Endow
VP Communications
Description

eNews

My-Linh Thai
mylinh.thai@gmail.com
VP Communication
Responsible for weekly creation and distribution of electronic PTSA newsletter.

Festival of Cultures

OPEN
VP Programs
Description

Field Day

OPEN
VP Programs
Description

Fifth Grade Activities

A. Black, Cathy Menon, and Debra Kumar
walaiblack@netzero.net
cathymenon@yahoo.com
debrakumar@comcast.net
VP Programs
This includes Fifth Grade Memory Book.

Fifth Grade Drug & Alcohol Education

Tammy Alford and Arden Hyatt
tammyandmichael@comcast.net
VP Programs
This program is a series of related classes that teach kids the necessary skills to avoid drugs, alcohol, gangs and violence. Led by Officer Bob Oliver, it opens the lines of communication between law enforcement and youth as well as enhancing dialogue between students, parents, and schools. Communication is one key to a student's successful journey through middle and high school years and beyond. More information is avalailable at www.dare.com.

GAME (Games And More Enrichment)

Francine Wiest
somersetgames@gmail.com
VP Programs
To provide the Somerset Elementary school community access to family-style board and card games. Family Game Night will allow families the opportunity to play and test games that emphasize education as well as entertainment. Selected events will have games for sale through Games & Gizmos that will serve in part as a fundraiser for the school. The Committee will also coordinate procuring games and storage for rainy day recess that may also be used for some Family Game Nights.

Grant Writing

Joelle Campbell
bjanddhpc@hotmail.com
VP Fundraising
Description

Health Room

Dusty Udris
erynnu@hotmail.com
VP Programs
Description

Health and Wellness

Sangeeta Gogri
sangeetagogri@yahoo.com
VP Programs
Description

Historian / Photographer

A. Black
walaiblack@netzero.net
VP Communications
Description

Knitting Club

Kate Vanover
kkvan@comcast.net
VP Programs
The knitting club is designed to be a pleasant and un-stressful place for kids to learn the craft of knitting. Students in 3rd through 5th grade are welcome to join, and any knitting Somerset parents are welcome to hang out, too!

Legislative Affairs

Ruth Raskind
ruthraskind@yahoo.com
VP Communications
Contribute to the unit by providing critical public policy information, and assisting parents contact legislators on timely issues, so they can voice their concerns and opinions about what affects their children. Additional responsibilities include attending Legislative Assembly in October, Focus Day in February, etc.

Library Volunteers

Kate Vanover
kkvan@comcast.net
Website
VP Programs
Our fabulous Library is a great place to feel like part of the school community and we need parent volunteers to make it the best it can be! If you can spare a morning or an afternoon at least two times a month, please consider signing up to help out. Training will be provided. It's a fast few hours of your time and is a LOT of fun! Activities include checking-out and shelving books, and helping these great kids find what they are looking for!

Math Club

David Garber
davidggarber@hotmail.com
VP Programs
The Somerset Math Club is a parent-driven organization for the enrichment of Somerset students. It is tailored to your child's (and a small group's) individual interests and needs while providing real-life, hands-on practice! Guaranteed to put your child one grade ahead, it's time to do the math!

Math Olympiad

Danny Lau / Ellen Schoonover
SomersetMathOlympiad@yahoo.com
Website
VP Programs
Manage and provide an excellent opportunity for 5th graders to practice, improve and demonstrate math skills by working in a team of no more than four students. The students form teams, with assistance from the Math Olympiad committee, if necessary.

Membership

Vivan Yuk
VP Communications
Description

New Family

Ruth Raskind
ruthraskind@yahoo.com
VP Communications
Description

Parenthood Development (PhD)

Sue Ung
sueung@yahoo.com
Website
VP Programs
Responsible for providing parents with learning opportunities throughout the year in the form of speakers and community resources.

Playground Planning

Francine Wiest
somersetgames@gmail.com
VP Programs
To enhance the Somerset Elementary school playground by providing an array of activities that meet the social, emotional, and physical movement needs of the students. This may include and is not limited to portable equipment, permanent structures, storage, blacktop paintings, congregation areas, digging areas, nature stations, and gardening, as well as the recruiting and training of volunteers to lead, promote, and enhance structured and unstructured recess activities.

Pride Team

Chris Bradley
bradfamly@comcast.net
VP Communications
Description

Reflections

My-Linh Thai
mlinh.thai@gmail.com
Website
VP Programs
Each year, the PTA Reflections Program challenges students to create art inspired by a specific theme. Themes are selected from hundreds of ideas submitted by students to the PTA Reflections Program Theme Search. Past themes have included "Exploring New Beginnings," "If I Could Give the World a Gift...," "A Different Kind of Hero," and most recently, "I Can Make a Difference by…" and "Wow!" The 2010–2011 theme is "Together we can…". Students participate in the Reflections Program by submitting entries to a local PTA or PTSA. Nationally, the program has six arts areas—dance choreography, film production, literature, musical composition, photography, and visual arts—and four grade divisions—primary, intermediate, middle/junior, and senior.

Room Parents

Grace Campbell
grace.lim.campbell@gmail.com
Website
VP Communications
Every classroom needs a room parent or two, or even a room parent committee. Primary function is to work with the teacher on classroom parties, a volunteer schedule, and other class-related items that come up during the year. Be the communication link between the teacher and parents on non-curriculum related items. Help coordinate a class project for the auction.

Roots of Empathy

Karen Ruby
karenlruby@hotmail.com
VP Programs
An evidence-based classroom program, Roots of Empathy's mission is to build caring, peaceful, and civil societies - child by child - through the development of empathy in children.

Rummage Sale

OPEN
VP Ways & Means
Description

Scholastic Book Fair

Keri Cable
keri.s.cable@comcast.net
Website
VP Programs
Description

Snow Ski Program

Ruth Raskind
ruthraskind@yahoo.com
VP Programs
Description

Somerset Matters

Ruth Raskind
ruthraskind@yahoo.com
VP Communications
Description

Staff Appreciation

OPEN
 
VP Programs
Coordinate activities with room parents during the Staff Appreciation week; Provide, when budget permits, healthy snacks and tea to staff periodically.

Surveys

Audrey Scallon
ascallon@comcast.net
VP Communications
The Survey Committee chair conducts surveys to poll Somerset families on important issues pertaining to our school and community. Survey results are used by the Somerset PTSA Executive Committee and Board of Directors to aid and improve PTSA performance.

Walkabout & Recess

Ban Aboodi
ban_aboodi@yahoo.com
Website
VP Programs
Walkabout & Recess is a volunteer program designed by PTSA to help ensure that we have extra eyes and ears at recess when children are on the playground. We support this role on the playground during recess. Lunch recess: Monday – Friday 11:35am – 12:55pm. Afternoon Recess: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday, 1:35pm – 2:10pm. All parents with children at Somerset can participate who register as volunteers are welcome to join the Walkabout program. The school will provide training (compulsory for all new volunteers) before you start your duty.

Walkathon

Mechelle Cheng
ptsa@mechellecheng.com
VP Fundraising
Description

Website

Michael Ketchum
webmaster@somersetptsa.org
VP Communications
Responsible for maintaining and updating the Somerset Elementary PTSA website including posting current content and documents.

Yearbook

Mechelle Cheng
ptsa@mechellecheng.com
VP Ways & Means
The importance of elementary school yearbooks extend far beyond fond memories. Students learn coordination and cooperation when helping create their elementary school yearbook. The process brings together students and teachers for a memorable and educational experience. Elementary school yearbooks require a lot of planning and coordinating. Not only are school yearbooks a fond memory of the fun and excitement that took place during the year, but the process of helping to create the actual yearbook is an opportunity most students wouldn't want to miss.

Young Authors

OPEN
VP Programs
Somerset's "Young Authors" program is a series of assemblies and author/illustrator visits, designed to enrich and augment Somerset's existing curriculum through language arts, music and art.

Young Scientist Week

Suzanne Kogishi and Michael Ketchum
ketch18@gmail.com
Website
VP Programs
Responsible for managing and coordinating Young Scientist Week including exhibits, demonstrations, and science fair.

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