BRYANT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Every school in our district is required to develop a CSIP. These plans are all listed on the Source and parents have access to them. Our CSIP directs our efforts in increasing the achievement of all students. The CSIPs include all elements required by the state and federal laws and supports the Seattle Public Schools’ Strategic Plan. Each CSIP includes but is not limited to:

• An analysis of school data
  
• Specific goals for major subject areas
• Connections to the Nine Characteristics of Highly Successful Schools
• Strategies to help students succeed
• Plans for interventions, resources and support
• Activities for family/community involvement
  

Bryant’s CSIP Team attended the CSIP review on Thursday, December 10, 2009 at the John Stanford Center with other schools. This process allows for schools to collaborate and share their plans, while providing feedback and solutions in the areas of academic focus. Bryant was accompanied by Kimball Elementary and Steven Elementary. The focus of Bryant’s CSIP presentation was math and becoming certified as an ALO (Advanced Learning Opportunity) School.  

A huge Thank You to all of you who donated coats for Treehouse during the Kids for Cans/Coats for Kids drive! Through your generosity Bryant Elementary will donate over 185 great coats for foster kids. All the coats are warm and are in new/like new condition. Remember that you contributed to kids in our community feeling warm and loved this cold winter.

Stay tuned for a tally on the amount of food collected for the Northwest Harvest food donation. We've been told that this year we collected almost twice as much as last year, so the number should be BIG! Thanks for turning these "hard times" into sharing times. With much gratitude enjoy your winter break.

Bryant Community Service Committee

We are looking for a few volunteers to help with some critical jobs at Bryant.

• Bryant Bucks (aka scrip) Book Keeper: Our current book keeper is in her last year at Bryant. It is critical we fill this position in the next few months to ensure the program remains in place. It is a major fundraiser for our school and it needs your support. Please consider taking on this very important volunteer job.

• MAP Proctor: Two parent volunteers needed to help proctor January’s MAP testing. The teachers need our assistance to ensure the testing of our kids runs smoothly.

• PTSA Audit: Looking for an accountant to help review the PTSA budget. It is due for it’s annual audit and we need your help.

If interested in volunteering for any of these positions please contact Katie Becker or Karen Bullard.

It is time again to order yearbooks. This year we are offering an online ordering option at http://jostensyearbooks.com?REF=A09888253. There are additional options for your yearbook this year, available only with online ordering. You will also see the traditional paper order form coming home in kid mail and on the Bryant website. We are pleased to keep the same pricing as last year. We ask you to get your orders in as soon as possible so we can order enough yearbooks for all the kids that want them. Final ordering deadline is JANUARY 15, 2010.

I truly believe that strong schools are created by strong educators. Qualified teachers develop successful students. As a result, the first grade interview team has worked very hard and has officially hired our new first grade teacher!

We will soon be saying good-bye to Mrs. Nicon. This is a wonderful new chapter in her life, and she will be missed. We will celebrate her achievements at the Winterfest Concert on Thursday, December 17, 2009 at 7:00pm. Please come and help us say good-bye and wish her well.

I am pleased to announce the hiring of Shannon Orton for the first grade teaching position. Mrs. Orton has taught for over eight years and previously worked at Alternative School #1 in Seattle. Mrs. Orton has subbed for Bryant for over a year and did a long term sub position in our fourth grade last year. Mrs. Orton has a bachelor’s degree from Evergreen State College and a master’s degree from Antioch. Mrs. Orton is very professional, organized and has a wonderfully positive attitude. We are very pleased to have her as a new staff member, and she will be a wonderful asset to our community and school.