Annual Campaign Record Results!

Haiyen Tang
The Annual Campaign reached record setting results this year:
98% Participation! 117% Fundraising Goal!
 
To recognize how hard students worked to remind their adults to participate, the PTSA has decided that ALL Bryant classes will receive an extra recess!  (Note: This is not something we have done before, but this year was particularly exceptional.)
 
Thank you to all families for their support and generosity this year.  Together, we make difference for ALL students at Bryant.
 
Special thanks to the Bryant teachers, the lunchroom volunteers, the Bryant Weekly Team, the website team, room parents, and Amy & Kathleen at the front desk.
 
Jenn, Michael, Nelly and Sara 
PTSA Fundraising Committee

Presenting… Lion King Kids!

Jennifer DuHamel
 
We are excited to announce that Lion King Kids will be our school play this year!  The African savannah comes to life on the Bryant stage with Simba, Rafiki and an unforgettable cast of characters as they journey from Pride Rock to the jungle… and back again, in this inspiring,
coming‐of‐age tale.
 
All 4th and 5th Graders are invited to participate in the Bryant School Play! Information packets will come home this week, so be on the lookout!  Registration is first-come, first serve, so don’t wait until the deadline to turn your forms into the Bryant Main Office.
 
Contact Jennifer at play@bryantschool.org if you have any questions!

The Annual Campaign Has Begun!

Lily Chan

Click here to participate in the Annual Campaign!

 

Goal: 100% Participation!*

Last year, Bryant achieved 97% participation!

Bryant classes that reach 100% participation win a free recess!

 

Your gift provides:

·       Reading & math specialists + tutors for students needing early and continued support

·       Enrichment opportunities in arts, music, technology & library which expand education beyond math, reading and science

·       Classroom assistance, supplies, & field-trip support for teachers that request it

·       Community-building & academic events that connect Bryant families to each other

·       Support for our Bryant community & beyond including families and schools in need

 

*No donation required to participate. Select the option at the link above.

 

Please join us in supporting our students!

Bryant PTSA

The Bryant Play Is Back!

Jennifer DuHamel

We are thrilled to announce the return of the Bryant Play which is open to all 4th and 5th grade student performers! The name of the show will be announced later this month. Watch for an information packet to come home with your student in early November.

The amazing team from Seattle’s Performers will join us again this year to work with our 4th and 5th graders to bring this musical to the stage for our entire Bryant community to enjoy.

As with previous shows, we are expecting a lot of interest and are again planning to have two casts with spots for 60 performers! Performers will be registered on a first come, first served basis (paperwork will be date-stamped when submitted).  

  • Rehearsals: Mondays & Wednesdays, 6:15-8pm beginning Jan 9*
  • Final Performances: March 23, 24, 25*

      * All dates and times are tentative, pending confirmation with Bryant and SPS

We are looking for more lead volunteers to organize teams of parent volunteers: Treasurer, Front-of-House (day of show), Back-of-House (day of show), Cast Party (last night), Costumes, Props, Set Design/Build, and Publicity/Promotions (posters, t-shirts & programs).  Please email play@bryantschool.org to get more information on these roles.

We are so excited to get started!

Jennifer DuHamel, Play Producer & Bryant Parent
Bridgit Jacobsen, Volunteer Lead & Bryant Parent
Michelle Graf, Tech Lead & Bryant Parent

Volunteers Needed

Haiyen Tang

Volunteers Needed

As we kick off the 2022-2023 school year, the Bryant PTSA has some major volunteer opportunities for those looking to get involved with the school. If you can be flexible and want to shake things up in any of these roles, please come and join us! We would love to add a third Bryant Weekly Editor to join two other editors on a rotating basis, but the following roles are also needing to be filled:

  • Website Editor
  • Treasurer (check writer)
  • Facebook and Social Media Editor

There are several other roles that will impact the 2022-2023 school year and we are looking to have as many community members involved as possible. Please email volunteer@bryantschool.org if you are interested or have any questions. 

 

Be a Volunteer – Info Sessions:
Help us bring back Bryant community events. Please sign up here to volunteer. Learn more about volunteer opportunities at info sessions this month:
  • Thurs. Sept 22nd – 8-8:45am in School Garden after drop-off
  • Fri. Sept 23rd – 12-12:45pm VIRTUAL on Google Hangouts
  • Thurs. Oct 6th – 8-9pm at Ravenna Brewing

Please Complete the Bryant Elementary School Climate Survey for Caregivers!

Haiyen Tang

The Bryant PTSA is compiling data from parents and caregivers of all students at the school through a 3-5 minute survey of the school climate.  We plan to use this data to determine future state and district advocacy and family engagement efforts.  This survey, in part, follows the approach of the SPS “School Climate” surveys that 3rd, 4th, and 5th-grade students participate in during class each fall.

 

This survey aims to help assess the degree to which the school, the district, and the state are meeting their core commitments to students and the degree to which students have positive social relationships, are respected and engaged in their work, and feel safe and competent.  

 

The survey can be completed here.  The deadline for completion is Friday, June 10.

 

Thank you in advance for taking the time to communicate your family’s experience.

PTSA Awards and General Membership Meeting–June 7th

Kathy Austin

All are welcome to attend our last PTSA General Membership Meeting of the 2022-2022 school year on Tuesday, June 7th at 7:00pm!

The virtual event will begin with a General Membership Meeting followed by Volunteer Appreciation. The agenda includes a membership vote to elect our 2022-2023 Executive committee and a vote on the proposed 2022-2023 Budget.

The proposed budget is available for review in advance. (Check back here!)

It’s not too late to become a voting member of Bryant PTSA for 2021-2022!  Join here.

Meeting details:

June 7, 2022 at 7:00PM

Meetings will be hosted via Google Meet,

Or dial: ‪(US) +1 641-569-8729‬ PIN: ‪955 754 102‬#

To inquire about accommodations to attend this event, please contact ptsaexec@bryantschool.org.

We hope you can join us!

Click here for a full list of 2020-21 PTSA meetings.

 

2021-2022 Bryant PTSA Advocacy Round Up

Haiyen Tang

From the Bryant PTSA Advocacy Committee Co-Chairs

Carrie Lee and Nicole Witenstein Nowicki

Over the year, the Bryant PTSA has advocated for education funding and policies to support the school. Advocacy efforts are critical ways for the school community to be engaged with decisions made at the state and local government as well as school district levels that impact schools’ resources.

Bryant PTSA advocacy efforts this year have worked to:

  1. Support the school’s operational effectiveness and academic competitiveness
  2. Promote the school’s recovery from the pandemic on both a social and emotional level as well as in terms of stabilizing enrollment and leadership
  3. Expand community engagement

The PTSA in coordination with the organization’s Advocacy Committee have worked to support these goals through advocacy activities on the state level promoting enrollment stabilization funding and at the local level supporting the passage of the SPS School levies.  Further, over the year, the Bryant PTSA has advocated for adequate and stable school funding from SPS as well as policies that promote the school’s operational effectiveness.

Upcoming Advocacy Efforts and Engagement Opportunities

As Bryant PTSA members continue to work together and with schools across the district to promote ample and stable funding as well as programs to improve the educational outcomes of students, we invite interested Bryant school community members to add your support and to get involved in advocacy efforts.  For those interested, please contact advocacy@bryantschool.org.

Learn more about Bryant PTSA’s advocacy at the State, Local and School District Level. 

Bryant Volunteer Appreciation – Nominations are OPEN!

Haiyen Tang

Each year, the Bryant PTSA recognizes community members who have impacted our students and school community through service over the years.  Please take a few minutes to tell us about the individuals in our community who have made a difference for you and your students.  The deadline to submit a nomination is Friday, June 3rd. 

 
 
Join us in appreciation of our community at the start of our final general membership meeting on June 7th. 
 

Questions?  Contact volunteer@bryantschool.org.

Bryant PTSA Board 2022-2023 Call for Nominations

Haiyen Tang

We need you!

The Bryant PTSA is looking for passionate volunteers to serve on the PTSA Board for the 2022 – 2023 school year.

There are many leadership and committee chair positions open next year, including the president, vice president, treasurer, and co-chair roles.  The Executive Committee positions, at a minimum, must be filled by the June 14th PTSA meeting for the PTSA to operate. This is an opportunity and call to action for new community members to join the board. The 2022-23 Bryant PTSA board will have a critical role in leading the Bryant community as we return to old and make new community traditions next school year.  At its core, PTSA is a child advocacy organization. We are looking for PTSA board members who are passionate about the PTSA’s mission and are committed to building equitable and inclusive spaces. People of color and advocates for marginalized identities are especially encouraged to join!   

More information about the role of the Bryant PTSA here

Board member position descriptions are linked here. 

If you are interested, curious, or want to learn more, don’t hesitate to contact Carrie Lee (advocacy@bryantschool.org) or Maureen Bhak (volunteer@bryantschool.org). We are looking to identify nominees by the end of May to be approved at the June 14th PTSA meeting. In addition, we can help answer questions and connect you with current PTSA board members in the role. Everyone on the board is juggling many hats as volunteers, and opportunities big and small are available. 

Bryant PTSA Board Positions and Openings 

 

Nominations 2022-2023

PTSA Member

Executive Committee

 

(These positions must be filled for PTSA to operate)

President*

Nominee Identified

Vice President* (Or Co-President)

VOLUNTEER NEEDED

Co-Treasurer – Lead

VOLUNTEER NEEDED

Co-Treasurer – Check Writing

VOLUNTEER NEEDED

Co-Treasurer – Check Deposits

Carly Vynne Baker

Co-Secretary

Nominee identified

Co-Secretary

Anna Bonnett

 

Chair Roles

Fundraising Committee Co-chair

 VOLUNTEER NEEDED

Fundraising Committee Co-chair

Jennifer DuHamel

Membership Co-chair

Nominee identified

Membership Co-chair

Mei Shih

Volunteer Co-chair

Maureen Bhak

Volunteer Co-chair

 VOLUNTEER NEEDED

Advocacy Co-chair

Nicole Witenstein

Advocacy Co-chair

Carrie Lee

Community Engagement Co-chair

VOLUNTEER NEEDED

Community Engagement Co-chair

VOLUNTEER NEEDED

Communications Chairperson

Hana Dushek

Member at large

Kathy Austin

Equity Chair/Co-Chair

VOLUNTEER NEEDED

Teacher Representative

Kaitlin Holley

Teacher Representative

Chara Johnson