School Involvement
Van Asselt's Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
Welcome back from the Van Asselt PTA (Van Asselt’s Parent Teacher Association) Board.
The PTA is looking for new members. We want YOU to join the PTA.
It only costs $15.00 per person and once you join, you are a voting
member, helping to make decisions about the school. Applications are
in the office. Just fill one out, attach a check or cash (in a sealed
envelope please) and return it to the office. Our first meeting will be
Thursday, October 12th, 5:30-7:00 pm, in the school library. Come join
us and meet other involved parents.
We are also looking for volunteers to help out with school and PTA
events. There are so
many ways to help out: chaperone field trips, help in classrooms, help
with bake sales, work in the library, sell t-shirts… The list is
endless. A successful school needs committed teachers,
staff, students and families.
If you have questions, please contact someone on the Board.
Our President is Vernee' Fletcher
Our Vice-president is
Our Secretary is
Our Treasurer is
Our co-Fundraising Chairs are:
Our Membership Chair is
Our Legislative Chair is
Community Learning Center (CLC)
Contact: Program Director
(206) 252-7548
A CLC (Community Learning Center) program provides tutoring and
one-on-one assistance with homework and reinforcement of basic skills
that will help elementary students pass the MAP (Measurement of Academic
Progress) and MSP (Measurement of Student Progress) exam at their grade
level. It also offers a range of enrichment activities such as drama,
music production, visual art, Brazilian dance, photography, and math
clubs.
What benefits does a CLC provide?
• Increased academic performance by students. In Spring 2008, 30% of CLC students passed WASL/DRA. This is up from 11% in 2007.
• Fewer students getting into trouble after school. In spring 2008, 91%
of students reported that CLC helped them feel better about themselves,
make friends and better decisions; 87% reported that CLC helped them try
harder in school.
• More opportunities for families to be involved in education. In a
recent survey, parents feel welcome and comfortable and that their
family values and customs are reflected in the program.
• Better access to high quality, affordable child care for working families.
Homework Assistance
Homework assistance is offered for a minimum of 30 minutes Monday through Thursday. The staff monitor and ensure that:
1. Children understand their work and what they are doing;
2. The work is being done;
3. The work is turned in at the end of the week or on it’s due date, whichever comes first.
Children in CLC are more likely to complete and turn in their homework
than their struggling peers in their school. On average 76% of
participants who attend regularly turn in their work when it is due.
Tutoring
During the school day, CLC staff work one-on-one with select students.
In partnership with the classroom teacher, a learning plan is developed
with goals and strategies that will help the student improve their
academic skills. A recent survey shows that these sessions are effective
for 80% of students served.
In the afternoon, many of the students work in small groups with peers
who have similar learning goals. The activities and games they play are
specific to these goals and come from 10 years of experience in
after-school programming.
Tutoring and small group work normally occurs at least twice a week for 20 - 30 minutes.
Dance Chance
Contact: Ms. Therese Kumasaka
(206) 252-7500
tdkumasaka@seattleschools.org
Ms. Sarah Clemons
(206) 252-7500
seclemons@seattleschools.org
Van Asselt is proud to have a long standing partnership with Pacific
Northwest Ballet. PNB offers outstanding programs for DanceChance to
students at Van Asselt.
In 2007, we began partnering with DanceChance, a
program that identifies and trains students starting in third grade.
Every fall a PNB screening team visits Van Asselt and identifies third
grade students who possess the unique physical aptitude required to
pursue a career in dance. Selected third graders participate in a
10-week introductory session which is built into their school day. These
students are provided with classical ballet training twice a week,
dancewear and shoes, transportation to PNB classes from school, and
tickets to PNB performances. A select number of students demonstrating
talent and interest are invited to join the Spring Session and may
advance to the DanceChance Level 2 classes for 4th graders the following
year. In the third year of studies, DanceChance students are integrated
into regular PNB classes which meet after school. Students have the
opportunity to dance in PNB’s Annual School performance in June, and in
some cases perform with the company in PNB productions including
Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, and Coppelia.