Our mission is to support the education, health, and welfare of each and every child at Somerset Elementary School. As part of the Washington State PTA, we are a nonprofit membership association bringing together the home, school, and community on behalf of our children.
Communication
Advocacy Director
Advocacy Director
Chair:
(none)
When:
on-going
Bellevue Schools Foundation (BSF)
Bellevue Schools Foundation (BSF)
Chair:
When:
September to June
Communicate BSF news to our PTSA BOD monthly or as needed.
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. They 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. They 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.
Facebook
Facebook
Chair:
When:
August-June
Update PTSA Facebook page according to guidelines.
Green Team
Green Team
Chair:
(none)
When:
ongoing
Work with our school and district to ensure we are using environmentally friendly practices.
Historian/Photographer
Historian/Photographer
Chair:
(none)
When:
ongoing
Legislative Affairs & Advocacy
Legislative Affairs & Advocacy
Chair:
(none)
When:
October - May
Are you passionate about being an advocate for children? PTA's vision is that every child’s potential becomes a reality. Our mission is to make PTA a powerful voice for children; a relevant resource for families, schools and communities; and an advocate for the well-being and education of all children. Please consider volunteering to be our Advocacy Chair.
Membership
Membership
Chair:
When:
September, October, January
If you like to talk with parents and encourage PTSA participation, Membership is the role for you. This committee handles the PTSA membership drive throughout the school year. Staff a membership table at school events such as Welcome Back Coffee, Curriculum Night and Book Fair. Some data input required. Resources and trainings to increase membership are available through the WA State PTA. Check http://www.wastatepta.org/. We strive for 100% membership!
New Families/Welcome
New Families/Welcome
Chair:
When:
ongoing
Coordinate summer playdates especially for new kindergarten families. Be the "go to" person for new families.
Newsletter
Newsletter
Chair:
When:
August-June
Edit and send a weekly electronic newsletter to subscribers to keep families informed of PTSA events and programs happening throughout the year. Work closely with VP Communication and Webmaster to assure communication is consistent.
Room Parent Coordinator
Room Parent Coordinator
Chair:
When:
ongoing, but busiest in September, October and May
Serve as a liaison between Room Parents and PTSA. Hold a Room Parent Training a week or two after Curriculum Night after Room Parents have signed up. Update the Room Parent Guide and assist Room Parents in their roles. Most of the communication is done via email in a timely manner.
Student Directory
Student Directory
Chair:
When:
Fall and Winter
Create Student Directory from PTSA and School District student information and coordinate printing. Distribute Student Directory to PTSA members.
Survey
Survey
Chair:
(none)
When:
May- June
Create annual parent survey. Distribute, analyze results, and communicate results to our BOD, parents, and school administrators. Works closely VP Communications.
Wall Display Cases
Wall Display Cases
Chair:
(none)
When:
ongoing
Update wall display cases monthly or quarterly outside the school. Work with the PTSA secretary. Work can be done on your own time.
Website Administrator
Website Administrator
Chair:
When:
Ongoing
Maintain the operating of our website, help Chairs set up event registration/payment, help create new pages, etc.
Welcome Packets
Welcome Packets
Chair:
When:
June to August
Gather and edit documents from VPs and Chairs. Have copies made at the BSD Copy Center. Gather copies from Somerset Office Manager. Organize volunteers to assemble packets. Work with school administration to distribute Welcome Packets to students on the first day of school via their backpacks.
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Fundraising
Amazon Smiles
Amazon Smiles
Chair:
(none)
When:
on-going
Fall Fundraising Drive
Grant Writing
Grant Writing
Chair:
When:
June to September
Work with our Bellevue Schools Foundation (BSF) ambassador, teachers, and school administration to write grants that benefit our school and community.
School Pictures
School Pictures
Chair:
When:
October- November
Coordinate with school administrators and photographer on location and process. Coordinate 5-10 volunteers for the day. Do the same for Picture Retake day, but on a smaller scale. Distribute photos to students upon arrival.
School Supplies
Spiritwear
Spiritwear
Chair:
When:
Fall and Spring
We sell high quality t-shirts and sweatshirts with our school colors and logo. Parents can purchase these items at the beginning of the year.
Sounders/Mariners Tickets
Sounders/Mariners Tickets
Chair:
(none)
Yearbook
Yearbook
Chair:
When:
ongoing
This chair is responsible for working with photographer/historian and parents to assemble and create the annual yearbook.
Auction 2019
Auction 2019
Chair:
When:
Spring 2019
Our PTSA hosts a live and silent auction every two years featuring donated products and services from neighborhood, regional and national companies, businesses and organizations, as well as the coveted artwork from Somerset students. Our bi-annual auction helps us maintain and foster quality education and experiences for Somerset students and the community.
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Community Relations
Light Up The Night
Light Up The Night
Chair:
(none)
Light Up The Night Winter Festival 2021
Our goal is to bring our diverse cultures together to celebrate the many winter festivals and holidays held throughout the world. We hope to both affirm the identities of students and build their cultural competency. It will be an evening to SHINE-to illuminate what makes Somerset Shine in our darkest months.
Back-to-School Events
Birthday Club
Birthday Club
Chair:
When:
September to June
Create fun memories by celebrating student/teacher birthdays every month. This is a new program this year and we are recruiting chairs. Please email somersetptsa@gmail.com if you are interested or need more information.
Care & Share
Care & Share
Chair:
(none)
When:
November & December
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.
Family Dance
Family Dance
Chair:
When:
April 27, 2018
A family night for all Somerset families. Dress up, dance and have some pizza with us!
Festival of Cultures
Festival of Cultures
Chair:
When:
January- March
The Festival of Culture is one of the best attended PTSA events. This event has become a Somerset tradition. We celebrate our diverse culture with kids’ performances, poster boards for cultural information and many cultural booths. This year, we are planning to have Festival of Culture in early February. We need many parent volunteers to participate in the event for it to be successful. Everyone is welcome. We hope to see you there!
Field Day
Field Day
Chair:
When:
June
Field Day is a fun way to let loose at the end of the school year. In collaboration with the PE teacher, we organize an afternoon event full of games and athletic events for the entire school.
Maker Market
MakerSpace
MakerSpace
Chair:
(none)
When:
Ongoing
Children love to imagine, create and build. The STEM makerspace program will challenge students to solve STEM based problems and work in small groups.
Movie Nights
Movie Nights
Chair:
When:
December to February
Get families together by coordinating free, fun movie nights. Choose the movies, coordinate a few volunteers, and sell concessions.
Parenthood Development (PhD)
Parenthood Development (PhD)
Chair:
(none)
When:
October & April
Provide parents with learning opportunities throughout the year in the form of speakers and community resources.
Pizza & Bingo Night
Pizza & Bingo Night
Chair:
When:
January
Volunteer to plan this fun, popular annual event. Plan and coordinate the pizza dinner, Bingo game and prizes.
Staff Appreciation
Staff Appreciation
Chair:
When:
August - June
Staff Appreciation Committee is responsible for planning and creating opportunities to thank our exceptional teachers and staff at Somerset Elementary for all their hard work. Our efforts to celebrate our wonderful teachers and staff, with small events throughout the year, culminate in May with Staff Appreciation Week.
Talent & Variety Show
Volunteer Coordinator
Volunteer Coordinator
Chair:
When:
August to June
Match our Somerset volunteers to the right opportunities. Our community is rich in skills and talent with different time commitments. All of our committees and events could use additional help. Create time slots and advertise distinct tasks so everyone can find a way to participate. Recognize all volunteers in December and June.
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Enrichment
Reading Club
Future Problem Solving Club
After School Soccer
Art Imagination (AI)
Art Imagination (AI)
Chair:
When:
September to June
Parent volunteers from each classroom coordinate monthly art projects or present information about various art methods and artists. This art enhancement is done in the classroom with teacher input.
Author Visits
Author Visits
Chair:
(none)
When:
Spring
This program is driven by our school librarian. Coordinate volunteers and support if needed. Last year, famous author, Candace Fleming visited. She delivered inspirational, educational, and entertaining grade level assemblies in the library. Parents could purchase her autographed books.
Book Swap
Chess Club
Chess Club
Chair:
When:
2021-22 School Year
Chess is a fun game that incorporates many aspects of the IB learner profile: knowledgeable, inquirers, thinkers, communicators, principled, open-minded, caring, risk-takers, balanced, and reflective. It is a parent driven after school activity meant to foster students' intellectual growth while having fun.
Choir Liaison
Choir Liaison
Chair:
(none)
When:
October - May
4th and 5th grade
Curriculum Enhancement
Curriculum Enhancement
Chair:
When:
August - June
Work with school administration, teachers, and a committee of parent volunteers to coordinate student activities which supplement and enhance the standard curriculum. Activities may include field trips, classroom experiences and grade-level assemblies. Most of the planning and work will take place in the Fall.
Fifth Grade Activities
Fifth Grade Activities
Chair:
When:
April to June
Coordinate the Fifth Grade Promotion at the school in June and the annual Pool Party at the Rec Club after school is out in June.
Fifth Grade Drug & Alcohol Education
Fifth Grade Drug & Alcohol Education
Chair:
When:
ongoing
Organize speaker for 5th grade students.
Game (Games & More Enrichment)
Game (Games & More Enrichment)
Chair:
(none)
When:
January- February
Family Game Nights are free, fabulous fun at Somerset Elementary! Families play a wide variety of entertaining (non-electronic) board and card games. We can also invite local game stores to bring in their demonstration games and merchandise.
Library Volunteers
Library Volunteers
Chair:
(none)
When:
ongoing
Volunteer in the school library by checking out books to students, re-shelving books, assisting the students when needed and working with the school librarian. Work with Library Volunteer Chair for schedule and specific duties.
Math Adventure
Math Adventure
Chair:
When:
December & May
Math Adventures are math-oriented puzzle events for 1st through 5th graders. With disaster looming, small teams of students and their parent coach must each solve a set of puzzles to save the day. A party awaits everyone to celebrate their victory. The events are not competitive, and no winners are declared.
We are recruiting volunteers to make these events happen. If you can help out, please contact hsvm0808@gmail.com. Thanks.
Math Circle
Math Circle
Chair:
When:
ongoing
Thank you for your interest in the Somerset PTSA Math Circle Club. Somerset Math Circle invites our 3rd to 5th grade students who are interested in math and would like to participate in math competitions.
Passport Club
Passport Club
Chair:
When:
Once a month through entire school year
Students will be studying the locations of countries and will be tested each month. By the end of the year they will have learned many, or all, of the countries of the world! Students gain confidence and develop a strong curiosity if they practice regularly and learn about the countries they’re studying.
Reflections
Reflections
Chair:
When:
Fall
The Reflections Program is a National PTA and Washington State PTA cultural arts competition. The purpose of this program is to provide an opportunity for students to use their creative talents by expressing themselves through their own original works. Each year, Reflections challenges students to create art that supports a specific theme. Themes are selected from thousands of ideas submitted by students to National PTA's Reflections Theme Search.
A student may submit an entry in any of six arts areas. Only original works of art are accepted. The six art areas are: Visual Arts Photography, Literature, Music Composition, Dance Choreography, and Film Production.
Running Club
Running Club
Chair:
When:
October
Inviting all students to participate in the Running club during the month of October. We are recruiting chairs. Please email somersetptsa@gmail.com if you are interested in leading this club or need more information.
STEM Activities
STEM Activities
Chair:
When:
October to May
STEM activities encourage all Somerset students to get excited about learning and actively participating in science, technology, engineering, and math. Activities include: a Pacific Science Center Demonstration, STEM Fair, Student Science Posters, and Egg-Drop Contest.
Science Circle
Science Circle
Chair:
When:
Ongoing
Somerset Science Circle is a volunteer-run club aiming to enhance the science learning environment and introduce science competitions to our students. This is the club’s first year, so your support and patience is much appreciated.
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Safety
Child Safety & Emergency Prep
Child Safety & Emergency Prep
Chair:
(none)
When:
September to June
Connect with the Bellevue School District and Somerset Administration to communicate and reinforce the emergency preparedness plan for Somerset Elementary.
Hearing Screenings
Hearing Screenings
Chair:
(none)
When:
Fall
•1 volunteer to decide which classes to get by looking at the specialist schedule and lunch recess times.
•2 volunteers to go get classes and walk them to the screening. •2 volunteers outside the room to remind waiting kids to keep voices low and to tell them instructions for hearing screening. •2 volunteers to be inside the room to help keep kids quiet and direct them to screeners. •1 volunteer to help me record hearing results. •1 volunteer to direct kids after they are finished to go back to their classroom or line up with teacher.
Traffic and Safety
Traffic and Safety
Chair:
When:
August - June
Work with school administrators and PTSA to assure our children are safe in and around our parking lots. Volunteer to help traffic flow at school drop off and pick up times.
Wellness/ Walk to School
Wellness/ Walk to School
Chair:
When:
October
International Walk to School Day is promoted by the City of Bellevue and the official website is http://www.walkbiketoschool.org/. Somerset first participated in October 2013 where about six volunteers and their children handed out PedBee key chains donated by the program to children at school crosswalks and in front of school who walked to school or walked to their bus. More and more students join in Walk to School Day each year. We need lots of volunteers on Walk to School Day morning to monitor the traffic, lead walk bus, hand out small gifts, etc.
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