UPDATED 4.4 - Information about 2023-2024 Aftercare Options
There are two large aftercare (care for your child in the afternoon when school is out) programs available for families attending John Muir:
1. ARC is the aftercare provider offered at John Muir and works in partnership with Seattle Parks and Recreation.
The onsite aftercare is located in a classroom on the northeast corner of the building and the cafeteria.
There is also a program located at the Rainier Community Center where transportation has not historically been provided (ie. requires parent transportation/carpooling).
The program at John Muir is only for students at the school. The program at the community center is open to other schools and historically served a combination of students from Hawthorne and John Muir.
Aftercare hours are from 2:30 pm to 6:00 pm.
Sign up is through Seattle Parks and Recreation on 5/16/23 at noon: Sign in | Seattle Parks and Recreation (activecommunities.com)
Information on financial assistance is here: Scholarships & Financial Aid - Parks | seattle.gov
Information on programing is here: ARC after school programs
2. Rainier Valley Boys and Girls club is located a mile away from the school at 4520 Martin Luther King Jr Way S, Seattle, WA 98118
Transportation is not currently guaranteed - this is being actively explored as of 4.4.23.
The aftercare program ends at 6:30pm.
This program is open to all SE schools.
Sign up for the Boys and girls is on Monday 4/17 at 7pm. Registration is through this link: https://positiveplace.org/my-clubhub.
We Need Your Feedback!
The PTA has two open surveys right now and we are looking for feedback from current and incoming parents/caregivers. Both surveys are hosted in google forms and can be translated on the site.
The first survey is a space where you can share what’s most important for you for your student(s). Feedback from this will directly inform where PTA resources go for the remainder of this year and into the 2023-24 school year.
This survey is to gather feedback about needs/wishes for aftercare. That’s right, we want to help make options better for families, but we need to know what you need in order to do that.
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback - it’s critical!
The 2023 John Muir Move-a-Thon Move & Groove is on the calendar!
Parents & Caregivers…
Mark your calendars for March because you're invited to see your child on the MOVE* at our John Muir Move-a-Thon Move & Groove! Event will take place on March 17th at school!
This is an annual tradition as part of this joint fundraising partnership with the SE Seattle Schools Fundraising Alliance that John Muir looks forward to each year, which you can learn more about here.
*Students using wheelchairs and other necessary mobility devices are invited to join in the fun; bikes, scooters, skateboards, and roller skates need to stay at home!
Volunteer at the Move & Groove!
The Move-a-Thon committee is seeking volunteers to help make this special event awesome for students and families! If you can help set up before school or during the day with various tasks, please contact info@TheMuirPTA.org.
Sponsor John Muir Students to GET MOVING!
Invite friends and family to sponsor our John Muir students as they GET MOVING! Online donations can be accepted through this site; checks payable to Alliance for Education with SESSFA on the memo line can be accepted at the John Muir Move-a-Thon Move & Groove event - 3/17/23.
Thank you for being an important part of our John Muir community.
School Tours for Prospective Parents and Caregivers Happening this Month!
We are so excited to share this special community with the new families who will join us this fall!
PTA Working Meeting Tues 11/15 7:00-8:30 PM, via zoom
Please join the Muir PTA working meeting Tues 11/15 7:00-8:30 PM. We're meeting by zoom due to challenges we're having with scheduling meetings through the district (zoom link/dial-in below). All are welcome!
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Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88258804945
Meeting ID: 882 5880 4945
One tap mobile
+12532158782,,88258804945# US (Tacoma)
+17193594580,,88258804945# US
PTA Working Meeting Tues Oct 11, 7-830, Boys and Girls Club, Rainier Vista
Please join us for our first PTA working meeting of the year. Everyone is welcome!
When: Tuesday, October 11, 7-830pm
Where: Smilow Boys & Girls Club in Rainier Vista (4520 Martin Luther King Jr Way S). There’s a parking lot on S Oregon Street.
What: Learn how you can support the school community, and share your voice.
Main agenda items: staffing committees, reviewing budget priorities, and discussing community engagement.
Join us! For our June 7th Business Meeting
Hello amazing Muir families, caregivers and staff,
The PTA is having our last Business Meeting for this school year on Tuesday, June 7th 7-8pm. Everyone is welcome!
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84725216504?pwd=S04yVVJhcUg0Z3BwRkFGdHJkTXR2Zz09
Meeting ID: 847 2521 6504
Passcode: 465801
We will be voting on the new slate of PTA executive officers and sharing our final budget for the year.
Here is the list of nominees for the PTA exec team:
Co- Presidents - Kasey Halmagyi + Luisa Hoffmann
Co-Vice Presidents - Joanna Gangi + Patricia Gray
Co-Secretaries - Kate Hoerster + Emily Miller
Treasurer - Carlton Wilson
Other volunteer leads:
BLT & Recruitment - Meagan Dixon
Fundraising Rep w/ Southeast Schools Alliance - Julia MacCracken
We are also looking for leads on Events & Communications
Please join us for this final Business Meeting on Tuesday, June 7th at 7-8pm.
Warmly,
The John Muir PTA
Come Join the PTA Executive Team!
Hello wonderful Muir families, teachers, and staff!
Come join the PTA executive team!
Please send nominations to info@themuirpta.org
The following roles are PTA Officers:
1. PTA President (2 positions)
2. PTA Vice President (2 positions)
3. PTA Secretary (2 positions)
4. PTA Treasurer
All other PTA roles are appointed by the officers, informed by interest from PTA members.
President:
Attend at least 90% of PTA monthly meetings (8–10 per year)
Serve as a spokesperson for the PTA and chief liaison with school leadership and representatives
Work with other Officers to appoint committees and other positions
Support the overall leadership of the PTA
Lead planning for PTA yearly events
Vice President:
Attend at least 90% of PTA meetings (8–10 per year)
Act as an assistant to the President
Support coordination and communication for PTA meetings and engagement with staff, teachers, and community members
Secretary:
Attend at least 90% of PTA monthly meetings (8–10 per year)
Prepare accurate notes (minutes) from each meeting and send these to members in a timely manner
Maintain PTA roster and other key documents; organize key documents
Support the development of clear processes to clarify who does what and how (for example: equity guidelines
Treasurer:
Attend at least 90% of PTA monthly meetings (8–10 per year)
Present the budget to PTA members at regular meetings
Coordinate with the PTA’s bookkeeper to share monthly financial reports
Help develop an initial draft of yearly budget for review and adaptation
Receive, issue receipts for, and deposit promptly. Distribute funds according to the approved budget
We need you!
Please send nominations to info@themuirpta.org
Warmly,
The John Muir PTA
Move-a-thon Fundraiser for 15 SE Seattle Schools
2022 Move-A-Thon
John Muir is joining 15 Southeast Seattle elementary and K-8 schools for a collective Move-a-Thon fundraiser from May 2 to May 13 in partnership with the Southeast Seattle Schools Fundraising Alliance (SESSFA).
Parents and caregivers are invited to cheer for our students as they join together by grade level to run, walk, or roll around the playground in a special Move-a-Thon Move & Groove event on Friday, May 13.Check out the flyer below for specific times and details!
Contactinfo@TheMuirPTAfor questions or information about how to get involved. If you are interested in making a donation, the link is here!
ACT NOW - School Schedule Changes
Hello wonderful Muir families, teachers, and staff!
As some of you may be aware there are some big changes happening around start times for next year - the current proposal has John Muir Elementary starting each day at 9:30 am and ending at 4pm
So far, based on what we've heard, this is not the desired change for many families and staff. The vast majority of students at John Muir are NOT bused to school, as we are a "walking school." A very small number actually use the bus so it seems unnecessary to change our schedule to adapt to busing needs.
To let SPS know your concerns please fill out this form that SPS sent in their recent email.
Some sample wording to include - select Concern:
"My children (enter names) go to John Muir Elementary and I'm very concerned that the start times are changing to put our school at a 9:30 start time. The change in schedule would disrupt so many families' lives, childcare, and work routines."
More info should be coming soon from the school as well. Please let SPS know your concerns and fill out this form and share with our community.
Warmly,
The John Muir PTA exec team
March News and Events
Hello wonderful Muir families, teachers, and staff!
We're Making Walking and Rolling to Muir Safer, Together
The PTA formed a John Muir Safe Routes Community in partnership with our wonderful, crossing guard Mr. Carnell Sheppard, Muir educators, and local South Seattle Mobility Justice leaders. In January 2022 we sent a letter to the Seattle Department of Transportation and city leaders, asking them to improve conditions for those walking and rolling to Muir. In response, SDOT shared several plans they have to improve conditions:
Rainier Ave S & S Walden St.
SDOT plans to increase the signal duration (3 seconds/foot) and the Leading Pedestrian Interval (LPI) durations for crossing Rainier. They also will install a 20mph school zone for this intersection. Additional improvements such as building curb bulbs will be made as part of the Metro bus Route 7 project. Several other changes (e.g., no turn on red, providing a protected left turn phase) are being considered. The estimated implementing timeline is fall 2022.
Beyond Rainier
An evaluation for additional safety enhancements is currently underway for 34th Ave S and S Horton St (and 33rd). This will include evaluating the busy uncontrolled intersection with a roundabout where many kids cross while cars are turning to the front of the school. The city is also working with Sound Transit and community members to improve conditions at Martin Luther King Jr. Way S.
We all have a role to play--if you're driving near the school, please drive slowly and remember to always give pedestrians the right of way. And review these tips for walking safely with your families (includes Spanish translation).
SDOT will do a drop-off walk around to identify real-time areas for improvement with Muir community members (we welcome volunteers to join; date TBD!).
If you have ideas or concerns you’d like to share--or you’d like to join any of our efforts--please email the John Muir Safe Routes Community at johnmuirsaferoutes@gmail.com.
Our school is prioritized on the Safe Routes to School Racial Equity Action Plan. Investing in safe transport to Muir is crucial for advancing equity in our community and city. Thank you to our community for ensuring the safety of those walking and rolling to school!
Upcoming Math Event
Please join us onThursday, March 31 from 6 – 7:30 PM for a fun evening of games, inspiration, and all things math! The evening will start with presentations from community members sharing how they use math in their everyday lives, then families will have a chance to join a breakout room where they will learn some of Muir’s favorite math games! Look for materials to come home with your student the week of the event.
Here's the Teams link for the event:
Join on your computer or mobile app
Click here to join the meeting
Or call in (audio only)
+1 206-800-4125,,627183544# United States, Seattle
Phone Conference ID: 627 183 544#
We hope to see you all there!
Warmly,
The John Muir PTA
Black History Celebration Event follow-up
Hello wonderful Muir families, teachers, and staff!
Thank you so much to those who joined us last week for the celebration of Black History. What a wonderful thing it was to have so many families together again. The Muir students and staff put so much work into bringing the lessons learned during Black History Month forward in a powerful and engaging way. We also had the opportunity to learn from Black community members who spoke of history, wellness and self-love.
Please add a message to show your appreciation to our wonderful organizers and students - we are collecting thank you messages here: https://padlet.com/chenk52/sgz7iwiifvybt7ph
If you are a parent or a guardian of a current Muir student and would like to see the full recording of the event, please email info@themuirpta.org and we'll share the link with you.
Some additional resources if you are interested in exploring the topics further:
The Numerical and Time Correlations in the Quran written by Mr. Sahel Mohamed
Mindfulness Practices from Space Between
One Love Dolls from Muir's own, Ms. Noriega
Purrdie Burrdie, I Love Myself, Can You See? written by Danita Hunter with a dedication to John Muir students, link to purchase
Shop Black-Owned, Seattle Urban League Black Business Directory
Warmly,
The John Muir PTA
Black History Celebration Event
Hello wonderful Muir families, teachers, and staff!
Upcoming Community Event - Let’s Celebrate
Join us this Thursday, March 3rd, from 4:30-7:30pm, for an evening celebrating Black Health and Wellness and our amazing school community. We'll start with the video recordings of students' Black History Month performances. The event will feature student and staff performances, including a surprise vocal performance by a John Muir student.
Thursday, March 3rd, 4:30-7:30pm
Here's the zoom link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86728199505?pwd=ZWEyT3dLalFRNHp3WVc0TmFXTTR5dz09
Meeting ID: 867 2819 9505
Passcode: 419534Interpretation will be available in Spanish, Somali, and Vietnamese.
Agenda
4:30pm: Prefunk - Classroom Videos
5:15pm: Welcome - Speech
5:30pm: Black National Anthem
5:45pm: Elmer Dixon + Q&A
6:10pm: Mindfulness
6:30pm: UJIMA Promo's
6:45pm: KD Fit Dance
6:55pm: Purrdie Burrdie Art - have your materials ready (some paper and something to draw with)!
7:15pm: Closing/Duet
Support Local Black Businesses
The Comfort Zone
Food for the Soul - cooked to perfection. Located in the Columbia area of Seattle, The Comfort Zone offers a unique experience, combining delicious home-style foods with southern hospitality. We offer the best soul food in the Pacific Northwest.
Island Soul
Island Soul Rum Bar & Soul Shack is a family-run restaurant featuring a full bar and Caribbean-inspired Soul Food. Located in the heart of historic Columbia City
Safari
At Safari Restaurant, our goal is to bring the joy of food expressed through the unique cuisines of East Africa. Come in today for a taste of East Africa.
Communion
"Seattle Soul" is a cuisine rooted in tradition with innovations based on experiences and influences from Seattle's lush cultural landscape.
Ras Dashen
Cafe serving Ethiopian standards, including spiced meats, vegetarian plates & honey wine.
The Taste of the Caribbean
Taste of the Caribbean is ready to ignite your culinary passion for the flavorful Jamaican food experience.
Bananas Grill
In the heart of Columbia city, we are a family-owned authentic halal fast food restaurant striving to serve you delicious home-style meals. Our menu offers delicious entrées paired with a variety of halal meat options. Come and experience a taste of our home!
Emerald City Fish and Chips
Enjoy crab puppies with just the right amount of spice, sweet potato fries with spicy tartar & garlic vinegar, juicy gourmet burgers, perfectly seasoned oysters & prawns, a variety of po’boy sandwiches, chowder, salad and more
City Teriyaki
Japanese inspired dishes including tempura, yakisoba, and a variety of teriyaki dishes. Located in the heart of Columbia City.
Shopping local with Black owned businesses is a great way to continue to promote Black Health and Wellness right here in our community. Below are some additional businesses you can support:
Nia One Love(Retail)
Family run business promoting unification and culture of the African Diaspora. Services include wholesale and retail marketplace, African Diaspora Education and Culture Marketplace and Guest House rental in Montego Bay, Jamaica
The Station(Coffee shop)
The Station is both a coffee shop and vital community hub. Owners Luis Rodriguez and Leona Moore-Rodriguez have created a space that is safe and welcoming for all, and that celebrates the diverse voices and faces of the community.
Baked From the Hart(Pie shop)
Bill Hart baked his first bean pie in 1971, which is now a staple at his neighborhood pie shop, Baked From The Hart. The signature bean pie is filled with a sweet, custardy navy bean purée and spiced with cinnamon.
Metier Brewing Company(Brewery)
Metier means “one’s calling,” and at Metier Brewing Company our calling is brewing damn good beer and building stronger community to inspire bigger dreams for all.
QueenCare(Beauty)
QueenCare products were designed with thoughts of how to best serve our skin while utilizing aromatherapy to heal and uplift our mood. Each handcrafted product is infused with good energy, love and natural ingredients that will leave your body feeling luxurious.
For a more extensive list of local Black Owned businesses, visit theUrban League.
Warmly,
The John Muir PTA
Upcoming Events
Dear John Muir Community member,
We wanted to share some updates about our upcoming events!
Upcoming Business Meeting: Tuesday, February 8th, 7pm-8pm
Join us for our next business meeting on Tuesday, February 8th - from 7-8 pm. Come connect with other volunteers and help make events happen!
Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86921935257?pwd=U2o2VkFCTnZXZUVWQk55QUNadXdOQT09
Passcode: 023963
Proposed agenda:
Budget discussion and revision process
PTA board recruitment/ nominating committee
Updates from committees
Coming up:
Look out for a Black History Celebration event happening after the mid-winter break. More details to follow.
Change in plans:
We will be delaying the planned video screening til later in the year.
Warmly,
The John Muir PTA
Translated Levy Materials
Hello wonderful Muir families, teachers, and staff!
We want to reach out about Levy materials and pass on additional information from the SPS website.
The February 2022 levies renew funding for Seattle students, staff, and schools.
Seattle voters will be asked to consider renewing two school levies that expire in 2022 to continue funding for our students and schools.
Why Do School Districts Ask for Local Levy Funding? School districts rely on voter-approved levies to bridge the gap between what the state funds and what it costs to support our students.
Voter-Approved Education Levies Support Seattle Students The money we collect from local, voter-approved school levies stays in Seattle. We use these funds to provide the quality of education that our students and families expect and to ensure our students have safe, welcoming schools that support student success.
Please find attached translated Schools First one pagers in 8 languages through the link here.
On the district's website, you can now also find additional informational materials translated into multiple languages: https://www.seattleschools.org/about/levy/
Scroll down toward the bottom to find overview flyers and presentations!
Warmly,
The John Muir PTA
Community Conversation tonight!
Hello wonderful Muir families, teachers, and staff!
We hope you had a chance to soak up this wonderful sunshine over the weekend! We want to reach out about upcoming events, meetings, and information on vaccine clinics:
Join us for a Community Conversation tonight 7-8:30pm (Virtually)!
Tuesday, January 25, 7:00pm to 8:30pm (join at 6:45 to select language channel of choice)
Hosted by the Southeast Seattle Schools Fundraising Alliance, this session will cover several topics that impact all of our Southeast Seattle public schools. It is a great opportunity to be in community with the 15 elementary and K-8s in D7 to listen, learn, and ask questions together!
Here's the zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83032092727?pwd=ckthT1hoTkYrL3pJQk13YUR2cVFBQT09
Meeting ID: 830 3209 2727
Passcode: 658231
Upcoming Business Meeting: Tuesday, February 8th, 7-8pm
Join us for our next business meeting on Tuesday, February 8th - from 7-8 pm. Come connect with other volunteers and help make events happen! Zoom link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86921935257?pwd=U2o2VkFCTnZXZUVWQk55QUNadXdOQT09Here's the link to the January business meeting minutes: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1j5c--NLZsKHGWSdiFeEtR50DqHMNlmL6G9MWdT61_nk/edit?usp=sharing
Upcoming Community Event: Tuesday, February 15th
Join us for our community film viewing event and engage in conversations on Tuesday, February 15th - film viewing at 6pm and discussion at 7:30pm
Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89222012901?pwd=UVJDZmxzTzYyTHdCSUpEQjgyOEpqQT09
More details to follow soon!
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Free At-Home COVID-19 Tests
Residential households in the U.S. can order one set of 4 free at-home tests from USPS.com. Here’s what you need to know about your order:
Limit of one order per residential address
One order includes #4 individual rapid antigen COVID-19 tests
Orders will ship free starting in late January
Here's the link to order: https://special.usps.com/testkits
Vaccine Clinics:
Because vaccination is our most important line of defense against COVID-19, Seattle Public Schools are offering several school-based vaccine clinics. Upcoming clinics will be held at:
South Shore PK-8 School (Jan. 26)
Olympic Hills Elementary School (Jan. 30)
All clinics are open to all SPS students and staff. Parent or guardian consent is required for students under 18. For more information about these upcoming vaccine clinics, please visithttps://buff.ly/3xdqnrC
Warmly,
The John Muir PTA