We are halfway with our Fall Fundraiser, and we are so thankful to all the families who have donated!

There's still time to join the PTSA and contribute with donations using the buttons below!

* There will be a special surprise for the class with more Memberships by October 31st *

Vision and Hearing Volunteers Needed!   We are having our yearly Vision and Hearing Screening on Thursday, October 23rd this year.   Please click here if you are able to help:   Vision & Hearing Volunteers Sign Up We are looking for:  20 volunteers that can help from 9:00am-3:00pm. Volunteers will be running hearing screens, escorting students, etc. No experience necessary; training will be provided beforehand. Please indicate in comments whether you can commit whole session or need to leave earlier. All volunteers must be district approved (start the process or check your volunteer status here). Snacks and light lunch will be provided. If you have any questions, please reach out to: volunteers@einsteinptsa.org

PTSA Ice Cream Social - Thank You

A huge thank you to everyone who helped at our first Einstein PTSA event! From set-up to scooping, photography, quiet room support, and clean-up — YOU made the Ice Cream Social a smooth, fun night for our families. Your teamwork (and even staying past shifts!) made all the difference. We couldn’t have done it without you, and we look forward to seeing you at our next event! — Einstein PTSA Family Events

Pre-Order Your Yearbook Today! Pide tu Anuario Hoy!

 Einstein Elementary's PTSA Advocacy Corner

Welcome to Einstein Elementary’s PTSA Advocacy Corner! Look here each Ottermail for easy and actionable ways to advocate for our students. 

What is advocacy? Advocacy is “supporting and speaking up for children—in schools, in communities, and before government bodies and other organizations that make decisions affecting children (PTA, 2014).” 

The Einstein Elementary PTSA would like to know what our community cares about and where we should focus our advocacy efforts this school year. Thanks to those of you who participated in our advocacy survey at Ice Cream Night (with LEGO!). If you were unable to attend Ice Cream Night or didn’t have a chance to participate in the advocacy survey, please complete the online version of this survey here: 

https://forms.office.com/r/qsiFYJu8H9

Here are some other easy ways to participate and advocate!

1. Join the PTSA! If you haven’t already, click the links above to fill out your virtual First Day Packets.
2. Complete the LWPTSA Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging (DEIB) survey here.
3. Attend the LWSD School Board Candidate Forum on October 15, 2025 (see additional information in this newsletter). Click here to learn more about the LWSD School Board.
4. Learn about the Washington State PTA’s legislative priorities: https://wastatepta.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/2025-2026-WSPTA-Legislative-Priorities.pdf

Pumpkin Book Character Project

Einstein Library's Optional Pumpkin Book Character Project

Students are invited to decorate a pumpkin to look like a favorite book character and display it in the library! 

Pumpkin Decorating Guidelines: Use a pumpkin that is real, plastic, or foam, or even draw one on paper (see Mrs. Ashley for a pumpkin outline page). If you use a real pumpkin, please paint or draw on it. Do not carve the pumpkin as it will rot too quickly. Make sure you can carry your pumpkin into school by yourself. If you have the book that matches your pumpkin character, bring it along. Bring your decorated pumpkin or drawing to the library between October 6th and 20th. Your pumpkin will be sent home on or after Halloween. If you have questions, contact Mrs. Ashley at aiashley@lwsd.org.

Battle of the Books

What Is Battle of the Books? Battle of the Books (B.O.T.B.) is an optional reading challenge for 4th and 5th graders. Students form teams of 2 to 4 members and elect a team captain. Teams collaborate to read 12 books from the B.O.T.B. list, which can be divided among team members as they determine. Teams participate in "Book Battles" during which they answer questions about the books. The answer to each question will be one of the book's titles.

How Do Students Sign Up? The week of October 6th, all 4th and 5th graders will be introduced to B.O.T.B. during their Library class. Team registration forms will be distributed at that time, and completed forms must be submitted to Mrs. Ashley in the library by Friday, October 31st. Please find more details here.

New & International Families Welcome Event

LWPTSA Council and LWSD are once again partnering to put on this informative event for families who are new to the district.

WHEN: Wed., October 8th at 4PM; community partners 4-7PM, speakers 5-6:30PM
WHERE: LWSD Resource Center Board Room

Volunteers Needed
LWPTSA Council would like to support this event by once again providing free child care for participants from 4:30-6:45 pm. If you are interested in volunteering to help, please signup.

Questions: Email LWPTSA Co-VPs of FACE, Danish Majeed & Mansi M. Majeed, at FACE@LWPTSA.net. 

Special Education Group Meeting: October 14

Join LWPTSA Council's Special Education Group (SEG). The meeting will kick off at 6:30 PM, with tea and cookies, mingling and chatting. At 7PM we will begin our presentation. WHEN: Tuesday, Oct. 14, at 7PM; family networking begins at 6:30PM WHERE: LWSD Resource Center Board Room (map) STAY CONNECTED:  SEG Page | Facebook Group | SEG Newsletter

The SEG is open to all LWSD families with students receiving special services, including IEPs (Individualized Education Program), 504 accommodations plans or IHPs (Individualized Healthcare Plan). Questions? Email LWPTSA Council SEG at: SpecialEducation@LWPTSA.net.

CHILD CARE IS AVAILABLE for LWSD students and school-aged siblings. Contact SpecialServices@LWSD.org by Oct. 8 with your student’s name and age.

Your Voice, Their Vision: LWSD School Board Candidate Forum
Let’s show up, speak up, and shape the future of our schools—together

The Lake Washington PTSA Council is hosting a lively, interactive forum featuring School Board Candidates from Districts 3 and 4. This is your chance to hear directly from those seeking to represent LWSD families—and to ask the questions that matter most to you.

WHEN: Wednesday, October 15 at 7 PM; doors open at 6:30 PM
WHERE: LWSD Resource Center Board Room (map)

Want to shape the conversation?  Submit your anonymous questions by October 12 using our online form.

📌 Focus areas: Arts & Enrichment, Special Education, School Safety, Academic Equity Your input helps ensure the forum reflects the values and hopes of our LWSD community.

LWPTSA Council would like to support this event by providing free childcare for attendees from 6:45-8:15 pm. If you are interested in volunteering to help, please signup. Refer to our website for more information. 

Questions? Email LWPTSA Council Advocacy at: Advocacy@LWPTSA.net