We are at 50% from our goal! We are so thankful to all the families who have donated! We need your donations and Memberships to make this Fall Fundraiser a success!

If you haven't done it yet, there's still time. You can become a member and donate by clicking on First Day Packet. Your Membership and Donations will make a huge impact in our school ❤️

* There will be a surprise for the class with more Memberships by October 31st, so far Sra. Reynoso's class has the highest number of Memberships *

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

2025 - 2026 Reflections Art Program

Do your kids love Art? Do they love to paint or draw? Write stories, poems or essays? Take photo? Make films or compose music? Dance? If so, then encourage them to sign up for the Reflections Competition! Create your artwork and tell us what the theme means to you. Theme for 2025-2026: "I Belong!" Start working on your project, we'll share submission form and deadline very soon. More Info: Visit: Reflections Art Program (wastatepta.org)

 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

Einstein Wall of Honor for Veterans' Day

We are continuing our tradition of a "Wall of Honor" with photos of the veterans connected to our families and community. We invite you to bring in or email a copy of a photograph of any Allied Forces Veterans in your family for our Wall.

In addition to the picture (this must be a copy NOT an original … they will not be returned), we need the following information:

We look forward to honoring the courageous men and women who have served our country! Please email your photo to: communications@einsteinptsa.org

Intermediate Choir Rehearsals

We are excited to announce our plans for the Einstein Choir provision this year! We intend to start with an Intermediate Choir made up of students from Grades 3, 4 and 5. Intermediate Choir will rehearse on Thursday mornings from 8.30 am to 9.15 am and the first rehearsal will take place on Thursday, October 16, 2025 in the Music Room.

Provisionally, we will plan for a Winter Concert in December, date to be confirmed. We hope to take part in the Choir Festival in March and have a Spring Concert shortly after. We will confirm dates and times as we get nearer. If your child is interested in being part of our Einstein Intermediate Choir and can attend rehearsals on Thursdays, 8.30 – 9.15 am, please complete the MS Form permission slip below by Tuesday, October 14, 2025 by 5:00pm! Please complete one form per child who will be in Intermediate Choir: https://forms.office.com/r/44BNWBGWWR We look forward to a wonderful year of singing! - Ms. Sam and Mrs. Nelson, Einstein Music Teachers

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.

Pre-Order Books for Upcoming Author Visit with 4th and 5th Graders

We are lucky to welcome author Martha Brockenbrough to Einstein Elementary on October 28th. She will be speaking to the 4th and 5th grade students about the upcoming release of her book At the Edge of Lost, a middle grade novel aimed at ages 9-12. Brockenbrough will be signing copies of books pre-ordered through Brick & Mortar Books. Please use the link: https://brickandmortarbooks.com/resources/martha-brockenbrough-school-visits to place an order by October 21st. If you have any questions, please contact Einstein Librarian, Aimee Ashley at aiashley@lwsd.org.

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