Staff Appreciation Week Recap
Thanks to your generous contributions, the PA was able to deliver an incredible Staff Appreciation Week. We showered the teachers and staff with gratitude on a number of fronts. Special shout out to extraordinary Board Member, Daniel Steinberg, for leading this effort - he went above and beyond to make SAW memorable.

The unlimited coffee and beverage cart kicked things off on Monday morning alongside baked goods and other breakfast treats, plus we rolled out two 3-tier staff appreciation stations and two baskets of goodies to ensure teachers and staff campus-wide had a convenient source of treats and surprises.

Parents dropped off 20+ dishes in the morning Tuesday and we put on a delicious finger food themed lunch. Staff enjoyed the nice weather, eating outside or packing up food for later in a to-go container. From Darla’s famous lemon bars, to veggie spring rolls and gyoza, to kimbap and even pizzas delivered fresh by a parent, the meal offered a little bit of everything and the teachers and staff were thrilled

​Members of the PA stopped by twice a day to ensure all of the staff appreciation stations were well stocked, bringing new types of snacks and surprises (like succulents, air plants, sheet masks, lip balm, and enamel pins) to keep things exciting. We did a second Costco run mid-week to so we could be sure the carts and baskets would be full through Friday afternoon. ​

Mid-week we also highlighted the Wall of Gratitude we built with all of your wonderful notes of thanks to teachers. We took over the main wall in the staff lounge and displayed more than 100 notes of appreciation. Thank you for coming through on this front – it was so rewarding to see folks gathered around reading all of the notes, finding the ones from their own students and admiring those from others’.

Thursday’s weather paired absolutely perfectly with the smoothie bar. Featuring four berry, pineapple mango, and mocha frappe smoothies, teachers and staff were treated to made-to-order smoothies in the afternoon. This was a new treat this year and we think we’ll do it again next year – it was a huge hit.

​As a small token of our appreciation, the PA wrote thank you notes to each of the teachers and staff members. Inside of these envelopes were $50 gift cards to one of a number of local shops or restaurants like Spark Pizza, Brick & Mortar Books, Molly Moon’s, and Ben Franklin Crafts (plus Amazon for those who don’t live on the Eastside).  

Finally, we wrapped up Staff Appreciation Week on Friday with the second potluck, this time with comfort foods. The mac and cheese, BBQ pulled pork on Hawaiian rolls, and Indian vegetable biriani were crowd pleasers, though the spread including things like Shanghai scallion oil noodles, Brazilian cheese bread, serrano & rosemary guacamole and cashew queso, and vegan cupcakes gave everyone plenty to try.
While we did pause the staff lounge renovation project, we’re working with the school to pick that back up during the summer once things have settled down a bit and they have a better sense of what they need for the space. 

A Quick Look Ahead…

• Join the PA Board! Applications Due May 3rd
• ​Staff Appreciation Week: May 6th - 10th
• Nature Walk & Play: 10:30AM on May 11th at Beaver Lake Park
• ​Camping Weekend: June 21st - 23rd

Join the Parent Association Board!
The Parent Association is recruiting new board members to join us next year. The strength of our community is based on our families joining and creating a space for all of us to shine and help our children become the best versions of themselves.
 
Do ANY of the following sound like you? 

• I’ve attended a PA event in the past and had a great time! 
• I have new ideas I want to bring to the community. 
• I’m interested in building community and connecting with other families. 
• I have skills in fundraising, recruiting, or website management that I can contribute to the board, or I want to build those skills. 
• I want to contribute to my child’s community while attending MCH.  
  
  

If you answered “yes” to any of these, then join us in our mission to inspire the confidence and trust of the community and motivate investment in the enrichment of students at MCH.  
Join us by submitting your application to jessica@mch-pa.org by Friday May 3rd.  ​

Something EXCITING is happening tomorrow!
In celebration of Earth Week at MCH, the PA is sponsoring Leigh Woody, a remarkably talented Chainsaw Artist, to come to campus to create FOUR beautiful carvings. The kids will watch the work and learn about her process throughout the day.

The school will live stream the event on Facebook from 9:30-9:50am for you all to join in on the fun (and we’ll share pictures next month). Leigh’s artistry serves as a powerful reminder that creativity and sustainability go hand in hand. You can check out her art here. ​

 Thank you to everyone who so generously gave to our SAW fundraiser last week! All the ideas we shared with you were fully funded! We're pretty thrilled to get to work on it all. We have a few ways you can participate directly, and we’re excited to see what folks bring to the table - literally and figuratively.

1. Make a Dish for the Potluck Lunches 
The potluck lunch last year was such a hit (for both staff and the parents who volunteered) that we're doing two separate potluck lunches this year! Please sign up for one or more slots by Friday, May 3rd. 

Sign Up for Potluck Lunch (Finger Foods): Tuesday, May 7th 

Sign Up for Potluck Lunch (Comfort Foods): Friday, May 10th 

2. Share a Story of Teachers/Staff Making a Difference 
If you have a story you’d like to share about a teacher or MCH staff member making a real difference or going above and beyond for you and/or your child, we'd love to hear about it! We’ll share these stories during Staff Appreciation Week each day as a reminder of why their work is so important and so impactful. 
 
Simply email your story to daniel@mch-pa.org and we'll take it from there! And if you'd like your note to be anonymous, just mention that in the email and we'll happily do so. 

3. Write a Note for the Gratitude Wall 
Blank notes should be coming home today or tomorrow with each student, and we ask that you return your child’s completed note(s) of gratitude by Friday, May 4th. These notes are incredibly meaningful to teachers and staff, and we absolutely love seeing everyone's contributions to this effort. ​

We Can’t Wait for Camping Weekend!
O.M.G... You folks just love the annual MCH PA camping weekend!

The event (June 21st to 23rd at the Tolt MacDonald Campground) is almost fully booked already! 

BUT... We do still have a few tent-sites available, so if you’re interested then please let us know here. 

For those who have already signed-up, you should have received a confirmation email from your trail guide, David, in the last couple of weeks. The PA will be sending out additional information (activity schedule, meal plan, kit list, waiver forms, etc.) in the month of May, so keep a look out for these emails.

Any questions, email david@mch-pa.org.  

President’s Letter
Hope everyone has had a great start to a new year, despite the cold! Here on the PA, we’re super excited to kick off our second half of programming. Below is a summary of what we have planned. Mark your calendars!

• Positive Discipline Workshop: Thursday, February 8th – get more perspectives and tools for your parenting tool belt 
• Pizza Party: Wednesday, February 14th – the PA is sponsoring a pizza party for students and staff 
• Cookbook: Submit your recipes to be included in the MCH Community Cookbook! 
• International Day: Sunday, March 3rd – come represent and share about your culture with the MCH community 
• Recruiting: March – interested in joining the board next year? Stay tuned to find out more! 
• Spring Swap: Sunday, March 24th (collection March 18-March 22) - give away things that no longer fit your family, and pick up other items from within the MCH community 
• Robotics Week: (dates TBD) - Upper school gets to program robots 
• Staff Appreciation Week: May 6-10th – show some love for MCH staff 
• Tolt MacDonald Camping: Friday, June 21- Sunday, June 23 – enjoy the outdoors with the MCH Community. More info soon!

We look forward to seeing you at these events! If you have any questions for feedback, feel free to check out the Parent Association website or email us at pa@mch-pa.org. 
 
Warmly, 
Jessica Lin 

First Annual MCH International Day!
When: Sunday, March 3rd from 2:30-4:30PM
Where: Boys and Girls Club of Sammamish
For the first time at MCH, you will have the chance to share your culture and traditions with our community! To celebrate the rich diversity we have at our beloved school, the PA will be organizing an International Day! We will have booths with food, performances, and more!  Imagine the feeling of traveling around the world, by moving from one booth to the next, exploring the rich assortment of food, music, and customs each one showcases. For more information, click HERE.


if you haven’t already, please click HERE sign up for a booth, a performance, or both! 

The MCH Community Cookbook

Contribute your family’s favorite recipes to the MCH Community Cookbook! Read all the details HERE.
Deadline is February 15, 2023
Submit Online
Log in: Mchpa
Password: simmer036


​Great news! If you contribute a recipe, you will receive a complimentary MCH Community Cookbook!*
*1 cookbook per family


Questions? emily@mch-pa.org

February Family Walk & Play 
Join Us!
President’s Letter
​
Hope everyone has had a great start to a new year, despite the cold! Here on the PA, we’re super excited to kick off our second half of programming. Below is a summary of what we have planned. Mark your calendars!

• Positive Discipline Workshop: Thursday, February 8th – get more perspectives and tools for your parenting tool belt 
  
• Pizza Party: Wednesday, February 14th – the PA is sponsoring a pizza party for students and staff 
  
• Cookbook: Submit your recipes to be included in the MCH Community Cookbook! 
  
• International Day: Sunday, March 3rd – come represent and share about your culture with the MCH community 
  
• Recruiting: March – interested in joining the board next year? Stay tuned to find out more! 
  
• Spring Swap: Sunday, March 24th (collection March 18-March 22) - give away things that no longer fit your family, and pick up other items from within the MCH community 
  
• Robotics Week: (dates TBD) - Upper school gets to program robots 
  
• Staff Appreciation Week: May 6-10th – show some love for MCH staff 
  
• Tolt MacDonald Camping: Friday, June 21- Sunday, June 23 – enjoy the outdoors with the MCH Community. More info soon!
  

We look forward to seeing you at these events! If you have any questions for feedback, feel free to check out the Parent Association website or email us at pa@mch-pa.org. 
 
Warmly, 
Jessica Lin 

First Annual MCH International Day!
When: Sunday, March 3rd from 2:30-4:30PM
Where: Boys and Girls Club of Sammamish
For the first time at MCH, you will have the chance to share your culture and traditions with our community! To celebrate the rich diversity we have at our beloved school, the PA will be organizing an International Day! We will have booths with food, performances, and more!  Imagine the feeling of traveling around the world, by moving from one booth to the next, exploring the rich assortment of food, music, and customs each one showcases. For more information, click HERE.


if you haven’t already, please click HERE sign up for a booth, a performance, or both! 

The MCH Community Cookbook


Contribute your family’s favorite recipes to the MCH Community Cookbook! Read all the details HERE.


Deadline is February 15, 2023


Submit Online
Log in: Mchpa
Password: simmer036

Great news! If you contribute a recipe, you will receive a complimentary MCH Community Cookbook!*
*1 cookbook per family


Questions? emily@mch-pa.org

February Family Walk & Play 
Join Us!


Date: Saturday, February 3rd
Time: 10:30AM-11:30AM
Location: Evan's Creek Preserve (entrance off of 202)




Second Annual Positive Discipline Parenting Workshop 

The word “discipline” is from the Latin word disciplina, meaning “instruction and training.” It is derived from the root word discere— “to learn.” 
  
Relatable for all ages, Positive Discipline is a guide for both caregivers and teachers as they support children on their journeys! Join Head of School, Angela Spayde, and Parent Coach, Julie Zivah, for an illuminating conversation about connection and community.  This year will offer new insights as we discuss how Positive Discipline can inspire educators in the classroom and caregivers in the home, while helping you identify your personal parenting values.  We look forward to learning in person with you! 
  
When: Thursday, February 8th from 6:30-8:15pm 


Where: Lily Pad, near MCH. Additional location details will be provided to those who RSVP. Please RSVP via ParentSquare.  


NOTE: This event is for adults only. Childcare will be offered on campus for early childhood students and older. Please RSVP for childcare when confirming.

Pizza Party!


Did you know that February 9th is National Pizza Day? In order to celebrate this momentous day and to spread some love, the PA is sponsoring a pizza party for all students and staff on Wednesday, February 14th! That's right, that means that you don’t need to pack lunch that day for your child(ren)!

We will provide cheese pizza (including gluten-free and vegan for those with allergies/dietary restrictions), a fruit, and a vegetable.


Toddlers up to middle school will be included (sorry infants), as well as staff. If you would like to opt your child out, please add your child's name and classroom to the OPT-OUT list in ParentSquare. You do not need to respond to be included, we are only asking to be informed if you would like your child to not be served pizza. If your child has an allergy or dietary restriction that is not already on record with the school, please email office@mchkids.com to have that updated.

Spring Swap is Back! Last year we up-cycled lots of clothing and books to other families within our MCH community, and donated the rest to KidVantage (formerly Eastside Baby Center) in Issaquah.  


We will collect items that your family has outgrown during drop off/pick up from March 18th to March 22nd. Then on Sunday, March 24 (1-3pm), all families are invited to the Sammamish Boys and Girls Club to select and pick out any available items to bring home. Anything that’s left over will be donated to local organizations.  We will send out more details later, but wanted to get this message out early so you can start putting aside items that may no longer be a good fit for your family.  


Items included in the swap: lightly used children’s clothing (clothes, outerwear, boots, shoes, costumes), and books. Please note that toys and kids’ furniture is not included in the swap.  

Upcoming Events:

• Positive Discipline Workshop: Thurs, 2/8
  
• Pizza Party: Wednesday, 2/14
  
• Cookbook: Submit your recipes by 2/15
  
• International Day: Sunday, 3/3
  
• Spring Swap: Sunday, 3/24
  
• Tolt MacDonald Camping: 6/21-6/23
  

We hope 2024 is off to a great start for your family…
Donate to the MCH Parent Association


Date: Saturday, February 3rd
Time: 10:30AM-11:30AM
Location: Evan's Creek Preserve (entrance off of 202)




Second Annual Positive Discipline Parenting Workshop 

The word “discipline” is from the Latin word disciplina, meaning “instruction and training.” It is derived from the root word discere— “to learn.” 
  
Relatable for all ages, Positive Discipline is a guide for both caregivers and teachers as they support children on their journeys! Join Head of School, Angela Spayde, and Parent Coach, Julie Zivah, for an illuminating conversation about connection and community.  This year will offer new insights as we discuss how Positive Discipline can inspire educators in the classroom and caregivers in the home, while helping you identify your personal parenting values.  We look forward to learning in person with you! 
  
When: Thursday, February 8th from 6:30-8:15pm 


Where: Lily Pad, near MCH. Additional location details will be provided to those who RSVP. Please RSVP via ParentSquare.  


NOTE: This event is for adults only. Childcare will be offered on campus for early childhood students and older. Please RSVP for childcare when confirming.

Pizza Party!


Did you know that February 9th is National Pizza Day? In order to celebrate this momentous day and to spread some love, the PA is sponsoring a pizza party for all students and staff on Wednesday, February 14th! That's right, that means that you don’t need to pack lunch that day for your child(ren)!

We will provide cheese pizza (including gluten-free and vegan for those with allergies/dietary restrictions), a fruit, and a vegetable.


Toddlers up to middle school will be included (sorry infants), as well as staff. If you would like to opt your child out, please add your child's name and classroom to the OPT-OUT list in ParentSquare. You do not need to respond to be included, we are only asking to be informed if you would like your child to not be served pizza. If your child has an allergy or dietary restriction that is not already on record with the school, please email office@mchkids.com to have that updated.

Spring Swap is Back! Last year we up-cycled lots of clothing and books to other families within our MCH community, and donated the rest to KidVantage (formerly Eastside Baby Center) in Issaquah.  


We will collect items that your family has outgrown during drop off/pick up from March 18th to March 22nd. Then on Sunday, March 24 (1-3pm), all families are invited to the Sammamish Boys and Girls Club to select and pick out any available items to bring home. Anything that’s left over will be donated to local organizations.  We will send out more details later, but wanted to get this message out early so you can start putting aside items that may no longer be a good fit for your family.  


Items included in the swap: lightly used children’s clothing (clothes, outerwear, boots, shoes, costumes), and books. Please note that toys and kids’ furniture is not included in the swap.  

Upcoming Events:

• Positive Discipline Workshop: Thurs, 2/8
• Pizza Party: Wednesday, 2/14
• Cookbook: Submit your recipes by 2/15
• International Day: Sunday, 3/3
• Spring Swap: Sunday, 3/24
• Tolt MacDonald Camping: 6/21-6/23

We hope 2024 is off to a great start for your family…
Donate to the MCH Parent Association

We also have great gratitude for the staff at MCH! This past weekend the board got together to write holiday
cards for the staff, that were delivered on Tuesday. And due to the generosity of the parent community, the PA once again sponsored a portion of the staff holiday party, and gave each staff member a gift card to one of their preferred merchants.  

On behalf of the board, I wish you and your family a happy and safe holiday season, filled with laughter and joy.  

Sincerely,
Jessica Lin
President, MCH Parent Association
​
SEED Update:

Between October 29 and November 17th, you all raised $24,433! Even though the campaign is over, it’s never too late to donate! Many companies run an employee giving campaign during the month of December and payroll deduction makes giving easy! Please consider adding the MCH PA SEED Fund to your list of non-profit organizations receiving tax-deductible donations directly out of your paycheck. You can usually find us by our EIN or Tax ID number: 91-1960800. 

Your gift will help fund special events like international night, pizza parties, the MCH cookbook, robotics day, parent educational opportunities, school enrichment specialists, holiday gifts, teacher training and accreditations, and more!  

Were you one of the 84 families that decided not to give this year? The PA would love to know why! Please send your anonymous feedback via this survey so that we may improve our communication in future campaigns. 

International Day
Coming in February…
For the first time at MCH, you will have the chance to share your culture and traditions with our community. To celebrate the rich diversity we have at our beloved school, the PA will be organizing an International Day! We will have booths, food, performances and more. 

​We’re imagining the feeling of traveling around the world, by moving from one booth to the next, exploring the rich assortment of food, music, and customs each one showcases. 

Please go to this link to sign up and help us choose the date. 

​We hope these photos inspire you! 

President’s Letter

I hope all of your families have enjoyed and are settling into the new school year. The fun is just beginning! We’re happy to announce that our events will soon be added to the school’s Parent Square calendar so that you can see all school and PA events in one place. We will regularly be adding events or save the dates as our details get confirmed. Upcoming events are also listed at the bottom of this newsletter for your convenience.

Thank you to all the families that filled out the Parent Association annual survey. We had a record high number of responses, and we’re excited to share the results below. It really is so energizing to see all of your feedback and interests, as it helps drive the direction and programming of the board sponsors. Needless to say, none of this happens automatically. All of our events are driven by our volunteer board members, and our funding comes completely from the community. As we prepare to kick off the SEED campaign at the end of October, we ask that you remember the MCH Parent Association and contribute what you’re comfortable with. 

We look forward to seeing you and your families at Harvest Fest and our first annual bonfire (highest rated in our survey) in the coming weeks!

Sincerely,
Jessica Lin
President, MCH Parent Association

2023 Parent Survey Results

With nearly 30% of MCH families participating, we had our largest turnout ever and collected tons of helpful feedback. The distribution across the programs (infant & toddler, early childhood, elementary, and middle school) was roughly proportional to those at the school, making for a very representative set of results.
​
Parents’ spending priorities have a huge impact on how we approach our work for the year. In addition to a number of great events and initiatives, staff appreciation and development projects in the pipeline, we’re working with the school to identify extracurricular student activities and classroom enrichment material that will enhance our children’s experience at school. You can be sure we’ll have more for you as soon as we have updates on those fronts.

We have a calendar packed with exciting events - from the Community Bonfire in November (more on that below), to our first ever International Night in February, and an even bigger Camping Weekend in June. Just as we’re doing with the responses to the spending question above, you will find that our community events programming for the year is nicely aligned with the community’s wishes.

Beyond the two primary questions, we also found that parents:

• Strongly favored events on the weekend or evenings before 7:00PM
• Would be interested in participating in events a few times a year
• Are looking for both program-level and school-wide events
• Might find access to a childcare service provider website useful (we’ll be following up with all of the folks who said yes to that question)

Finally, we had almost 20 parents ask to be added to our brand new volunteer list and we’re so grateful for that. We’ll reach out to those individuals as opportunities become available.

Thank you again to everyone who completed the 2023 survey!

Welcome to the 2023-2024 school year!

We hope you and your family had a great summer and are enjoying this beautiful weather at the start of the school year.

As a parent/guardian of an MCH student, you are automatically a member of the Parent Association. We are so excited about the things we are planning for this year and hope you are too!

The Parent Association is a 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to building community at MCH, supporting the staff and enriching the student experience through supplementary programming. In addition to hosting staff appreciation week and sponsoring some teachers to the AMS conference, last year we also sponsored community events like parent workshops, game days, spring swap, robotics week, and an end of year camping trip, among other events.

This year we’re building on our momentum and have even more programs in the works! All of the programs we put on are only made possible through the generous gifts we have received from you to our annual SEED fund. Our fundraising campaign will kick off this fall, which you can read more about below. To find out more about board sponsored events or to learn more about the board members, visit the Parent Association website at: https://www.mch-pa.org/

​I'm Jessica Lin, and I’m honored to be serving my second year as President of the Parent Association. I’ve been a parent at the school since 2018 and I currently have one child in the toddler program and another in the early childhood program, who is a kindergartner. As someone who has been at the school pre, during, and post pandemic, I can honestly say that I am more excited about this school year than any previous year, especially now that snacks are back! In all seriousness, we have an amazing board this year full of enthusiasm, ideas, and the desire to build our community! It is my hope that the MCH community is one where you can find connections that bring you joy and friendship, as we go on our collective journey to help our children thrive.

​Sincerely,
Jessica Lin
President, MCH Parent Association

Thank you to those that joined us last month for the Family Walk!

​October’s Family Walk & Play:
Perrigo Park on October 7th from 10:30am-1:30pm. 

Whether you have little ones that like toddler swings, or older kids that want to play volleyball, tennis, or basketball, Perrigo Park has us covered. Don’t forget a nourishing sack lunch to keep your energy up.

The 2023 SEED Fundraiser Campaign Starts Sunday, October 29th! 

The SEED campaign entirely funds our operations and activities throughout the year. We have so many great ideas building off of the Parent Survey that this PA Board is eager to make happen. Please be on the lookout for the kickoff of our fundraising campaign the day after HarvestFest, and consider supporting our mission to enrich the MCH community in service to you as parents and our children.   

If you have been hesitant to give in years past, feel free to contact us at fundraising@mch-pa.org with feedback.

2023 Parent Survey
We Still Want to Hear From You!

We've already heard from a number of parents but we'd love to get input from an even larger group. If you haven't already completed the very brief survey, please take a minute or two and let us know what kind of community programs and events you'd like us to offer. We appreciate your feedback!

CLICK HERE to take the 2023 Parents Survey

Parent Association Annual Meeting

Please join the Parent Association for our annual meeting. This short get together will provide members of the Parent Association an opportunity to review the previous year’s financial report and learn about the current year’s budget and board priorities. 

The meeting is scheduled for Monday, November 13th, from 7:30 PM to 7:45 PM via Zoom. Please contact us for Zoom login details. We hope you can join us!

MCH PA Walk & Talk at Farrel-McWhirter Park  
You are invited to join us for a family walk and sack lunch at Farrel-McWhirter Park on Saturday, September 9th from 10:30am to 1:30pm. 
​
There are family friendly trails, farm animals, and space to run and roam.  Feel free to bring a picnic lunch to enjoy in the fields after the walk (please note there is very limited seating so be prepared to sit on the ground). This is a chance for new and returning families to meet while enjoying simple outdoor activities accessible to all of us in the Redmond area.

Please meet us at the red barn. (Google Maps) 

2023 MCH PA Parent Survey - We Want to Hear From You!
It's time for the annual MCH PA Parent Survey and we're excited to hear what you're looking forward to this year! Every parent is part of the MCH PA and as such, we would like to encourage your involvement with the Parent Association and the community. We are thrilled to get back to school, meet new families and see old friends, and have a number of activities planned - though your input is crucial in directing where our attention and funding goes. 

Please take a minute or two and let us know what kind of community programs and events you'd like us to offer. We appreciate your feedback!

​CLICK HERE to take the 2023 Parents Survey

The 2023 SEED Fundraiser Campaign is Coming Soon! 
Every fall, we run a fundraiser to raise the money we need to operate.  The funds raised by  our community will determine what events we can organize and how much we can support various MCH projects.  The SEED campaign (Sponsorship, Extracurricular, Enrichment, and Development) entirely funds our activities throughout the year, and we have many great ideas that this PA Board is eager to run with! 

​So, please be on the lookout for the kickoff of our fundraising campaign this fall and consider supporting our mission to enrich the MCH community in service to you as parents and our children.