The Reflections Program is a National PTA and Washington State PTA cultural arts program. It recognizes students' creative talents, providing an opportunity for them to express themselves through original works of art in a variety of categories.

The Reflections theme for 2009-2010 is "Beauty Is...".Entries were submitted and the winners were sent on to the Council level.  The Council awards night was held on January 7, 2010 at Horizon Middle School.  This year Adams had a student selected to advance to the state level in the literature category. 

Young artists get involved in Reflections through their local PTA or PTSA. A student may submit an entry in any of six arts areas. Only original works of art are accepted. The art areas are as follows:

· Literature — works of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, prose, drama, short stories and lyrics.

· Music Composition — original musical composition, with or without words.

· Photography — prints up to 11 x 14 inches in color or black and white, including various techniques such as photogram, retouching, montage, sandwich and multiple exposure.

· Visual Arts — drawing; painting in tempera, oil, acrylic, watercolor & fabric paints; computer generated art; two-dimensional collage; printmaking; needlework; & leather tooling.

· Film — An original film, fiction or non-fiction, where the student is the director, screenwriter, camera operator, and editor. Possible forms include drama, comedy, action, documentary, animation, and slide show. Each entry is submitted as a VHS tape or DVD.

Choreography — An original choreographed dance, performed by one to three dancers, with or without costumes, submitted on a VHS tape or DVD.

A Book Fair is far more than a book sale, it’s an experience where kids get to choose the books they want and love to read. Scholastic Book Fairs provide books and family activities to Adams Elementary that are focused on books and reading. By supporting Scholastic Book Fairs, you are equipping, not only your child, but your school as well. 

Would you like to help out with set-up, sales, or closing a book fair?  Simply contact our chairperson, Marisa Schneider.  She’ll be happy to answer any questions for you!

Scholastic Book Orders are another way for your family to get great books at great prices.  Be sure to check your child’s Friday folders on a regular basis for catalogs!

Popcorn Fridays

Popcorn Fridays at Adams Elementary are both very popular and extremely successful.  By purchasing a pre-paid popcorn card for your student, you are supporting a program that allows school supplies to be placed on every student’s desk at Adams Elementary.  It’s amazing how far a $ .25 bag of popcorn can go!  Thank you for your continued support of this very important program. If you want to know more about Popcorn Fridays,please contact our popcorn chairperson, Sandy Call, by clicking her her e-mail link.

International Walk to School Day

 International Walk to School day gives children, parents, school teachers and community leaders an opportunity to be part of a global event as they celebrate the many benefits of walking. Millions of walkers from around the world will walk  to school together for various reasons – all hoping to create communities that are safe places to walk.  The walk is coordinated by our chairperson, Marisa Schneider.  Please click on her e-mail link if you have any questions!

Math is Cool

Math is Cool is for 4th and 5th graders interested in challenging their mathematical skills.  There are teams consisting of 4 people that compete against other schools for awards.  There are five different areas they can score points as a team for Adams and an individual test for the top award for our school and possible placement among other schools.  We practice once a week after school from Sept. - Mar./Apr. for their competition.  This is a commitment the student must be willing to make due to the team situation.  It is a lot of fun and they learn math skills above their current grade level.  Interested students should talk to Mrs. Kim Rosetti.

 Pennies for Patients

Since 1994, millions of dollars have been raised in pennies and other spare change by more than 10 million elementary, middle and high school students throughout the country. The funds, collected during a three-week period, benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Everyone who participates is a winner!

Adams students collect pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters during the Pennies for Patients campaigns benefiting the Society.  The class collecting the most change in each school receives a pizza party.  This very beneficial program is in need of a chairperson.  Would you like to help? 

5th Grade Rocketry

Fifth graders at Adams have had the opportunity to learn about, build and launch rockets for the last nine years with the support of the PTSA.  The program was originally started with the help of principal, Jerrol Olson, and soon became the baby of the PTSA.  It is a fun and exciting program that not only allows students to build and launch a rocket at school, but also teaches them some basics about rocketry. Some of the areas studied are thrust, Newton's first law, combustion, flight of a model rocket and parts of a rocket.  Students do the actual rocket building along with the paper and pencil lessons at the same time.  When the unit is completed, rockets are then ready to be launched.  Launch day has always been an exciting day that students look forward to.  Each student also gets to take their rocket home and keep it after launch day.  Thank you Adams PTSA for your years of support.  Please contact Mr. Hollenbeck if you have any questions.

Accelerated Reader

Accelerated Reader (AR) is a highly effective program designed to help students become better readers.  Students take a diagnostic test to identify their reading level range, read an AR book at that level, and take a comprehension quiz on the book.  The points accumulated from these quizzes are used in a variety of ways, from classroom competitions to grade level goals.

Science Fair/Family Feast Night

 The Adams Science Fair has been a yearly tradition for about the last 20 years.  As times change so has our emphasis in the types of projects that we see.  Traditionally we have seen many demonstration type projects, such as volcanoes, how a circuit works, and things such as these.  Last year, fifth graders were required to do an experiment and use the scientific method to show how they conducted their experiment and the results and conclusions they found.  This is the type of item that students may encounter on the WASL test and it is good practice for them in preparation for the spring time test.  We always encourage parental help and involvement, especially if younger students show and interest in the science fair.  It's a great way to break away from TV or video games and get parents involved with the kids.  We hope you will be looking forward to the 2010 science fair.  Please let Mr. Hollenbeck know if you have any questions!

 Emergency Backpacks

Each classroom is equipped with an “emergency backpack.”  The purpose of this program is to equip students in each classroom with short term necessities in the event of a lockdown or evacuation.  Items such as (including, but not limited to) water, flashlights, batteries, basic first aid are contained in these packs.  It’s important to be equipped for any situation!  Please contact your PTSA if you desire more information.

 Yearbooks

Every year your Adams PTSA, along with MUCH help from Adams faculty, prepares and publishes the school yearbook.  This full-color publication is offered at the incredible price of $13.00 each.  This is due to being able to prepare it online through Remember Me.  Yearbooks through other companies would cost substantially more.  If you would like to help out with the development and design of the yearbook, please contact our editor, .

Carolyn Scarcello