Sunday, December 28, 2008

Smith Home Fire

Jessica, Paul and Grayson's home burned down last Sunday, December 21. I didn't see it on the news but Robin told me. I thought I'd pass this info on in case you hadn't heard.
Please forward to other staff member home emails if you have some.

It's time to circle the wagons.

Here is some info I got from the Newcastle411 blog:

The home of Newcastle Elementary 3rd grade teacher Jessica Smith was destroyed in a fire over this past weekend. Her family was not home at the time, and no one was hurt. They have many short term needs since they have a toddler and another baby on the way. A Bank of America account has been set up for Jessica’s family, and the Issaquah Community Center is taking clothing donations today (clothes needed for mom, dad, and one year old boy).

Telephone Contact: 425-746-9196

Bank of America
10555 NE 8th St
Bellevue WA 98004

Branch Name: Bellevue
Bank ABA #: 0260-0959-3
Swift (U.S.$) BOFAUS3N
Routing # 026009593
Account # 38196143


Here are some addition stories I found on the internet.

http://newcastle.neighborhoodsundressed.com/2008/12/23/newcastle-elementary-teacher-loses-home-in-fire/


http://www.newcastle411.com/2008/12/23/fire-destroys-local-teachers-home/


http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/east_king/iss-s/community/36753889.html

-Connie

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

403 Alternative - Investment info

From: Simonsen, Mary NC-Staff Sent: Wednesday, February 13, 2008
https://dcp.csplans.com/csinfo/planinfo.aspx?cl=WASHST&pl=900501PU&page=plan_informationintroduction&domain=dcp.csplans.com


The above link is a really good alternative to 403b plans since it appears that we are being rather severely limited at this change in selections to the 403b choices due to a new federal law. The State of WA has plans for state workers and we can contribute. ISD will take the deduction out of your paycheck and handle the transfer just like how you do your 403b deductions. There is a range from no-load funds to savings accounts and you can transfer between without penalty. So if you are in a high risk fund and suspect a downward trend in the stock market, you can switch to a less risky fund for a while or if you are approaching retirement. I learned about this program years ago at a state sponsored retirement workshop so I would be better prepared when I would retire. They are very informative sessions.

My Education Discount

Greetings,
I thought you'd like to know that teachers in Washington are eligible to receive discounts at hundreds of retailers.

To be alerted to new and exclusive discounts, go to:
http://www.myeducationdiscount.com/emailalerts.htm

To view the My Education Discount home page, go to:
http://www.myeducationdiscount.com

Sincerely,
Rick

Rick Platt
My Education Discount - http://www.myeducationdiscount.com
PO Box 471
Gates Mills, OH 44040

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Verizon Wireless Education Discounts

Great news for employees with existing Verizon cell phone accounts or for anyone interested in switching to Verizon. You may now receive a 17% employee discount on your personal cell phone voice package and 20% on data packages.
There are two ways to have the discount applied to your account; online or by faxing the attached "Employee End User" form.
A) ON-LINE:
1. Visit www.verizonwireless.com/discount and enter your work email address. You’ll then receive an automated email (sometimes it goes to the Junk folder).
2. Open the email, click on "Get Started" then on "Register Your Line" near the bottom. Fill in a little information and you’re done. If you have a Family Share plan, enter your primary number when prompted for a mobile number.
3. If you'd like, let Ivan Haas (ivan.haas@verizonwireless.com) know when you’re through and he’ll check your account to make sure it “took”.
B) BY FAX
1. Complete the attached form and fax it to the number listed on the form with a copy of one of the following: ISD business card OR ISD picture ID badge OR recent pay stub with sensitive info (pay, social security number etc) blacked-out. Note "Profile 802391" with your submission.
The 17% discount can be applied to any voiceline over $34.99 per month (except the unlimited plan). All lines on the account would receive the 25% accessory discount, 20% discount on PDA data plans and discounts on equipment when eligible to upgrade. Applying the discount to an existing account does not extend your agreement nor alter your upgrade eligibility date. The account must be in the name of the ISD employee.
The customer service number is 800-922-0204.
If you have any questions or problems or need personal guidance, contact our Verizon rep, Ivan Haas, at 206-999-7543 or email ivan.haas@verizonwireless.com.
Please contact Ivan with any Verizon-related questions as all I can do is forward your questions to Ivan.
Sue Maybee
Director of Purchasing

Shopping Discounts for Educators

My favorite teacher discount is at J. Crew for clothing. If you show them a school ID, you get 20% off your entire purchase. It doesn’t work to order online, but if you want something from their catalog or website they will work with you. Go into the store with your ID, they will order it for you with the discount applied.

It is an especially good deal if you combine it with sale markdowns, plus the extra 25% off they have going on now. School staff gets an extra 20% off now on top of that. Over the weekend, I found a blouse that used to be $118, but with all the discounts, it was $30.

Smiles, Elisabeth

Free Educational Video

Greetings, I thought you’d like to know that teachers in Washington are eligible to receive one free DVD per year from http://www.izzit.org/. These videos are very popular and deal with subjects in social studies, character education and current events.
To get your own free DVD, go to http://www.izzit.org/
For daily Current Events, go to http://www.izzit.org/events
Sincerely, Kara
Kara Glaven izzit.org 2002 Filmore Avenue, Suite #1 Erie, PA 16506 Phone: 814.833.6950 or toll-free: 888.242.0563

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Salmon & Cheese

Hello Everyone,
I hope you had a chance to taste the salmon and cheese. My mom and dad, smoke and vacuum pack both the cheese and salmon in half pound packages. The salmon and cheese can be refrigerated for a few months (I can get specifics if needed). Many of you have been inquiring on pricing and order info, so here goes;

Pricing: ½ pound salmon (one fillet) - $10.00
1 pound salmon (2 fillets) - $20.00
½ pound cheese (2 small bricks) - $6.50
1 pound cheese (4 small bricks) - $13.00

I have some product at my house that would be ready anytime to purchase. I can get more this weekend (if I run out) for those of you interested in bringing treats to your Thanksgiving festivities. I can also bring some back after Thanksgiving – just in time for holiday giving.

The order form is posted in the faculty lunchroom. Thanks again!

Michelle Robinson
Kindergarten Teacher
Newcastle Elementary
(425)837-5851

Selling & Promoting to Staff



Many of us have small businesses, or have friends that do that we'd love to tell everyone about. Since using our school email can't be used for this I have set up this blog site for selling items and sharing the news of sales events of products we'd like to recommend.

This could also be a great place to share information on your ideas about political issues that are relevant to education.

Please join this blog with an email address that is not your ISD email address and feel free to post your items for sale or promote your business.