"I love that by being an involved parent. I get to contribute to a whole community focused on making the world a better place."

a Giddens parent

Family-Staff Alliance

The Family-Staff Alliance (FSA) is dedicated to supporting the philosophy and goals of the school through special projects and fundraising activities.  The FSA also provides a discussion forum for expressing ideas and concerns, and for sharing information and resources that support individual families and our greater community.

Looking Ahead

Children's Poetry/Diverse Voices IV Workshop
Saturday April 17, 2010 Children and adults are invited to join us for a morning of inspirational participatory workshops and presentations designed for children and adults. Engaged in the world of children's poetry from hip hop to haiku. Info Flyer here.

Words Alive, our poetry anthology from last year's workshop are available for sale, $5 each. Info Flyer here. Order by email library@giddensschool.org

Recent FSA Events:

Feb. 24th Talking with Kids About Bodies, Gender, and Sexuality Giddens parent Sheila Capestany and teacher Christa Kriesel-Roth, both professionally trained sexual health educators, lead this program, including a presentation and small group discussion.
Handouts available here for "How To Talk to Kids About Sex" notes, books and articles of note.

January 15, 2010 Student March for Peace and Justice
Join Giddens students organized a host of other local schools for our second annual school-day march from Judkin's Park to the Northwest African American Museum in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Images from last year's march are still available online at: http://www.seattlepi.com/photos/popupV2.asp?SubID=4503&page=1>itle=ml

"Mathematize Your World"
Our second FSA Parent Education Night was Weds Dec 2nd, and focused on ways of supporting children's growing mathematical thinking and competencies. Resource flyer from the workshop available from the library.

Building a “Readerly Life” at Giddens: Reading with Your Child at Home
Our first FSA Parent Education Night was Wednesday, September 30th, 6:30–8 pm. Parents and staff discussed strategies for questioning and guiding readers to deeper comprehension. Handouts from the evening are available: Book Suggestions and Reading Tips for parents.

Parents were also invited to learn more about our use of Lexia Reading Systems, an online web-based reading program used at school and available for home-side practice. Email our library for setup and logon information to start using Lexia at home.