Thursday, May 23rd – 5:45pm: PTSA Meeting & MK-8 Math & Science Night

• Dinner starts at 5:45.
• PTSA meeting will be held 6-6:30 – during dinner in the cafeteria.
• At 6:30 science activities start in the gym.

This is an important night to elect new PTSA officers and vote on next year’s PTSA budget. To review the proposed budget – click here. The PTSA is also looking for candidates to run for Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary. All hands are needed and welcomed. Contact ptsa@madronapantherpartners.org if you would like to know more about PTSA officer roles. Fun Math and Science Activities provided by the Pacific Science Center:

Saturday May 18 is the Madrona Neighborhood Mayfair Block Party. It is one of the greatest events in Seattle for kids and families. For a list of events and activities click here. The morning starts with a pancake breakfast fundraiser at Madrona K-8 at 8am. Pancakes, sides and drinks available starting at 8am – before the bike parade down 34th Avenue. $5 per person.

The proposed PTSA budget for 2013-14 wil be voted on 5/23 before Science Night. Click here to see it.  Send any questions to ptsa@madronapantherpartners.com

Family Dance was great – party of the year!!!  http://youtu.be/cUIWgdpCmqI

Wednesday, April 24, 6:30 p.m.
Epiphany School, Great Hall
This event is free and open to the public.

“The Anxiety Dance”: A Parents’ Guide with Dr. Chris McCurry

• With layman’s terms and a bit of irreverent humor, Dr. McCurry covers the growing and serious problem of anxiety in children. He explains the origins of child anxiety in biological factors (temperament, brain development) and early experiences, particularly social experiences.
• He will discuss the ways a child’s fearful and anxious behaviors function to communicate distress and compel the parent to come to the child’s rescue.
• Dr. McCurry will give us strategies for making this process or “dance” work better: clearer communication, mutual respect, better problem solving, and increased tolerance for distress.

Discussion and Question/Answer period will follow.

Chris McCurry, Ph.D., is a clinical child psychologist in private practice at Associates in Behavior and Child Development, Inc., P.S. in Seattle. He is a clinical instructor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Washington. Dr. McCurry specializes in the assessment and treatment of children who are experiencing behavioral and emotional problems including anxiety disorders, attention disorders, underachievement in school, and parent-child conflicts. He is the author of Parenting Your Anxious Child with Mindfulness and Acceptance published in 2009 by New Harbinger.