Burien’s Glendale Lutheran School is holding a book sale fundraiser on Saturday, Feb. 27th from 9am to 2pm at their gymnasium at 13455 Second Ave SW.

All books will be priced at just 50¢ or less, with special deals during the final hour.

Proceeds from the book sale will benefit school operations and help maintain affordable tuition rates at Glendale Lutheran School.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Glendale Lutheran School Book Sale Fundraiser

WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 27th from 9am to 2pm

WHERE: Glendale Lutheran School Gymnasium, located at 13455 2nd Ave SW • Burien • (206) 244-6085

INFO: “All books 50¢ or less!! Come early for best selection. Special deals during the last hour!”

Highline School District students (and others) can earn money for area schools by participating in the 2010 Cove to Clover 5K race, which is coming to the Burien area Sunday, March 14th (read our previous coverage here).

The Grand Prize will be $1,500, donated to the winning school. The winning school will be determined by which one has the highest percentage of registrants compared to the school’s total enrollment – $5 will be donated to each school whose name is entered into the “Registration Code” for online registrants (and every registrant must enter a code).

Entries must be received by 11:59pm Monday, March 1st (two weeks before race day, which is March 14th) to be counted toward a school’s total.

Here are the details of how you can help area schools:

School Registration Contest: $1,500 Grand Prize (donated to winning school)

Here’s the Daily Scoreboard, which is updated daily with the most current standings:

Current School Registration Status (updated nightly)

Burien’s Gregory Heights Elementary Schools is one of 11 schools honored for completing the first level of King County’s Green Schools Program.

It is one of four Highline School District schools recognized; the others include Beverly Park Elementary School in unincorporated King County, Madrona Elementary School in SeaTac, and North Hill Elementary School in Des Moines.

Each school received a “We are a King County Green School” banner, a certificate of recognition, a success story on the program Web site and mention in a press release issued by King County.

Participating schools receive assistance on how to conserve resources such as paper, electricity and water, and they are often rewarded with reduced utility and garbage disposal costs.

“Each of these 11 schools has involved its whole school community – students, teachers and administrators – in reducing garbage and increasing recycling,” said Dale Alekel, King County Green Schools Program manager.

Highline Schools honored include:

• Gregory Heights Elementary School (Burien)
  
• Beverly Park Elementary School (unincorporated King County)
• Madrona Elementary School (SeaTac)
• North Hill Elementary School (Des Moines)

These schools completed level one of the program by initiating or improving recycling practices and engaging in waste-reduction strategies, such as decreasing paper use. Success stories for each school are at this website.

According to the King County website, some of Gregory Heights’ achievements include:

Waste Reduction and Recycling:

• The school increased its recycling rate from 23 percent to 38 percent.
• Efforts included educating students about recycling, reducing lunchtime garbage volume and launching breakfast milk carton recycling.
• The Gregory Heights Student Leadership Team gave classroom presentations on recycling, launched classroom waste audits, made posters and purchased a worm bin to begin composting food scraps
• Recycling containers provided by the Green Schools Program were added to the lunchroom for milk cartons, juice boxes, plastic bottles and aluminum cans.
• School staff placed recycling stickers on classroom and lunchroom recycling containers. Provided by the Green Schools Program, the stickers list what can and can’t be recycled.
• The school promoted and initiated a “waste free lunch” day in which students and staff were encouraged to reduce their lunchtime garbage. Students and staff noticed that garbage bins were much less full on the “waste free lunch” day.
• Students participated in a “zero waste” cubby clean out at the end of the year. Unwanted materials that would have been disposed in past years were reused or recycled.
• The school instituted “reuse it” boxes for paper. Eighty percent of the school’s teachers use these boxes in their classrooms.

2008 King County Earth Hero at School award:

The school received this award for the collaborative effort among students, parents, the PTSA, teachers, office, support staff and principal that resulted in a comprehensive recycling program with widespread participation. Students decorated bulletin boards with recycling information, the PTSA purchased recycling containers, student leaders and lunch assistants guided students on proper recycling, and a recycling ethic now pervades the entire school.

Participation in the King County Green Schools Program has grown each year. To date, 10 of King County’s 18 school districts have received assistance or are now participating, and in doing so they have increased recycling, reduced energy and resource consumption, and engaged students in benefiting the environment.

The program has helped more than 300 schools cut waste and save resources since its inception in 2003. By providing hands-on assistance, including school visits, tailored recommendations, help with outreach to students and staff, and recycling containers and stickers, the Green Schools Program provides schools and school districts with the support they need to set up and maintain effective conservation practices.

In addition to providing schools with the hands-on help they need, the program offers a website, www.kingcounty.gov/GreenSchools, with useful tools and resources.

Schools interested in receiving assistance to improve conservation practices can contact Dale Alekel at dale.alekel@kingcounty.gov.

And don’t forget – Gregory Heights’ “Better Together” Auction is coming up Saturday, Feb. 27th – read more about it here.

Are you looking for a great place to enroll your child in preschool this fall?  Then come to new Advertiser Burien Co-Op Preschool’s Open House on Monday, Feb. 8th to find out why parents and kids have fallen in love with this fabulous little school!

In the Co-Op spirit, parents are “hands-on” and work with their kids in the classroom under the supervision of knowledgeable, caring teachers who receive support through Bates Technical College. Parents help in all aspects of running the preschool and develop connections with other families that last a lifetime.

The Open House will take place on Monday, February 8th from 5:30-7:30 PM at the Burien Community Center, which is located at 425 S.W. 144th St. Burien. Families wishing to enroll that evening will need to complete a registration form (available at www.burienco-op.org) and turn in a non-refundable check for the $40 registration fee.

Emphasis is placed on learning through play and meaningful experiences for the children, with a focus on the natural world. Every child’s unique talents and interests are celebrated each day. The classrooms are magical places designed to capture the hearts and imaginations of everyone who passes through. Come see for yourself!

No matter the age of your preschool child they will thrive and be happy at our school. We look forward to meeting your family

For a registration form and more information, please visit: www.burienco-op.org.

For questions, please email buriencoop@gmail.com or call 206-241-6714.

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BTB Advertiser Three Tree Montessori invites parents and kids to their Open House this Saturday, Jan. 30th from 10am – Noon.

Here’s what they’d like you to know:

Come see the beautiful classrooms, gardens and playgrounds, meet the teachers, and learn about Montessori programs for children ages one through twelve.

All are welcome!

Three Tree Montessori is located in Burien at 220 SW 160th, near Sylvester Middle School. More info at their website here.

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The Highline Community College Foundation received a $60,000 donation from Des Moines resident Justine Richards to help provide emergency assistance to Highline students who are struggling to pay for their college education.

Emergency assistance may include funds to pay for books, supplies, child care or transportation. Funds will be distributed through Highline’s Financial Aid office based on a student’s need.

The endowment is named in honor of donors Justine Richards, of Des Moines, and her deceased husband, Gene J. Newman.

Richards is a lifelong resident of the Des Moines area and taught business classes for the Highline School District for 40 years. She has been a longtime supporter of Highline Community College.

Newman graduated from Lynden High School in Lynden, Wash., and the University of Washington. He served in the 10th Mountain Division (86th Infantry Regiment) during World War II and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal at Monte della Torraccia Ridge in Italy on Feb. 27, 1945.

He spent 60 years as an electrical engineer building cranes, designing hydroelectric plants and other projects. His ashes are interred at the Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, Wash.

For more information on the HCC Foundation and how to donate to help needy students, call (200) 870-3774 or visit www.funds4highline.org.

Highline Community College was founded in 1961 as the first community college in King County. With approximately 18,300 students and 350,000 alumni, it is one of the state’s largest institutions of higher education. The college offers a wide range of academic transfer and professional-technical education programs, with day, evening and weekend classes.

Alumni include former Seattle Mayor Norm Rice, entrepreneur Junki Yoshida, Washington state poet laureate Sam Green as well as Scott Schaefer, Publisher/Editor of this here blog.

Burien’s John F. Kennedy Catholic High School is holding a one-week “Every Lancer Against Cancer” fundraising drive from Jan. 25th through the 29th, and if their goal of $10,000 is met, veteran teacher Walt Kostecka (see his website here) has vowed that he’ll get a tattoo.

Kostecka is a Social Studies teacher who’s been at JFK for 34 years, and if the $10K goal is met, he’ll get a tattoo, chosen by an online poll (you can see and vote on it here).

Here’s the info from JFK’s website:

Every Lancer Against Cancer is a one week effort by the Kennedy family to raise money and educate ourselves about cancer. If our financial goal of $10,000 is met, Mr. Kostecka will get a tattoo.

Cancer awareness week is January 25-29.

If people want to donate they can send a check made out to Kennedy Catholic Cancer Awareness and mail to:

Kennedy High School c/o Walt Kostecka
140 S. 140th Street
Burien, WA. 98168

(Individuals are also encouraged to donate straight to the cause of your choice if you choose not to donate at Kennedy. )

Money raised at Kennedy will go to the following:

• Leukemia Society in honor of Brian McClusky and Courtney Caldwell
• Prostate Cancer Foundation in honor of Dave Danforth and Fr. Batterberry
• Fred Hutchinson Center in honor of Shane Cambronero, Gloria Strauss, Jennica McPherson, Steve Mclender and Richard Larkken?
• Candlelighters – an organization that helps families that have kids with cancer
• Terri Crosswhite who is fighting breast cancer

Throughout the week we will have various activities:

• In the front lobby of the school there will be boards placed where families can put pictures of family members who have lost the fight with cancer, pictures of family members who are presently fighting cancer, and family members who are cancer survivors.
• There will be an all school mass on Thursday, January 28th for the family members who have deceased, for family members fighting cancer and cancer survivors. All of the Kennedy family is welcomed to attend. The pictures of family members posted on the lobby will be brought to the Mass.
• The daily bulletin will have facts for the students about the fight against cancer.

Students are being asked to wear specific colors on the following days in support of various cancers:

• Monday Pink / breast cancer
• Tuesday Orange / Leukemia
• Wednesday Black / Melanoma
• Thursday Gold / Childhood cancer
• Friday Dark blue / Colon cancer

On Friday, January 29th, Mr. Kostecka will have a tattoo at the assembly if $10,000 is raised!

Here are the four tattoo candidates for Mr. Kostecka – which do YOU think he should get if the goal is met?:

You can help choose Mr. Kostecka’s New Tattoo by voting here.

John Chattin-McNichols will be the featured lecturer Thursday night, Jan. 21st, at BTB Advertiser West Seattle Montessori School.

The approximately 90-minute presentation is scheduled to begin at 7pm.

Since 1985, West Seattle Montessori School has been an integral part of the West Seattle Community. Offering preschool through 8th grade education, WSMS prides itself on fostering independence and intellectual curiosity, stimulating personal growth, and encouraging innovation and a love of learning.

John Chattin-McNichols has a seasoned history with Montessori methodology and teaching that goes all the way back to 1968.

Some of his vast accomplishments include being the president of the American Montessori Society, the founder of the American Montessori Teachers Research Network, and a Professor of the American Montessori Society teacher education program at Seattle University.

John is respected and highly esteemed throughout the field of education, and is a published author, and world-renowned speaker.

The school will also soon be hosting two Open Houses, the first one being this Saturday.

Anyone and everyone in the Burien/White Center/West Seattle and surrounding communities is invited to attend the lecture and Open Houses.

The school is now enrolling for the 2010 – 2011 academic school year. For more information, please contact the main office at (206) 935-0427.

Open House Schedule:

• Saturday, January 23, 1pm – 3pm
• Wednesday, February 10, 6pm – 8pm

West Seattle Montessori  School
11215 15th Ave SW
Seattle, WA  98146
Phone (206) 935-0427

www.WestSeattleMontessori.com

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Burien’s Angelica Alvarez began the first term for a Latina on the Highline School board this month after being elected in November and sworn into office in December.

According to a press release:

Alvarez says she brings a passion for academic success for all children, regardless of the ethnic and social backgrounds. She is also interested in improving the transition from early childhood education to school, and in building collaborative, inclusive partnerships with parents.

Angelica works for the non-profit organization Child Care Resources where she promotes equity for children, building community stability, and encouraging school readiness. Her work often brings her into contact with King County’s low-income families in an effort to serve the basic needs of children. She says it is her goal is to bring these same values and skills to her work with Highline Public Schools.

Highline School District’s Camp Waskowitz will he holding an Open House Fundraiser in cooperation with sponsoring North Bend Christmas Tree Farms and the Puget Sound Youth Foundation from Noon to 2:30pm this Sunday, Dec. 6th.

Visit this Historic CCC facility and home to Highline School District’s nationally recognized environmental education outdoor school program, where you can make holiday nature craft items, have your picture taken with “Smokey the Santa,” and receive discount coupons to purchase your own U-cut Christmas Tree.

Just a short drive up I-90, off exit 34. All proceeds from this fundraising event will go to “camperships” to help financially struggling families send their children to Waskowitz Outdoor School.

North Bend Tree Farm Sponsors include: Keith and Scott Tree Farm and Crown Tree Farm.

Here’s more info from HSD’s Waskowitz website:

Founded in 1947 by a group led by future superintendent Carl Jensen, Waskowitz Outdoor School is recognized as a leader in the field of residential outdoor education.  The Carl Jensen Environmental Education Center at Camp Waskowitz serves the students of the Highline Schools, as well as students from surrounding schools and districts, through environmental education and team building programs. When not in use by student groups, the facilities are available to outside groups for rent. Our office is located in Burien at the Woodside site at 18367-8th Avenue South.  Our program site is located in North Bend, Washington at Camp Waskowitz.  For more information on our programs or facility rentals, contact our office at (206) 631-7626.

Camp Waskowitz was built by the Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC) in 1935 at its present location and was named Camp North Bend.  After the CCC was disbanded, the Camp was sold and later renamed after Fritz Waskowitz from the Chicago area.  Fritz Waskowitz had been a football player and captain at the University of Washington before he became a pilot in World War II, was shot down and killed. The facility was renamed in his honor.  Highline School District began sending students to Waskowitz in 1947 and later bought the property in 1957.  Carl Jensen, then Superintendent of Highline School District, convinced the Highline High School student body to use funds raised for a new sports stadium to buy the property with a promise that the school district would reimburse their fund.  Some time later, Superintendent Jensen and the Highline School District made additional purchases of surrounding land that increased the Camp Waskowitz acreage to its present 372 acres.  Today, Camp Waskowitz is a State and National Historic Preservation site and is one of only two remaining CCC Camps in the United States with all of the original buildings still standing.  Since the inception of the Outdoor Education program in 1947, over 200,000 students have experienced this school in the woods.

UPDATE 10/28/09: We received word this morning that this event has SOLD OUT!

Highline School District’s Aviation High School’s Skunkworks Robotics Team 1983 is holding its annual Auction/Dinner fundraising event this Friday, Oct. 30th from 6pm to 8:30pm at Aviation High’s Cafeteria, located at 615 South 200th Street in Des Moines.

From their press release:

2009 was our third year and it will be another hard act to follow. We attended the Portland and Seattle Regionals and World Championships in Atlanta. This was the first time we were on the winning alliance in Portland and we were extremely competitive in Atlanta only losing 2 matches.

The team received two awards at the regionals for quality of robot design and our website was given an award for excellence by FIRST.

A program like this one does not happen by accident! We need your support in raising money for team operations.

The Aviation High School Skunkworks Robotics Team 1983 is raising funds for robotic equipment, registration fees, and travel expenses to attend competitions in Portland, Seattle and Atlanta, Georgia.

There are Three Ways to Participate:

1. A spaghetti dinner will be served from 6:30-7:30pm.
2. Bidding for desserts and a few special items donated by the team and their families will begin at 7:30pm. In addition to these items, participants can “Fund-A-Skunk” by sponsoring a student with a directed donation. Money will also be donated to fund an “anonymous” Skunk for students who have a difficult time fundraising.
3. If you cannot attend and would like to contribute directly, tax deductible donations can be mailed to the school address. Please make checks payable to “AHS PTSA Robotics”

Prepaid tickets: $8/student, $10/adult

Tickets at the door: $10/student, $12/adult

For more team information please visit our website: http://www.ahsrobotics.us

• If you cannot attend and would like to contribute directly, tax deductible donations can be mailed to the school address:

Aviation High School
615 South 200th Street
Des Moines, WA 98198
206.716.0006 phone
206.716.0020 fax

Please make checks payable to “AHS PTSA Robotics”

For more information or to purchase tickets:

• Dayna Miller: 253-797-3077 or DaynaMiller1277@msn.com
• Kathy Swan: bswan55234@comcast.net

Burien’s Puget Sound Skills Center announced Monday (Oct. 26th) that it is offering a pilot program for high school students for building and construction trades.

Along with Wenatchee’s Skills Center, the school will offer the pilot programs for core skills for pre-apprenticeship in the building and construction trades.

It’s one of only two pilot programs on the West Coast.

Here’s more from a press release:

“Graduates are going to have fine marketable skills, very marketable that our industry needs for tomorrow’s technology,” said Eric Peterson, Sheet Metal Workers JATC. “They are going to be able to live well and provide for their families.”

Sean McGarvey, Secretary Treasurer of the national Building and Construction Trades Department, AFL-CIO said, “The Building Trades Multi-Craft Core Curriculum is an innovative training program that provides a gateway from high school or community college to joint labor-management registered apprenticeships throughout the United States.”

The Core Curriculum is also designed to provide an on ramp to careers in the construction trades for adults exploring a career transition. The Building Trades “Core” was developed as a national industry credential by the National Apprenticeship and Training Directors in the construction industry to establish, for the first time, a standardized pre apprenticeship for entry into any of the crafts in the Building Trades.

The Puget Sound Skills Center in King County’s Highline School District and the Wenatchee Skills Center in Eastern Washington are among the first in the nation to pilot the Multi-Craft Core Curriculum. The Training Centers are creating new opportunities for many in the communities they serve to earn a family sustaining wage while earning the credentials for a career in the construction industry.

‘We in the Building Trades are pledged to building these partnerships with the Puget Sound and Wenatchee Skills Centers,” McGarvey said. “They share our commitment to preparing young people and adults for careers in the construction industry. And like us, they have shown they are determined to help students and workers reach informed career choices by providing knowledge about the training path required.”

“Washington State’s skills centers offer students the proper instructional attention, space and industry interaction to achieve pre apprenticeship basic skills,” said Dave Johnson, Executive Secretary of the Washington State Building and Construction Trades Council, AFL-CIO.

“Apprenticeship in the trades provides affordable, earn while you learn, collegiate pathways that can lead to engineering, project management and design service professions for the next generations of creative thinkers and problem solvers,” Johnson said. “These students will help shape and fuel the technological changes that green our industries like construction and manufacturing.”

The national Building and Construction Trades Department selected these two pilots based on Washington’s unique apprenticeship utilization laws for public works construction, strides made to build a seamless P-20 Career and Technical Education system, and for their recognition and political leadership to return pre apprenticeship in the 21st century model of education reform.

Burien’s Glendale Lutheran School is holding a huge, 60+ family sale this Saturday, Oct. 3rd from 9am to 4pm.

No, they’re not actually selling families – over 60 of them are contributing to this fundraiser sale, which will also include goodies and raffle prizes.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Glendale Lutheran School’s huge 60+ family sale

WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 3rd from 9am to 4pm.

WHERE: Glendale Lutheran School’s gym, located at 13455 2nd Ave SW in Burien.

INFO: 60+ families were asked to bring in their new treasures! There will be goodies and raffle prizes, too.

B-Town Blog Advertiser West Seattle Montessori & West Seattle Academy has successfully completed its major remodel and has opened its doors for classes this week.

And now it’s time to celebrate!

All readers are invited to attend their Grand Opening Open House this Saturday, Sept. 12th, from 5:30pm – 7:30 pm.

“We are thrilled with our new location, and want to invite anyone in the community to attend this event and check out our fabulous new school,” says the school’s Tara Requa.

And, says Tara, “there will be hot dogs and cake for all!”

WHAT: West Seattle Montessori & West Seattle Academy Grand Opening Open House

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 12th from 5:30pm – 7:30pm

WHERE: West Seattle Montessori & West Seattle Academy, located at 11215 15th Ave SW Seattle, WA 98146

CONTACT: Website is here: www.westseattlemontessori.com; Phone: 206-935-0427

Highline Public Schools will be holding a special grand opening celebration for the recently-rebuilt Marvista Elementary School on Thursday, Sept. 24th, from 5:30pm to 7:30pm.

There will be a short program beginning at 5:45pm, with tours and dinner following; all are invited.

Marvista welcomed its 550 students to their new building on the first day of school on Wednesday, Sept. 9th. The main components of the building – classrooms, lunchroom, and common areas – were completed on time and on budget. Finishing touches, such as landscaping and playfields, will be completed in the next few weeks.

“Our students and staff are so excited about the new building,” said Principal Rebekah Kim. “It provides space for great learning opportunities and for our community to gather – with the school as the centerpiece.”

Marvista, located in Normandy Park, is the twelfth new school to be completed in Highline since 2004. The construction projects have been financed by bonds approved by voters in 2002 and 2006. Prior to 2002, no school construction bond had been approved since 1986. During that 16-year period, the district was unable to replace aging buildings.

“We had a long list of old and outdated schools that needed to be replaced,” said Superintendent John Welch. “We are grateful that the community saw that need and approved the funding to allow us to build schools that are safer and provide the current technology our students need to compete in today’s world.”

Marvista is located at 19800 Marine View Drive SW in Normandy Park.

Wednesday, Sept. 9th is the first day of school for most Highline School District students, and since there are some serious schedule changes this year (like “early release Fridays” which begins Sept. 18th) we thought we’d share some info for parents wondering things like:

“There’s now early release every Friday???”

“I’m so confused – early release is exactly what time every Friday?”

“OMG early release means I have to change my schedule! WTF?”

Early release Friday will range from 1:40pm to 2:30pm depending on the school, so in order to help all our Readers who may have kids who are just jonesin’ to get back in class, below are two charts (download/view them here) showing the exact early release schedules (NOTE: click on each image to view larger version):

For more information, visit the Highline School District website here.

John F. Kennedy High School’s 2nd Annual Wine & Microbrew Tasting is coming Saturday, Sept 19th from 7pm to 10pm, and this 21-and-older event will feature Australian wines and Northwest microbrews.

Light hors d’oeuvres will be served throughout the evening.

Commemorative glasses will be on sale for $5 each, and featured wines will also be available for sale by the bottle.

Tickets are just $25 per person, which includes six 2-ounce tastings (additional tastings are available for $2 each).

Tickets will be pre-sold only and are only available until Friday, Sept 11th. Click here to download a Registration Form (PDF), which you must print, fill out and mail in by Sept. 11th, so hurry up!

We’d like to welcome back Advertiser Three Tree Montessori School, which serves student learners from the Highline and West Seattle area – you know, that’s the school behind those whimsical columns on SW 160th. They’ve been guiding students in this area since 2003. “Guiding,” as in not “teaching” – well that’s the Montessori philosophy, you see.

Montessori is a time-tested, (since 1907 in Europe, and the mid-50s in the US), child-centered developmental education method that is focused on the individual child’s potential, giving the child hands-on experiences that nurture the love of learning. It emphasizes collaboration, self-expression, and self-motivation in beautiful learning environments, which foster respect, peace, and joy.

Every Thursday morning from late October through May, Three Tree Montessori welcomes interested parents and the community to experience Montessori by watching classroom activities. BTB recently spent time viewing Three Tree’s students at work. It wasn’t like any classroom we knew of, being products of public school, but it was interesting and worth explaining to our readers who are interested in public school alternatives.

Montessori divides classes by age, not grade level. The Toddler Program includes children aged 1 (and walking) to 3. This is where young children experience their first structured contact with other children. There are two toddler classes with 12 students in each class guided by a Montessori-certified teacher and an assistant teacher. There is one half-day class and one full-day class.

To give you an idea of what the Three Tree Montessori is like, here’s a slideshow of photos:

I was paired with an anxious mother from West Seattle who needed to watch her 1-1/2 year old son in his first week in class (he was doing much better than Mom!).

The Toddler environment is prepared to meets the needs of the child and to foster independence, motor coordination and language acquisition. This is where young children experience their first structured contact with other children. We observed tea parties, biscuit-baking, sweeping and cleaning—all performed with age appropriate tools.

Next we were off to the Primary Program for ages 3 to 6. We observed one of three primary classes. There is one teacher/guide, one assistant, and one support staff. One of the basic tenets of Montessori theory is the multi-age classroom. Here students learn practical life, sensorial, cultural, math and language activities and of course, outdoor play. There isn’t a desk in sight – instead there are chairs and tables that are age appropriate. Many of the children were using floor mats, studying math and geography working in groups or individually, with the older students mentoring the younger. We noted how quiet it was as they were learning at their own pace.

Finally we were welcomed into the Elementary classroom for ages 6-12. Yes, welcomed. Two girls (class greeters) welcomed BTB and offered tea. Students were working in small groups. Elementary children are noted for their questioning minds and their imaginations. The ability to reason is at its greatest capacity in the child of this age. The elementary classroom is designed to be the stepping-off point into the universe. The study of language includes writing, reading and oral expression. Math includes arithmetic, geometry and algebra (and we’re talking little kids learning this stuff!). Once again, all this learning is done on the floor or at tables.

After our tours of the classrooms were complete, we toured the gardens. Outdoor education is as important as indoor education at Three Tree Montessori. Each age level has their own garden area planted outside their classrooms, and are all aspiring gardeners. Their gardens include a compost pile as well as rain barrels (which were overflowing).

Service to the community is an important aspect of the Elementary program. Over the years, the children of Elementary have raised money for a Montessori school in Kenya, organized food drives for Northwest Harvest and holiday gift drives for the non-profit organization Baby Boutique, and held a clothing drive for a local family who lost all their belongings in a fire. And this past school year, the Elementary class has sent a work party of students each Friday to Marra Farm, a non-profit community farm promoting sustainable agriculture and education that donates tons of fresh produce to local residents.

We sat with the Elementary guide/teacher and learned there are no grades given in Montessori School. Rather there are two annual parent teacher conferences and a year-end evaluation (the ITBS is given to the equivalent of third and sixth graders).

Three Tree Montessori offers a diverse student and teacher population, and they work at keeping classrooms diverse and balanced (by race and sex). Tuition assistance is available. There are 120 students at the school, with room for a few more in the Toddler and Elementary Programs.

Three Tree Montessori is located at 220 SW 160th in Burien. Imported columns grace the front of Three Tree Montessori.

For more information about Three Tree Montessori, please contact the school office at (206) 242-5100, or click on their Ad for more info.

And about those columns – the originals were found in Cawa Cawa, New Zealand. They are replicas designed and built by parents from originals done by famous New Zealand artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser.

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Highline School District on Wednesday (Aug. 19th) announced that, beginning this September and continuing through the 2009-2010 school year, students will be released 90 minutes early on “most Fridays.”

This new policy will replace the half-day Wednesdays and most of the non-student “waiver days” HSD has had in past years.

“This has nothing to do with budget cuts,” said Catherine Carbone Rogers, Director, Communication and Community Engagement for HSD. “The purpose is the give teachers time to learn and collaborate with the goal of improving instruction and student achievement. Most school districts do some form of early release or late start for this purpose, and have for many years. Students will have about the same amount of time out of school as they have for the past few years.”

School begins in three weeks for Highline students, on Wednesday, Sept. 9th, which would make the first early-release day Friday, Sept. 11th 18th (so parents, mark your calendars).

“After students are dismissed on Fridays, teachers will use the time for training, professional development, and collaboration,” states the letter. “The 90-minute sessions, called Professional Collaboration Time (PCT), will include activities such as learning new and better ways to deliver instruction, analyzing student work together, and sharing ideas and plans that will improve student performance.”

Also, as printed in the letter, “The school district surveyed parents and teachers, and the majority preferred a weekly early release of less than two hours, versus a less frequent but longer block of time as we have had in the past.”

Here’s the letter, which will be sent out to families from individual school principals:

DATE

Dear [name of school] Families:

We want you to be aware of a change our school schedule. This year, school will be dismissed 90 minutes early on most Fridays. This will replace the half-day Wednesday schedule and most of the non-student “waiver” days we have had in past years. Overall, the amount of time students will spend out of the classroom is comparable to past years.

After students are dismissed on Fridays, teachers will use the time for training, professional development, and collaboration. The 90-minute sessions, called Professional Collaboration Time (PCT), will include activities such as learning new and better ways to deliver instruction, analyzing student work together, and sharing ideas and plans that will improve student performance. While you might not expect that giving time off school could lead to increased student learning, research shows that time invested in teacher training and improvement of instruction does indeed result in improved student achievement.
Students must be dismissed early in order to provide time for teacher learning and collaboration within teachers’ state-funded work day.

We recognize that shortened school days impact families and parents’ work schedules. The school district surveyed parents and teachers, and the majority preferred a weekly early release of less than two hours, versus a less frequent but longer block of time as we have had in the past.

The most significant impact will be to families of half-day Kindergarteners. Morning and afternoon classes will alternate attending school every other Friday. On Fridays, Kindergarteners will be on the same schedule as students in grades 1-6.

For example, on September 18, morning Kindergarteners will attend school the same hours as grades 1-6; afternoon Kindergarteners will have no school. On the following Friday, afternoon Kindergartners will attend school with grades 1-6; morning Kindergarteners will have no school.

We hope the consistency of the weekly early release will be beneficial for students, families, and teachers. If you have questions, please contact me at [phone number and/or email address]

Sincerely,

[name]
Principal

For more information, visit the Highline School District website here, or download a PDF of the school year calendar here.

Highline Community College’s 14 Honors Scholars for the 2008-2009 academic year received $624,000 in financial aid and scholarship offers to continue their education, including Burien student Jennifer Anne Kemp.

The Honors Scholar program’s 70 graduates have earned a combined $2.4 million in scholarships and other financial aid since the program began in 2003.

“The 2008-2009 academic year has been a banner year for the Honors Scholar program,” said Barbara Clinton, the program’s adviser. “The entire group of graduates earned about 25 percent more in financial aid and scholarships than last year’s students.”

The program is open to all students who have 12 credits of college-level work with a 3.5 GPA or higher. The program prepares students for upper division courses, typically offered at a four-year university or college.

It has shaped Gates Millennium Scholars, USA Today Academic All-American, Coca Cola Gold Scholar and Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Scholarship and QuestBridge College Match Scholarship winners.

The 2009 scholars will graduate on June 11 and include Boreth (Terry) Long, a national Guistwhite Scholar winner.

The White Center resident was one of the 20 students across the nation who won the honor, a $5,000 scholarship for academic achievement, community service and participation in the national honor society for two-year colleges, Phi Theta Kappa.

Long emigrated from Cambodia to the United States four years ago and has found success in Highline’s Honors Scholar program.

“The program inspired and motivated me to do more in my classes than what was expected,” Long said. “I’ve learned so much and I am confident I will be successful when I transfer to a university.”

He plans on attending the University of Washington in fall 2009 and will graduate with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Electrical Engineering at Highline.

In addition, he has maintained a 3.87 GPA while working as a math tutor in Highline’s Math Resource Center and organizing the Fundraising to Make a Difference Club, a group that has helped raise about $500 each quarter to support children’s education and to fight trafficking of women in Cambodia.

In June 2009 he received one of the college’s top awards – the Shirley B. Gordon Academic Excellence Award – a $1,500 scholarship named in honor of Highline’s former president.

“The Honors Scholar program is a must for everyone who comes to Highline,” Long said. “It is a privilege to be part of such a program.”

This year’s 13 other Honors Scholars, by city, are:

• Auburn: Tierney Kuhn, Katherine S. Tacke
• Burien: Jennifer Anne Kemp
• Des Moines: David Ganett, Nari Kim, Mang (Jerry) Li, Kuan-Hung (Eleven) Liu, Robert Martin, Tuyet Anh Nguyen, Jerry Zarski
• Federal Way: Lei Lam (Selina) Chan
• Renton: Ashley L. Matsumoto
• Milton: Rikki-Rachelle Hinz

For more information about Highline’s Honors Scholar program and to read more success stories, visit http://flightline.highline.edu/honors/.

Highline Community College was founded in 1961 as the first community college in King County. With approximately 10,000 students and 350,000 alumni, it is one of the state’s largest institutions of higher education. The college offers a wide range of academic transfer and professional-technical education programs, with day, evening, online and weekend classes.

With the most diverse population of any college in Washington state, Highline takes a multicultural approach to education for the success of all its students and the prosperity of its surrounding communities. Alumni include former Seattle Mayor Norm Rice, entrepreneur Junki Yoshida, Washington state poet laureate Sam Green and even Scott Schaefer, Publisher/Editor of this here website.

On Saturday May 2nd, Holy Family Elementary is holding its 21st annual R.E.A.C.H. (Reinforcing Education And Catholic Heritage) Fiesta Auction and Dinner.

Here are the details:

WHAT: 21st Annual R.E.A.C.H. Fiesta Auction and Dinner for Holy Family Elementary

WHEN: Saturday, May 2nd with Silent Auction starting at 5pm; Dinner at 7:30pm and Live Auction at 7:45pm

WHERE: Holy Family Elementary School, located at 9615 20th Ave SW in Seattle (map below)

INFO: All proceeds go to the school for operational costs, deferring costs for teachers and scholarships, providing an excellent Catholic education to everyone in the community regardless of their ability to pay.

Hosting the evening will be Master of Ceremonies Joe Budde and Auctioneer Jeff Stehr. There are more than 220 items available that guests can look forward to winning.

Live auction items include:

• Donated by E.B. Foote Winery: Private 2 hour evening wine tasting which includes hors d’oeuvres & wine for winner & 40, plus a gift basket to take home that night, value $635
• Donated by Tellit Productions in Burien: The Evergreen Package which is a video interview of family member & production of a DVD with music & photographs to preserve family history, valued at $1000
• Dinner for 8 with Fr. Bloom the Pastor at Holy Family Parish at Salty’s a $500 value
• Donated by Christine Gregoire: Gift certificate for Washington Wine & hors d’oeuvres at first mansion on December 8, 2009 for a meet & greet with the governor & first gentleman value $100
• And much more

Some of the 267 silent auction items include;

• Donated by Dunville Gallery in White Center: $50 gift certificate towards custom framing of your choice
• Donated by Seattle Art Museum: SAM admission for 2 value $30
• Donated by the Garage (in Seattle): Evening at the Garage for 2 including 4 course dinner and 1.5 hrs of bowling or pool, value $85
• Donated by West Seattle Karate Academy: month of Karate lessons for one adult or child includes registration, dues, month of classes, uniform & autographed book by Sensei

Silent auction tables will be open from 5-7pm. All auction items can be purchase in cash, check or credit card.

The night of the auction, donations toward scholarships will be accepted through the Randy Terlicker Endowment Fund. Started by Colleen Terlicker, the endowment fund was started in honor of her son Randy a Holy Family Graduate & Firefighter whose life was taken in the Pang Warehouse Fire.

Dinner, donated by Las Margaritas Catering, includes tasty options of Steak A La Chicana, Pollo Con Crema Portuguesa and Seafood Enchiladas. There will also be a no-host bar. Sit down dinner starts at approximately 7:30pm, with the live auction at 7:45pm.

Individual tickets and corporate sponsorships can be purchased in advance by contacting Sandy Cavazos at 206-248-2728 or e-mailing her your name, address, phone number and dinner choice at scavazos@comcast.net.

The cost per person is $50 or $500 for a table of ten and accepted in cash or check.

Holy Family Elementary is located at 9615 20th Ave SW (map below).

For more information contact Sandy Cavazos at 206-248-2728 or download and view the auction catalogue (PDF file) at:

http://www.hfseattle.org/school/documents/auction09.pdf

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by Scott Schaefer

As if the seemingly endless stream of daily layoffs, rising unemployment rates and closing area businesses isn’t enough bad news, now comes word of major budget cuts for Highline Public Schools, which faces an estimated $8 million in cuts for next year due to reductions in state funding.

As a result, up to 228 teachers could be laid off.

These are in addition to $3 million in cuts already made during the current school year.

Superintendent John Welch has already announced cuts for next year totaling $2.2 million dollars. These cuts are to the central office, including administrator and other non-teaching positions.

“In our earlier projections based on the governor’s budget, we did not anticipate the need to lay off teachers,” Welch said in a statement. “Since then, the state budget shortfall has grown significantly, and the state House and Senate have published their budgets, which contain much deeper cuts to public education funding. As a result, we now anticipate a reduction in force of 228 FTE (Full-Time Employee) teaching positions.”

The public and Highline staff are invited to give input on these options at the following community budget forums (click on the school for address/directions):

• Thursday, April 23, 6pm – 8pm: Pacific Middle School
• Saturday, April 25, 9am – 11am: Hazel Valley Elementary
• Monday, April 27, 6pm – 8pm: Evergreen High School campus

Interpreters will be available, and childcare will be provided for children ages 3-12. No children in diapers, please.

Parents and concerned citizens are encouraged to attend and share their comments with the superintendent on ideas like:

If you were managing the district budget in these tight financial times, what areas would you prioritize and in what areas would you reduce spending?

If you can’t attend, you can always send in an anonymous comment by clicking here.

Highline Public Schools serves over 17,000 students in 35 different schools (18 elementary, 4 middle and 13 high schools), ranging in an area from White Center to Des Moines.

More information, including specific budget cuts, is available on the Highline Public Schools website.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

• Highline School Arts Workstudy Meeting Is April 15th

Gregory Heights Elementary School’s annual “Husky Hike” fundraising walk-a-thon is coming Friday, May 1st, and here are the details:

WHAT: Gregory Heights PTSA “Husky Hike” Walk-A-Thon Fundraiser

WHEN: Friday, May 1st, all day

WHERE: Gregory Heights Elementary School, located at 16201 16th Ave SW in Burien (map below)

INFO: Here’s a FAQ put together by the G.H. PTSA:

Question: What is the Gregory Heights Walk-A-Thon?
Answer: It is our primary PTSA fundraising event for the 2008/2009 school year. Students collect donations and pledges for the event, and then walk laps around the school playground. Sponsors give fixed amount donations, or pledge to pay a certain amount per lap walked. It is a fun and festive event with family members welcome.

Question: When is the Walk-A-Thon?
Answer: Friday, May 1, all day.

Question: Where will we hold the Walk-A-Thon?
Answer: We will hold the Walk-A-Thon during school hours on Friday, May 1. Students will walk with their classmates for 45 minutes around an approximately ¼ mile path set up around the field at Gregory Heights. The event will be secure with both teachers and parent volunteers supervising the participants.

Question: Why do we have the Walk-A-Thon?
Answer: Limited public school funds cannot provide all of the programs and resources we want our children to have. Each year Gregory Heights PTSA holds fundraisers to help provide funding for materials, events and learning opportunities our children would otherwise have to do without.

Question: What is our financial goal?
Answer: We hope to raise $15,000 for the PTSA budget this year.

Question: How is the money spent?
Answer: Money earned from the Walk-A-Thon will be used to provide funding for opportunities our children would otherwise have to do without, including:

• Accelerated Reader tests
• Library books
• Creative enrichment programs
• Chess Club, Softball Team, Drama Club, etc.

Question: What happens if it rains on the day of the Walk-A-Thon?
Answer: We sure hope it won’t! However, in Seattle we have to be prepared for anything! If rain is in the forecast, please send along a raincoat and hat. You might want to put a pair of dry socks in your child’s backpack for after the walk.

Question: Who participates in the Walk-A-Thon?
Answer: Everyone! Everyone walks. Every student gets a FREE cool Husky Hike T-shirt. If you do not want your child to walk with their class for the 45 minutes on the day of the Walk-A-Thon, you will be able to opt out.

Question: How can parents participate?
Answer: Join in on the festivities and come out to cheer on your child. There are also a ton of volunteer opportunities available. Look for information on volunteer opportunities in your parent pack and on the Gregory Heights PTSA website. We are also looking for more raffle items. Each time a student brings in $30 in pledge money, he or she will be entered into a raffle. We are looking for raffle items valued at $10 – $20 if you have anything you can donate.

Question: How much should my child raise?
Answer: Our goal is for 100% student participation; however, it is up to you and your family how much money is raised. All donations are appreciated and put to good use. If every student earns $30, the Walk-A-Thon will raise over $15,000 – WOW!

Question: How are pledges collected?
Answer: SAFETY FIRST! Parents, make sure your child knows his/her geographic boundaries or other house rules. If you have a Gregory Heights sweatshirt or t-shirt, have your child wear it to identify him/herself as a Gregory Heights student. Collect money only from friends, family and neighbors that you know.

Question: How do I double my donation without it costing me anything?
Answer: Many corporation and companies offer matching funds to employees for non-profit donations. Please list on the pledge envelope who your employer is and we will check to see if they provide matching funds, or check with your employer to see if this program is available at your workplace. This is a way for you to double your donation without it costing you anything – it’s a HUGE opportunity for our school!

Question: Who do I contact for more information?
Answer: Email Denise Sagmoen or Lori Box

Health and Safety Tips:

• Footwear: PLEASE send your child in appropriate footwear. The kids will be walking for 45 minutes straight and need comfortable walking shoes or sneakers.
• First Aid: A First Aid station will be set up and staffed at the Walk-A-Thon. Water stations will be available during the event.
• Snacks: Healthy snacks will be provided while the kids are walking.
• Supervision: Parent volunteers, along with Gregory Heights staff, will be responsible for supervising students. We hope you all can make it. It will be a fun day, and the kids will really appreciate you being there to cheer them on!

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And the nominees are..

Nancy Paré, Executive Director of Highline Schools Foundation for Excellence has announced the nominees for the 2009 Highline Gold Star Awards.

Over 40 educators, volunteers and classified personnel were nominated by fellow educators, parents, citizens and students in the following classifications:

• Outstanding Administrator/Principal
• Outstanding Teacher
• Outstanding Volunteer
• Outstanding Classified Employee

If you want to see if you, a friend, a neighbor, a relative or your favorite principal/teacher were nominated, just click here.

The winners will be selected by a volunteer committee that has been selected to review the Gold Star nominations and make recommendations as to who will be the winners in each category. The committee consists of a Highline School District representative, a Foundation Board representative, a Retired Teachers Association representative, and a PTSA representative. The committee is staffed by the Foundation Executive Director. The committee will be reviewing the submitted nominations materials and meeting early next week for decision making.

Stay tuned to the BTB as we will be announcing the winners next week.

The winners will be honored at the Gold Star Benefit Luncheon at the Doubletree Guest Suites in Tukwila, coming up on May 29th. The Master of Ceremonies will be local funnyman John Keister, former Host of KING TV’s “Almost Live!“, local celebrity bald guy and former co-worker of the publisher of this here blog (EDITOR’S NOTE: whatever you do, don’t say this to John in an overly-enthusiastic voice: “Successful succession of successful success!“).

For more information on how you can attend this luncheon, please contact the foundation at 206-248-5196.

The Highline Schools Foundation Gold Star Benefit luncheon is sponsored by Boeing, BECU and Rogers and Norman.

Highline Schools Foundation mission is to “provide community resources to help Highline Public Schools Succeed. By enriching the classroom and school experience, we can engage students to reach a higher level.” Since 2001 the foundation has distributed over $250,000 to the 32 schools in the Highline District. Donors include corporate, foundations and private citizens.

Aviation High School, currently housed at the former Olympic Elementary School building in Des Moines, has received a private donation of $4 million, moving it well on its path to flying and landing at the Museum of Flight in south Seattle.

According to Catherine Carbone-Rogers, director of communications for the Highline School District, Aviation High School will continue to be managed by Highline; the Seattle School Board has approved an interlocal agreement with Highline to locate the school within Seattle’s boundaries.

The identity of the donor will be revealed at a press conference this Thursday (March 26th), where “he will accept naming rights”; here’s more info from a press release:

Local officials, students, parents, school administrators, and general aviation advocates will join Highline Superintendent John Welch and Aviation High School Principal and CEO Reba Gilman as they announce the first major private donor investment in the relocation of Aviation High School to The Museum of Flight in South Seattle.

Aviation High School has adopted an ambitious plan to relocate to the Museum of Flight by 2012. Construction costs for the new facility are $43.5 million, of which about $20 million has been raised from public and private sources.

This announcement of a major anchor private donor is the first of what is expected to be several other major contributions from individuals and businesses prominent in the aviation, engineering, and technology sectors of the Pacific Northwest.

The major donor will be in attendance to be acknowledged for his sizable gift, and to accept the naming rights to this unique high school.

Aviation High School’s mission and vision is:

To prepare all students for college, career and citizenship through a personalized, rigorous and relevant learning experience that is facilitated in the context of aviation and aerospace.

To be the premier public high school of choice for students in King County and the region who wish to pursue their passion for aviation and aerospace in a learning environment that prepares them for higher education, citizenship, and work.

The Museum of Flight is located at 9404 East Marginal Way South in Seattle, near Boeing Field, and Aviation High School is currently located at 615 South 200th Street in Des Moines – an 11.6 mile flight:

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Six Highline School District students are among the 260 talented juniors from across the state accepted into the first phase of Washington Aerospace Scholars (WAS).

Five of the six students chosen attend Des Moines’ Aviation High School, which is located at the campus of Olympic Elementary School at 615 South 200th.

Washington Aerospace Scholars (WAS) is an educational program for high school juniors from across Washington. The WAS program emphasizes science, technology, engineering and math, and encourages students to consider careers in these fields. The program is funded by the Washington Aerospace Scholars Foundation, and is offered at no cost to participants.

Phase One of the program uses a NASA-designed online curriculum consisting of ten lessons and a final project. Phase Two is a six-day summer residency experience for 160 students. To be considered for Phase Two, students are expected to meet deadlines and show mastery of the Phase One curriculum. The Museum of Flight hosts the week-long summer residency experience during which students are guided by professional engineers and educators as they design a human mission to Mars. Summer residency participants are also visited by guest speakers, tour engineering facilities, and compete in hands-on engineering challenges.

Highline’s Washington Aerospace Scholars (WAS) are:

• Andrew May – Aviation High School
• Andrew Reece – Aviation High School
• Michael Thompson- Aviation High School
• Isaac Ackerman – Aviation High School
• Thomas Malchodi – Aviation High School
• Alan Soto – Health Science & Human Services High School

A team from Puget Sound Skills Center (PSSC) will compete for scholarship money and prizes during the global finals of the Construction Challenge in Knoxville, Tenn., May 20-23, 2009.

The PSSC team will compete against 900 teams from around the world. PSSC qualified for the international championship at the regional competition in February, when more than 300 teams competed in 15 simultaneous qualifying rallies to secure their spot in the global competition.

The Construction Challenge, a creative problem solving program in its second year, introduces students to the skills they need to be successful in construction-related fields. The competition is designed to engage teens through a hands-on, educational experience and to introduce them to careers as engineers, equipment technicians and manufacturing professionals.

The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) sponsors the Challenge in partnership with Destination ImagiNation.

Students on the Construction Challenge team are enrolled in the construction technology program at PSSC.

PSSC offers a half-day vocational training program for students in area high schools.

PSSC is one of Highline School District’s most unique and specialized secondary programs. Founded in 1966, it was the first of what now number ten regional Skills Centers funded by the Washington State Legislature. For forty years, PSSC has been a school of choice for students from Mount Rainer, Evergreen, Tyee, and Highline High Schools, as well as for students from adjacent school districts, home schoolers, and students enrolled in private schools.

Students do not withdraw from their enrolled high school in order to attend PSSC. The PSSC experience becomes a part of a student’s four year high school experience in a joint partnership agreement. Classes at PSSC are “half day” and the 10th, 11th and 12th grade student spends half of each day at PSSC in the chosen program and half of each day at the enrolled high school. Transportation is provided between the two schools.

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West Seattle Montessori School (which is moving to White Center this spring) is hosting a guest expert speaker tonight, who will speak on the topic of Montessori education.

John Chattin-McNichols will speak tonight (Thursday, Mar. 5th) from 6:30pm to 7:30pm at the American Legion Hall, which is located at 3618 SW Alaska Street in West Seattle (map below).

The event is sponsored by the West Seattle Montessori School and is free to the public.

John Chattin-McNichols took his Montessori teacher training for ages 6-12 years in Bergamo, Italy, in 1970-71. He got his first job at a Montessori school in 1968.

One of his lecturers and his final examiner was Mario Montessori, the son of Dr. Maria Montessori, the founder of the Montessori method of education.

Maria Montessori once said: “Education is a natural process spontaneously carried out by the human individual, and is acquired not by listening to words but by experiences upon the environment.”

Chattin-McNichols has a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from UCLA, and a Ph.D. from Stanford University in Child Development and Early Education.

He is a Past President of the American Montessori Society and the author of The Montessori Controversy.

He is an associate professor and department chair at Seattle University, where he has taught for 28 years.

He is a Fulbright lecturer and has spoken about Montessori in many countries around the world.

For more information, please contact West Seattle Montessori School at 206-935-0427.

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Student volunteers, who have studied and received income tax preparation certification from AARP and IRS, are providing free help to anyone needing assistance preparing certain non-complex 2008 income tax returns.

Bring your patience and plan for at least one hour.

WHEN: Fridays only, through April 10, from 1pm to 7pm; last client at 6:15pm

WHERE: Highline Community College campus, Building 29, rooms 308

COST: Free, including electronic filing

BRING:

• Copy of 2007 income tax return
• Forms W-2 from each employer
• Form SSA-1099 if you were paid Social Security benefits
• Form 1099-G if you were paid unemployment benefits
• Form 1099-R if you received pension or annuity income
• All other forms 1099; e.g., 1099-MISC, 1099-INT, 1099-DIV, 1099-B, etc.
• Dependent care provider information, if any (name, tax identification number, and amount paid in 2008)
• Social Security cards or other official documentation for yourself and all dependents
• Forms 1098-T and other available tuition statements
• All receipts or cancelled checks if itemizing deductions

If you own your home but have not been able to itemize in the past, new this year is potential income tax savings if you paid, in 2008, real estate taxes on your personal residence.

More information at this HCC website.

Highline Community College is sponsoring a seminar entitled “Steps to Finding a Career in a Down Economy” on Tuesday, March 10th from 9:30am to 11am, and again on Tuesday April 14th from 2pm to 3:30pm.

Here are the details:

WHAT: “Steps to Finding a Career in a Down Economy” workshop

WHEN: Tuesday, March 10th from 9:30am – 11am and Tuesday, April 14th from 2pm – 3:30pm

WHERE: Highline Community College, Building 99, Room 132; located at 2400 South 240th Street in Des Moines (map below)

INFO: Discover tips and strategies for finding a good job in a down economy, including how to stand out in the job pool and using unique job search resources. Jack Harton, a Highline librarian, will show how to successfully use search engines to find job opportunities.

COST: Free and open to the public.

RSVP: (206) 878-3710 x3812 or via email to hrstaff@highline.edu

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Megan Joy, left, is Paige and Highline Schools' Superintendent John Welch is Principal Higgens in "The Day My Parents Became Cool."

Area lawyer-turned-filmmaker Steve Edmiston, the Writer/Director behind the locally-produced comedy short “The Day My Parents Became Cool” has sent us this update on how his film is screening in Hollywood this coming week:

Friends –

“The Day My Parents Became Cool” is screening this week in Hollywood!

In addition to our world premiere at the Sedona International Film Festival, we are delighted to be “double-booked” with an official acceptance and two screenings in Hollywood at the 14th International Family Film Festival!

“Our man in Hollywood” representing the film at the IFFF is none other than Peter Weinstein – our wonderful “Dad” in the film. Peter will be attending both LA screenings for Q&A and we thought that many of our cast, crew, and “cool” supporters may want to forward this message to their LA contacts if they want to “show off” our collective efforts!

Also – we will have the additional support on Sunday of being represented in LA by Victor Kepler of EKE Pictures (our “executive-executive producer?”); Victor is flying to LA from Seattle to attend events on Sunday.

The scoop on the screenings:

* Thursday, February 26, at 2:00 pm
* Sunday, March 1, at 2:00 pm

The festival is at the wonderful Raleigh Studios in Hollywood:

Raleigh Studios
5300 Melrose Avenue
Hollywood, CA 90038
Website: iffilmfest.org

A special thanks to Peter and Victor for “representing” at this event; and thanks, and a hearty congrats, to all on the successes so far.

-Steve

P.S. – if you haven’t already, check out the website and trailer at www.thedaymyparentsbecamecool.com. Very cool start! Updates to come.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

• VIDEO:”The Day My Parents Became Cool” Trailer + News
• “The Day My Parents Became Cool” Sneak Peeks
• “The Day My Parents Became Cool” Production Update
• Report & Photos From Highline High Movie Set
• Your Chance To Be In A Movie This Saturday

According to charges filed in King County Superior Court, Hilary Jane Pinter, PTA Treasurer for Burien’s Seahurst Elementary School, stole nearly $28,000 from the PTA account.

Pinter, 34, was charged with four counts of first-degree theft.

Apparently Pinter had been embezzling funds from the account by writing checks to herself, then recording them as bill payments. This happened between September 2006 and April 2008.

The theft was reported to the King County’s Sheriff’s office after an internal audit revealed the irregularities. Investigators were told that Pinter had called or e-mailed them, admitted the theft and asked for forgiveness.

According to documents, Pinter also gave a $15,000 check to a PTA member on the condition that if they cashed the check she would not be prosecuted.

This spring, West Seattle Montessori School will be moving into the White Center neighborhood (at 11216 16th Ave SW), so they’re holding a special Open House in West Seattle tonight (Thursday, Feb. 5th) from 6-8pm, and they’re inviting all interested parents, families, children etc. to come by and check out their school:

WHAT: West Seattle Montessori School Open House: “Come learn about our NEW building and location! Now Enrolling for the 2009-10 school year.”

WHEN: Tonight! Thursday, Feb. 5th, 6pm-8pm

WHERE: At the current West Seattle Montessori School location, which is at 4536 38th Ave SW in West Seattle (map below); Phone: 206.935.0427

INFO: From their website:

With over 15,000 square feet of remodeled space, West Seattle Montessori School will open its new doors this spring. With the King County Library as a next-door neighbor, an indoor greenhouse, photography dark room, 1,000 square foot corridor, and impressive large layout, WSMS is sure to be embraced.

Choosing a school where children flourish according to their needs and abilities is more critical today than ever. West Seattle Montessori School is pleased to offer individualized teaching from experienced professionals, and would be delighted to assist you throughout your child’s academic journey.

Since 1985, West Seattle Montessori School has been an integral part of the West Seattle Community. Offering preschool through 8th grade education, WSMS prides itself on fostering independence and intellectual curiosity, stimulating personal growth, and encouraging innovation and a love of learning.

As part of our close-knit WSMS community, we focus on the development of the whole child, not only providing personalized attention and student centered lessons, but also creating a rich and broad variety of experiences beyond our walls through art classes, stage performances,engaging field trips, and activities throughout Seattle’s eclectic neighborhoods. It is our goal to instill within our students a clear set of values, including respect for each individual and her or his own unique talents and contributions.

We are now enrolling for the 2009 – 2010 academic school year!

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by Josh Hart

HPFC (Highline Premier Football Club) Heat, formerly known as HSA Heat, has the best soccer in Burien. The boys U-15’s-U-18’s are currently competing in the preliminaries for the State and Challenge Cups.

Both cups score points the following way:

• 1 point per goal up to 3
• 1 point for a shutout
• 0 points for a loss
• 3 points for a tie
• 6 points for a win
• A max. of 10 points

The top two teams in each division move on. The State Cup is a tournament for the top premier teams in the country to battle it out for the title of “best team in the state.” The Challenge Cup is just one step below that. It usually consists of all the premier club “B” team. For the Heat the “A” team is blue and the “B” team is red. This is the third week of both cups and many of the teams are in a must-win situation to advance past the prelims and onto the elimination round.

I am going to give you a quick breakdown of HPFC Heat and how they are faring in the cups.

(KEY: Win-Loss-Tie, pts in group)

The following teams are competing in the state cup:

U-15 Blue (1-1-0, 12 pts.)
That loss coming to Washington Premier, the reigning champion in the U-15 division, 3-5. Their next game comes at home (Highline Stadium) against 3 rivers United (1-1-0, 9 pts). Whoever wins this game will move on to the elimination round.

U-17 Blue (1-0-1, 14 pts.)
Their win was a spectacular one. With a 3-0 win against FC Mulkiteo they take home the full ten points. Their nect game is at Westsound United, and without all the scores being posted from earlier matches, This could be a must-win for the Heat.

U-18 Blue (1-0-0, 9 pts.)
They are in a two team group with the in club rival the red team. Since both teams get in no matter what they are basically playing “friendlies” (a soccer term for scrimmage or exhibition). They did win against the red team though, beating them by a score of 7-1.

U-18 Red (0-1-0,1 pt.)
The red team got a good draw in a way because despite the big loss to the in club rival, they will still get in to the quarterfinals.

It looks as though all the HPFC teams in the State Cup could be advancing into elimination rounds. Good Job!

The following teams are competing in the Challenge Cup:

U-15 Red (1-1-0, 10 pts.)
This is the team I play goalkeeper for. We lost our first game to Emerald City FC 2-0 and then took ten points in our last game against Crossfire FC, winning 3-0. For our next game we have to travel to Vancouver to play the Columbia Timbers. As long as we don’t lose this one we will be advancing on to play the Federal Way Storm in the elimination round.

U-16 Blue (1-1-0, 9 pts.)
This team has to win their next game against the Maple Valley Rapids to move on. Whoever wins this heated match will make it to the elimination round and the loser will go home.

All of the HPFC teams have a chance to move on this weekend. We will have to watch and see if they can all do it. It wont be easy but it’s possible.

Check back for more updates on the state and challenge cup.

The younger teams and the girls teams will start soon.

[EDITOR'S NOTE: Josh Hart is the B-Town Blog's first Intern! He's also a 15-year old student at Highline's “Big Picture High School” in SeaTac.

You can read more of his writing here...]

Highline Community College administrators announced Friday their decision on how to deal with the college’s $2.1 million financial hit necessitated by Gov. Chris Gregoire new budget cuts:

• Closing their Federal Way branch campus (map below)
  
• Closing the Early Childhood Learning Center, the college’s childcare center for students

These closures, along with reductions within individual program areas, will mean the elimination of 44 full-time positions.

These cuts go into effect July 1st.

“The downturn in the economy has hit home, and the college must make difficult choices to address the shortfall in the state’s budget,” said Highline President Dr. Jack Bermingham. “We are committed to preserving core functions, yet will significantly scale back selected services and offerings. Our number one goal with these cuts is to protect instructional capacity, maintain core student services and sustain the essential administrative infrastructure of the Highline.”

Highline’s Federal Way campus offers basic skills and non-credit business courses. It is also home to the Puget Sound Early College (PSEC), a dual-enrollment credit cohort program for high school juniors and seniors.

“We are committed to serving the Federal Way community,” said Bermingham. “In conversations with Federal Way city officials, we are working together to find ways to continue to provide services in Federal Way.

In the future, as the economy recovers and the College receives additional resources, we hope to find another facility more centrally located, and better served by public transportation. ”

College officials will hold two community forums on the Federal Way campus. For PSEC students and parents, the forum is scheduled for Feb. 4 at 7 p.m. A second forum for the community is scheduled for Feb. 11 at 7 p.m.

While the Governor reduced budgets, she did not decrease Highline’s full-time equivalent student target. This means Highline must serve the same number of students with considerably less funding. As a result, students will encounter larger classes, fewer course choices and less convenient class locations.

“There is a growing demand for our services,” said Jeff Wagnitz, vice president of Instruction. “The economic downturn and resulting layoffs mean more people are looking to us for retraining. Highline has had record enrollments, but the college has struggled to meet this demand. Fewer resources next year will exacerbate student access. ”

Since the first signs of the economic downturn last year, hiring at the college has been carefully scrutinized. Of the 44 positions eliminated, seven were vacant. In making these decisions, Highline officials say they have tried to make cuts that would minimize impact on students.

“Highline is a strong institution,” said Bermingham, “and we are hopeful for a turnaround in the state’s economy. These measures will ensure that we continue to prepare our state’s workforce for the jobs of today and tomorrow to restore stability and prosperity. Highline Community College will remain a key resource for the state’s economic recovery and is clearly essential in providing higher education and training for our community.”

Highline Community College was founded in 1961 as the first community college in King County. With approximately 10,000 students and 350,000 alumni, it is one of the state’s largest institutions of higher education. The college offers a wide range of academic transfer and professional-technical education programs, with day, evening, online and weekend classes.

With the most diverse population of any college in Washington State, Highline takes a multicultural approach to education for the success of all its students and the prosperity of its surrounding communities. Alumni include former Seattle Mayor Norm Rice, entrepreneur Junki Yoshida and Washington state poet laureate Sam Green.

More information at their website.

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BTB Advertiser Three Tree Montessori School is holding an Open House this Saturday, Jan. 31st from 1-3pm, where interested families can meet Executive Director Paula Walters, teachers and staff, as well as get a tour of the school.

You’ll find them at 220 SW 160th in Burien (map below).

For more information about Three Tree Montessori, the open house or to schedule a visit, contact Administrator Jennifer Mason at (206) 242-5100.

Tuition assistance is available.

There are 120 students at the school, with room for a few more this year in the Toddler and Primary Programs.

Plus for your student learners, it’s never too early to look ahead to next school year!

Here’s a slideshow of photos taken at the school:

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by Mark Neuman

One of our area’s hidden gems is Seahurst Park.

And tucked away at the beach there is another diamond – the Environmental Science Center.

The Environmental Science Center (ESC) is the only community-based, not-for-profit environmental education organization in south King County with programs for all ages.

With a primary focus on K through 12, ESC offers school-day programs including classroom lessons and field trips, after school programs, summer camps, and community presentations.

Since its founding in 1999, rapid expansion in programs has led to an increasing number of program participants served, with more than 8,000 clients during 2008, up from 5,000 clients in 2006.

“We want to foster the next group of environmental stewards,”  said ESC Executive Director Julie Burr. “Kids don’t get out there, really out-of-doors, like they used to. We reach out with special effort to minority or lower-income children.”

Julie recently spent time showing the B-Town Blog around the Center, and brought us up to speed on a big project they have in mind.

“We have a vision for an Environmental Learning Center,” Julie said. “And we have the perfect spot to build it on.”

Years ago, when Seahurst Park was the property of King County, a park caretaker actually lived in a cottage just a few yards from the building ESC currently works out of.

The caretaker is long gone, and the cottage is boarded up.

“We will renovate inside and expand the cottage a bit on its south side.”

The result will be a 2,200 square foot facility which will seat fifty students.

It will take about $1.3 million to fully renovate. The fundraising has been going on for a while, with $900,000 having been raised to far.

“The remaining $400,000 is proving the toughest. Several major corporations sincerely want to help, but have had to drastically cut back their civic donations” due to the current economic state of affairs.

Corporate groups who have contributed toward the Learning Center include Boeing, Alaska Airlines and Waste Management.

“We greatly appreciate, as well, our funders who help keep our regular programs running,” Julie said. These groups include:

• The Russell Family Foundation
• The JiJi Foundation
• The Bottler Charitable Trust
• The City of Burien
• The Horizon Foundation
• The Seattle Foundation
• King Conservation District, WRIA 9

Julie received a special gift last month.

“My daughter, Jesann, bless her heart, went out and raised $1,540 from her friends for the Learning Center. She didn’t tell me about her efforts at all,” Julie recalled. “Then on Christmas Day she gave me the checks. What a sweetheart.”

No gift is too small (or too big!), so if you would like to contribute, please feel free to contact Julie anytime:

Julie Burr
Executive Director
Environmental Science Center
Julieb@envsciencecenter.org
phone 206-246-2144

DIRECTIONS:: From Ambaum Blvd. go west on 144th. Turn right on 13th. That road will take you all the way to the beach, where parking is available.

The Environmental Science Center and the cottage are about 200 yards north of there.

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by Janet Grella

The B-Town Blog is proud to welcome its latest Advertiser: Three Tree Montessori School in Burien!

Three Tree Montessori serves student learners from the Highline and West Seattle area – you know, that’s the school behind those whimsical columns on SW 160th. They’ve been guiding students in this area since 2003.

“Guiding,” as in not “teaching” – well that’s the Montessori philosophy, you see.

Montessori is a time-tested, (since 1907 in Europe, and the mid-50s in the US), child-centered developmental education method that is focused on the individual child’s potential, giving the child hands-on experiences that nurture the love of learning. It emphasizes collaboration, self-expression, and self-motivation in beautiful learning environments, which foster respect, peace, and joy.

Every Thursday at Three Tree Montessori, their staff welcomes interested parents and the community to experience Montessori by watching classroom activities. BTB spent last Thursday viewing Three Tree’s students at work. It wasn’t like any classroom we knew of, being products of public school, but it was interesting and worth explaining to our readers who are interested in public school alternatives.

Montessori divides classes by age, not grade level. The Toddler Program includes children aged 1 (and walking) to 3. This is where young children experience their first structured contact with other children. There are two toddler classes with 12 students in each class guided by a Montessori-certified teacher and an assistant teacher. There is one half-day class and one full-day class.

To give you an idea of what the Three Tree Montessori is like, here’s a slideshow of photos:

I was paired with an anxious mother from West Seattle who needed to watch her 1-1/2 year old son in his first week in class (he was doing much better than Mom!).

The Toddler environment is prepared to meets the needs of the child and to foster independence, motor coordination and language acquisition. This is where young children experience their first structured contact with other children. We observed tea parties, biscuit-baking, sweeping and cleaning—all performed with age appropriate tools.

Next we were off to the Primary Program for ages 3 to 6. We observed one of three primary classes. There is one teacher/guide, one assistant, and one support staff. One of the basic tenets of Montessori theory is the multi-age classroom. Here students learn practical life, sensorial, cultural, math and language activities and of course, outdoor play. There isn’t a desk in sight – instead there are chairs and tables that are age appropriate. Many of the children were using floor mats, studying math and geography working in groups or individually, with the older students mentoring the younger. We noted how quiet it was as they were learning at their own pace.

Finally we were welcomed into the Elementary classroom for ages 6-12. Yes, welcomed. Two girls (class greeters) welcomed BTB and offered tea. Students were working in small groups. Elementary children are noted for their questioning minds and their imaginations. The ability to reason is at its greatest capacity in the child of this age. The elementary classroom is designed to be the stepping-off point into the universe. The study of language includes writing, reading and oral expression. Math includes arithmetic, geometry and algebra (and we’re talking little kids learning this stuff!). Once again, all this learning is done on the floor or at tables.

After our tours of the classrooms were complete, we toured the gardens. Outdoor education is as important as indoor education at Three Tree Montessori. Each age level has their own garden area planted outside their classrooms, and are all aspiring gardeners. Their gardens include a compost pile as well as rain barrels (which were overflowing).

We sat with Elementary guide/teacher Peter Jensen and learned there are no grades given in Montessori School. Rather there are two annual parent teacher conferences and a year-end evaluation (the ITBS is given to the equivalent of third and sixth graders).

Three Tree Montessori offers a diverse student and teacher population, and they work at keeping classrooms diverse and balanced (by race and sex). Tuition assistance is available. There are 120 students at the school, with room for a few more in the Toddler and Elementary Programs.

That’s why they plan an open house Saturday January 31 from 1-3PM. Interested families can meet Executive Director Paula Walters, teachers and parents who took a chance on Montessori, and love it. Three Tree Montessori is located at 220 SW 160th in Burien.

For more information about Three Tree Montessori, the open house or to schedule a Thursday visit, contact administrator Jennifer Mason at (206) 242-5100, or click on their Ad for more info.

And about those columns – the originals were found in Cawa Cawa, New Zealand. They are replicas designed and built by parents from originals done by famous New Zealand artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser.

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by Josh Hart

Last weekend, Des Moines’ Mt. Rainier High School Drill Team competed in and won the Liberty High School Drill and Dance Competition.

They competed against drill teams from Issaquah High, Hazen High, Redmond and Interlake High School. Decatur High School Drill Team was supposed to show, but didn’t for unknown reasons.

For Mt.Rainier Drill, this was their first competition of the season, and they ended up placing first and taking home the trophy. The team had been through the same experience last year – winning their first competition that is. They placed in almost all competitions last year, only missing the stand on three occasions.

They may have won the competition, but it was not all fun and games. The girls had to work hard to get to that place. I talked to a member of the Mt.Rainier team, Danielle Knake (who is also a fellow student at Big Picture High School), about the ups and downs when they are at the competition.

Q: What part of the competition was the most fun?
A: I always love watching the hip-hop teams, because they have some really cool outfits. I also enjoy the bus rides that we take to and from the competition. All of us just joke around and have fun.

Q: What was the most difficult part of the competition?
A: For me it’s always waiting for them to announce the winners, because you never know how the judges scored you. I always get worried that we won’t place.

It seems like the Mt.Rainier Drill Team is off to a good start this season, but please check back for more updates as the season progresses.

[EDITOR'S NOTE: Josh Hart is the B-Town Blog's first Intern! He's also a 15-year old student at Highline's “Big Picture High School” in SeaTac. He recently wrote about what he'd do if he were Mayor, his take on the economy, about JFK beating Highline 61-0 in football, an opinion piece on the VP debate, a story on Mt. Rainier High's Drill Team playing at the Seahawks' Halftime, another on a Fight at the Tyee vs Rention Football Game and much more...]