The Highline Schools Foundation is now accepting nominations for this year’s Gold Star Awards, which will honor outstanding teachers, staff, administrators and volunteers in the Highline Public Schools.

All members of the school community are invited to nominate their peers, and the deadline for nominations is April 1st.

Winners will receive a cash award and will be honored at the Foundation’s Gold Star Luncheon on May 21st.

Nomination forms will be available through school administrators and on the Foundation’s website: www.highlineschoolsfoundation.org, or you can download the form directly here.

The Gold Star Teacher of the Year will also be eligible to represent the District in the region’s Teacher of the Year contest.

Here’s more info on the May 21st awards luncheon:

Simply titled “ten”, this year’s luncheon is May 21, 2010 at the Double Tree Guest Suites Hotel and will feature programs of HSFFE over the past ten years and the impact we’ve had on the district.  The emcee this year is none other than Highline High Schools famous alumnus Peter Fewing.

Each year, four Gold Star Awards are presented to an outstanding teacher, administrator, classified employee or support staff and volunteer of Highline Public Schools. All members of the district and community are invited to nominate an outstanding individual. Winners receive a cash award and will be honored at the luncheon. The Gold Star Outstanding Teacher will also be eligible to represent the District in the region’s Teacher of the Year contest.  The deadline for nominations is April 1, 2010.

The proceeds from this luncheon support one of our major programs, classroom grants, which enrich the education experience for our students.  We look forward to partnering with you this year and hope to see you at the 10th Annual Gold Star Luncheon!

Please see the links below for more information on becoming a sponsor at this years Gold Star or to download the Nomination form.  For tickets, contact the Foundation Office at (206) 248-5196 or holly@highlineschoolsfoundation.org.

The Highline Schools Foundation for Excellence was established in 1999 with the purpose of providing community resources to help Highline Public Schools succeed. We believe that by helping to enrich the classroom and school experience, we can engage students to reach a higher level of learning, and the entire community will benefit. The Foundation is governed by a dedicated group of volunteer Trustees and is the only 501(c)(3) organization supporting all Highline Public Schools. The Foundation strives to be the single point of contact for community members, local and national business, service organizations and other foundations to connect their philanthropic efforts with a single school or the entire district.

If you’re not familiar with the Highline Schools Foundation, here’s a video:

Burien’s Highline Medical Center is holding a children’s “Kidz Tipz for Safety” billboard contest in association with Highline Public Schools, in an effort to engage kids in childhood safety.

Each year one in three people in the U.S. visit an emergency room – 40 percent as a result of injury-related accidents and a third under the age of 21.  Highline Medical Center, which serves nearly 50,000 ER patients annually, in concert with Highline Schools, is inviting students to design their own safety billboard.

Elementary school students in the Highline School District are encouraged to design their own billboard featuring an up-to- eight-word safety tip, with three winning entries to be featured on billboards in the surrounding community. Finalists’ artwork will be also featured at the Grand Opening Celebration of Highline Medical Center’s new Emergency Room on April 10. And every child who enters will be eligible to win a party at Family Fun Center in Tukwila.

A panel of representatives from Highline Medical Center and the community will review the entries and select 20 finalists from which final winners will be chosen. Finalists will have their artwork on display at the opening of the new ER from 10 am to 3 pm on April 10.

The deadline for entries is Friday, March 19, and more information and contest rules are available by emailing commrelations@highlinemedical.org.

The number of Highline Public Schools students heading to college is up significantly over the past four years, and more Highline graduates are going to four-year universities, according to a study released by the school district this week.

In 2004, 52.5 percent of grads went directly to college. That number was up nearly five percentage points to 57.4 percent in 2008.

The study goes on to say that the increase in university enrollment was even more dramatic. The number of Highline seniors enrolling in four-year institutions in 2004 was just over 20 percent. By 2008, that number had increased to 28.6 percent.

Highline’s upward trend was tracked in research conducted by Baker Educational Research Consulting in cooperation with the National Clearinghouse, which has a 92% success rate in locating students who attend two- or four-year institutions anywhere in the United States.

Highline chief accountability officer, Dr. Alan Spicciati, praises the schools’ “intense efforts” at creating a college-going culture. “These results are a reflection of a lot of good, coordinated work in supporting students on their way to a better future,” says Spicciati.

Highline saw a decrease in the number of students staying in college beyond freshman year over the four-year period, from 82.6 to 75.5 percent. Spicciati says that is likely due to economic challenges facing families in the current recession.

Spicciati points out positive trends among Latino and African American students, in particular. Black and Latino students increased college-enrollment at higher rates than other racial groups, enough to eliminate what has been a significant college enrollment gap between White, Asian, and African American students.

“We now have the same percentage of African American students entering college as that of White and Asian students,” says Superintendent John Welch.

Welch, the first in his family to attend college, acknowledges that Highline has much work to do to realize its vision of college readiness for every student. But he is encouraged by the new numbers.

“This four-year upward trend represents several hundred Highline kids who are now going to college,” notes Welch. “We’re heading in the right direction.”

Story & Photos by Janet Grella

Highline Schools Foundation for Excellence celebrated their major donors and board participants at a special awards luncheon at The House Restaurant in Burien on Wednesday, Feb. 10th.

According to Holly Moore, Foundation Executive, the luncheon was made possible by an Anonymous Donor’s $2,000 gift.

Chef Will and hostess Stephanie prepared and served a four-course meal to 39 guests, while Board President Maya Mendoza-Exstrom, Highline Superintendent John Welch and the Foundation’s Holly Moore awarded five couples for their personal and financial support to the Foundation over the 10-years since the Foundation was started.

In the first of what will be an annual event plaques of appreciation were give to:

• Eric and Suzanne Aasness
• Sandra and Denny Eliason
• Tom and Leann Russell
• Nanci Tangeman and Chris Blumenthal
• Sharon and David Wilson (who were acknowledged posthumosly for their long-term support Highline Schools Foundation)

Ms. Moore also shared a “traveling plaque” with the audience that included the recipient’s names. It will be displayed at various schools throughout the Highline School system.

Superientendent Welch noted the good efforts and commitments of the Highline Schools Foundation, and their funding of programs during these “challenging financial times.” He particularly called attention to the arts and athletics support given by the foundation.

If you are interested in donating to or learning more about Highline Schools Foundation for excellence, click here.

Here’s Janet Grella’s Photo Slideshow of the event:

Click to View Janet Grella’s Photo Slideshow

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.

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.

Community Schools Collaboration is holding its first annual fundraising breakfast on Thursday, Nov 5th beginning at 7:30am, at the SeaTac Gateway Radisson.

Community Schools Collaboration (CSC), formerly Tukwila Community Schools Collaboration, was established in 1998. It is a non-profit organization created to develop and strengthen full service community schools in the Tukwila and Highline School Districts. The organization’s mission is to “ensure that all students and families have access to resources, opportunities and essential services by engaging and collaborating with schools and community partners using  culturally competent strategies.” CSC’s unique full service community schools model provides supports and opportunities to young people and  their families through out-of-school time programming, health services and community outreach. CSC provides before and after school educational support (including tutoring), health and fitness programs and free immunizations and physicals, family literacy and job training programs, referrals to social services and case management, and community liaisons who work with immigrant and refugee families.

Here are the event details:

WHAT: Community Schools Collaboration’s first annual fundraising breakfast

WHEN: Thursday, Nov. 5th starting at 7:30am

WHERE: SeaTac Gateway Radisson, located at 18118 International Blvd.

COST: $25 per person; RSVP to Phyllis Byers at 206.244.0110 or via email to Phyllis@cscwa.org. You can also buy tickets at the door, or buy them through the mail – please make checks payable to CSC and mail to:

CSC
16256 Military Rd. S, Suite 102
SeaTac, WA  98188

INFO: From their press release:

Are you interested in the quality of our schools?  You should be!  Well, have I got news for you…

Community Schools Collaboration is having its big first annual fundraising breakfast on Thursday, Nov 5, 7:30 a.m., at SeaTac Radisson.  Read about this program and how to participate.

We’ve all heard the statistics. The kids who thrive, the kids who make a difference, the kids who have the start they need in life – you know what they usually share?  Strong Families. Strong Communities. They have strong shoulders to stand on as they reach for their futures.

That is where the Community Schools Collaboration comes in.  We provide that support for kids in Tukwila, SeaTac, White Center, Burien and surrounding areas; giving them the enrichment opportunities that we all know make a difference outside of school.

How do we do it? Community Schools Collaboration (CSC), formerly Tukwila Community Schools Collaboration, established in 1998, is a non-profit organization created to develop and strengthen full service community schools in the Tukwila and Highline School Districts. The organization’s mission is to “ensure that all students and families have access to resources, opportunities and essential services by engaging and collaborating with schools and community partners using  culturally competent strategies.” CSC’s unique full service community schools model provides supports and opportunities to young people and  their families through out-of-school time programming, health services and community outreach. CSC provides before and after school educational support (including tutoring), health and fitness programs and free immunizations and physicals, family literacy and job training programs, referrals to social services and case management, and community liaisons who work with immigrant and refugee families.

As part of our fundraising efforts this year, we are holding our first ever Community Schools Collaboration Breakfast on November 5, 2009, 7:30 am, at the Gateway Radisson. Your generous support will make a difference in the lives of children who rely on the Community Schools Collaboration services.

Now is your chance to become part of and help our wonderful organization. If you would like to attend, contact Phyllis Byers at 206.244.0110 or email Phyllis@cscwa.org.  Attendance is just $25! Please make checks payable to CSC and mail to:  CSC, 16256 Military Rd. S, Suite 102, SeaTac, WA  98188 or pay at the door. (Note: attendance is only payable through check. We are not able to use credit cards for this rsvp.)

If you have already been invited, please be sure to rsvp as soon as you can.The success of this event hinges largely on our supporters, who lend their names and financial support to the event. The money we raise at this event goes directly to programs that ensure that students and families in our community have the resources and opportunities they need to survive and thrive.  All of our programs serve low-income families and are provided free of charge.  We know you get many requests for your time and money. Trust me when I tell you that this is a worthwhile investment of both of those things. We make a difference in the lives of kids every day. I hope you can support us, as a sponsor or with your attendance.

If you would like any more information on Community Schools Collaboration, please visit www.cscwa.org.

The Highline School District has been awarded $200,000 towards a five-year $1 million grant to expand community schools programs at Chinook and Cascade middle schools and establish programs at Sylvester and Pacific middle schools.

The grant is funded by The Seattle Foundation and the Raikes Foundation.

According to a press release:

Highline partners with the non-profit Community Schools Collaboration to provide academic and enrichment programs to students after school, as well as other support services to student and their families. The partnership will use the grant funds to create a support system that will help students achieve their maximum potential in school, work and life, including programs that ease the elementary school-to-middle school and middle school-to-high school transitions.

“This initiative helps schools connect to nonprofits and other neighborhood resources in ways that really make a difference for middle-schoolers in our community,” said Michael Brown, vice president of community leadership at The Seattle Foundation.

“We are grateful for the Seattle Foundation’s investment in Highline and the prospect of a long-term partnership,” said John Welch, superintendent of Highline Public Schools. “Thanks to the Foundation’s funding, many of our students will benefit from academic support and enrichment programs that will effectively extend their school day and their opportunities for learning.”

The Seattle Foundation is the oldest and largest community foundation in the region. It’s mission is create a healthy community through engaged philanthropy, community knowledge and leadership.

The Raikes Foundation is a private family foundation focused on support for young adolescents so that they can grow up to be healthy, contributing members of society.

More information on the Highline School District available at their website.

Begin planning your future at Highline School District’s “Life After High School Fair” (wait..there’s actually life after high school?) on Wednesday, Oct. 7th from 3:30pm to 8:30pm at the Tyee Educational Complex, located at 4424 8th S1reet in SeaTac.

Here are the details:

WHAT: “Life After High School Fair”

WHEN: October 7th from 3:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m

WHERE: Tyee Educational Complex, located at 4424 8th S1., SeaTac, 98188

INFO:

• Food will be available to purchase from DECA Students
• For more information, call the Office of College and Career at (206) 433-2430

SCHEDULE:

5:30-6:00: Keynote Speaker from the Partnership for 21st Century Skills Polly Stansell, director of Product Development Whatskills are critical for student success in the 21stt economy?

6:00-8:30: College and Career Booths – VIsit with representatives from universities, community and technical colleges, as well as apprenticeship programs, military programs and civil service opportunities.

6:00-6:45: Middle School Rally and Parent Workshop – How to help your middle schooler prepare for success in high school, college, career, and citizenship.

7:00-7:45: Workshops:

• Finding money for college (financial aid and scholarships)
• College application (helpful hints for completing the college applications, SAT scores, essays, and your personal statement application.

Highline Schools Foundation for Excellence is holding their 2009 Oktoberfest fundraiser Dinner, Dance and Auction on Saturday, Oct. 10th from 6pm to 11pm at the Normandy Park Cove.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Highline Schools Foundation Oktoberfest Dinner, Dance and Auction

WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 10th, from 6pm to 11pm; Happy Hour 6pm – 7:30pm, when beer & wine will be half price

WHERE: Normandy Park Cove

INFO: “This year we are partnering with Dan “The Sausage Man” House (Tin Room) for the Brat Trot on October 4th which will start off a week long event that ends on the 10th with the Dinner, Dance and Auction. Dan is supplying the Brats while Elliott Bay Brewery is covering the beer. Tickets are $30 per person in advance and $35 at the door. Remember, happy hour is from 6:00 to 7:00 PM with half price beer and wine.”

• Must be 21 to attend
• Returning Foremost DJ

TICKETS: For tickets or more information please call (206) 248-5196.

SPONSORS:

• Dan the Sausageman
• Elliott Bay Brewery
• Fernwood at the Park
• Fred Meyer

More info available at www.highlineschoolsfoundation.org.

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

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.

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.

by Ralph Nichols

Six Highline schools face sanctions under the federal No Child Left Behind Act as a result of their 2009 WASL (Washington Assessment of Student Learning) scores, which were released last week.

But, says Highline School District spokeswoman Catherine Carbone Rogers, overall test scores at Highline schools are improving – and “bright notes” include Aviation High School (temporary location, Des Moines) scoring third highest in math and science out of over 500 schools statewide, and Highline students’ science gains district-wide outpacing the state.

“In general,” Carbone Rogers notes, “Highline WASL scores are trending with the state. In most grades and subjects, Highline’s change from 2008 to 2009 is within a very points of the state average. As is the case statewide, more Highline schools were designated as schools in ‘improvement’ status even though WASL scores remained relatively flat.

“This is because under No Child Left Behind, the scores required to meet Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) standards increases every few years,” she says. “This is the second year since a boost in the standard; schools go into ‘improvement’ status after two years of missing the AYP target.”

The No Child Left Behind Act requires that students meet a number of academic targets. If schools miss targets, they face increasing sanctions until they improve.

Schools at “Step 4” have missed one or more mandated targets for at least five years. They are required by law to offer students the choice to transfer to higher-scoring schools and offer outside tutoring to low-income students, and face “corrective actions.” The district must also make plans to restructure the school.

Highline schools at Step 4 that face sanctions are:

• Beverly Park Elementary
• Hazel Valley Elementary in Burien
• Madrona Elementary in SeaTac

Step 4 schools not facing sanctions are Global Connections High at the Tyee Educational Complex in SeaTac and Highline High in Burien.

Schools at “Step 5” have missed one or more targets for at least six years. They must restructure according to the plan defined under step 4, which may include replacing the principal and other staff members.

Highline schools at Step 5 that face sanctions are:

• Cascade Middle in North Highline
• Chinook Middle in SeaTac
• Midway Elementary in Des Moines

Step 5 schools not facing sanctions are Academy of Citizenship and Empowerment and Odyssey High at the Tyee complex in SeaTac, and Pacific Middle in Des Moines.

The No Child Left Behind Act requires schools to meet up to 37 requirements each year to achieve AYP. Those requirements involve how many students take the tests and, depending on grade level, on attendance or graduation rates.

The number of Washington schools on the federal “needs improvement” list nearly doubled, growing from 618 in 2008 to 1,073 this year. Math and science WASL scores continued to be areas of serious concern. Statewide, just 45 percent of 10th graders passed these subjects this year.

For a complete look at both the state’s and the Highline district’s “report cards,” click here. To see Highline’s WASL scores, click here. Below is a screenshot of part of the results:

Aviation High’s outstanding math and science scores are even more noteworthy because, Carbone Rogers notes, 21 percent of its students “are on free or reduced lunch; while the state’s highest scoring school in math and science (Lake Washington International Community School) has only 1.1 percent on free and reduced lunch.”

Encouraging improvement was made at Midway Elementary despite its Step 5 ranking with “two consecutive years of significant progress, although the jump was not large enough to get off the list of schools in ‘improvement’ status,” she adds.

And Parkside Elementary in Des Moines “made Adequate Yearly Progress this year, after not making it the previous two years.”

The 12-year-old WASL will be replaced next year by two new tests, the Measurements of Student Progress and the High School Proficiency Exam. Like the WASL, which was created under a 1993 state law mandating higher learning standards for K-12 students, the new exams will cover reading and math and, in some grades, writing and science.

Students will be tested in grades 3 through 8 and the 10th grade.

Nearly 300 people helped raise $65,500 for the Highline Schools Foundation for Excellence Friday at the 9th Annual Gold Star Awards Benefit Luncheon at the Doubletree Suites in Tukwila, and here are some pics from Photographer Michael Brunk:

Click to View Slideshow

Former “Almost Live!” host John Keister acted as the Master of Ceremonies and brought down the house when he interviewed young scholars who spoke on behalf of their schools’ Excel Grant projects implemented with funding from the Foundation.

Other participants included Amy Pinon, who belted out the National Anthem, Kevin Rodal who played guitar at the pre-event and the Bow Lake Elementary Choir that provided luncheon entertainment.

The Gold Star Awards recipients were:

Outstanding Administrator – Dr. Steve Grubb
Dr. Grubb is a leader who models integrity, respect and professionalism at all times. He has an ability to stay focused on what is most important – the big strategic picture and the end goal without losing sight of the impacts on fron line staff.

Outstanding Classified Employee – Zenaida (ZZ) Newman
ZZ Newman evaluates and enrolls students who speak other languages and is often the first contact for families arriving at schools. She is caring and reliable and puts her knowledge and her personal concern for other individuals into practice.

Outstanding Teacher – Linda Drahn
Linda Drahn is a 1st grade teacher at McMicken Heights Elementary. She is a 28 year teaching veteran who is a loving , patient instructor and a mentor to new teachers, as well.

Outstanding Volunteer – Tamera Nason
Tamera Nason is in her 5th year volunteering at Aviation High School. She travels from Maple Valley to volunteer and is willing to assist with whatever is needed including flying her airplane to Moses Lake to deliver legal documents to students.

The final award of the luncheon, “The Lifetime Achievement Award” was presented to Geri Fain, Highline Assistant Superintendent in charge of Facilities, Transportation, Security and Nutrition at Highline School District. Geri has been at Highline Schools since she started as a teacher in 1971 at Tyee High School. Unlike the other awards, The Lifetime Achievement is the only one to be revealed at the luncheon.

The luncheon and awards were sponsored by Boeing, BECU and Rogers & Norman.

In an effort to avoid having to close any more schools, Public Health Seattle and King County is asking parents to be on the front line of stopping flu infections, and are offering this informational checklist for parents:

Please talk to your children about how they are feeling.

If your child is sick, keep your child home. Staying home when sick helps reduce exposure to others and helps the sick person get well faster.

Answer these questions every morning before sending your child to school or child care:

1. Does your child have a fever (100º F or 37. 7ºC)?
2. Does your child have a sore throat, cough, body aches, vomiting, or diarrhea?

If you answered “yes” to both questions, your child might have the flu. Keep your child home from school for seven days or until symptoms are gone for 24 hours, whichever is longer.

If you answered “yes” to only one of the questions, keep your child home from school until symptoms are gone for 24 hours.

In addition to health and safety information about H1N1/Swine Flu, starting tomorrow, Wednesday May 6th, the Flu Hotline will offer callers an opportunity to speak with registered nurses.

(The hotline starts with a recorded message, follow the prompts for the best language option and when asked if you want “health and safety information about the H1N1 flu” or “if you have the flu,” follow the prompt to “if you have the flu.”  This will take you to the menu that allows you to select “talk to a nurse.”)

Hotline nurses will tell callers how to manage their symptoms at home, tell them if they need to see a doctor or health care provider and answer other medical questions about H1N1 flu.

The Flu Hotline number is 1-877-903 KING (5464)

For more information, go to Public Health’s web site:  www.kingcounty.gov/health/H1N1 or call the Flu Hotline at 1-877-903-5464

Effective Friday, May 1st, Woodmont Elementary School in Des Moines is one of four schools in King County to close due to probable swine flu infections.

No classes will be held, and all students are being told to stay home.

King County Public Health, working with both the Federal Way and Seattle School Districts decided Thursday that the best course of action is to close all schools where probable cases may have attended for at least seven days.

The schools, which are all scheduled to re-open May 8th, include:

• Woodmont Elementary, located at 26454 16th Ave South in Des Moines will close starting Friday May 1st
• Madrona K-8, which was closed today and will open again on March 7.
• Seattle’s Aki Kurose Middle School
• Stevens Elementary K-8 in Seattle

Here’s a letter that was published on the school’s website (PDF) from Superintendent Tom Murphy:

April 30, 2009

Dear Federal Way Public Schools Students, Families and Staff:

We have received notification from the King County Health Department that a student at Woodmont Elementary has a probable case of H1N1 Influenza (“swine flu”). At the end of school today, the building will be closed for seven days. Parents have been asked to keep their students home. The school will re-open on Monday, May 11.

Obviously, the H1N1 Flu situation continues to change quickly. It’s not unlikely that we will see more cases of H1N1 Flu and school closures in our district. Federal Way Public Schools staff members are working closely with the local, state, and national health agencies to investigate any illnesses and/or infections. While this is a time to prepare, it’s not time to panic. In 2005, when “bird flu” concerns emerged, the State Department of Health, OSPI, and other state and local agencies created a multi-step plan to deal with a possible pandemic. That plan is helping schools and government agencies decide a course of action as this flu outbreak runs its course.

Here’s what Federal Way Public Schools is doing. First, students or staff with a fever of 100 degrees or higher are asked to stay home. If these individuals are experiencing other symptoms – primarily headaches, body aches and coughing – they will be directed to go to a health care provider. The health care provider is responsible for determining if the individual may be infected with the H1N1 Flu. When H1N1 Flu is a possibility, a sample will be sent to the King County Health Department, who will run a test. If H1N1 Flu is confirmed, the district will be notified by the Health Department and will take the measures they direct us to.

In Washington, the local Health Department is in charge of determining if and when a school will be closed. King County Health has already determined that in the event of even a single H1N1 Flu case among staff or students, a school will be closed for a period of seven days. While the school is closed, the district’s maintenance staff will take measures to thoroughly disinfect the building.

Keep in mind that it’s allergy season in Washington, meaning sniffles, sinus headaches and stuffy noses are common. In addition, the normal flu season is still winding down. Testing for the specific virus is the only way to know which flu these individuals have. Staff and parents will be notified of a case of H1N1 flu, but not if a child or staff member is sent home with another illness. H1N1 flu is much more severe than colds or allergy symptoms. Its symptoms are fever, sore throat, cough, body aches, headaches, chills, and fatigue. The illness may last up to seven days, but people are considered to be contagious as long as symptoms persist. If you or your child is showing mild flu-like symptoms, telephone your physician if necessary or your school’s nurse.

Here’s what you can do to prevent the spread of H1N1 Flu:

• Sneeze or cough into a tissue, elbow or sleeve. Throw the tissue in the trash after use.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
• Children may bring hand sanitizer to school; classrooms are stocked with it as well. However, soap and water are still the best germ-killers!
• Again – if you are sick, stay home.

If you have any questions feel free to call the Seattle King County Public Health Department at (206) 296-4949 or visit www.kingcounty.gov/health or visit the Centers for Disease Control website, www.cdc.gov.

You may also contact FWPS Health Services Coordinator Sue Overton at 253-945-4575.

Sincerely,
Tom Murphy, Superintendent

For more information, including updates on probable cases, please visit King County Public Health’s special swine flu website here.

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by Josh Hart

A few Big Picture High School students, which includes myself, are putting on an Auction. All proceeds will be donated to The First Place School, which is a school in Seattle that helps homeless and abused children get their education along with finding homes for them.

YOU are invited to attend the auction.

It is May 15th 29th starting at 6:30pm at Big Picture High School, which is located at 2450 South 142nd Street in SeaTac (map below).

It is open to the public and FREE to attend. There will be snacks available and it will be a fun night.

This is our second year running an auction and we have learned a lot from the last one, so this auction is going to be great!

Some of the items being auctioned are six hours of tutoring from Sylvan Learning Center, Photographs on canvas, and much much more. So come on out and enjoy yourselves, support your community, and you may walk out with a great item.

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

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

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And the winners are..

Highline Schools Foundation for Excellence announced its 2009 Gold Star Award winners:

Outstanding Administrator – Dr. Steve Grubb
Dr. Grubb is a leader who models integrity, respect and professionalism at all times. He has an ability to stay focused on what is most important – the big strategic picture and the end goal without losing sight of the impacts on fron line staff.

Outstanding Classified Employee – Zenaida (ZZ) Newman
ZZ Newman evaluates and enrolls students who speak other languages and is often the first contact for families arriving at schools. She is caring and reliable and puts her knowledge and her personal concern for other individuals into practice.

Outstanding Teacher – Linda Drahn
Linda Drahn is a 1st grade teacher at McMicken Heights Elementary. She is a 28 year teaching veteran who is a loving , patient instructor and a mentor to new teachers, as well.

Outstanding Volunteer – Tamera Nason
Tamera Nason is in her 5th year volunteering at Aviation High School. She travels from Maple Valley to volunteer and is willing to assist with whatever is needed including flying her airplane to Moses Lake to deliver legal documents to students.

Because the quality of nominees is always so high, the committee had a difficult time in making the above selections.

The winners will be honored at the Gold Star Benefit Luncheon at the Doubletree Guest Suites in Tukwila, on Friday, 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.

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.

Congratulations to all the winners!

On Friday (4/24), the King County Housing Authority and Federal Way Public Schools Americorps teams, in conjunction with Washington State Parks, hosted an Earth Day Fair at Saltwater State Park in Des Moines, and here’s a photo slideshow, shot by Photographer Michael Brunk:

Click to View

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

The King County Housing Authority and Federal Way Public Schools Americorps teams, in conjunction with Washington State Parks, are hosting an Earth Day Fair at Saltwater State Park in Des Moines (map below) this Friday, April 24th from 10am to 2pm.

“Be Water Wise” is the theme, and elementary and middle school students will have the opportunity to do interactive activities and visit information booths.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Earth Day “Be Water Wise” event at Saltwater State Park

WHEN: Friday, April 24th from 10am to 2pm

WHERE: Saltwater State Park, located at 25205 8th Pl South in Des Moines (map below)

INFO: This event will allow students to examine the water around them and the life impacted by it. They will learn to play safely in water and participate in fun arts and crafts. Representatives will also be there from a variety of water-related fields planting seeds for future career ideas for students.

So far the tentative schedule and events includes:

• 11am/12:45pm: Beach/forest walks
• 11:45am-12:45pm: Entertainment
• Activity and information booths will be open the entire time
• Explore Careers in Marine Science, National and Community Service, Education and Environmental Science
• Meet Divers, Park Rangers and Marine Biologists

NOTE: They will be able to accommodate a limited number of students for this event. To reserve a spot for your class contact: Malia Delacruz, KCHA AmeriCorps at 206.870.4294 or saltwaterearthday@gmail.com

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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.

The B-Town Blog is proud to announce that we have become the first Community Website Sponsor for Highline School’s Foundation for Excellence Gold Star Awards.

These awards have been presented annually since the inception of Highline Schools Foundation in 2001. Award recipients are selected from the following categories:

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

To download a ballot, please click here for a PDF file which you can then print, fill out and either mail or fax in.

All ballots must be postmarked by April 7th, and sent or faxed to:

Highline Schools Foundation for Excellence
245 SW 152nd Suite D
Burien, WA 98166
Fax: 206-838-6041

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.

For more information or to see how you might participate go to www.highlineschoolsfoundation.org.

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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The 33th District’s state legislators will host a forum on K-12 education in Kent on Saturday, March 14. Senator Karen Keiser and Representatives Dave Upthegrove and Tina Orwall invite you to join them for a presentation on education policy and finance reform.

They will be joined by the Vice Chair of the Education Appropriations Committee, Rep. Pat Sullivan, who will give you a broad look at what is being done to make sure Washington kids are equipped to face the challenges of the future.

WHAT: 33rd District legislators forum on K-12 education

WHEN: Saturday, March 14th at 1pm.

WHERE: Kent City Hall Council Chambers, located at 220 Fourth Ave South in Kent (map below).

COST: The event is free and open to the public.

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[EDITOR'S NOTE: The following is a guest column from Highline School District Music Teacher and jazz artist Sandra Locklear. The B-Town Blog welcomes all Writers and Opinions, and if you have something to say...email us!]

by Sandra Locklear

Remember middle or high school choir?

That’s a thing of the past in our school district!

But because of the current budget crisis and the need to determine how next year’s district budget will be spent, there now exists a window of opportunity to restore our cut music programs! On behalf of the students in our district, let’s show our School Board how serious we are about getting back our choirs and keeping our band programs functioning during the regular school day. Bernie Dorsey, our new School Board President, is a Highline High School graduate and is open to change. He said that the more people that show up to fill the room, the more likely we are to get results!

Tell everybody you know and bring others with you – please read on and try to come to this very important meeting:

WHO: Highline School District School Board

WHAT: Fine Arts Programs Work Study Session: http://www.hsd401.org/ourdistrict/board/boardmeetingschedule.htm – see specs below

WHEN: Wednesday, April 15th at 6pm (confirm on website or call district office at 206.433-2217) UPDATE: The Work Study Session begins at 6pm, and Fine Arts won’t be discussed until 7pm, from 7-8pm.

The actual schedule is:

Athletics/Activities: 6-7 PM
Fine Arts 7-8 PM

WHERE: ERAC (HSD district offices next to Hi-Line Lanes bowling alley, across from Azteca), located at 15675 Ambaum Blvd. SW in Burien.

WHY: To find solutions to reinstate music programs in our school district. Due to No Child Left Behind, Small Schools, the WASL, and site-based decision making, our district has lost all choral programs (except at Mt. Rainier HS and Pacific MS). Additionally, the Fine Arts Director position was axed in 2005 as well as the centralized music budget. What we are requesting: a HSD policy advocating music during the regular school day at every grade level K-12; reinstatement of our choral programs at the middle and high school level; reinstatement of a Fine Arts Director (part-time is better than nothing); reinstatement of a centralized music budget for instrument and music purchases and repairs. For a more extensive analysis, see the links below.

Important Note Regarding Work Studies: Unlike school board meetings, people are not allowed to speak at Work Study Sessions unless specifically called upon by a Board Member, i.e., to answer a question a Board Member may have. Please do not allow this to deter you from coming! The Board is very interested in seeing exactly how much community support there is for determining a new direction for the arts and music programs in our district.

Upcoming Board Meetings: If there is something you have to say to your School Board between now and April 15 regarding music programs in our district, you have 3 opportunities: at the Mar. 11, Mar. 25, and April 8 School Board Meetings. Please note: Those who want to share their thoughts with the School Board can do so as a “scheduled” speaker during the Communication portion of the agenda. Scheduled speakers must call the District Office at 206.433.2217 by 12 p.m. on the day of the meeting in order to be included on the agenda, and are allotted 5 minutes to speak. Those who wish to address the School Board but have not called to sign up to speak by the noon deadline may sign-up to speak for 2 minutes during the Unscheduled Communication portion, toward the end of the meeting.

WHY “NOW IS THE TIME!”: Upcoming HSD Budget Work Study Sessions: The window of opportunity exists now to reinstate music programs, as our state and school district are facing unprecedented budget cuts, to the tune of $5-8 million.

How will cuts be determined?

Proposed cuts will be based on:

• School board direction
• Community and parent input
• Analysis by staff

What can you do?

• Voice your opinion on proposed cuts
• Complete a survey now
• Fill out online comment form at www.hsd401.org
• Comment at a school board meeting
• Attend a board budget work session: March 25, April 22, May 27 – Budget Plan to be Finalized in June 2009
• Communicate with your legislator. Online: www.leg.wa.gov By phone: 1.800.562.6000

To get the full scope and gist of Fine Arts issues in the HSD, read Sandra’s article she wrote for the Highline Times on Oct. 22, 2008: http://www.highlinetimes.com/articles/2008/10/20/interact/columnists/column03.txt

Research backing: There is a lot of research out there validating the importance of music in public education, here are a couple of them:

• http://www.newhorizons.org/strategies/arts/locklear.htm
• http://www.edutopia.org/arts-music-curriculum-child-development

Sandra Locklear has been a music educator in our district since 1991 and now finds herself in the role of arts activist due to the “dismal state of the arts in our district.”

She can be contacted through her website at www.sandralocklear.com.

Are you, or do you know of, an accomplished Highline Community College alum?

HCC is currently seeking nominations for its most prestigious award for alumni – the “Distinguished Alumnus Award,” which honors a former student who has made outstanding contributions through community service, noteworthy professional achievement and/or recognized leadership.

Nominations are due by April 17, 2009.

Former Seattle Mayor Norm Rice, who attended Highline in 1968–69, was the first recipient of the award in 1990. Other past honorees include:

• Junki Yoshida, CEO of the Yoshida Group
• Ezra Teshome, agent with State Farm Insurance and TIME magazine global health hero
• Chris Carrel, executive director for Friends of the Hylebos, a nonprofit located in Federal Way

Last year’s recipient was Washington state’s first poet laureate Sam Green. He is the author of 10 poetry collections and serves as publisher of Brooding Heron Press.

Green came to Highline in the early 1970s after serving in the Vietnam War. He went on to complete a bachelor’s degree in English and philosophy and master’s degree in creative writing at Western Washington State College.

Alumni award nominees should be former Highline students who attended the college prior to the 2004-2005 academic year.

Nominees will be asked to submit a résumé and personal profile that will be reviewed by a campus selection committee.

The person selected will be invited to accept the award and participate in Highline’s commencement exercises on June 11, 2009.

Please send your nominations via e-mail to ayoung@highline.edu or hard copy to:

Alana Young, Resource Development Office
Highline Community College
PO Box 98000 MS 99-248
Des Moines, WA 98198-9800

For more information, call (206) 870-3774, e-mail rstephen@highline.edu or visit www.funds4highline.org.

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.

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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by Josh Hart

Both the State Cup and Challenge Cups finished last Sunday, and here are the champions of each age bracket:

• BU-15 State Cup Champion: Washington Premier FC- For the second year in a row WPFC won at this age level defeating ECFC 1-0.
• BU-15 Challenge Cup Champion: Eastside FC- EFC won in overtime defeating FWU Storm 1-0.
• BU-16 State Cup Champion: Crossfire Premier- Crossfire defeated NWN 2-0 in the final game.
• BU-16 Challenge Cup Champion: Eastside FC- EFC defeated ECFC 2-1 in both teams biggest game of the season.
• BU-17 State Cup Champion: Eastside FC- Once again EFC wins, this time defeating WFC Rangers 4-1.
• BU-17 Challenge Cup Champion: Greater Renton FC- GRFC defeated Snohomish United 2-0 in the grueling game.
• BU-18 State Cup Champion: Eastside FC- EFC managed to win one of the tourneys at each age level. The U-18’s defeated ECFC 2-1.
• BU-18 Challenge Cup Champion: SSC Firebirds- SSC defeated Sparta 1-0 in the very close game.

The fight for the top club in the state completes after the girls and the younger boys play, and here’s a preview of what the standings look like now (KEY: 2 points for a championship, 1 for runner up):

• Eastside FC- 8



• Emerald City FC- 3
• Washington Premier- 2
• Crossfire Premier- 2
• Greater Renton FC- 2
• SSC Firebirds- 2
• Northwest Nationals- 1
• Federal Way Storm- 1
• Snohomish United- 1
• Whatcom FC Rangers- 1
• Sparta- 1

[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 also plays soccer.

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

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

View Larger Map

As of 6:02am Thursday Feb. 26th it’s snowing in the Burien area, and here are the latest weather-related updates:

• HIGHLINE SCHOOL DISTRICT: 2 HOURS LATE

Updated: 5:42 a.m. February 26, 2009

Highline Public Schools will operate two hours late today. Emergency bus transportation is in effect.

*There will be no breakfast, no morning classes for preschool, kindergarten, ECEAP, or PSSC. Afternoon classes for these programs will be on time.

*Schools will dismiss at regular times.

Snow and power failures can cause disruptions for schools and families. During these difficult times, HIghline Public Schools will do all it can to communicate vital information to parents and students.

Our top priority is student safety!

• SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS: 2 HOURS LATE:

2 Hours Late.

Buses Operate on Snow Routes.

No Door-to-Door Service.

No A.M. or P.M. Head Start.

No A.M. or P.M. Kindergarten.

Here’s the latest from the National Weather Service:

Statement as of 4:35 AM PST on February 26, 2009

… Additional snowfall of an inch or two and freezing temperatures will warrant caution this morning…

Hazardous driving conditions will be the rule across western Washington this morning due to snow that has already fallen…  possible accumulations of another inch or two… and freezing temperatures.

Scattered snow showers will continue this morning as the upper level low pressure system over the area moves eastward. Local
additional accumulations of an inch or two are possible. In addition temperatures have fallen below freezing across most of western Washington this morning… so roads and sidewalks will be icy even if they are free of snow.

These conditions will be relatively short lived. Temperatures will climb above freezing by noon today with highs around 40… and most of the area will have partly sunny skies.

If you’re going to be out driving, here are live webcam views – to get the latest view, be sure to refresh the page:

Posted by Scott Schaefer on Thursday, February 26, 2009 at 6:31 am 
Filed under Headlines · Tagged with advisory, Burien, closures, delays, Headlines, Information, Schools, Seattle, snow, Traffic, Weather, webcams, winter

Highline High’s “Clue the Musical” At PAC Jan. 28-31

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Highline High School’s Drama Club is performing “Clue the Musical” at the Highline Performing Arts Center, located at 401 S 152nd Street, from Wednesday, Jan. 28 through Saturday, Jan. 31 at 7pm.

Tickets are FREE, (oops…we misread: tickets are $20 general admission and $16 for Seniors/ASB Students) and the show sounds even more fun and interesting than say, Col. Mustard in the Kitchen with a Lead Pipe.

Here’s a blurb from the creators of the play’s website:

Based on the popular board game…this rousing, fun-filled musical brings the world’s best-known mystery suspects to life on the stage, and invites the audience to play along to solve a mystery.

CLUE The Musical is an international theatrical sensation, wowing both audiences and press.

View Larger Map

Posted by scottso on Friday, January 16, 2009 at 6:31 am 
Filed under Entertainment, Events, Headlines · Tagged with Acting, Burien, clue the musical, comedy, drama, Entertainment, Highline High School, Information, musical, play, Schools, students

UPDATE: Snow Melting, Monday School Closures/Delays

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6:15am UPDATE 1/5/09: :Last night’s snow is melting (or has melted depending on where you are), and it looks like all Highline Schools are operating on a normal schedule, with NO delays.

• However, JFK High School will be starting LATE – at 10:30am.
• Most King County Metro Transit buses are on their regular routing for Monday morning, but some will be chained. This could cause some service delays as the buses travel more slowly across both slushy and bare roadways. Metro riders to check service status online or by calling (206) 553-3000 before traveling today.
• Today’s weather forecast shows NO SNOW: “Scattered showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 47. West southwest wind between 10 and 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.”

UPDATE 10:30pm 1/4/09: Looks like the sudden rush of heavy snow showers is fading and/or turning to a wet mix, so perhaps both garbage collections and school will go on as normal on Monday.

Outside The BTB Home HQ (near sea level) we received just over an inch of the stuff, which was very heavy and wet – not a good mix for branches and power lines; in fact, we heard of some sporadic power outages around Burien, including the Seahurst neighborhood around 9:30pm.

Be sure to check here Monday morning for the latest weather, school and road closure updates, and in the meantime, enjoy another exciting winter’s night!

PREVIOUSLY:

UPDATE 7pm 1/4/09: Okay, so perhaps we’ll be wrong about tonight’s snow, but according to the precipitation prognosticators, the snow is supposed to turn into rain late tonight/early tomorrow.

However, that hasn’t stopped the National Weather Service from posting this Winter Weather Advisory, which is in effect until 9pm tonight:

… Winter Weather Advisory in effect until 9 PM PST this evening…

The National Weather Service in Seattle has issued a Winter Weather Advisory… which is in effect until 9 PM PST this evening.

Snowfall amounts of 1 to 3 inches are likely across the Seattle… Tacoma and Everett areas… with snow changing over to rain later this evening.

Precautionary/preparedness actions…

A Winter Weather Advisory means that periods of snow will cause travel difficulties. Be prepared for slippery roads and limited visibilities… and use caution while driving.

PREVIOUSLY: It’s snowing again in Burien, but don’t worry folks – even though tomorrow is the first day back at school for kids, our patented B-Town Blog Weather Rock™ predicts that temps will be in the upper 40s tomorrow will change everything to rain as well as prevent any rash decisions by school officials.

However, one never knows with the weather ’round these parts, so be sure to check back and watch the webcams we’ve got posted here, and be sure to refresh the page to see the latest images:

Posted by scottso on Sunday, January 4, 2009 at 5:52 pm 
Filed under Headlines · Tagged with Burien, Headlines, highline school district, school closures, Schools, snow, Weather, weather advisory, winter

Monday’s Snow, School, City, Airport & Other Updates

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The white blanket is really covering up the Brrrien area today (including the B-Town Blogmobile above), with upwards of over a foot of snow, and here are some updates to keep in mind as you either continue to hunker down or dare to go out:

SEA-TAC AIRPORT UPDATE:

• Some flights are resuming, others remain canceled. Best bet is to check the Port of Seattle’s airport website here (note: their website appears to be overloaded so be patient). Here’s a statement from that site: Many airlines have suspended or canceled flights, while others are continuing to operate. Travelers should check with their specific airlines for schedule confirmations or changes. Inclement weather at several other major airports has caused delayed arrivals and departures, causing the airlines to have aircraft at the wrong airports for scheduled flights (i.e. if an expected flight from Denver didn’t arrive at Sea-Tac as scheduled in the evening, it cannot depart in the morning).

SCHOOL CLOSURES:

• We’re sure you’re aware of this, but just in case – ALL PUBLIC & PRIVATE CHILDREN’S SCHOOLS ARE CLOSED, as it’s now Winter Break.
• Highline School District’s Admin offices are also CLOSED.
• South Seattle Community College is CLOSED.
• Highline Community College is CLOSED.

CITY OF BURIEN:

• Burien City Hall will be open for limited hours, 10:00am – 2:00pm on Monday, Dec. 22 and Tuesday, Dec. 23. Please check http://www.burienwa.gov for weather related closures and information.
• All Burien Parks and Recreation scheduled programs have been canceled for Monday.
• Road crews continue to plow and sand streets as snow has continued to fall, starting with main arterials and moving to secondary streets when they are able.  More details about priority routes can be found on our Snow & Ice Routes Map [PDF].  Please drive with extreme caution and only if necessary.

CITY OF NORMANDY PARK:

• Normandy Park’s City Hall is CLOSED today due to weather and travel conditions. City Hall will open late on Tuesday, December 23^rd at 10:00AM and close at 2PM.
• Road crews reported most of the main routes have been plowed and sanded.  Please drive with extreme caution and only if necessary.

LIBRARY UPDATES:

• Far as we can tell, both the Burien and White Center library branches are open today from 10am-9pm.
• More info on library closures available here.

OTHER CLOSURES:

• Garbage & recycling service has been CANCELED for today; Waste Management says: “Double volume next regular collection day for each missed container” when in fact it would be TRIPLE VOLUME!; more info here: http://www.wmnorthwest.com/weatherboard.html
• King County District Court will be CLOSED.

METRO BUS SERVICE:

• Once again due to the weather and dangerous driving conditions, King County Metro Transit will be operating approximately half of its normal bus service for Monday, Dec. 22. Information about bus status is available on Metro’s Ice & Snow page, which is updated frequently. You can also call the Metro Customer Information Office at (206) 553-3000, but call volumes are high and there may be a wait to talk to a CIO representative.

OTHER TIPS/COMMENTS:

• To see live road conditions via webcam feeds, go to our Webcams page.
• If you haven’t started your car since the snow first fell, you should start it up. Also, wipe off the windshield and do NOT turn on your wipers, unless your windshield is warmed up and there’s no ice around them – turning on frozen windshield wipers can strip the gears and thus ruin them.
• Make sure your pets are okay. BTB Reader Katie Hicks sends us this email: “Could you please remind people that it is FREEZING outside and they should let their pets that live outdoors IN! It is making me sick to my stomach that I have seen dogs sleeping outside!”

Posted by scottso on Monday, December 22, 2008 at 9:06 am 
Filed under Headlines · Tagged with advisory, Airport, alerts, Burien, city, closed, closures, Community, Education, ice, Schools, sea-tac international airport, snow, Transportation, Travel, warnings, Weather, Webcam, webcams

ADVISORY: School Delays + Snow Coming Wednesday

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Looks like most schools are starting two hours late today (Tuesday, Dec. 16th), and here are the details:

Highline School District:
2 Hours Late. Limited Bus Transportation. No A. M. Kindergarten. No ECEAP/Preschool. No Out-of-District Transportation. No After-School Activity Transportation.

John F. Kennedy HS:
2 Hrs. Late.

Westside School:
9:30 A.M. Start. No AM extended care.

Seattle Public Schools:
2 Hours Late. Buses Operate on Snow Routes. No Door-to-Door Service. No Half-Day Kindergarten. No A. M. or P. M. Preschool. No A. M. or P. M. Head Start. No Activity Runs.

St. Francis of Assisi:
2 Hrs. Late. No AM Extended School Care

Hamlin Robinson School:
2 Hours Late Bus 2 Hours Late Check with school for after school activities

Also, the National Weather Service is still calling for a “Winter Storm Watch” starting late Tuesday night and extending through late Wed. night, with a prediction of up to 6 inches of snow.

Here’s their bulletin as of as of 3:51am Tuesday 12/16/08:

…Winter Storm Watch remains in effect for all of western Washington from late tonight through late Wednesday night…

Heavy snow is likely over western Washington on Wednesday. Three to six inches are possible in certain areas… including the east Puget Sound lowlands… parts of the northwest and southwest interiors mainly near the Cascades… and the inland parts of the Strait of Juan de Fuca area. Snow in these areas will begin in the north late Tuesday night and spread south Wednesday morning. By Wednesday night three to six inches of new snow are possible.

Other areas… including the Seattle metropolitan area and the Kitsap peninsula… could get less snow. Here models show one or two inches are possible. On the coast it is possible that conditions will be warm enough for rain part of the time… or mixed rain and snow. However it is not certain that sub-warning amounts will fall in these areas and the Winter Storm Watch extends to them as well.

The Cascades and Olympics will also receive heavy snow… with one or two feet of new snow likely from Wednesday through Wednesday night.

Snow levels will be at sea level through much of the event so virtually all of the precipitation will be in the form of snow.

Precautionary/preparedness actions…Monitor weather forecasts. If you have to travel… today is likely to be a much better day than Wednesday. Make sure your vehicle carries traction devices and extra blankets.

Posted by scottso on Tuesday, December 16, 2008 at 8:18 am 
Filed under Headlines · Tagged with Burien, delays, Education, ice, school closures, Schools, Seattle, snow, Transportation, Travel, Weather, White Center, winter storm

Burien-Area School Closures/Delay Information

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It’s likely that most school closures or delays won’t be announced until Monday morning; however, we do know of some:

CLOSED MON. DEC. 15th:

• Shorewood Christian School

STARTING 2 HOURS LATE (10:30am):

• St. Francis of Assisi School
• John F. Kennedy High School
  

Best bet though is to access SchoolReport.org, which gets info directly from school districts.

OTHER SCHOOL CLOSURE SOURCES:

• Highline School District
• KING-TV
• KOMO News
• KIRO-TV

Also, don’t forget to listen to an AM news station, as they’re usually on top of these things.

We’ll be re-checking and re-posting as we get info, so re-load this page or check back in the morning.

Posted by scottso on Sunday, December 14, 2008 at 9:17 pm 
Filed under Headlines · Tagged with Burien, Children, closures, delays, Schools, Seattle, snow, snow day, storm, White Center, winter

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