...NewsLinks

A Web-based newsletter for the staff of Everett Public Schools

Aug. 25, 2009 (NewsLinks articles are now archived on Docushare)

 

IN THIS ISSUE:

·      Superintendent Cohn’s first 60 days

·      Now on the Web or coming soon – links you can use

·      Changes in the communications department

·      Opportunities for staff and students – including where students can get back-to-school clothing

 

NEW SUPERINTENDENT AT WORK – the first 60 days

“Relationships, relationships, relationships; it’s all about relationships.” Superintendent Gary Cohn’s summer calendar is chockfull of face-to-face meetings with staff, individual community members and many officials elected to represent us at the local, state and national level. He has also met personally with each of the candidates who chose to enter the election to become members of the district’s board of directors.

 

He’s visited each school at least once since his selection as the district’s educational leader and met individually with each association president. During the last week in August, that group of representative leaders is invited to meet as a group with Dr. Cohn to continue building connections and working together.  

 

He’s found time to throw out a pitch for the Aqua Sox, attend a Little League game and even move into a newly-purchased Everett home.

 

Dr. Gary Goldbaum of the Snohomish Health District responded to Dr. Cohn’s invitation to update the district leadership team with the latest before-school information about H1N1. Using information from that session and materials from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the district Web site has flu information for parents and staff. Based upon Health District, CDC and Everett Clinic recommendations, district HR staff will be sharing more staff-specific health information in the next few weeks.

 

Age-appropriate discussion guides to use when talking to students about the flu are now on the Web for staff and parents and will be updated as needed.

 

Last spring’s budget cuts eliminated positions and shifted responsibilities. Superintendent Cohn has been working with the district leadership team to redesign district meeting and reporting structures. With clear role descriptions and defined expectations for each position and each meeting group, the redesign will streamline valuable meeting time and reduce the number of out-of-building meetings for school and departmental administrators.

 

Dr. Cohn and other district staff will meet after-hours in late August as volunteers with the Citizens’ Levy Committee. This volunteer group has the legal authority to advocate for district election issues and has been meeting since last spring. The district is legally allowed to share only factual information about the Feb. 9, 2010, maintenance and operations and capital levies. As these two finance issues are finalized and authorized by the board, the district will share information with all staff to help you accurately and factually answer questions from friends, neighbors and district parents. The Citizens’ Levy Committee, using no district resources or staff time, will publically advocate for the levies and for voter support of them.

 

NOW ON THE WEB – or coming soon

·      Legal notices – state and federal regulations require that students and parents have access to a multitude of legal notices. Besides being available in the Student Rights & Responsibilities Handbook, the notices are also online this year.

·      InTouch is an e-mail subscription system for staff, students, parents or anyone interested in school district news. You choose the topics of interest. You can also ask questions to be answered online and added to the InTouch knowledge base. Hear a rumor? Ask a question through InTouch to have it confirmed or clarified.

·      Online volunteer registration will be available this September. Filling out a volunteer application online means less paper and less time for getting background checks completed and authorization for volunteers to work with your programs.

·      Maintenance department Web site – meet the crew and see what they do to help keep schools safe and healthy. Connect with the department through their Web site.

 

FAMILIAR FACES IN DIFFERENT PLACES – changes in the Communications Department

·      Terry Feller was selected to join the Curriculum and Assessment department as Student Assessment Coordinator.

·      Diane Lindenstein, formerly the office manager for Information Systems and Technology, has replaced Terry in communications as the Executive Staff Assistant.

·      Bev Ojala, who began as a district volunteer, is now the communications department Administrative Assistant.

·      Lauren Hadley, who for many years coordinated volunteers and district partnerships, left the district at the end of June due to budget cuts. She is missed, and we wish her well in job-seeking endeavors.

 

EVERETT HIGH’S LITTLE THEATER – a new face and new interior

The beautiful and historic Little Theatre on the EHS campus will be ready for district and community use on Oct. 1. The renovation and upgrade includes a complete change of orientation for the stage and new technical equipment. It is a perfect location for smaller group meetings and performances. See the before and after details on the Facilities and Planning Web site, and contact Ysella Perez in Community Services to reserve it now!

 

This project is one among many made possible when district voters said “yes” to the 2006 construction bond.

 

OPPORTUNITIES – for staff and students

·        Students who need back-to-school clothing can get help this year from Clothes for Kids – a Lynnwood organization now offering services to Snohomish County students. Principals, counselors and secretaries have online access to vouchers for the program (to be signed by a school principal). In just four days in August, Clothes for Kids served 300 Snohomish County students!

 

·        Operation School Bell, with its local facility on Evergreen Way, continues as a valuable partner to provide clothing items for students. If you are a school nurse, counselor or the designated school contact for Operation School Bell and need more permission forms, click here.

·        Third Annual Staff and Faculty Arts and Crafts Show – open to all district staff. Take this opportunity to show your arts and crafts talents to the public. We are looking forward to a lobby decorated with paintings, photography, ceramics, sculptures, quilts, carvings, drawings and more.

 

Art will be displayed for public viewing at the Educational Service Center on Colby from Oct. 6, 2009 through Nov. 13, 2009.

 

Entry forms are on the Web site. Forms and artwork are due by Monday, Sept. 28. Deliver or send them to Theresa Webb (extension 4060) in the curriculum office.

 

·        School Bullying – a prevention workshop through Northwest University Classes meet Wednesday evenings from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on the NU campus in Rice Hall. Course cost is $150 for clock hours; graduate hours are available. Details are on the Northwest University Web site or from Pam Skolrud via e-mail or phone at 425-889-5299.  Principals will have this information in their Principal Packet on Aug. 27, 2009.

 

·        2009 Everett Public Schools Foundation Classroom Grant applications are on the Foundation Web site. Applications will be due on Oct. 15, 2009, to get funding more quickly to teachers.

 

·        Be sure to Write-In for KIDS during the United Way drive this fall. When you sign your pledge form, you can write-in the Everett Public Schools Foundation as a designated agency.

 

·        Washington Commission on Hispanic Affairs Community Award

The award was established to recognize unsung heroes (individuals or organization) who, through their generous and inspiring efforts, touch and enrich lives and inspire hope in their communities. Award nominations due Sept. 1, 2009.

 

·        Lights! Camera! College! Student film contest open until Oct. 19.

Students in grades 7–12 and faculty involved in drama, video or Web projects – or those who simply have a knack for creating videos that grab students’ attention – may be interested in a new film contest sponsored by the Washington Higher Education Coordinating Board (HECB). Rules, entry forms and other information are on the HECB Web site.

 

·        Adopt-A-Stream Foundation and Snohomish County Parks & Recreation present Streamkeeper Academy events – all classes are accredited by the Washington Science Teachers Association for clock hours. The Streamkeeper Web site calendar lists nature-focused classes for all ages between September and November.

 

The Everett School District complies with all federal and state rules and regulations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, age, veteran status, or disability. This holds true for all students who are interested in participating in educational programs and/or extracurricular school activities. Inquiries regarding compliance and/or grievance procedures may be directed to the school district's Affirmative Action Officer, Title IX Officer, ADA Coordinator, or Section 504 Coordinator. Affirmative Action Officer, Carol Stolz, 3715 Oakes, Everett WA 98201, 425-385-4106, Title IX Officer, Randi Seaberg, 3715 Oakes, Everett WA 98201, 425-385-4104, ADA Coordinator, Kristine McDowell, 202 Alder, Everett WA 98203, 425-385-5250, Section 504 Coordinator, Becky Ballbach, 4730 Colby, Everett WA 98203, 425-385-4086.

 

Diane Lindenstein