A Web-based newsletter for the staff of Everett Public Schools
April 23, 2010 (NewsLinks articles are now archived on Docushare)
YOUR SCHOOL BOARD AT WORK – increasing benefits to students at the NSBA conference
Board members Ed Petersen, Kristie Dutton and Jeff Russell spent three days at the National School Boards Association (NSBA) conference studying national research and best practice models for K12 education and exploring ways to foster high levels of student achievement in the Everett School District. “We thank the district for sending us to this important leadership development opportunity,” noted Petersen. “At this session, we learned from outstanding educational leaders and were able to share with them the outstanding work being done each day by staff in our schools.”
The board members attended workshops that covered topics including:
Among the highlights board members mentioned was the presentation/performance by Wynton Marsalis. Described as “jaw dropping” by Jeff Russell, Marsalis’ performance emphasized the importance of arts education for the whole child. Carol Andrews concurred and called attention to H.M. Jackson’s current performance of Beauty and the Beast as an example of arts in our district and how students involved in the performance have excelled. Kristie Dutton was impressed by the way educational technology is being used to support the unique learning needs of ELL students and how the traditional “Four R’s” of education are being augmented in the expectations of employers to include collaboration, creativity, critical thinking and communications skills. Throughout the conference Ed Petersen noted that parent involvement is emphasized as one of the key successes to student learning and that, of course, “teachers are at the heart of it.”
WELLNESS – May is National Physical Fitness Month
We’ve all heard that exercise is good for you, right? Yet 37 percent of adults report they are not physically active. Adults need 30 minutes of physical activity five or more days a week to be healthy; and 60 minutes of physical activity on five or more days a week to lose or maintain a healthy weight. Thirty to 60 minutes of activity broken into smaller segments of 10 or 15 minutes throughout the day can have significant health benefits such as maintaining a healthy weight, lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol, increased energy, and greater vitality!
Join the national effort to GET AMERICA MOVING! Sign up for one (or allJ) of the EPS Wellness Program Spring Fitness Campaigns. A great way to get exercise and de-stress is to gather your colleagues and spend a day outdoors learning how to kayak, or go waterfall hunting, or hiking with one of the classes offered exclusively to EPS employees through the Everett Parks Department.
· Bike to Work May 17-June 18
· Spring Fitness Challenge: Western States National Parks Tour, May 10-June 6
· EPS Everett Parks Dept. classes
Designing a home-based workout: During the month of May, Gail Buquicchio, naturopath and Wellness Coordinator, will be traveling throughout the district with a WWU Kinesiology Intern offering a 30 minute presentation called “Fitness 101” designing a home-based workout routine that’s right for you. Click here to see when Gail will be at your school or site.
NEWS AROUND THE DISTRICT – information about good work everywhere
Haiti efforts throughout the district – We’ve heard from many schools over the last few months about the amazing work being done by students, parents and staff to help Haiti relief efforts. We’ve put together a summary of those efforts from the reports we’ve received from schools. Just from the information that has been shared with us, the schools in this district have collectively raised over $15,000 in donations for Haiti!
Reading adoption preparation – staff and volunteers processed hundreds of pallets of books for new reading program. Thank you for all of your hard work!
Congratulations to Mitchell Santee for winning the Superintendent’s Purchase Award for his art sculpture in the High School Art Show!
04.22.2010 Mill Creek Elem students present
Night of the Notables
04.21.2010 Silver Lake kiddos spend to
share
04.21.2010 Jeffrey Lovick named 2009 LAPD Officer of the
Year
04.20.2010 Dr.
Cohn & community leaders meet with Boeing
04.20.2010 Anna Hudson, EHS
softball
04.19.2010 Super
Kid: Josh Ogden of EHS
04.14.2010
Author Ridley Pearson visits James Monroe
Elementary
04.14.2010 Scrap
metal drive sends Garfield students to camp
OPPORTUNITIES – for staff and students
1. Sign up to be a Culminating Exhibition panelist, or share this information with someone you know.
As high school students prepare to graduate, they complete a culminating exhibition. Students present this major, self-directed project to a panel of volunteers, sharing key elements of what they have learned from their academic work, and how they plan to take responsibility for their future learning.
Being a panelist takes only about four hours of your time and is a great opportunity to see what high school students today do to meet standards and to graduate. Your feedback is invaluable in these milestone student presentations.
Below is a list of dates when panelists are needed at each school and how to contact a panelist coordinator.
|
School |
CE Dates |
Times |
Contact |
Phone No. |
|
Cascade High |
6/2/10 & 6/3/10 |
11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. |
425-385-6030 | |
|
Everett High |
6/2/10 & 6/3/10 |
11 a.m. to 2 p.m. |
425-385-4426 | |
|
HM Jackson High |
6/2/10 & 6/3/10 |
10:15 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. |
425-385-7003 | |
|
Sequoia High |
6/2/10 & 6/3/10 |
12:15 to 3 p.m. |
425-385-5154 |
2. Looking for a principal or administrator certification program but don’t want to fight the traffic to Seattle? Seattle Pacific University offers small, personalized classes in Stanwood. Open house April 28 in Stanwood from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Details are available on online or contact Ted Hiemstra.
3. NAACP Community Outreach Fair April 24 at Everett Community College
Attend free workshops in the following areas:
· Small Business – challenges and opportunities
· Trades & Apprenticeships
· Resume Writing and Interviewing Skills
· Personal Finance
o Checking & Savings instruments
o Credit
o Identity Theft
· Home Buying
· Resources for Latinos
· Financial Planning
· Financial Aid/Scholarships
· College in High School & Paying for College
· How to Advocate for Students (Elementary, Middle and High School)
4. Legislative Youth Advisory Council (LYAC) applications are due May 14, 2010. Know a student 14-18 years of age that is interested in representing youth in the state legislature? Participation on LYAC is a unique opportunity for young people to intimately observe and experience the legislative process through an interactive lesson in civic engagement and activism. Rather than learning from a book about how a bill becomes a law, council members participate in the creation of public policy. To learn more information about LYAC, reference RCW 28A.300.801 or visit their website at http://lyac.leg.wa.gov/.
5. Do you know a student interested in becoming a softball umpire? The Snohomish County Softball Umpires Association is recruiting high school seniors who would like to try their hand at officiating softball while earning a little money. Please contact one of the following before May 31, 2010, for more information:
Nick Nickerson sportsofficial_@msn.com 425-327-9300
Steve Andersen steve@pnwsports.com 425-327-2400
Joe Martin fishon_01@msn.com 206-669-1586
EMPLOYEE ALUMNI NEWS
Dr. Carol Whitehead, past Everett Public Schools superintendent, is taking on a new leadership role for Washington State Leadership Academy (WSLA). As Dale Kinsley retires, Whitehead, who currently serves as both an instructor and a coach for WSLA, will assume the director position. An educator for more than 40 years, Whitehead has worked as a teacher, principal and K–12 curriculum director. She has also been a faculty member at both Western Washington University and the University of Washington, where she taught classes for students on course to become principals and superintendents.
Margaret Ann Templeton, age 76, passed away on April 12. Prior to the last six years, Margaret resided in Everett for 26 years where she worked as a payroll and accounting manager for Everett Public Schools. You can share your memories of Margaret and sign the online guestbook at www.lemleychapel.com. She will be dearly missed.
POLICY & PROCEDURE INFO – links to all policies and procedures are online
Everett Public Schools 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 District Coordinator, or Section 504 Coordinator. Affirmative Action Officer, Carol Stolz, 3715 Oakes Ave., Everett WA 98201, 425-385-4106, Title IX Officer, Randi Seaberg, 3715 Oakes Ave., Everett WA 98201, 425-385-4104, ADA Coordinator, Kristine McDowell, 202 Alder St., Everett WA 98203, 425-385-5250, Section 504 Coordinator, Becky Ballbach, 4730 Colby Ave., Everett WA 98203, 425-385-4086.
Diane Bradford (previously Lindenstein)
Communications Dept.
Everett Public Schools
425-385-4040
From www.everett.k12.wa.us, sign up for InTouch e-mail messages; choose the school information you want most.