...NewsLinks

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

May 28, 2010 (NewsLinks articles are now archived on Docushare)

· We’re Proud submissions – submissions due June 4

· Annual staff communications survey

· Your school board at work – board studies Core 24

· Retirements – board says “thank you” for service and dedication

· Superintendent’s Scholars honor teachers

· PTA Golden Acorns announced

· WASA honors Cooper and Madsen

· News around the district – information about good work everywhere

· Opportunities – for students and staff

WE’RE PROUD SUBMISSIONS –

Everett Public Schools will salute staff and their family members celebrating educational milestones this year. We’re Proud will be published in the last issue of NewsLinks in June. To recognize someone, please complete the brief survey by June 4.

TELL US WHAT YOU THINK – annual staff communications survey

Each year we ask what kinds of information you find most helpful and what ways you like to get information about the district. The Zoomerang survey is online and open now through the end of the workday on Friday, June 11.

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YOUR SCHOOL BOARD AT WORK –

Board delves into Core 24 during study session – Following their regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, board members studied the implications of Core 24. They examined how well the district and today’s students are positioned for a time when 24 credits might be required to graduate from high school and what needs to be done systematically to be ready for such a state graduation requirement.

Kathe Taylor, Policy Director of the Washington State Board of Education (SBE), and former school board member, Karen Madsen, who served on the SBE Core 24 Implementation Task Force, discussed the goals of Core 24 and how high school students’ success with the courses outlined would result in a meaningful high school diploma. A “meaningful high school diploma,” Taylor explained, “leaves all options open for our students and provides graduates with the skills and knowledge necessary for post-secondary education, training and careers.”

Madsen reviewed the just-released Core 24 report which includes the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for the state and its school districts – including funding issues, collaboration time for staff and data tracking.

Chief Academic Officer Terry Edwards outlined for the board what courses students are taking today and how the entire K-12 system is supporting student success and helping achieve today’s 90.2 percent graduation rate.

Tuesday’s Core 24 study session topic was planned months ago as part of the district’s strategic planning renewal process which has included a series of board work study sessions and community engagement sessions.

Board President Ed Petersen noted that the timing of the Tuesday session was perfect. “It’s best to know now about the work ahead to be ready for Core 24, and what better time than when we are actively engaging our community to help us craft the next strategic plan.”

Check out what’s on the board agenda and review board meeting materials

School board meeting agendas and full packets of materials are now available on the Web by the Monday before each regularly scheduled meeting. Among the reports included in those board packets is a monthly district financial report which includes information about the district’s fund balance.

A full listing of past and planned board meeting topics and work study session topics is on the Web.

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RETIREMENTS

School board honors retirees – Throughout the school year, the school board invites all staff who are choosing retirement to attend a school board meeting to be recognized. On May 25, three staff members chose to attend the meeting to be so honored:

1. Marie Gavaghan was introduced by Penny Creek Principal Shelley Petillo and commended for always seeing “the shining potential for each boy or girl who graced her classroom doorway.” “I cannot fathom the math to compute the number of lives she’s touched in her career. I can only hope that when I have been an educator as long as she, I have half the grace and empathy that Marie possesses. Marie’s students come back after years to see her because she’s made such a difference in their lives – and she remembers them. She remembers them all!”

2. Jackie Knopf has been teaching in this district since 1986 when she entered the doors of Jackson Elementary as a kindergarten teacher and never left. She now teaches first grade, but her last batch of kindergarten students is now graduating this year. Jackson Principal Janelle Phinney used words from philosopher/professor/author Dr. Leo Buscaglia to describe Knopf because “not only do these words exemplify Ms. Knopf, but I know she could have written these words.”

“Reach out. Learn to reach out. Listen to yourself and hear how many times you express love and appreciation. My question is, how many times a day do you hear yourself say, ‘I love?’ … ‘I’ is important, but my goodness, the strength that comes from ‘us’ and ‘we.’”

3. Brian Webber was introduced to the board by View Ridge Principal Kert Lenseigne. “Please know that we are losing a great one. Brian has shown us how best to do the world’s most important work, with integrity, patience, humor, grace and love. I say this not just as a colleague, but as Connor and Cassidy’s dad – my own two kids who were lucky enough to have been taught and influenced by Mr. Webber. Brian is ready … but we are not. If this truly wasn’t what Brian wanted to do, retire that is, I’d beg you to deny his request!

Brian’s wife, Debbie, is our award-winning, much-respected, lead dietician and director of food services, and his daughter Tracy was only last week celebrated as Woodside Elementary’s Outstanding Educator by the Woodside PTA! Proof that even Golden Acorns don’t fall far from the tree!”

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TEACHERS HONORED BY STUDENTS – at Foundation scholarship event

On May 26, the student Superintendent Scholar finalists from Cascade, Everett and H.M. Jackson high schools recognized teachers most influential in their success. Full story about the event on the Web. Kudos to:

· Dianne Lundberg of Cedar Wood Elementary

· Kevin Grayum, retired from Cascade High School

· Ira Siebert of View Ridge Elementary

· Ingrid Tiesler-Wood of Cascade High School

· Cynthia McIntyre of Everett High School

· Randy Ayers of Everett High School

· Casey Chaffee of Everett High School

· William Moore of H.M. Jackson High School

· Judy Baker of H.M. Jackson High School

· Kelly Dietsch of H.M. Jackson High School

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PTA GOLDEN ACORNS ANNOUNCED – District administrator and former school board member honored

Each year school PTA groups honor members and school staff with Golden Acorn awards. The district’s PTA council also honors staff and PTA members with special district-level awards. School-level and district-level honorees are introduced at the annual PTA Golden Acorn Award Banquet.

On May 19, Chief Academic Officer Terry Edwards was surprised with the district council-level Educator of the Year Award, and former board member Karen Madsen was given the first-ever Everett PTSA Council Outstanding Advocate Award.

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WASA honors Cooper and Madsen at regional ceremony

Each year the Washington Association of School Administrators (WASA) regional chapter honors community and staff members for their contributions to member districts’ work. On May 20, this district recognized former school board members Sue Cooper with the Community Leadership award and Karen Madsen with the Student Achievement Leadership award for their years of vision as district volunteers and elected officials.

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NEWS AROUND THE DISTRICT – information about good work everywhere

05.28.2010 Everett High Drama presents The Craving

05.28.2010 Grant pays for outdoor education for Hawthorne students

05.27.2010 Superintendent's Scholar Award winners

05.26.2010 School board votes to put Supplemental Educational Programs and Operations Levy on Aug. ballot

05.25.2010 Rotary Club hands out nearly $200K to scholarship winners

05.25.2010 Timeout with ... Samantha Brown, JHS track & field

05.24.2010 Cedar Wood Elementary student wins national book challenge

05.21.2010 Jackson High student nominated for 5th Avenue Theatre Award

05.20.2010 Everett student's art wins OSPI state art show

05.21.2010 JHS senior plans his next adventure: Cairo

05.19.2010 Everett High students register as blood donors

05.17.2010 JHS students win highest honors in final WordMasters Challenge

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OPPORTUNITIES – for staff and students

Take the wellness survey and win! Incentives for schools and departments with more than 50 percent participation in the survey. You can take it online or print out a paper copy. Your thoughts about the Wellness program will help shape it to meet your health and wellness needs.

The Bob Drewell Human Services Scholarship application must be postmarked by June 4! Details and electronic copies of the application are available from info@hscouncil.org.

The Daniel J. Evans Award nomination deadline has been extended until Friday, June 4. This award recognizes students who have demonstrated that they understand the state's essential academic learning requirements in civics. Students must demonstrate this understanding through leadership in the civic life of the students' communities and completion of at least one of the Classroom-Based Assessments in civics developed by OSPI. OSPI will select four students for the award each year and will notify the governor and legislature with the recipient's names. Information and nomination form online.

The Legislative Youth Advisory Council (LYAC) is now accepting applications through Friday, June 11. Established by the Washington Legislature in 2005, the LYAC is the formal voice for Washington youth in the State Legislature. The twenty-two member Council serves as the link between young people and the state government. The Council is authorized to meet between three and six times per year and, with sufficient funding, is administered by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) through a partnership with the Legislature and the Office of Lieutenant Governor. Participation on the Council 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.

Council members must be between the ages of 14-18 at the time of appointment. More information about the Council is on the Web. Or view video footage of the Council in action through TVW’s Engaged: Students Becoming Citizens series.

Email Kelly Martin for more information. The application and other information about the Council are also available online through the Lieutenant Governor’s website or on OSPI’s Social Studies website.

Volunteer opportunity for students interested in politics – State Rep. Hans Dunshee is looking for volunteers for his re-election campaign. Contact Matt Ojala or 425-760-3795 for more information.

Everett Community Science Night with the Pacific Science Center – All Everett area students and families are invited to this FREE event on June 15 from 4‑8 p.m. at Heatherwood Middle School gym. Enjoy hands‑on exhibits, science shows and chance to win prizes, including Pacific Science Center memberships!

Second annual “Brett’s Run,” a Fun Run/Walk to support the Brett Akio Jensen Memorial Scholarship Fund will take place on Brett’s golden birthday, Saturday, Aug. 28, 2010 at the American Legion Memorial Park in Everett. More information and registration can be found online.

AquaSox’s Home Room Heroes Program will culminate on Sept. 1, 2010 as Wells Fargo presents Teacher Appreciation Night. All teachers will be admitted free to that night’s game by presenting their teacher I.D. at the box office.

Cascade High School DECA will be hosting a Food Handlers class on Thursday, Sept. 9, 7– 8:30 p.m. in the CHS library. The cost of the class is $10 payable to Cascade High School. This class is open to the public. For more information, contact Jodi Galli.

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OPPORTUNITES IN BRIEF – quick reminders from past issues

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.	Trish Roberts	425-385-6030
Everett High	6/2/10 & 6/3/10	11 a.m. to 2 p.m.	Jodie Sievers	425-385-4426
HM Jackson High	6/2/10 & 6/3/10	10:15 a.m. to 1:45 p.m.	Vicki Haskell	425-385-7003
Sequoia High	6/2/10 & 6/3/10	12:15 to 3 p.m.	Nancy Bertholet	425-385-5154

2. Summer camp info is on the Web. Check out the opportunities for your own family or your students on the athletics department website.

3. 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

KEY DATES FOR NEXT SCHOOL YEAR – important dates and celebrations you won’t want to miss planning for now!

POLICY & PROCEDURE INFO – links to all policies and procedures are online

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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.