A Web-based newsletter for the staff of Everett Public Schools
June 10, 2010 (NewsLinks articles are now archived on Docushare)
ITEMS IN THIS ISSUE:
· Annual staff communications survey – closes Friday, June 11
· Your school board at work – A look at a school’s improvement process, Teacher of the Year, and the seventh clean audit report
· Retirements – board says “thank you” for service and dedication
· News from the Foundation – 2010-11 classroom grant applications available
· Wellness – summer wellness fitness opportunities
· High School Proficiency Exam results (HSPE)
· Final version of Common Core Standards released
· News around the district – information about good work everywhere
· Opportunities – for students and staff
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK – final notice to complete 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.
Board travels Silver Lake Elementary improvement road to see Professional Learning Community driving student improvement – Silver Lake Elementary Principal Mary O’Brien took board members on a very quick journey through the school’s improvement process – to demonstrate how collaborative time is used to improve student learning.
Because of creative and collaborative scheduling at Silver Lake, the school’s Professional Learning Community (PLC) meets regularly and works together to monitor and support the learning success of each student.
Superintendent Cohn noted for the board that Silver Lake is one example of this kind of positive, student-focused, collaborative work happening across the district. “The very nature of PLC work is ‘teaming’ and driven by the teachers working together using student data to improve student learning.
“Improved district graduation rates are one high-profile example of this kind of work. Those graduation rate increases are visibly dramatic at high schools, and they are supported by the work of collaborative, data-driven, PLC’s at every grade level in the district.
“We must support and increase these structures and approaches to instruction and learning in our schools.”
(Visit the district’s homepage to see the list of media outlets that are covering the news of the district’s improved graduation rates.)
Jo Anne Buiteweg is Teacher of the Year – Board members congratulated and honored Sequoia High School teacher Jo Anne Buiteweg as the 2010 Teacher of the Year for Everett Public Schools. Principal Sally Lancaster described Buiteweg as the “ultimate educational professional who is consistent in applying relentless gentle pressure to get students to achieve. Our school is a better place, the graduation rate has been increased. Yes, all of this is a team effort, but you are the MVP of the team!” Read full news release about Buiteweg and the regional Teacher of the Year award process.
Seven years of clean audits! Each year a team of state auditors spend weeks in the district. They examine financial and operational records to assess whether the district’s money and how the district conducts business comply with state and federal regulations. For seven years, the district’s audit reports have been “without findings.”
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.
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 June 8, two staff members chose to attend the meeting to be so honored:
1. Joann Gutzmer was presented to the board by Principal Mary O’Brien of Silver Lake Elementary where Joann now teaches third grade. Joann’s school involvement in Everett started as a volunteer in her daughter’s classroom at James Monroe Elementary in 1990. It was then that she realized how much she missed teaching and began working in a number of the district’s elementary schools. “I commend you for finishing your final year as if it was your first year of teaching – strong until the finish. It is with great honor that I thank you for your commitment to the students and families of Everett Public Schools,” said O’Brien.
2. Doug Kloke was introduced by Cascade Principal Cathy Woods, “although he needs no introduction because we all know Doug and his work on behalf of students.” Doug has been in education for 42 years – the last 10 have been in Everett Public Schools at Cascade. Woods illustrated Doug’s contribution by quoting parents, students and staff who described his work and dedication. One staff member wrote, “For the past ten years, Doug’s integrity and professionalism provided unwavering stability for all our athletic teams. He established standards and maintained accountability. Doug always promoted the ‘bigger picture’ with student athletes. His legacy to this community will be his message of sportsmanship and fairness through athletics.”
When Kloke quipped after hearing the honorary comments, “After hearing that, maybe I’ll decide to stay,” there was a round of hearty applause and encouragement from the audience wishing Kloke well on his retirement and also wishing that he would decide to continue working.
EPS nurse, Marjorie Goldsmith, is among staff celebrating a retirement this year, but not able to attend a board meeting. You can join friends and colleagues as they recognize Lynn’s years of service with the district on Thursday, June 17, 3:30-5 p.m. at the James Monroe Elementary School cafeteria.
ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES
Kelly Clapp will move to a new chapter in her career as the principal at Redmond Junior High in the Lake Washington School District. Kelly joined Everett Public Schools in 2002 as an English teacher at Everett High. She became the assistant principal at EHS in 2006, and in 2009 assumed the assistant principal position at North Middle School. Kelly’s background in instruction and management, her experience at both the middle school and high school levels and her strong rapport with a diverse population of students, parents and staff has been an asset in her position at North and will serve her well in her new position in Redmond.
Janelle Phinney will be principal at Hawthorne Elementary School next school year. Janelle came to the district in 2002-03 as assistant principal at Silver Lake and Hawthorne elementaries. In 2005, became principal at Jackson Elementary where she has been for five years.
In her letter of interest for the position at Hawthorne Janelle stated, “As you may remember, Hawthorne holds a special place in my heart as I was assistant principal there … and understand firsthand the unique needs and strengths of the students and community.”
FOUNDATION CLASSROOM GRANTS
Classroom grant applications are available for the 2010-11 school year on the Foundation website. Deadline for submission is Oct. 20, 2010. Foundation Executive Director Kristie Dutton writes, “Thank you to all of the teachers who submitted applications last year and for the wonderful projects, events and programs that you provided to your students as a result of your hard work!”
WELLNESS – summer wellness fitness opportunities
· Summer EPS Fitness Sessions: Stay toned and/or get fit this summer. Try boot camp, yoga, zumba, cardio-hoop dance and EPS fit camp.
· Pathway to Health: A ten-week challenge health incentive program to help you stay tuned in to your well-being this summer. Set new goals, stay on track, get motivated, begin healthy habits, and TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF this summer and beyond.
· Eight Weeks to Wellness: A weekly class this summer for those who will be in town and need some extra support, coaching, inspiration and motivation with physical activity, goal setting, healthy nutrition, relaxation, stress management, yoga and more.
· Everett Parks Department: Check the Everett Parks Department summer event listings. Learn to cook healthy meals, take a tai-chi, yoga, or ballroom dancing class, go on a backpacking trip, hike, canoe, kayak, learn to golf or play tennis. Try something new and revitalize yourself this summer!
HIGH SCHOOL PROFICIENCY EXAMS (HSPE)
High school students will receive their HSPE state exam results the week of June 14. These spring tests were formerly known as Washington Assessment of Student Learning, or WASL. Students must meet standard on reading, writing and math sections of the test as part of the requirements to graduate from high school. Read more …
FINAL VERSION OF COMMON CORE STANDARDS RELEASED – Superintendent Dorn will review the math and English-language arts standards
State Superintendent Randy Dorn received the final version of the Common Core State Standards and will review them during the next month before provisionally adopting the standards.
Washington is one of 48 states, along with two territories and the District of Columbia, that have agreed to consider adopting the English language arts and math common core standards, which will help ensure all students are career and college ready in those areas. Adopting the common core standards is also a part of the state’s Race to the Top application.
The common core initiative ensures a consistency of learning standards – the skills and knowledge students are expected to learn in a specific subject area – across the states.
“We are a highly mobile society,” State Superintendent Randy Dorn said. “It only makes sense that a student moving to Washington from Oregon, or as far away as Maine, can show up in their new classroom and basically pick up where they left off in their former school. This will help us standardize education throughout our nation and become more globally competitive.” Read more …
NEWS AROUND THE DISTRICT – information about good work everywhere
06.09.2010 Jo Anne Buiteweg named Everett Public Schools' Teacher of the
Year
06.09.2010 Everett's
NJROTC hard at work with community service
06.09.2010 Whittier students to attend Junior National Young Leaders Conf.
06.08.2010 Everett High senior crowned Miss Hispanic
Seafair
06.08.2010 District
and teachers' association agree on two-year contract
06.07.2010 Mill Creek students talk
politics
06.07.2010 Herald's
2010 softball player of the year: Dani Jackman
06.03.2010 State Auditor gives district its
seventh consecutive clean audit report
06.01.2010 WASA honors Cooper and Madsen at regional
ceremony
06.01.2010 High school students honored by
AAUW
OPPORTUNITIES – for staff and students
OPPORTUNITES IN BRIEF – quick reminders from past issues
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
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
Communications Dept.
Everett Public Schools
425-385-4040
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