A Web-based newsletter for the staff of Everett Public Schools
Nov. 10, 2010 (NewsLinks articles are now archived on Docushare)
· News from the Foundation – United Way campaign going well
· HR reminders – Flex plan changes and open enrollment deadline
· Wellness – November is National Diabetes Month
· News around the district – good work happening everywhere
· Opportunities – for students and staff
· Key dates you won’t want to miss
· Policy and Procedure updates
Detailed information about each school board meeting is now available on the newly installed BoardDocs governance management system. In addition to board agendas, you have access to board meeting materials and presentations. These materials are made available to the staff and public on Monday before each Tuesday board meeting. If you misplace the hyperlink in this message, a quick link to BoardDocs appears in the right-hand menu of the district homepage.
Board recognition of staff at Nov. 2 meeting
1. Jo Metzger-Levin, physical education teacher at Everett High School since 1982, was recently honored for her selection to the Snohomish County Sports Hall of Fame at its inaugural ceremony and banquet on Sept. 23. Jo graduated from Everett High School in 1977 to attend Western Washington University where she became one of the most decorated athletes in school history in addition to earning her bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
Board members acknowledged Jo’s contributions to the district and to Everett High School and noted the history of her family’s long history with the district:
· Five generations of Metzgers (Levins) have lived in this school district.
· Jo’s great-grandfather, E.M. Metzger was a school board member from 1904-1909.
· Her grandfather, H.L. Metzger, was a school board member in 1932
· Her father, Harry Metzger, was a longtime school bus driver, considered by many to be the “consummate” driver of all time.
· Jo and her husband Don both graduated from EHS, and her two sons are also EHS grads.
2. Randi Seaberg and Everett Public Schools in partnership with Everett Community College and Western Washington University were selected by the American Association of School Personnel Administrators (AASPA) Recognition Committee and the AASPA Board of Directors as the recipients of the William L. Hunter Point of Light Award. The unique partnership among Everett Community College, Everett Public Schools and neighboring school districts supporting the Teacher Education Advancement (TEA) project garnered this acknowledgement. The TEA project offers expanded teacher preparation opportunities for students of color in our community.
Working in close cooperation with Everett Community College, Western Washington University and local communities of color organizations, the TEA program partners with Everett Public Schools to mentor and provide practicum experiences for aspiring minority teachers.
Board discussion items, Nov. 2
Policies
On Nov. 2, the board made essential policy decisions and discussed policy and procedures in process – including a clarification of how they will operate civilly in public, work together and with the superintendent.
Transportation
The board heard a Nov. 2 update on district transportation and the progress being made to partner with WSDOT and neighborhood homeowners' associations to enhance walking safety for students.
Did you know?
There are 10,250 eligible school bus riders on 108 bus routes in the district; 48 of those are regular education routes; 33 are special education routes, and 27 are combination routes, that serve multiple needs, including transporting homeless students as per federal law. There are 791 bus stops within the district’s 39 square miles.
In the first 45 days of school, the transportation department fielded more than 1,000 phone calls, hundreds of emails, and about 320 specific requests to either move a stop or add a stop (just for regular education routes).
Based upon the established “reconsideration process,” the department has restored busing for 225 students since school started.
As of Nov. 2, the district was transporting 142 homeless students from as far away as Federal Way, Mount Vernon, Sultan and Whidbey Island. This number changes frequently.
Transportation changes launched this fall (transporting only students who catch a bus more than a radius mile from their school) matched our transportation services to the state funding formula and are designed to save $400,000 in general operation funds each year.
Elementary school reading program
At a previous meeting, the board received an in-depth report about the new elementary reading curriculum, the success of its pilot testing last year, professional development of the last few months and successful reading curriculum infusion into all 17 elementary schools this year. At last week's meeting, they learned about reading scores for students who piloted the program and how the district will be monitoring those scores over time to analyze the trend line and measure success.
Learning Management System
Terry Edwards and Jeff Moore briefed the board on Nov. 2 and responded to board questions about the status of the new Learning Management System upgrade and the process of selecting vendors for this vital tool that will enrich our knowledge of each student’s learning and open doors for communication with parents.
Work study session
The Nov. 2 regular school board meeting began at 4:30 p.m. and recessed at approximately 8 p.m. to quickly begin a board study session which lasted until almost 9:30 that evening. The study session’s topic was review of the Strategic Planning Council’s draft Environment Scanning Report – a work, that when final, will be a framework for building the district’s strategic plan, for understanding what students need and for partnering with our community.
The draft Environmental Scanning Report included an in-depth look at current and future educational trends, the political environment’s impact on the region and schools (including funding), the business and economic environment of our area, the community and state infrastructure, demographics of this area, student and family issues such as health and welfare, the educational community, including private schools and after-high school learning, what community activities are available for young people and how the public perceives the district.
NEWS FROM THE FOUNDATION – United Way campaign going well!
The United Way campaign is well underway, and early indications demonstrate your generosity and commitment to our communities and willingness to boost the campaign collections by 10 percent. Thank you to all of our schools and departments who have hosted presentations this year and are doing so in the next weeks.
As a reminder, those schools and departments which reach the 60 percent or more participation level will enjoy a pizza party! One school so far has already crested that 60 percent mark; yours could be next!
The campaign will end on Nov. 19 with all forms to be sent to the Everett Public Schools Foundation located in Hawthorne Elementary by Dec. 1.
Visit the Foundation on Facebook and "Like" us! We have pictures posted from our "Stuff the Bus for Kids" event and are working to have updates posted about programs and events this school year.
HR REMINDERS – changes and deadlines
1. Flex plan rules changes
As a result of federal health care reforms, employees who are enrolled in a health care flexible spending account must incur all costs by Dec. 31, 2010. Invoices and receipts must show that any services and/or expense occurred on or before Dec.31, 2010. Enrollees will be unable to access or request reimbursement for any services and/or expenses after that date, even if there is a balance remaining.
2. Decide on your 2011 benefits by Nov. 18
WELLNESS – November is National Diabetes Month
According to the National Diabetes Association, 23.6 million children and adults in the United States or 7.8 percent of the population have diabetes. An estimated 57 million people have pre-diabetes. About two million adolescents aged 12-19 have pre-diabetes. Annual medical expenditures along with indirect costs such as disability, work loss and early death brought the total expenditure last year up to $174 billion dollars. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. Millions of Americans have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, and many more are unaware they are at high risk. YOU CAN PREVENT type 2 diabetes! Learn more about the basics of diabetes.
Simple steps to avoid type 2 diabetes:
1. Know your numbers! Ask your doctor to check your fasting blood sugar at your next annual exam.
2. Exercise
3. Keep your weight in check
4. Choose healthy fats
5. Increase fiber food (plants and whole grains)
6. Cut back on refined carbohydrates such as candy, soda, pastries and juices. Drinking one or two sugar-sweetened beverages a day increases diabetes risk by 26 percent, a study shows.
Know a child with diabetes? Parent Joanne Hanson, Certified Diabetic Trainer, is offering two one-hour sessions for parents and interested staff on Nov. 18, 2010, in the Heatherwood Middle School Library at 3 p.m. and again at 7 p.m. These sessions will address information and support needs particularly useful for parents in accommodating children with diabetes in the school environment and at home.
NEWS AROUND THE DISTRICT – information about good work everywhere
11.08.2010 CHS DECA students "take over" Safeway
11.07.2010 Schools adjust to the touchscreen
classroom
11.04.2010 Schools of Distinction to be recognized Nov. 30,
2010
11.02.2010 Invitation to
Eisenhower Middle School's Business Expo
11.01.2010 JHS raises money for student's
transplant
11.01.2010 Super
Kid: Daniel Yoo
11.01.2010 Tragedy leads to neighborhood cleanup
11.01.2010 Local church volunteers spruce up
grounds at five Everett schools
10.26.2010 Rachel's Challenge inspires EHS students' kindness and
compassion
10.26.2010 Silver
Firs students turn recyclables into fun
10.26.2010 Sports climbing has taken JHS senior
all over the world
Just announced! More details coming later
· Silver Lake Principal Mary O’Brien has been nominated as this region’s elementary school principal of the year.
· Everett High School counselor, Lillian Ortiz-Self, was honored by the Northwest Asian Weekly Foundation at a luncheon in September. Women of Color Empowered honors are held three times a year.
OPPORTUNITIES – for staff and students
Fee of $15 includes guest speakers, presentations,
networking, lunch and childcare if needed. Some scholarships
available.
The purpose of the conference is to:
· Empower parents/guardians to advocate for their children
· Identify leadership qualities to advocate for your children at home, school and community
· Identify strategies for Washington State PTA to ensure that our membership and leadership reflect the student population that we serve
· In preparation for Snohomish County’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration in January 2011, Everett’s mayor’s office is sponsoring a Prodigies for Peace writing and art contest. Entries are due Dec. 15, 2010.
· “Why I am Proud to be an American” essay contest for students grades 5-8, sponsored by the Elks Lodge of Everett. Deadline is Jan. 10, 2011. Prizes awarded for first, second and third place are US Savings Bonds ranging from $250 to $1,000.
5. Youth Theatre NW can provide creative field trips and enhance classroom curriculum in theatre and the performing arts. View their 2010-11 performance field trip season and classroom outreach programs.
6. H.M. Jackson High School Theatre Society presents Servant of Two Masters – Nov. 11-13 and 18-20 at 7 p.m. at Everett High School Little Theater. Reservations at www.seatyourself.biz/jacksonhigh. Email mailto:jhsservant@gmail.com for questions.
OPPORTUNITIES in review – for staff and students
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
Policy 1421 – Board of Directors, Consent Agenda
Everett Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities. Designated to handle inquiries about nondiscrimination policies are: 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. (Email address for each is FirstInitialLastName@everettsd.org)
Diane Bradford
Communications Dept.
Everett Public Schools
425-385-4040
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