A Web-based newsletter for the staff of Everett Public Schools
Jan. 5, 2011 (NewsLinks articles are now archived on Docushare)
ITEMS IN THIS ISSUE:
· News around the district – good news happening everywhere
· Opportunities for students and staff – including Feb. 11 Silvertips ticket discount
· Legislative season is here – some cautions about the legalities of lobbying
· Wellness – It’s a SAD time of year for some
· Key dates you won’t want to miss
· Policy and procedure updates
ELL students need your 2010 calendars!
Karen Stolworthy at Eisenhower Middle School uses the pictures in calendars to help her students learn English. Instead of recycling those old 2010 calendars to the paper bin, give them one more useful spin by sending them to Karen for her students. She received a lot of calendars last year from a NewsLinks request. Her students say “thank you” for that response and “thanks in advance” for sending calendars their way again this year.
NEWS AROUND THE DISTRICT – information about good work everywhere
01.05.2011 College Goal Sunday
Washington offers financial assistance to college-bound
students
01.03.2011 Everett High Latin
Image Club to host third annual Latino Family Night
12.20.2010 Hawthorne students' holiday brightened by staff,
community and business
12.20.2010 Penny
Creek students gather donations for Christmas House
12.17.2010 FREE heart screenings for young
adolescents
12.17.2010 CHS & JHS
Mini International Economic Summit
12.17.2010 Cascade's Vietkhanh Vu one of two state's students
going to D.C.
12.17.2010 Cedar Wood student
wins art award
12.17.2010 Everett High's
NJROTC unit receives "Bravo Zulu" status
12.15.2010 JHS senior is The Herald's Volleyball Player of
the Year
12.15.2010 SHS
leadership class collects 500 items for clothing drive
12.15.2010 Jackson High senior earns spot on national jazz
band
12.13.2010 Durham donates to a
dream
12.13.2010 Everett Public Schools
Foundation grants $34,500 to classroom projects
12.10.2010 Everett High student collects
blankets
12.09.2010 Gift of books
encourages Madison ES students to read
12.08.2010 Cascade students to participate in regional
ensembles
12.08.2010 State
competition awaits Heatherwood robotic team
12.08.2010 Everett's Teacher of the Year featured in alumni
magazine
12.08.2010 Robots invade H.M.
Jackson High this weekend
12.07.2010 District to give county first rights on forested
property in Eastmont
12.07.2010 Donor
gives a gigantic boost to CHS food drive
12.07.2010 Timeout with ... Joel Palabrica, EHS
wrestling
12.06.2010 CHS DECA students
named DECA Area 1 Members of the Month
12.06.2010 JHS students win honors in WordMasters
Challenge
12.06.2010 Tom Brokaw documentary
explores the state of civil rights
12.06.2010 School
board to hear recommendations of district management review
12.03.2010 North Middle School student selected to
participate in all-state
choir
LEGISLATIVE SEASON CAUTIONS – the Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) regulates lobbying efforts as well as school finance election campaigns
We know that cuts already announced by the Gov. Chris Gregoire for Washington’s schools mean that Everett Public Schools will face about $6 million less for 2011-12 (see Dec. 15 Message from the Superintendent for details). Depending upon the legislative process, we could face even more budget reductions for next year.
This grim news is likely to generate many “calls to action” by educational advocacy groups and organizations. Each of us, as a public employee, may be involved in advocacy and lobbying – as long as we do that work outside of the school day and we use no school equipment or supplies (including email) to influence the outcome of a legislative decision.
This may seem familiar – those are the same restrictions that the Public Disclosure Commission places on public employee involvement in school finance campaigns. We are free to volunteer and campaign for school elections – but not with school equipment, supplies or paid time.
We have already received organizational “calls to action” in connection with pending legislative decisions. Staff have already been asked this season to write letters, send emails, make phone calls and rally parents to lobby legislators about programs potentially threatened by budget cuts. We are not able to control such requests that come to us through a public email system.
However, each of us, by law, is PROHIBITED from sending emails to our legislators using our district email system, or using district phones to call the legislature. We cannot write letters to legislators on district equipment or make copies of advocacy materials on district printers or copiers or spend paid time to advocate for legislative action. State law, as enforced by the Public Disclosure Commission, forbids using public funds to influence the outcome of a public election or legislative process.
So what can we do?
· We can gather data and information about programs or services and their impact on students. Just as we are able to tell the “facts” about how bond or levy money is spent, we can give the “facts” about the impact of funding. We cannot, however, take the next step to ask others to contact legislators about the issue nor can we summarize facts with a request for a legislator to take any special action as a result of “facts” provided.
· We can “ask before we act.” If unsure whether an action is prohibited or allowed by the PDC, email Mary Waggoner or call extension 4040.
Reminder! EACH district email is a public document! District emails are archived electronically for two years and are subject to public review.
WELLNESS – It’s a SAD time of year for some …
In case you had not noticed, our rainy season has begun. For some, the rain and the lack of sunlight this time of year can cause a type of depression called seasonal affective disorder, or SAD. This type of depression is cyclical; it affects a person during the same season each year. If you're like most people with seasonal affective disorder, your symptoms start in the fall and may continue into the winter months, sapping your energy and making you feel moody. Don't brush off that yearly feeling as simply a case of the "winter blues" or a seasonal funk that you have to tough out on your own — you may have SAD. Treatment includes light therapy (phototherapy), psychotherapy and medications. In addition, a healthy diet, regular exercise, quality sleep, and spending time doing things you enjoy can have a positive effect on your mood (all year long). If you think you might suffer from SAD be sure to see your doctor and seek treatment so you can enjoy this beautiful time of year!
OPPORTUNITIES – for staff and students
OPPORTUNITES IN BRIEF – quick reminders from past issues
KEY DATES – important dates and celebrations you won’t want to miss planning for now!
POLICY & PROCEDURE INFO – links to all policies and procedures are online
1715 – Board-Superintendent Operating Protocol
2311 – Selection and Adoption of Instructional Materials
2311P – Selection and Adoption of Instructional Materials
2409 – Granting Equivalency Credit for Career and Technical Education Courses
2409P – Granting Equivalency Credit for Career and Technical Education Courses
5253 – Maintaining Professional and Appropriate Boundaries between Employees and Students
5253P – Maintaining Professional and Appropriate Boundaries between Employees and Students
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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