From: Waggoner, Mary

Sent: Thursday, March 11, 2010 3:46 PM

To: EPS.MailList

Subject: NewsLinks for staff

...NewsLinks

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

March 11, 2010 (NewsLinks articles are now archived on Docushare)

 

IN THIS ISSUE –

·        High schools on different schedule during state test week

·        Legislative reports and media stories linked online

·        Good news around the district

·        March is nutrition month – you are what you eat

·        Your school board at work – recognizing staff and being thanked by PUD

·        Opportunities for students and staff

·        Opportunities in brief – shortened snippets from previous issues

 

HIGH SCHOOL PROFICIENCY EXAMS begin next week – high schools on a special schedule

 

LEGISLATIVE NEWS and planning for budget reductions – WSSDA updates and related news articles in Docushare

News and legislation about the state’s economic issues and the resulting impact to schools is rapidly evolving. To help you stay in touch with the issues and legislative action, we are gathering and archiving updates and news articles in one location for you.

 

NEWS AROUND THE DISTRICT great things happening everywhere

·        Finance department again earns top honors for performance

·        Two more school budget forums and a board budget meeting in March

·        Penny Creek to showcase Countries of Consequence project

·        Lowell students present comical version of Robinson Crusoe

·        Lionel Hampton awards for JHS jazz band members

 

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WELLNESS MESSAGE – March is National Nutrition Month

You are what you eat! Go online to track what you eat to help keep the weight off.

 

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SCHOOL BOARD HONORS STAFF – when ARE those special dates?

Various educational professional organizations recognize different categories of staff on different days and weeks each year. Those special dates are included a few weeks ahead of time on each weekly Principal Packet. However, to ensure that every staff member has a “heads up” about upcoming important dates, the Washington State School Directors’ Association (WSSDA) list of significant dates is stored on Docushare and will be included as a permanent link for staff in upcoming issues of NewsLinks.

 

School board honors classified employees & retired teachers

This is officially Washington state’s Classified Employee Week, and at their March 9 meeting, board members passed a resolution recognizing the invaluable roles that classified employees play in the business of educating each child.

 

As representatives of their classified peers, Shirley Maynard, Debbie Hickman and Tonya Neisinger received certificates from the board for having been nominated for the Washington State Classified Employee Excellence Award. Although not selected among this year’s honorees, the three science resource center staff are, in the words of Bob Sotak, director of science curriculum and instruction, “key reasons the district’s elementary science scores are so impressive. Their dedication and devotion is why students and teachers have science kits in hand just when they need them for science lessons.”

 

The board also approved a resolution honoring retired school employees.

 

School board honors retiring Laura Autio

Principal Cynthia Jones described Laura Autio as a “lifelong learner” when she introduced the Emerson math teacher to the board so they could honor her as a district soon-to-be retiree. Autio has been teaching in the district more than a dozen years and began her career as a music teacher before being asked to transition to music. Jones noted Autio’s success connecting to students.  “Laura builds relationships with students that fosters their academic success and brings families who might not otherwise visit our schools to our evening events – just so they can see the teacher who means so much to their students. We will miss her.”

 

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PUD says “thank you”

Representatives of the Snohomish County PUD said “thank you” to the board for the Cedar Wood Elementary solar array project which is calling attention to the power of solar and influencing K-12 science education in the district. Board members received a plaque for their support of Cedar Wood’s solar project and were reminded to check online to see just how much power is being generated for the grid by the panels atop the elementary school.

 

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OPPORTUNITIES – for students and staff

 

1.      City of Everett Mayor’s Youth Achievement Award for 2010. Nomination deadline is March 26. Awards  are given to students attending public or private schools who have an Everett address.

 

2.      Cascade High School Band and Color Guard Auction, Saturday, April 3 at 6 p.m. at the Everett Events Center. More information online or from Susan Holstein, Auction Chair at 425-314-0006.

 

3.      WAEOP members A description of professional development opportunities planned for Saturday, March 27. More information and answers to your questions available from Pjames@everettsd.org.

 

4.      Snohomish County Youth Challenge awards. Within Snohomish County are hundreds of young citizens achieving personal success beyond academics and athletics. Here is a chance to nominate youth volunteers, leaders, and other inspirational youths for honors in one of the following categories: community service, courage, creativity, environmental service, inspiration, leadership or group award. Snohomish County students grades 7 through 12 are eligible. Nomination forms are online and due by March 31, 2010.

 

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OPPORTUNITES IN BRIEF – quick reminders from past issues

 

1.      March 18 meeting for families at The ARC of Snohomish County Thursday, March 18 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. The ARC of Snohomish County is hosting an information meeting for families to learn more about PAVE and how it can help families from Jeanette Stoneciper.

 

Location: ARC Office at 2500 Hewitt Ave., Suite 300, Everett

For more information, email Kelly Church (Kelly@arcsno.org) or call 425- 258-2459, ext. 107.

 

1.      A $100,000 federal grant funds free marine workshops for teachers and field experiences for students, April 17 – 18. For more information call or email Amy Johnson at Edmonds Community College’s Center for Service-Learning at 425-640-1882, or go to www.serviceeducationadventure.org.

 

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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.