...NewsLinks Special Edition

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

June 9, 2010 Special Edition (NewsLinks articles are now archived on Docushare)

As some of you learned from the Everett Education Association last night and may have received as an InTouch email or Twitter message yesterday evening, and on the district’s Facebook page this morning, the school district and EEA have agreed upon a two-year contract which establishes the school year calendar for 2010-11 and 2011-12.

In a 4 to 0 vote last night (Board Member Jeff Russell abstained because a family member is also an EEA member), the school board enthusiastically approved the contract which EEA members had also ratified at a membership meeting earlier in the afternoon.

Board members congratulated the negotiations teams for collaborative work, a positive tone and for settling the contract earlier than usual. As President Ed Petersen noted, “This early planning means that our staff and our families can prepare for next school year, and the district can focus on the important work ahead, including our new strategic plan.”

Other “good news”

The measurable results of your hard work on behalf of each student are among the many reasons I wanted to come work with you as your superintendent. Your work has caught the attention of other educators who are modeling programs based upon your success.

Your work is drawing notice from mainstream media, too. Sunday’s Seattle Times featured on-time graduation success, and today’s Times editorial eloquently explained how simple, strategic work supporting each student’s success is making a difference. Read each article with well-deserved pride in the work being done at every grade level and in every school. Journalists Linda Shaw and Danny Westneat laud the efforts of district staff and highlight the focused work of success coordinators and the on-time graduation committee. Westneat specifically applauds the district’s efficient, effective approach, which he describes as “the oldest trick in the school playbook. They hired people to trail the kids around and care.”

On June 16, KPLU radio plans to air a graduation story they compiled last winter, again showcasing the personalized efforts schools are making to help students graduate. On Thursday, Chief Academic Officer Terry Edwards is being interviewed for a Comcast NewsMakers segment to be aired regionally within the next week and a half. I’ll send links to both electronic broadcasts when they are available.

Congratulations to each of you for your instrumental role in our students’ success. It is indeed affirming to see the entire region taking notice of what I have had the honor to see happening every day of my first year here: you do extraordinarily good work, and you make a very real difference in the lives of our students.

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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.