...NewsLinks
A Web-based newsletter for the staff of Everett Public Schools
June 26, 2009.
SURPRISE!
NewsLinks will continue over the summer! Because school news and school business are 12-month operations, and to keep you in the loop, incoming Superintendent Dr. Cohn requests that NewsLinks continue during the summer. We will send you school board information and updates about the activities of the incoming superintendent over the next two months, so keep checking your e-mail.
IN THIS ISSUE:
· Reminder about the community opinion survey
· Reminder from the Foundation – grant applications online now
· Your school board at work – recognizing staff accomplishments; considering graduation requirement changes
· Opportunities – for staff and students, including a request for summer school CE panelists
· Policy and Procedure revisions now on Docushare
COMMUNITY OPINION SURVEY – open through June
Every other year, the district has polled Everett School District residents to tell us what they think. This year, to save money, we are using Zoomerang to gather opinions. If you live within the district, please share your thoughts and encourage your neighbors to do the same.
REMINDER FROM THE EVERETT PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOUNDATION – grant applications online now
2009 Classroom Grant applications are on the foundation Web site. Applications will be due on Oct. 15, 2009. This earlier deadline means grant funding will be in teachers’ hands more quickly.
LATE-BREAKING “GOOD NEWS” – CHS Linnaberry and Shafer awarded impressive grant
On the last day of school, Yvonne Linnaberry and Scott Shafer learned they are one of only 47 winners in the world to receive an Adobe Youth Voices grant. Although the full details are yet to come, the grant includes $25,000 in Adobe software, $4,000 for production and more than seven days’ worth of training for both instructors. Students in the two teachers’ video production and photography classes will have the tools, equipment and trained instructors to create work specifically to connect other students to resources and information young people today need.
YOUR SCHOOL BOARD AT WORK: congratulations for a year of good work; considering changes to graduation requirements
Silver Lake and Madison were lauded (and rewarded with $2,300) for the work done to improve the academic success of all students in all subcategories. The school year began with similar recognition for five other schools in the district. These awards and state recognitions affirm the quality work and focus of all staff on the district’s mission.
The high school graduation rate is at 81% this year – another improvement in the district’s six-year endeavor to increase the percentage of high school seniors crossing the stage each spring.
These accomplishments and others were highlighted in the annual end-of-the-year Strategic Plan Report to the board which detailed the work and the results of each action plan established for school year 2008-09.
After hearing the report from 2008-09 and previewing the strategic plan highlights for next school year, Karen Madsen drew an analogy between the plan’s “layers” and popular build-a-picture books. In those children’s books, multiple layers of transparent pages have colored sections that, when stacked together, reveal a complete picture. However, individually, each transparent page’s colored blotches represent only part of the picture – important parts, but not the whole. “Each item on this plan is a piece of the picture, and together the picture is of a district continually improving and setting goals and action plans that meet the district mission.”
The district’s high school graduation policy and procedures (2410) were presented to the board to consider approving at the board’s July 7 board meeting. Proposed changes include elimination of the Argumentative Paper and adjustments to reflect state testing changes. While discussing policy and procedures 2410, the board asked for clarification of what it takes for a student to meet both the state and district math graduation requirements. The answer below applies to basic education students; special education students have other options for meeting math graduation requirements.
Questions: The state’s math graduation requirements have changed over the last few years. Just what must a student do to meet the state math graduation requirement? When will meeting math standard on the state assessment be a graduation requirement?
Answer:
To graduate, a student must meet both the district and state math graduation requirements:
· A student meets the district’s math graduation requirement by earning three credits in math – usually math, geometry and algebra II.
· A student meets the state’s math graduation requirement by:
o Passing either the WASL math test, or, beginning in school year 2009-10, the state’s new High School Proficiency Exam (HSPE), or
o Meeting one of the state-approved alternatives which are:
§ Earning a cut score or above on the math sections of the ACT or SAT tests, or
§ earning a score of “3” or better on an AP calculus or statistics test, or
§ earning two additional math credits after 10th-grade.
Passersby will notice digging and trucks loading soil on district-owned property near Memorial Field. This location was originally planned as a site for a new central administrative facility. As previously announced, that building is on hold, given current economic conditions.
However, during the initial soils testing of that site, the district learned that previous businesses located there (including gas stations), caused soil contamination that must now be cleaned up. Although the contamination was not caused by the district, and even though the district is not now planning to build on that site, the district, as current owner, is required to remove the contaminated dirt. Therefore, starting on June 26, you may notice excavation work and trucks operating there.
OPPORTUNITIES: for staff and students
Being a panelist for summer school Culminating Exhibitions is a unique opportunity to see students from all over the school district present their academic and personal work and growth.
Please let Jeanne Willard know which date(s) and time(s) you are available.
Session dates and times (includes training) are all at Sequoia High School (3516 Rucker Ave., Everett)
Session 1 August 4 7:45 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Session 2 August 4 11a.m. -1:45 p.m.
Session 3 August 5 7:45 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Session 4 August 5 11 a.m. -1:45 p.m.
Summer technology classes for teachers Sharpen your saw with these helpful summer classes, designed to renew your energy and commitment to creating dynamic classroom learning experiences.
Dyslexia workshop, July 6–10 for 35 clock hours. Taught by Marlene Easley, the workshop addresses how dyslexia develops and how to incorporate techniques into the classroom curriculum so that dyslexia does not develop. More details from Marlene Easley at 360-714-9619.
Adopt-A-Stream Foundation’s NW Stream Center in Everett offers an Environmental Educators Institute workshop with instructor Thom Henley on July 29-30. This workshop is accredited by Western Washington University for two credits and the Washington Science Teachers Association for 16 teacher clock hours. For more information, contact Marlene Eiseman at 425- 316-8592.
Lights. Camera. College. Student film contest open till Oct. 19.
Students in grades 7–12 and faculty involved in drama, video or Web projects – or those who simply have a knack for creating videos that grab students – may be interested in a new film contest sponsored by the Washington Higher Education Coordinating Board (HECB). Rules, entry forms and other information are on the HECB Web site.
POLICY and PROCEDURE REVISIONS: now on Docushare
4333 Non School use of Buildings, Grounds and Equipment
Series 1000 Procedure (Board)
· 1332P Authorization of Signatures
Series 2000 Procedure (Instruction)
· 2210P Special Education and Related Services for Eligible Students
· 2217P Instruction
Series 4000 Procedure (Community Relations)
· 4333P Non School use of Buildings, Grounds and Equipment
Series 7000 Procedure (Financial Management)
· 7323P Travel Authorization and Expense Reimbursement
The Everett School District 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 Coordinator, or Section 504 Coordinator. Affirmative Action Officer, Carol Stolz, 3715 Oakes, Everett WA 98201, 425-385-4106, Title IX Officer, Randi Seaberg, 3715 Oakes, Everett WA 98201, 425-385-4104, ADA Coordinator, Kristine McDowell, 202 Alder, Everett WA 98203, 425-385-5250, Section 504 Coordinator, Becky Ballbach, 4730 Colby, Everett WA 98203, 425-385-4086.