Improving Communication  

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Culinary Arts Institute To Be ACF Certified

Graduates to receive special recognition by Leanne Jones/Culinary Arts program Culinary Arts education is now one of the most popular programs of choice for students around the country. Because of the expanding hospitality industry, there is an increasing job market for individuals who have been trained in the field. The American Culinary Federation (ACF) promotes the professional image of American chefs worldwide through education among culinarians at all levels, from apprentices to certified master chefs. The ACF ensures quality education for the culinary arts and food service professions.   Get the scoop and learn about a great dining opportunity...>

Long Awaited Health Center Opens

Remodeling of the Tyee Complex Health Center, which includes the school nurse’s office, is complete and the doors of the Health Center opened yesterday! Once the clinic, located in building 900, is fully functioning, it will be staffed each school day from 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Between now and May 22, students may be seen between 12:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.   Get more details...>

Highline High Student Selected

Preparing for College and Challenging Careers Highline High School is proud to announce that Jesus G. has been selected for the DO-IT Scholars program at the University of Washington. DO-IT (Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking, and Technology) serves to increase the successful participation of individuals with disabilities in challenging academic programs and careers such as those in science, engineering, mathematics, and technology. When notified of his selection, Jesus said, “I am very happy and thankful to Mr. Daniel, Mr. Gaul, Mrs. Loomis, and Mrs. Dunn for supporting my efforts to be in the DO-IT program. It will be a great experience and I feel extremely fortunate because I will be attending U.W. this summer.”   Learn more about DO-IT...>

Representatives for Paraeducators Accept Recognition

(l-r) Leo Castenada, Pacific; Penny Wold, McMicken Heights; Kyra McKiver Kelly, Highline; and Gary Armstrong, Cedarhurst, accept the recognition at the April 26 School Board meeting for all of the district’s paraeducators…”for their outstanding efforts in meeting the highly qualified requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act."

Highline High School Places 10th in National Math Contest

Do you know the answer? Highline High School has some of the best high-school mathematicians in the country, as demonstrated by their 10th-place finish in the 2006 Collaborative Problem-Solving Contest, a national mathematics contest administered by National Assessment & Testing (http://www.natassessment.com). While most math competitions encourage rote memorization, familiar problems, and quick mental reflexes, the Collaborative Problem-Solving Contest presents schools with fifteen unique, intricate problems to be solved over the course of a week. Under the guidance of coach Darryl Edmunds, students worked together using brainstorming, collaboration, research, and technology to solve the problems, gaining experience with skills that will be critical in college and their careers.   Read on...>

Math Night at Pacific Middle School

First-Time Event Helps Parents/Caregivers How many times have you heard a parent say, “I don’t even understand my student’s math, so how can I help them with their homework?” With increased focus on success in math and science, it is critical that parents and caregivers are engaged in the process to support and encourage students’ work in this area. The Math Team at Pacific Middle School is putting this need into action. Working with the Pacific PTSA and central office staff, the Math Team recently hosted a “Math Night for Parents and Caregivers.” The event, a first for the school, featured instructional and curriculum presentations by the math staff and provided an opportunity to address questions and concerns parents and caregivers raised about how best to help their students be successful. Organized to involve parents from the elementary schools feeding into Pacific Middle School, the hope is to reach out to parents and caregivers at an early age.   There's more...>

Pacific PTSA Receives National Recognition

Events like the recent Math Night at Pacific Middle School (see story above) have led to the Pacific PTSA receiving the National Unit Achievement award. In her letter recognizing the group, National PTA President Anna Weselak wrote, “Our students and our public schools are becoming stronger because of the vital work your unit is doing.” Lora Bolding, president of the Pacific PTSA, received the award on behalf of the local unit saying, “The Pacific parents have been tremendous – we’ve nearly doubled in size this year with interested and involved parents participating regularly.” They have launched the PTSA Web site, issue a monthly newsletter, and have increased the awareness level about school activities and issues by increasing communication between school and home.

Miss SEAFAIR Visits Hazel Valley

HV Alum Shares Love of Reading As part of the Page Ahead Assembly on April 5, Miss SEAFAIR visited Hazel Valley Elementary School. Melissa Parks, who graduated from the school, returned to share memories and experiences from her time at Hazel Valley, her reign as Miss SEAFAIR, and to emphasize how much reading has helped her. Ms. Parks, whose mother, Lisa, is a paraeducator at Hazel Valley, read from the book, What is Beautiful? which she then donated to the library for the students of Hazel Valley. When asked by a student how she got to be so smart, she replied “It’s because I read a lot!”   Read on...>

Bragging Rights

We are very pleased to share good news about the educational accomplishments of staff members and their families.   Get the list...>

National School Nurse Day

District nurses: (l-r) Jodie Davila, Barbara Vail, Aimée Denver, Barb Timeus, Mary Myers, and David Rickard.   Wednesday, May 10, 2006 The National Association of School Nurses, Inc. (NASN) has proclaimed May 10, 2006 as National School Nurse Day. National School Nurse Day was established in 1977 to foster a better understanding of the role of school nurses in the educational setting. Today, school nursing is recognized as a specialized practice that advances the well-being, academic success, and life-long achievement of students. To this end, school nurses promote health and safety; intervene with actual and potential health problems; provide case management services; and actively collaborate with others to build student/family capacity for adaptation, self-management, self-advocacy, and learning. They provide these services to increasingly large numbers of students, often at more than one school building. A celebration of how much school nurses do to keep kids healthy and ready to learn is a key component of National School Nurse Day celebrations.   There's more...>

Highline High School Student Honored at PICC Opening

New Home for Addicted Infants (adapted from the Seattle Times, Carla Solomon, reporter) The truth is, Amanda H. was scared to go back. She didn't want to see all that shaking and screaming, as the drug-addicted babies went through withdrawal. But it was the right thing to do. Last year, she showed up at the Pediatric Interim Care Center in Kent to see the people who had once nursed her there. "I wanted to say thank you," said Amanda, now 15. Get the whole story...>

Transportation Department’s Safety Awards Banquet

Accident-Free Driving Honored On April 29, the Transportation Department held its Annual Safety Awards Banquet at the Clarion Hotel in SeaTac. This event was sponsored by Rogers and Norman, our insurance broker. Bus drivers were awarded certificates and pins for their years of accident-free driving. We have a number of drivers who have between 20 and 25 years of driving without an accident! Bus monitors, vehicle maintenance mechanics, and office staff were also recognized for the work they do to make our district's students safe on the school buses. All these people truly care about the students in our district and transport them with safety in mind. We appreciate and are proud of every single staff member! Contributed by Mary Carr Director of Transportation

After High School Informational Event

Don’t miss out on this important opportunity! Evergreen High School will be hosting a post-high school night on Wednesday, May 10 – mark your calendars! Students of all ages – but especially those in high school – are encouraged to bring their parents and come learn about all the options for continuing education and careers after high school. The Fifth Annual "Pathways to Your Future.” will be Wednesday, May 10, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the Evergreen Upper Gym. This informative event will help parents and students answer important questions about their future. Career Specialist Joy Milstid observed, “With so many options for education/training after high school, decisions making about the future can be intimidating. This event will provide connections to institutions and organizations that can offer new ideas and possibilities, or confirm current plans.” Representatives from public and private universities, community and technical colleges, apprenticeship programs, military and civil services, and others will be there to answer questions and offer alternatives.

Professional Development

To see the latest new courses being offered, changes and updated information in Professional Development, please go to this link: http://www.hsd401.org/StaffDevelopment/index.htm

Board Minutes

Click the date to read the minutes from the April 26, 2006 board meetings.