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| Students in Des Moines Reach Out to Hurricane Katrina's Youngest Victims |
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Kenzie and Kiana display one of the over 2,700 books collected during the book drive.
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An idea proposed by one Des Moines family with three school-age daughters turned into a community effort that will touch children victimized by the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. In one week, students in Des Moines collected over 2,700 books for students who have been displaced by the hurricane. Most of the books were donated by Des Moines Elementary families - an average of 6 books contributed per student-- and an additional 100 books and financial support were given by Pacific Middle School families.
Debrena Gandy, mother of Kenzie, Kiana, and Adera Gandy, and a national best-selling author, organized the book drive at her daughters' schools. Gandy was prompted to act by an email announcing a national book donation drive organized by The Katrina Literacy Collective, a coalition of African-American authors, publishers, and independent bookstores. "Since books are near and dear to my heart, I thought a book drive at the girls' schools would be a small way to make a positive difference," said Gandy. "I suggested to my daughters that we invite Des Moines Elementary and Pacific Middle School to partner with us, and they loved the idea."
The children made posters, and boxes were collected from local businesses. At Des Moines Elementary, the teachers of two of the Gandy daughters, Ms. Escher (2nd grade) and Mr. Simpson (6th grade) helped coordinate the effort among the teachers and students. In Mr. Simpson's class, students had a class assignment to make collages from newspaper articles and make short presentations in other classrooms on the affect of Hurricane Katrina to rally support among other students for the book drive.
After another parent phoned Federal Express' local freight manager, FedEx agreed to ship the books for free. The books will be sent directly to a previously-closed school in Houston that has been re-opened to accommodate children displaced from New Orleans.
"It was a collaborative, community effort in the highest and truest sense," says Gandy. "We're elated with the results! Together, we've made a difference."
Ms. Escher's class collected the most books -- 462 -- and earned themselves a pizza party. The Gandy family, with the help of donations received from other parents, will sponsor a school-wide ice cream social to thank students and staff and to celebrate the project's
success.
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| Welcome, New Leaders |
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In the previous District News, we shared the names of new district leaders. We apologize for our incomplete list, and also extend a welcome to the following new administrators:
| Mia Burris |
Educational Assistant – White Center Heights |
| Viola (Vi) Erickson |
Educational Assistant – Beverly Park and Bow Lake |
| Tom Gobeske |
Educational Assistant – Midway |
| Wendy Lind |
Educational Assistant (.5) – Gregory Heights |
| Rose Ann Walker |
Educational Assistant – Hazel Valley |
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| Parkside
Counselor is a
Published Author |
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 Helen Edwards, a counselor at Parkside Elementary, recently published a children's book,
Clara's Imagination. The picture book addresses the topic of personal safety for children through the story of two young girls who are best friends. When Clara spends the night at Safina's house, she tells a frightening story right before bed. Safina is terrified, but with the help of her mother learns the difference between real and imagined fear.
The book includes several appendices with personal safety tips for children and parents.
Congratulations to Helen Edwards for her success as a published author!
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| OSC
Wins National Recognition |
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Congratulations to Principal Sue Shields and the staff at Sea-Tac Occupational Skills Center. OSC has been accepted into the Successful Practices Network, a part of the International Center for Leadership in Education.
A team from OSC traveled to Washington, D.C., last weekend to participate in the High School Reinvention Symposium, which is sponsored by the International Center for Leadership in Education.
The Successful Practices Network is a not-for-profit membership organization designed for good schools that want to become even better. The Network provides a mechanism to share data, experiences, technical assistance, research, and best practices with one another. Members can seek peer and expert advice on school improvement from like-minded schools and education leaders.
Every school has a liaison from the International Center for Leadership in Education. The liaison facilitates requests for assistance and connects the school to other member schools and to International Center advisors and subject-matter experts.
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| Highline and Leipzig High School Students Team Up |
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The Thirteenth Annual German American Partnership Program (GAPP) is currently taking place at Highline High School. Fifteen German students and two teachers are joining students in classes and staying with Highline families for the next two weeks. The visitors have a busy schedule, during and after school hours. Each student has had eight years of English as a world language and looks forward to practicing English in preparation for four years of university.
Thanks to Karen Fosberg, a former Highline School District employee, for coordinating this program, and to Judy Todd, Billie Degoojer, and Bruno Cross, teachers at Highline, and students for their efforts in creating an exciting and educational experience for German and American students.
Contributed by Teresa Matthews, Highline High School
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| Student Interpreters Help Schools Connect with Parents |
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With Student Interpreter Jeanette Serrano at her side, Seahurst Principal Vicki Fisher spent an evening chatting with Latino parents.
Photo credit: Michael Welch, Seahurst teacher
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At a Mothers' Day celebration last spring at Seahurst Elementary, Jeanette Serrano, a student at Highline High School and a Highline Public Schools Spanish-English Student Interpreter, accompanied Principal Vicki Fisher as an "escort interpreter." The evening's activities were spread throughout the school. Vicki walked around the entire evening chatting with her many Latino families - her escort interpreter never leaving her side.
Afterward, Vicki said: "As I look back at the experience, it was a simple yet profound way for me to make a personal connection with parents I'd never been able to communicate with other than a nod and a smile. The ability to have informal conversations allows me to get to know parents on a more personal level which in turn informs me of their culture, resources and needs."
Already this year, Student Interpreters have provided interpreting services at an ELL Parent Orientation and at an Open House at McMicken Elementary, at a Parent Orientation at Hilltop Elementary, at an Open House at White Center Heights, and at a Burien Town Square information session at the Burien City Hall.
Student Interpreters are available for Spanish, Vietnamese, Cambodian and Russian-Ukrainian. For more information, e-mail
studentinterpreters@hsd401.org.
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| Madrona Students Taste-test Ethnic Foods |
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Highline's Nutrition Services' ethnic food project was highlighted in the Seattle P-I
on Wednesday morning in an article that tells of the district's efforts to partner with Seattle's Nutrition Services department and the STEPS for a Healthier US nutrition educator, Kirsten Frandsen, to create cultural awareness through ethnic foods on the school menus. Read
the full article at http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/243426_ethnicfood05.html.
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| Board
Minutes |
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| The minutes from the September 28, 2005 school board
meeting will be included in the October 21, 2005 edition
of this e-newsletter.
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Life
After High School |
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All students and parents of Highline Public Schools who want current information and planning strategies for students to make their “after high school”
educational dreams come true will want to attend the
Highline Schools Foundation for Excellence Life After High School
event on November 15, from 7-9 pm at
Highline Performing Arts Center.
See
flyer for more information
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