February 15, 2007   

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Calendar Revision
In the last edition of eHighlights, we announced that the Superintendent and his team were working on a revised calendar that addresses our weather-related school closures. The revised calendar is now posted on our district’s website www.hsd401.org.

Highline Public Schools Receives Technology Grant

After-school program in five elementary schools   Five Highline elementary schools are adding a new after-school program sponsored by the Technology Access Foundation (TAF). White Center Heights, Mount View, Beverly Park, Hilltop, and Southern Heights Elementary Schools have been selected to participate in the program. These schools will be part of TechStart, one of three programs offered by TAF. The TechStart program, for youth in grades K-8, uses technology to help students learn core skills, such as math and writing. The program provides age-appropriate technology education to boost math, literacy, technology fluency, critical-thinking, problem-solving, and information synthesis skills. Read on..>>

100% Inspection

Highline’s transportation vehicle maintenance staff meet standards of excellence   Transportation Director Mary Carr   The Washington State Patrol conducts quarterly inspections – announced and unannounced - of all public schools’ transportation fleets. This quarter’s inspection at Highline was a surprise. The WSP just showed up and randomly identified and inspected 25 percent of the district’s fleet. The outcome was a "100 percent satisfactory” inspection. Congratulations to all the transportation staff for their continued professionalism!

National Board Certified Teachers

This year Washington is again among the leaders in producing National Board Certified Teachers. The state has added 408 teachers to the prestigious ranks of those who have earned certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. Among those newly certified teachers are six Highline staff:     Barbara Edwards - Shorewood Elementary School     Sandy Gady - Pacific Middle School     Diane Germain - Shorewood Elementary School     Sandra Hunt - Beverly Park Elementary School     Joanna Michelson - Evergreen High School     Roberta Noorda - Gregory Heights Elementary School Click for more story and photos..>>

Can’t wait to nominate…

...someone for a GOLD STAR Award!   It’s time for the seventh annual Gold Star Award nominations. Each year, Highline Schools Foundation for Excellence recognizes an outstanding teacher, classified employee, and volunteer. The three award winners are honored at the annual nominees luncheon, May 8 this year, and receive a $500 cash award. Nominations must be postmarked by April 18, 2007. Nomination forms are available at www.fund4excellence.org  – click on Grants, Awards, and Scholarships.

Teacher of the Year

Highline to participate in nominating process this year   Highline Public Schools will be participating in the Washington State Teacher of the Year (TOY) Program for 2008. The state teacher’s year of recognition begins on January 1 of each year. The nominating and selection process is now underway for next year’s Teacher of the Year. The nomination form can be used by staff, parents, and students wishing to nominate a teacher. Nominations will be accepted until March 1, 2007. They may be sent via U.S. mail or email to:     Communication Office     Highline Public Schools     15675 Ambaum Blvd SW     Burien WA 98166 Or communication@hsd401.org Get the scoop...>>

Pens for Kids

Christie Brown of Parkside Elementary hosts unique learning time opportunity   Recognizing January 23 as John Hancock’s birthday and National Handwriting Day, sixth-grade teacher Christie Brown hosted guest speaker Doug Postlewait, a member of Pen Collectors of America (and Parkside’s Katie Postlewait’s father-in-law), to share his collection of fountain pens and writing quills – and the art of handwriting. Read on..>>

Congratulations to Highline High School FBLA

Twenty consecutive years as regional champions     Matthew Scarsella (left) and Scott Krauter with FBLA advisor Dave Craig.   Highline High School’s FBLA took over 70 members to the Midwest Region Conference and won 60 awards! This is a new state record - breaking the previous record of 54 also held by HHS. David Craig, Highline’s FBLA advisor was also named the Midwest Region Advisor of the Year. Congratulations!

Mount Rainier Teacher to Receive Outstanding Civic Educator Award

Recognition at Washington Senate Civic Education Day   Tom Coraggio is one of 12 teachers state-wide to be honored at the first-ever Washington Senate Civic Education Day on February 21 in Olympia. The award honors elementary and secondary civic education teachers who have demonstrated a special expertise in teaching about the U.S. Constitution, the U.S. Congress, and public policy at the state and local levels. In addition to the award and a senate proclamation, Tom will participate in a day-long event featuring displays around the capitol rotunda, a luncheon with prominent civic education speakers, and a presentation by We the People students. The day will also provide an opportunity for civic educators, legislators, and supporters to network and share best practices with each other. Congratulations, Tom!

For teachers interested in adding We the People curriculum…

Click here for a scholarship application for the We the People Summer Institute at Seattle University. This is a week-long experience for the adult learner. Scholarships are given out to teachers who will use the We the People, the Citizen and the Constitution textbook in their classroom and conduct a mock congressional hearing. Teachers from any grade level are eligible. Teachers who attend the Institute are guaranteed a classroom set of textbooks.

Homeschool Bee Winners

Manhattan Homeschool Center announces the winner or the 2007 Spelling Bee. Joshua Walters, a 7th grader, will represent Manhattan at the regional spelling bee in March. Winners at the regional level go on to Washington D.C. to compete in the national bee. Joshua is the son of Tricket and Shawn Walters of Kent. Fifth grader, Raquel Chase is the 2007 Geography Bee champion. The next step for Raquel is a written test. The top 100 in the written exam continue on to the state competition. Raquel is the daughter of Lucrecia and Darrell Chase of SeaTac. Darrell is a teacher at Sylvester Middle School. Congratulations to both Joshua and Raquel!

Boy’s 2007 All Seamount League Swim Team Named

Coach Darren Rawie shares good news Three swimmers from Mount Rainier High School and two from Highline High School have been named to the All Seamount League 1st Team for men’s swim. They are: Matt Jude, Mac Lowry and Baden Sprinkle from MRHS and Garrett Miller and Geoffe Cate from HHS will represent the district on the team. Second team swimmers are Pat Anderson from HHS and Aaron Smith from MRHS. Kevin Greyson was named to the league’s 2nd team for men’s diving. Congratulations to all!

King County Civil Rights Commission announces student essay contest winners

The King County Civil Rights Commission recently presented the eighth annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Essay Writing Contest Awards for the best student essays on Dr. King's work. Two Sylvester Middle School students were selected as winners! The students selected were: Caroline Sargent from the Bush School, first prize winner of $100; Karen Hendrickson (in photo) from Sylvester Middle School, second prize winner of $75; and Olivia Pham from Sylvester Middle School, the third prize winner of $50. Continue..>>

Highline Students Perform for State's Principals

Aaron Smith   Tyler Kimmel Two Highline students performed recently at the Association of Washington Principals' annual meeting. Held at the SeaTac Marriott Hotel, the venue offered an opportunity for students from Highline to be showcased during the luncheon. The performers were Aaron Smith and Tyler Kimmel. Aaron is a 5th grader at Bow Lake Elementary and Tyler is a senior at Highline High School. Aaron's mom, Janie Smith, teaches music at Bow Lake Elementary and helped coordinate the performance. Thank you to both Aaron and Tyler for their good work in representing the district. Director of Communications Jocelyn McCabe commented, "Having the Highline students perform really added a nice touch to our event and reminded us all why we do the work we do. Thank you!” An honorarium, in the names of the students, has been made to the Highline Foundation for Excellence - earmarked for a music program.

Exciting things are in the works!

Quietly working to make a difference in the community...       Judit Molnar-Logan Judit Molnar-Logan, a third-grade teacher at White Center Heights Elementary School, has teamed up with several organizations including King County Parks, to bring improvements to White Center Park - just across the street from the school. Terri Constinett, another WCHES teacher who brought this work to our attention, commented, "Not only will improving the park help our community, but it will provide great service learning opportunities for our students." Thank you, Judit, for your work - and Terri for shining the light on it!

New Futures Finance Director is CFO of the Year

Susana Schuarzberg   An immigrant herself, serving other immigrants 2007 CFO of the Year one week, becomes an American citizen herself the next week by Sarah Schieron It seems only fitting that New Futures, an organization that serves 2,000 families annually--93% of which are recent immigrants--should have a Finance Director who is an immigrant herself. It is that background that makes the exciting news that Susana Schuarzberg, New Futures finance director, was awarded Puget Sound Business Journal’s first-ever 2007 CFO of the Year award in the category of Small Nonprofit Organization with a budget of less than $150 million, even sweeter! Read more..>>

American Stars of Teaching

The U.S Department of Education is seeking nominations for its fourth annual American Stars of Teaching project, which recognizes exemplary teachers who raise student achievement, use innovative classroom strategies, and make a difference in their students’ lives. Teachers across all grade levels and disciplines will be honored this fall as 2007 American Stars of Teaching. One teacher will be recognized from every state and the District of Columbia. Colleagues, parents, students, school administrators, or members of the community may nominate a teacher they believe has demonstrated the skills, talents, and qualities that personify an American Star of Teaching. Nominations for American Stars must be submitted to the U.S. Department of Education by March 31. The online nomination form and more information about the Teacher-to-Teacher Initiative are available at www.ed.gov/teacherinitiative.

High School Fair a Success!

Highline Public Schools hosted the first-ever High School Fair for middle school students and their parents to learn more about all the small school options available. The event, held at Evergreen High School, attracted over 300 families to hear Superintendent Welch address the changing landscape of high school and the need for education beyond. The event also featured the debut of a 10-minute program with students, parents and staff describing the benefits of small learning communities and the options available. Organized by Michael Sita of the Office of Secondary Education, the fair gave the schools the opportunity to showcase their unique approach to personalized education. Click for photos..>>

OSC Automotive Tech Program recertified

Contributed by Sue Shields, Sea-Tac OSC principal       (l-r), Dr. Sue Shields – Principal/Director Sea-Tac OSC, Evaluation Team Members (Jin Enfield – Shop Manager, Issaquah School District, Jay Jonas – Shop Foreman, Brotherton Cadillac/Pontiac/GMC and Paul Axtell – Dean, Industrial Technologies, Lake Washington Technical College – Evaluation Team Leader) and Instructor, Ralph McKinnon – Sea-Tac OSC Automotive Technology Instructor Great news! The Sea-Tac OSC Automotive Technology Program has achieved recertification by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) in the areas of engine performance, engine repair, steering & suspensions, electrical/electronics, and brakes. All automotive programs must be recertified every five years to be current with all new standards and skills that students will need to compete in the auto industry. Our program was evaluated according to strict standards set by the automotive industry. We were evaluated by the National Automotive Education Foundation (NATEF) in all the areas from our facilities to the number of instructional hours. Our Automotive Technology Program has a skilled instructor in Ralph McKinnon and the latest tools and equipment. Now, more than ever, our graduates will be prepared to enter productive entry-level positions. We are proud of this coveted recognition and our ability to produce competent technicians and employable students so desperately needed by the automotive industry. We would like to thank all the local automotive businesses, advisory council members, OSC administration, students, and the evaluation team that made this recertification possible.

Board Minutes

Approved minutes from the January 24 and February 13 School Board meetings will be posted in the next edition of eHighlights.

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