Students from Midway, Cascade, Pacific, Chinook, Global Connections, Odyssey, Highline, and Mount Rainier attended this year's Latino/a Educational Achievement Project (LEAP) conference February 6. In addition to student participation, parents also attended - sponsored by Title III funds intended to engage parents of ELL students.

Two Mount View students will go to the SCORES national poetry slam in New York City this spring to perform their original poetry.

Uziel Martinez and Shani Calamiong recited their poems at the last school board meeting.

The week of March 9-13 is Classified Employees Week in Washington. Superintendent Welch presented a proclamation to representatives of Highline's classified employee groups at the last board meeting.

Julie Hunter has been appointed as principal of Mount Rainier High School, effective July 1. Ms. Hunter is currently an assistant principal at Mount Tahoma High School in Tacoma.

Highline Public Schools will host four High School Fairs for all middle schools students and their parents to hear about small-school options for high school. Eighth graders are encouraged to attend their neighborhood school's event. Families considering other district schools as an option are welcome to attend any of the fairs. There will also be daytime events featuring booths for each small school or small learning community.

Please click here for a flyer listing all of the locations, dates, and times.

District leadership continues to work on ways to reduce the budget for the 2009-2010 school year in the face of unprecedented reductions in state funding.  The community is encouraged to provide input.

Cascade Bicycle Club and Bike Works has unveiled the Major Taylor Project, a new program dedicated to creating a welcoming environment where teenagers have the opportunity to spend time outdoors and on a bicycle. King County Executive Ron Sims, who spearheaded the initiative for the Major Taylor Project, was on hand February 25 for the kick-off event.

Since Superintendent of Public Instruction Randy Dorn's January announcement of his plan to replace the WASL, there has been some confusion reported from students and families in regards to state testing in 2009.

For grades 3-8 and 10, nothing is changing this spring. It is federal law that all students in those grades participate in state testing.

Washington Aerospace Scholars and The Museum of Flight are sponsoring a six-day summer residency where students will plan their own mission to Mars. Interested students from across Washington are completing a series of online lessons on topics ranging from the history of NASA to the future of human space exploration. Top performers will be selected to participate in the summer event, all expenses paid. What's needed now are adults who will help make the experience truly exceptional for the selected students.

Recognition of outstanding employees is a cooperative effort between the district and Highline Schools Foundation for Excellence. Each year, the Foundation organizes and hosts the Gold Star Award Luncheon to showcase top performers in the following categories: teacher, administrator, classified/professional support staff, and volunteer. The employees recognized are nominated by their co-workers, students, parents, or community members. So, here's your chance to shine the spotlight on someone whose work you've admired. Send the completed application form to the Foundation for Excellence by April 1, 2009.

This week marks a national celebration of reading in honor of Dr. Seuss, who was born on March 2. Each year at this time the National Education Association sponsors Read Across America, during which families are encouraged to read together. Read the proclamation...

Led by Mac Lowry, who became the new State Champion is the 200 and 500 Freestyle, the Mount Rainier High School men's swim team took 2nd overall in the recent state competition. Matt Jude placed 3rd in both the 50 and 100 Freestyle.  Two relay teams finished in 2nd place - the 200 Freestyle team made up of Mac Lowry, Matt Jude, Greg Giesbers, and Curtis Strand; and the 400 Freestyle team made up of Lowry, Jude, Strand, and Dillon Webster.

Congratulations!

The district safety committee has designated the month of March as "Employee Safety Month." During March, the focus will be on reminding employees to be safe both on and off the job. Safety posters and note pads, with simple safety reminders, will be sent to your schools and sites. The Safety Committee asks that you make the posters and note pads visible to all of your staff. Safety's intention is accident prevention.

2009 High School Student Awards

For recognition of excellence throughout the Northwest

Attention all high school video producers!

Would you like to have major-market television professionals take a look at your work?

Would you like to attend and have your work recognized at the Northwest Regional Emmy Awards?

Would you like to win the closest thing to an Emmy a high school student can win?

Then you want to enter the High School Awards for Excellence presented by the Northwest Regional Emmy Awards!