Do you know any 7th or 8th graders who don't think they can afford college? Check out the College Bound Scholarship program available through the Washington Higher Education Coordinating Board. Students who qualify (maintain good grades, graduate from high school, and demonstrate good citizenship) and meet the family income requirement can receive college tuition for up to four years! Eighth graders must apply by June 30, 2008 (extended from June 1).

Bobbi Giammona has been named principal of Cedarhurst Elementary School where she will succeed retiring principal Leslie Perry.

Ms. Giammona taught sixth grade in the Shoreline School District for six years before coming to Highline in 2005. As a math coach at Midway Elementary for the last three years, Midway students have experienced strong growth. In addition to her results-minded orientation, Ms. Giammona brings a strong commitment to Highline students and the community, having turned down a similar job offer from a neighboring district.

This year Highline Public Schools and Highline Schools Foundation for Excellence worked together to honor employees and volunteers for going above and beyond in their positive influence in the lives of students. We are pleased to announce this year's winners of the Gold Star Awards, honoring excellence within the Highline Public Schools.

Outstanding Teacher of the Year: Scott McComb, Aviation High School
Outstanding Administrator: Diana Garcia, Bow Lake Elementary
Outstanding Classified or Professional Support Staff: Mike Castro, Chinook Middle School
Outstanding Volunteer: Alice McGregor, Bow Lake Elementary.

As you know, Highline Public Schools is facing a budget shortfall of $3.5 million for 2008-09. Preliminary recommendations went to the school board on Wednesday, May 14.

Among the cuts are one principal and one assistant principal position, both at the high school level.

• The position of transition principal at Evergreen High School was designed as a one-year position to aid with the transition to three small schools on the Evergreen campus. It will be eliminated at the end of this school year.
• One high school assistant principal position will be eliminated.

On May 6, the Community Schools Collaboration (CSC) hosted an international team from South Africa. The team visited White Center Heights Elementary, Tyee Educational Complex, Cascade Middle School, and Mount View Elementary. They came to South King County to learn more about the successful community school initiatives in Highline and Tukwila School Districts. In Highline, the team had the opportunity to observe programs to keep middle school students engaged in learning, parent education programs, and elementary school enrichment activities.

Stephanie Mora, student at Arts and Academic Academy, was awarded a paid summer internship at the law firm Forsberg & Umlauf. Stephanie and five other students, all from the Evergreen campus, were involved with the Future Law Institute this school year. Participants of this institute had the opportunity to join judges and lawyers for lunch, visit Seattle University and University of Washington law schools, and sit in on some court cases. Also participating were Iran Ismail from Arts and Academic Academy, Kaitlin Charles from Technology, Engineering, and Communications, Neelofer Vahora, Mahlet Assefa, and Suzan Arellano-Rodrigues from Health Sciences and Human Services.

"We are so proud of Stephanie and her accomplishment," said Jennifer Fichamba, college and career specialist at Evergreen campus.

Congratulations to the fifth- and sixth-graders from McMicken Heights Elementary who participated in the Second Annual All-City Math Bonanza on April 26. The students answered a series of challenging questions in the areas of geometry, probability, and algebra for individual and team competitions. The fifth-graders from Natalie Miller's class were Jaceleen Vailoa, Jashanpreet Kaur, Leyla Sufi, and Hector Dominguez-Maceda. The sixth-graders from Jerald Goo's class were DeShawn Green, Ayda Kedirkhan, Eyerusalem Dessie, Elemo Mussa, Katherine Chounla, Jimmy Padua, and Anthony Chu.

Eleventh-grade high school girls were recently honored for their outstanding achievement in science, technology, and math by the American Association of University Women (AAUW) Highline Branch. The sixth annual reception was held at the Highline Public Schools' administration building to recognize these young ladies who had been recommended by their teachers and counselors at the Evergreen Campus, Highline High School, Kennedy High School, Mount Rainier High School, Tyee Educational Complex, Aviation High School, and Seattle Christian High School.

Tom Erdmann, Highline Public Schools Facilities Services, and Melissa Goldman, architect and interior designer with Ankrom Moison Architects, were chosen as Highline Big Picture High School's 2007-2008 Mentors of the Year. They were honored at Mentor Appreciation Night on May 1.

Fourth-grade student Benjamin Siev won 3rd place in the Seattle Aquarium Art Contest. Benjamin will receive a one-year family pass to the aquarium and a $1,000 college savings account. Congratulations Benjamin!

Last month, Kevin Plough's third- and fourth-grade challenge students from Hazel Valley Elementary entered the contest, "Your Ocean--Our Home". The theme was "Wolf Eel Wonderland." Students were asked to create a piece of artwork that showed wolf eels in their natural habitat of Puget Sound.

Jeff Koch, Highline High School senior, received the Washington Scholar Award. Pictured here with Principal Mike Fosberg in Olympia for the ceremony.

The Highline Book Quest competition was held on May 7 at ERAC with Superintendent John Welch presiding and special guest author Linda Johns. Twelve elementary schools participated. The students were quizzed about details from ten books, including Hannah West and the Belltown Towers written by Ms. Johns. The winning team was from Bow Lake Elementary. The team members are Monica Young, Zuhra Amini, Austin Sharma, and Alexis Minser. Contributed by Librarian Deanna Bell, Bow Lake Elementary

Midway Elementary and Pacific Middle School celebrated Cinco de Mayo a few days early - on Friday, May 2. As mariachi music played throughout the school, families lined up for food, face painting, and photographs. Student work about Mexico was on display. Students and adults played games such as lassoing, soccer, boliche, Bingo and Limbo. The hallway became a showcase for crafts including pinatas and necklaces. Students created a mural, which told their family stories. The Mount Rainier Latino club handed out candy, and the Children's Health Initiative booth attracted many parents.

Kindergarten students sang songs and wore ponchos they had made on their own. Intermediate students performed dances wearing colorful, traditional costumes. Pacific Middle School's band played festive Mexican tunes.

Hours of volunteer time and student involvement make this annual party a success!

See more photos...>>

On April 2, Beverly Park Elementary School hosted a wonderful Family Cultural Fair and Literacy evening. Parents enjoyed a community dinner with live music from Marco Cortes for entertainment who sang fun Spanish interactive songs for those who attended. Two students performed a traditional Ethiopian dance and some sixth-grade students presented their family history and culture reports. After good food and entertainment, families visited the school library to hear Marco Cortes tell Spanish stories and taught families how to say some Spanish phrases. Each child left with a brand new book courtesy of the Page Ahead program. It was a wonderful night for all!

Submitted by Principal Kathy Anderson

A group of Midway Elementary parents are better equipped to support their children's education, thanks to a program designed to educate and empower parents in leadership and student advocacy. Midway's Latino Family Advocate, Samuel Paredes, recently trained parents in parents' rights & responsibilities, parent/teacher conferences, structure & function of schools and the school district, and the path towards a university education.

Earlier this week, the students at Marvista Elementary hosted members the Seattle Mariners' baseball team at an all-school assembly. Jamie Burke (#15), Raul Ibanez (#28), Jose Lopez (#4), Kenji Johjima (#2), and Miguel Cario (#13) taught the students about the DREAM principles:

Drug-free
Respect
Education
Attitude
Motivation

Submitted by Principal Rebecca Kim

Seahurst Elementary is one of about 50 elementary schools nationwide to be awarded a $10,000 nutrition grant to encourage kids to eat more fresh fruits and vegetables. Highline's Nutrition Services department is pleased that Seahurst was awarded this grant for the second year in a row. Thanks to the grant, the Seahurst lunch room features a salad bar every day.

http://www.schoolnutrition.org/Index.aspx?id=2831

The month of May has been designated as Asian American and Pacific Islander (AA/PI) Heritage Month to honor the accomplishments of AA/PI and to recognize their many contributions to the United States.

More than 21 percent of Highline Public Schools' students are Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders and two of the district's top languages are Cambodian and Vietnamese. During the month of May several schools will be holding special activities to celebrate the event. Additionally, community events will commemorate this heritage month in various ways. More information can be found at http://www.seattlecenter.com/news/detail.asp?ME_MediaNum=1280