"Alaska Airlines has been a longtime supporter of Aviation High School because we strongly believe in its mission," said Dennis Hamel, vice president/human resources for Alaska Airlines. Hamel, along with other Alaska Airlines executives, members of the Airline Pilots Association, and representatives from The Museum of Flight were on hand to welcome Aviation High School graduating seniors and members of the ACE Club to the "ride of their life" - a flight from Boeing's Delivery Center at Boeing Field to Alaska Airline's hangar at Sea-Tac Airport aboard a brand-new 737-800.

Superintendent Welch honored district retirees just prior to the school board meeting on June 10 saying, "Thank you for the good work you have done over the years and for the impact you have had on children." Each retiree present was given a certificate of appreciation and a district medallion coin for excellence of service. Sharing visions of more time for travel, gardening, and other interests, retirees mingled with board members, colleagues, and community members.

Highline Public Schools will provide bus transportation from district high schools to Puget Sound Skills Center and back to the high schools for the summer session. Students must have a signed parent form to board the bus. Forms can be obtained from the PSSC office or on the website at www.pugetsoundsc.org.

There will be an auction of surplus furniture and equipment from Marvista Elementary on Saturday, June 27. Registration begins at 8:00 a.m. with the auction starting at 9:00 a.m. The auction will be held at the old Marvista Elementary site, 19800 Marine View Drive S.W. in Normandy Park.

Six students from the Translation and Interpretation Program at Puget Sound Skills Center recently participated in a state-wide test to become certified medical interpreters for the Department of Social and Health Services. The program is a relatively new addition to the course offerings at PSSC, and this is the first year students have tested for certification. Testing subjects include interpreter ethics, medical terminology, and basic language skills.

"These are bright, motivated students who are using their bilingual skills as a springboard for future employment," said program instructor Betsy Ainsworth-Grimm.

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

Three Highline teachers have been awarded Teaching and Learning in the 21st Century grants. Cherie Clymer of Highline High School, Carrie Robeson of Gregory Heights Elementary, and Melissa Sokolik of New Start High School have been selected by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction to receive this two-year, professional-development course designed to merge effective instructional and assessment techniques with real-world technologies. The grants are valued at $11,100 each.

How can you make data come to life? Share best practices across schools and departments? Have "accountability" be described as "fun" and "a celebration"? Over one hundred teacher leaders and administrators found out at Highline's first-ever "Data Fair" on June 1.

On June 9, school staff, community members, athletes, and local dignitaries gathered to dedicate the new running track at Mount Rainier High School.

North Hill Elementary held their first-annual science fair on May 29. It was a wildly successful event, with over 300 people attending and 68 entries. Students received winner's ribbons for 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd places, and Honorable Mention. Each child received a Certificate of Participation. Also entertaining the science fair attendees was Aviation High School Robotics Team with one of their models, and Usborne Science Books were offered for sale during the evening.

Submitted by:  Sherry Edwards, North Hill Elementary

Three students from Highline Public Schools were named Students of the Year for the Southwest King County Chamber of Commerce.  They are: Devon Powell and Alyssa Lew of Mount Rainier High School and Sara Flores of Global Connections High School. As winners, each will received a $1,000 scholarship from the Chamber. The students were honored at the Chamber's luncheon on June 12, where State Superintendent of Public Instruction Randy Dorn was the keynote speaker.

Winners were selected from eligible business students from Tukwila School District, Cascade Christian Schools, and Highline Public Schools.

The next regular meeting of Highline's School Board will be June 24 at 6:00 p.m. at the Educational Resource & Administrative Center (ERAC). This meeting will include a Public Hearing of the proposed 2009-2010 budget. The community is encouraged to participate.

The library at Beverly Park Elementary School was transformed into a beautiful Farmer's Market on May 19, allowing students and their families to purchase a variety of Washington-grown fresh fruits and vegetables with "Beverly Park" bucks. Produce that was featured included: granny smith apples, pink lady apples, yellow onions, green onions, russet potatoes, red potatoes, carrots, red, yellow and green peppers, asparagus, rhubarb, purple cabbage, bosch pears, anjou pears, and lettuce.

A group of students from the Highline CHOICE Academy have earned the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Technician Class Amateur Radio License. Corinne Headman, Mark Escobar, Jesse Ingalsbe, JJ Cowin, Riley Flanegan, Lucas Sharman, and Austin Hause are members of an Electronics Technology & Amateur Radio elective class taught by George Wheeler. Since mid-January, the students have studied radio & electronics theory, FCC rules & regulations, and communications & operating procedures in preparation for the 35-question exam.

Gary Paulsen, author of numerous young adult books including Hatchet and Dogsong, visited Cascade Middle School on June 3. Paulsen, who has not spoken at a school in years, wanted to visit one while he was in town for the 2009 Alaska Yukon Pacific Exposition Centennial celebration. Cascade was chosen because of its socio-economic and cultural diversity.

The Highline Council PTSA celebrated in fiesta style at their annual Awards and Recognition Reception with wonderful desserts, children sharing Mexican dancing, high school seniors receiving scholarships, and Highline employees and volunteers being recognized for their outstanding service to children in our district. HCPTSA President Jill Wunch presented a variety of awards, including employee recognition awards given to 22 staff members of our schools. Special guest Superintendent John Welch commended the efforts of all those who volunteer, as did State Representative Tina Orwall.

Highline Schools Foundation for Excellence honored five outstanding individuals in the field of education at its ninth-annual Gold Star Awards Benefit Luncheon at the Doubletree Guest Suites in Southcenter. Linda Drahn of McMicken Heights Elementary received honor as the Outstanding Teacher of the Year, Dr. Steve Grubb received the Outstanding Administrator of the Year, ZZ Newman received Outstanding Classified Employee of the Year, and Aviation High School's Tamera Nason received Outstanding Volunteer. A Lifetime Achievement Award went to Geri Fain, Assistant Superintendent, Support Services.

Parents, students, and community members gathered at Cascade Middle School to celebrate the final Family Night for this school year. Juan Perez, a parent and community member, honored the work of Principal Colin Ryan, Assistant Principal Jacob Ellis, and teachers Chris Peterson and Ramona Grove. Mr. Perez praised the staff for their support of the Latino community at Cascade.

A giant, metal eagle swooping down onto a salmon now stands in the City of Burien Art Space thanks to students from Puget Sound Skills Center and the Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 32 Welding Careers Program. The art piece, primarily made of steel, is the work of students learning welding skills and trade-related knowledge through a cooperative program with the Pipefitters union. Principal Sue Shields said, "It's very impressive and our students loved the opportunity to be involved in this project."

This is the final Highline eHighlights of the 2008-09 school year.

Have a great summer, and we look forward to welcoming you all back in September.

Signing off for the summer,

The Communication Office