Every high school student and their parents should plan to attend the district-wide Life After High School event on October 22 from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. at Mount Rainier High School. Organized by the Office of College and Career, Marianna Goheen and Barb Wilson commented, "This event will offer students an opportunity for exposure to many different colleges, universities, apprenticeships, technical schools, and the military. There will be people available to answer questions on financial aid, preparing college applications, and an array of other resources."

Don't miss out on this once-a-year chance to find out more about all the possibilities of life after high school!

Bill Gates, Sr, U.S. Senator Patty Murray and a host of other dignitaries gathered to break ground on a new early learning facility in White Center. The Educare Center-a project of the White Center Early Learning Initiative-will be located next door to White Center Heights Elementary.

Forty-two (out of 58) Capstone seniors from Health Science & Human Services High School (HS3) attended the Seattle National College Fair on September 29 at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center.

Superintendent Welch hosted the second annual gathering of area faith leaders at Puget Sound Skills Center on October 1. The gathering of more than 70 area leaders, organized by HPS and the College Success Foundation, offered the opportunity to continue work started last year as well as look for new ways to support the students and families we jointly serve.

Microsoft has created a simple, online process for schools to submit volunteer opportunities to their internal Volunteer Connection System. Not only do Microsoft employee volunteers provide a wealth of knowledge and skills, but Microsoft can also match their time with a $17 per volunteer hour donation to Highline's Foundation for Excellence.

With a clear focus on service to principals and teachers and a desire to streamline, clarify, and create cohesive teaching systems, the Instructional Design and Development group is emerging. The new structure capitalizes on the talents of the current staff and was done without adding any new employees.

Mount View Elementary School library received a generous donation of $500 from Richard Hoffmann and his family. Richard works for Kassel Construction, the company that built the new Mount View.

Technology, Engineering, and Communications High (TEC) at the Evergreen Campus has been awarded a $4,000 iGrant to form a FIRST Robotics team at their school. In addition, a Boeing engineer, Melanie Rider, stepped forward to lead the support for the team. With Melanie's support comes a $6,000 grant to cover registration and parts. Eric Hong, principal of TEC, commented, "I'm excited to be able to offer this opportunity for applied learning and mentoring for our students. It will be a great experience for them."

Martin Santos, a 2008 graduate of Mount Rainier High School, is making a difference! He recently organized a fund-raising walk at Des Moines Creek Park to support victims of sexual abuse and raise awareness about the issue.

October is both Filipino American History month and Italian American Heritage month.

Here are some great resources:

An interesting fact about Filipino American History for every day of the month: http://www.geocities.com/fasa_usc/culture/filamonth.htm

And, 31 days of Italians, with a multitude of ideas and facts: http://www.italianheritagemonth.com

Washington Governor Christine Gregoire has proclaimed October as Family Involvement in Education Month. Superintendent Welch read the proclamation at the October 8 school board meeting.

The board's work study focused on Neighborhood and Community Engagement with presentations by Catherine Carbone Rogers and Jackie Martinez Vasquez. Lively discussions followed with several community organizations, partners, parents, staff, and the board.

Click to read the proclamation.

Southern Heights teacher Denise Della Pella received the OfficeMax "A Day Made Better" recognition on October 1. She was part of a nationwide recognition program where 1,300 teachers received a surprise visit by local OfficeMax staff laden with gifts worth over $1,000 for each classroom. "I'm not sure who is more excited - Ms. Della Pella or the students," observed Principal Anne Coxon. She continued, "What a great surprise - I love it when new teachers are recognized. It's so encouraging!"

Click for more photos

The Highline Schools Foundation for Excellence is pleased to announce that applications are now being accepted for 2008-2009 Excel Grants. More than $100,000 in Excel Grants have been awarded to Highline Public Schools teachers since 2002.

Ann Magyar, teacher at New Start, organized a group of students to participate with the annual clean-up effort at Hicks Lake. Their efforts were recognized in White Center Now - check it out! http://whitecenternow.com/2008/09/27/photos-annual-cleanup-at-hicks-lake/

If you are interested in the Powell and Heller Family Conference in Support of Holocaust Education announced in the last issue of eHighlights, pre-registration is not necessary for clock-hours. However all teachers interested in receiving clock hours should register on-site before 8:30 a.m. on October 21. For further information, please contact Dr. Robert P. Ericksen, the Kurt Mayer Professor of Holocaust Studies via email: ericksrp@plu.edu or phone: (253) 535-7591.