Highline Public Schools is improving in a number of key areas, according to results from the 2009 student and parent surveys conducted by the district.

It's lunch time at Cascade Middle School. Clusters of young teens are gathered around cafeteria tables munching on pizza, burgers, and other typical school lunch fare. What you notice immediately is the many varied ethnicities represented at each table - there is not an African American table, or a Vietnamese table, or a white table. It seems every table is a mini United Nations. Relationships easily cross ethnic and racial lines - there's a feeling of "family" here.

Superintendent Welch has recommended that the school board not run a school construction bond on the May 2010 ballot. The district will be finishing up two schools currently under construction and will be ready to start on new projects. However, the superintendent advised waiting until the economy shows stronger signs of recovery.

Work at the new Parkside Elementary is progressing on schedule. Much of the site work around the building and fields has been completed with installation of drainage, irrigation, and hydro-seeding. The west slope, which has been cleared, is almost park-like and promises to be an asset to the entire neighborhood. It will soon be replanted with native species to create a nature walk for the students.

High school juniors can now apply for the Washington Aerospace Scholars program, which gives students an opportunity to study a NASA-designed curriculum, work with engineers and scientists, visit engineering facilities, and compete in hands-on engineering challenges. The program culminates in a six-day summer residency where students will design a human mission to Mars. For more information, go to the Museum of Flight website. Application deadline is November 6.

Highline has hired Bernadette Merikle as Community Engagement Manager. Merikle replaces Jackie Martinez-Vasquez, who has accepted a position at the YMCA of Greater Seattle.

A recent report on KOMO-TV mentioned Highline's stellar record of school bus maintenance. The district has received exemplary ratings in State Patrol bus inspections for the past decade.

In a school where strengthening community relationships is a top priority, students and staff just got a powerful lesson on the impact of partnerships. White Center Heights (WCH) Elementary had a larger than normal turn-out for the band program this year; however, there weren't enough instruments to go around. Considering the cost of instruments, the music program faced what appeared to be a huge obstacle - but the solution turned out to be surprisingly easy.

Puget Sound Skills Center (PSSC) student Elizabeth Arteaga has received official certification by the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) as a Spanish-language medical interpreter. Elizabeth was in the Translation and Interpretation program at PSSC last year and was one of six students who took the rigorous written and oral examination in Olympia. Claudia Magana, another Translation and Interpretation program student, has completed the written portion of the test and earned a provisional certification.

Ginnie Brossard's fifth-grade class at Marvista partnered with the Normandy Park Starbucks store to collect over $600 worth of instant coffee donations for American troops in Afghanistan. Community members patronizing Starbucks during the weekend campaign generously added a packet of instant coffee to their other purchases, and students were there to collect the donated coffee. Care packages, including the donated coffee, will be shipped to the soldiers this week. "Thanks to the students and community, this will be a welcome treat this holiday season," said Mrs. Brossard.

ACE staff, students, and families gathered on October 21 for a chance to meet one another, learn more about what's happening at their child's school, and share a meal together. Teachers, advisors, and ACE's new principal, Terrance Mims, were on-hand to review class syllabus, school expectations, and best practices for partnering in education.

H1N1 (also known as Swine Flu) and seasonal flu have hit early this season. This is a good time to remember that thorough hand washing and other good hygiene practices are the best way to avoid illness.