December 15, 2006   

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Highline Public Schools Receives Boeing Grant for Science
Under the leadership of Susan Wood-Megrey, in a partnership between Highline Public Schools, The Boeing Company, and the Center for Inquiry Science, a project will soon get underway to restructure the district’s science curriculum. This project will develop and implement a model for aligning and delivering a cohesive K-12 curriculum in the earth and physical sciences using a strategy called Science Curriculum Topic Study (SCTS). SCTS is a methodical study process and a set of tools and strategies designed to help educators improve the teaching and learning of science. Read on..>>

Aviation High to Participate in FIRST Robotics Competition

"To create a world where science and technology are celebrated... where young people dream of becoming science and technology heroes." With that as a mission, Dean Kamen founded FIRST, a non-profit organization that designs accessible, innovative programs that motivate young people to pursue education and career opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and math, while building self-confidence, knowledge, and life skills. Read more about Aviation High School..>>

Midway Elementary November Academic Camps

Midway Elementary was lucky enough to host two camps for students to attend during the November conference days (November 20-22, 2006). These camps focused on math (5th grade) and reading (2nd and 3rd grade). Our goal was to provide additional academic exposure for students while also making it a fun environment to practice their skills. For more..>>

Science and Math Clubs “Take Off” at Des Moines Elementary

Liz Meisner and her “planet” students.   Liz Meisner has a passion for science and math – and is sharing that passion with students through the Des Moines Science Clubs. The 29 fourth-grade students currently enrolled are studying astronomy – “a good blend of math and science,” according to Meisner. Get the whole story..>>

Sylvester Students Participate in Education Summit

(l-r) Taylor White, Fernanda Hernandez, Governor Gregoire, Tyler Sanford, Isaiah Bell By Tyler Sandord “It is time to make some real changes to Washington’s education system.” With that statement, Governor Christine Gregoire opened the Education Summit at Bell Harbor Conference Center in Seattle. Four Sylvester Middle School students from Ms. Moore’s honors class, Tyler Sanford, Isaiah Bell, Taylor White, and Fernanda Hernandez, were selected to participate in the summit after their class entered an essay contest entitled: “Why Education is Important to Me.” The purpose of the summit was to share the results of the Washington Learns Report, the culmination of an 18-month study of Washington’s education system. Read more about the summit..>>

Mount View Elementary Earns Praise as a Ready School

The Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) recently recognized several schools for their work in what are known as Ready Schools. Highline’s Mount View Elementary received kudos for their progress with parent involvement in the School Readiness Project. There's more..>>

Big Picture High School Hosts WSU Extension Office

Darcy Batura of the WSU extension office recently conducted a class at Big Picture High School on Household Hazardous Waste and Water Quality. In a series of workshops, students learned about how to make safer choices regarding household hazardous waste and how to protect their health and the environment. Get the whole story..>>

Library "CLAM-O-RAMA" Underway at Des Moines Area Schools, Businesses

At Midway Elementary, librarian Ms. Karen Bianchi wears her Clam Hat to congratulate prize-winning students in the Clam-O-Rama for the month of October: (l.-r.) Naomy Harry, Thavry Phim, and Nikki Chapman.   Six Des Moines-area public schools are participating this year in the Des Moines Library's Book/Clam-O-Rama. The school/business initiative is designed to raise funds for a sculpture on the grounds of the Des Moines Library. Clam-O-Rama Continues..>>

Student and Faculty Artwork Featured

Normandy Park Senior Living is hosting Highline Public Schools Faculty Art Show from now through December 20. You are invited to stop by at 16625 ~ 1st Avenue South in Normandy Park between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. to take a look. Phone 206-241-0821 for more information. District staff members involved are Lisa Bade, Patrick Hill, Joan Kohl, James Lilly, Amanda Schmidt, Bill Morrison, Judy Nelson, Robin Rice, and Carol Skvorak. Evergreen High School’s Carol Skvorak is participating in the 2nd Annual Downtown Seattle Association’s Nutcracker March.   Click here for more..>>

Where Are They Now?

After 31 years in the Washington education system, Dick Cvitanich, former Area Administrator for Secondary Schools at Highline, has been named Superintendent of the Lake Pend Oreille School District. Read More..>>   Larry Nyland, superintendent of the Marysville School District, was named Washington State’s 2007 Superintendent of the Year by the Washington Association of School Administrators (WASA). Dr. Nyland will represent Washington State in the National Superintendent of the Year Award. Read More..>>

Nutrition Services Director Elected to Regional Position

The School Nutrition Association held elections last month for national and regional positions and Highline’s Chris Neal was elected to the position of Northwest Representative for the Nominating Committee. This committee is charged with the responsibility of interviewing and selecting candidates to run for executive board positions. Chris will serve a two-year term in this role.   More...>>

OSC Principal/Director Sue Shields Leads Workshop on Math Success

At the National Tech Prep Network Annual Conference, Sue Shields and Raz Mason, former instructor at OSC, were co-presenters for a workshop entitled Pulling Out All the Stops for CTE Math Success: What's Best for Students. Sue and Raz shared their passion for making things better for students. The focus of the workshop was creating a CTE math program to enrich math curricula and empower students in math. Attendees received a blueprint for deep integration of mathematics into multi-program CTE contexts.

Scholastic Book Fairs Have Grown Up!

The book fairs we all remember from elementary schools are now shifting their aim to include the high school level. And, last week, the Evergreen High School Library and Key Club sponsored one of the first high school fairs in the state. Held in conjunction with the EHS Band Craft Fair, the Scholastic Book Fair offered staff and students the chance to do some serious Christmas shopping - while helping Key Club raise money for their annual conference.

Board Minutes

Click the date to read the minutes from the November 8, 2006 board meeting.