Sixteen Highline Teachers Honored for National Board Certification

Sixteen Highline teachers are among the 2008 National Board Certified Teachers announced by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards and honored by Highline's Board of Directors at the January 14 meeting.

Jessica Apitz - Global Connections High School
Christie Brown - Parkside Elementary School
Jacque Decker - Highline High School
Amy Flanigan-Zadra - Mount Rainier High School
Marisa Gaalema - Hilltop Elementary School
Ramona Grove - Cascade Middle School
Maureen Kiely - Bow Lake Elementary School
Emily Lauer - White Center Heights Elementary School
Jolly Meloottu - Mount Rainier High School
Lauren Monroe - Mount View Elementary School
Megan Olson(Funes) - Bow Lake Elementary School
Shauna Pierson - Academy of Citizenship & Empowerment
Kari Robins - Seahurst Elementary School
Jacob Savishinksy - Aviation High School
Kathy Webster - Cascade Middle School
Nancy Weeks - Bow Lake Elementary School

"A key contributor to our success is a growing cadre of NBCT facilitators, working together with cohorts of candidates to help them reflect on their practice and its effect on student learning," said Rick Maloney, assistant director of recruiting and retention.

Certification is a year-long, introspective process that requires teachers to submit a four-part portfolio and a six-exercise content and pedagogy assessment. The ten entries document a teacher's success in the classroom as evidenced by his or her students' learning. The portfolio is then assessed by a national panel of peers.

The OSPI Scholarship window for the 2009-10 NBPTS period is now open. Applications for this first round must be submitted by February 13th, 2009.

The state scholarship pays for half the $2,500 assessment fee. In addition to state scholarship support, Highline offers additional support to candidates, including release time and cohort facilitation.

For the 2009-10 NBPTS candidate cycle there will be two official scholarship rounds.

January 5th-February 13th, 2009
Applicants will be notified on March 20th, 2009
March 27th-May 8th, 2009
Applicants will be notified no later than June 5th, 2009

For more info about the scholarship application, and to apply (it is an online application process), go to http://www.k12.wa.us/Certification/NBPTS/Candidacy/scholarships.aspx

The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards recognizes excellence through a comprehensive assessment process, including submission of a portfolio and completion of assessment center activities, against rigorous national standards. In recognition of NBPTS certification Washington State offers an annual bonus of $5,090 plus up to an additional $5,000 if teaching in a school with high numbers of students qualifying for free-and-reduced price meals (over half of Highline’s schools qualify for this additional bonus amount).

College Goal Sunday - January 25

Highline Public Schools will host College Goal sessions at all four high school campuses on Sunday, January 25, from 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. Experts will be on hand to answer questions about ways EVERY student can go to college. They will also assist families in completing the necessary documents.

What is College Goal Sunday?
College Goal Sunday is a free, on-site program that helps students and families complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the form that is required to apply for federal financial assistance for higher education. College Goal Sunday Washington is a three-hour event that takes place annually in January at several locations across Washington state.

Who should attend?
High School seniors considering education after high school and a parent or guardian should attend College Goal Sunday Washington. Juniors are encouraged to attend to get a jump-start on steps they can take to explore college options and how to pay for them. Students may attend on their own, but they'll need to bring parents' recent income tax returns and/or last pay stub and other financial records.

Most students rely on financial aid to make attending college a reality. But the paperwork can be confusing, making it difficult for students to get money for college. At College Goal Sunday, students and parents can talk to experts and get in-depth help filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Students and parents are strongly encouraged to attend College Goal Sunday together. Because household financial information is needed to fill out the FAFSA, it's easier if approached as a team.

The FAFSA is required for consideration of most sources of aid. There are a wide variety of financial aid programs available to help families from all income levels, including many grants and scholarships.

Even if a student hasn't made a decision about college, they should attend College Goal Sunday. Filling out the FAFSA doesn't obligate them to anything.

What to Bring

• Social Security number, driver's license (if any), and any financial records related to income
• If available: your FAFSA pin number

Students 23 years old or younger:

• A parent and their 2008 income data (W-2's or a pay stub and/or 2008 tax return)

Students 24 years old or older:

• Your 2008 income information
Any other financial records related to income

Not a U.S. citizen?

• Bring alien registration card

Not all families will have all these documents--but that should not deter them from coming. If families don't have this year's income tax returns, they should bring copies of last year's forms and/or last pay stub for making estimates. They should also bring any other financial records related to income. Even if you they have no paperwork at all, volunteers can help them complete part of the FAFSA.

Need more information?
Call 888-758-2253 for more information about College Goal Sunday Washington. Or, check out the website. The information is also available en Espanol.

Spread the WORD- HELP Students get their hands on some cash for college

Your help is needed! You can help Highline students get money for college by volunteering to staff the upcoming College Goal Sunday event on January 25. Training is available so you'll be a great resource to students and families.

Here's the scoop: In one day, students can learn how to get cash for college.

Students can show up to a College Goal Sunday event and get expert help filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the form that's required for getting financial assistance in college. These free sessions take place at multiple locations, dates and times across the state of Washington.

Even if students are not sure about going to college, they should attend College Goal Sunday. They can pre-register, or just show up.

Sponsors are still looking for volunteers to help in a variety of ways, including:

• Financial aid or tax assistance.
• Marketing and community outreach.
• Media outreach and support.
• Registration and student greeters.
• Translation services.

If you have a few hours to spare, please REGISTER as a volunteer.

Social and financial pressures have led to major inequities in who is able to complete high school and go on to college. College Goal Sunday Washington aims to reduce the barriers students face in paying for college by supporting events that connect them to financial aid opportunities.

To help more students get into college, please share this information with a friend or colleague.

To learn more visit www.collegegoalsundaywa.org

If you have questions, contact: collegegoalsundaywa@nela.net or call 888-758-2253.

Health Sciences and Human Services High School (HS3) Honored

Health Sciences and Human Services High School (HS3) was honored by the School Board for being the first of four Washington schools to be chosen for a new global health program developed by the Washington Global Health Alliance (WGHA).

The WGHA Ambassador program is a pilot project designed to introduce global health issues to high school students. The goal is to enhance Washington's position as a leader in global health by nuturing the next generation of global health leaders.

WGHA members will partner with HS3's Principal Paula Montgomery and teachers to create 11th-grade curriculum focused on science, math, and social studies, as well as offer on-site learning opportunities and internships.

The program will start this spring with a two-week workshop hosted by Seattle Biomedical Research Institute's (SBRI) BioQuest science education program and Washington State University. After the workshop, teachers will use the curriculum in class, and students will visit SBRI, WSU, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, and other WGHA member instituions for hands-on instruction with scientitists.

Funding for the Ambassador program comes from a $1 million, three-year grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to support WGHA's goal of encouraging the development of future global health leaders. "We are thrilled that the Gates Foundation is looking toward the students of White Center/Burien as the next generation of doctors, scientists, and leaders in global health," said Montgomery. "The partnership is the right next step for developing our school's focus on health sciences."

Highline's United Way Giving Increases

Highline's United Way campaign was a big success this year, thanks in large part to campaign chair Rexanne Forbes. United Way of King County has nominated Rexanne for Campaign Coordinator of the Year, and the school board recognized her efforts at its January 14 meeting.

The campaign raised a total of $93,583 - that's up 6% from last year's campaign total. Of that amount, $70,616 was directed to United Way or designated charities and $21,887 was earmarked for Highline Schools Foundation for Excellence. Contributions to the Foundation were up 35% over last year - with those dollars going to support programs directly impacting Highline's staff and students.

"Despite the economic woes, Highline's staff responded to the growing needs of others and generously increased their giving," said Rexanne.

Some highlights of the campaign include:

• Des Moines Elementary - Highest Percentage of Participation for a school - at 66% - Ambassadors Christy Schutte & Teresa Lodell
• Human Resources - Highest Percentage of Participation for a department - at 77% - Ambassador Pam Rutledge
• Mount View - leader in pledges for elementary schools - $6,540 - a 16.3% increase over last year - Ambassador Kathy Patricelli
• Highline High School led all schools in pledges with $7,164, a 38.3% increase over last year - Ambassador Alice Hammond
• Hazel Valley was most improved and in 3rd place overall with $3,570 - up 61% over last year - Ambassador Anne Jones
• ERAC raised $20,766 - up 3% over last year - Ambassadors Lora Giboney, Cheryl Schindel, Gina Vendetti, Barb Enghusen, Pam Rutledge, Brianna Smith, and Judy Balko.

A recognition event was held January 15 to honor the work of the Ambassadors.

January Student of the Month

The Southwest King County Chamber of Commerce Student of the Month comes from Global Connections High School.

Ravyn Guy is a senior at Global Connections where she has taken Introduction to Marketing, Advanced Marketing, and Retail Entrepreneurship.

Alana Vinther, Ravyn's teacher and DECA instructor said, "Ravyn is one of the most energetic, positive, hardworking students I have had the pleasure of working with in my 16 years of teaching."

Ravyn was honored as student of the year her freshmen year, and has maintained a 3.8 grade point average since the start of high school. She also placed first in the State DECA Competition last year, after writing a 30-page manual about DECA's Annual Holiday Bazaar with two other students in the Learn and Earn event. Ravyn has been a part of her school's DECA chapter since the start of high school and made DECA chapter officer for the last two years. Ravyn has also been the chairperson for DECA's Annual Holiday Bazaar and organized her chapter's Mock Competition, which helps students prepare for their Area DECA Competition. She has planned national DECA sprit week for her chapter and is the co-chairperson for weekly DECA meetings.

Ravyn has been in the National Honors Society for two years. She has also been on her school's dance team since freshman year and is now captain. Ravyn even finds time to be the manager of their student-run espresso stand.

Ravyn's number one goal and dream in life is to own her own espresso and dessert business. She hopes to get accepted to the University of Washington.

Each month, the Southwest King County Chamber sponsors the Student of the Month recognition for high school seniors from Highline Public Schools, Tukwila Schools, and Seattle Christian Schools.

ASKME at New Start

The ASKME (Applied Science Knowledge via Mentoring & Exploration) program gives students the opportunity to understand difficult science concepts through inquiry- based investigations. They apply science ideas to design and analyze solutions through hands-on activities and projects. The students will develop the knowledge and skills necessary to do scientific inquiry. Guest scientists and community members will be invited to assist as mentors in the various sessions.

Currently, students are designing and constructing submersible ROVs (Remotely Operated Vehicles). The ROVS will be designed to operate as tethered, underwater vehicles that will be required to perform a number of tasks. Students will learn the difference between mass and weight; develop an understanding of mass; learn how to determine the mass of an object; determine the volume of an irregularly shaped object; calculate the density of an irregularly shaped object; and understand what buoyancy is and that there are different types of buoyancy.

MRHS Students Chosen for All-Northwest Band and Orchestra

Congratulations go to two Mount Rainier High School band students who have been selected by the Washington Music Educators Association (WMEA) audition committee as members of the 2009 All-Northwest Band and Orchestra.

Junior clarinetist, Hillary Layer, was chosen for the All-Northwest Band, and senior French horn player, Matthew Perry was chosen for All-Northwest Orchestra. They will perform at the All-Northwest Music Convention on February 15, which will be held in Spokane.

This is Hillary's second year in an All-State group, and Matthew has been in All-State/Northwest groups for all four years of high school. This is a great honor for each of them. "These students and respective parents should be congratulated for great dedication and efforts in the developing their talents," said MRHS Band Teacher Dan Fosberg.

Barnes and Noble Sale to Benefit New Start

On January 29, a percentage of any purchase you make at the West Seattle Barnes and Noble will benefit New Start, one of Highline's alternative high schools. You must mention New Start's number when making your purchase: 423327.

The proceeds will be used to buy books and materials for New Start's new library.

Bow Lake Greenie Awards

Bow Lake Elementary began the Green Team in 2008 with the purpose of anchoring our community in an Eco-Green Zone! So at Bow Lake, we pass around Greenie Awards to honor the commitment the staff has made to lead and teach by example. On January 7, Tracey Drum was honored for getting the staff on board with all of the green advances that technology holds for education and communication. Fred Ritsema was recognized for inspiring young stewards through our school's Environmental Club, which has been a fun part of Bow Lake for years!

The creative trophies were created by Ms. Roedell's fifth and sixth graders completely out of recycled household materials.

Successes to date include: green fundraisers, school-wide recycling, reusing paper, campus clean-up, garden gloves not plastic, stainless steel water bottles, drinking water from our clean green faucets, shutting off lights, staggering lights, carpooling to work, reusable lunch sacks, and unplugging unused appliances.

Our next mission: composting in the cafeteria. Wish us luck!

Our dream mission: paperless homework!

Submitted by Sallyanne Hendren

Presidential Inauguration Lesson Plans

The inauguration of Barack Obama as President of the United States will be televised next Tuesday, January 20, beginning at 8:30 a.m. Information on viewing sites is available here. Please remember to use Cable TV as the viewing medium when possible. Individual Internet viewing of the event is discouraged, as it will impact business operations throughout the district.

Presidential inaugurations represent the culmination of our democratic election process. Teachers are encouraged to take advantage of this unique opportunity for students to see civics in action.

Below are links to educational websites that have lesson plans. Also included is the schedule of inauguration events so that teachers will know what to prepare students to see.

I Do Solemnly Swear: Presidential Inaugurations (Edsitement)
http://edsiement.neh.gov/printable_lesson_plan.asp?id=333

2009 Presidential Inauguration Learning Activities
http://www.nea.org/bare/print.html?content=/bare/29554.htm

Inauguration Swearing-In Ceremony 2009
Musical Selections
The United States Marine Band
The San Francisco Boys Chorus and the San Francisco Girls Chorus

Call to Order and Welcoming Remarks
The Honorable Dianne Feinstein

Invocation
Dr. Rick Warren, Saddleback Church, Lake Forest, CA

Musical Selection
Aretha Franklin

Oath of Office Administered to Vice President-elect Joseph R. Biden, Jr.
By Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, The Honorable John Paul Stevens

Musical Selection, John Williams, composer/arranger
Itzhak Perlman (Violin), Yo-Yo Ma (Cello), Gabriela Montero (Piano), Anthony McGill (Clarinet)

Oath of Office Administered to President-elect Barack H. Obama
By the Chief Justice of the United States, The Honorable John G. Roberts, Jr.

Inaugural Address
The President of the United States, The Honorable Barack H. Obama

Poem
Elizabeth Alexander

Benediction
The Reverend Dr. Joseph E. Lowery

The National Anthem
The United States Navy Band "Sea Chanters"

Safety is a Priority at Highline

Several work areas and their safety representatives were recognized recently for their "no employee injury accidents" at their sites during the 4th quarter of 2008.

Representatives are: Back row, left to right: Ann Benedict, ERAC; Mike Sartore, Bus Garage; Jerry Turner, Tyee Campus; Suzie Junell, Security; Jermila Boyd, Human Resources; Rob Perry, Bow Lake; Tony Zeman, Security.

Front row, left to right: Janet Hodson, Human Resources; Shannon Kasparek, New Start; Vicki Miskin, White Center; Frank Eshpeter, Facilities Services; Ed Smith, Chinook.

Other locations also earning this recognition but not pictured are: Beverly Park, Hilltop, Madrona, Marvista, McMicken Heights, Mount View, Parkside, Seahurst, North Hill, Performing Arts Center, Big Picture, Highline, Nutrition Services, and the Valley View Early Learning Center.

Korean-American Author Nami Mun Visits Big Picture High School

Courtesy of the Seattle Arts & Lectures' Writers in the Schools Program, Korean-American author Nami Mun visited the students at Big Picture High School January 6. Mun read from her new novel, Miles from Nowhere and spoke with the students about her writing and life experiences.

Miles from Nowhere is the story of a young Korean-American girl who navigates homelessness, physical abuse, and drug addiction during her years as a runaway in New York City. Mun was a teenage runaway herself, and says of her book, "I needed to write. I needed to tell the story of a teenage runaway... I want [my readers] to understand that the homeless guy holding out his hand and the addict nodding off on the bus and the sex worker in the back seat of a car, and even the murderer locked up in prison were all children once."

Nami Mun is the recipient of a Pushcart Prize as well as scholarships and residencies from the Corporation of Yaddo and The MacDowell Colony. Her stories have been published in the 2007 Pushcart Prize Anthology, The Iowa Review, and Tin House, among others, and she currently teaches fiction writing at Columbia College Chicago.

Seattle Arts & Lectures' Writers in the Schools program places professional local writers in public elementary, middle, and high school classrooms to spark interest and develop skills in reading and writing. Since its founding in 1994, the program has served 67,500 K-12 public school students and 1,200 teachers in the Puget Sound region. In the 2007-08 school year, the program has established 25 writer residencies in three districts: Seattle, Highline, and Tukwila. By encouraging students to write about what they know best--themselves--WITS helps students find their own, authentic voice.

For more information about Writers in the Schools or this event, please contact WITS program manager Elizabeth Ames Staudt at 206-621-2230 x13, or elizabeth@lectures.org. For more information about Miles from Nowhere or Nami Mun, please contact Katie McKee at 910-270-9011 or katie.mckee@us.penguingroup.com.

Free Civil Legal and Tax Services Now Available at 2-1-1

King County has a new centralized information and referral point for free civil legal services. The 2-1-1 Community Information Line has been expanded and now includes a legal services specialist to assist with the legal referral process. Tax services are now available as well.

This expanded service means that most clients can make one phone call to be connected with the best legal assistance for their situation. 211 gathers contact information a brief description of the legal issue, and sends it to the appropriate agency. Domestic violence cases are referred directly to the appropriate agency - 211 does not gather identifying information in these cases to protect confidentiality.

211 also works with a language line to provide interpreters at no cost to callers. Deaf and hearing impaired callers can dial 800-833-6384 or 711 to be connected to a relay operator who will connect them with 211 - again, at no cost.

The attached brochure is available in over 20 languages. To access these brochures online, visit the King County website. link: http://kingcountyregionalplanning.org/RTF1.cfm?pagename=Getting%20Civil%20Legal%20Help%20in%20King%20County.

For more information, contact Northwest Justice Project at heidif@nwjustice.org.

Educators Discount at the Fifth Avenue Theater

The 5th Avenue Theatre is offering a special educators ticket price of $20.00. This offer is good for best available seats for any performances January 27 - February 4. Following is a review of the current show:

Memphis
"A rockin' crowd pleaser"- San Jose Mercury News

We're talkin' downtown, down-home Memphis of the '50s. Rock 'n' roll is taking over the airways, Elvis is a wannabe, and a downright demented deejay named Huey is spinning the music of black and white America together for the first time. With book and lyrics by Joe DiPietro (I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change) along with composer/ lyricist David Bryan (founding member and keyboardist of Bon Jovi), you'll be delighted to hear Seattle native Chad Kimball, (Broadway's Into the Woods), Montego Glover (Broadway's The Color Purple) bring Memphis to life on The 5th Avenue Theatre stage.

How do you get this great offer?
To order tickets, you must purchase online at http://www.5thavenue.org/. To start, sign into your existing account or create a new one if you have not purchased online before. At this time, you will also enter your promotion code: DEEJAY. On the seat selection page, if you have successfully signed in using the promotion code, discount prices will be displayed if the educators discount is applicable to that performance. You can purchase up to four tickets per educator. Service fees do apply. Offer is only valid for educators. Feel free to share this great offer with your fellow educators. Offer is not valid on previously purchased tickets or in conjunction with any other offers. Once purchased, tickets are nonrefundable. All sales are final.

Underage Drinking on the Rise

The Washington State Coalition to Reduce Underage Drinking (RUaD) needs your help in keeping Washington's children healthy and safe. RUaD is a coalition of many community and statewide organizations, including the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

(http://www.starttalkingnow.org/stateefforts/ruadcoalitionroster.shtml)

Their reseach has shown that:

• Too many of our state's children and teens are drinking. In the month preceding the Washington State Healthy Youth Survey, 15% of 8th grade students, 33% of 10th graders, and 42% of seniors had used alcohol.
• Parents are the #1 influence on their childrens' decision to use alcohol. Therefore, the primary strategy of the RUaD Coalition is to encourage parents to talk with their children about the ways alcohol can harm their health, ability to learn, and their future.

See their website - developed for parents and others who work with children: www.StartTalkingNow.org. It provides quick tips on how to talk with young people, what the laws are, how to get involved in the local community, and other resources.

As partners in keeping kids alcohol-free, RUaD hopes schools will include Start Talking information in school newsletters.

The RUaD Coalition has also developed a Start Talking bookmark, brochure, and poster that can be ordered for free and displayed at schools. Simply send an email to clearinghouse@adhl.org to order. Pages from the website (in English and Spanish) can also be handed out at parent information nights.

Volunteers Needed for One Night Count of Homeless People - January 30

White Center Community Development Association is looking for 20-30 volunteers (counters) for the night of Friday, January 30, 2009, starting at 2 a.m. to help count the number of homeless people in the White Center area. Counters will be trained. Breakfast will be provided.

This count is being coordinated with the Seattle/King County Coalition on Homelessness.

If you are interested in being a counter or would like more information, please contact Sopha Danh at Sopha@wccda.org or via telephone at 206-694-1082 ext 163.