February 15, 2007   

Calendar Revision

In the last edition of eHighlights, we announced that the Superintendent and his team were working on a revised calendar that addresses our weather-related school closures. The revised calendar is now posted on our district’s website www.hsd401.org.   Back to eHighlights

Highline Public Schools Receives Technology Grant

After-school program in five elementary schools   Five Highline elementary schools are adding a new after-school program sponsored by the Technology Access Foundation (TAF). White Center Heights, Mount View, Beverly Park, Hilltop, and Southern Heights Elementary Schools have been selected to participate in the program. These schools will be part of TechStart, one of three programs offered by TAF. The TechStart program, for youth in grades K-8, uses technology to help students learn core skills, such as math and writing. The program provides age-appropriate technology education to boost math, literacy, technology fluency, critical-thinking, problem-solving, and information synthesis skills. The goal is for students to design projects that will improve their math and writing skills. For instance, students might design a travel guide, where they would calculate travel distances and times and consult with a professional travel agent. Another project might be designing a community mosaic with students using ratio and proportion skills to do the design work. "This kind of project-based learning really benefits students in going to a higher level of performance," commented Principal Sarah Gill of Southern Heights Elementary, one of the five principals whose leadership brought this program to the district.  Sarah’s colleagues include: Dave Darling, Rick Wisen, Scott Coleman, and Kathy Anderson. According to TAF’s website, "there are frequent news reports about the technical talent drought. There is a real push to increase the number of people majoring in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) fields. TAF students have more technical internship experience in high school than the average college student, and the foundation’s research indicates TAF students have double the college entrance rate for minorities in the state, and nearly 75% of them major in the STEM fields." TAF’s mission is to make education a priority in underserved communities of color. Serving one child at a time, TAF enhances their educational and professional prospects through the delivery of tools for learning in the 21st century. For more information about TAF, see their website at: www.techaccess.org.     Back to eHighlights

100% Inspection

Highline’s transportation vehicle maintenance staff meet standards of excellence   Transportation Director Mary Carr   The Washington State Patrol conducts quarterly inspections – announced and unannounced - of all public schools’ transportation fleets. This quarter’s inspection at Highline was a surprise. The WSP just showed up and randomly identified and inspected 25 percent of the district’s fleet. The outcome was a "100 percent satisfactory" inspection. Congratulations to all the transportation staff for their continued professionalism!   Back to eHighlights

National Board Certified Teachers

This year Washington is again among the leaders in producing National Board Certified Teachers. The state has added 408 teachers to the prestigious ranks of those who have earned certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. Among those newly certified teachers are six Highline staff:     Barbara Edwards - Shorewood Elementary School     Sandy Gady - Pacific Middle School     Diane Germain - Shorewood Elementary School     Sandra Hunt - Beverly Park Elementary School     Joanna Michelson - Evergreen High School     Roberta Noorda - Gregory Heights Elementary School To earn the honor, teachers must undergo an often grueling, year-long introspective process, which includes creating a portfolio of work that documents their performance in the classroom and completing a series of tests that measures their knowledge in the subjects they teach. This is exactly the reason Roberta Noorda of Gregory Heights Elementary School pursued the certification process. Math is her passion – she did a three-year stint as the district’s math facilitator, has taught math in middle and high school, and now teaches sixth grade math – but none of her degrees were in math. She really wanted to validate her role as a "math expert." "I love how there seems to be no real limit to what students can do with support if the expectations are high enough," commented Joanna Michelson of Evergreen High School, in her 7th year of teaching. After long pursuing self-directed professional development, Joanna opted to pursue the national certification to be a part of this community of like-minded professionals. Almost every participant recognizes the importance of cooperation and support from colleagues going through the process. Citing the national board process as the logical next step in her journey to hold herself and her practices to a national standard, Shorewood Elementary first-grade teacher Barbara Edwards, wanted to take her passion for literacy to the next level. "The deep reflection process of analyzing my teaching from so many angles, from the way I structure a lesson, assessment, ask questions, collaboration with teachers and parents, and personal accomplishments was meaningful, authentic, and powerful professional development, that gave me deep personal insight into my practice and has empowered me as a teacher," commented Edwards. Like Barbara, Diane Germaine’s children have graduated from Highline schools. "My goal as an educator has always been to contribute actively to the growth and development of my students, my colleagues, my school, and my profession. This led me to set my own professional development goal to become a National Board Certificated Teacher."   Sandy Gady of Pacific Middle School shared a particularly poignant perspective on the certification process. "I first pursued National Board Certification in 1994 as an MC Generalist. While I did not achieve certification at that time, the work I had to do to complete the process changed me as a teacher forever. Every aspect of my practice changed. I constantly asked, ‘What do I want my students to know?’ and ‘How can I provide the opportunity for them to learn for a lifetime?’ I missed by 11 points. It was disheartening, difficult, yet the most life-changing event of my life." "Ten years later, I decided to make the attempt again. There were no certificated science people in the state when I initially began. I attended ‘Jump Start,’ which is a program sponsored by the WEA. There I met a key woman from Florida, Terri Dugan, who took three attempts to certify. She reminded me the process will refine and polish the edges. She shared she felt her certification meant more to her because it did take her three times. Those that achieve the first time, often miss out on the deeper understanding of the process. If you don’t make it, it’s not necessarily because you’re not national board quality, but because you have difficulty putting the process into words."   Dr. Sandy Hunt, who has been teaching 4th grade at Shorewood Elementary for the past five years, sees the National Boards as a "next natural step in pursuing her passion." She went on to say, "Teaching is the most challenging, creative activity around!!! I believe the work that teachers do is key to achieving a just society. I love working with students and colleagues, setting goals, working towards achieving them and supporting those around me in doing the same." Congratulations to all those teachers who participated in the certification process. Whether you became certified this year – or not – we’re certain that, like Sandy, your teaching has been forever changed – for the better! Stick with it – the impact on your students is well worth the effort!    Back to eHighlights

Can’t wait to nominate…

...someone for a GOLD STAR Award!   It’s time for the seventh annual Gold Star Award nominations. Each year, Highline Schools Foundation for Excellence recognizes an outstanding teacher, classified employee, and volunteer. The three award winners are honored at the annual nominees luncheon, May 8 this year, and receive a $500 cash award. Nominations must be postmarked by April 18, 2007. Nomination forms are available at www.fund4excellence.org  – click on Grants, Awards, and Scholarships.     Back to eHighlights

Teacher of the Year

Highline to participate in nominating process this year   Highline Public Schools will be participating in the Washington State Teacher of the Year (TOY) Program for 2008. The state teacher’s year of recognition begins on January 1 of each year. The nominating and selection process is now underway for next year’s Teacher of the Year. The nomination form can be used by staff, parents, and students wishing to nominate a teacher. Nominations will be accepted until March 1, 2007. They may be sent via U.S. mail or email to:     Communication Office     Highline Public Schools     15675 Ambaum Blvd SW     Burien WA 98166 Or communication@hsd401.org The district will use a selection process that includes a panel of administrators, parents, students, and representatives from HEA and Highline Council PTSA. Two nominees will be selected to send on to the PSESD for consideration of the Washington State Teacher of the Year award. The district-level selection process is to be finalized by late spring. The PSESD will select its regional candidate and forward the candidate’s packet to the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction by late summer. The nine finalists will be contacted in early fall with the date, place, and time of the final interview and selection process. The state selection committee will review the candidates’ written material and conduct personal interviews. One teacher will be selected to represent Washington State in the National Teacher of the Year Program. The nine finalists will continue to represent their regions in activities for the TOY program. PEMCO Insurance sponsors this program and will continue the practice of awarding the state TOY with a $6,000 award and the regional candidates with $500 each. The state TOY is further honored with special training sponsored by the Council of Chief State School Officers and Scholastic, Inc.; a week of training at the Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama, sponsored by NASA; and three days in Washington, D.C. The National Teacher of the Year is honored in ceremonies at the White House and receives a one-year sabbatical that enables her/him to serve as a spokesperson for educators nationwide. As outlined by the state rules, all district educators who are employed full-time, are currently teaching, and who plan to continue in an active teaching status are eligible. Help us identify the 2008 Washington State Teacher of the Year right here at Highline! Get the nomination form..>>    Back to eHighlights

Pens for Kids

Christie Brown of Parkside Elementary hosts unique learning time opportunity Recognizing January 23 as John Hancock’s birthday and National Handwriting Day, sixth-grade teacher Christie Brown hosted guest speaker Doug Postlewait, a member of Pen Collectors of America (and Parkside’s Katie Postlewait’s father-in-law), to share his collection of fountain pens and writing quills – and the art of handwriting. Brown cited several middle school skills woven into the learning: the physical development needed and the sense of "coming of age" to own and use such an implement. Another benefit Brown observed is the improvement of legibility in the students’ work products. The learning-time event also included the lessons of a district occupational therapist who provided instruction to the class on how to comfortably sit while writing and as well as hints on how to hold their paper and pens. Postelwait commented, "I feel that we are presenting to future doctors, lawyers, engineers, artists, musicians, and business people. We set up a table with quills, dip pens, paper, and ink, and the children enjoyed writing with the instruments." He went on to say, "I have always considered my collection as a working collection. I enjoy using my pens and have no qualms with letting others enjoy their grace with fine paper." Mr. Postlewait gave each of the students a special fountain pen of their own at the end of his presentation – a gift Brown says the students "will cherish."     Back to eHighlights

Congratulations to Highline High School FBLA

Twenty consecutive years as regional champions     Matthew Scarsella (left) and Scott Krauter with FBLA advisor Dave Craig.   Highline High School’s FBLA took over 70 members to the Midwest Region Conference and won 60 awards! This is a new state record - breaking the previous record of 54 also held by HHS. David Craig, Highline’s FBLA advisor was also named the Midwest Region Advisor of the Year. Congratulations!       Back to eHighlights

Mount Rainier Teacher to Receive Outstanding Civic Educator Award

Recognition at Washington Senate Civic Education Day   Tom Coraggio is one of 12 teachers state-wide to be honored at the first-ever Washington Senate Civic Education Day on February 21 in Olympia. The award honors elementary and secondary civic education teachers who have demonstrated a special expertise in teaching about the U.S. Constitution, the U.S. Congress, and public policy at the state and local levels. In addition to the award and a senate proclamation, Tom will participate in a day-long event featuring displays around the capitol rotunda, a luncheon with prominent civic education speakers, and a presentation by We the People students. The day will also provide an opportunity for civic educators, legislators, and supporters to network and share best practices with each other. Congratulations, Tom!     Back to eHighlights

For teachers interested in adding We the People curriculum…

Click here for a scholarship application for the We the People Summer Institute at Seattle University. This is a week-long experience for the adult learner. Scholarships are given out to teachers who will use the We the People, the Citizen and the Constitution textbook in their classroom and conduct a mock congressional hearing. Teachers from any grade level are eligible. Teachers who attend the Institute are guaranteed a classroom set of textbooks.      Back to eHighlights

Homeschool Bee Winners

Manhattan Homeschool Center announces the winner or the 2007 Spelling Bee. Joshua Walters, a 7th grader, will represent Manhattan at the regional spelling bee in March. Winners at the regional level go on to Washington D.C. to compete in the national bee. Joshua is the son of Tricket and Shawn Walters of Kent. Fifth grader, Raquel Chase is the 2007 Geography Bee champion. The next step for Raquel is a written test. The top 100 in the written exam continue on to the state competition. Raquel is the daughter of Lucrecia and Darrell Chase of SeaTac. Darrell is a teacher at Sylvester Middle School. Congratulations to both Joshua and Raquel!     Back to eHighlights

Boy’s 2007 All Seamount League Swim Team Named

Coach Darren Rawie shares good news Three swimmers from Mount Rainier High School and two from Highline High School have been named to the All Seamount League 1st Team for men’s swim. They are: Matt Jude, Mac Lowry and Baden Sprinkle from MRHS and Garrett Miller and Geoffe Cate from HHS will represent the district on the team. Second team swimmers are Pat Anderson from HHS and Aaron Smith from MRHS. Kevin Greyson was named to the league’s 2nd team for men’s diving. Congratulations to all!       Back to eHighlights

King County Civil Rights Commission announces student essay contest winners

The King County Civil Rights Commission recently presented the eighth annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Essay Writing Contest Awards for the best student essays on Dr. King's work. Two Sylvester Middle School students were selected as winners! The students selected were: Caroline Sargent from the Bush School, first prize winner of $100; Karen Hendrickson from Sylvester Middle School, second prize winner of $75; and Olivia Pham from Sylvester Middle School, the third prize winner of $50.  "The commission is extremely proud and honored that this year's student essayists showed substantial knowledge about the contributions and work of not only Dr. King but other important people in the civil rights movement," said Kelly Guy, Chair of the Commission. "The essay winners directly tied their work to this year's theme of "It Started with a Dream...Many Views, One Vision" and offered insight into building upon the work of Dr. King and others." The contest was open to all eighth graders in public and private schools in King County and was intended to encourage students to think critically about Dr. King's legacy of peace and justice. All essays were judged on the author's knowledge of Dr. King and his work in the Civil Rights Movement, originality of ideas, development of point of view, insight, and clarity of expression, organization, and grammar. Essay Writing Contest Awards were presented at the 20th Annual King County Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration ceremony in the Illsley Ball Nordstrom Recital Hall at Benaroya Hall.   Back to eHighlights

Highline Students Perform for State's Principals

Aaron Smith   Tyler Kimmel Two Highline students performed recently at the Association of Washington Principals' annual meeting. Held at the SeaTac Marriott Hotel, the venue offered an opportunity for students from Highline to be showcased during the luncheon. The performers were Aaron Smith and Tyler Kimmel. Aaron is a 5th grader at Bow Lake Elementary and Tyler is a senior at Highline High School. Aaron's mom, Janie Smith, teaches music at Bow Lake Elementary and helped coordinate the performance. Thank you to both Aaron and Tyler for their good work in representing the district. Director of Communications Jocelyn McCabe commented, "Having the Highline students perform really added a nice touch to our event and reminded us all why we do the work we do. Thank you!" An honorarium, in the names of the students, has been made to the Highline Foundation for Excellence - earmarked for a music program.   Back to eHighlights

Exciting things are in the works!

Quietly working to make a difference in the community...       Judit Molnar-Logan Judit Molnar-Logan, a third-grade teacher at White Center Heights Elementary School, has teamed up with several organizations including King County Parks, to bring improvements to White Center Park - just across the street from the school. Terri Constinett, another WCHES teacher who brought this work to our attention, commented, "Not only will improving the park help our community, but it will provide great service learning opportunities for our students." Thank you, Judit, for your work - and Terri for shining the light on it!   Back to eHighlights

New Futures Finance Director is CFO of the Year

Susana Schuarzberg   An immigrant herself, serving other immigrants 2007 CFO of the Year one week, becomes an American citizen herself the next week by Sarah Schieron   It seems only fitting that New Futures, an organization that serves 2,000 families annually--93% of which are recent immigrants--should have a Finance Director who is an immigrant herself. It is that background that makes the exciting news that Susana Schuarzberg, New Futures finance director, was awarded Puget Sound Business Journal’s first-ever 2007 CFO of the Year award in the category of Small Nonprofit Organization with a budget of less than $150 million, even sweeter! "Susana is an incredible asset to our organization," said Ruth Dickey, executive director of New Futures. "As an immigrant herself from Argentina, she understands the challenges that many of our families and staff members face." Although immigrants face challenges, New Futures has also documented a great strength they bring to the community. In 2005, New Futures wrote a 32-page community needs assessment, and one of its key findings was around immigrant’s hopes for the future. When asked, "What do you hope your family’s life looks like in five years?", focus group participants from immigrant communities were quick to articulate a wide range of dreams and hopes, from children succeeding in school, to better jobs and more financial stability, to buying their first homes. Focus group participants who had experienced multi-generational poverty were much more likely (with a few exceptions) to articulate that if everything went well, their lives in five years would look exactly as they do today, and were largely silent on future hopes and dreams. This finding was stunningly consistent across New Futures three program sites, and points to the additional challenges families who have experienced multi-generational poverty face in supporting their children to succeed in school and their families to achieve increased economic stability. This characteristic of hope for the future has been a key learning for New Futures when working within immigrant communities and a key strength in which to build upon. Susana faced a different reality as an immigrant to United States than many New Futures families, but still understands the struggle of starting a new life. It was humbling for her to come to the United States five years ago. She went from being a CFO of a $24 million agency in Buenos Aires, Argentina, managing a staff of 16, to working in the United States as an office manager. New Futures quickly recognized Susana’s talents and experience, and within four months she was promoted to finance director. The Puget Sound Business Journal (PSBJ) cited Schuarzberg’s outstanding resourcefulness and ability to forge partnerships as key to New Futures’ success. "When the group lost one of its revenue funds recently, Schuarzberg was able to bounce back and tap other sources," PSBJ wrote. Those who work with her characterize Schuarzberg as being "creative and fearless" in reaching out to funding sources. In 2006 she not only found new funding but managed three large, complicated grants that required complex tracking and reporting—and created an emergency preparedness plan that ensures New Futures’ ongoing operation should a crisis occur. Before moving to Seattle Schuarzberg spent more than 25 years in management and financial capacities in international companies, consultant groups and mid-sized service organizations. She earned her CPA and business degree at Buenos Aires University and holds a Master of Public Administration from Syracuse University in New York. While the award ceremony was a thrill for Susana, it topped an already exciting week. After just over five years of American residency, Susana passed her citizenship test.. She took the oath to become an American citizen on February 1, 2007. "After a long working career, this is my first experience with a non-profit organization," Schuarzberg said during her acceptance speech at the award ceremony. "I would like to share with you that it has been my best work experience ever." She also encouraged others to consider a career in the nonprofit sector, "I am sure you’ll agree with me that there is a lot to be found beyond the bottom line." New Futures’ Mission New Futures partners with families to create communities where children thrive. Our integrated, culturally relevant programs in low-income apartment complexes build skills, foster connectedness, and promote strengths.   New Futures operates on-site family centers in low-income apartment complexes in Burien, SeaTac and White Center. Through its integrated and accessible approach, the agency provides comprehensive education and social services for over 2,000 children and adults in these centers. By partnering with families, private and governmental organizations, and generous individuals, this innovative agency creates communities where children thrive. New Futures has a wide range of education and social services geared toward children, teens, adults, and families. The organization makes a profound difference, ranging from improved literacy rates and greater feelings of community to higher hopes for the future. For more information visit www.newfutures.com. New Futures was first started by Highline Public Schools teachers who recognized that many of the students with the most challenges were living in the same apartment complexes. From that realization, New Futures began as an after-school program located in the apartment community with the greatest need for more academic support. Today we operate in three low-income apartment communities all of which have students that attend Highline Public Schools. None of our students attend another school district.     Back to eHighlights

American Stars of Teaching

The U.S Department of Education is seeking nominations for its fourth annual American Stars of Teaching project, which recognizes exemplary teachers who raise student achievement, use innovative classroom strategies, and make a difference in their students’ lives. Teachers across all grade levels and disciplines will be honored this fall as 2007 American Stars of Teaching. One teacher will be recognized from every state and the District of Columbia. Colleagues, parents, students, school administrators, or members of the community may nominate a teacher they believe has demonstrated the skills, talents, and qualities that personify an American Star of Teaching. Nominations for American Stars must be submitted to the U.S. Department of Education by March 31. The online nomination form and more information about the Teacher-to-Teacher Initiative are available at www.ed.gov/teacherinitiative.      Back to eHighlights

High School Fair a Success!

Highline Public Schools hosted the first-ever High School Fair for middle school students and their parents to learn more about all the small school options available. The event, held at Evergreen High School, attracted over 300 families to hear Superintendent Welch address the changing landscape of high school and the need for education beyond. The event also featured the debut of a 10 minute program with students, parents and staff describing the benefits of small learning communities and the options available. Organized by Michael Sita, of the Office of Secondary Education, the fair gave the schools the opportunity to showcase their unique approach to personalized education. Click for photos..>>   Back to eHighlights

OSC Automotive Tech Program recertified

Contributed by Sue Shields, Sea-Tac OSC principal       (l-r), Dr. Sue Shields – Principal/Director Sea-Tac OSC, Evualation Team Members (Jin Enfield – Shop Manager, Issaquah School District, Jay Jonas – Shop Foreman, Brotherton Cadillac/Pontiac/GMC and Paul Axtell – Dean, Industrial Technologies, Lake Washington Technical College – Evaluation Team Leader) and Instructor, Ralph McKinnon – Sea-Tac OSC Automotive Technology Instructor Great news! The Sea-Tac OSC Automotive Technology Program has achieved recertification by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) in the areas of engine performance, engine repair, steering & suspensions, electrical/electronics, and brakes. All automotive programs must be recertified every five years to be current with all new standards and skills that students will need to compete in the auto industry. Our program was evaluated according to strict standards set by the automotive industry. We were evaluated by the National Automotive Education Foundation (NATEF) in all the areas from our facilities to the number of instructional hours. Our Automotive Technology Program has a skilled instructor in Ralph McKinnon and the latest tools and equipment. Now, more than ever, our graduates will be prepared to enter productive entry-level positions. We are proud of this coveted recognition and our ability to produce competent technicians and employable students so desperately needed by the automotive industry. We would like to thank all the local automotive businesses, advisory council members, OSC administration, students, and the evaluation team that made this recertification possible.       Back to eHighlights

Board Minutes

Approved minutes from the January 24 and February 13 School Board meetings will be posted in the next edition of eHighlights.       Back to eHighlights