Highline Public Schools Announces Two Washington Scholars
 Congratulations to Jeffrey M. Koch of Highline High School and Megan M. Martinson of Mount Rainier High School. Both of these students are recipients of the 2008 Washington Scholar grant. They will receive scholarships equal to up to four years of full-time resident undergraduate tuition and fees.
High school principals nominate the top one percent of their graduating class on the basis of academic achievement, leadership, and community service. A committee, composed of high school principals and college admissions staff, makes the final selection. http://www.hecb.wa.gov/paying/waaidprgm/wsp.asp
Photo left: Jeff Koch - Field of Study: Pharmacy
Photo right: Megan Martinson - Field of Study: Education
Three Highline Teachers Receive Technology Grants
 Three Highline Public School teachers are recipients of a $27,000 technology grant from the federal Enhancing Education Through Technology initiative. (l-r in photos) Tracy Drum/Bow Lake Elementary, Ann Magyar/New Start, and Marianne Shibly/Gregory Heights Elementary will each receive $9,000, which will cover a 10-session training program and its related costs, such as substitute teachers and new technology for their classrooms. When they return to their schools as peer coaches, they will work closely with fellow teachers to share their newly acquired skills and technology.
Marianne Shibly states, "Our world is constantly changing and new technologies emerge every day. Literacy instruction needs to include these new technologies. Peer coaching, with an emphasis on integrating technology as a tool for learning, is necessary to assist teachers to design technology-enhanced lessons that will help our students develop skills and strategies necessary to communicate and collaborate with others."
"[As teachers,] we are always looking for ways to get more technology into our classrooms. Opportunities like this are the difference between educating our kids and educating them for the modern world," comments grant recipient Ann Magyar.
"Peer coaches work with colleagues in their schools to incorporate digital technologies into teaching and learning - software, graphing calculators, interactive whiteboards, digital cameras, and more," said Dennis Small, director of educational technology at OSPI. "Together they identify ways to use this technology to strengthen curricula and improve academic achievement."
Peer coaches also join an online professional network where they share new ideas, lessons, and experiences, and connect with teachers across the globe through Microsoft's Innovative Teachers Network, www.innovativeteachers.com.
Highline's grant recipients join more than 90 others from Washington. They were selected by a 16-person evaluation team of educators. The selection criteria included vision and goals, passion for educational technology and using it to help individual students, a plan on how to work with other teachers, and geographic location. The full list of grant recipients can be found at http://www.k12.wa.us/EdTech/eett08-awardees.aspx.
HS3 Sophomore Named Top Youth Volunteer
Neelofer Vahora, a sophomore at Health Sciences & Human Services High School (Evergreen campus), has been named Youth Volunteer of the Year by the Sokico (South King County) Women's Club, an affiliate of the General Federation of Women's Clubs (GFWC).
Neelofer was honored for her many hours of service on behalf of underprivileged youth and members of her community. A donation has been given in her name to the White Center Food Bank. Her name has been submitted to GFWC - Washington State for consideration for state Youth Volunteer of the Year.
Proclamations
At recent School Board meetings, Superintendent John Welch read the following proclamations for Teacher Appreciation Week (May 5-9) and School Nurse Day (May 7).
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
The month of May has been designated as Asian American and Pacific Islander (AA/PI) Heritage Month to honor the accomplishments of AA/PI and to recognize their many contributions to the United States.
More than 21 percent of Highline Public Schools' students are Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders and two of the district's top languages are Cambodian and Vietnamese. During the month of May several schools will be holding special activities to celebrate the event. Additionally, community events will commemorate this heritage month in various ways. More information can be found at http://www.seattlecenter.com/news/detail.asp?ME_MediaNum=1280
MRHS Qualifies for National FCCLA
Family Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) will meet their match in July at the national meeting in Orlando, Florida. Mount Rainier was quite successful this year at the FCCLA State Leadership meeting held in Wenatchee over spring break. Two-person team Denaya Blaylock and Alex Flood represented MRHS and competed in the Chapter Service Manual STAR Event. They earned the rating of Gold with a score of 98.3 out of 100. They scored the highest in the state and earned a place at the National FCCLA Leadership meeting.
In other FCCLA news, Alex Flood won the election for Region 4 (King County) for an at-large position on the FCCLA State officer board.
FCCLA is a Career and Technical Student leadership group similar to FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America). FCCLA has the family as its focus, and student work on a variety of projects to prepare them to be leaders in families and their communities. http://www.fcclainc.org.
Gregory Heights Receives Earth Hero Award
 Gregory Heights Elementary School was recognized by King County Executive Ron Sims at the Earth Hero Awards ceremony on April 24. A truly collaborative effort among students, parents, the PTSA, teachers, office and support staff, and the principal resulted in a comprehensive recycling program with widespread participation. The PTSA purchased new recycling bins, students decorated bulletin boards with recycling information, student leaders and lunch assistants guided students on proper recycling, and a recycling ethic is evident throughout the school. Congratulations Gregory Heights community!
Photo (l-r) PTSA President Rikke Maudslien, Camilla Maudslien, Mellya Vargas, Steena Maudslien
OSHA's Teen Summer Job Safety Campaign
 Puget Sound Skills Center was chosen as one of four sites nationally to coordinate a kickoff event for Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) 4th Teen Summer Job Safety Campaign. This event focused on teen worker safety in residential construction and taught the students how to use construction tools safely. The national event was featured on the NBC Today Show on April 21.
http://media.vmsnews.com/MR.pl?id=042208-874594-E001386733
Human Services Week at HS3
 The sophomore class of Health Sciences & Human Services High School (HS3) participated in a variety of events during the school's first annual Human Services Week. Per the objectives of the week, students explored the concept of "service to others," (a component of the HS3 mission statement), explored careers in the human services field, and participated in a service project. In addition, students spent a day at the University of Washington, with special visits to the College of Education and School of Social Work.
On campus, HS3 students paired with the international services arm of the American Red Cross to bring guest speaker Kurt Chesko of The HALO Trust to speak on the issue of landmines. HALO is a non-political, non-profit organization that specializes in the removal of the debris of war. This includes landmines, unexploded ordinances (UXO), and hand weapons. Students heard about the history of landmine usage, human and economic impacts caused by landmines, as well as the technological aspects of landmine removal. One of HALO's largest demining projects is in Cambodia, which held particular interest of students of Cambodian heritage. One student of Cambodian background shared with his teachers that a family member in Cambodia had suffered injury from a landmine while farming. Students took action regarding this issue by writing letters to Washington State senators communicating their stance regarding the United States' failure to sign the Ottawa Treaty, which aims to ban landmines worldwide.
In addition to the global perspective, 25 students partnered with the American Red Cross Youth Services branch to teach first aid at a Kirkland Elementary School. Participating sophomores reflected on their practice with public speaking and the patience it takes to work with children.
A special guest speaker during the week was Kevin Berg, an Evergreen alum with cerebral palsy. Kevin, with his wife, has committed his life to his non-profit organization, The Access Life Program. Access Life aims to provide wheelchairs to people with disabilities in order to help them get out of the house and live a more satisfying life.
Overall, the purpose of the week was to challenge students with real-world opportunities to serve others, and I'm convinced that students rose to that challenge.
Left photo: Joseph Spirka on UW campus visit.
Center photo: Nicole Alefaio and Craig Cinderich with presenter Kurt Chesko from The HALO Trust. Students are wearing the protective gear of a deminer.
Right photo: Anastasia Janecke helps elementary student learn first aid basics.
Contributed by Alethea Young, HS3 instructor
Visual Arts Teachers Study at Chicago Arts Institute
 Visual arts instructors, Carol Skvorak (HS3 & TEC) and Lisa Bade (Highline High School), have been accepted to the School of the Art Institute this summer.
Each summer, the Teacher Institute in Contemporary Art (TICA) provides a chance for art teachers to return to their roots, study in a supportive and challenging environment with their peers, and to experience and investigate the latest trends in contemporary art. Acceptance in this program is an honor and major commitment. Teachers have an intensive week of study with day-long classes followed by evening presentations. Participants are asked to complete a series of evaluation tools at the conclusion of the institute experience and then the next school year, provide examples of the institute's efforts on their teaching and curricula.
For more information see: http://www.saic.edu/tica and http://www.saic.edu/webspaces/tica/.
Photo left - right: Carol Skvorak, Lisa Bade
You're Invited!
SoCoCulture, the South King County Cultural Coalition, warmly invites Highline staff members to attend its Open House and Resource Fair on May 14. Comprised of over 60 arts and heritage groups in South King County, SoCoCulture and its members work closely with educators to provide enriching cultural experiences for local students.
As field trip destinations, SoCoCulture's historical museums convey an up-close look at the fascinating heritage of our area.
SoCoCulture theater groups offer summer theater workshops for students, and cast local youngsters in their regular season productions. SoCoCulture dance companies also offer a wide range of classes and performance opportunities.
And many of SoCoCulture's symphony orchestras provide free concert tickets to students and music workshops for youth. This spring, both the Northwest Symphony Orchestra and the Rainier Symphony created opportunities for Highline students to play with them in their concerts.
Visit the SoCoCulture web site, http://www.sococulture.org, to get acquainted with the dance, heritage, literary arts, music, theater, visual arts, botanical gardens, local arts commissions, and other organizations involved in SoCoCulture. And plan to stop by the SoCoCulture Open House and Resource Fair on Wednesday, May 14, from 5:30-8:00 p.m., at the Kent Senior Activity Center, 600 E Smith Street in Kent. There will be live performances, displays, and information tables. Admission is free, and there will be refreshments, of course! SoCoCulture members are eager to meet you and learn how they can match their talents with your needs.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact SoCoCulture Administrator Barbara McMichael, 206-878-6912, info@sococulture.org.
Hazel Valley Class Participates in the Arts Impact Program
 Recently, Kevin Plough's third- and fourth-grade challenge class at Hazel Valley Elementary School had the opportunity to work with a professional writer, director, and actress, Gail Sehlhorst, through the Arts Impact program. A film crew from KCTS, the local PBS affiliate, filmed the students as they worked with Ms. Sehlhorst on March 28. In a letter home to the students, Mr. Plough, said it was "quite an honor for our class to be asked to participate in this activity."
The Arts Impact program is designed to support professional artists working with classroom teachers on integrating concepts in dance, theater, and visual art with concepts in traditional curricular areas. This program was featured at a PONCHO ("Patrons of Northwest Civic, Cultural, and Charitable Organizations") dinner and auction. The PONCO organization is the largest and most prestigious non-profit group supporting the arts in the Pacific Northwest. www.poncho.org This was the name given to the first-ever charitable auction put on by a group of Seattle business, philanthropic, and arts patrons in 1963.
The Arts Impact program provides comprehensive professional development in the arts to elementary classroom teachers in Pierce and King Counties. The program began in Pierce County in 1999 where it has served more than 200 teachers through a two-year training and mentoring program, reaching over 5,000 students.
Chinook Running Club
Last fall, Chinook Middle School partnered with Students Go the Distance to start a running club for seventh- and eighth-grade students. Four students completed the Seattle Half Marathon and several others trained during the season. Through the support of Students Go the Distance (a non-profit designed to support youth in running) students were provided free Brooks running shoes and entry fees for the race.
Chinook runners not only improved their physical health, but also reported that they are doing better in their classes and are feeling more confident about other areas in their life. They learned about teamwork, responsibility, and discipline. Practices were held as part of the after-school club and on Saturday mornings. The students experienced running off-campus at various parks including Lincoln, Alki, and Seward Parks. Amber Larson, teacher at Chinook, wrote in an email, "Once they completed the Seattle half marathon, our seventh-and eighth-grade students were ecstatic. They felt proud of their accomplishments and are ready to do another half marathon this spring!" She continued, "It is amazing to see their confidence grow throughout the training season...they each reported doing better in school and feeling more confident about anything they attempt to do in life. Their teamwork was also incredible. The support and encouragement they gave each other will positively impact their futures."
MSNBC Warning
Recently, MSNBC featured a news segment warning families of an increased effort from illegal drug pushers to get cocaine into children's hands.
Parents and school staff are being urged to be on the alert for a new form of cocaine that has recently emerged in California and is likely to make its way to our area. It is candy-flavored powder cocaine that looks like powered candy such as Pixie Stix.
Though cocaine cut with powdered candy or Jello is not new, the new product is a full-strength powder into which strawberry, coconut, lemon, and cinnamon flavoring have been chemically synthesized. It is much more potent than cocaine cut with candy powder. Authorities are especially concerned because young people may mistake the flavored cocaine for the less-potent cut product.
Drug agents say to watch for any powdered products, especially those not contained in commercial packaging.
The full story can be found at: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24018918/
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