Sylvester Featured in Video Highlighting Exemplary School Leadership
 When teachers from Sylvester Middle School gathered last Friday to work on improving instruction, a camera crew was there to capture their work together. Sylvester will be featured in a video that is part of the Leadership Toolkit for Change, a project of Vulcan Productions, the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation, and Boston-based Education Development Center.
The 20- to 25-minute video will show the key elements of quality instruction and effective leadership that are required to improve instruction at the middle school level. The video will be free to all schools in Washington on the internet in September 2010.
Sylvester is one of six Washington schools featured in the video. Schools were selected for the high level of collaboration among the leadership team members, the high quality of instruction provided by teachers, and the diversity in the school population.
Hispanic Heritage Month September 15 - October 15
Hispanic Heritage Month begins on September 15, the anniversary of independence for five Latin American countries-Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico declared its independence on September 16, and Chile on September 18.
The term Hispanic, as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau, refers to Spanish-speaking people in the United States of any race. On the 2000 Census form, people of Spanish/Hispanic/Latino origin could identify themselves as Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, or "other Spanish/Hispanic/Latino." More than 35 million people identified themselves as Hispanic or Latino on the 2000 Census.
Here's a link to FactMonster's Crossword Puzzle featuring Hispanic Heritage.
http://www.factmonster.com/xwords/hispanic.html
Teachers Blast Off!
 It does not take a rocket scientist to know that elementary and middle school teachers do not jump from 55 foot high towers, fly space shuttles, or make alien subject matter like science and math come to life - or do they? For five days in July, three Highline School District teachers rediscovered the weightless joy of learning while building innovative new methods to inspire learners through math and science at the 17th Annual Boeing Educators SPACE CAMP in Huntsville, Ala.
"Mission control" is the U.S. Space & Rocket Center where teachers explore strange new worlds in simulated space missions, experience zero-gravity in astronaut training, and have close encounters with experts in rocketry and space exploration including a talk by Astronaut Hoot Gibson. Gibson's lecture was a highlight for Christie Walker, math teacher at Sylvester Middle School.
Walker's "crew" included Mount View Elementary teacher Evonne Kucera and Madrona Elementary teacher Diana Hass. Educators from all over the world attend; Boeing sponsors over 90.
"I became close with 14 other teachers that week including one from Israel and one from Turkey. We looked at applications for math, history, science, and technology in the classroom - with an emphasis on space," Walker said.
At graduation, July 12, educators earned access to online educator resources to facilitate continued networking with their fellow camp attendees, workbooks, lesson plans, and best of all, a fresh launching pad for unique curriculum design. Participants who receive Boeing funding agree to work with school administrators and implement what they learn at camp in their schools or districts.
 Enhancing teacher effectiveness in the classroom is a core element of Boeing's Early Learning and K-12 education strategy. "Boeing has sponsored this program a long time, but has not sponsored many from the Puget Sound recently," said Sam Whiting, community investor for primary and secondary education at The Boeing Company. "In part it is because local teachers are so burdened when they come back they don't have time to disseminate the information to other teachers." Whiting said this year is different. Working with Susan Wood-Megrey, coordinator for K-8 math and science and interim director of K-12 curriculum, Walker, Kucera, and Hass will receive release time and funding to bring lessons from space back to the teaching atmosphere.
Walker commented, "The timing is perfect because we have a new science elective here at Sylvester that will be able to benefit greatly from the math and engineering that was presented during camp. I can share the ideas with my team math teacher as well as our computer elective teacher who also does rocket launching with his more advanced students."
Boeing and the U.S. Space and Rocket Center are pleased with Walker and other educators' enthusiasm. "We want to work with the world's educators to inspire students and use space exploration as a way to help spark their interest in math and science," said Rick Stephens, Boeing senior vice president of Human Resources and Administration. "By sponsoring educators to SPACE CAMP(r), Boeing is helping the students of today become the citizens of the future and the next generation of scientists, engineers, and space explorers."
For more information,
The Boeing Company
and
The Education Department of the U.S. Space & Rocket Center
Photo captions:
Top photo: Left: Christie Walker commander of the Endeavor and co-pilot (a teacher from Calif.) on the right.
Second photo:Christie Walker (in yellow) prepares to jump from 55 feet
eSIS Update
The new student information system is coming online.
Here's the latest:
Highline High School and Sylvester Middle School have joined Seahurst Elementary School in piloting eSIS. Both schools converted data from SASI to eSIS this summer and started the 08/09 school year with eSIS as their main system.
Elementary schools are next to go live with eSIS. Preparations are underway and a training schedule has been developed for elementary staff. "Sneak Peak" training opportunities have been provided to staff at ERAC and will continue until the next elementary sites go live.
Anyone using eSIS must attend a training before getting an eSIS account. No one will be allowed access without the training. Training rooms have been created at Woodside (room 9 and 10) for eSIS and Data Warehouse training. The Data Warehouse contains information from both SASI and eSIS.
Jennifer Edwards has been hired as a site support person and help desk generalist. A help desk has been established for the sites that go live with eSIS (includes email and phone).
Materials (training materials, FAQs, Shortcuts, Reports, Status, etc.) are on the Intranet \\eracinet\intranet (available only from inside the district. An eSIS newsletter will be distributed monthly.
Madrona Students "Bury" the Words "I Can't"
 Madrona Elementary's third grade team noticed a disturbing trend at the beginning of this school year...their students had a case of the "I Can'ts." Together, the team decided to hold a funeral for "I Can't" and move their students to a more positive frame of mind. Here's the eulogy the students read as part of the activity.
"Friends, students and teachers, we gather here today to honor the memory of 'I Can't.' While he or she was with us here on earth, she or he touched the lives or everyone, some people more than others. His or her name unfortunately, has been spoken in every public building in our homes, schools, churches, mosques, even The White House.
 
"We have provided 'I Can't' with a final resting place and a soon-to-be headstone that contained his epitaph. He is survived by his brothers and sisters, 'I Can,' 'I Will' 'I'll try' and 'I'm Going to Right Now.' They are not as well known or popular as their famous relative and not as strong and powerful yet. But, maybe some day, with your help, they will make an even bigger mark on the world. We will hear, 'I can', 'I will', 'I will try' and 'I'm going to right now'!
May 'I Can't' rest in peace and never be heard of again because we can, we will and we'll try!
Highline Schools Foundation Hosts Oktoberfest
Join the Highline Schools Foundation on October 18th for a fun-filled evening at our 2008 Oktoberfest celebration - featuring a traditional brats dinner, silent and live auctions, dancing, and the SNEAK PREVIEW of a short film with local ties, "The Day My Parents Became Cool."
Proceeds from Oktoberfest will benefit programs for the Highline Public Schools. With family-friendly auction items, local getaways and much more, there is sure to be an item up for bid that you won't want to miss!
As a special treat, Oktoberfest will feature the sneak preview of, "The Day My Parents Became Cool." Local filmmaker Steve Edmiston wrote this short comedy in which adults adopt every current teen trend in attire and body image. Emo, Goth, Skater, Jock - tattoos, piercings, thongs, sagging jeans. With strong involvement from Highline Public Schools and the local community, the story was filmed at Highline High School and a Normandy Park home. It features Superintendent John Welch and Highline High School principal Mike Fosberg. Nancy Pappas Barnhart served as an Associate Producer and many students and staff from HPS were also involved as extras and volunteers.
Oktoberfest will take place on October 18th from 6:00-11:30 pm at the Normandy Park Cove. Happy hour and silent auction from 6:00-7:30. Tickets are $30 in advance or $35 at the door and can be purchased by calling the Foundation at (206) 248-5196 or at Available Personnel Services at 245 SW 152nd St in Burien. The first 50 Highline Public Schools employees receive tickets for half price so call today!
Highline Students Flock to Free College Offer
Hundreds of Highline middle school students have applied for the state College Bound Scholarship, which pays for four years of college tuition, fees, and books for students who stay in school, stay out of trouble, and keep their grades up. Low-income students and students in foster care are eligible for the scholarship.
Statewide, only 29% of eligible students have signed up for the scholarship since it was announced last spring. In Highline, 71% of eligible students applied.
At Pacific Middle School, 95% of the eligible students sent in applications. Principal Cecilia Beaman says she talked about the scholarship with students and parents at every opportunity. "When a parent came in to talk to me, I signed them up on the spot. As I saw students in the halls, I talked with them, handed them an application, and then dogged them," she says. Teachers and counselors talked with individual students. A language tutor worked with Latino families to sign students up. "It was a team effort, and we were tenacious," says Beaman.
Sylvester Middle School signed up 167 students, 82% of those eligible. At both Chinook and Cascade middle schools, well over half of qualifying students applied for the scholarship.
"Getting students to apply was a big priority for us, because getting kids prepared for college is our focus as a school system," says Highline Superintendent John Welch. "Finances are a barrier for many of our families who want to send their children to college. The College Bound Scholarship removes that barrier, so we work very hard to make sure all our families take advantage of this opportunity."
When students apply for the scholarship, they pledge to keep their grades above 2.0 GPA, graduate from high school, and be law-abiding citizens. As long as they still meet income requirements at graduation they receive the scholarship, which can be used at any state college or university.
Highline Honored for Energy Conservation
Highline Public Schools has been recognized by Puget Sound Energy as one of the five 2008 Power Players Award winners for exemplary commitment to energy efficiency and environmental stewardship.
As a leader in resource conservation efforts, Highline was the only school district to be recognized by Puget Sound Energy, Seattle City Light or Bonneville Power Administration.
In addition to building new schools that meet or exceed all new energy conservation standards, Highline completed a number of energy projects at existing facilities. As a result, carbon dioxide emissions will be reduced by 2.1 million pounds annually, which is equivalent to removing 141 cars from the road or planting 288 acres of trees.
One of Highline's largest projects included renovations to boilers, piping systems, and lighting at the Evergreen High School Campus and Cascade Middle School that reduced the annual gas consumption at Cascade and Evergreen by 30%. Nine additional schools received energy-saving upgrades to their lighting systems.
The project will produce an estimated $126,577 of annual energy savings for Highline Public Schools. There is also a projected reduction in labor costs of $127,275 in the first year due to the need for fewer repairs.
Evergreen Campus Volleyball Coach Honored
reprinted from KING5 HS Game Time
Evergreen's Bethany Tate loves to coach because she loves to teach - teaching her volleyball team to be students, athletes and classy young women, making her one of our picks for the Christian Faith Center Coach who Makes a Difference.
Bethany grew up clear across the country in Charlotte, NC. She started playing the game when she was 14. Once she got to high school, she handed down her knowledge at summer camps.
She played her college ball at Division III Macalester College in St. Paul, Minn. Upon graduation, she moved to Seattle to begin coaching the junior varsity at Evergreen in 2005. Just two years later, she took over the varsity team.
Bethany says she loves coaching because she loves teaching. She says she has lots of positive experiences she wants to pass on and she wants to connect with young women.
"I think athletics can be very empowering for a lot of young women and a great outlet for strength and competition. Also, the bond that young women can feel as part of a team is very powerful," said Bethany.
Highline Draws High Quality Teachers with Housing Benefits
 Highline Public Schools and the City of Burien are now offering housing incentives to newly-hired teachers in an innovative program geared toward attracting and keeping quality teachers in high-demand academic areas. The program offers a $250 monthly housing subsidy to up to 20 new teachers. Next year, another 20 new teachers will be offered the benefit. The program targets teachers in high-demand subjects such as math, science, or special education.
Teachers participating in the housing incentive program were recently introduced to the school board. They are Jurgo Bielawski, Yazmin Gil, Nicole Starkey, Jason Busch, Ginalyn Pearson, Lee Hammers, Meredith Wetherell, John Mallory, Francisco Size, and Emily Spencer. With them are Highline Recruiting Assistant Director Rick Maloney and Deputy Mayor Rose Clark and Jenn Ramirez-Robson of the City of Burien.
Participants must rent or purchase a home in the city of Burien. The pilot program is funded by the Washington State Legislature and the Housing Trust Fund.
"Our goal is to recruit teachers who are the best-of-the-best," said Director of Recruiting and Retention Nancy Pappas Barnhart. "It is an exciting opportunity to work with the City of Burien to attract professionals to our community. The housing allowance adds to our list of unique benefits for teachers."
"Encouraging these teachers to live in Burien will enrich our vibrant and growing community with more young professionals who we hope will put down roots here," said Jenn Ramirez Robson, program manager with the City of Burien.
Highline Medical Group Teams with District Nursing Staff
Over 200 students received free school-ready vaccines as a result of a joint effort between Highline Medical Group (HMG) and the district nursing staff.
Spearheaded by Dr. Ron Singler and Coordinator Aimee Denver, two Saturday Clinics were held prior to the start of school. Dr. Singler personally worked both Saturdays and brought along three medical assistants who teamed up with 3 - 4 district nurses for each clinic.
HMG provided the supplies needed to administer the vaccines while the Public Health deparment provided the vaccines free of charge.
The Children's Health Initiative staff from DSHS provided staff to help get students signed up for state health insurance and information was provided for families to use in finding medical providers.
ELL interpreters were on hand to assist with language needs and additional family support.
Dr. Singler extended his generous partnership with Highline by participating in the Staff Wellness Fair. He provided the equipment and staff to do blood tests on-site and provide immediate results. He also assisted district nurses in doing blood pressure screening and answering staff questions.
Holocaust Conference October 20-21 at PLU
The Powell and Heller Families' Second Annual Conference on the Holocaust will be held on the PLU campus October 20-21. The event begins with an evening lecture on Monday and a full-day of sessions on Tuesday.
The conference is designed for teachers and others who are not experts on WWII or the Holocaust. There is no cost for attendees as it's fully funded through the endowment. Anyone involved in civics, social studies, history would find this interesting.
Pre-registration is not necessary for clock-hours, however all teachers interested in receiving clock hours should register on-site at 8:30 a.m. on October 21. For further information, please contact Dr. Robert P. Ericksen, the Kurt Mayer Professor of Holocaust Studies Email: ericksrp@plu.edu, Phone: (253) 535-7591.
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