September 28, 2007   

United Way Campaign November 6-20

The district's annual United Way campaign will be held November 6 – 20 this year. Campaign Ambassadors are scheduled for a training session on October 11 from 4:30 – 5:30 at ERAC where they will learn about the campaign and how the funds raised are put to good use, right here in our community. Last year, for the first time, the district conducted a joint campaign with the Highline Schools Foundation for Excellence. That was so successful, the district and the Foundation will team up again this year. The Ambassadors have a number of fun events planned to help get everyone involved. Stay tuned for more news…

Life After High School Fair

All high school and middle school students and their parents are invited to attend the Life After High School Fair on October 17, 2007 from 6:00 - 8:30 p.m. at the Evergreen Campus.   Get the flyer...>

National College Fair - November 4-5, 2007

Once again, the National Association for College Admission Counseling is sponsoring a national-level college fair in Seattle. This is a great opportunity for students and families to learn more about college, admission requirements, and financial aid.   Get the details...>

Simple Majority Ballot Measure (EHJR 4204)

The Highline School Board has passed a resolution in support of the Simple Majority legislation EHJR 4204 which will appear on the November ballot. What Does It Mean to the Highline School District? How does Washington's current school levy system work? Currently, local school levies must receive both a 60% supermajority approval and meet the 40% validation requirement to pass. What would EHJR 4204 do? EHJR 4204 would amend the Washington State Constitution and would provide that a simple majority of voters (50% + 1) could authorize local school district levies. The amendment also removes the 40% election validation requirement for levy elections. It does NOT apply to school bond elections. EHJR 4204 will be on the November 6 ballot. What do school levies pay for? Local levies support school needs. In the Highline School District, the levies help to support education programs and school operations such as teachers, instructional assistants, textbooks, classroom supplies, special education, bus transportation, security, building maintenance, and other essentials, as well as athletics, music instruction, and Camp Waskowitz. Our levy pays for 18.6% of the district's operating budget. What happens if school levies don't pass? Some school levies have failed because they do not meet the supermajority requirement. Levy failures can result in budget cuts, which require program cuts, staff and/or teacher layoffs, and other disruptions. Elections cost money. If school districts need to run a subsequent election for the same levy, it will take money away from educational programs. It cost our district $47,721 to run the 2006 Levy. Do all types of levies require a supermajority to pass? No, they do not. Regular tax levies do not require supermajority approval. Public hospital districts, metropolitan park districts, and other taxing jurisdictions can pass levies to operate hospitals, parks, and other facilities with a simple majority vote. School districts are held to the supermajority standard to pass a local levy.

Puget Sound Skills Center Instructor Receives Award

PSSC Instructor Sherryl Gunnels   Sherryl Gunnels, instructor for the Leadership and Management in Business program at Puget Sound Skills Center, has been named 2007 Washington State Tech Prep Teacher of the Year. Sherryl is responsible for the highly successful program (formerly Human Resource Management) where students earn valuable tech prep credits for college.

Mount Rainier Students Semifinalists in National Merit

National Merit Scholarship announced the names of some 16,000 students nationwide who were among the top scorers on the 2006 Preliminary SAT. As semifinalists, these students may become finalists eligible for scholarships from National Merit Scholarship, colleges and universities, and corporate sponsors. Included in this elite group are two students from Mount Rainier High School; Catherine Tart and Samantha Terry.

College-Going Culture Starts in Elementary School

UW Grad Michele Brown       WSU Grad Debbie Hodgkin   The staff at Mount View is using a fun competition to help build the concept of college – even in elementary school. Mount View is holding a "door contest" – a chance for staff to show their school spirit and help students get a vision - or support students with their vision - of life after sixth grade. Teachers decorate their classroom doors with memorabilia from the college they attended and compete for "best decorated." Deputy Superintendent Carla Jackson noted, "This is a great way to promote the college-going culture at elementary level and have some fun, too."

First Latina ASB President at Highline High School

Roxana Garcia Elected last spring as Highline High School's first female Latina ASB president, Roxana Garcia is striving to make a tangible difference at HHS and leave her handprint at the district. She has long been an active part of the student body, serving as an officer of the Latino club where she is still an active member. She helped emcee the Class Day assembly last June and played an integral part in coordinating this year's Welcome Back to School assembly. Roxana is really interested in closing the gap between the different ethnic groups at Highline. She translates information into Spanish so more families can be involved and seems to have a handle on the pulse of the other students at HHS.

MRHS Student Wins Photography Contest

Melissa Johnston     Award-winning Photo   Mount Rainier High School photography student, Melissa Johnston, was one of three winners in a recent contest sponsored by Dex Media. Melissa's photograph will appear on the cover of the Dex Yellow Pages book that will be distributed shortly in this area. Congratulations, to Melissa and her photography teacher, Douglas Urner!

Grow Your Own Teacher Initiative Successful

Three years ago, Highline Public Schools sponsored the Grow Your Own Teacher program in partnership with Pacific Lutheran University and Highline Community College. The participants were immigrants who had been highly educated in their home country and were under-employed here due to a lack of proper certification. The last of the program's participants have now received their teaching certificates from OSPI. The successful pioneers in this endeavor, and their certificate dates, are: Mahamud Iman - June 2006 – Endorsement: Math Timoa Mageo - June 2006 - Endorsement: Science Mbuthia Kimani - April 2007 - Endorsement: Science Ester Prieto- June 2007 - Endorsement: Spanish Carmen Reinhart - June 2007 - Endorsement: Spanish Mauricio Ayón, who helped coordinate this program for the district, said, "You should all feel very good about this! Thanks to your contributions, they reached this great accomplishment. I feel very happy to have been part of this initiative."