Reception Held for Retiring Board Members

Matt Pina, Phyllis Byers, and Tom Slattery
enjoying the kind words from many well-wishers.

Three, long-time Board members were honored at a reception preceding the November 7 board meeting at ERAC. Phyllis Byers, Tom Slattery, and Matt Pina are finishing up their terms and newly elected Board members will be installed at the December 12 meeting.

These three individuals have served Highline Public Schools for a combined total of 32 years! Tom was originally elected to the Board in 1991 and Phyllis and Matt joined the team in 1999. Superintendent Welch commended the work of the three saying, "This Board of Directors has led the district through tremendous change and growth in the community with exemplary leadership, innovation, and willingness to take risks for the sake of academic achievement for all students."

This Board has guided the way as the district adjusted to meet the needs of our changing population. They tackled the difficult and unpopular work of redrawing school boundaries and closing several schools. They provided leadership and vision in the development of a capital improvement plan spanning 10 years. They have diligently worked to direct the timing and execution of the necessary bonds to support this plan, resulting in the replacement of 13 aging schools with new state-of-the-art facilities. Under the Board’s leadership, public approval of the district’s direction led to the coining of a new phrase, "It’s a new day in our district."

This Board models the leadership expectations they set for the district’s staff, and takes tangible action toward its goals. Under the banner of "Educate Every Student and Expect Excellence," the Board has honed in on the specific objective of academic achievement for all students. To enable the district staff to execute this objective, the Board has embraced the practice of using external strategic partners to leverage resources and expertise. In this way, teachers and district staff – as well as students - engage in continuous learning.

With the support of the Board, our district currently partners with several organizations to create this system of learners that extends from the superintendent to the kindergartners. Key partners are:

• The University of Washington’s Center for Educational Leadership (CEL) is helping our district develop powerful instruction through study sessions and leadership coaching, working with content coaches and teacher leaders to connect professional learning to classroom practice, and ensuring the necessary policies, practices, and structures are in place to support powerful instruction system-wide. National research has shown this kind of one-on-one coaching is most effective in creating change.
• The Panasonic Foundation has assisted district leaders in examining the systems and policies of the organization to ensure the district can meet its goal of success for all students. One of our Board members has been an active participant on the Panasonic team. This level of representation by a Board member ensures we are all moving in the right direction.
• Our district’s focus on high academic achievement for all students prompted the Gates Foundation to award the district a $5.6 million grant for system-wide improvement.

Our district’s School Board is recognized for its educational innovations. Designating high school redesign as a top priority, the Board established a policy requiring small learning communities at the high school level. Since introducing more personalization in our high schools, the achievement gap between white students and students of color has been reduced in reading and writing, with all groups improving in both of these areas of the WASL. High school reform has also led to a reduction in student discipline issues, suspensions, expulsions, and discipline-related absences.

Another innovation has been the creation of an aviation-themed high school, a unique 400-student school in which college-prep courses are taught through the lens of aviation and aerospace. This high school represents unprecedented partnerships between the aviation industry, K-12, and higher education. This high achieving school is built on alliances with aviation-related businesses and enterprises, which provide real-world learning opportunities for students.

Other examples of the Board’s boldness include its work on accountability, cultural competency, and early learning. The Board has helped create an accountability system rooted not in "shame and blame" but in the spirit of learning and continuous improvement for staff. Recognizing the importance of culturally relevant instruction and services in our diverse district, the Board has embraced a program of cultural competency leadership and training for staff. And the efforts of the Board to pursue pre-K school-readiness programs led to the selection of a local community as the site for one of two early-learning pilots in the state, a partnership between our district and the Gates Foundation.

The Board’s leadership led to a landmark agreement with the local government, providing sound mitigation funding for schools impacted by noise from a nearby airport. The agreement resulted in $150 million for noise mitigation in our district’s schools. This partnership ended a 30-year stalemate between the local authority and the school district over airport noise impacts.

The Board has forged a strong partnership with state legislators representing the district, resulting in consistent state capital funding for noise mitigation. The Board has also built good relationships with the governing bodies of the municipalities within the district—no small task since our district encompasses five different cities plus a portion of our unincorporated county – and the 25-30 individual mayors, city managers, and council members.

Members of the Board were instrumental in the creation of a non-profit foundation. Established in 2001 for the purpose of developing community resources to help our district’s students succeed, the foundation’s work includes enrichment of the classroom and school experience with an eye toward engaging students to reach a higher level. Since its inception, the foundation has distributed more than $250,000 to staff, students, and programs of our schools.

Superintendent Welch commented, "It is difficult to overstate the change in tone and dynamic in our district during the decade of this Board’s leadership. These individuals have truly led the way in reshaping the district and creating a laser focus on student achievement."

View more photos...>

"Navajo Code Talker" from World War II to Address PSSC Students

84-year-old American hero, Samuel Holiday, of northern Arizona, will speak to history students at the Puget Sound Skills Center on November 13. The Veterans’ Day program caps off a two-month study of World War II for eighty students in VITAL, the skills center’s high school completion program.

Recruited to join the Marine Corps at age 18, Holiday was trained at Camp Pendleton, California, to speak the Navajo Code, a codified form of his native language. This code was used throughout WWII Pacific battles because the Japanese were unaware of the Navajo language and was never deciphered. Mr. Holiday is one of only five of these "code talkers" left alive out of the 200+ who were trained to be a part of this elite team.

In the course of the War, he participated in battles on Saipan, Tinian, Kwajalein, and Iwo Jima.

Marginalized at the end of the War, the story of the Code Talkers did not come to public attention for many years. It remained secret and classified Pentagon information until it was declassified in 1968. In 1982, President Ronald Reagan recognized the Navajo Code Talkers for "dedicated service, unique achievement, patriotism, resourcefulness, and courage." In 2000, Mr. Holiday received the Congressional Medal of Honor.

Mr. Holiday agreed to meet with the Puget Sound Skills Center students while on a private visit to Washington State because of his willingness to share his experiences with today’s youth.

Teachers and Principals Gather at Math Summit

Teachers gather around displays of information
about student math proficiency.

6th grade teacher Katie Postlewait and
Des Moines Principal Karin Jones analyze
student math data.

Representatives of every Highline school put their heads together recently at a district-wide math summit. The gathering was convened by Deputy Superintendent Carla Jackson to generate feedback and ideas from teachers and principals on Highline’s math initiative.

Highline Schools Foundation Adopts Six More Schools!

Teachers at Beverly Park display their $100 gifts.

Contributed by Dawn Elwell, executive director Highline Schools Foundation for Excellence

In surprise presentations, the Highline Schools Foundation recently adopted six elementary schools, giving the teachers in each classroom $100 to spend towards needed supplies.

Since its inception in 2001, the Foundation has given over $77,000 to teachers in its Adopt-A-Classroom program and has committed to adopting every classroom in the Highline Schools District. This fall, classrooms were adopted at Bow Lake, Cedarhurst, Beverly Park, Parkside, Madrona, and Mount View elementary schools.

As one Parkside Elementary school teacher said, "I have taught for 27 years and this was a surprise and such a wonderful feeling of appreciation! You really made my year with this gesture."

Generous Donation from the McMicken Heights Community Club

Photo: l-r, Kirsti Weaver, PSSC Foundation Treasurer; Marion
Henry and Dick Jordan, McMicken Heights Community Club
(Dick was the President); Dave Estes; and Dr. Sue Shields.

The Puget Sound Skills Center Foundation, along with the Highline Schools Foundation for Excellence and Seattle Christian Schools, received very generous donations ($180,000.00 to PSSC) from the McMicken Heights Community Club, which is closing its doors. The donation was formalized at a lunch event at PSSC. Vice Principal Dave Estes observed, "This was a very emotional event as several of the board members from the McMicken group were involved with the community club since 1949! Kirsti Weaver and Steve Davolt received the award on behalf of the PSSC foundation.

American Education Week - November 12-16, 2006

Superintendent Welch signed the proclamation for American Education Week, November 12-16, 2007.

Learning in the WCH Computer Lab

White Center Heights Computer Lab

Students at White Center Heights are making good use of the computer lab – and working with buddies so everyone learns together. In this assignment, the students were creating flashcards, using clip art, and making word rings. The older students learn quickly and then show the kindergarten students. Teacher Bob Huppe was excited to see that, "With two or three tries, the kindergartners were able to do it independently." He went on to say, "With these skills, they can create flashcards for any subject they wish." Students demonstrated their computer skills for the members of the Senate Education Committee when they visited White Center Heights last month.

United Way Campaign Kicks Off

Raymond Tarpley speaks to the Mount View staff

Around the district campaign Ambassadors were sharing the work of United Way and asking employees to get involved. From Mount View, where interim Principal Charlotte Carr is sponsoring a dinner for two and a shopping trip for teaching supplies to White Center Heights where staff will be rewarded for 100% participation by Principal Dave Darling dressing up as a character of the staff's choice... creative employees found fun ways to draw attention to the campaign to change our community.

ERAC upstairs Ambassador Brie Smith displays a United Way
poster to encourage staff that "no gift is too small."

United Way guest speakers Melissa Flynn and Raymond Tarpley have joined a number of department or school staff meetings to share information about the impact of United Way's programs in King County.

There's still time to participate! The campaign runs through November 20. See your site Ambassador or email the district's campaign coordinator Rexanne Forbes for information.

Board Approves Selection of Student Information System

At the last Board meeting, the Board voted to approve the selection of Administrative Assistants Ltd. (AAL) to provide the district with a Student Information System and Date Warehouse Enterprise software.

The Department of Technology Services conducted a month-long review of the various products bidders offered in response to the district’s request for proposal. Staff members from all departments were invited to review the capabilities and "test-drive" the possible choices. In the end, AAL’s product was found to be the best fit.

Several of the key components of the system are:

1. A scheduling module, which staff will use when building course schedules. Over time, both parents and students will be able to view this piece online. This module includes a companion program that is used to assign teachers to courses.
2. Teacher grade book and lesson planning – teachers will use this to enter grades and lesson plans. This functionality also provides for district and administration review of information.
3. Integrated application that provides easy access for all potential users
   
   
• Teacher assistant for teacher and substitutes – schedules, attendance, grading, assignments, etc.
• Parent assistant module for parent’s to check their child’s attendance, grades, and homework on line
• Student assistant module for student access to homework, grading, teaching staff dialogue, etc.
• Health module will allow parents to view medication release, update health information online, and confirm the child went to the nurse and what transpired in that visit. This information will be structured to require authorized access only and will comply with all privacy regulations.
4. State compliant transcript and reporting components – this will provide the option to order transcripts online, and is scheduled for implementation in the 2009-2010 school year
5. Real-time data analysis for data driven decision making. This will give the district the ability to provide data on a higher level without student personalization (names, locations), so that parents can see how the district is improving.

Southern Heights Teacher Inducted into Hall of Fame

Casey Murphy, teacher at Southern Heights Elementary, will be inducted into the Washington State High School Hall of Fame for Swimming on November 10.

She is a Highline High School graduate and represented Highline in swimming competition throughout high school. Congratulations Casey!

Amgen Science Teacher Award Nominations Open to Teachers

The 17th annual Amgen Award for Science Teaching Excellence (AASTE) is now open for nominations. This award is designed to recognize and honor extraordinary science teachers at the K-12 level, who significantly impact their students through exemplary science teaching and who achieve demonstrated results in student learning in communities where Amgen operates.

The 32 selected winners within the United States (4 from Washington State), Puerto Rico and Canada will receive the following benefits:

• An unrestricted cash award of $5,000USD or $5,000CAD;
• A restricted $5,000USD or $5,000CAD cash grant to the recipient’s school for the expansion or enhancement of a school science program, science resources, or the professional development of the school’s science teachers.

Those interested in applying should visit http://www.amgen.com/citizenship/aaste.html for more information. Applications must be postmarked by Jan. 31, 2008, to be valid. Winners will be notified in May 2008.

A flier is also attached with details regarding the award.

With a longstanding commitment to science education, Amgen established the teacher awards program to promote and encourage science excellence in public and private schools. Since the program’s inception in 1992, Amgen has awarded more than $1.7 million to educators who have made exceptional science-teaching contributions and who have significantly impacted the lives of their students. Amgen is expanding its program this year, and will honor a total of 32 teachers in California, Colorado, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Washington and Canada (British Columbia and Ontario).

Applicants are also required to submit an innovative lesson plan that they have successfully incorporated into their classroom and can be shared with other teachers. A panel of independent judges will select the winners based on the following criteria: creativity of teaching methods; innovative lesson plan; effectiveness in the classroom and the plan for the use of grant money to improve science education resources in their schools.

A select number of the lesson plans submitted by 2008 AASTE Award winners will be posted to Amgen’s website, with the intent that other teachers will benefit from these innovative materials. Select lesson plans from 2007 AASTE Award winners are available for download at no cost; educators are encouraged to review and implement any of these plans into their own curriculum.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Carol Pawlak, 206-265-7061.

Safety Week at Cedarhurst

Students at Cedarhurst Elementary participated in their annual Safety Week. During the week, staff and students held classes on safety; kids drew posters, and took part in other activities focusing on Safety. Students were able to display their work throughout the hallways. The week culminated with a rally in the gym. Guest speakers from the community were invited to speak to the children about Safety. Fire Chief LaVielle of the Highline Fire Department spoke on Safety at Home. They also had a presentation about bullying, abduction, and gun safety.

Mount Rainier Parents Receive Good News on Track Project

Headed by Ray Prentice, a committee of parents has been working diligently to fund the Jim Kennet Track Project at Mount Rainier High School. They recently received notification that they have been awarded a $75,000 King County Youth Sports Facilities Grant. The award triggers funds offered by the district and the City of Des Moines. Combined with money already raised, the group calculates they are just $12,000 shy of funding a new track.

They report an energetic project committee continues work to raise the remaining funds needed. You’re invited to go to the Mount Rainier High School Track website where there is a downloadable donation form. (http://www.mrhsptsa.org/Track/index.php)

Prentice said, "Thanks to everyone for helping get the project to this point! We anticipate installing the track during the summer of 2008." He continued, "With the track in place, I will be working with the City of Des Moines to offer a summer track program for area youth in 2009."

Questions may be directed to Ray Prentice at 206-433-1089.

Aviation High School Commended Student

Anna Wheeler

Principal Reba Gilman, of Aviation High School, announced that Anna Wheeler has been named a Commended Student in the 2008 National Merit Scholarship Program. Commended Students placed among the top five percent of more than 1.4 million students who entered the 2008 competition by taking the 2006 PSAT. "The young people named Commended Students in the 2008 National Merit Scholarship Program are distinguished by their strong academic performance in this rigorous competition," commented a spokesperson for the NMSC. "Our nation’s pursuit of educational excellence can be furthered by publicly honoring these outstanding students and by acknowledging the important role schools play in fostering their development. We hope that this recognition will contribute to their educational opportunities and encourage all students to strive to realize their potential."

Board Minutes