Seattle Public Schools

November 30, 2007

Photography © Susie Fitzhugh

District News

New Seattle School Board members take office; first meeting December 5

Seattle School Board members read an 'Affirmation of Responsibility' at the Oath of Office ceremony for four new Board members on November 28. From left are: Board members Cheryl Chow, Steve Sundquist, Mary Bass, Harium Martin-Morris, Michael DeBell, Sherry Carr and Peter Maier.

Board members united in Affirmation of Responsibility
Four new members recently elected to the Seattle School Board were sworn in on November 28 during an Oath of Office ceremony at the John Stanford Center. School Board Directors are elected to serve four-year terms. All seven board members joined in reading the " Board of Directors Affirmation of Responsibility." The 14-point commitment reads in part, "We accept the high honor and trust that has been placed in us to ensure that the children of this district receive the best education available anywhere in the United States of America. In accepting this position, we hold the pursuit of that goal as our paramount duty." The ceremony was recorded and will be rebroadcast on SPS TV Channel 26 on Friday, November 30 at 8 p.m.; Saturday, December 1 at 1 p.m.; Sunday, December 2 at 6 p.m., and Thursday December 6 at 8 p.m. Newly elected board members include:

? Peter Maier, an attorney, a Nathan Hale graduate and former president of the Schools First Coalition, a pro-school-levy organization, who will represent District 1 (Northwest Seattle).
? Sherry Carr, a Boeing finance manager and former president of the Seattle Council PTSA, who will represent District 2 (North Seattle).
? Harium Martin-Morris, a Boeing software quality assurance manager and former Nathan Hale PTSA president, who will represent District 3 (Northeast Seattle).
? Steve Sundquist, a former executive at Russell Investment Group and school volunteer, who will represent District 6 (West Seattle).

The first meeting of the newly elected Board is Wednesday, December 5 in which Maier, Carr, Martin-Morris and Sundquist will join Directors Michael DeBell (District 4), Mary Bass (District 5), and Cheryl Chow (District 7).

Voters approve Simple Majority for school levies
Final ballot counts from the Washington Secretary of State indicate that voters approved EHJR 4204, an amendment to the Washington State Constitution providing for a simple majority of voters to authorize a school levy. More than 50.60 percent of voters, or 811,507, approved the proposal, with 49.39 percent, or 792,010, opposed.

Seattle area first in U.S. to launch Roots of Empathy program

In left photo, Kelly Aramaki, principal at John Stanford International School; Dr. Maria L. Goodloe-Johnson, Superintendent, Seattle Public Schools; Mary Gordon, founder and CEO of Roots of Empathy; and John Sabol, a philanthropist with the John and Nancy Sabol Foundation, help launch the Roots of Empathy program at John Stanford International on November 15. In right photo, students at Sacajawea Elementary School, one of four Seattle schools using the program, interact with a baby as part of a Roots of Empathy session.

Award-winning program helps reduce bullying, promotes positive social behavior
     Seattle Public Schools showcased an award-winning classroom-based program this month designed to reduce bullying and promote positive social behavior. Seattle Public Schools is the first major school district in the United States to implement the internationally recognized program Roots of Empathy. Guests saw the unique program in action at the John Stanford International School on November 15.
     Roots of Empathy is now in 10 classrooms from Grades 1-6 in regional schools, including four Seattle Public Schools (Dearborn Park Elementary, Sacajawea Elementary, John Stanford International School, and West Seattle Elementary) as part of a three-year commitment by local philanthropists. The program will expand to 20 classrooms in 2008 and 30 in 2009. Roots of Empathy is being brought to Seattle as a part of the broader Seeds of Compassion initiative, promoting evidenced-based programs that successfully build the foundation of learning and compassion in children and youth. For the full news release, click here.

Hiring process begins for principals, assistant principals for 2008-09
     Seattle Public Schools has launched the hiring process for principals and assistant principals for the 2008-09 school year. The School District is seeking dynamic and skilled leaders who want to work in a progressive, urban school system. Principals and assistant principals provide leadership, inspire excellence in a diverse student population and build relationships in the community so that all students have an equal opportunity to learn and be productive.
      A Master of Arts degree in Education or a related field is required. The applicant must also have three years of successful certificated school experience, plus a Washington State Administrator?s certificate or the ability to obtain one by September 1, 2008. To download an application packet, visit the School District?s Web site at http://www.seattleschools.org/area/hr/startjobsearch.xml and click on the 2008-09 Building Administrator Hiring link. First reviews of applications will start on January 22, 2008. Applications received after that date will be considered on an as-needed basis.

Seattle Public Schools Archives
A school nurse from the 1930s (left photo) and in recent years (right photo) conduct health check-ups on students.

Seattle Public Schools nurses celebrating 100 years of service
Seattle Public Schools nurses are celebrating 100 years of service (1907-2007) to schools this year. In 1907, Frank Cooper, then Superintendent for the District, hired two nurses to help prevent poor school attendance due to common ailments such as pink eye, measles, ringworm, scabies, lice and malnutrition. One hundred years later, 65 Seattle school nurses continue that mission to help children stay healthy and ready to learn. Events and celebrations are ongoing and will continue through next year. For more information on school nurses, visit the Health Services Web site at http://www.seattleschools.org/area/healthservices/index.dxml

School District receives $991,729 grant for Teaching American History
The Seattle School District is the recipient of a Teaching American History grant from the federal Department of Education. The grant, worth $991,729, will be used over the next three years to provide 35 middle and high school U.S. history teachers high quality instruction in U.S. history. The grant will also help with instructional practices for turning students into research historians, museum curators, engaged citizens, and independent readers of fiction and nonfiction historical text.

Student preregistration, Sibling Early Assignment ends in November; process continues during Open Enrollment in January, February
November 30 is the last day for preregistration for kindergarten and other new students entering Seattle Public Schools in September 2008 – as well as early applications for Sibling Early Assignments. Open enrollment for students in all grades and additional applications for Sibling Early Assignments will continue from January 22 to February 29, 2008. Click on this link for more information on Open Enrollment, school fairs and Enrollment Centers. For more information on preregistration or Sibling Early Assignments, go the Enrollment Services Web site or call Enrollment Services at (206) 252-0760.

'Beyond Blue Mountains' exhibit on display at John Stanford Center lobby
“Beyond Blue Mountains,” a collection of 18 art pieces from Native American artists, will be on display at the John Stanford Center lobby through December, then will travel to various schools in January. The exhibit is on a long-term loan through the Washington State Arts Council. Seattle Public Schools is developing a docent-led program to inform teachers and students about the exhibit.

Student Celebrations

Mercer Middle School student graduates from World Leadership Forum
Charlotte Hammer, a sixth-grade student at Asa Mercer Middle School, recently completed the 2007 People to People World Leadership Forum in Washington, D.C. As a graduate of the forum, Charlotte experienced a unique opportunity to develop self-confidence and leadership skills; and gained an important advantage in academics and the college admissions process. President Dwight D. Eisenhower created the People to People initiative 50 years ago with a mission of furthering his vision of world peace and understanding, while preparing to serve as a leader and global citizen.

West Seattle Fall Expo puts teens face to face with industry professionals

Emily Fuller, left photo, was the winner of the Photo Portrait Project Competition held on November 29. Kim Tran, middle photo, was the winner of the Fashion Merchandising Competition held on November 8. The student group of Hanna Saadi, Joe Wittman, Alen Hajdarovic, Johnny Nguyen, Derryk Sivley, and Chris DeVore, right photo, were the winners of the Marketing Competition also held on November 8. The students, in Martha Tonkin's photography, fashion and marketing classes, will compete against about a hundred students in the Fall Expo on December 13,

Students gain skills in photography, fashion, marketing
     About a hundred West Seattle High School students will put their photography, fashion, and marketing skills to the test at the Fall Expo 2007 on December 13 in front of industry professionals. The students, from Martha Tonkin?s classes, have already gone through previous in-class competitions. Tonkin, a marketing, fashion, and photo instructor at the school, is the Fall Expo coordinator.
     On November 8, students competed in "Original Clothing Store Design" (fashion) and "Original Student Store Design" (marketing). Students designed their own concepts, created marketing schemes, built 3-D models, created tri-fold presentation boards and reports and made PowerPoints to go along with their three-minute "pitches."
      On November 29, students competed in the photography category. They took 300 shots of a "favorite place" and chose their top photos for a series of landscape photographs.
      Every student will again compete in the culminating Fall Expo, scheduled for December 13, which encompasses all three programs. Students will stand by their semester projects and present them to judges. The program prepares students for competitions in national DECA, an international association of high school and college students studying marketing, management and entrepreneurship in business, finance, hospitality and marketing sales and service. For more information on the Fall Expo 2007, contact Tonkin at (206) 252-8832 or mmtonkin@seattleschools.org.

     Fall Expo 2007 Culminating Event
     Thursday, December 13, 2007, 4-8 p.m.
     Library, West Seattle High School
     3000 California Ave. S.W.

Staff Celebrations

Franklin High teachers present literacy workshop at national convention
Franklin High School teachers Jim Jeffreys, Jennifer Kovach, Judy McBroom and Ellen Phillips presented a daylong workshop on November 20 at the convention of the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) in New York. The session, titled "An Urban School?s Journey Toward Literacy: Helping the Tortoise Catch Up with the Hare," described Seattle Public Schools' journey to increase the academic achievement of all its students. The teachers talked about how literacy strategies were the keystone of that change, evidence of successes in the School District, and challenges met along the way. The NCTE annual convention and workshops were held November 15-20 and drew thousands of teachers, college faculty, administrators, and other educational professionals from around the world.

Appointments

Mark Pflueger joins Facilities as Maintenance Services Manager
Fred Stephens, Director of Facilities and Capital Programs, announced that Mark Pflueger joined the Facilities Department as Maintenance Services Manager on November 28. In this role, Mark will supervise work management and all maintenance activities. Pflueger has 15 years of operations experience. For the last 10 years, he has worked in the industry as a production and maintenance manager and, prior to that, had a 20-year career in the U.S. Air Force. Pflueger is known for the successful implementation of systems in large organizations, and for fostering cooperative relationships with employees and labor associations. He also has five years experience as an instructor of technology and training in computer principles, electronics, hydraulics, HVAC and other subject areas. Pflueger can be contacted at (206) 252 0551 or mapflueger@seattleschools.org. Mark’s office is on the second floor of the John Stanford Center at Workstation 2624.

Pegi McEvoy appointed permanent Manager of Safety and Security
Pegi McEvoy, previously the interim Manager of Safety and Security at Seattle Public Schools, has now been selected as the permanent manager of that department. McEvoy has been with the Safety and Security Department for several years and has been involved in the fields of human crises and natural disasters. McEvoy developed and implemented the "All Hazard" program that includes prevention, preparedness, response and recovery. McEvoy can be contacted at (206) 252-0707 or pmcevoy@seattleschools.org.

In the Classrooms

Maple community turns out to send care packages to Marine unit in Iraq

Students at Maple Elementary School help put together care packages that were later shipped to a Marine unit in Ramadi, Iraq.

Dozens of Maple Elementary School students, staff and volunteers turned out on November 19 to compile and send out 175 care packages to soldiers in Marine Unit Papa 5/14, stationed in Ramadi, Iraq. Lance Cpl. Paul Craddick, a member of the unit, is a pen pal to students at Marcia Ventura’s fifth-grade class – and has been writing and talking to students throughout this school year. Contributions to the care packages came from all over the Maple community, including students, staff and family at Kimball Elementary School. The care packages included items such as DVDs, powdered drink mixes, snacks, canned foods, toys, reading materials, games, clothing and phone cards. The event was part of the Maple Elementary's Veterans Day school project. Craddick is a convoy driver and helps protect rebuilding supplies being driven across Iraq.

Meany students take on the real world of personal finances

Seventh-graders at Meany Middle School attended the Junior Achievement's Finance Park on November 8 and 9 to study how to prepare for their financial future. The students learned about personal finance, including credit and debit accounts, checking and savings accounts, interest rates, and taxes.

Financial simulation teaches students how to budget money, handle credit
Meany Middle School's seventh-grade classes attended Junior Achievement's Finance Park on November 8 and 9 to learn first-hand how to prepare for their financial future. Before attending the financial simulation, the students learned about financial institutions, debit and credit accounts, checking and savings accounts, interest rates, taxes, budgets and bill-paying. The highlight of the unit was attending the Junior Achievement facility in Auburn. While at Finance Park, students received a "life situation card," calculated their net monthly income, created a budget, and paid all of their expenses while attempting to put as much as they could into a savings account. Students walked away realizing the importance of personal finance and the correlation between a quality education and obtaining a good-paying job.

Around the community

Car seat donations give students a boost up in safety
Thanks to the Windermere Foundation, students at Concord Elementary School are riding high. The foundation recently provided Concord students with 40 top-of-the-line booster seats worth $1,173 so family support workers can transport students to and from various nonprofit organizations. Laws require that children who are under 4 feet 9 inches in height and under the age of 8 must be in booster seats that have proper head and neck support.
In one instance, family support workers used the booster seats to drive students to and from Operation School Bell, a nonprofit organization that provides clothing and other personal needs for students. Windermere offices and agents have also been generous in providing other support. Through the years, the Windermere Foundation and other nonprofit organizations have provided winter coats for students and their siblings, as well as food, toys, computers, holiday assistance, tutors, and other after-school academic support.

Coming Up

Special Education Program Fair scheduled for Dec. 1
A free Special Education Program Fair, designed for families with school-aged children, is scheduled for December 1. The fair will showcase the range of Special Education programs and services in the Seattle School District. Topics will include: program placement, policies, school assignment, riser process, Individualized Education Plans, Individualized Transition Plans, the Washington Assessment of Student Learning, the Washington Alternative Assessment System, and graduation requirements.
Numerous vendors representing related services will also be at the fair to share information. The event is free and no advance registration is required. Child care will not be provided. For more information, contact the Seattle Public School's Special Education department at (206) 252-0058.

     Special Education Program Fair
     Saturday, December 1,
     9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
     Meany Middle School
     301 21st Ave. E.

Board of Education to hold Dec. 4 meeting on graduation requirements
     The Washington State Board of Education will hold a community meeting on December 4 to hear the public’s opinion on its efforts to improve requirements for high school graduation. The board will offer a conceptual framework for improving state graduation requirements and is inviting comments from the public. Input from the meetings will help the board define the purpose of the high school diploma and identify the content for a required third credit of math. This work will be presented to the state Legislature in December 2007. The feedback also will be used by the board to draft recommendations for new high school graduation requirements, which it will release to the public in spring 2008. For more information, visit http://www.sbe.wa.gov or call (360) 725-6025.

     Washington State Board of Education
     Community meeting on graduation requirements
     Tuesday, December 4, 6-8 p.m.
     College Center Building Cafeteria
     North Seattle Community College
     9600 College Way N.

School and District Events Calendar

If you would like to know about current special school events, fund-raisers or other district events, go online to the District Events Calendar where you can see what?s going on monthly at Seattle Public Schools or search for specific events by date, school and event type.

We Need Your Ideas

The Communications Office is always looking for stories on interesting classroom projects, inspirational people, or events in our schools to share with the greater Seattle community. We often highlight stories submitted by school staff for potential media coverage as well as district and community publications. For examples of stories we have published in the past, please visit this link. We would like to hear from you. If you have a unique story to share please send your ideas directly to goodnews@seattleschools.org. The deadline for submissions is December 10 for the December 13 issue of School Beat.

In the News

For a sampling of this week?s local newspaper stories on Seattle Public Schools, please click here.

SCHOOL BEAT is an electronic newsletter covering District and school-based news and is published twice a month for the employees of Seattle Public Schools.