February 15 , 2008

Photography © Susie Fitzhugh

District News

Seattle Public Schools seeks staff for 2008 Summer Program
     Seattle Public Schools is seeking dynamic and skilled staff who want to work during the 2008 Summer Program scheduled for Monday through Friday, June 25-August 6 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The program will serve eligible students in:
     • Elementary School - Grades 2 and 3
     • Middle School - Grades 5 and 8
     • High School - Grades 9, 10, 11, and 12
     The staff at each site may include, but is not limited to site coordinators, office specialists, teachers, instructional assistants (elementary only) and bilingual staff to support targeted language groups. To download an application packet, click on the hiring packet link at: http://www.seattleschools.org/area/hr/summerschool.html. For more information, contact: Glenda Morgan at (206) 252-0182, glmorgan@seattleschools.org; or Kyle Minaglia at (206) 252-0061, kfminaglia@seattleschools.org.

Central Office staff take Learning Walk at West Seattle Elementary
A group of staff members from the John Stanford Center observe a class during a Learning Walk at West Seattle Elementary School. Twenty-two staff members took the Learning Walk on February 6, as they visited each classroom, observed teachers and students, left written comments for teachers, then met with administrators to reflect on their visit. Learning Walks are scheduled at several other schools throughout the year.

Open Enrollment for Seattle Public Schools continues through February 29
    Open Enrollment for Seattle Public Schools for the 2008-09 school year is ongoing until February 29. This is the time when families register and apply for school for children entering kindergarten in September 2008; for students advancing from elementary to middle school or from middle to high school; for any other students who wish to change schools; or for students who will be new to the District in September. For more information on Open Enrollment, read the full news release, visit the Enrollment Services Web site or call Enrollment Services at (206) 252-0760.

Seattle School Board update: February 13 meeting highlights
     The School Board unanimously approved a series of projects and requests at its February 13 meeting including:
     • adoption of the Physical Education Curriculum which will align K-12 curriculum for Seattle Public Schools as recommended by the Physical Education Committee;
     • award of the Middle School and High School Yearbooks contracts for 2008-2009; and
     • a waiver from the State Board of Education to allow full-day conferences on the three days that school is not in session.
     The Board also approved contracts for projects funded by a BEX II levy and BEX III bond passed by Seattle voters, including:
      • BLRB Architect contract for additional space at South Shore;
      • modification to the contract for Garfield High School construction; and
      • Heery International contract for furnishings procurement.
     There were several other items introduced, including a request to transfer $10 million to the Denny Middle School/Chief Sealth High School construction project to support Option 2. The items will be voted upon during a board meeting on Wednesday, February 27 at 6 p.m. The agenda will be posted on the Board Web site on the afternoon of Friday, February 22.

New appointments announced for Cleveland High, Meany Middle School
     School Superintendent Maria L. Goodloe-Johnson, Ph.D., and Chief Academic Officer Carla Santorno, announced several new principal and administrative appointments to take effect July 1.
     • Wayne Floyd, interim Principal at Cleveland High School, has been appointed to lead the District?s implementation of the College Board EXCELerator schools as part of the Southeast Education Initiative, a program to ensure that schools in South and Southeast Seattle provide high-quality choices for students and families.
     • Princess Shareef, interim Principal at Meany Middle School, has been appointed Principal at Cleveland High School.
     • Stacey McCrath-Smith, interim Principal at John Marshall, has been appointed Principal at Meany. The School Board on July 26, 2006, voted to close six schools, including the John Marshall building. That process will be completed at the end of this school year.
     These appointments are being made so that Ms. Shareef can be involved in planning work related to the implementation of the Southeast Education Initiative.

Superintendent to discuss state of public education at February 19 event
      What is Dr. Maria Goodloe-Johnson?s vision for driving improvement in Seattle Public Schools? What are local business, philanthropic and civic leaders doing to help support change? Engage in a provocative discussion of the challenges and opportunities for transforming public education in Seattle during a meeting at the Harvard Business School Club of Puget Sound. The following key leaders are schedule to attend the February 19 meeting:
     • Dr. Maria L. Goodloe-Johnson, Superintendent, Seattle Public Schools;
     • Patrick D'Amelio, Executive Director, Alliance for Education;
     • Kimberly Mitchell, Senior Program Officer, Education (Washington state), The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation; and
     • Don Nielsen, former Seattle School Board President and Chairman, Teach First.
      The cost is $40 for members of the Harvard Business School Club of Puget Sound and $45 for nonmembers. RSVP to hbsps@qwest.net. Do you have a question for the key leaders? Please submit it with your RSVP. For more information, contact Caroline King at carolinejking@hotmail.com or Mariam Megally at mmegally@gmail.com

     The State of Public Education in Seattle: A Dialogue with Key Leaders
     Harvard Business School Club of Puget Sound
     Tuesday, February 19
     6-8:30 p.m.
     Lake Union Crew House
     11 E. Allison St.

Student Celebrations

Eckstein, Roosevelt, Garfield students shine in jazz band competition
     Eckstein Middle School and Roosevelt High School took first place at the Ninth Annual Jazz Band Festival held on February 4 and 5 at Bellevue Community College. Garfield High School was a runner-up. A total of 33 jazz bands from Washington and Oregon entered the competition.
      Eckstein students who received Soloist Awards were: Bonnie Henwood, trombone; Anya Tudisco, clarinet; and Adrian Noteboom, tenor saxophone. Also receiving a Soloist award in the Vocal Jazz Ensembles category was Daniel Arthur, piano.
     Roosevelt students who received Soloist Awards were: Wyatt Palmer, soprano saxophone; Andrew Campbell, tenor saxophone; and Gus Carns, piano.
     Garfield students who received Soloist Awards were: Zubin Hensler, trumpet: Robert Struthers, alto saxophone; and Carl Majeau, tenor saxophone.

Nathan Hale students participate in ultimate consumer challenge

From left, team captain Trevor Robinson and team members Alex Tam, Julian Peterson and Chris Tran participate in the LifeSmarts state competition held February 11 in Burien.

Team members develop consumer, marketplace knowledge and skills
     Four students from Nathan Hale High School participated in a LifeSmarts gameshow-style competition February 11 in Burien and placed sixth overall. Team members are Alex Tam, Julian Peterson, Chris Tran and Trevor Robinson. The coach is Cindy Kegley, who teaches Career and Technology classes at Nathan Hale. Students faced questions in five key subjects: personal finance, health and safety, consumer rights and responsibilities, technology, and the environment. LifeSmarts is a program of the National Consumers League which works to develop the consumer and marketplace knowledge and skills of teenagers in a fun way.

Staff Celebrations

Bradley Smith, a music teacher at Eckstein Middle School, was one of six teachers from the Western Washington area recognized as “Teachers Who Make a Difference.” As part of his prize, Smith will choose between a trip for two to Hawaii or $1,000 cash. In addition, he will be featured in a 15-second commercial that will run on King 5 and Northwest Cable News from the end of February through April. Winners were chosen from essays written in by colleagues, students and families. He was recognized at a faculty staff meeting on February 13. The award is sponsored by Sylvan Seattle and KING 5-TV.

Bradley Smith, right, leads students during a music class at Eckstein Middle School.

The School Board recognized 17 educators at its February 13 School Board meeting for earning their National Board Certification in 2007. Attending the meeting were from left, Jennifer Fox, Lesley Teem, Stephanie McPhail, Laura Sugden, and Laura Hauswald.

Seventeen educators earn prestigious National Board Certification in 2007
     Seattle Public Schools now has 60 board-certified educators – 17 who were just certified in December 2007. To earn National Board Certification, teachers must undergo an intensive introspective process, which includes creating a portfolio of work that documents their performance in the classroom and completing a series of tests that measure their knowledge in the subjects they teach. For information regarding National Board Certification, contact Hilary Rosenfield at (206) 252-0136 or e-mail at hjrosenfield@seattleschools.org. The 17 newly certified teachers are:

Masako Davison, a reading teacher at Beacon Hill Elementary, left, and Scott Brown, a music teacher at Roosevelt High School, right, will be highlighted for their contributions to educational excellence during a February 21 telecast of KCTS's Golden Apple Awards ceremony.

Beacon Hill, Roosevelt teachers to be spotlighted for outstanding contributions
     Two Seattle Public Schools teachers will be highlighted for their outstanding contributions to education during a telecast on February 21 of the KCTS-9 Golden Apple Awards. Masako Davison, a reading teacher at Beacon Hill Elementary School; and Scott Brown, a music teacher at Roosevelt High School, were recognized during a standing-room only ceremony last month at the Intiman Theatre. The two teachers were among seven individuals across the state selected for making a positive difference in Washington state education for students in Prekindergarten to Grade 12. Two organizations – Bright Future Program/Seattle Vocational Institute and 826 Seattle – both with programs active in Seattle Public Schools and with a major presence at the John Marshall Alternative High School – were also honored. Each winner received a "Golden Apple" statuette; individual honorees also received $250, and each winning program received $500. PEMCO Insurance also awarded each Golden Apple recipient a $1,500 grant to support their classroom, school or educational program. The February 21 telecast will combine highlights of the awards ceremonies with short documentary-style segments that provide engaging close-up looks at the award-winners in action.

     Telecast - Golden Apple Awards
     Thursday, February 21, at 8 p.m.
     KCTS-9 TV (Channel 9)
     KCTS HD (Channel 9.5 or Comcast 108)

Around the Schools

Pathfinder students bring research, experiments to annual Science Fair      Nearly 100 students showed off their science projects at Pathfinder K-8 School’s third annual Science Fair held on February 12. The science projects covered every field of science and technology, including robotics, volcanology and botany.  Students from Kindergarten to 8th-grade participated.  Pathfinder School is one of only a handful of Seattle Public Schools that has a Science Fair open to elementary-aged students. Some of the student projects will be presented at the 2008 Washington State Science and Engineering Fair to be held on April 4.  Others may be presented at the 2008 Seattle School District Middle School Science Fair held on June 12 at the Museum of Flight. The Science Fair is the culmination of more than a month of science-related activities at the school, including a visit from the Pacific Science Center’s Blood and Guts mobile team, visits from a team of surgeons, and in-class presentations from a group of professional scientists.  The Science Fair is sponsored and run by the Pathfinder PTSA.

Photo by Eric Baer Kindergartener Elizabeth Baer presents her investigation, 'Slime Roll,' at a previous Pathfinder Science Fair.

Around the Community

Report shows more students taking AP tests – and scoring higher
     More Washington state students are taking Advanced Placement exams and are scoring higher on those exams, according to a news release from the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. The College Board's fourth annual Advanced Placement Report to the Nation shows that 25,789 Washington public school students took at least one Advanced Placement (AP) exam in 2007, an increase of 10.7 percent from 2006. A total of 24,776 students of Washington?s public schools scored a 3 or more – the score predictive of college success – on at least one AP exam in 2007. That represents an increase of 14.4 percent from 2006. The national increase in public school students scoring a 3 or more was 9.3 percent. Click here for more detailed information on Washington state results. For state-by-state results, go to: http://professionals.collegeboard.com/data-reports-research/ap/nation.

Raj Manhas Scholarship fund available for graduating seniors
     A one-year, $4,000 scholarship is available for graduating seniors through the Raj Manhas Scholarship Fund. The scholarship fund was created by his colleagues upon his retirement to honor the four years he served as Superintendent of Seattle Public Schools (2003-2007). For more information and an application, go to the Seattle Public Schools Web site link at http://www.seattleschools.org/area/manhas/index.dxml.

Upcoming Events

Interagency students to perform 'Winter Tales' on February 15 and 16
     Six students enrolled at the Interagency High School program at the University District Youth Center will perform "Winter Tales," a collection of poems, songs and monologues, including selections from Tim Burton's "A Nightmare Before Christmas." The performance, presented by Sanctuary Art Center, will last approximately 45 minutes and tickets will be available at the door for a suggested donation of $12. To reserve your seat in advance or for more information, contact Annie Cotton at (206) 522-6256 or admin@sanctuaryartcenter.org.

     Winter Tales
     Friday, February 15 at 7 p.m. and
     Saturday, February 16 at 3 p.m.
     University Lutheran Church
     1604 N.E. 50th St.

Some of the goals of Chief Sealth Mariachi are to encourage cross-cultural understanding through music, discourage students from dropping out of school, celebrate the culture and heritage Latino students, and provide a way for parents to actively participate in their children’s education.

Free Mariachi Concert scheduled for February 27 at Chief Sealth High
     The public is invited to a free Mariachi Concert in support of the Mariachi Pathway at Chief Sealth High School and Denny Middle School. Mariachi Chula Vista, a group of students from San Diego, will be performing at the Chief Sealth auditorium on February 27. The group has performed at more than 800 events, earning a reputation as one of the best student mariachis in the country. Program coordinators and supporters hope to raise enough funds to hire a full-time mariachi instructor for the Denny/Sealth program. The public is also invited to attend the monthly Friends of Seattle Mariachi meetings. For more information, contact Debbie Meyer, Mariachi Instructor, at (206) 252-8561, dlmeyer@seattleschools.org; or Noah Zeichner, Chief Sealth teacher, at (206) 252-8262, nczeichner@seattleschools.org

     Free Mariachi Concert
     Wednesday, February 27
     7:30 p.m.
     Chief Sealth High School Auditorium
     2600 Thistle St.

Museum of Glass offers free Open House for educators on February 28
     The Museum of Glass invites teachers and educators to visit the Museum on Thursday, February 28 to learn about the latest educational offerings for students. The event is scheduled for 3-6 p.m. and is free for all area educators. No reservations are needed. Teachers will have the opportunity to take a docent-led tour of the Museum’s two new exhibitions, both of which open in February. Teachers will also have the opportunity to sign up their classes for spring field trips. Attendees are invited to join glass artist and historian Walter Lieberman and try their hand at “pulling cane,” a traditional Italian glassmaking technique. Flameworking demonstrations and live music are also scheduled, and light refreshments will be served.  For more information on this free event, visit the Museum of Glass Web site or contact Susan Newsom, Communications Manager at (253) 284-4732 or e-mail snewsom@museumofglass.org

     Museum of Glass Open House for Educators
     Thursday, February 28
     3-6 p.m.
     1801 Dock St., Tacoma 98402

District's surplus furniture, equipment up for public auction on March 1
     A general public auction of Seattle School District surplus furniture and equipment is scheduled for Saturday, March 1. Registration begins at 8 a.m. and bidding begins at 9 a.m.  This surplus has been weeded out from the higher quality surplus and is no longer available for use in the District.  So if you feel the need to bring a bit of school nostalgia home with you, here's your opportunity. For more information, please visit the District's auction site at http://www.seattleschools.org/area/surplus/index.xml or call Mroczek Brothers Auctioneers at (425) 235-6345. Forms of payments accepted are cash and credit cards. Feel free to pass this information to other family members and friends.

      Seattle School District Public Auction
     Saturday, March 1
     Registration: 8 a.m.
     Auction begins: 9 a.m.
     The Boren Building
     5950 Delridge Way S.W.

Free 'Staying Connected With Your Teen' workshops start March 4
     "Staying Connected With Your Teen," a research-based workshop series, is holding workshops in the West Seattle community for parents of students at West Seattle High School and Chief Sealth High School. The five-week, two-hours-per-week sessions bring parents together to learn how to lower the risks of teen violence, teen pregnancy, drug and alcohol abuse and dropouts; while increasing the ways parents and guardians can positively interact with their young adult. Those interested in registering for the workshops can contact Renaé Gaines, community coordinator for the Strategic Prevention Framework – State Incentive Grant, at (206) 252-9179 or rtgaines@seattleschools.org

     Staying Connected with Your Teen Workshops
     Tuesdays, March. 4, 11, 18, 25 and April 1
     6 p.m. (Dinner will be provided and class begins at 6:30 p.m.)
     West Seattle Christian Church
     4400 42nd Ave. S.W.

Town Hall meeting on prevention of underage drinking set for April 8
     Madison Middle School's Strategic Prevention Framework – State Incentive Grant Project has scheduled a Town Hall meeting for April 8 to discuss ways to reduce and prevent underage drinking. The town hall meeting is part of Madison's "Stop Youth Drinking, Start Thinking Coalition" and will be held in conjunction with a series of similar Town Hall meetings scheduled to take place across America during March and April. For more information, contact Rena? Gaines at (206) 252-9179 or (206) 396-2945 or e-mail at rtgaines@seattleschools.org

     West Seattle Town Hall meeting
     Tuesday, April 8
     6 p.m.
     South Seattle Community College (Brockey Center)
     6000 16th Ave. S.W.

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 type.

We Need Your Ideas

     The Public Affairs 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 February 25 for the February 28 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 staff and community of Seattle Public Schools. To unsubscribe to this e-newsletter, please click here and type in "unsubscribe" in the subject heading.