June 6, 2008


Photography © Susie Fitzhugh

District News

School Board unanimously adopts Strategic Plan, 'Excellence for All'
Bold goals set for student achievement
    On Wednesday, June 4, the Seattle School Board voted unanimously to adopt the Seattle Public School’s proposed Strategic Plan, “Excellence for All.” The five-year Strategic Plan has been developed based on input from thousands of stakeholders, including teachers, principals, District staff, families, students, community members, and teams of national experts in academics and operations. The initial draft plan was amended to reflect feedback received from community members. The Strategic Plan establishes specific, bold goals for student achievement with projected annual rates of growth.  Next steps include finalizing milestones and a timeline for implementation of plan strategies, developing project management plans, and engaging staff and community in implementation of the plan. For additional information on the Strategic Plan, and links to appendices and other information, please visit our Strategic Plan Web site.

School Board Update: June 4 meeting highlights
     The School Board voted unanimously to adopt the Seattle Public Schools’ Strategic Plan, “Excellence for All.” The focus of the Strategic Plan is to deliver excellence for every student in every school. Superintendent Maria L. Goodloe-Johnson, Ph.D., discussed the five-year plan with the Board and answered questions prior to the adoption. Please refer to the article above.
     Chief Academic Officer Carla Santorno updated the Board on the expansion of Writers Workshop in Elementary and Middle Schools for the 2008-09 school year. Seattle Public Schools piloted the highly successful writing program in seven schools in 2006-07 with four more schools added in 2007-08.
     The Board introduced a District Vision, Mission, and Core Beliefs statement which will be voted on during the June 18 Board meeting. The Board also approved the Families and Education Levy Partnership Agreement, the Retire-Rehire Policy F14.00, Child Nutrition: Increasing the price for school breakfast and lunch meals and Final Acceptance of South Shore School Phase 1, Demolition and Site Preparation under BEX III.
     Items introduced and scheduled for a vote at the June 18 meeting include the Approval of Advanced Placement Incentive Grant Application, the Highly Capable Grant, the Head Start Grant, Experimental Education Unit Personal Services Contract, the Denny/Sealth Construction Contract, Phase 1, the BEX III, Ingraham High School Street Work Construction Contract, Phase 1 and the Bid B04831: Annual Refuse Collection and Disposal Contract.
     The next legislative meeting for the School Board is on Wednesday, June 18 at 6 p.m. Information about the meeting is available on the School Board Web site.

Preliminary WASL results show 92.1 percent of Seattle Public Schools seniors meet key graduation requirements in reading and writing
     Preliminary results show that 92.1 percent of Seattle Public Schools seniors (2,351 out of 2,554) passed the reading and writing requirement of the Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL). This exceeds the statewide average of 91.4 percent. Nearly 94 percent (93.7) of seniors passed the reading requirement and 93.5 percent passed the writing requirement.
     On the WASL math test, 74 percent of this year’s 12th-grade students met state standards. Passing the math test is not required for graduation, though students must pass math courses and attempt the WASL or another state-approved alternative annually.
     Click on the link to read the full news release.

Jim Ratchford appointed District's Chief Information Officer
     Jim Ratchford has been appointed Chief Information Officer of Seattle Public Schools effective June 2.  Ratchford has extensive experience in K-12 education through his work with the Department of Defense Dependent Schools (DoDDS).  He attained the rank of Chief Master Sergeant in the Air Force and was responsible for the technology infrastructure for the DoDDS school system, providing K-12 education to children of families stationed in Europe.  His team served more than 50,000 students in 100 schools. Ratchford has also held senior IT positions at The Boeing Co. and most recently, the Disney Internet Group in Seattle. He is an active member and past President of the Seattle branch of the Society for Information Management, the professional association for senior IT professionals.

Student Celebrations


Several Seattle Schools Scholarship recipients were recognized and received $2,000 scholarships during a ceremony at the John Stanford Center on May 22.

24 high school seniors receive Seattle Schools Scholarships
     Twenty-four high school students each received a Seattle Schools Scholarship of $2,000 and were recognized at a ceremony on May 22 in the John Stanford Center auditorium. The Seattle Schools Scholarship provides financial assistance to students who have overcome significant life challenges to obtain a high school diploma and who might not ordinarily be considered for a higher education scholarship. Featured speakers at the ceremony were Dr. Maria Goodloe-Johnson, Superintendent; and Cheryl Chow, School Board President. The 2008 recipients are:

Franklin High School's Academy of Finance team, and the team's teacher and mentors, celebrate after taking first place at a recent Harvard Case competition

Franklin students win city-wide Academy of Finance Case competition      Students from Franklin High School’s Academy of Finance won first place last month in a Harvard Case Study competition involving a marketing and business plan for the Coca-Cola company. Judges from the University of Washington's School of Business evaluated about 20 teams from Franklin, Ballard and Chief Sealth high schools. Franklin’s team of Amanda Tran, Rebecca Lee, Glory Visario and Andrew Lau presented a professional, creative, and in-depth analysis that involved Coke's introduction of an eco-friendly bottle and healthier, noncarbonated drinks. Each member of the winning team won a $250 scholarship from Washington Mutual.

Fifteen Seattle Public Schools students were among the 19 students from various schools in Seattle who received a $500 Mayor's Scholars Award and a letterman's jacket.

Ingraham Rocketry Team finishes 29th against 99 other teams in finals      The Ingraham Rocketry Team returned last month from the National Finals of the Team America Rocketry Challenge, finishing 29th in competition against 99 other teams from across the country. Their finish puts them in the top 5 percent of the 643 teams nationwide which entered the contest. The team left plenty of room for advancing next year, as fewer than 10 points separated them from 18th place and the opportunity to make a second flight for the National Championship. During the trip, students were also able to meet and talk with representatives from the aerospace industry and from NASA.

In top photo, some 'pioneers' celebrate by throwing their hats into the air as they see water in the distance after a long 'wagon train' hike. In bottom photo, McGilvra Elementary students, dressed in period clothing, take a break after their travels.

Forty-four McGilvra Elementary School fourth-graders on May 30 took a “wagon train” hike dressed as pioneers through the Seattle Arboretum, over the Montlake Bridge and along the Burke-Gilman Trail to Magnuson Park. The students have been studying the pioneers of the Oregon Trail using the Storypath curriculum. They created characters authentic to the period and solved problems the pioneers would have experienced. At Magnuson Park they cooked dinner, played pioneer-era games and square danced. Third-graders, who are studying Northwest Coast Native Americans, met the wagon train in the Arboretum and “traded” smoked salmon and dried fruit with “pioneers.”

A fist sculpture at Meany Middle School was one of the attractions at the Jaguar Arts Festival	Nelson Cleveland, Grade 8, shows his artwork called 'Mandala.'

Five of the 10 parent leaders get together for a photo. From left are: Zenaida Lopez and Nita Tino (West Seattle Elementary); Cynthia Linder (Cooper Elementary); Pauline Hance (Highland Park Elementary); Carmen Maymi O'Reilly, Family Support Worker and parent leader trainer; and Ayaan Aden (Cooper Elementary).

Parent leaders help engage families across cultural and language barriers      Ten parent leaders at five elementary schools coordinated and implemented more than 22 family engagement events this school year which impacted more than 2,360 family members. Seattle Public Schools? Readiness To Learn (RTL) project began training parent leaders in 2006 and will have trained 24 by June 2009. Parent leaders are identified by principals and staff, and have natural skills in connecting with others. They receive training in cross-cultural communication, effective leadership, how to help others navigate schools and the critical things parents and families can do to support their children?s school success. Schools with active parent leader programs are: Cooper, Dearborn Park, Highland Park, T.T. Minor and West Seattle elementary schools. The RTL program is exploring ways to expand to additional schools next year.

Emerson, John Muir, Van Asselt elementary school students learn how to eat better, feel better      Students at Emerson, John Muir, and Van Asselt elementary schools took a trip to a farmers market ... right at their schools!      Hosted by the Eat Better, Feel Better program, hundreds of students, parents, and staff at each school gathered for a Family Farmers Market Night for an evening of great food, nutrition education, farmers market shopping, and math activities.      After a taco salad dinner, students led their families down hallways lined with tables piled high with fresh fruits and vegetables – including red cabbage, pears and broccoli. Volunteers working the farmers market booths encouraged students and families to sample the produce and provided nutritional information and recipes. Students practiced math skills by using play money to purchase real produce, donated by PCC Natural Markets.       At the end of the night, each family went home with a bag full of fresh fruits and vegetables. For more information on the Eat Better, Feel Better program, contact Eva Ringstrom at eeringstrom@seattleschools.org.

Emerson Elementary School teacher Dan Barkley dressed up as 'Broccoli Dan' to encourage better eating habits during the Family Farmers Market Night at Emerson.

     A World of Wonder Reception
     Friday, June 6
     7-9 p.m.
     Phinney Neighborhood Center
     6532 Phinney Ave. N.

Rotary Music4Life to hold fund-raising auction event on June 9
     The first annual Rotary Music4Life fundraising auction event will take place on June 9 at the Seattle Repertory Theatre. This is the first major fund-raising event for the newly launched Rotary Music4Life Initiative. Dollars raised will help support the goal of expanding music education for all children in Seattle Public Schools. Those attending the event will be treated to an evening of champagne, appetizers, and live music from Seattle Public Schools performers. Up for bid at the silent and live auction are concert and event tickets, hotel lodging, certificates from area restaurants and much more. To reserve your spot for this special evening,  e-mail Dick Lee at rjlee@seattleschools.org

     Rotary Music4Life Champagne Reception and Auction
     Monday, June 9
     5:30 p.m.
     Seattle Repertory Theatre
     155 Mercer St.

Hamilton to hold 'Bash Before the Smash' event on June 13
      Hamilton International Middle School invites alumni, families, staff and community members to a Bash Before the Smash event on June 13 before major renovation on the school begins in July. Refreshments will be served and there will be a chance to have a last look at Hamilton's 81-year-old interior before the two-year renovation begins. The existing historic building will be preserved, but the interior will be completely remodeled. The Hamilton program will temporarily reside at Lincoln during the renovation. The Hamilton renovation is funded by the voter-approved Building Excellence (BEX) III bond.

     Bash Before the Smash!
     Friday, June 13
     3-6 p.m.
     Hamilton International Middle School
     1610 N. 41st St.

Volunteers to help build new playground at Leschi Elementary on July 26
     The community is invited to help Leschi Elementary School staff, students, and volunteers build and assemble new equipment, planter benches, and other playground structures on July 26. Other projects slated for the day include the painting of maps, gamelines and murals in play areas and cleaning up around the grounds. About 200 people are expected to help. The project value, including the volunteers' time and food donations exceeds $70,000. Helping out are Washington Mutual, KaBOOM, a national playground advocacy organization, and the Leschi community.

     Leschi Elementary Playground Project
     Saturday, July 26
     8 a.m.
     Leschi Elementary School
     135 32nd. Ave.

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 June 16 for the June 19 issue of School Beat, which will be the last issue for the 2007-08 school year.

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. Community members can unsubscribe to this e-newsletter by clicking here and typing in "unsubscribe" in the subject heading.