Seattle Public Schools | School Beat November 13, 2008

November 13, 2008

Photography © Susie Fitzhugh

District News

Excellence for All: Balancing Capacity – Building Closure
     Seattle Public Schools' Strategic Plan, Excellence for All, establishes the framework for moving the District toward the goal of all students achieving at high levels and graduating ready for college, career and life. Capacity management and a new student assignment plan are among the priority areas of the Strategic Plan.
     At the November 12 School Board meeting, Superintendent Maria L. Goodloe-Johnson, Ph.D., shared guidelines that staff will use in making recommendations to close or repurpose buildings. The five guidelines are: Geographic Need, Building Condition, Cost per Pupil, Proximity, and Academic Performance. These guidelines will be examined in the context of three foundational questions to ensure that all students have access to a high quality education. Details of the guidelines and foundational questions are available in this news release. A timeline was also confirmed for consideration of closures. Preliminary recommendations will be announced on November 25, and a School Board vote is scheduled for January 29, 2009. The timeline is included in the news release.
     Information about opportunities for community members to be engaged, regular updates, and a set of frequently asked questions will be posted on the District's Capacity Management Web site. Numerous opportunities and methods for community engagement will be provided. At this time, comments can be e-mailed to capacity@seattleschools.org or schoolboard@seattleschools.org or mailed to School Board at P.O. Box 34165, MS 11-010, Seattle, WA, 98124-1165. The School Board office phone number is (206) 252-0040.

School Board approves actions to resolve short-term
capacity shortages in North Seattle, Queen Anne/Magnolia
     At its meeting on November 12, the School Board unanimously approved a series of actions to resolve short-term capacity shortages in North Seattle and Queen Anne/Magnolia. The actions amend the student assignment plan by offering out-of-cluster transportation for students from the Northeast Cluster to Olympic Hills Elementary and for students from the Queen Anne/Magnolia Cluster to B.F. Day Elementary.
     Capacity will be increased at Catharine Blaine K-8 and Coe, B.F. Day, John Hay, Lawton, Northgate and Olympic Hills elementary schools. In addition, the Jane Addams building will be re-purposed as a K-8 school. The future of the Summit K-12 program, currently located at the Jane Addams building, will be considered in the context of balancing capacity across the District. Preliminary recommendations from that process will be announced on November 25. Additional details are provided in this news release.

Students, families, community asked to join in student safety efforts
     Recent incidents have heightened concerns for the safety of our students, both at school and in the community. Seattle Public Schools has a zero tolerance policy for violence done to – or by – our students. All of our children deserve to be safe. Seattle Public Schools continues to seek new ways to ensure that safety. Creating a learning environment that is safe and secure for all students is our number one priority.
     We ask that parents, students and the community join us in our efforts to promote a safe community. We are working closely with the Seattle Police Department, Seattle Parks and Recreation Department, Metro, parent and family organizations, and our valued community partners to take proactive preventive steps to keep our young people safe.
     Superintendent Maria L. Goodloe-Johnson, Ph.D., has written a letter related to student and youth safety for families and guardians. For more information on student safety, click here for our Safety FAQ sheet which provides helpful information about what Seattle Public Schools is doing to ensure student safety as well as tips from the Seattle Police Department on personal safety.

School District to host meetings on new Student Assignment Plan
     Seattle Public Schools invites families and community members to a series of meetings to discuss a new Districtwide Student Assignment Plan as a continuation of its ongoing community engagement process. The purpose of the upcoming meetings is to consult with the public in reviewing and commenting on Student Assignment Plan models, based on academic and operational principles (the impact of various decisions).
     A new Student Assignment Plan is one of the major initiatives identified in the District’s Strategic Plan, Excellence for All. The framework for a new Student Assignment Plan was approved by the Seattle School Board in June 2007. The rest of this month's meeting dates are November 14, 15, 18 and 20. Click here for a list of times and locations. Background information on Student Assignment and on Excellence for All is available on the Strategic Plan Web site and on the Enrollment Web site.

School Board Update - November 12 meeting
      The School Board and Superintendent recognized the five Schools of Distinction in Seattle School District for 2008. The schools are Catharine Blaine K-8, Garfield High School, Madison Middle School, Salmon Bay School, and Washington Middle School. Dr. Maria Goodloe-Johnson also acknowledged American Education Week and the hard work of all school communities.
     Dr. Goodloe-Johnson presented guidelines for building closure, and a potential timeline for closure. The Board unanimously approved a modification to the school closure policy that more clearly defined notice to the community.
     The Board approved a motion for renewals and modifications of the current student assignment plan and recommendations for capacity management for north Seattle schools. They also approved the 2008/09 school improvement plans, the Columbia Teachers College reading and writing project network, the sale of a portion of the Fauntleroy Elementary School property to the Fauntleroy Community Services Agency, and a contract with Sylvan Educational Services to provide tutoring for students.
     Items that were introduced included a transfer of $1.45 million from the BEX II program reserve to the Garfield project to cover change order increases; a transfer of funds from program reserves to various BEX II and III projects; Families and Education Levy contracts for continued early learning, family support and involvement, middle and high school programs and the new High School Academic Achievement Program; a new Business Partnership for Early Learning Grant that will support long-term research evaluating the Parent-Child Home Program; and revisions to the Unauthorized Persons on School Property policy and procedure that more clearly define who can be on school property.

Visual and Performing Arts introduces monthly e-newsletter
      Seattle Public Schools now has a monthly e-newsletter which provides listings of arts education programs, events, and activities available to the SPS community. Visit http://www.seattleschools.org/area/arts/arts_eNews/current.xml to view the Arts e-news and to subscribe. In addition to finding programs, you can also learn about arts education funding opportunities, advocacy, resources, and research. The Arts e-news is part of the effort by Seattle Public Schools to support and strengthen partnerships between the schools and the arts community. For more information on this effort, contact Kathleen Allen, SPS Community Arts Liaison at kpallen@seattleschools.org

Student preregistration continues for 2009-10 school year
Applications being accepted for sibling early assignments
     Preregistration for kindergarten and other new students entering Seattle Public Schools in September 2009 – as well as applications for sibling early assignments – will continue to be accepted through November. A checklist, forms and information for Preregistration and Sibling Early Assignments are available at the Enrollment Services Web site at Seattle Public Schools | Pre-Registration and Early Sibling Assignment Applications. Registration can be done by mail, fax and in person. Read more.

Staff Celebrations

Center School teacher selected for expedition to Galapagos Island
     Britta Culbertson, who teaches fine arts/performing arts and science at The Center School, has been selected from nearly 1,000 applicants to participate in an environmental expedition to the Galapagos Islands. The international study tour, sponsored by Toyota, takes place November 22 to December 6 and will focus on promoting environmental conservation and sustainability, as well as international understanding. The Galapagos Islands are famous for their vast number of endemic species and the studies by Charles Darwin from which he drew the theory of evolution by natural selection. Read more.

Around the Schools

Garfield High School Principal Ted Howard, left photo, makes a few remarks before the start of the Schools of Distinction Awards ceremony on October 22 at Garfield High. The Garfield Trio, right photo, directed by Clarence Acox, provided entertainment. The students, from left, are: Daniel Schwartz, guitar; Carmen Rothwell, bass; and Riley Mulherkar, trumpet.

State recognizes five schools as 'Schools of Distinction'
Catharine Blaine K-8, Madison Middle School, Salmon Bay School (K-8), Washington Middle School, and Garfield High School, have been named "Schools of Distinction" by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) for dramatic improvements in reading and mathematics skills over a six-year period. All five schools received the 2008 State Superintendent's Learning Improvement Award. OSPI's " Schools of Distinction" represent the top 5 percent of elementary, middle and high schools and include 53 elementary schools, 21 middle schools and 20 high schools and seven alternative schools – out of nearly 2,500 schools in the state. Read more.

Garfield students use CSI techniques in forensics unit
Mock investigation: 'What does the evidence say?'

Garfield students in the Genetics class of Renee Agatsuma take notes on a 'crime scene.'

     Garfield High students turned Crime Scene Investigators for a short time during a Forensics Unit in which they worked to solve a mock homicide. The purpose of the unit at teacher Renee Agatsuma’s Genetics class was to learn "How Scientists Use Evidence to Make Conclusions."
     Students started by analyzing a "crime scene" with various pieces of evidence around a body, played by a parent volunteer. Students had to draw the crime scene and properly measure, note and catalog evidence (possible weapons, blood, DNA, fingerprints). Students then worked at "solving the crime" using lab equipment that built their skills. Teacher volunteers helped as crime suspects – with hair samples, DNA and fingerprints.
     After collecting all of the evidence, students compiled a final crime report, talked about which evidence was the best for solving the crime and submitted a sample picture of the crime scene with a scenario.

Roosevelt High program highlighted as 'Model of Success'
Roosevelt High School’s Project Lead the Way, a career and technical education class for students interested in engineering and biomedical sciences, was selected as one of 14 schools nationwide as a “Model of Success.” Roosevelt was highlighted in the organization’s 2008 yearbook for the program, which began in 2006 and is led by teacher Karl Ruff. The article also profiled the successful partnership between Roosevelt and the University of Washington’s Neurobotics Laboratory, headed by Associate Professor Yoky Matsuoka. Students learned about her work in neuroscience and robotics and specifically, one of her projects – the development of a prosthetic hand that would respond to the brain’s neural signals. For more on Roosevelt’s profile, see Pages 10 and 11 at this link.

Pathfinder K-8 students study political candidates, issues, hold mock elections on November 4
The entire student body of Pathfinder K-8 turned out to cast their votes in a mock election on November 4, with results almost mirroring national and state elections. Prior to Election Day, students studied and discussed the election process, the issues and the candidates – which included decisions on who should be the next president of the United States and governor of Washington state. On Election Day, students dropped their completed ballots in a ballot box in the library. State Senator Joe McDermott from the 34th District was on hand to help with the process.

A Pathfinder student casts her ballot in the November 4 mock election.

Van Asselt students get extra boost with healthy fruits and veggies
     Students at Van Asselt Elementary are learning how to be healthy eaters, thanks to one of 25 first-time Washington-Grown Fruit and Vegetable Snack Program grants. The grant provides students with Washington-grown fruit and vegetables each afternoon. Students eat common favorites — such as carrots and pears — while also trying new crops, such as baby turnips and pluots (a hybrid of plums and apricots).
     School administrators reported an added benefit from the change – saying they noticed fewer afternoon discipline referrals to the office, since the students are receiving an extra boost to keep them alert through the end of the day.
     Last month, Van Asselt fourth-graders had a visit from State Representative Eric Pettigrew and Ray DeVries, a farmer from Ralph’s Greenhouse in Mount Vernon, who talked about this new snack program. DeVries, photo above, talked about his farm and showed examples of the vegetables he grows.

Nathan Hale celebrates modernization, groundbreaking on Nov. 18

Students, teachers, parents, staff and the neighboring community will celebrate the groundbreaking on November 18 of the $84.8 million Nathan Hale Project, to be completed in spring 2011. Some of the work includes:
• a new 14,700-square-foot addition;
• a 12,500-square-foot renovation, housing a new library, classrooms, radio studio, fitness center and lobby;
• new synthetic turf fields and landscaping;
• expanded student commons; and
• seismic, mechanical, electrical, drainage, landscaping and technology upgrades.

Attending the ceremony will be Dr. Maria L. Goodloe-Johnson, Ph.D., other District and government officials, Nathan Hale staff and students, construction and building officials, as well as community members. Nathan Hale's Band and Vocal Jazz groups will provide entertainment. For more information, see the Building Excellence Web site.

     Nathan Hale groundbreaking
     Tuesday, November 18
     10:30 a.m.
     Nathan Hale High School
     10750 30th Ave. N.E.
     RSVP: Dick Lee, (206) 252-0476;
     rjlee@seattleschools.org

Upcoming Events

November 20 Art of Hospitality to benefit John Muir Elementary

     The Art of Hospitality silent auction and art show will be held on November 20 to benefit the art program at John Muir Elementary School. In 2006, the event raised more than $8,000 for the school – almost double the school's art budget. Funds went toward the purchase of a new kiln, art aprons, new brushes, and paper. John Muir's art program teaches several hundred children from kindergarten through fifth-grade the basics in drawing, painting and ceramics. The Art of Hospitality originated in 2003 to promote creativity and recognition of Seattle's hotel and hospitality industry. The event offers original artwork for sale, as well as a silent auction, including vacation packages, jewelry, artwork, and dining at local restaurants. Read more.

     Art of Hospitality
     Thursday, November 20
     4-8 p.m.
     Mayflower Park Hotel
     405 Olive Way, Seattle

Artwork for the 2008 Art of Hospitality invitation was drawn by third-grader Chardai Thomas and is titled 'Mountain Top.'

MLK Express Yourself Contest deadline December 8
     Seattle Public School students from Grades 3-12 are invited to enter the 2009 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Express Yourself Contest – celebrating the life and legacy of Dr. King and his impact on the civil rights movement. Awards and prizes will be given to the top three entries in each grade level. Deadline for entries is December 8, 2008, and winners will be notified on January 5, 2009. Click on the links for the entry form and rules and the flier. The contest is sponsored by City Year Seattle/King County. For more information, contact Janay McClarin at (206) 306-5729.

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 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. Deadline for submissions is November 24 for the November 26 issue.

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 subscribe or unsubscribe to this e-newsletter by clicking here.