Webucator is a weekly publication produced by the Tacoma Public Schools Public
Information Office for district staff members. To submit story ideas or inquire about a
published story, contact Pam Thompson at pthomps@tacoma.k12.wa.us or call the
Public Information Office at 253-571-1015.
April 8, 2011
Mason musical premier April 7
Dates to remember
April 7: Mason M.S. “The Last of the Dragons,” 7 p.m., auditorium, free
April 8-9: Grant’s “Through the Looking Glass” musical, April 8 and 9, 6 p.m.; April
9 media matinee 1 p.m., Tacoma Little Theatre
April 9: TPS Employee Health and Safety Fair, Foss H.S., 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
April 16: Parks Appreciation Day, 9 to noon, volunteer to beautify local parks
April 30: Point Defiance E.S. auction, 6 to 9 p.m.
Save the date: Thursday, June 2, TPS retirement celebration, 4 to 5:30 p.m. CAB
auditorium
Upcoming events
Kindergarten registration runs through April
Mason M.S. students will perform
the musical, “The Last of the
Dragons,” April 7 at 7 p.m. Prince
Erik Edwards, left, Dragon
Genevieve Coyne and Princess
Chloe Brick rehearse the musical,
written by Duane and Judy
Hulbert.
NE Tacoma learns math skills
through chess
Elementary schools began accepting on-site registration applications April 4.
Parents will receive a confirmation notice of enrollment or placement after May 1.
To enroll a child in kindergarten parents or guardians must have:
 A birth certificate or other document such as a baptismal certificate,
hospital records or insurance records. Schools will not enroll any child who
will not be five years old by Aug. 31, 2011.
 Certificate of immunization status form. This form must be signed to be
considered valid. Unless the child is considered homeless, he or she may
not attend the first day of school without verification of complete
immunizations.
A Northeast Tacoma E.S. girl
focuses on a chess game at the
recent family night.
Note: A complete health form filled out by a physician is recommended but not
required.
If a student is enrolled in a district preschool program, his or her family does not
need to complete another Student Information and Enrollment form for kindergarten
registration. Preschool teachers will give each of their families a Student
Information Verification form, which parents or guardians will update and sign. This
form will take the place of an enrollment form for kindergarten registration.
Early entrance screening for children who turn five years old between Sept. 1 and
Oct. 31 will be conducted during the first week in August. Call the Office of Early
Learning to make an appointment at 253-571-1415.
A father and daughter start a
game of chess at N.E. Tacoma
E.S.’s recent Math Madness
Night.
For more information and a schedule of open houses, go to the district Web site.
Also check the district’s online events calendar.
Mason to present ‘The Last of the Dragons’ April 7
Mason Middle School’s theater department will present the premiere of the musical
“The Last of the Dragons” April 7 at 7 p.m. in the school auditorium. Duane and
Judy Hulbert wrote the musical, and Mason drama teacher Robin Strong directs the
performers. Admission is free.
Adapted from the book “The Last Dragon” by E. Nesbit, the musical tells of a quaint
N.E. Tacoma E.S. gave 50 chess
sets to families so they could
continue to play at home. All 383
students are learning to play
chess to help with math skills.
English village with a big problem: The kingdom’s tradition calls for a dragon to be
slain on the princess’ 16th birthday, but there’s only one dragon left—and he doesn’t
want to fight.
Grant warms up feet
A liberated princess (Chloe Brick), a mathematical prince (Erik Edwards) and a
stubborn king and queen (Ryan MacMath and Kate Jacobsen) clash as they try to
solve the dragon dilemma. The musical also features Genevieve Coyne as the
dragon and Olivia Barry and Jacob Coyne as sister-brother wandering minstrels.
“Working on an original musical has been exciting,” Strong said. “The actors get to
see what it’s like to work with the writers. They’re constantly changing things to
improve it, much like writers do for a Broadway show.”
“A few years ago we had a workshop version of this show,” said composer Duane
Hulbert, a Grammy-nominated pianist and University of Puget Sound professor.
“But this is the first full production, and it features a very talented group of young
actors.”
Grant Center for the Expressive
Arts collected 1,563 pairs of
socks to donate to the Tacoma
Rescue Mission in the school’s
“Sock It to Me” sock drive.
TPS health and safety fair at Foss April 9
Come visit with more than 30 health and safety exhibitors Saturday, April 9, at Foss
High School from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and learn how easy it can be to make
positive health and safety behavior changes. The event will feature:





Free food (while supplies last)
The first 250 visitors will receive a free, reusable grocery tote filled with
information and more
Free health screenings
Fun kid and adult activities
Door prizes and more
The Sound Partnership encourages employees and their families to take advantage
of these wellness opportunities.
Science sampler expedition April 12
Andrew Schwebke, director of Student Learning, Math and Science, organized a
"Marine and Environmental Science Sampler Expedition" at Foss Waterway
Seaport for Tuesday, April 12. This expedition will give district principals and
administrators an overview of Foss Waterway Seaport’s inquiry-based, hands-on
education program and specifically the marine and environmental science program
that helps “bring science alive” for students of all ages. The program and boat tour
will run from 2 to 5 p.m. starting at the Seaport, 705 Dock St.
Brian Eggers of the Tacoma
Rescue Mission thanks Grant
students and staff for their
donation of infant, boys, girls and
adult socks for people in
emergency and transitional
housing.
Franklin makes healthy
snacks
Gilda Wheeler, Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, Environmental
and Sustainability Program supervisor, will emphasize why it is so crucial to reach
students at an early age to teach them about environmental responsibility and
sustainability, and how partners such as the Seaport can provide hands-on
opportunities the students might not otherwise have.
The group will then board the 65-foot marine research vessel Indigo, operated by
the Seaport’s program partner Service, Education and Adventure (SEA) for handson learning on the boat. Participants will learn about custom-designed field trips
and environmental education activities that weave in Tacoma’s rich waterfront
history to promote integrated learning.
For more information, contact Madhuri Hosford at 253-272-2750, ext. 102, or e-mail
her at m.hosford@fosswaterwayseaport.com.
Point Defiance to host auction April 30
Point Defiance Elementary School will host its annual auction April 30 from 6 to 9
p.m. in the school gym and cafeteria. This fundraiser will go toward the purchase of
books and the Accelerated Reader program, which helps motivate students to read.
Students learn the proper way to
dice healthy snacks during a
weekly Square Foot Nutrition
class for students in second
through fifth grade.
“We call the auction “A Night Around The World” and it should be a great night with
super deals,” Principal Olga Lay said. There is no cost, and everyone is welcome.
News and updates
May 26 half day of school
To make up for a lost half day of school due to snow in November, the school board
has decided to change Thursday, May 26, from a full day of school to a half day.
On May 26, the district will release students in all grade levels early:
 High school students at 10:50 a.m.
 Middle school students at 11:30 a.m.
 Elementary students at 12:15 p.m.
This change means students and their families now will have a slightly longer break
for the Memorial Day Weekend.
A Square Foot Nutrition instructor
shows a young Franklin boy how
to prepare a meal.
Truman students test simple
machines
The district lost a half day of school due to snow on Wednesday, Nov. 24 – the day
before Thanksgiving.
Regulations for charitable donations, fundraisers
In light of the recent disaster in Japan, Finance anticipates that schools will want to
conduct fundraisers for charitable donations through their ASBs. To ensure
schools, ASBs and PTAs have successful fundraisers, check the rules and
guidelines below for these activities:


Fundraising (per Tacoma Public Schools ASB manual)
Common ASB questions (per Tacoma Public Schools ASB manual)
Please note: All financial activity associated with charitable fundraising must be run
through a #60 club account (either #6001 – Charitable Contributions or #6101 –
Disaster Relief). This includes any expenditures associated with the fundraiser.
Carl Pierce from Creative
Educational Experiences teaches
Truman M.S. seventh graders
how simple machines such as
climbing gear can amplify or
reduce force and how the
equipment is used in rescue
techniques.
If you have any questions about fundraisers, please contact the Finance office at
253-571-1200 or Jennifer Kubista in Student Life at 253-571-1123.
Allstate Insurance donates $100,000 to Washington schools
Allstate Insurance Company is donating $100,000 to public K-12 schools in
Western Washington. The company recognizes that with statewide budget cuts to
education, schools throughout the state face tough decisions. The cuts could
impact education for approximately 583,000 students who attend public elementary
and secondary schools in the Region.
Starting April 25, Allstate will ask local consumers and current Allstate customers to
decide where the money goes by visiting Cash4YourClass.org. The top 10
schools to receive the highest percentage of votes per student population will
receive $10,000 each.
Truman M.S. students investigate
pulleys in science class.
Look for more details will be in an upcoming Webucator.
Pierce County shares earthquake preparedness tips
The Japan earthquake is a strong reminder that Washington is earthquake country
and residents should take the necessary steps to prepare. Pierce County
Emergency Management has updated its Web page with some personal and home
preparedness items. Please visit the Web site at www.co.pierce.wa.us/dem.
Parfait Bassale entertains, educates in Foss French classes
Sally Brownfield’s French students at Foss High School sang and danced with
Parfait Bassale in French and English in March when the performer visited Foss.
Bassale, originally from Bénin, spent most of his years growing up in Sénégal
where he learned to write and sing rap in French, his native language. More
Seventh graders test pulleys to
see the mechanical advantage of
using pulleys.
Bassale entertains in French
recently, he has studied international conflict resolution at the University of Portland
and works with the Rubicon Educational Foundation.
During his Foss visit, Bassale played songs (in both English and French) he had
written on respecting differences, empathy and trying to make the world a better
place. He also engaged the students in conversations about their feelings on these
subjects.
During a French rap song and a song about Bassale’s trip to Haiti, which the
students had studied in advance, some students showed their dancing skills. In the
advanced class, the students and Bassale spoke entirely in French.
“Bassale succeeded in making a warm connection with the students in all my
classes,” Brownfield said. The Rubicon Educational Foundation filmed the
afternoon presentations and interviewed some French Club members after school.
The foundation plans to show the performances and the interviews to the students
in Haiti.
Inspired by Bassale’s song about Haiti, the Foss French Club decided to raise
funds to buy books for a partner school in Haiti as part of the Rubicon Educational
Foundation’s Sister School program. Foss also may start a correspondence project
between Foss and Haitian students.
Parfait Bassale plays his rap
music in French and English for
students in Sally Brownfield’s
French class at Foss H.S. The
songs he wrote focused on
respecting differences, empathy
and trying to make the world a
better place.
All students play chess at Northeast Tacoma
“All 383 students at Northeast Tacoma Elementary School improve their math skills
by learning to play chess,” Principal Anne Tsuneishi said. “Research shows chess
stimulates brain activity, and it’s a great way to improve math skills such as
strategizing and explaining reasoning and answers.”
At a recent Math Madness Night, Northeast Tacoma gave away 50 chess sets, and
families played math games on laptops.
A Foss student shows off dance
moves as Parfait Bassale plays
the guitar in a Foss French class.
“We had great fun and the chess sets will encourage families to play chess at
home,” Tsuneishi said.
Washington-Hoyt PTA triathlon nets more than $8,400
The Washington-Hoyt Elementary School PTA sponsored a March triathlon event,
which included the entire student body walking for 20 minutes, doing a special math
activity for 20 minutes, then participating in a reading activity for another 20
minutes. Prior to the event, students lined up financial sponsors to support them in
their triathlon efforts. Students collected pledges for more than $8,400.
Local professionals coach Mount Tahoma students
The Mount Tahoma High School concert band had its first-ever rehearse-a-thon –
a four-hour-long rehearsal on a recent Saturday afternoon. In addition to having the
large-group rehearsal, professional local musicians coached students in small
groups. These musicians donated their time and, for many students, the
professionals were the highlight of the day.
Parfait Bassale works with
Rubicon Educational Foundation,
which filmed interviews with Foss
French students. Rubicon will
show the video to a sister school
in Haiti. The Foss French Club will
raise money for books for the
Haitian school.
Washington-Hoyt PTA
triathlon brings in $8,400
“Already I have had several students ask me for contact information for these
professionals, because they are now interested in studying privately with the local
musicians,” said Max Karler, director of instrumental music at Mount Tahoma.
“Thank you, professionals, for all of your help in making this event a wild success.”
Two weeks prior to the rehearse-a-thon, students collected pledges from friends,
family and faculty at Mt. Tahoma to the tune of more than $800. These pledges
supported the students in rehearsing for four hours and will also help defray some
costs of the concert band’s participation in all four Daffodil parades this year.
Franklin learns about, tries out healthy meals
Every week, Franklin Panthers in grades 2-5 enjoy a nutrition class conducted by a
Square Foot Nutrition representative who teaches the students about healthy
Washington-Hoyt E.S. students
and staff walked a course marked
with yellow tape during their
recent triathlon. They raised
more than $8,400 in pledges.
snacks and meals. The Panthers actually make the meals with her and then enjoy
eating them. They have made a variety of food including smoothies, vegetable
dishes and cupcakes, all using healthy ingredients.
MultiCare sponsors challenge to promote healthy lifestyles
MultiCare’s Center for Healthy Living launched its first annual Million Minute
Mission School Challenge. The challenge is a friendly competition between schools
in Pierce County to promote healthy lifestyles and encourage participation in the
Million Minute Mission (MMM).
The top schools that log and average the highest number of physical activity
minutes based on student population will win $1,000 worth of fitness equipment for
their school.
To successfully complete the MMM Challenge, students must be active 30 to 60
minutes a day at least five or more days a week or log at least 3,600 minutes of
physical activity. Students should not forget to add the physical education and
recess activities they get at school. For purposes of this competition, physical
activity can include any and all forms of activity including playing basketball, soccer,
volleyball, biking, boarding, swimming, hiking and walking.
Although not quite spring, many
students had a spring in their
step as they participated in the
20-minute walk during their
recent triathlon. Students also
had a 20-minute math session
and a 20-minute reading
challenge as part of the triathlon.
ProStart students in state
competition in Spokane
Schools can begin the challenge any time between Feb. 8 and June 11. Winners
will be announced at the Sound to Narrows run June 11.
For details, visit the Web site at www.millionminutemission.org.
Truman seventh graders study simple machines
Specialty instructor Carl Pierce’s presentation enhanced the study of simple
machines and how they amplify or reduce force for students in Nanci Cornell’s and
Christina Coen’s seventh-grade science classes at Truman Middle School. Pierce
works for Creative Educational Experiences.
A Mount Tahoma H.S. future chef
creates a dessert for the Spokane
competition.
The students experienced how using a pulley system could work to their
advantage. They attempted to move a block 10 centimeters without mechanical
advantage, and then attempted it with mechanical devices: fixed, movable and
compound pulleys. The students also investigated how adding two or more pulleys
to their apparatuses could enhance mechanical advantage.
A tug-of-war, using rock climbing gear and two to three students vs. Pierce,
illustrated the mechanical advantage and the use of this simple machine. He
showed students some of the real world applications for the pulleys they created,
such as rescue techniques in white water and mountain climbing.
Creative Educational Experiences (CEE) presentations are available to all Tacoma
Public Schools to enhance science and other curriculums. Contact CEE
Coordinator Sue Rosamond at srosamo@comcast.net for a brochure.
Mount Tahoma ProStart students
prepare dishes for a competition
in Spokane.
TBA students create gifts for Japanese survivors
“Tacoma Business Academy (TBA) students did their part to send thoughts of hope
and support to the survivors of the Japan earthquake and tsunami disaster on a
rainy spring afternoon,” said Lori Ann Reeder, Communities In Schools, TBA.
In coordination with World Vision in Federal Way, students participated in an inclass service project creating cards and letters to be sent overseas to shelters and
hospitals.
“Sounds easy? Not so fast. It took awhile to get the creative juices flowing,” Reeder
said.
Student Isacc Russaw summed it up the best by asking the question: “What do you
say to someone who has lost everything?”
A Wilson H.S. ProStart competitor
carefully transfers food to a dish.
The class brainstormed ideas and figured the little things mean the most. Students
researched the disaster online, translated English to Japanese, drew pictures and
made collages.
They created 13 one-of-a-kind masterpieces, Reeder said. World Vision will ship
the students’ work free of charge later this month.
First Creek ASB leads pledge drive for nonviolence
Elated student leaders at First Creek Middle School presented their administrators
with a stack of pledges several inches thick from students committing to nonviolence and positive choices. The ASB students planned a campaign of visual
cues and activities during March Peace Month, which included the pledge
gathering.
Lincoln H.S. ProStart students
prepared and served the food
during the PTA’s 100th
anniversary celebration.
Students in Terese Cuff’s media class created the images for peace buttons. Tyler
Purdy’s art class designed a peace mural. ASB students took turns dressing as the
First Creek eagle mascot wearing a peace logo T-shirt. Peace symbols blanketed
the school. The culminating event March 23 featured a Peace and Pizza Sit-In with
faith-based and community leaders speaking about their personal commitment to
peace.
Applause
Kainen Bell wins state, advances to regional competition
Stadium High School student Kainen Bell won the State Youth of the Year
competition for the Boys and Girls Clubs. He will advance to regional competition in
California this summer. Bell attended and volunteers at the Al Davies Boys & Girls
Club in Tacoma. He participates in National Honor Society, African American Club
and Educational Talent Search, plays football and runs track. A Palmer Scholar,
Bell intends to attend Morehouse College, according to The News Tribune article.
Anderson inducted to activity coordinators’ Hall of Fame
Washington Activity Coordinators’ Association inducted Ruth Anderson, activity
coordinator at Meeker Middle School, into its Hall of Fame at the annual conference
in March. An outstanding activity coordinator at Meeker and formerly the
coordinator at Hunt Middle School, Anderson also serves as the director of the
Cascade Middle Level Leadership Camp at Cispus. She has led a middle-level
regional leadership conference for many years. Congratulations!
—Chuck Ptolemy, activities advisor, Student Life
A Lincoln H.S. ProStart student
offers a tray of sandwiches to
guests at the PTA’s 100th
anniversary celebration. Two
Lincoln teams took first place in
two categories at the state
competition recently.
Tacoma Business Academy
makes gifts for Japan
Halliday received AVerMedia award
AVerMedia presented Delonna Halliday, fourth-grade teacher at Grant Center for
the Expressive Arts, its AVerAcademy Showcase Classroom award. Halliday was
recognized for her exceptional use of AVerMedia Solutions to educate, engage and
inspire her students.
Destini Tautloff, left, Cora Filipi
and Britini Benvidez create
artwork with caring messages for
survivors in Japan.
Since 1990, the core of AVerMedia's engineering and development has been based
on digital video products and solutions. This focus has enabled AVerMedia to
continuously set the standard for digital visual clarity, quality and effectiveness.
AVerMedia Technologies corporate focus is not only to provide the most effective
digital tools, but also to ensure a healthier environment while serving the
community as a whole.
Lincoln ProStart teams win firsts at state
Becky Wilson’s and Lisa Egenes’ two Lincoln High School ProStart performance
teams won first place in two categories at the state competition. Corey Evans,
Kentara Brown El and Dayana Zuniga won in the culinary arts category. Azzilee
Smith and Charlotte Singh won in the chapter service project category. Both teams
not only took first, but were the only recipients of gold medal status. Another great
accomplishment by the Abes!
—Pat Erwin, Lincoln H.S. and Lincoln Center co-principal
Linh Tran, a Tacoma Business
Academy student, holds one of
ProStart teams compete at state competition
ProStart teams from Lincoln, Mount Tahoma, Stadium and Wilson participated in
the state competition in Spokane recently. The Washington Restaurant Association
sponsors ProStart and conducts competitions in restaurant management, culinary
arts, knife skills, customer service and other categories. ProStart advisors include
Rebecca Wilson, Lincoln; Tracey Robnett. Mount Tahoma; Barbara Rowland,
Stadium; and Rindi Hartman, Wilson.
the collages students made for
people in Japan. World Vision will
send the art messages to Japan.
Robotics teams compete
Mount Tahoma ProStart competes in first state competition
The ProStart program students at Mount Tahoma didn’t let being new stop them.
Four young men and a young lady represented Mount Tahoma: Dennis Music,
Maryece Pullen, Victor Angelito, Tony Higginbotham and Jessica Thompson. Their
menu included a Crispy Salmon Stack for the appetizer; Five Spice Rib Eye Steak
with Asian Mushrooms and Garlic Mash Yams for the entrée, and a Chocolate and
Carmel Fried Wonton for dessert.
Superintendent Art Jarvis
surprised the SOTA BOTS team at
the FIRST regional robotics
competition in March. Ken Luthy
and Ralph Harrison advise the
team.
“We tackled this challenge with the elements that the students mastered early this
school year. I’m very proud of their creativity and zeal to do their best,” said Tracey
Robnett, ProStart advisor. “While at the competition, my students felt the support of
the other ProStart programs in our district. One of the students said, ‘Wow, it is like
a big family, huh, Mrs. Robnett?’ I responded, ‘Yes that is what Career and
Technical Education is about: sharing knowledge humbly, to lead others to
success.’”
—Tracey Robnett, ProStart advisor, Mount Tahoma H.S.
Lincoln FFA team competes in landscape nursery contest
The Lincoln FFA Nursery landscape team of Joseph Gabbamonte, Chadessa
Chalfant, Duncan Graham, Erick Oldfield and Gabrielle Urban placed ninth out of
22 teams at the state nursery landscape contest March 25.
Gabbamonte did an exceptional job placing as the sixth highest individual out of 85
contestants. He will receive a plaque for being in the top 10 individual bracket at the
state FFA convention in May. Good job, Joseph and team!
—Mary Brown, Lincoln FFA advisor
Mount Tahoma’s Thunder Tech
robotics team gathers around
their robot.
Mt. Tahoma musicians play
rehearse-a-thon
Tacoma showed it is a great place to work
“It was crowded. It was friendly. It was very impressive,” Stafford Elementary
School Principal Cynthia Evans said. “The job fair March 24 showed everyone that
Tacoma Public Schools is the place to work. We had some great leads on some
very specialized folks – strong special education and a few elementary candidates
with some unique skills, such as speaking Ukrainian, and even a school
psychologist.”
“Of course, we don’t have many jobs. But there’s always room for a superstar or
two,” Evans said. “Marilyn Crabtree – you were organized, friendly and positive.
You made what could have been a gloomfest a great experience for everyone who
came through the Tacoma booth. Folks came away knowing that Tacoma values
personal contact and will remember us in a positive light. Pretty cool in this
educational climate. I was proud to be a part of the recruitment team.”
Brittany Tuffs, right, works on
characteristic bassoon tone
production with her coach Aimee
Pyle.
Prewitt selected for pilot series on great lesson ideas
Coni Prewitt, a teacher at Blix Elementary School, was selected as one of eight
teachers in the Northwest to be featured in a Teaching Channel pilot series
focusing on “Great Lesson Ideas.”
The Teaching Channel, originally based in the United Kingdom, is producing its first
pilot series for U.S. teachers. The programming is 100 percent about using the
power of film to create teaching tools, lesson ideas and teaching support to the
teachers of the United States. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation noticed the
Teaching Channel's success in the United Kingdom and the foundation has
subsequently underwritten the pilot series here to see if it can have the same
Chet Baughman demonstrates
the impact of correctly voicing a
note on saxophone for Carmen
positive impact in the U.S. as it had in Europe.
Villahermosa, Martina Avila, Jon
Wright and Michael Shaw
The Teaching Channel commissioned Tri-Film of Kirkland to film the pilot series.
Downing science fair soars
Energy and excitement filled the hallways at Downing Elementary School as the
students hustled through the corridors with their display boards for the school’s
science fair. The students presented their scientific findings to their classmates,
their teacher and a judge. Several of the judges commented on how the students’
work impressed them. Downing had 161 projects in the fair.
Snow in February caused the postponement of the evening science fair until March.
Parents and students meandered through the rows and rows of display boards, set
up both in the cafeteria and in the front hallway.
The Downing staff members thank the PTA for providing the display boards at a
reduced cost for students, the judges who so graciously shared their time and
expertise, and the many wonderful volunteers who helped set up and break down
the tables and displays the night of the event.
Shawn McCarthy, Sammy Tatum
and Adriana Tsrapalis work on
intonation and slide technique
with their coach and TPS
employee Justin Ehli.
Doctors visit Larchmont
“We couldn’t have done it without you,” Principal Sue Goerger said.
All of the students who made presentations received participation ribbons and 55
students, kindergarten to fifth grade, received ribbons of merit.
Bryant thanks Al Martin
The staff at Bryant Montessori would like to extend an enormous thank you to Al
Martin. He has been our temporary custodian for the better part of the 2010-2011
school year, and continuously exceeded our expectations and his job duties. Some
of Martin’s attributes are helpfulness, a strong work ethic, a terrific attitude and
being a problem solver. He is always pleasant, positive and caring – simply the
best! We miss Al Martin, and wish him the best.
—Bryant Montessori staff
Doctors from Tacoma Family
Medicine taught tobacco
prevention lessons to fourth and
fifth graders recently.
Lincoln DECA students qualify
OSPI CPR reviewer praises Purchasing staff
I want to pass on the kudos Purchasing received from the OSPI Consolidated
Program Review reviewers at the exit conference. Purchasing staff members were
commended for their compliance efforts with federal procurement. Bill Paulson, the
fiscal consultant who conducted the review, was impressed with their knowledge on
the differences between state and federal procurement, such as needing three
quotes and procurement card limits. He also commented on the Purchasing Web
site, and that he’d like to use it as a “Lighthouse” example for other school districts
to use. Congratulations and nice job! This a tough crowd to please.
—Marianne Bigelow, accounting services manager, Finance
Larchmont grateful for doctors’ presentations
Doctors from Tacoma Family Medicine taught tobacco prevention lessons to fourth
and fifth graders recently at Larchmont Elementary School, including special needs
students. Larchmont staff and students were grateful for the doctors' efforts and
well-thought out presentations as they encouraged everyone to make healthy life
choices.
—Leif Wanager, Larchmont fourth-grade teacher
Lincoln H.S. DECA students
Nyxalyse Springer and Okneca
Hamptonie hold their chapter
scrapbook, which qualified them
to compete at the national
conference in Florida.
Grant teacher earns award
Reed families explore school’s Web site offerings
Reed Elementary School parents and students journeyed around the school during
the March curriculum night, engaged in a variety of activities and earned stamps in
their “passports.” Families that stopped by the computer lab explored the Student
Resources page of the school Web site (www.jenniereedraccoons.org), and tried
out some of the safe learning games and activities linked to the school's Web site.
Some children even let their parents play.
“Families walked away with smiles and a sticker with the school's Web site address
AVerMedia presented Delonna
Halliday, fourth-grade teacher at
for quick access at home,” said Emily Bannon, Instructional Technology facilitator.
“Reed, thank you for the invitation to join you in this exciting family event. I
congratulate you for encouraging families to visit your school Web site for focused
‘fun’ and for a very engaging evening with staff, students and families. Well done!”
Grant Center for the Expressive
Arts, with its AVerAcademy
Showcase Classroom award for
her use of AVerMedia Solutions.
Lincoln DECA team qualifies to compete in Florida
On March 5, Lincoln High School students Nyxalyse Springer and Okneca
Hamptonie received the results they had worked for all year: They qualified to
compete in Orlando, Florida, at the 2011 DECA International Career Development
Conference with their chapter awards project.
Their project involved a big scrapbook of all of the activities the Lincoln DECA
chapter members participated in during the previous year. It includes activities
ranging from chapter movie night and pumpkin carving contests to the chapter’s
Red Ribbon week campaign. The 84-page scrapbook represents many hours of
hard work and a lot of fun.
“Okneca and Nyxalyse make up the only team from Tacoma that qualified to attend
this prestigious conference,” said Stephanie Pike, Lincoln DECA advisor. “Going to
Florida is a dream that both of these young ladies have had for years. As you can
imagine, it is a very expensive endeavor, so we are looking for any help and
support that we can get to help send these young ladies to Orlando,” Pike said.
The DECA Club will host a Zumbathon at Lincoln High School on April 8 from 5-7
p.m. to raise funds to send the team to the national DECA conference. If you have
any questions or would like to help the team get to Florida, please contact Pike at
253-571-6623.
TPS principals and administrators
will have an opportunity to go
aboard the research vessel Indigo
and conduct experiments through
a special event hosted by the
Foss Waterway Seaport.
DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance,
hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the globe.
Edison dances up a storm
Edison families dance the night away
More than 250 families attended Edison Elementary School’s ASB family dance
March 24 and enjoyed a live DJ, George Hollis, who entertained Edison's families
during the event. A Pierce County Health Department grant funded healthy snacks
of frozen yogurt and fruit toppings. Moms, dads, brothers and sisters danced the
night away, Principal Renee Rossman said.
One parent said, "This is the most fun we've had at Edison. It's the first time our
family has danced together, and I hope this will become an annual event."
Edison's ASB team and Lisa DuCharme, ASB advisor, sponsored the dance night.
Tech tip
More than 250 Edison E.S.
families stepped lively at the
ASB’s recent dance night. Some
students exchanged jeans for
party dresses and joined parents
and younger siblings in dances.
Create powerful PowerPoint presentations
Presenters and audiences alike have begun to realize PowerPoint allows the
presenter to guide the audience by using their past experiences as a starting point
and adding multimedia to expand their current perspective. Used effectively,
PowerPoint is:
 Not text on the screen read by the presenter to the audience
 Not a replacement for a handout
 A presentation containing very little text
The “power” in PowerPoint comes from the visuals the presenter projects and the
narration the presenter shares with the audience. To ensure a powerful PowerPoint
project, follow these instructions.
Help available for school webmasters
Are you looking for help with your school SharePoint Web site? Do you need help
Other Edison classmates banded
together and danced to a live DJ.
making changes or adding copy or pictures to your school Web site?
Instructional Technology can help. Please contact Cindy Pantley with Instructional
Technology at 253-571-3541 or by e-mail at cpantle@tacoma.k12.wa.us to set up
an appointment.
Commute trip reduction
Pierce Transit to continue bus service reductions
Due to the anticipated schedule for repair of the fueling station, Pierce Transit
cannot return to regular service levels prior to beginning the planned service
reductions. Repairs will take several months. Emergency reduced service will
continue to operate through June 11.
As a result of the economic recession and failure of Proposition 1 in February, the
Pierce Transit Board of Commissioners directed staff to implement a 35 percent
reduction in service by October 2011 to address the agency’s budget shortfall.
An Edison student wears a huge
smile and bright pink attire at the
school’s recent family dance
night.
Volunteer teaches fiddle
Since Feb. 28, a fire in Pierce Transit’s compressed natural gas fueling station has
significantly reduced the agency’s ability to operate the regular weekday service
schedule. The agency has reduced regular service by approximately 20 percent as
a result.
The plan begins with a 20-percent reduction on June 12, and a 15-percent
reduction on Oct. 2.
Pierce Transit Chief Executive Officer Lynne Griffith stated, “In response to
comments we heard from our riders, the focus of this service change will be to get
people to jobs and school and reduce low ridership routes and trips.”
Robyn Burns, a volunteer at
Bryant Montessori, teaches
students to play the fiddle using
the Suzuki method in an afterschool program coordinated by a
parent Melissa Banks.
The June 2011 service change will begin to incorporate elements of the reduction
plan. These service levels will be similar to the current emergency reduced service
levels. Details of the June service change will be published in The Bus Stops Here
booklet available at the usual locations in early June.
Quick Links
Beginning April 2, the Reduction Plan Rider Alert pamphlet will be available onboard buses, at Bus Shop locations, at Pierce Transit Headquarters and at
www.piercetransit.org. This pamphlet provides route-by-route information about the
proposed service reductions.
May 2011 is Bike-to-Work Month
Because last year’s Bike-to-Work Week successfully generated wide participation,
the Bike Commuter Challenge has expanded this year to include the whole month
of May. Bike-to-Work Month challenges commuter by rewarding those who already
cycle to work while also motivating commuters to try biking as an alternative or as a
complement to driving, carpooling, vanpooling or using the transit system.
Creating a team of four or more riders by pairing potential cyclists with seasoned
riders can help a in a business or organization generate participation. A seasoned
bike commuter makes an excellent candidate for a team captain and can lead the
effort to connect with colleagues interested in or new to commuting by bike.
Together, the team can schedule group rides; challenge other companies or teams
within the same company to one-on-one competitions; and/or organize incentives
with the help of their employer, such as half hour late start or free coffee for those
who participate.
In addition to workplace incentives, the Bike Month planning team will award a
variety of prizes thanks to REI’s generous sponsorship this year. For more
information about how to become a team captain and start a team, or if you’d like to
participate as an individual and log your trips for prizes, visit www.piercetrips.com.
Did you know: Last year’s Bike-to-Work week had 202 individuals log 597 trips and
Event Calendar
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Webucator
commute 7,785 miles by bike – in just seven days.
Bike Month activities include:
 Free third annual Tacoma bike swap, Saturday, April 30, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.,
University of Puget Sound (UPS) Memorial Field House. Information:
www.piercetrips.com.
 Free Bike Month movie series: “E.T.,” Saturday, April 30, 7-9 p.m., UPS
Memorial Field
(Information from Downtown on the Go newsletter.)
Community opportunities
Speak for the Trees contest deadline May 13
Tacoma Power has expanded its “TREE-Mendous” education program this year by
joining the City of Tacoma’s “Speak for the Trees” promotion, and the programs will
sponsor an artwork, writing and poetry contest for students in first through eighth
grade. You must submit your entry by May 13.
Tacoma Power will also sponsor its annual fourth-grade Tree-mendous contest.
Students can write a story or create artwork about the value of trees to their
community.
For more information, contact Randy Stearnes, community relations officer,
Tacoma Public Utilities, at 253-502-8224 or e-mail him at
rstearne@cityoftacoma.org.
Olympia Science Café April 12
Olympia Science Café will feature “Hubble Science at Two Decades” Tuesday,
April 12, at 7 p.m. at Batdorf & Bronson Coffee House, 516 Capitol Way S.,
Olympia.
Hubble has entered its 21st year of operation. During that time, its results have
launched new fields of study, revolutionized others and upended many a cherished
theory.
Professor Bruce Balick in the Astronomy Department at the University of
Washington will take guests on a tour of the major Hubble results starting from the
discoveries of new planets to views of the cosmos when the universe was only a
toddler beginning to make the first generation of stars (that is, 3 percent of its
current age). He will give a recap of the refurbishment mission to Hubble in 2009
and end his presentation by giving a glimpse of Hubble's successor, the James
Webb space telescope and its capabilities.
The May meeting will cover “The Magnitude-6.5 Puget Sound Earthquake of Fall
2011 That No One Will Feel” by Professor Emeritus Steve Malone, Department of
Earth and Space Science, University of Washington and Past Director of the Pacific
Northwest Seismic Network.
For more information, contact Loren Petty, Teacher Education Programs, The
Evergreen State College, at 360-867-6573.
Tacoma School District No. 10 complies with all federal and state laws and regulations and does
not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation,
national origin, or ancestry, the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability or use of a
trained guide dog or service animal by a person with a disability, age, familial or marital status,
honorably discharged veteran or military status. This applies to all educational programs and
extra-curricular activities. Inquiries regarding the application of the above should be directed to
Laurie Taylor, assistant superintendent, Human Resources, telephone 253-571-1252. Inquiries regarding the application of Title IX should
be directed to Jennifer Kubista, director of Student Life, telephone 253-571-1123. Inquiries regarding the application of Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act (concerning students with disabilities who are not eligible for special education) should be directed to Jennifer Traufler,
executive director, Student Services, telephone 253-571-1224. Inquiries regarding accommodations for disabled employees and the public
should be directed to Leslie Nohr, Disability Accommodations Office, telephone 253-571-1021. These individuals may be contacted by mail
at P.O. Box 1357, Tacoma, WA 98401-1357.