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.
Feb. 25, 2011
Owl models at SAMI
Dates to remember
Feb. 26: U.S. Department of Education parent forum, The Evergreen State College
Tacoma, 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
March 2: Dr. Seuss’ birthday; Read Across America Day
March 2: Sherman E.S. PTA Dads and Donuts, 8:20 to 8:50 a.m.; school assembly,
9:30 a.m. with Dr. Art Jarvis reading
March 3: Giaudrone M.S. science night, 6 to 8 p.m.
March 12: Wilson Scintillation Show Choir dinner and auction, Charles Wright
Academy, doors open 5 p.m.
Upcoming events
Read Across America March 2 marks Dr. Seuss’ birthday
The anniversary of Dr. Seuss’ birthday is celebrated on March 2 in schools
throughout the country with special guests reading to students. Some schools allow
students and staff members to wear bathrobes, pajamas and slippers for reading
time. Others prepare green eggs and ham. Here are a few of the special guests
who will take time on Read Across America Day to share stories with children.
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Superintendent Art Jarvis will visit Sherman Elementary School for its 9:30
a.m. assembly on March 2, and Grant Center for the Expressive Arts will
welcome him at 2 p.m.
Author Mary Boone will share stories at Lister Elementary School on Read
Across America Day (www.boonewrites.com).
Three Trufant brothers have teamed up to read from 1:30 to 3:15 p.m. at
McCarver Elementary School where they all went to school. Marcus Trufant
plays with the Seahawks; Isaiah Trufant is a New York Jet; and Desmond
Trufant is on the University of Washington Huskies team.
Classified Employees Week March 14-18
Classified School Employee Week will be celebrated the week of March 14
through 18 across Washington. This is the time to acknowledge and proclaim that
classified school employees do their very best to serve students in Washington’s
public schools, according to the Public School Employees of Washington (PSE).
The 2011 theme is “United in Moving Forward, Member Driven Since 1948.”
This celebration has been acknowledged for many years, giving much-deserved
recognition of a wide range of support services performed throughout the year for
students. In every aspect of education – maintenance, secretarial, nutrition,
transportation, instructional aides or security, to name a few – classified staff
members work together to provide services for students in a safe and positive
environment for learning. Classified employees strive to give students the means to
be successful. Click here for all the details about Classified Week.
What is your school or site doing this year to honor your classified employees?
Highlight your creative celebrations in words and pictures in Webucator by emailing Pam Thompson, Webucator editor, at pthomps@tacoma.k12.wa.us.
Whittier Kids on Broadway to perform March 22
Kids on Broadway, Whittier Elementary School second and third graders, will sing
Forest, a Eurasian eagle owl
poses for a SAMI student in his
painting class. Students like Tesh
Smith made watercolor sketches
of Forest.
Zoo handler and SAMI teacher,
Karen Povey, held Forest for
nearly an hour as he quietly
watched the students work. Art
teacher Mary Mann painted along
with her students including Tesh
Smith and Shiku Wainaina, left.
Lions roar through DeLong
songs from Wizard of Oz, Peter Pan, Secret Garden, Lion King and Annie Tuesday,
March 22, at 6:30 p.m. in the Wilson High School auditorium. The Whittier Recorder
Club and the Panther choir will also perform for this free event.
For more information, contact Laurie Burns, music specialist at Whittier, at 253-5717573.
News and updates
Sax to share ideas on gender differences March 8
Jason Lee Middle School will host Dr. Leonard Sax, director of the National
Association for Single Sex Public Education and the Montgomery Center for
Research in Child and Adolescent Development, March 8 for a series of training
talks with students, staff members and parents. The evening event will be open to
all Tacoma parents and community members from 7 to 9 p.m. Dr. Sax is the author
of three books, “Why Gender Matters,” “Boys Adrift” and “Girls on the Edge.”
Feb. 7 numerous students
performed the Lion Dance down
the DeLong hallway for the
students and staff members. Red
envelopes were given to students
in each classroom to give to the
lions as they passed by.
In Sax’s meeting with the boys only, he will share research on gender differences in
sensation and perception—boys and girls differ in how they see, hear and smell.
Some of these differences are presented in “Why Gender Matters” with updates at
www.whygendermatters.com.
When he speaks to the girls, he will have them consider and deconstruct the
common cultural stereotype (in American culture) that computer science and
physics are mostly “boys’ subjects.”
When he meets with teachers in the afternoon, they will consider practical
strategies which other teachers have used in middle-school classrooms, genderspecific strategies, which broaden educational horizons and break down gender
stereotypes, among other topics.
“At Jason Lee this year, one of the changes we made as a Transformational Merit
School was going to single-sex classrooms in the academic core classes,” Principal
Jonathan Kellett said. “This means that for our sixth graders, the boys are with all
boys and the girls are with all girls for math, science and humanities instruction.”
During his evening talk with parents, Sax will review evidence regarding the gender
gap in academic achievement on a national (rather than a state) level. He will show
that boys in this country are less likely than their sisters, today, to graduate from
college; and young men in large American cities now earn less money than young
women in large American cities, for the first time in history – and these trends are
accelerating. He will show that this growing gap is due to declining motivation
among boys and young men.
Sax will also address girls’ issues when he speaks to the parents. He will share
evidence that girls today are roughly 400 percent more likely to be clinically anxious
or depressed than girls from the same demographic 30 years ago, and more are
likely to be confused with regard to sexual identity. He will cover how texting and
Facebook are accelerating these negative trends for girls. The focus in this
presentation is on what parents need to know, and to do, to help their daughters
navigate this new territory.
Parents participate in Readiness Counts program
On Feb. 10, 44 Spanish-speaking parents participated in the “Readiness Counts!”
program, funded by Title I, at the Madison site. In this series of four classes, 136
preschool parents living in Title I school areas across the district are learning how
they can help their child at home to develop the skills necessary for success in
kindergarten.
Parents also receive tools and resources from the program to help them work with
their children. Preschool and kindergarten teachers in the district facilitate the
sessions at Madison, Mann, McCarver and Blix elementary schools. A district
Browns Point Wear Red Day
Browns Point E.S. staff members
wear red for Wear Red Day for
heart health.
Sen. Eide meets First Creek
Senator Tracey J. Eide, Majority
Floor Leader, from the 30th
Legislative District, center, greets
students and staff from the First
Creek M.S. Youth and
Government program on a trip to
Olympia.
Garrett to play in Seattle
committee of kindergarten and preschool teachers developed Readiness Counts!
this summer.
After first agreeing on the critical social/emotional, language, literacy, cognitive and
math skills needed for success, they split into teams to develop the home learning
activities that would help children develop these skills. The program is a
collaboration between the Title I Office and the Early Learning Office, and is aimed
at reducing the kindergarten preparedness gap. “Parents have expressed
excitement and gratitude about the opportunity to participate in the program and to
give their child a good start in school,” said Teresa Christianson, Title I program
specialist.
First Creek volunteers with community members
Thirty-five First Creek Middle School students rolled out of bed early and made their
way to school. Ordinarily not unusual, but early morning rising was on their Martin
Luther King Jr. holiday when most students were still slumbering away. At First
Creek, these young people slid into rubber boots, slipped on gloves and teamed up
with University of Puget Sound (UPS) football players preparing to pull out
blackberries, collect trash and remove invasive ivy.
Nolan Garrett, son of Tacoma
teachers, will perform in the
lobby of the Paramount Theatre
March 12 at 8 p.m.
Washington-Hoyt science fair
Science teachers Donna Chang and Deb Sanford reminded the participants that
they had gathered on this day to honor Dr. King’s belief in the power of people to
join together to make their communities better places to live, go to school and work.
A Youth Service America (YSA) grant helped fund the clean-up event and YSA
asked First Creek to dedicate the work to nine-year-old Christina Taylor-Green who
was killed attending an event to meet her Congresswoman, Rep. Gabrielle Giffords.
YSA recognized Taylor Green as an Everyday Young Hero, because she had been
so much like thousands of other young people engaged in service and civic
engagement. On this MLK holiday, young members of the East Side community
spent their morning making their community a better place.
The First Creek and UPS students joined up with about 60 community members
from First Creek Neighbors, Tacoma Green Partnership and the University of
Washington to clean up two East Side sites. Grace United Methodist Church
offered the group space to feed the volunteers a hot lunch after a long morning of
hard work.
A Washington-Hoyt E.S. third
grader, Anna Krabill, talks with
Kathy Zink, a judge, about her
science fair project.
Found: glasses at retirement fair
A pair of wire-rimmed glasses was left at the retirement fair Feb. 17. Please contact
Sherry Lamb in the Sound Partnership at 253-571-1240 if you think these glasses
might be yours.
Applause
Lincoln chooses 2011 Abe and Mary
The Abe and Mary title is the highest award for Lincoln High School seniors and is
given to students with a very high GPA (3.2 or higher), great Lincoln spirit and
involvement in extracurricular activities. They also must promote the good name of
Lincoln in the community. The choosing of Abe and Mary has been an enjoyable
tradition at Lincoln for many years, and the pageant allows the most elite seniors at
the school to be acknowledged for their accomplishments. Lynsey Daigneault, the
2011 Mary, aspires to attend Western Washington University and major in
journalism, while the 2011 Abe, G Dumbrique hopes to major in psychology and
become a high school counselor.
SOTA student earns Act Six scholarship
Congratulations to Meena Richardson, a student from Tacoma School of the Arts,
who received an Act Six scholarship. We are proud of you.
—Michaele Sein-Ryan, career counselor, SOTA
A Washington-Hoyt E.S. science
fair project display board and
working model attracts attention.
Nolan Garrett to perform in Paramount Theatre lobby
Sean and Marci Garrett, teachers in Tacoma Public Schools, have a right to be
proud of their son’s musical progress. Nolan Garrett, a seventh grader at Mason
Middle School, will play his guitar in the Paramount Theatre lobby in Seattle
Saturday, March 12, at 8 p.m.
The Seattle Theatre Group (STG) will present the young artist, and states on its
Web site that Nolan was born on Dec. 9, 1997, in Tacoma.
Nolan tried some summer sports activities as a young child, but came to the
conclusion that “sports are not my thing.” In February 2006 during second
grade, Nolan was convinced to try a new activity that he might like outside of
school. Because of an old, warped, nylon string guitar that was in the closet, he
chose guitar lessons.
Bold, clear titles on science fair
projects draw people to read
more about the project.
After begging not to go to his first lesson, he actually found that he enjoyed
guitar. He played at the “Relay For Life” fundraiser in April 2006 and Nolan fell
in love with performing and has yearned to continue. He has played with family
friend Mike Schrum’s blues band at various venues. In April 2008, he performed
for two nights on a Caribbean cruise ship. On March 20, 2010, he won all three
divisions of a talent show. His prize was studio time to record his original songs.
Soon after, he formed a new group, The Nolan Garrett Trio, with Cory Nacnac
on bass and Scott Leingang on drums. Together they have worked hard to
become a tight, cohesive band, and the result is the debut CD.
First Creek leaders/government students go to Olympia
Bright colors make an attractive
science fair display.
“What a week it was for Leadership and Youth and Government students at First
Creek Middle School,” said Rachel Smith-Mosel, ASB/leadership advisor.
“They attended the middle level regional Leadership Institute that Tuesday. There
student council members from the region gathered together to share terrific ideas.
Eagles "left their mark" with great participation in team-building, spirit-filled
activities.”
The Youth and Government delegation headed to Olympia for the Governor's
proclamation the next day. They listened intently as Lt. Governor Brad Owen spoke
to the student delegates. “Next, the mighty Eagles met with
Representatives Jeannie Darneille and Laurie Jinkins, who were impressed as the
students pelted them with thought-provoking questions,” Smith-Mosel said. The
Eagles followed the representatives into the gallery to witness debate and an
important vote on legislation to extend unemployment benefits past the 99-week
mark.
The First Creek delegation then caught up with its Lincoln Center counterparts for a
tour of the capital. The Eagles met with Senator Debbie Regala, who shared her
journey into public office after inquiring about the legislation each student wrote.
Senator Tracey Eide met with students, and spoke from the heart as she described
the painful decisions she and her fellow legislators must make as a result of the
budget crisis. Students were impressed with the candor, approachability and
genuine interest of their representatives. Read more
A young scientist watches as a
judge scrutinizes his project.
Tech tips
Digital Safety Information
Information on cyber safety, bullying, internet filters and more can be found on the
district’s Instructional Technology Web site. In addition, school librarians have
information and Internet safety lessons in their curriculum to share with students
and staff.
Community opportunities
Some Washington-Hoyt students
chose to research animals or
birds for their project.
Lincoln’s Abes and Marys
Parks Appreciation Day April 17
Grab your gloves, shovels, rakes and hoes. Join hundreds of volunteers throughout
Pierce County for Parks Appreciation Day, Saturday, April 17, from 9 a.m. to noon.
Pierce County will celebrate Earth Day, Arbor Day, National Parks Week and local
parks in one fun event.
Be a proud participant: plant, prune, push, pull and, of course, play. People of all
ages can give back to the earth by trimming limbs, grooming grounds, combing
beaches and planting flowers and trees in a park near them. Participating parks and
organizations are listed at the Web site: www.parksappreciationday.net.
Parks need your help in this time of tight budgets. This is also an event where your
whole family can lend a hand or two—from the smallest to the oldest member.
There’s something for everyone. This is also a way for students to earn several
hours of community service credit.
Contestants at Lincoln H.S.’s Abe
and Mary assembly. The title of
Abe and Mary honors the school’s
best senior students in
academics, extra-curricular
activities and school spirit.
Metro Parks Tacoma organizes the annual event, which is celebrating its 10th year
of caring for parks. This year, REI, the major sponsor, provided a grant to cover
many expenses.
For more information, call 253-202-5978 or e-mail richardm@tacomaparks.com.
Retirees association offers mini-grants to TPS teachers
Have a great idea? Not enough materials for the project planned? Students need a
boost? It’s time to apply for a Pierce County School Retirees' Association minigrant. The association will again offer the school mini-grant program for active
teachers in Tacoma Public Schools. First available in 2002, the program opens to
Pierce County school districts on a rotating basis.
To apply, just fill out an application form and mail to: Mini-Grants, Pierce County
School Retirees' Association, P.O. Box 112493, Tacoma, WA 98411-2493.
Grants will vary from a minimum of $75 and range upward to $150 or more,
depending on the quality of the plan submitted. At least one grant will be awarded in
participating districts. The application deadline is April 15. The association will
notify winners as soon as possible after that date, and then award the funds.
Gabriel (G) Dumbrique and
Lyndey Daigneault are Lincoln’s
20211 Abe and Mary.
Lincoln ASB enjoys snow
Tacoma Water ‘Fix a Leak Week’ contest to open in March
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is calling March 14-20 national “Fix a
Leak Week,” and Tacoma Water is answering that call with a challenge to fourth,
fifth and sixth graders. From March 14 to April 11, students will seek out leaks and
write a one-page story about finding a leak and the steps taken to fix that leak.
Tacoma Water will provide a “Fix a Leak Week” checklist for students.
If a student looks for a leak, but does not find one, then he or she may still write a
story about the experience and submit it for the prize drawing. The work of looking
for a leak is an important first step towards saving water.
The deadline to submit a story to Tacoma Water is Monday, April 11. Fun individual
prizes, such as a new bicycle, and a classroom grand prize of a free tour of a
Tacoma Water facility (school bus included) will be awarded to winners.
For more information and registration details, contact Randy Stearnes at 253-5028224 or visit the Web site at www.epa.gov/watersense.
Student video contest deadline May 2
The Washington State Board of Education announced the start of the second
annual student video contest. This year’s contest will focus on the important role of
math, science, technology and/or Career and Technical Education courses. The
contest deadline is Monday, May 2.
This is an opportunity for all secondary students to showcase their appreciation for
math, science, technology and Career and Technical Education coursework, their
Lincoln H.S. ASB students show
no fear of falling flakes of snow.
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creativity and their video skills.
More information about the contest, including the winning videos from last year, is
available on Board of Education W eb site and its YouTube channel.
Share visions for Swan Creek Park March 2
Tell Metro Parks your vision for Swan Creek Park at a public workshop
Wednesday, March 2, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Family Investment Center, Room 101,
1728 E. 44th St., Tacoma. Do hands-on activities, watch a slide show. Share your
ideas. Bring your kids. Enjoy snack and refreshments. For more information,
contact Lois Stark, chief planter for Metro Parks Tacoma, at 253-305-1077 or e-mail
her at loiss@tacomaparks.com.
Healing Together: A Celebration Feb. 26
The Coming to the Table, a nationwide group, with a focus on the legacy of slavery
and its ongoing effects in the United States, will host Healing Together: A
Celebration Saturday, Feb. 26, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Northwest African
American Museum, 2300 S. Massachusetts St., Seattle. For more information on
the free event, click here.
Group members come from across the U.S. and England, and are descendants of
slaveholders and the enslaved. To identify a few, members are white
descendants of President Thomas Jefferson and black and white descendants of
Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemmings. The DeWolf family's ancestors were the
largest slave trading/shipping family in the U.S. The DeWolf family created a
documentary film called “Traces of the Trade: A Story from the Deep North.” Last
year the film was nominated for an Emmy award in the category of “Outstanding
Individual Achievement in a Craft: Research” by the National Academy of
Television Arts & Sciences.
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.